» ■Jk.\yi.K¥ Scl»»tlfl« and Mi-tkal 11 <.*». nd all t,y*-ti ( Natural ilim.>r\. A. K. FOOTF, M D. I.J. IHn.oni. Ave.. I'liiUrirlpMa. Pa. -v/ r Surgeon General's 0ffic3 ^ ^ /NNE>' EIGHTH EDITION—ENLARGED AND REVISED THROUGHOUT. HOMOEOPATHIC DOMESTIC PHYSICIAN, CONTAINING THE TREATMENT OF DISEASES; POPULAR EXPLANATIONS OF ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY, HYGIENE AND HYDROPATHY, A TREATISE ON DOMESTIC SURGERY, AND AN ABRIDGED MAT E^R/f A M E D I C A . By J. H. PULTE, M. D., AUTHOR or " woman's medical guide," etc. WITH IMPORTANT ADDITIONS, ESPECIALLY IN SURGERY AND THE DISEASES OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN. ILLUSTRATED IN ANATOMY AND SURGERY. Si/* loi607 THIRTY-FIRST THOUSAN] CINCINNATI: W. B. SMITH & CO., LONDON: JAMES EPPS, 170 PICCADILLY. 1863. VMBK P983k 18G3 Entered according to Act of Congres, in the year 1857, by .'. II. PULTE, M. D., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Unittd States for the Southern District of Ohio. DIPHTHERIA. This disease is comparatively a new one, with whose nature and character we have had heretofore but little acquaintance; It now has appeared among us in an epidemic form, and we have had abundant opportunities to study its character and treatment. Though dangerous, if not recognized and treated in the beginning, it admits of very suc- cessful treatment, if carefully watched and immediately met by the proper remedies. In this respect it resembles the Asiatic Cholera, which, also, proved terrible only when neglected in the beginningj or not at all recognised as such. Diphtheria attacks all ages, but principally the young, and among these the full, fleshy children. Adults are scarcely taken with it, except by real infection from others, and in such cases the results are more severe. The disease has an infectious character, but only by immediate transmission of portions of saliva or membranous shreds of the patient into the mouth, nose, eyes, or wound of another; mere exhalation seems not to propagate the disease, though even in very severe cases, where the exhalations become very fetid, this may also be the case. Whether the disease attacks the same person more than once during life, or the same season, is not known as yet. Like other epidemics, which favor particular organs as places of de- velopment, it increases the frequency and danger of those diseases peculiar to those organs, and impresses upon them more or less of its own character. If, during Cholera times, diarrheas were very frequent and obstinate, though they were, strictly speaking, not real Cholera attacks, so we have now sore throats in abundance, and find them more obstinate than heretofore. Diagnosis.—It is already generally known that this disease princi- pally affects the throat, and many have been induced to believe that it is nothing more than a malignant form of ulceration of the throat, similar to that which accompanies the scarlet fever, or appears in its stead. Others believe it to be a new species of Croup, with greater ex- tent and fatality. But those opinions are not correct. There are simi- larities between these diseases, because the locality of their appearance is the same; yet their differences are so great, that we must not con- sider them to be of the same family. Diphtheria is a disease, the germ of which enters the system in the form of a miasm, like that of cholera or any other miasmatic disease, and then, in the course of its development, propagates its own germ on the locality peculiar to itself, and that is the throat. In this respect we can consider it indeed a disease of the blood, which is penetrated by its poison through and through, if by non-inter- DIPHTHERIA. ference we permit it to do so; if we can check the progress of this poison, or neutralize its very existence, then have we, indeed, cured the patient—not sooner. The first symptom almost in every case is a subdued hoarseness, a slight huskiness in voice and apparent weakness of utterance. As this is frequently not observed, the disease progresses without any thing being done to stop its progress. In more acute cases this slight hoarse- ness may be quickly followed by high fever and more severe symptoms of the throat, which then invite immediate attention to the sufferer. In other cases the disease proceeds without any or much fever, so that the state of the patient is not revealed except by observing closely the changes on the tonsils and palate. There will then be seen a whitish exudation, of various size and shape, from a pin's head to a five-cent piece, not like matter or pus, loose and easily to be detached, but tough, like wash leather, of a dirty white color. In the progress of the disease, if not checked, this spot enlarges in extent and thickness, until it reaches like a white bridge from tonsil to tonsil, descending into the pharyngeal cavity, where its observation is lost to the eye. In its fur- ther progress the same exudation invades the larynx, trachea, and even entering the bronchial tubes, if life has not terminated sooner by laryngeal spasms. The most distinguishing features of the disease, aside from the throat symptoms, are: Muscular weakness, showing itself mostly in a listless, lazy apathy, yet not averse to complacently noticing or even playing; paralytic appearances, such as difficult swallowing of liquids, more than solids; difficult, rather uncertain articulation; hollow, snoring respiration; coughing after or during an attempt to drink; loss of ap- petite for almost any thing to eat or drink (this is one of the most unfavorable symptoms). In some cases the glands of the neck and throat become involved, swell up to a fearful extent, as in malignant scarlet fever, and show all the symptoms of a critical suppuration ; yet, when the glandular abscess is opened, the condition of the vascular walls is found broken down, and fatal arterial hemorrhage ensues. In other cases the disease invades the nasal fossae, and a fetid mucus runs from the nostrils, cor- roding and obstructing the nose, similar to some cases of malignant scarlet fever. In these cases a comatose state soon Bupervenes, and life ends under paralysis of the brain, as in the other cases described above, it ended in paralysis of the lungs. Another fatal issue of the disease can be by a metastasis or transla- tion to the stomach and its environs; in such cases the throat symp- toms may disappear, and in their stead black vomiting ensues, which soon terminates life. DIPHTHERIA. V We have also witnessed in two cases the following train of symptoms : In the first case, the diphtheritic characteristics disappeared in a few days; the child returned to school, but in two days thereafter com- plained of headache, lost sight, hearing, speech, could not smell, taste or swallow, had great difficulty in raising the accumulated phlegm from throat or lungs, which almost terminated its life. Yet it recov- ered from this fearful paralytic state, but lost all the hair on its head. Its recovery was as perfect as it is usually after severe typhus fever, if no severe lesions have taken place. The other case was similar to this one, but the child being considerably younger and of feebler constitu- tion, it died in one of those efforts to overcome the accumulation of phlegm, by a sudden attack of paralysis of the brain. These facts as to the occasional termination of the disease prove its real toxical character, similar to the most virulent of the typhus species, if induced by poisonous malaria or contagion. This view is strengthened by issues bearing still a closer resemblance to the typhoid forms, such as petchiac and livid spots, like bruises (purpura hemorrhagica), with the attending low type of fever. We could still produce more evidence of the essential nature of this disease as expressed above, if in a popular article of this kind it was considered necessary. Enough is stated to convince the reader of the fearfulness of the disease and the necessity to combat it in the onset, and if possible to prevent its progress; we have more power to prevent it than to cure it. TREATMENT. As this treatise is intended for popular use only, we adapt its injunc- tions to that purpose. Professional men must follow their own ex- perience, or if they will profit by ours, we hope they will find them well founded. We want five remedies in the possession of the reader: ACONITE, BELLADONNA, KALI CHLORICUM, KALI BICHROMI- CUM, and BINIODIDE OP MERCURY.« Besides these internal remedies we recommend as a gargle a solution of salt and water, and around the throat a bandage dipped in a similar solution. If the disease commences with Fevek, give first Aconite and Belladonna (five drops of each in two tumblers, half full of water each) every hour a teaspoonful, until the fever subsides. In some cases the fever subsides under this treatment in 8 or 10 hours, yet, on examination of the throat, it will be found that the dipth- * The strength or degree of these medicines is as follows : Aconite, first decimal in tincture ; Belladonna, same as Aconite; Kali Chloricum, in a saturated solution (1 part to 16 parts of distilled water); Biniodide of Mercury, first decimal in powder; Kali Bichromicum, the second decimal. diphtheria. eritic white spots have not disappeared or even diminished; in such cases, as well as in those where the fever still continues after the ex- hibition of Aconite and Belladonna, we must hasten to exhibit the following remedies in their order, and continue their exhibition until all the throat symptoms with the fever have disappeared; this may sometimes last two or three days. These remedies are: Belladonna, Kali Chloeicum, Kali Bichcromi- cum, and Biniodide of Mercury ; the three first in solution, five drops of Belladonna, twenty drops of Kali Chloricum, and half a gram of the powder of Kali Bichrom., each in a separate tumbler half full of water; of the fourth remedy, which is also in powder form, the dose for children of four years and over is so much as will lay on a three- cent piece; for children under four years it is half that quantity;. of the three first, in liquid, the dose is a teaspoonful, and half a teaspoonful respectively as to the age of the patient. The time of exhibition varies from one, two, to three hours; in the beginning, every hour a dose, i, e. the first hour Belladonna, next hour Kali Chloricum, the third hour Kali Bichrom., and the fourth hour the powder of Bin- iodide of Mercury dry on the tongue; the fifth hour Belladonna again, and so on. If the patient is better, or, at least, not worse, next day, the time of exhibition may be lengthened to two hours, and after- ward to three hours. When all the throat symptoms have disappeared, but fever is yet present more or less, the last remedy may be entirely omitted, and the three first may be still given, until every vestige of the disease has left. During all this time the external application of the salt water band- age (covered with flannel) must not be omitted for an instance; if dry, if must be moistened again. Instead of salt water bandage, slices of the fat of bacon may be put on the throat. The children, if old enough to know how, must be directed to gargle frequently with lukewarm salt water. This latter means we also recommend as the best preventive externally to those exposed to the infectious influence of this disease; . as internal preventive we recommend the use of a small quantity of the Biniodide of Mercury, or still better, of Iodide water alone, every day once. Diet.—During the disease the strength of the patient should be kept up by all means possible; for this purpose we recommend broths of meat, claret wine, wine whey, etc., (but these articles must not be given when there is much fever). If patients desire oysters and ice- cream, especially during convalescence, it may be given to them. If possible, keep them in bed in a moderately warm and even tempera- ture. Change the linens frequently, and air the rooms as often as convenient. PREFACE TO THE EIGHTH EDITION. This present edition contains an article on the diagnosis and treat- ment o£ Diphtheria, a disease now so well known by its rapid and fearful ravages, especially among children—or even among adults—if its character and treatment are not well understood. The author avails himself of this first opportunity of communicat- ing to the non-professional public his ideas about the nature of Diph- theria, and his method of its treatment, as he himself has most suc- cessfully tried it for the last three years. No medical work on Domestic Practice has as yet presented a treatise on Diphtheria to the public, who so often rely, by necessity, on such works for instruction and relief in cases of emergency. The medicines necessary for the treatment of Diphtheria are mentioned in this article, and can be had in any well- conducted Homoeopathic Pharmacy. The article itself is placed in front of the book, as the most prominent place for immediate reference. THE AUTHOR. Cincinnati, January, 1863. PREFACES TO THE FIRST AND FOLLOWING EDITIONS, At this time scarcely one homoeopathic family is without one or more books on Domestic Practice, which is a sufficient evidence of their practical utility. s * * * * Those unacquainted with the application of water in disease, will find in the treatise on Hydropathy such general explanations as are necessary to guide them ; while under the head of the different dis- eases in which it may be beneficially applied, the more specific direc- tions will be found following the remedial treatment. * * In order to discuss more fully the various relations of a sound physi- cal and moral development of Females, together with a more minute description and treatment of their diseases, the Author, to accomplish this highly important object, has since issued a separate work, under the title of "Woman's Medical Guide," intended to be a supplement to his " Domestic Physician." fvii) TABLE OF CONTENTS. List op Medicines..................................................................xr» Intboduction..............................................................,.......xviii Science of Medicine..............................................................22 Dietetic Rules.....................................................................39 PART I. DESCRIPTION AND TREATMENT OF DISEASES. CHAPTER I. General Diseases. Rheumatism—Acute—Chronic. Rheumatic pains or cold. ' Gout. Pains in the small of the Back, Loins and Neck. Pain in the Hip Hip-disease. Inflammation of the Knee-joint. Inflammation of the Psoas-muscle. Cramp in the Legs. Sweating Feet. Goitre. Sleep- lessness. Nightmare. Palsy. Delirium Tremens. Epilepsy. St. Vitus's Dance. Tetanus. Trismus. Lockjaw. Somnolency. Leth- argv- Fatigue. Overheating and Mental Exhaustion. Fainting. Swooning. Apparent Death from Hunger—from Drowning — from Freezing — Lightning—Hanging — Choking—from Noxious vapors— Fall or Blow—Violent Mental Emotion...........................45 CHAPTER II. % Casual Diseases. I. External Injuries. Fractures of Bones. Dislocation of Joints Wounds and Bruises. Sprains and Concussions. Burns and Scalds Poisoned Wounds—Bites and Stings of Insects. Frozen Limbs. II. Poisons — Antidotes. Animal Poisons. Vegetable Poisons. Mineral Poisons. > III. Medicinal Diseases. List of Drugs causing Diseases, and their Remedies..............,....................................81 (viii) TABLE OF CONTENTS. ix CHAPTER III. Cutaneous Diseases. 1. Eruptive Fevers. Rash. Nettle-Rash—Hives. Erysipelas. St. Anthony's Fire. Measles. French Measles.. Scarlet Rash. Scarlet Fever. Chicken-Pox. Small-Pox. Varioloid. 2. Chronic Eruptions. Irritation of the Skin—Itching—Pruritus Chilblains. Excoriations—Intertrigo. Ringworm—Herpes Circinna- tus. Tetter—Herpes. Itch—Scabies. Milk-crust — Crusta Lactea. Scald Head—Tinea Capitis. Corns—Indurations of the Skin. Warts —Verrucse. Whitlows. Felons. Panaris. Ulcers. Abscesses. Tr. mors. Swelling of the Glands. Boils—Malignant Boils—Carbuncles. Scirrhus. Cancer..............................................98 CHAPTER IV. Fevers. Explanation of the term Fever. Irritative, Inflammatory, Torpid form of Fever. Common or Ephemeral Fever. General Inflammatory Fever. Nervous or Typhoid Fever. Typhus—Different forms of Ty- phus. Yellow Fever. Bilious Remittent Fever — Gastric Fever— Intermittent Fever—Fever and Ague—Chills and Fever—Febris Inter- mittens ......................................................140 CHAPTER V. Affections of the Mind. Sudden Emotions. Hypochondria. Hysteria. Melancholia. Mania.171 CHAPTER VI. Affections of the Head. 1. Congestion or determination of Blood to the Head — Congestio ad Caput. 2. Vertigo. Giddiness or Dizziness. 3. Weakness of Memory. 4. Apoplexy. 5. Inflammation of the Brain—Inflammation of the Brain in Children. 6. Sunstroke. 7. Headache, a. Headache from Congestion of Blood to the Head. 6. Headache from Catarrh and Cold in the Head. c. Headache from Rheumatism, d. Headache from Constipation and Gastric Derangement, e. Headache from External Causes. Sick-Headache. Nervous Headache—Neuralgia in the Head— Megrim. Falling off of the Hair—Allopecia.....................178 CHAPTER VII, Affections of the Eyes. General Remarks. 1. Inflammation of the Eyelid and its Margins. a Inflammation and Swelling of the Eyelid, b. Inflammation of the TABLE OF CONTENTS. Margins of the Lids. 2. Inflammation of Eyeball—Ophthalmia. 3. Chronic Inflammation of the Eyes. a. From Gout and Rheumatism, b. From Scrofula, Scrofulous Sore Eyes. c. From Syphilis or Venerea] Disease, d. From abuse of Mercury. 4. Sty on the Eyelid. 5. Weep- ing or Watery Eyes. 6. Cataract—Glaucoma. 7. Weakness of Sight— Amblyopia—Blindness—Sudden and Incipient—Amaurosis. 8. Short Sightedness—Myopia. 9. Far Sightedness. 10. Squinting—Strabis mus. 11. Falling of the Eyelids—Paralysis. 12. Foreign Substances in the Eye....................................................203 CHAPTER VIII. Affections of the Ears. 1. External Ear and its surrounding parts, a. Eruptions and Swell- ing of the External Ear. b. Mumps—Parotitis. 2. Internal Ear. a. Inflammation of the Ear—Otitis, b. Earache—Otalgia, c. Humming, Buzzing of the Ears. d. Hardness of Hearing—Deafness, e. Running of the Ear9—Otorrhea. /. Polypus of the Ear. g. Foreign Substances in the Ear....................................................215 CHAPTER IX. Affections of the Nose. 1. Inflammation or Swelling of the Nose. 2. Eruptions on the Nose—Itching of the Nose. a. Eruptions on the Nose. 6. Itching of the Nose. 3. Bleeding of the Nose — Epistaxis. 4. Cold in the Head—Coryza—Suppression of the Catarrh, or Cold in the Head. 5. Ulceration in the Nose—Catarrh—Ozaena Narium. a. Ozaena Narium— Catarrh, b. Ozaena Antri Highmori. 6. Polypus of the Nose. Cancer of the Nose. 7. Foreign Substances in the Nose.....,...........225 CHAPTER X. Affections of the Face, Lips, and Jaws. 1. Inflammation and Swelling of the Face. a. Erysipelas of Face and Lips. b. Swelling of the Cheek. 2. Eruptions of the Face. 3. Face-ache—Neuralgia of the Face—Prosopalgia—Tic Douloureux. 4. Warts and Spots on the Face—Cancer of the Face. 5. Paralysis of the Face and Jaw. 6. Lockjaw....................................236 CHAPTER XI. Affections of the Teeth, Gums, and Mouth. 1. Toothache—Odontalgia. 2. Caries of the Teeth. Carious Teeth 3. Offensive Breath. 4. Bad taste in the Mouth. 5. Inflammation and Swelling of the Tongue—Glossitis. 6. Canker of the Mouth— TABLE OF CONTENTS. XI Stomacace. 7. Inflammation of the Palate. 8. Abscess in the Gums— Gum-boils—Swelling of the Jaw Bone. 9. Scurvy—Scorbutus. 10. Salivation—Ptyalism. 11. Paralysis of the Tongue. 12. Difficulty of Speech—Stammering. 13. Ranula, or Swelling under the Tongue .242 CHAPTER XII. Affections of the Throat. Sore Throat—Quinsy—Angina Faucium. a. Common Sore Throat. b. Ulcerated and Putrid Sore Throat—Malignant Quinsy — Angina Gangrenosa. Inflammation and Swelling of the Tonsils—Amygdali- tis. Swelling or Elongation of the Palate.......................261 CHAPTER XIII. Affections of the Windpipe and Chest. 1. Hoarseness — Raucitas—Aphonia, a. Acute Hoarseness. 6 Chronic Hoarseness. 2. Ulceration of the Windpipe — Bronchitis. 3 Croup and Croupy Cough. 4. Influenza. 5. Cough—Hooping-Cough —Tussis Convulsiva. Inflammation of the Lungs—Pneumonia. Pneu- monia in Old People—Pneumonia Notha. Remarks on Pneumonia. Pleurisy, a. Real Pleurisy, b. False Pleurisy—Stitch in the Side. Diseases of the Heart, a. Inflammation of the Heart. Corditis. b Palpitation of the Heart. Rheumatism of the Heart. Congestion of the Chest—Plethora Pectoris. Hemorrhage of the Lungs—Haemoptysis. Asthma. Asthma of Millar. Dropsy in the Chest—Hydrothorax. Pul- monary Consumption—Phthisis Pulmonalis. Contusion of the Chest by a Fall or Blow............................................271 CHAPTER XIV. Affections of the Stomach and Bowels. 1. Want of Appetite—Anorexia. 2. Morbid Appetite—Bulimy. 3 Dyspepsia—Weak Stomach. 4. Waterbrash—Heartburn—Indigestion —Flatulency—Sour Stomach—Pyrosis. 5. Biliousness—Gastric De- rangement. Nausea—Vomiting. Sea-Sickness—Spasms and Pain in the Stomach—Cardialgia—Neuralgia of the Stomach. Griping Colic— Enteralgia—Stomach-ache. Congestion and Stagnation of Blood in the Abdomen. Inflammation of theDiaphragm—Diaphragmitis. Abdominal I liammation. 1. Inflammation of the Stomach—Gastritis. 2. Inflam- mation of the Bowels—Enteritis. Inflammation of the Liver—Hepati- tis. Jaundice. Tetanus. Inflammation of the Spleen—Splenitis. Worms. Diseases caused by the Presence of Worms. Constipation— Costiveness. Diarrhea—Looseness of the Bowels. Dysentery—Bloody Xll TABLE OP CONTENTS. Flux. Cholera Morbus. Asiatic Cholera— Cholera Asiatica. Tribute to the Memory of Hahnemann. Cholerina. Piles—Hemorrhoids. Itching of the Anus. Prolapsus Ani. Rupture—Hernia. Dropsy of the Abdomen—Ascites. External Injuries of the Abdomen........ 32? CHAPTER XV. Affections of the Urinary and Genital Organs. Inflammation of the Kidneys—Nephritis. Inflammation of the Blad- der—Cystitis. Strangury. Dysury. Ischury. Anury. Inconti- nence of Urine—Eneuresis. Diabetes. Piles of the Bladder. Polypus of the Bladder. Gravel and Stone in the Bladder—Calculus. Hemor- rhage with the Urine—Hsematuria—Mictus Cruentus. Affections of the Penis. Affections of the Testicles. Seminal Weakness—Onania. Eruptions of the Genital Organs. Syphilis. Gonorrhea, a. Syphilis— Chancre, b. Gonorrhea—Clap—Gleet...................................... 418 CHAPTER XVI. Diseases of Females. 1. Menstruation. First Menses Obstructed—Tardy Menstruation. Chlorosis—Green Disease. Suppression of the Menses. Painful Men- struation. Menstruation too Early. Menstruation too Late and too Scanty- Menstruation too Copious—Flooding. Menstruation of too Long Duration. Critical Period. Cessation of the Menses—Change of Life. Prolapsus Uteri—Falling of the Womb. Leucorrhea—Fluor Albus—Whites. Deviation of Menses. Pregnancy—Signs—Progress— Exercise—Dress—Periods—Diseases. Morning Sickness—Pruritus- Itching—Varicose Veins. Spots on the Face. Plethora. Congestion. Fever. Hemorrhages. Hemorrhoids—Piles. Swelling of the Feet Toothache. Salivation. Derangement of Appetite. Diarrhea. Con- stipation. Dyspepsia—Heart-burn—Acid Stomach. Difficulty of Swal- lowing. Spasms. Colic—Strangury. Incontinence of Urine. Jaun- dice. Pain in the Right Side. Asthma. Vertigo. Neuralgia. Puer- peral Convulsions. Miscarriage. Parturition. Regular Birth. Labor. Labor-pains. Cramps—Spasms. Child's Water. Delivery. After- birth. Flooding. After-pains. Confinement. Lochia. Milk-fever. Qualities of the Milk. Suppression. Sore Nipples. Ague in the Breast. Gathered Breast. Childbed Fever. Milk Leg. Nursing. Wet Nurse. Weaning. Sore Mouth. General Complaints. Irrita. ^e Uterus............................................................................ 43i CHAPTER XVII. Treatment of Children. Apparent Death of a New-born Infant—Asphyxia. Diet of a New- TABLE OP CONTENTS. Xlll born Infant. Colic—Crying of Infants. Elongation of the Head— Snuffles—Obstruction of the Nose—Coryza. Swelling of the Breasts in Infants. Restlessness—Sleeplessness. Inflammation of the Eyes. Thrush, or Sore Mouth of Infants—Aphthae. Heat—Red Gum—Heat Spots. Excoriations—Rawness of the Skin. Jaundice. Erysipelas. Convulsions, or Spasms. Teething—Dentition. Constipation. Diar- rhea. Fevers. Dropsy of the Brain—Hydrocephalus. Asthma— Choking Fits—Asthma Millari. Remittent Fever of Infants. Vacci- nation. Cholera Infantum. Summer Complaint. Softening of the Stomach—Gastro-Malacia...................................................... 520 PART II. I. ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY. Structure of the Human Organism. Elements of the Human Organ- ism. Anatomy of the Bones. Physiology of the Bones. The Muscles. The Teeth. Digestive Organs. The Urinary System. The Respira- tory and Circulatory Organs. The Nervous System. The Skin.... 551 II. DOMESTIC SURGERY. Surgical Appliances, a. Poultices, b. Fomentations, c. Plasters. d. Rollers and Bandages, e. Splints. Accidents. Fractures of Bones— of Nose—Lower Jaw—Collar Bone—Ribs—Arm—Fingers, Thigh, Leg, Foot and Toes. Compound Fractures. Dislocation—of the Jaw— Neck—Shoulder—Wrist—Ankle............................................. 587 ILL HYGIENE AND HYDROPATHY. Hygiene. Food and Drink. Sleep. Air and Exercise. Clothing, and Occupation. Hydropathy. Diseases in which to apply it. Differ- ent Modes of applying the Cold Water. 1. Ablutions. 2. Shower-Baths. ■3. Partial or Half-Baths. 4. Full-Baths. 6. General Plunging-Baths. 6. Local-Baths. 7. Head-Baths. 8. Sitting-baths — Sitz-Baths. 9. Foot-Baths. 10. The Drop-Bath. 11. The Douche. 12. Local Appli- cations (Umschlage). Wet Bandages. 13. Applications round one- half the Body—Wet Linen Sheets. 14. Sweating....................... 609 IV. MATERIA MEDICA...................____......................... 653 Glossaby....................................................................... 698 Index. 707 LIST OF MEDICINES. THEIR SYNONYMS AND ANTIDOTES. 1. Aconite. Aconitum Napellus (plant). Antidotes—Camphor, Nux vom., Wine, Vinegar. i. Antimontum crud. Antimony (mineral). Antidotes—Heparsulph., Mercury, Pulsatilla. 3. Apis Mellifica. Poison of honey-bee. Antidotes—Ars., Canth. 4. Arnica. Arnica montana (plant). Antidotes—Camphor, Ignatia, Ipecac. 5. Arsenic. Arsenicum album (mineral). Antidotes—For poisoning with it: rust of iron. For its dynamic effects: China, Hepar Sulph., Ipecac, Nux vom., Veratrum. 6. Aurum. Aurum metallicum. Gold. (Metal). Antidotes—Bella- donna, China, Cuprum, Mercury. 7. Belladonna. Deadly nightshade (plant)r Antidotes—Coffea, Hyo- scyamus, Hepar sulph., Pulsatilla. 8. Belladonna" . Is the two hundredth potency of Belladonna. 9. Bryonia. Bryonia alba (plant). Antidotes—Aconite, Chamomile, Ignatia, Nux vomica. 10. Calcarea Caebonica. Carbonate of lime. Antidotes—Camphor, Nitric acid, Sulphur. 11. C amphora. Camphor. Antidotes—Opium, Nitri spiritus. 12. Cantharis. Spanish fly (animal). Antidote—Camphor. 13. Capsicum. Spanish pepper (vegetable). Antidote—Camphor. 14. Carbo veg. Car bo vegetabilis. Wood charcoal. Antidotes— Arsenic, Camphor, Lachesis. 15. Causticum. Caustic of the alkalies. Antidotes—Coffea, Colocyntb, Nux vomica. 16. Cedron. Cedron (plant). Antidotes—Arsenic, Bellad., Lachesis. 17. Chamomile. Chamomilla (plant). Antidotes—Aconite, Cocculus, Coffea, Ignatia, Nux vomica, Pulsatilla. 18. Chelidonium. (Majus). Great Celandoine (veget.) Antidote— Camphor. 19. China. Cinchona. Peruvian-bark (vegetable). Antidotes—Arnica, Arsenic, Belladonna, Calcarea carb., Carbo veg., Ipecac, Sulph. xiv LIST OF MEDICINES. XV 20. Cina. Wormseed (vegetable). Antidotes—Ipecac, Veratrum. 21. Cina" . Is the two hundredth potency of Cina. 22. Coccuxus. Indian berries. Coccle (vegetable). Antidotes—Cam- phor, Nux vomica. 23. Coffea. Coffee berries (vegetable). Antidotes—Aconite, Chamo- mile, Nux vomica. 24. Coffea" . Is the two hundredth potency of Coffea. 25. Colchicum. Meadow Saffron (plant). Antidotes—Nux vomica, Cocculus, Pulsatilla. 26. Colocynthis. Colocynth (vegetable). Antidotes—Camphor, Caus ticum, Coffea, Chamomile. 27. Conium. Hemlock (vegetable). Antidotes—Coffea, Spiritus Nitri. 28. Crocus. Saffron (vegetable). Antidote—Opium. 29. Cuprum. Cuprum metallicum. Copper (metal). Antidotes—Bel- ladonna, China, Ipecac, Mercury, Nux vomica. 30. Drosera. Round-leaved Sun Dew (vegetable). Antidote—Camphor. 31. Dulcamara. Bitter Sweet. Woody nightshade (plant). Anti- dotes—Camphor, Ipecac, Mercurius. 32. Euphrasia. Eye Bright (plant). Antidote—Pulsatilla. 33. Ferrum. Ferrum metallicum. Iron (metal). Antidotes—Arnica, Arsenic, Belladonna, Ipecac, Mercury, Pulsatilla. 34. Graphites. Plumbago. Pure Black Lead (metal). Antidotes— Arsenic, Nux vomica, Wine. 35. Helleborus (Niger). Black Hellebore (plant). Antidotes—Cam- phor, China. 36. Hepar Sulphuris. Sulphuret of Lime. Antidotes—Vinegar, Bellad. 37. Hyoscyamus (niger). Henbane (plant). Antidotes—Belladonna, Camphor, China. 38. Ignatia. St. Ignatius' Bean (vegetable). Antidotes—Pulsatilla, Chamomile, Cocculus, Arnica, Camphor, Vinegar. 39. Iodine. Iodium. Antidotes—Arsenic, Camph., Coffea, Phos., Sulph. 40. Ipecac. Ipecacuanha (vegpt). Antidotes—Arnica, Arsenic, China. 41. Jalapa. Jalap (vegetable). Antidote—Camphor. 42. Kali hydriodicum. Hydriodate of Potassa (mineral). 43. Lachesis. Poison of the Lance-headed Serpent (animal). Anti- dotes—Arsenic, Belladonna, Nux vomica, Rhus tox. 44. Ledum (palustre). Marsh-tea (vegetable). Antidote—Camphor. 45. Lycopodium. Club Moss. Wolf's Claw (vegetable). Antidotes— Camphor, Pulsatilla. 46. Mercurius (vtvus). Quicksilver (mineral). Antidotes — Arnica, Belladonna, Camphor, Hepar sulph., Iodine, Lachesis, Sulphur XVI LIST OF MEDICINES. 47. Muriatic Acid. Acidum muriatic (mineral). Antidotes—Camphor, Bryonia. 48. Natrum muriaticum. Muriate of Soda (mineral). Antidotes— Arsenic, Camphor, Nitri spiritus. 49. Nitri acidum. Nitric acid (a mineral acid). Antidotes—Calcarea carb., Conium, Camphor, Hepar sulph., Sulphur. 50. Nux vomica. Nux vomica (vegetable). Antidotes—Aconite, Cam- phor, Coffea, Pulsatilla. 51. Opium. White Poppy (vegetable). Antidotes—Camphor, Coffea, Calcarea carb., Hepar sulph., Sulphur. 52. Petroleum. Rock Oil (mineral oil) Antidotes—Aconite, Nux vomica, Cocculus. 53. Phosphorus. Phosphor (mineral). Antidotes—Camphor, Coffea, Nux vomica. 54. Phosphori acidum. Phosphoric acid (a mineral acid). Antidotes— Camphor, Coffea. 55. Platina. (Metal). Antidotes—Pulsatilla, Belladonna. 56. Pulsatilla. Meadow Anemone (vegetable). Antidotes—Chamo- mile, Coffea, Ignatia, Nux vomica. 57. Rheum. Rhubarb (veget). Antidotes—Camph., Cham., Nux vom. 58. Rhus toxicodendron. Rhus. Sumach. Poison Oak (vegetable). Antidotes—Belladonna, Bryonia, Camphor, Coffea, Sulphur. 59. Sambucus (niger). Alder (vegetable). Antidotes—Arsenic, Camph. 60. Sanguinaria (Canadensis). Common Blood Root. 61. Secale (Cornutum). Ergot of Rye (vegetable). Antidotes—Cam- phor, Opium. 62. Sepia. Inky juice of the Cuttle-fish (animal). Antidotes—Aconite, Spiritus nitri, Vinegar. 63. Silicea. Silicious Earth (mineral). Antidotes—Camph., Hepar sulph. 64. Spigelia (anthelmintica). Indian Pink (vegetable). Antidotes__ Camphor, Aurum. 65. Spongia. (Marina Tosta). Burnt Sponge. Antidote—Camphor. 66. Stannum. Pure tin (metal). Antidotes—Coffea, Pulsatilla. 67. Staphysagria. Stavesacre (vegetable). Antidote—Camphor. 68. Stramonium. Thorn-apple. Gympsum weed (vegetable). Anti- dotes—Belladonna, Nux vomica. 69. Sulphur, (mineral). Antidotes—Aconite, Camphor, Mercury, Nux vomica, Pulsatilla. 70. Sulphuric acid. Oil of Vitriol (amineral acid). Antidote—Pulsat. 71. Tartar Emetic (stibium). Tartarized Antimony (mineral). An- tidotes—Cocculus, Ipecac, Pulsatilla. LIST OF MEDICINES. xvii 72. Thuja (occidentalis). Arbor Vita? Tree (vegetable). Antidotes— Camphor, Pulsatilla. 73. Veratrum (album). White Hellebore (vegetable). Antidotes—Ipe- cac, Arsenic, Camphor, Coffea, Aconite, China. TINCTURES. 1. Arnica, Tincture. 3. Ruta, Tincture. 2. Calendula, Tincture. 4. Urtioa Urens, Tincture. Directions.—The use of these tinctures is specially referred to in the book whenever needed. Here we only mention their general appli- cation. Arnica for bruises, contusions, contused wounds, fractures of bones, stings of insects, corns, etc Calendula for lacerated wounds. Ruta, in chronic affections from contusions, after Arnica has been used. Urtica Urens for burns. They are intended for •external use only. In preparing them for this purpose, put from four to ten drops in a teacupful of pure water ; mix well, and wash with it, or lay cloths, dipped in the mixture, on the parts affected. i NOTICE TO HOMEOPATHIC PHARMACEUTISTS. It will be observed that in this " Domestic Physician," Coffea, Bella- donna and Cina, are used in two preparations—the third and the two hundredth. The latter has ", attached to it, as Belladonna ", show- ing, in the Roman numerals, the potency. It is expected that the pre- parations of these latter for the boxes are made in the greatest purity and genuineness. They can be procured all ready in every large city of the Union. The potencies of all the other remedies are designed for those from the mineral and animal kingdom in the sixth, and for those from the vegetable kingdom in the third potency. The tinctures mentioned in the " List of Medicines" should accompany the boxes. ^gy-SPECiAL Notice for this Edition..^^ Homoeopathic Pharmaceutists will please observe, that in the "List of Medicines," several, contained in former editions, have been omitted, while new ones were introduced, one more in number than heretofore. Tabacum and Aloes are left out; Chelidonium, Cedron, second dilution, and Ledum have been added. Calendula tincture has taken the place of Symphytum, omitted. INTRODUCTION. To aid in the search for the proper place in the work, where a disease may be found, its different popular names have always been given, and carefully recorded in the index. Should, however, the identification of a disease te difficult or doubtful, it is only necessary to refer, in the book, to the divisions made as to the parts of the system which are af- fected, such as "Affections of the Head, Chest," etc., where all the ailments of these parts are generally put together. But there will scarcely ever arise a difficulty in this respect; the index has been made very complete, in view of saving the reader time and unnecessary vexation. If a disease is found, it is expected that everything will first be read which is said concerning it in the article, before a selection of a remedy is made ; at the end of each article, the proper direction as to administration, diet, and regimen, is given. Wherever the attention is directed to the perusal of the Materia Medica, in treating on certain remedies, the medicine in question must be looked for in the Materia Medica, and its symptoms carefully compared with those of the pa- tient. If in the directions for diet the reader is advised to adhere to the usual homoeopathic diet in chronic diseases, etc., he will find its rules specified in the following pages, under "Dietetic Rules." It is necessary to give an explanation in regard to several remedies, whose names will be found different in this work from those used in other similar works. Of the various pre- (xviii) INTRODUCTION. XIX parations of Mercury, only one kind has been used, and whenever this is mentioned, under the name of Mercury, the MercuriuH vivus is understood by it. This was done for the s.ike of not unnecessarily confusing the reader with two diff'"rent names for mercurial preparations, which are essen- tially the same in their effects and use. On that account the Mercvrkts sublimat. has been left out entirely. Its use is, at any rate, confined to one disease only (the dysentery), in the treatment of which the Mercurius vivus supplies its place completely. On the other hand, three remedies, Coffea, Belladonna, and Cina, appear in two different preparations in the book, the one commonly used bearing the simple name, while the two- hundredth potency of these remedies has a cc- attached to them, showing in the Roman numerals the degree of potency. Although a great many more remedies could have been treated in the same manner, it was not thought advisable to burden the book with more therapeutical detail, as it might interfere with its other simple and practical arrangements. These three remedies, however, in their higher potencies, seemed to be almost indispensable, in a useful work of this kind, as their effects, when properly indicated, cannot well be produced by their lower attenuations. We invite particular attention to the use of Cinacc\ in the nervous worm symp- toms, so frequently experienced in children, in nightly attacks, which quickly disappear after the exhibition of one or two doses of Cinacc\ Every homoeopathic practitioner can soon satisfy himself in regard to the efficiency of tKe highest potencies, by making the above trial. In regard to our views on the preference of higher or lower attenuations, we would remark, that we consider homceopathi- cally legitimate and practically useful, all potencies, from the mother tincture and first trituration up to the highest dilution, but that we do not use one exclusively or all indiscriminately. Practical observation and theoretical researches have guided XX INTRODUCTION. us in applying the various attenuations with real benefit, which is not so difficult as many practitioners might believe. There are principles according to which the different poten- cies of a remedy must be applied in different cases. But to enlarge upon this subject here, would carry us too far; we content ourselves by remarking that, for a domestic family- chest, we would propose, as a general rule, the third potency for all vegetable medicines, and the sixth potency for all mineral and animal medicines. If this rule was once adopted by all writers on homoeopathic domestic practice, their several works might be used with benefit without subjecting the public to additional expense in procuring different medicine- chests for the works of different authors. For a successful treatment of diseases, everything depends, after the selection of the right, or most homoeopathic remedy, on the genuineness of its preparation. We would, therefore, advise our readers to procure their medicine-chests from per- sons whose competency or recommendations can be relied on ; and when in their possession, to take good care of them. The vials must not be opened except when used; each vial must receive its own cork again, and no odorous medicinal substances must be allowed to be nearby, when a vial is opened or medicine is taken. If a remedy is prescribed to be taken in water, a clean cup or tumbler must be selected, the pre- scribed quantity of water, either rain or river water poured in, then the medicine added, and, during its solution, well mixed with a clean teaspoon, and afterward covered well. If more medicines than one are prescribed at a time, in water, each one must be dissolved separately in a teacup, and each one receive its own separate teaspoon, which must not be changed during the administration of the medicine. If a vial is empty, it is indispensably necessary, before re- filling it, to cleanse it first thoroughly with warm water and dry it perfectly on a stove or in the sun, before the homoeo- pathic apothecary is allowed to fill it. Persons ought to INTRODUCTION. XXI attend to this scrupulously themselves, before presenting them for refilling; because much depends on it, as regards the genuineness of the medicines. The medicines should be kept in a dry place, where no odors can reach them. A renewal of their strength, if well kept, is not necessary for years; but if the slightest doubt in this respect should arise, it is better to have it renewed. THE SCIENCE OF MEDICINE. There is a striking similarity in the process of development in the different sciences, which have sprung into life by the unceasing efforts of the human mind. Even if the tendencies are ever so various, they bear to each other in the process of development a striking resemblance, exhibiting in that respect a unity of origin and growth in the moral and intellectual sphere analogous to the one, we find in the physical world which is governed by few, but universal laws. The reason for this singular coincidence, will be found in the identity of their fundamental structures, resting alike upon truth, order and harmony. The physical world, as well as the moral, are reared upon this same foundation, extending as it does throughout the Uni- verse, as far and deep as our eyes with telescope and micros- cope can penetrate, or our minds in furthest reaching thought can carry us. Truth, order and harmony prevail every where in the physi- cal world; where we don't find them, we may be certain that the fault lies in a deficiency of knowledge or perception on our part. Our duty, therefore, is still to pursue our investi- gations until we have found the sacred trio, and thus have obtained a revelation of new glories. In the moral and intellectual sphere, the same obstacles are encountered and the same glorious results are obtained. Politics for instance, before it could be called a science, had to struggle for thousands of years, during which im- mense lapse of time, the whole human race had been engaged (22) THE SCIENCE OP MEDICINE. 23 in its construction, without any apparent progress or even hope of final success. Prom the earliest dawn of history to the glorious morning of the Pourth of July '76, man had spent his moral, intellectual and physical strength to solve this one scientific problem; in the political histories of an hundred powerful nations, whose life and action fill this mighty chasm of time, nothing is presented to the scrutinizing eye but one continued, awful and sublime struggle after that divine trio of political science, truth, order and harmony. What an im- mense expense of human action, thought and suffering during these thousands of years, was necessary to produce that wonder- ful combination of truth, order and harmony, as presented to us in that small document, the "Declaration of Independence." Consider for a moment, that four thousand years of political suffering and struggle had to prepare the human mind for the scientific and right solution of this subject. Kingdoms and vast empires were raised and destroyed, great heroes fought and perished, giant minds, such as the world never has seen since, contributed their energies and suffering; still politics remained a chaotic field of unsuccessful experiments; it had not be- come a science because truth, order and harmony were still wanting; yet, these four thousand years were not spent in vain; without their experience and lessons, the Pourth of July, 76, never could have dawned. But as soon as the political rights of man were fully understood, boldly declared, and successfully maintained, the chaotic mass of historical data, during the preceding centuries, began to range itself intelligibly ; politi- cal truth became self-evident, and with order in its train, proved itself to be in perfect harmony with other truths, re- vealed and natural. To show the immense difference between old and new politics (as we term, for convenience sake, all foreign in opposition to Amer- ican politics) let us examine for a moment their workings in the art or method of colonization, which is a part of political economy. The Phoenician colonized, but his aim in doing so was not 21 THE SCIENCE OF MEDICINE. strictly political; it was as yet merely commercial. The Greeks succeeded in founding colonies, but could not retain them. Rome forced her colonies upon near and distant countries, but j was obliged to exhaust her power in keeping them in submis- | 6ion, and thus to hasten her own downfall. Spain colonized, , until she herself became poor, miserable and despised. Eng- ] land founded colonies more easily than any power previously, yet when compared with the rapidity of American colonization, its efforts sink into utter insignificance. The political organ- ization of an English colony is unwieldy and heavy, and can not, therefore, increase with great rapidity in wealth and population. The American system, however, allows of the quickest and most harmonious development of all nationalities and individualities, the colony herself becoming an integral portion of the nation. A State springs up as by magic, perfect in all its parts; it grows rapidly, and, in a short time, has gained a power and energy not possessed frequently by States of the growth of centuries. Such is the difference between scientific and chaotic politics. The same development of truth, order and harmony prevails in the moral and religious sphere of the human mind, after it has wrung itself out of a chaotic state of confusion into that of law and principle. Here, where even the Divine light of revelation had been shed for thousands of years, and the most glorious intellects had striven to find the truth, it remained weak and misunderstood, until the days of Luther and the reformers. Then at once, and with tremendous power, did it penetrate the old chaotic mass, organizing and giving life as it advanced. Again, look at the science of Astronomy, as it now ap- pears beautifully developed in symmetry, precision and truth; compare it with the Astronomy before Kepler and Newton, i who as the first infused science into its teachings; even the announcement of the Solar system by Copernicus, giving the true position of the sun and each planetary orb, was not suffi- THE SCIENCE OP MEDICINE. 25 cient to entitle Astronomy to wear the name of a science; it as yet was without its life-giving laws. These were found by Kepler and Newton. But even Kepler's three laws, although mighty truths, would have been quite powerless to propel Astronomy toward the perfection of the science it now is, if Newton's great law of gravity had not been discovered, giving them thus efficiency and power of developing truth after truth, until we are dazzled with the splendor which scientific Astronomy reveals in the boundless universe. Great minds had lived and labored thousands of years before either Kepler or Newton; yet the combined result of their labors were in- significant, compared with what the four laws of these giant philosophers effected in a short time. Before their period. Astronomy was a chaos of experiences and doctrines; through their labors it became a science, in which truth, order and har- mony reigned, and ever since its progress has been marvelous. Now let us contemplate the course which one of the most useful branches of human knowledge, the healing art, has taken; let us inquire whether it has been similar to those already mentioned, and whether it took also thousands of years of unceasing effort and trial, to prepare first its chaotic mass of experiences and doctrines, before it was possible for the creative power of genius to infuse life and science into it. As this contemplation touches nearer upon the very nature of our subject, we may be allowed to dwell more on its detail. From the nature of the healing art, we are led to believe that it must have been practiced, if ever so rudely, in the very beginning of human society; they tried then, as well as now, to relieve bodily sufferings and cure diseases. The first effort, however, recorded in history, to systematize medicine, was made by the Greeks, among whom Hippocrates, the Sage of Cos, was particularly famous. He is, therefore, rightly called the "Father of Medicine." His principal object was to closely observe nature, collect facts, make experiments, and to re- cord his own experience, or that of others, wherever he could. 3 26 THE SCIENCE OP MEDICINE. This course was a decidedly judicious one, the only one which, on account of the then existing small store of medical know- ledge, it was possible to pursue. His works left to us are, therefore, yet valuable, containing, as they do, nothing but facts, no vague hypotheses or surmises of a questionable nature. His followers, however, soon began to depart from those safe rules which had guided the Sage of Cos; they made attempts to classify diseases and treat them according to the nature of the causes, which they fancied to have found; they invented names for diseases, as it suited their pre-con- | ceived notions, according to which, of course, the treatment had to take its shape. Any one taking such a system as the rule of therapeutical action, would find himself soon dis- appointed, therefore less averse to adopting another, if offered. These systems or schools of medicine rapidly succeeded one auother in the lapse of centuries, every prominent doctor of the art attempting to be the founder of a new one. None of them, however, was based upon a law of cure, which alone could have insured its permanence. In its stead they con- sisted of fanciful theories, as to causes of diseases and their treat- i ment, which, like ignes fatui, bewildered the searching mind, I while they shed but a dim light to guide his steps. Thus centuries passed; the healing art had not become a science; the law of cure was not yet known. Thousands of learned men had spent their energies and lives to gain this ! one priceless jewel, but in vain; doubt and uncertainty re- ' mained. Those who had departed from nature, could not find out her secrets; the creations of their own phrenzy they mistook for true revelations of nature. Thus the medical world appeared at the end of the last century, a perfect chaos, I opinions striving with opinions, without the least possibility of conciliation. The physicians at that time were unques- tionably learned men as regards other branches of human knowledge; the accessory sciences of medicine, such as chemis- ' THE SCIENCE OP MEDICINE. 27 try, anatomy, physiology, etc., were studied with great dili- gence, and brought to a high degree of perfection. But that which was most needed in medicine, the healing of the sick, was left to be guided, either by the fanciful theory of a learned doctor, or the pretensions of a shrewd empiric. Then it was that the illustrious Hahnemann arose, and first announced to the medical world the law of cure, which he discovered by closely observing and comparing the various operations of nature. It was no fanciful hypothesis of his own mind, but the result of calm and patient observation, aided by the powers of induction. Yet in such a state of confusion and distrust was the medical world at that time, that the simple truth of the new doctrine at first found but very few followers, who, rallying around Hahnemann, declared themselves willing to nurture this infant science, the genuine offspring of nature, into strength and usefulness. In doing so, they had to undergo labors, and subject them- selves to trials, almost too severe to be borne; yet they suf- fered all for the sake of truth, order and harmony, which now was brought into the hitherto chaotic wilderness of medicine. But few choice minds engaged at first in the practice and propa- gation of the new doctrine; to them it opened treasures hereto- fore unknown, and held out in the future still richer promises, to the realization of which they continued to devote all their energies and talents. Hahnemann had become indeed the father of scientific medicine. His doctrine, in beautiful har- mony with all the other known laws of nature, rapidly spread after its practical superiority once was fully demonstrated; the self-thinking, independent minds of the medical profession became its devoted adherents; and thus constituted themselves, from its former chaotic mass, into a separate concrete body, leaving their former brethren to be tossed about on the old ocean of medicine, by the fluctuating waves of uncertainty and doubt. There most of them still remain; careless or careworn, according to their several naturels; expecting yet to find a firm 28 TfiE SCIENCE OF MEDICINE. foot-hold among their chaotic confusion of doctrines, they plod along on the old beaten track without joy or energy. The more learned portion of them, however, threatens to leave them: a second division of the great chaotic mass has to take place; these deserve a further notice. Seeing the errors of. the old, heroic practice, and being unwilling to follow the law, "similia similibus," they start the idea that the nihilistic, or do-nothing method, is the only one which a learned medical gentleman ought to adopt. Accordingly, they advocate it to be the physician's highest duty never to give any medicine whatever, but to watch the efforts of nature in order to guard against any interference. They style them- selves the physiological or pathological school, because their principal efforts concentrate in studying the phenomena of nature, either in health or disease. A third portion of the old chaotic mass, more inclined to energetic action and empirical routine, has been attracted in another direction, ^by the wonderful power which the cold water system has exhibited in curing diseases. This discovery was made by the ingenuity and perseverance of an unlearned peasant, at a time when the world boasted of a more splendid galaxy of renowned medical names than it had ever heretofore. Yet their stars faded before the rising light of truth, heralded by the simple farmer of Graeffenberg. Soon the cold-water . ' treatment was baptized by the learned apostates from the old school ranks, and received the more classically sounding title of Hydropathy. Its adherents, denouncing all drug medica- tion as nefarious and almost criminal, founded a complete | system of medicine of their own. Their tendency is not to establish and develop a law of cure, as Homoeopathy has done, by the application of which certainty and scientific precision will prevail; but they strive with severe and unceasing efforts to make the water subservient to all curative purposes, and to create through it a universal remedy, which by the difference I of application, reaches the divers diseases. THE SCIENCE OF MEDICINE. 29 Thus the medical world, which, sixty years ago, still formed one chaotic mass, void of form but full of useful elements and seeds of promise, is divided now into three great concrete parts, each of which tries to enlarge itself from without by elaborating within the powers of attraction. Let us contem- plate for a moment their different positions, in order to prog- nosticate their future. The physiological or do-nothing school, does not really pre- tend to cure a disease; but merely to watch its natural progress without interfering; they affect to be the high priests of nature, clothed, with the robes of her pontifical dignity, in which capacity they pronounce nature's will. It seems not to be part of their duty, to alleviate the poor patient's suffer- ings; that would bo an invasion of nature's right. Nature will do that herself, if she can; and if not, no power on earth can relieve the sufferer or divert the fatal shaft; no medicine exists, to assist nature or to cure disease. Such reasoning is at once the death of science, and if it does not immediately cause the death of the patient, it certainly is not calculated to avert it. We can not, therefore, expect that this school will have a prosperous future; its increase can not come from any other source than that remnant of the old chaotic mass, which still clings to old doctrines and doses, satisfied with the small share of usefulness attending their operations. Its attention is more particularly directed to the most minute pathological and physiological investigations, which in their eyes consti- tute the summum bonum of medical wisdom. While these efforts are in the highest degree praiseworthy, and also prac- tically useful their apotheosis leads to the most dangerous consequences, to a complete apathy of healing the sick and relieving the sufferer. A system so devoid of medical action, can not exist long; it has no germs of development, and must cease to draw the attention of the thinking practitioner toward it, as soon as the discoveries in the physical sciences, 30 THE SCIENCE OF MEDICINE. so many and wonderful of late, diminish in frequency and novelty. This school, therefore, not having any literature, but what contains only matter of general interest in physi- ology or pathology, soon will disappear, and its present ad- herents (most of them are to be found in Europe) will join either of the remaining parties; the fruits of its physical researches, however, as a permanent treasure, will not be lost to science, but become practically useful; the Homoeopathists already use the stethoscope and microscope with the greatest benefit in the application of medicine. The next party, which attracts our attention, are the Hydro- pathists, who separated from the old system about the same time. They claim to cure disease and mitigate suffering; they point out to us their remedy, its different modes of appli- cation, and cures which they have effected. We are obliged to believe them; they come to us well authenticated and in great abundance; they are also genuine cures, wrought by the agency of water, in its different methods of application, as laid down in the works on Hydropathy. Its adherents have already formed a literature of their own, discarding drug-treatment, and relying solely on the vis medicatrix, which they arouse into critical action and support by water alone. The time has passed, where success of this kind, could be ignored with safety, or a proper regard for honesty of purpose. The duty of the physician is to cure disease and relieve suffering; to do this best and easiest, he has to look around for the proper means. If these are afforded to him, he is morally bound to investigate their claims. This is a rational principle of action for every one, but particularly for the physician. He must take cognizance of the fact, that many and severe diseases are cured under the water treatment; to deny its efficiency, there- fore, as a curative means of the highest order, would be fool- ish and useless. Willing or not, we must look these facts in the face, and instead of denying, rather try to explain them. It is true, the latter is the most difficult of the two, but honor THE SCIENCE OF MEDICINE SI interest and benevolence are powerful stimuli to overcome the difficult task. The water-cure has its enemies, as well as any new doctrine, which at first disturbs the balance of old notions : the most noisy of them, however, are those who fear its success, either from want of confidence in themselves, apprehending a j diminution of the little fame already acquired, or from in- sufficient knowledge of their own principles, the strength of which they underrate if they fear competition. We should not act thus meanly, to the lasting disgrace of ourselves, and | to the prejudice of humanity, whose dearest interests we profess to serve. If we can not as yet perhaps explain fully, why water is a curative means, or bring its therapeutical use within the strict limits of our homoeopathic law, it does not follow that we should refrain from using it in the treatment of diseases. Partly, at least, water cures homoeopathically, particularly where its different temperatures, when prescribed, are similar to those in the patient. For instance, the cure of habitual cold feet by the cold footbath, frozen limbs by snow and ice, the application of warm water to heads, heated by a congestion of the blood, etc. Homoeopathical also is the effect of the wet bandage, applied in local congestions in different parts of the body, because the warmth, created by re-action, acts homoeopa- ! thic on the heated parts affected, and dispels congestion. These applications, although the minor ones in the water-cure, make it highly useful in private practice; the strictest homceo- pathist can not find fault with them, and he will find them of the greatest service, if applied at the same time with his re- medies, whose specific action they will support. The effect of the more severe operations in the water-cure, the wet sheet, and full bath and douche, however, can not be explained on the principle similia similibus; yet these are the methods by which the severest chronic diseases are cured, and often those despaired of by all other systems. As yet no explanation of these cures, to satisfy science, has been made; to reject the use of the wet sheet on this ground. 32 THE SCIENCE OF MEDICINE. would be very wrong and even unphilosophical. Because, if we thus should act in all cases, people ought to have refused breathing the air or partaking of food, up to the time that Liebig first made known the true action of air and food in wanning our bodies. We ought to be satisfied at present with the fact that severe chronic diseases are often curable by water; the modus operandi may be yet obscure; still, in due time, it will also be found out. Meanwhile we should avail ourselves of the blessing thus far granted to us, and in doing so, we also have the best opportunity to arrive nearer to the solution of this important problem. Until this is done, every one is at liberty to have his own opinion on this subject. I am satisfied that neither our homoeopathic law, nor the crude ideas of the old humoral pathology can give a satisfactory explanation; to have this, we must look in another direction, where neither the one nor the other took its point of de- parture. We will contemplate this new field of investigation for this purpose. The microscope has disclosed new worlds, which formerly lay hidden to the knife of the Anatomist, and of course were inaccessible to the Physiologist and Patholo- gist. We now know, that organic life, at first resides in the cell, whose development produces the different tissues, which are the basis of the formation of organs. A cell is a closed sac or vesicle, whose walls are composed Of a delicate mem- brane, and containing a fluid whose contents may vary in character; they sometimes contain also a so-called nucleus. This latter, although not present in every cell, is always found, however, where a formative process is going on, in which case it is supposed to exercise a catalytic action, dis- posing the cell-walls to changes, which produce the tissues and the subsequent changes within them. There is a mate- rial difference between cell-walls and nucleus—the former being soluble, the latter insoluble in acetic acid. Each cell, therefore, consists of a complete living organism within itself. THE SCIENCE OF MEDICINE. 33 Plant or animal is only an aggregate of millions of these living bodies, produced and sustained by the original germ or life-force. We have to look to this little cell as the origin- ator of all organic structures, the source of their health and their disease. Because, we know, that where the seat of life is, there can only be the seat of disease. In disease, these cells change, and by necessary consequence their products also. Our duty is now, to observe the conditions and phenom- ena of cell-life, in order to find their laws of health and disease. In the economy of nature we find two laws most prominently active, particularly where spheroid forms shall be produced or maintained, whose action at the same time needs free motion. These laws are the centrifugal and centripetal, by whose counteracting forces all spheroid bodies are kept to- gether and in motion. This arrangement in nature has refer- ence to the greatest as well as smallest bodies, and it seems to be the link between the inorganic and organic, or the nearest approach of the former to the latter, which in its higher forms is sustained by the life-force. A cell is the most primitive organic form, just emerged from the inorganic plasma, and its life thus far may be maintained by virtue of the centrifugal and centripetal forces, the former resting in its walls, the latter in its nucleus, both being in constant antagon- istic action, the equilibrium of which constitutes health, while its disturbance engenders disease. The force of the center or nucleus is presumed to contain the formative or crystalizing power and tends to arrest motion, while the peripheric force contained in the cell-walls, produces extension and diffusion, tending to create an excess of motion, if not checked by the proper counteraction of the center. If this view should be found correct, its application in phys- iology and pathology may be of some consequence, as it would at once guide our researches by the microscope, and give defin- iteness to pathological distinctions. 34 THE SCIENCE OF MEDICINE. Again, organic life manifests itself in the constant exchange of waste and increase of material; without this necessary pro- cess; death either partial or complete, would ensue. Such a process pre-supposes, however, the parts, thus in action, to be in constant motion, and to be so, they must be kept in such a degree of fluidity, as will allow and facilitate this ex- change of matter. For this purpose all organic bodies are composed mostly of liquids—and water, which penetrates the whole organism like a sponge. This obtains in all organic bodies, the difference being only in degree. As a law, it also appears in the growth of germs, the development of which can not take place, except under the presence of a certain amount of moisture. This we may consider, therefore, as an essential condition of the display of vital force, or as one of the laws of life. The harmonious exchange of matter in the organism consti- tutes health; its retention or excess produces disease.— These processes, however, take place, where all life-action displays itself, in cell structures. If, by some interference, their locomotion is impeded, or in their organic formation as regards wall and nucleus, disturbances have been occasioned, disease must inevitably follow. Medical agency now has to restore the original harmony in cell-structure and cell-motion. The two-fold composition of the cell, its motive force resting in its, walls, and its for- mative principle residing in the nucleus, seems to require a two-fold medical action, corresponding to the two cell-forces. My opinion is, that the specific law, «' similia similibiis," reaches in its curative effect the center of the cell, controlling the formative or crystalizing processes, and changing them by specific action. Other means are however needed to influ- ence the locomotive power of the cell, and this is done by water, entering into its walls, and by friction or muscular exercise, which dissolves the adhesion of cells, and sets them by that means into motion again. It will be necessary to THE SCIENCE OF MEDICINE. 35 remark, that the specific or homoeopathic process is of a clearly dynamic nature; the water cure and movement cure have a decided material or mechanical direction. They are all equally needed, because all organization is based on either substratum dynamic, as well as mechanical. The dynamic process can only to a certain extent overcome mechanical barriers, as we see in the electro-magnetic engine, which besides its own weight, can scarcely be said to possess power to overcome severe friction. To do this, mechanical force is needed to overcome mechanical impediment. The same holds good in the organism, when the stagnation of molecular force has arrived at a point, where dynamic action is not able to over- come it. In such cases the solvent or melting qualities of the water will set the molecular apparatus into motion again, free it of retentions, and, thus quickening the moulting process, prepare the organism again for receiving specific impressions of the dynamic agent, if any disease beyond the control of water is still present. These processes may frequently be carried on at the same time in the system, assisting each other, and not interfering with each other in the least. We will explain this proposition more clearly by applying its rule in two of the most frequent pathological actions, viz: Congestion—Inflammation.—Hyperaemia, or excess of blood in one or more parts of the system, is a distinguishing sign of congestion as well as inflammation: in the former it may exist with diminished motion, properly called congestion, or with increased motion signalized by the name of determina- tion of blood. The term inflammation in particular signifies an Hyperaemia in certain parts of the body, with an altered action and condition of the vessels in those parts; the motion of the blood, partly increased or partly diminished, is always labored, hard, as if struggling through obstruction. The principal outward signs, by which inflammation is distinguished, are redness, heat, pain and swelling. Although 36 THE SCIENCE OF MEDICINE. these signs are very frequently produced also by congestion and determination of the blood, yet they are less intense and continued, than when caused by inflammation; besides the latter, process differs from both the former, in the retarded or arrested flow of the blood, in the vessels of those parts. Inflammation may be the result of congestion and determina- tion of the blood, comprising both these morbid elements, without being identical with them, because it is connected with an altered condition of the bloodvessels exhibiting morbid products. We can, therefore, say, "the most essential char- acter of inflammation, consists in an increased motion or deter- mination of blood to the affected part, with a more or less obstructed flow through the part;" this latter is caused by the increased production of the lymph corpuscles, adhering to the walls of the vessels, or to one another, this being the real cause of the obstructed flow of blood in inflammation, which in simple congestion, or determination of the blood, is not the case. It is further evident, that the vascular system is the essential seat of these processes; however, doubtful, it may be, yet whether a previous affection of the nervous system is always needed to produce them; in most of the cases their dynamic origin can not be denied. On this latter important fact their successful treatment, with Homoeopathic remedies is based and it is one of the most glorious triumphs of specific medication, to have arrived at a direct and scientific method of curing these disorders. Wher- ever they may appear in the system, single or combined, in a light or aggravated form, Homoeopathy meets their variously exhibited symptoms fearlessly, curing them mostly with sue- cess. This curative process needs no further elucidation here; its details are taught and discussed when treating on the various forms of diseases, of which the above morbid elements form principal parts. But not so often do we Snd it men- tioned, that although Homoeopathic medication removes the primary or dynamic cause of inflammation, etc., its immediate THE SCIENCE OF MEDICINE. 37 effect on the vascular system, the swelling, pain and heat could be ameliorated, and palliated at the same time by the applica- tion of cold or warm water, without interfering in the least with the specific action of the medicine. To this fact we want to draw the attention of the practi- tioner most especially, as being of the utmost practical impor- tance : and we would suggest to him, from the explanation of these morbid processes, as above given, the necessity and pro- priety of extending the use of water to all of them, wherever they may make their appearance in the various diseases. If in a swollen and inflamed breast or boil, the application of water or other soothing applications, is beneficial and of old standard notoriety, it ought to be not less so in an inflamed or congested liver, spleen or lung, there being no essential differ- ence between the character of all these affections. That water has heretofore not been more freely used, when organs of vital importance were inflamed or congested, was owing to the then unsatisfactory physiological knowledge of these processes, and their rude and unscientific Allopathic treatment. But since the microscope and animal chemistry have corrected our opinions in this respect, and undoubtedly proved that many a process heretofore considered as primary or productive of others, might be taken as secondary or produced by others, we should not now any longer hesitate to apply water whenever indicated, as the principal solvent of solids and carrier off of effete matter. In the same manner, only by mechanical friction, does the movement cure set free the retained molecule, and thus pre- pares the organism for the reception of specific medicine, if disease is still left after its use. What dynamic action alone could not do, namely, to overcome mechanical derangement of molecular bodies, water and movement or exercise, are well qualified to do, and in this consists their invaluable aid; they give a completeness to the science of medicine, perfecting as it were, its code, and thereby allowing the whole field of nature's actions to be reached by the forces of medication. 38 THE SCIENCE OF MEDICINE. In this light we have presented the relation of these new forces, which seem to be destined to bless the suffering world in a degree hitherto unknown, when linked together and understandingly practiced. Each one separate will of course be able to produce upon its own legitimate field, a great deal ; of good, but it will still be partial aud limited, when compared ! with the good, which united they are able to produce. Party feeling as we have seen, has created strict party lines, to keep them asunder, but their common interest in the service of humanity demands their union. Hydropathy as a separate system, rejecting all specific medication, can not exert that salutary influence, which it does united to a system, satisfying scientific demands as above explained. In vain will the Ultra-Hydropathist strive to make his system reign supremely; it lacks universality of application and specific force; it can not meet the demands, as they appear anew from time to time on the changing theater of the organic world. At the same time the Ultra-Homceopathist will be forced to countenance the curative power of water, and will have to allow its introduction into the medical treasury for daily use • the same he will have to do as regards movement cure. If thus a union of these three most effective methods is realized a complete revolution in medical matters must be the result; medical success will be increased, until disease will be almost annihilated, and death retarded to its natural limits. May the time speedily come, when these invaluable forces will not any more struggle single-handed against that many- headed monster, disease, which lurks within and feeds upon the very life of mankind; but where they will be united in one phalanx, Homoeopathy at the head, and the Water, and Movement Cure to support its beneficent actions. DIETETIC RULES. The observance of a strict diet is essential to the success of a homoeopathic treatment, not so much on account of the in- j jury done to the system by the use of improper articles, as j because these might be antidotal in their effects to the medi- j cine. On this account, homceopathists so generally forbid coffee, it being an antidote to most of their remedies. For the same reason, the use of all other things of a medicinal nature is strictly forbidden, such as spices, perfumeries, per- fumed waters, soda waters, spiced ices, etc. It is a general law of nature, to eat and drink only that which can sustain life, without producing any other effects, that is, simple nutriment; and as medicinal and spicy sub- stances, although sometimes nutritious, are irritating and stimulating, the strict law of nature excludes them perempto- rily from the daily use (see "Hygiene"). Diet in Acute Diseases.—As dietetic rules are given for each acute disease, separately throughout the book, it is not necessary to mention them in this place. Diet in Chronic Diseases.— Consult the chapter on " Hy- giene" on this subjsct. There are certain principles which must guide us, durinp the treatment of chronic diseases, in selecting the articles of our diet, even from among those which are generally allowed. If the patient has symptoms of fever or irritation, in any part of the system, he must avoid all articles of a stimulating character, such as meats, eggs, and butter. In such cases, he should confine himself to a nutritious vegetable diet, such (39) 40 DIETETIC RULES. as potatoes, turnips, rice, barley, etc. If the disease appears mostly in the digestive organs, as a chronic diarrhea, all arti- cles of a relaxing nature are in themselves injurious, such as fruits and other green vegetables, soups of meat, eggs, etc In cases where constipation is present, the opposite cours. must be pursued. Another consideration is, that articles of food, which dis- agree with the patient, although allowed or wholesome for others under similar circumstances, must be strictly avoided by him. Aliments Allowed. Beef and Mutton baked, roasted, or boiled, fresh or smoked Tongue, lean Ham. Venison and wild Fowl. Turkeys, Chickens, Pigeons. Fresh scale Fish, Oysters. Butter which is not rancid, mild new Cheese, raw or soft boiled Eggs, or eggs in Soups (except in cases of diarrhea). Meat Soups, Broths, seasoned with salt only. All kinds of light Bread and Biscuit (except Soda-Biscuit and other Bread made with the addition of unusual sub- stances). Puddings, Dumplings or Noodles of Wheat, Indian, Rice, and Oat-meal, not too heavy, fat, nor spiced. Cakes composed of Meal, Eggs, Butter in small quantity, and Sugar. Food prepared of Arrowroot, Tapioca, Farina, Sago, Salep, Oat-meal and the like. Irish Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Turnips, Carrots, Toma- toes, Cauliflower, Spinach and green Peas, or Beans (except in Colic and Diarrhea), Rice, Hominy, Pearl Barley, dried Peas, or Beans. Roasted or boiled, fresh or dried Fruit, as Prunes, dried Currants, fresh, ripe, sweet Apples, Peaches, Strawberries, DIETETIC RULES 41 Raspberries, Gooseberries, and other sweet berries, and Grapes (except in Colic and Diarrhea). Water, pure, or sweetened with Sugar, Currant Jelly, Rasp- berry, or Strawberry Syrup, Toast water. Milk, in its different preparations, boiled milk, fresh Whey, Buttermilk. Decoctions of Barley, Malt, Oat-meal, Farina, Rice, dried Fruit. Cocoa boiled with Milk or Water, pure, plain Choco- late, weak black Tea. Salt moderately used, Sugar. Ice-creams flavored with Strawberry and Lemons. Aliments Forbidden. Old smoked, salted Meat and salted Fish, old rancid Butter and cheese, Lard, fat Pork, Geese, Ducks, Turtles and Ter- rapins, Fish not having scales, as Catfish, Eels, Lobsters, Crabs, Clams, and Soups, prepared from these articles of food. All food prepared with Blood, and much animal fat. All kinds of Sausages, particularly such as are smoked. The flesh of all young animals. All Soups highly seasoned, Sauces, dif- ferent kinds of Hash, drawn Butter, Pepperpot. All kinds of Cakes, or Pastry, prepared with much Fat or Aromatics, Honey. All kinds of colored Sugar-work pre- pared by the confectioner, red Sugar, sugared Almonds, or Peach-kernels. Nuts of all kinds. Radishes, Celery, Horse-radish, Garlic, Parsley, Red or Cayenne Pepper, Mustard, Saffron, Nutmeg, Vanilla, Laurel leaves, bitter Almonds, Cloves, Cinnamon, Allspice, Corian- der, Fennel, Anise, Coffee, green Tea, spiced Chocolate. All kinds of spiritous liquors, Brandy, Rum, Whiskey, Gin, Spirits, etc. Liquors, or Cordials, and other drinks, cold or warm, which are prepared with spiritous liquors, or spices. All artificial and natural Mineral Waters, Mead, Spruce Beer, Soda Beer, Porter, Ale. N. B. During the homoeopathic treatment especial care 42 DIETfiJIO RUUE©. should be taken by the patient to avoid allopathic medicine of every description and form, pills, herb-teas, etc., internally and externally; particularly all salves, aromatic waters, harts- horn, smelling bottles, etc.; also, all perfumery, musk, cologne water, or other aromatic substance, tooth-powders containing such ingredients, etc.; especially be careful in using matches, not to inhale the vapor of the burning sulphur; matches must be lit only where the vapor can easily escape in a fire-place, or open hall. Moderate exercise in the open air, as, also, a careful observance of all other hygienic rules (see the article en Hygiene) is strongly recommended. PART FIRST DESCRIPTION AND TREATMENT OF DISEASES. •sa i CHAPTER I. GENERAL DISEASES. Remarks. In this chapter we intend to treat of those diseases which do not spend the force of their attacks on any single organ, or set of organs, but whose cause has such a general relation to all the organs and tissues of the system, that it can effect them either singly or simultaneously according to the nature of the attack. In separating this class of diseases, we have faci- litated the grouping of other diseases, having a more local character, under their respective organs, and thus the non-pro- fessional reader is enabled immediately to find the desired reference by turning to the description of diseases, peculiar to the organ affected at that time. It is evident that such a classification of diseases is of the greatest advantage in a trea- j tise on Domestic Practice. I Rheumatism, therefore, affecting the system so generally, j had to have its place under the head of " General Diseases," while the different catarrhal affections could be more conve- niently arranged under the organs, subject to their attack. Although fever is almost always present in rheumatic as well as catarrhal attacks, its presence is not an essential attribute of these diseases; but indicates only a higher and more important degree. The essential fevers, consequently, such as Typhus, etc., as also those called eruptive fevers, are treated of in separate chapters, where the reader will easily find them. (45) 4:6 GENERAL DISEASES. Rhe:jmatism. As to its general appearance, this disease is well known; it is, however, not so well understood as to its real cause, although its exciting cause is generally admitted to be a sudden sup- pression of the function of the skin. As this is, however, the case also in all catarrhal affections, those who classify them together and separate them only as to their different location, might be justified to do so. For practical purposes it is suffi- cient to know, that rheumatism attacks muscles, ligaments and serous membranes, while catarrhs affect only mucous mem- branes, especially those of the throat, nose, etc. Diagnosis.—Pains in the muscles and membranes, together with swelling of the surrounding cellular tissue, light red- ness, and heat; caused by having taken cold. This is the general appearance of all rheumatic affections; yet their degrees and complications are so numerous, that it would almost require a separate treatise to do justice to such an extensive subject. We confine ourselves, here, to the more practical subdivision of acute and chronic rheumatism. Beside, we would remark that rheumatism, particularly in the acute form, can exist in any part of the system, creating there such an inflammation as the affected organ is naturally disposed to, adding to it only its own rheumatic character. For instance : a patient is attacked with rheumatism in the arms or limbs; this at once leaves those muscles, and falls on ihe pleura, where it generates a pleurisy, not of the usual kind, but one which has the rheumatic character—a rheuma- tic pleurisy. In the same manner, we speak of rheumatic pneumonia, rheumatic inflammation of the eye, heart, etc. The best means to detect the rheumatic character, in cases of this kind, is to investigate whether the disease, in its acute form, has appeared after taking cold, by suppressing or dis- turbing the action of the skin, or, whether, in its chronic type, the changes of the atmosphere influence its severity. In ACUTE OH INFLAMMATORY RHEUMATISM. 47 such cases, we refer the reader to the respective chapters, where the diseases of these organs are specially treated. There exists an intrinsic difference between rheumatism and gout. (See this article.) To prevent attacks of rheumatism and annihilate within us the predisposition to it, we must avoid all sudden changes of temperature and all excesses, which can create local and gene- ral debility. We ought to strengthen the system against in- jurious external influences, by cold washing and bathing, by acquiring regular habits, and following the rules, as laid J down in the chapter on "Hygiene." a. Acute or Inflammatory Rheumatism. This form of rheumatism, especially, developes itself after taking cold, or after any check of perspiration, sudden and severe enough to unfit the whole skin for its proper function of exhaling the imperceptible gases. First, an uncomfortable sensation and restlessness will appear, followed by chilliness and feverishness in alternation, thirst, constipation, and accele- rated pulse ; then the rheumatic pains appear in places where they either fix themselves, creating swelling, her.t, and red- ness, or wander to other parts, where they repeat the same process, while those first attacked heal gradually and get well. In acute rheumatism, we sometimes find a dry skin ; at other times, a very moist one, drenched with a watery per- spiration, which does not relieve the patient. The perspira- tion, which will relieve the patient, is greasy, thick, glutinous, and smells acrid or sour. Treatment.—Aconite—In the beginning, when the fever is high, the skin dry and hot, with excessive thirst and redness of the cheeks; shooting or tearing pains, worse at night and by the touch, extreme irritability of temper. If this remedy, after having been applied for eight or ten hours, has mitigated the fever by producing general perspira- tion, yet the local pains remain in the muscles and joints, give, 48 tiKNERAL DISEASES. Bryonia, in the same manner, when the pains are worse by motion or at night, when there is headache, fever, swelling of the joints, and gastric derangement, with constipation. Alter- nates well with Aconite or Rhus. (See this remedy.) Belladonna, when Bryonia does not relieve, or when the parts are much swollen, very red, shining, and the patient is sleepless at night, complaining of dryness in the mouth and throat, and congestion to the head. Both remedies may be given in alternation, with advantage. Chamomile, when, in the parts affected, there is a sensa- tion of numbness or paralysis, worse at night, the patient is feverish, restless, agitated, irritable, trying to relieve himself by turning in the bed ; the pains often ascend into the head, ears, and teeth, with chilliness and a bruised sensation after sleep. Arnica: Bruised or sprained sensation in the joints of the hands, feet, and in the small of the back, with hard, red and shining swelling; feeling of numbness and crawling in the affected parts; the pains are aggravated by motion; the pa- rent is thirsty and irritable (alternates well with Rhus). Nux vomica, in alternation with Chamomile, when the parts are numb, cold air aggravates, temper is irritable, bowels con- stipated. The pains are principally located between the shoulder blades; in the small of the back, and in the loins. Pulsatilla—The same feeling of numbness and paralysis, but relieved by exposure to cool air, the patient wants to be uncovered, and is of a mild temper and whining mood, worse in the night; the pains have a great tendency to change places. (Shifting or wandering Rheumatism.) Mercury—pains increased in the heat of the bed, or toward morning—also, when the patient perspires profusely without being relieved by it. Lachesis suits well after Mercury. Dulcamara—in an attack of rheumatism which immediately follows a severe exposure to cold; the pains set in at night, are worse during repose, with but little fever. ACUTE OR INFLAMMATORY RHEUMATISM. 49 •Rhus—principal indication for its use is: pains worse during rest, or as if the flesh was torn from the bones; worse in cold, damp weather. This remedy, when the latter symp- toms are present, alternates well with Bryonia. (See Bilious Rheumatic Affection.) It is, also, of great use, when there is paralytic weakness or trembling of the extremities, on moving them. N. B. See also the remedies, stated under " Chronic Rheu- matism and Gout," this being a similar affection. If the pains in the limbs should cease suddenly, followed soon by difficulty of breathing, anxiety, weakness, or pains in the region of the heart, with violent palpitation, give Aconite, Belladonna, Spigelia, Pulsatilla, Arsenicum or Lachesis, as their detailed symptoms under " Rheumatism of the Heart " will indicate. Administration.—Dissolve twelve globules of the selected remedy in half a teacupful of water, and give every two hours a teaspoonful; discontinue after four teaspoonfuls have been given, for eight or twelve hours, during which time the effect must be looked for before another remedy is selected. As soon as the patient is better, all medicine must be stopped, until he gets much worse again. Application of Water.—In this disease the external and in- ternal use of water is of great service to accelerate the cure, not impeding in the least the specific action of the rightly chosen homoeopathic remedy. If the parts affected are very painful, cold bandages may be applied, well wrung out and changed frequently ; during this time the patient keeps in bed, well covered, drinking water which is not very cold. If perspiration ensues, the patient may be kept in it from one to two hours, after which he is well washed off with a wet towel and rubbed dry ; he must then, however, take a sitting- bath in milkwarm water, in which he remains until he is per- fectly cooled off. These simple appliances, repeated as often as circumstances may require, are powerful accessoiies to the 5 50 GENERAL DISEASES. success of specific remedies. If the patient suffers from con- stipation, give him cold water injections and let him drink cold water freely. It may be well here to give a case treated by us in the above manner, to show the superior efficacy of a united Homeo- pathic and Hydropathic treatment in this disease. The patient, a strong, robust man, of about forty years of age, had been attacked with inflammatory rheumatism, and treated allopathically for three weeks without any benefit. When we first saw him, the patient suffered from severe pains in almost all of his joints, which were swollen, red, and stiff. He had no rest by night or day, continual fever, coated tongue, diarrhea, and profuse night-sweats. His decline in every respect was evident, and he himself well aware of this circum- stance. His symptoms indicated the use of pulsatilla, which he received; at the same time the cold water compress was applied to the painful and swollen joints. The pains in the latter ceased almost at once, and the first comfortable night since the disease had commenced was the happy consequence. In the course of the treatment this procedure was repeated as often as other joints would swell and become painful. After Pulsatilla, he received china, arnica, bryonia, and rhus, as the symptoms would indicate; finally petroleum to relieve the stiff- ness of the joints, which was the last remaining symptom. During all this time, the external use of the cold bandages was persevered in, when found necessary, and every time with the greatest relief to the patient. The cure of this bad and unpromising case was completed in little more than a fortnight. Here was evidently a decided favorable result gained by com- paratively small means. The whole hydropathic apparatus for such cases was not required, because the specific means used were sufficient to supplant its use. No wet sheet, no general bath, or douche, was applied, in short, nothing which could have interfered with the comfort of the patient; to cause a general favorable reaction of the system speciac medication CHRONIC RHEUMATISM. 51 was found sufficient, but in assisting it for this purpose, the application of the wet compress on the parts affected fulfilled our most sanguine expectations. Diet and Regimen.—As regards nourishment, the patient must absolutely abstain from all meat, or soups of meat even long after the convalescence. He can have, however, gruels of farinaceous substances, oatmeal, farina, rice, etc., toast- water and cold water; during the fever, warm or cold lemon- ade and oranges. Cover the patient well with blankets, as many as his comfort dictates. Around the swollen joints and other parts affected, breast or neck, put wool, just from the sheep, or, at least, unwashed; this is necessary, however, only in case the patient cannot bear the hydropathic applica- tions. This has, frequently, a very good effect. If possible, consult a homoeopathic physician. b. Chronic Rheumatism, or commonly called Rheumatism. If a person is severely troubled by chronic rheumatism, let him at once apply to a homoeopathic physician, who will give him relief, if it is at all in the power of medicine to do so. But, frequently, the reactive force of nature is already so much weakened, that it first requires to be strengthened, which can only be done by a systematic hydropathic treat- ment. However, in case of rheumatism, where the system is yet strong, the medicines, as detailed below, may be used, and will be found efficacious in a majority of them. Beside the remedies recorded under "Acute Rheumatism," which may also be used for chronic rheumatism, the following are the principal ones: Ignatia, Thuja, Arnica, Dulcamara, China, Veratrum, Arsenic, Phosphorus, Caustic, Sulphur, Sepia. Symptomatic Detail.—Ignatia : Contusive pains, or as if the flesh were detached from the bones ; worse at night, ameliorated by change of posture. Thuja : Tearing, pulsative pains, as from ulceration under the skin, with a feeling of coldness and torpor of the parts 52 general diseases. affected. Pains worse during repose, or in the warmth of the bed. Pain in the right shoulder and arm, better on movement. Arnica : Pains as if the parts were strained or bruised, with a feeling as if they were resting on too hard a surface ; a ting- ling in the hand, red and shining swelling, worse when at- tempting to move. (Suitable before or after China, Arsenic, Rhus.) Dulcamara: Pains after getting cold and wet, worse at night, during repose, and without much fever. China : Pains, worse on the slightest touch, with easy per- spiration, the sore parts feel very weak, almost paralyzed. Veratrum : Pains as if from a bruise ; worse by warmth and bad weather; better by walking; very weak and trembling. Arsenic: Burning, tearing pains, insupportable at night, worse by cold air, and mitigated by external heat. Phosphorus: Tearing and drawing pains, excited by the slightest chill ; headache, vertigo, and oppression of the chest. Caustic : The pains are insupportable in the open air; less severe in a room, or in bed; also, when there is paralytic weakness with rigidity and incurvation of the parts affected. Sulphur : In almost all cases of chronic, and after a spell of inflammatory rheumatism, when the pains yet linger about. Often after Aconite, Belladonna, Bryonia, Mercury, or Pulsa- tilla. Sepia: For rheumatic affections in tall, slender persons, especially females. Application of Water.—The use of the wet bandage is in many cases of this disease most grateful and advantageous ; it relieves pain and subdues inflammation, dissolves obstruc- tions and accelerates the circulation in the parts affected. The application of the douche, or of ice and snow, is rather dangerous and must not be undertaken without the advice of a physician, who is conversant in Hydropathy ; the same may be said of the use of the partial baths, applied to the affected RHEUM A.TIC PAINS OR COLD--GOUT. 53 parts, as the reaction, following their use, might increase the inflammation. The dry packing, to excite perspiration, with the following washing or ablution, is good in some cases, par- ticularly where the pains are wandering, but must in a great many cases be dispensed with, as its frequent repetition would exhaust the system too much. The free use of cold water, internally, is strongly recommended. Administration. — In chronic rheumatism, the remedies ought not to be repeated often ; every three or four days, one dose (four to six glob.) is enough. After a remedy has been tried for ten or fourteen days, another may be chosen, if no improvement has appeared. Diet and Regimen.—The patient must abstain, during the treatment, from all meats, at least, as much as possible ; must not expose himself to the changes of the weather, and should wear, on his skin, flannel underclothes, except while using hydropathy; in which case, he can do without them. Rheumatic Pains or Cold. ( In Chest, Stomach, Limbs, etc. ) These pains appear in different parts of the body, after taking cold, in persons naturally inclined to rheumatic affec- tions. If they manifest themselves in the chest, they resem- ble a pleurisy, for which the same remedies will be suitable; if they appear in the stomach and bowels, they resemble a colic; to which article we refer the reader for the suitable remedies ; if the pains are in the head, ears, or teeth, see these headings. In every case of this kind, the patient mast be kept warm, and should perspire. Gout. (Arthritis.) Diagnosis.—The symptoms of this disease are very similar to those of inflammatory rheumatism : consequently, the reme- dies will be almost the same. It is characterized by pains in 54 general diseases. the joints, with inflammatory swelling, and a feeling of dis- location ; or, in chronic cases, with a SAvelling of the joints, caused by deposits in them of a calcareous substance, winch impedes their movements and causes them to make a crack- ing noise. There is always connected with an attack of gout, flatulency, acid stomach, and other derangements of the diges- tive organs. The principal differences between rheumatism and gout are: rheumatism attacks more the muscles and membranes — gout, more the joints ; rheumatism is hardly ever complicated with derangement of the digestive organs; gout is never without that—has, beside, permanent swelling of the joints, by calcareous deposit, which rheumatism never has. Rheumatism is caused by taking cold; consequently, depends on external causes; while gout is generated by in- ternal causes, amounting, sometimes, to hereditary predispo- sition. Both diseases, however, can intermix with each other, one taking the form of the other. We acknowledge an acute and chronic form of gout; recom- mending for both the same remedies, which we recorded under the two forms of rheumatism. We would add only one more remedy to this list; it is Antimon. crud., when the attack is attended with nausea and a white-coated tongue ; pains are worse after eating, in the night, after drinking wine, and in the heat of the sun ; mitigated during repose, and in the cool air. To make the selection of remedies easier, we will give a tabular view of them, in the different gouty complaints. Their details will be found under " Rheumatism." For inflammatory gout; Aconite, Antimon. crud., Bryonia, China, Xux vomica, Arsenic, Pulsatilla, Arnka. For the same, with gastric derangement: Antimon. crud. For the shifting, wandering, flying gout: Pulsatilla, Arnica Xux vomica. For gout with great swelling : Antimon. crud., Arnica, Bryo- nia, Rhus, China, Sidphur. pains ix the small of the back, etc. 55 For the gouty nodes and lumps: Antimon. crud., Bryonia, Calcarea, Carbo vcgetabilis, Graphites, Lycopodium, Phospho rus, Sepia. For gout in persons addicted to spiritous liquors : Xux vomica, Aconite, Sulphur, Calcarea. For gout in persons called high livers: Pulsatilla, China, Antimon. crud., Sulphur, Calcarea. For those who sometimes work in the water: Pulsatilla, Sulphur, Calcarea, Dulcamara, Rhus, Sarsaparilla. For gout confined to the big toe ( Podagra ) : Pulsatilla, Arnica. For the stiffness of the limbs, which remains after an attack of gout or rheumatism, give Colocynth. Administration, Diet, and Regimen, the same as in " Rheumatism." Pains in the Small of the Back, Loins, and Neck. Xotalgia. Lumbago. Diagnosis.—Violent pain in the region of the small of the back and loins, more or less permanent, sometimes periodical, but mostly excited by seemingly external causes. This spe- cies of lumbago (back and loin-ache) occurs, frequently, after any quick motion of the back, as in rising from a stooping position. The patient is suddenly seized with a violent pain as if produced from an arrow shot into the part; it pins him, as it were, into a fixed attitude, from which he cannot stir without suffering torture, and forces him to keep quiet. If such a rheumatic pain suddenly affects the muscles of the neck, forcing the patient to keep very quiet, commonly called Kink or Crick in the neck, it has the same origin, and requires the same treatment, as lumbago. Rubbing the neck with a soft warm hand untiringly for half an hour, frequently cures it effectually. Although this disease is essentially rheumatic in its charac- ter and process, yet its foundation is constitutional; sometimes .)G GENERAL diseases. a predisposition is acquired by overstraining the muscular system by hard labor during exposure to wet and cold, or when there is a disposition to hemorrhoidal congestion of blood (piles) to these parts, which may sometimes increase to a real inflammation of the spine, the spinal marrow (myelitis), or go over, if not cured, into a chronic spinal affection. Treatment.—Aconite is the principal remedy in the com- mencement, and does more to relieve the patient at once, than the lancet can accomplish, which the old school always applies in such cases. Arnica, alternately with Rhus, if this disease is really the result of falling, overlifting, or any other mechanical injury. Bryonia, if the pains in the back are pressing ; the patient cannot walk erect; worse after the slightest motion, or cur- rent of cold air; patient feels chilly ; head and limbs ache. Rhus, in alternation with Bryonia, if the patient feels very weak, trembling, has to get up sometimes to ease himself; throws himself about in the night. After external injury, see Arnica. Bellad., after Aconite and Bryonia, under similar symptoms, but more suitable for fleshy females during the (change of life) critical period ; in alternation with Rhus, when the fever- ishness attending the attack is complicated with restlessness, dryness of mouth and throat, headache. Xux vomica, if the parts feel as if tired, or very much fatigued, during the attack; pains are worse by motion and turning in bed; constipation, irritability of temper. Suitable for persons with a disposition to piles, or addicted to spiritous liquors. Mercury, in alternation with Xux vomica, if catarrhalic dis- eases, influenza, etc., prevail, or a tendency to dysentery • or if the patient feels very weak, perspires a great deal without relief, worse at night. Pulsatilla: Resembling the pains under Xux vomica, but caused by obstructions or irregularity of the courses (menses) PAIN IN THE HIP--HIP DISEASE. 57 in younger females of a mild, sensitive, or phlegmatic char- acter. Application of Water.—The use of the wet bandage and cold foot-baths will accelerate the cure of these -diseases ; in their chronic forms, where the nervous system has sufferea much, sitting-baths, cold ablutions, and finally the douche will be necessary. Constipation is relieved by cold injections and drinking freely of cold water. Administration.—Same as in " Rheumatism." Diet and Regimen.—Also the same. We would advise those afflicted with this disease, to lie down immediately on a mattress, or something similar, and not attempt to brave it out, as the phrase is ; because the medicine will not be able tc cure as quickly, and chronic weakness of the back remains, together with a liability to a return of the disease. Pain in the Hip. Hip Disease. Sciatica. Coxalgia. Coxagra, Diagnosis.—Pain in the region of the hip joint, extending to the knee, even to the foot, accurately following the course of the sciatic nerve. Its continual severity may impede the motion of the foot, producing stiffness and contraction, dis- turbing the rest at night, and thereby inducing general unea- siness and emaciation. In sciatica, or pain in the hip, the pain manifests itself only on the outside of the hip and leg, during repose as well as durino- motion, showing its neuralgic character ; while, in coxa- gra (morbus coxarius), the pain appears only during motion and in stepping, showing its inflammatory character; running in front to the knee, protruding and lengthening the leg. It can terminate in suppuration (while swelling). These diseases are of great importance, and ought not to be neglected, but immediately put under the care of a skill- ful homoeopathic physician, as scrofula is either their remote cause, or excited by them, especially in children, in whom 5^ general diseases. they often occasion the so called spontaneous limping (coxalgia infantilis) and white swelling, particularly when badly treated rit first by allopathic remedies. Treatment.—The principal remedies in these diseases are those already enumerated under the headings of "Rheuma- tism" and " Gout." We will give them here again, to facili- tate the selection : In sciatica (ischias): Chamomile, Bryonia, Rhus, Arsenic, Ignatia, Xux vomica, Pulsatilla. In coxagra (hip disease) : Colocynth, Belladonna, Hepar, Lachesis, Silicea, Mercury, Sidphur. In spontaneous limping: Mercury and Belladonna in alterna- tion ; every few days, a dose : Rhus, Colocynth, Pulsatilla, Sulphur, Calcarea. Symptomatic Detail.;—Aconite, in alternation with Bella- donna or Bryonia, where the attack is accompanied with a great deal of fever. Belladonna, in the inflammatory stage ( see Aconite), when the pain is increased on the slightest movement, with limping, and on the parts affected the skin is red and shining; dryness of the throat; burning fever. After it, Mercury. Bryonia, under similar symptoms as Belladonna, but par- ticularly where the parts affected are more painful than red ; constipation. After it, Rhus. Rhus : Darting, tearing, or dragging pains in the hip- joint, with tension and stiffness in the muscles; worse durina repose, or when rising from a sitting posture. Chamomile : Pains worse at night in bed, after havino- re- cently taken cold ; patient is irritable ; does not know what ne wants. Mercury: Sharp, cutting, burning pains; worse at night, or during movement; profuse perspiration without relief. After Belladonna; before Hepar. IgiuUia: Cutting pains, ameliorated by change of -position. PAIN IN THE HIP--HIP DISEASE. 59 temperament mild, yet vascillating between high and low spirits. Pulsatilla : Pains worse in the evening or night, and when seated; relieved in the open air; temperament phlegmatic; mild disposition. Nux vomica : Pains worse in the morning; worse in the open air ; temperament irritable, morose ; constipation. Arsenic: Burning pains, with great restlessness, obliging the patient to move the limb; pains appear periodically, or in spells (alternate with China); mitigated by external heat; patient wants to lie down, feels very weak ; emaciation of the limb after long suffering (in alternation with Silicea). Colocynth. This is the first and principal medicine in hip diseases, acute or chronic, particularly when there is the sen- sation of a tight band around the hi])s and back, and the pains run down from the region of the kidneys into the leg ; spontane- ous limping ; pains are worse lying on the back, or after a fit of anger or indignation. Hepar after Mercury, when this has not relieved. Silicea, when the disease assumes the chronic form, after Hepar; or, where emaciation has taken place, in alternation with Arsenic, and, afterward, with Iodine. Sulphur, in chronic cases, where other remedies have not entirely relieved. < Lachesis : Emaciation, with tearing and contracting pain in the joint; dread of exercise ; deeply penetrating suppurations (in alternation with Silicea). Application of Water.—See "Pains in the Small of the Back." Administration.—In the sciatica (ischias), as well as the febrile stage of the coxagra, give the medicines as required in the acute form of " Rheumatism " (see this article). In the chronic form (suppurative stage) of coxagra, give the reme- dies as stated in " Chronic Rheumatism." Diet and Regimen.—The same as in "Rheumatism," bul 60 GENERAL DISEASES. without outward applications, save cold-water bandages, in any stage of the disease, when the patient can bear them, and feels relieved after them. Inflammation of the Knee Joint. (Gonitis.) Inflammation and swelling of this important joint, requires the use of Aconite and Belladonna, Bryonia, Rhus, Lachesis, Mercury, one after the other, if the first two have not allayed the inflammation. If suppuration threatens, which is indi- cated by the swelling not going down after the severest fever is over, give Sulphur; in eight days Silicea, and consult medical aid. Administration of Aconite, Belladonna, and the other reme- dies, the same as in "Acute Rheumatism." Diet and Regimen.—Also the same, but without any out- ward application, save cold water bandages, when the patient feels relieved by them, at any stage of the disease. Inflammation of the Psoas Muscle. (Psoitis.) Diagnosis.—Pain in the region of the kidneys, hip, and downward to the leg, which cannot be stretched, or drawn near to the abdomen, without pain ; increased, also, by turn- ing, when lying and lifting, with a feeling of numbness of the affected side; walking is possible only by hobbling with the body bent forward. Although not often fatal, yet it is very important in its consequences, as its issues may give rise to lingering diseases. If suppuration takes place, by not pre- venting it in time, the matter discharges itself in the abdo- men, and causes death ; or it sinks down farther and farther until it reaches, sometimes, even the knee, before it escapes; frequently, the spine becomes affected and is rendered cari- ous in such cases. The causes of this disease are, beside ex- ternal injuries, rheumatism, and piles. Treatment.—Give, first, Aconite, and Bryonia, in alterna- tion, every two, three, or four hours, a dose (four glob.); cramp in the legs. 61 afterward, Belladonna or Xux vomica, if not relieved within twenty-four hours, and when the pains increase during mo- tion ; Rhus and Pulsatilla, however, when the pains are worse during rest; Mercury and Chamomile, when the pains are worse at night. Staphysag., when the pains are beating, indicating incipient suppuration. Colocynth, when the disease assumes the chronic form. If possible, consult a physician in this important disease. Application of Water, in this disease, is confined to the use of the wet bandage, often renewed, on the parts affected; lukewarm sitting-baths, afterward applied, will accelerate the cure. Administration, Diet, and Regimen, as in "Affection of the Knee Joint." Cramp in the Legs. Some persons are habitually afflicted with cramp in the legs, from various causes. The first remedy, which every one naturally will resort to, is, to rub the parts taken with the cramp, either with the hands or a rough towel, which, in a short time, will destroy the spasm. Another expedient is, to jump on the cold floor of the room, if the cramp occurs in the calves of the legs, and while in bed ; but, if it should occur frequently in the night, take Veratrum, every night a dose (four glob.), for a few nights; or, if it occurs in pregnant females, Secale, in the same manner. If the cramps occur more in the day-time, take Rhus, in ihe morning, in the same manner. Colocynth relieves the remaining stiffness, also cramps, oc- curring in the night. Sulphur, Lycopodium, and Sepia, may be taken in inter- vals of four or six days, to prevent the return of the cramps. Diet and Regimen, as in all chronic diseases. G2 general diseases. Sweating Feet. This is a complaint with which a great many persons are afflicted. It is generally connected with a qualitative cor- ruption of the secretions, by which a bad smell is emitted, thereby rendering the complaint very disagreeable. It can be easily suppressed by alum and sugar-of-lead ablutions ; but he who ventures to do so, risks being taken with blind- ness, deafness, asthma, consumption, etc. Homoeopathy possesses remedies, which, when applied rightly, will insure a permanent and safe cure. Treatment. — Rhus, inwardly, every third evening, six glob., to be continued for at least four weeks, after which two weeks must elapse before the next remedy may be taken. During the first four weeks, bathe the feet every other even- ing, in cold water, into which four drops of the mother tinc- ture'of Rhus (to be had in any homoeopathic pharmacy) have been dropped. Silicea, is the next remedy after Rhus, if this has not already ameliorated the complaint; to be taken in the same manner. In this way, alternate with these two remedies, until better, or apply to a homoeopathic physician, who has ^more remedies at his command, which, however, can be chosen, only according to the individual constitutionality of each oik-'s case. Application of Water.—Cold foot-bath must not be used in this disease; if a person wants to use the hydropathic means, he had better resort to an institution, as in this disease, simple as it seems to be, the greatest caution is necessary in the use of water, and generally a full treatment, to change the constitution of the patient. Goitre. (Struma.) This disease consists in a swelling of the thyroid gland, in front of the throat. It is, in the majority of cases, of a scrofu- lous origin ; depends, sometimes, however, on an endemical SLEEPLESSNESS. Co cause, it occurring most frequently on mountains, especially at their base, and in their valleys. Treatment.—Take, internally, Spongia, every evening a dose (six glob.) and wash externally with a solution of the tincture of Iodine diluted in alcohol, every evening, until it disappears. If this treatment does not disperse the goitre within two months, apply to a homoeopathic physician, who has other remedies, suitable for each individual case. Diet, as usual in chronic diseases. Sleeplessness. (Agrypnia.) This disease consists in an impossibility to sleep, without any apparent external or internal cause to disturb the sleep. If it continues for months and years, a serious disturbance of all functions must ensue. In infants, particularly, it be- comes a distressing circumstance for mothers and nurses, as we often are unable to find out its cause. Treatment.— Coffea and Belladonna, two doses in alterna- tion (in children, Coffea00' and Bellad.00), every hour one dose (four glob.) frequently allay the over-excitement of the nervous system. If this will not do one night, try, on the next, Belladonna, if caused by congestion of blood to the head. Hyoscyamus, especially after severe illness. Ignatia, when caused by grief, indignation. Xux vomica, when from study and meditation in hypochon- driacs. Opium, after fright and fear, or in old people, or where frightful visions appear when closing the eyes. Pulsatilla, when having indulged too freely in eating. Aconite, when caused by agitating events and anxiety. If caused by drinking tea or coffee, see their antidotes in the articles respecting these substances. In children, beside Coffea and Bellad., are recommended (54 general diseases. Cham., Jalap, and Rheum., when it is caused by colic. See this article in "Diseases of Children." Application of Water.—Beside these remedies, a sponge- bath of cold water, every evening when going to bed, is strongly recommended; also a cold foot-bath, before going to bed, if the patient cannot sleep on account of congestion to the head. Nightmare. (Incubus.) A well known troublesome disease, consisting in a heavy pressure on the precordial region, which impedes breathing, creating thereby many images of fancy, monsters, robbers, bears, etc. It occurs mostly in the first hours of sleep, and, if recurring every night, would certainly injure the general state of health. It is caused either by an overloaded stomach, congestion of the blood to the abdomen, or to the precordial region, when lying on the back. Treatment.—Persons liable to this disease must first avoid the above-mentioned exciting causes, before the following remedies can have their effect: Aconite : Especially in women and children, when feverish- ness, oppression of the chest, anxiety, and inquietude, pre- vail. Xux vomica, after drinking spiritous liquors, eatinor a full meal in the night, or by sedentary habits. Opium : The principal remedy in severe attacks, snoring, respiration, eyes half open, face covered with cold perspira- tion, and convulsive movements of the limbs. Application of Water.—The wet bandage around the chest during the night is strongly recommended, with a cold ablution and dry rubbing in the morning; beside daily exer- cise in the open air, and the free use of cold water internally. Diet must be moderate, consisting more of vegetables than meat; constipation is relieved by cold water injections, and the drinking of cold water. palsy — paralysis. 65 Palsy. (Paralysis.) This affection of the nerves of voluntary motion, is jue of those diseases, to remove which, it requires the greaVst skill of a physician ; and, by bringing it under our notice here, we intend merely to warn our readers not to waste time, health, and money, in using a variety of nostrums which might be recommended for it; but to apply at once to a skillful homoeo- pathic physician, who can effect a cure in a majority of cases. Beside, we will record a few remedies, with which such a cure may be commenced. If from debility caused by loss of fluids, China, Ferrum, Sulphur. If from suppression of an eruption or habitual discharge, Lachesis, Sulphur, Caustic. If from rheumatism, Bryonia, Rhus, Arnica, Lycopo- dium. If from apoplexy, Ipecac., Lachesis, Lycopodium. If from handling white-lead, or exposure to the fumes of lead, Opium, Bellad., Platina, Pulsatilla. If the facial muscles are paralyzed, Belladon., Graphites, Caustic. If the tongue, Bellad., Opium, Stramonium, Hyoscyamus, Lachesis. If the arms, Bellad., Lachesis, Xux vomica, Opium, Lyco- podium. If the lower limbs, Cocculus, Opium, Xux vomica, Stannum, Silicea. Electricity and Galvanism may be used in this disease with the greatest advantage, as also the cold water in bathing and drinking. See "Hydropathy." Application of Water. — Rubbing with cold water, the wet bandage, and finally the douche are powerful helps in this disease ; but their use ought to be sought rather in hydropathic institutions, where the facilities for their applica- tion are greater and more regulated. 6 66 general diseases. Delirium Tremens. (Mania a potu.) This terrible disease is almost exclusively confined to drunkards and opium eaters, who are taken especially when exhausted otherwise, with a delirium and frenzy, in which appearances of horrible monsters, animals, figures of all kinds, frighten their imagination, combined with ravings, convul- sion fits, and complete inability to sleep. In the long and sleepless hours, they converse incessantly with these sup- posed realities, by which they wear out their strength more and more. Treatment.— Opium is the specific in this disease, if it is caused by ardent spirits, as this drug is itself able to produce such a disease. Give of it, every hour or two hours, a dose (one or two drops of a diluted tincture of opium), for at least twenty hours, to see its effects. After this, give Bellad., Xux. Hyosc, Sulphur, one after the other, each, for twenty-four hours, every three or four hours a dose (six glob.), or Cal- carea carbonica, if frightful images appear as soon as the pa- tient shuts the eyes, or when he talks in his sleep, groans, cries, dreams fantastically and frightfully. If nothing will produce sleep, give Lachesis and Arsenic, in alternation, every three hours a dose (four glob.). Let the patient drink freely of cold water, as the best stimu- lus which can be substituted. For solid nourishment, give him hard-toasted bread : as soon as he is convalescent, give him a good beefsteak, bread, and water, on which he has to subsist for a long time. In this way, I have cured very bad cases, and had the satisfaction to see them not only restored to health again, but to usefulness and their friends, as they never relapsed into their former error. Epilepsy. (Epilepsia.) Diagnosis.—Convulsive motions, with loss of conscious- ness; falling down, with cries, foaming at the mouth, the thumbs fixed into the palms of the hands. The loss of con- ST. VITUS'S DANCE. 67 sciousness is the most essential symptom, not the violence of the convulsions. Hysterical spasms are very similar to the epileptic, but seldom produce an entire loss of conscious- ness. Most of the epileptic patients can be cured, but it requires the attendance of a skillful homoeopathic practitioner. We re- frain, therefore, from mentioning here any more of the treat- ment of this disease, but that which relates to the attack itself. Treatment.—A patient in an epileptic fit must be placed in a position in which he cannot hurt himself; give him, however, full liberty of his own actions, without holding him, or forcing open his thumbs, which is of no use. Let him smell on Camphor spirits. If convenient, put between his teeth a cork or piece of wood, to prevent his tongue being injured. As soon as possible, give him one dose (four glob.) of Bellad.; or, if his face is dark and congested, his breath- ing very hard and snoring, a dose of Opium (four glob.). St. Vitus's Dance. (Chorea.) Diagnosis.—Involuntary motions of single members or the whole body, wandering from one part to the other. The pa- tient retains full consciousness, which is a distinctive feature of this disease from epilepsy. It varies very much in degree ; occurs most frequently at the time of the development of pu- berty, from the seventh to the sixteenth year, more among the female sex, more in moist regions on the sea-coast than in more elevated places. It may occur, also, as an epidemic, and is then infectious, particularly when large crowds meet. It is not a dangerous disease, but troublesome, and may lead to other derangements ; ought to be attended to, therefore, immediately, as, in such a case, it can easily be cured. Treatment.—As we recommend our readers to apply, in a case of this kind, to a homoeopathic physician at once, we limit our remarks on the treatment to a few remedies, which may be given in the beginning. 68 general diseases. Ignatia, every evening a dose (six glob.) for eight days, after it, Sulphur, every other evening a dose (six glob.) for eight days, and then discontinue for three or four weeks, to await the effect. Diet and Regimen.—No greasy substances, no coffee or tea, but good plain food. Try to divert the attention of the patient from his disease; never speak of it in his presence. Tetanus. Trismus. (Lockjaw.) Diagnosis.—Constant spasmodic contraction of one muscle, or all the muscles. According to the parts affected and the direction in which the body is drawn, the disease has received different names; which distinction does not come, however, within the limits of our description, as such severe diseases as these will require medical aid. We intend here to speak more especially of one form of tetanus, called trismus or lock- jaw, which is of frequent occurrence in southern latitudes, and, from its quick termination, requires prompt action, and, therefore, domestic attention. Lockjaw. ( Trismus.) It arises immediately after a wound has been inflicted, in consequence of the violent pain and nervous irritation, in which case it proves fatal in a very short time; or it occurs in the first few days after the infliction of a wound, during its inflammatory stage, or from eight to ten days afterward, while the wound is healing and suppurating, without any pain and inflammation. The exciting causes are, mental affections, taking cold, corrupt air, foreign bodies in the wound, tension, and distraction of single fibers in the wound. The most dan- gerous are the stitch wounds in tendonous parts, as in the sole of the foot and the palm of the hand. The pulse fre- quently remains normal, the head free, yet there is great | anxiety and oppressed breathing. LOCKJAW. 6a Treatment.—Enlarge the wound, if possible, and poultice it with bread and milk. Beside, give the following reme- dies: Arnica. In the beginning, externally, in a wash or fomen- tation ; internally, in globules or drops, every two hours a dose (four glob, or one drop). Belladonna and Lachesis, in alternation, in the same dose and time, if the spasms increase. If no improvement, after twelve hours, takes place, give Opium and Hyoscyamus, in the same manner. Secale, if the patient feels worse in the warmth. Ignatia, if the patient grows worse, whenever touched or handled. Rhus and Ignatia, in case the body is bent backward, in the form of an arch. Administer it in the same manner. Stramonium, in the same form of lockjaw, if the two former remedies were of no avail. Application of Water.—The action of the homoeopathic remedies, in this disease, must be supported by the following hydropathic process. The patient having been put in a bath- ing-tub, is rubbed well and for a long time with cold water, after which he is brought to bed again and rubbed dry with the hands or dry woolen cloths. In an hour Or two this pro- cess has to be repeated, if no change has taken place; some- times it is good to expose the spine to the douche, after which the rubbing with the hands must be repeated again. We hero insert a case of lockjaw successfully treated by Isaac Colby, M. D., of Salem Mass., and reported in the Pro- ceedings of the American Institute of Homeopathy, in the year 1853. Jan. 1853. William Horton, aged twenty-two, received an in- jury by a nail projecting from a timber, by which a deep and lacerated wound was made between the metacarpal bones of the third and fourth fingers of the left hand, nearly through the hand. A few drops of dark-colored blood flowed out, and the 70 GENERAL DISEASES. pain for a few minutes was Intense. When it abated he was faint and dizzy, but recovered so as to eat his dinner. After dinner a blindness came over him, he felt sick, and vomited, and lost the power of locomotion—seemed to be paralyzed. Spasms then commenced in the pit of the stomach, and soon spread all over him, at first remittent, returning once in two or three minutes, and attended with vomiting. The injury occurred at 12 M. I saw him four or five hours after, in company with my partner, Dr. J. G. Wood. At 6 o'clock, the extensor muscles of the whole body became rigidly contracted, so that he formed a semicircle, and when on his back rested only on the heels and head, and his sufferings appeared ex- ceedingly great. At this stage, seeing that the disease was progessing with such fearful rapidity, I thought it not proper to spend much time in administering ordinary remedies, espe- cially as I had one at hand of such undoubted efficiency, as I knew cold water to be. I had him immediately placed in a position to receive as much of the water in tubs as could con- veniently be done, but, considering the urgency of the case, was not very particular about that. I commenced pouring all over him water of a temperature near that of freezing point, from a pitcher, at the rate of a bucket full every five minutes, and continued it half an hour. Then I wiped him with a towel, wrapped him in blankets, put him in bed with a great amount of covering, and let him remain there two or three hours, til] reaction and free perspiration took place. Then he was sponged all over in cold water. When I had poured the water on him about twenty minutes, and he had begun to be very cold, he felt the spasms evidently give way, first in the least affected side, and then, in a few minutes, in the half of the body that had received the injury, and the pain abated, and the limbs became flexible. But, to make the cure certain, I continued the pouring a short time after he was relieved, till he shook violently all over with the cold. LOCKJAW. 71 After the reaction had taken place, and he had been sponged with cold water, to carry off the superfluous heat, a soreness of all the muscles remained, with violent headache, and he could not endure any motion or noise for several days, and could not be raised from his bed for more than a week, but, by the appli- cation of appropriate remedies under the care of Dr. Wood, he gradually recovered without any symptoms of a return of the spasms. The application of cold water in this manner, is not techni- cally Hydropathy. It is simply a sudden reduction of tem- perature by means of an agency acting on the Homoeopathic law of cure, with an energy and power to which no other known remedy can approach. And it meets a more extensive range of diseases than any other remedy, because it has the leading foundation symptoms of diseased action—which is a sensation of cold. When the vital organism is assailed by any hurtful cause, the first manifestation is a sense of coldness or shivering, more or less perceptible. This is so uniform, it may be considered the first symptom of an abnormal state. And when the vital power is not too much overcome, the cold is followed by heat, and this generally by perspiration. This constitutes the es- sential type of disease, and shows the natural movement of the animal economy when assailed by any hurtful agency, and points out the true mode of cure. The cold stage is the lead- ing symptom consequent on the exciting cause, and the heat and perspiration may be but a salutary action to throw off the attack. Often it is successful, and one paroxysm terminates the disease. The reason why every attack is not thus speedily terminated, is because the power of reaction is not always sufficient of itself to throw it off. Here we need an agent that will powerfully impress the whole organism, and put it in a pathological condition analogous to that which constitutes the main features of the disease, and in a manner that will secure a certain and energetic reaction. The reduction of 72 GENERAL DISEASES. temperature, by the application of cold water, is precisely this agency. I have made a great many experiments, by this reduction of temperature, during the last four years. I place the patient in a large tub, either seated, with feet in another tub, or standing on a stool to keep the feet out of water, without covering, or with a sheet about the shoulders, as circumstances require, and pour the water from a pitcher upon the head and shoulders, letting it run down the body at the rate of a bucket- ful every five minutes, till the patient shakes violently with cold, which takes from twenty minutes to three quarters of an hour, according to the temperature of the water. Then wipe and wrap in a blanket, and cover in bed till reaction and free perspiration takes place, which requires from two to four hours. Then sponge in cold water to carry off the superfluous heat, and put on ordinary covering. In this way I have treated more than a hundred cases during the last four years. I now know what results I can depend on with great certainty. This remedy is far more effectual in the early stage, while it remains but a functional disease. It is the true Homoeopathic remedy for all spasms. Intense cold always causes rigidity of the muscles. In tetanus it can never fail to cure. In this case I had no doubt of its success, and had decided to continue to pour the water till the spasms gave way. A person may remain very cold for a long time, without any danger to life, if rightly treated. I would rather keep a patient pulseless and senseless three weeks, by the application of cold, than have them die with this disease. I have in several cases of other diseases, continued to pour cold water till after the pulse ceased in the wrist, and till the patient was so stiff he could not rise from the seat. In this case, if the spasms had returned, I should have applied it again more thoroughly than before. Again, there is trembling where a person has become very cold. It is therefore the remedy for clonic spasms. Can a person trcm- SOMNOLENCY. LETHARGY. 73 ble with any other spasms, when he is shaking tremendously with cold? I have applied it in many cases of spasms in children, some of which are reported in the second volume of the Quarterly Journal of Homoeopathy. It never fails to stop them. But when they depend on organic lesions, when the patient gets warm, they may return again. It is adapted to all acute diseases, when applied in the early stage. I believe there is a period in every fever when one application of cold water, as described above, would effectually stop its progress, and the patient would be immediately as well as before the attack. I have had much experience on this point. But too often this period has passed by before the physician is called. In the Asiatic cholera I think it can not fail of adaptation. It is the means of conducting the patient through the same pathological stages which constitute the essential character- istics of the disease, with a certainty of a successful, healthy reaction. I should expect it would cure every case if season- ably applied. This remedy is capable of doing, in many cases, what all other remedies would fail to accomplish, and is safe in its application, but is too formidable for extensive use. Diet and Regimen.—The same as in fevers. Again we would advise not to be negligent in the treat- ment of even apparently slight injuries; if pain and tension is felt in the wound, it should be treated at once and faith- fully with poultices, until the pain has ceased and the wound begins to discharge the healthy matter. Somnolency. Lethargy. Diagnosis.—A sleep, continued beyond the natural time, for days or weeks. During this time, short intervals of wak- ing intervene, but the patient soon relapses into sleep again. Nourishment can be given only by injecting fluid aliments; otherwise, the functions of life are not disturbed. In such cases, a physician will be consulted; but up to 7 \ GENERAL DISEASES. the time of his coming, the following medicines may be given. Opium, if the pulse is full and slow, the breathing snoring, and the face very red, even dark; every three hours a dose, or until better. Belladonna, if the head is hot and the feet are cold; pulse accelerated and hard. Lachesis, if the pulse is very weak ; beside, Aconite, Vera- trum, Pulsatilla, Phosphoric acid, one after the other, if ne- cessary. Application of Water.—That cold water must be a pow- erful auxiliary in the treatment of this disease, is very evi- dent ; its use must be regulated according to the symptoms of the case ; cold foot-bath, if the head is hot and congested ; sitz-baths, hand and head-baths are variously applicable. Fatigue, Overheating, and Mental Exhaustion. Arnica, for a feeling as if the body were bruised, after over- exertion of the body, and too long and fast traveling on foot; wash the fatigued limbs in water, with which a few drops of the Arnica tincture has been mixed. Rhus : Pains in the joints. After Arnica, if this was not sufficient. In alternation with Bryonia, if there are shooting pains in the small of the back on moving. China : Weakness after loss of fluids, or heavy perspira- tions. Veratrum, if persons are so fatigued as to cause fainting, in alternation with Ipecac, or Apis mel. Coffea and Camphor, in alternation, when the system is exhausted by disease, abstinence from food, or violent exer- cise. Cocculus and Xux vom., if caused by long night-watching. Aconite, if, with weakness, there is palpitation of the heart, pain in the side, difficulty of breathing, aching in the limbs from running fast; and then in alternation with Bryonia. FAINTING, SWOONING--SYNCOPE. /O Cocculus, if the least exertion causes fatigue, followed by Veratrum and Calcarea, if necessary. Administration. — Dissolve twelve glob, of a remedy in half a teacupful of water, and give, every half-hour or hour, a teaspoonful, until better. If overheated by bodily exercise in the summer, take a little brandy and water, and no cold drinks until restored again ; or, if possible, take a warm bath for twenty minutes. If the limbs feel sore, rub with Arnica, or alcohol in which soap is dissolved. For mental exhaustion by over-study or anxious night- watching, take Xux vomica; if very much excited and sleep- less, Coffea; if with fullness of the head, Belladonna. Fainting, Swooning. (Syncope.) Nervous persons, particularly females, are subject to faint- ing fits, excited by various causes, external or internal. The first thing to be done is, to lay the patient quietly on a bed or couch, where the fresh air is accessible ; loosen everything tight about the neck, chest, and stomach, and sprinkle cold water in the face, for a minute or two; during this time some one has procured spirits of camphor, which now may be held under the nose, to be inhaled. This, in most cases, is suffi- cient to restore the patient for the time, who must now be let alone, to gather strength. If the cause of the fainting can be ascertained, one of the following remedies may be given, to destroy the bad consequences which the attack may have on the nervous system. If caused by fright, Aconite, Opium, Sambucus, Staphysag., Veratrum. By excessive joy, Coffea, AConite, Opium. Hv anger, Pulsatilla, Platina, Xux vom., Chamomile. By excessive pain, Veratrum, Aconite, Chamomile. By the slightest pain, Hepar. By grief mortification, Ignatia, Colocynth, Platina, Mercury, Phosphor, acid, Staphysag. / b GENERAL DISEASES. By fear, Ignatia, Pulsatilla, Veratrum, Opium. By depletion, blood-letting, etc., China, Carbo veg., Veratrum, when, also, a little wine or brandy and water may be given. Administration.—Dissolve twelve glob, of the selected medicine in half a teacupful of water, and give, every five or ten minutes, a teaspoonful. If not relieved in twenty or thirty minutes, prepare and give another remedy in the same manner. Apparent Death. Whenever a sudden extinction of life appears, our suspi- cion must be aroused, as regards the real or apparent death of the individual, in as far as we frequently might be able to restore the apparently dead to life again, if we would only take the trouble and have the patience to use the requisite means. And even when these are applied, it is often done in an un- systematic manner. As most cases of apparent death occur under violent cir- cumstances, such as drowning, hanging, etc., it is quite natu- ral that the minds of the by-standers become agitated and confused, n->t knowing what is first to be done. This uncer- tainty and hurry of action, however, cannot produce any fa- vorable results in resuscitating the apparently dead. It is of the utmost importance to remain self-possessed, to reflect well, and then to do only one thing at a time, until all available means to restore life are exhausted. There are a great many accidents in life, by which its existence is put in jeopardy. We will enumerate them here, and the means which ought to be used. On poisoning, we give a separate chapter. (See page 92-) 1. Apparent Death from Hunger. If starvation was the cause of an apparent suspension of life, inject small quantities of warm milk mixed with a very little brandy or Madeira wine; beside, lay cloths, dipped in warm milk and brandy, on the stomach. Do not attempt to give any nourishment by the mouth, until after the patient apparent death from drowning. 77 has commenced breathing again, at which time the warm milk may be given to him, drop by drop, through the mouth. Increase the doses of milk very gradually, until the patient can take a teaspoonful; then a few drops of wine or brandy will be salutary. After a while, give him small quantities of beef-tea, or other broth. Solid food is not allowed, until after the patient has had a sound, healthy sleep : and even then, he has to be very careful in not eating too much at a time, or indulging in anything indigestible. 2. Apparent Death from Drowning. The following cautions ought to be observed : 1. Be quick, but not rough, in all that has to be done. j 2. Do not roll the body on casks. ■ 3. Do not hold it up by the feet. 4. Do not rub the body with salts or spirits, nor inject j smoke or infusion of tobacco. i 5. Do not bleed the patient. j But do the following immediately : 1. Convey the body, carefully, in a raised position, to the i nearest house, if possible; or, if not, lay it on a dry, sandy place, in the hot sun. 2. Strip the body, and rub it dry; then wrap it in warm blankets, either in a warm bed, or in heated sand or ashes, until other means of warming the body can be procured, such as bottles of hot water, warming pans, heated bricks, etc., wHch may be applied successively on the stomach, spine, thighs, under the armpits, and soles of the feet. 3. Wipe and cleanse the mouth, nostrils, and throat, care- fully ; during this operation the body may be turned on its side, the head bent forward, to allow the water to run out of the mouth ; all the water which can run out is in the mouth. 4. Rub, continually and briskly, the whole body with the hands, or with warm cloths. Do not suspend, however, the use of the other means. 78 general diseases. 5. From time to time, try to inflate the lungs of the patient, by introducing into one of the nostrils the pipe of a pair of bellows, carefully closing the mouth and the other nostril; blow the bellows gently until the chest rises, then sec the mouth and nostrils free, and press lightly on the chest, to eject the air from the lungs; after which, the same process must be repeated and continued for some time. 6. Immerse the body, if possible, in a warm bath, at blood heat. 7. Electricity or galvanism may be used. 8. Put a few globules of Lachesis, and afterward, Opium on the tongue of the patient. 9. Continue this treatment for, at least, four or six hours. even if then no signs of life appear, do not remove the body immediately from its position, but wait until signs of decom- position are manifest. If, however, the patient recovers and can swallow, give him small quantities of warm wine or brandy and water. Be- side, watch him and attend to his further wants carefully. 3. Apparent Death from Freezing. See " Frozen Limbs," page 91. 4. Apparent Death from Lightning. Remove the body into the fresh air, and, immediately, dash cold water on face, neck, and breast. If possible, cover the body all over (except the face) with newly-excavated earth. These means are the best, because water and wet ground are good conductors of electricity, with which the patient's system is surcharged at the time. Inwardly, give him, from time to time, a few globules of Nux vomica, of which, also, a solution may be injected. If the patient recovers, remove him to a light, sunny room, where he should be kept quiet for some time, without mental excitement. APPARENT DEATH FROM A FALL. 7!.l ' 6. Apparent Death from Hanging, Choking, or Suffocation by Burdens and Pressure. Tight clothing must be removed, and the patient placed in } an easy, half-erect position; the neck not bent forward loo much. Then rub him gently, but steadily, with the hands or | warm cloths, and give, inwardly, from time to time, a few , | drops of the following mixture : five drops of laudanum or tincture of Opium in four tablespoonfuls of water; of which, also, injections may be made; five drops of the mixture to ! each injection. Afterward, apply means for warming the body, such as heated bricks, bottles of hot water, etc. If this has been continued for an hour or two, and still no signs of life appear, mix a drop of Prussic acid in a tumbler- j ful of water, or pound a bitter almond fine and mix it in a tumblerful of water, and put a few drops of either of these mixtures on the tongue from time to time. After recovery, treat the patient as stated under the head "Apparent Death from Drowning." 6. Apparent Death from Xoxious Vapors. Remove the body into cool, fresh air; dash water over neck, face, and breast, and treat it, in general, as is recommended under the head "Apparent Death from Drowning." 7. Apparent Death from a Fall or Blow. After the sufferer has been placed in a half-erect position on a bed or couch, put on his tongue a few globules of Arnica, and wash the parts which have been hurt by the fall or blow with a solution of the tincture of Arnica and cold water (twelve drops of the tincture in half a pint of water) ; also give injections of the same mixture. Then examine carefully the patient's condition as regards fractures of bones i or other injuries, and do not allow him to be bled, as this expedient is, to say the least, always of a doubtful character, and entirely superseded by the above treatment. SO general diseases. Continue steadily the use of Arnica, internally and exter- nally; if the patient has been bled, a dose (four glob.) of China may be given, if much blood has been taken. 8. Apparent Death from Violent Menial Emotion. j See the article on "Fainting, Swooning," page 75. CHAPTER II. CASUAL DISEASES. I. External Injuries.* As this subject commands such a wide sphere of action, including as it were the whole art of surgery, it would be impossible to do it justice in a treatise like this, except we were able to condense it in a lucid manner, showing the ap- plication of a few medicinal agents and mechanical appli- ances, and pointing at those principles, on the strength of which they are used. Thus, every one can easily be pre- pared to do, if not all, what could be done right; at least, not to do wrong, in cases where circumstances require him to do something. In the term " external injuries," are comprehended, 1. Fractures of Bones. 2. Dislocations of Joints. 3. Wounds and Bruises. 4. Sprains and Concussions. 5. Burns and Scalds. 6. Poisoned Wounds, Stings of Insects, etc. 7. Frozen Limbs, etc. 1. Fractures of_ Bones. It is all-important from the first, to know whether a frac- ture has taken place, and to what extent. Its immediate reduction is not so necessary, as this can be done, just as 0 See the more extended treatise on Surgery in part second. (81) 82 EXTERNAL INJURIES. conveniently and better, after the first wound-fever has disap- peared, which generally lasts from two to three days. The fracture of a bone is presumed to have taken place, when the force and direction of the injury or accident were sufficient to accomplish it. Its certainty, however, is estab- lished, when on closer examination, we find the injured limb shorter, in some measure deformed, unable to move, when the patient feels stinging pains on the injured place, and when we can hear on handling this spot, a crepitation, that is, a grating noise, which is produced when the two broken surfaces of the bone are rubbed together. There are a number of terms to indicate the nature and extent of the injury sustained by a fracture. It is called a simple fracture, when the bone is broken without any severe contusion or external wound. A compound fracture is attended by an external wound or protrusion of the broken bone through the skin. Complicated is a fracture, when the bone is either broken in more than one place or is attended by other severe inju- ries, such as lacerations of flesh, ligaments, larger blood-ves- sels, etc. In a transverse fracture the bone is broken in a per- pendicular direction to its axis, while in the oblique fracture this is not the case. If the bone is broken into several pieces, the fracture is called a comminuted fracture. Treatment.— Put the patient in a comfortable position; move the broken limb or part as carefully as possible, and compare its formation with the corresponding healthy one. If it is possible, without much exertion, to straighten its form, do so, even if temporary extension of the broken parts would be required to bring them together ; then put a compress around the broken parts, on top of which place four strips of pasteboard or shingles, which are to be kept in their places by a circular bandage, not fastened too tight. Over the whole pour, from time to time, a mixture of cold water and Arnica tincture (twelve drops of the tincture to half a pint DISLOCATIONS--WOUNDb AND BRUISES. 83 of water, well mixed) ; put the limb in a comfortable pos- ture, by pillows, etc.; keep the fractured parts wet, and give, internally, a drop or two of Arnica tincture every six or eight hours. After the second or third day of the injury, when by the use of the Arnica the bruises and contusions of the limb have healed, prepare and use the tincture of Symphytum in the same manner as directed under Arnica. The use of Sym- phytum accelerates the adhesion of the broken parts. The attention of a surgeon must be sought, at any rate ; but, if he cannot be had, a repetition of the above bandaging on the third, sixth, and twelfth day, etc., will be sufficient to insure the healing of the fractured parts. In fractures of the skull, do nothing more than apply cold water and Arnica, as above stated, until a surgeon arrives. 2. Dislocations of Joints. Compare the dislocated part with the corresponding healthy one, and consider, quietly, without being confused, whether it can easily be brought back, for which purpose a few trials may be made. If, however, this should be too hazardous, desist from any further attempts, but use cold water and Arnica, as stated in "Fractures of Bones," and wait for the arrival of a competent surgeon. If bandages are necessary, their use must be to confine the joint for some time in the same position after it becomes set. 3. Wounds and Bruises. Wounds are either incisive, lacerated, contused, punctured, or gunshot wounds, according to the various instruments which have inflicted them. Our object is to heal them as quickly as possible, as cir- cumstances will allow. This is done, by bringing their edges immediately in close contact and keeping them there by ad- hesive plaster or sutures, which is the quickest mode of heal- 84 external injuries. ing wounds, particularly those of the incisive kind. In some wounds the edges cannot be brought together, because the flesh is lacerated or bruised. Cases of this kind have to heal by means of suppuration, by which healthy granulation is produced, gluing as it were the parts together. This process applies to all the other kinds of wounds, including the punctured and gunshot wounds. One important consideration must always be kept in view : never to allow the surface of a wound to heal or close before it is certain that its deeper parts have firmly adhered. This can be prevented by introducing lint to the bottom of the wound, renewing it as often as necessary, at least once a day, and cleaning it with lukewarm water. The first thing to be done, in attending to a wound, is to clean it, by cold water, from all foreign bodies which may be in it. Splinters must be extracted carefully, and the hem- orrhage stopped, which, in most cases, ceases after the appli- cation of cold water mixed with a few drops of Arnica tinc- ture (see "Fractures"); if it does not stop, however, or if the blood gushes out of the wound in jets, and is of a bright red color (arterial blood), try to compress the wound with lint dipped in arnica-water, overlaid with a sponge ; and if this does not succeed, compress with the fingers the artery above the wound (on a place nearer to the heart), which can be found on the inside of a limb, indicated by the beating of the artery ; if this cannot be done, bind around the whole limb, above the wound, a handkerchief, as tight as is neces- sary to stay the hemorrhage. If the patient has lost a great quantity of blood, give him some good wine and a few doses of China; he will feel stronger in a short time. When this is done, dress the wounds, either with adhesive plaster (if they are cut or incisive wounds), or loosely with lint kept constantly wet by cold water mixed with Arnica tincture (see " Fractures "). Give, internally, a few drops of Arnica tinc- ture in water, and place the patient in a comfortable position. Contused and bruised wounds allow of a certain degree of SPRAINS AND CONCUSSIONS. 8" compression, by adhesive plaster, after the inflammation has left, to make the edges adhere more closely ; this can be done afterward. Another important consideration is, to keep healing wounds well cleansed, by means of allowing the secreted matter to escape easily in the lint spread over the wound to keep off the air. Every day a suppurating wound ought to be cleansed and bathed freely in lukewarm water. If a wound inflames, becomes hot, swollen, and painful, put a warm bread-and-milk poultice over it, until it feels easier; inter- nally, give Chamomile, Belladonna, and Hepar, alternately, every two hours a dose (four glob.). If a wound fever sets in, give Aconite, Chamomile, and Bel- ladonna, in alternation, in the same manner. If lockjaw should appear, see page 68. N. B. Although Arnica tincture is recommended above in all kinds of wounds as the proper outward application, yet Calendula tincture is best after Arnica, in all contused and lacerated wounds. If a wound suppurates too freely, or secretes unhealthy matter, give Hepar and Silicea, in alternation, every evening a dose (four glob.), until better. 4. Sprains and Concussions. These are caused by falls, lifting of heavy weights, jerks, false steps, etc. Bruises, wounds, or fractures, which may attend them, have to be treated first. If the patient is free from them, however, put him at once in a comfortable po- sition, and use, externally, a mixture of cold water and Ar- nica tincture, particularly when the parts are black and blue (bloodshot); after it, Rhus in solution, when the joints, mem- branes and tendons, are more affected. This latter remedy is also suitable for the bad consequences of lifting too heavy weights (strahis). Internally give Bryonia and Rhus in alternation, every four S6 external injuries. hours six globules, until the patient feels relieved from the stiffness and soreness in the limbs. Diet, must be light, no meat or stimulating drinks are allowed ; gruels and lemonades are recommended. 5. Burns and Scalds. Slight degrees of these injuries heal quickly by holding the scalded parts to the fire (if that is possible), or fomenting them with warm alcohol, or covering them with a plaster of Castile soap. But burns and scalds increase in importance and danger, in proportion to the depth and extent of the injury, which, if very great, threatens the life of the patient. If more than one-half of the surface of the skin is deeply scalded, the sufferer will seldom recover. A great many remedies are recommended for burns and scalds, but their usefulness must be determined according to the quickness with which they can be procured, their easy applicability, and, lastly, their specific effect on the burns, as such* Treatment.—The best remedy in slight cases is already mentioned above. In severer cases, and even the worst, use Castile soap, scraped and mixed with water to a thick lather; spread it on strips of linen or cotton cloth, to the thickness of the sixth of an inch; then spread it over the wound, taking care to cover with soap every burned part, and keep it moist for awhile with cold water, which may be dropped on top, very sparingly, from time to time. Let these plasters remain until they drop off themselves ; or, if matter forms under- neath, remove them and dress the wounds with a salve made of equal parts of sweet oil or linseed oil and lime-water, Avhich is a very good remedy in the beginning, if it only could be had quick enough. Another remedy, easy of access is, raw cotton, with which the burned parts must be covered, pressing it lightly on the wounds; or wheat flour profusely strewed over them. BURNS AND SCALDS. 87 If a person has inhaled hot steam, or has burned his throat with hot liquids, give him, of a solution of Castile soap in whisky or alcohol (which can be made very soon, by scraping soap into the liquor and shaking the bottle well), every five or ten minutes, two or three drops in water, lengthening the intervals as the patient gets better. N. B. Every steamboat ought to be provided with a bottle of spirits of soap, decidedly the best remedy for these inter- nal burns, as it acts specifically on the injured nervous sys- tem and composes immediately. Another remedy is the tincture of Urtica urens (stinging nettle), of which each homoeopathic medicine-chest contains a bottle. Apply it in a manner similar to the Arnica tincture (twelve drops to a pint of water). For internal burns, put three drops of it in a teacupful of water, and give, every five or ten minutes, a teaspoonful, until better. If the burns ulcerate, wash them with a solution of twelve globules of Caustic in half a teacupful of water, three times a day, and give internally, Sulphur and Silicea, alternately, every evening a dose (six glob.) until better. Diet and Regimen.—The diet must be light, as in fevers ; but when ulceration takes place, give stimulating diet, beef etc., even brandy and water. If a diarrhea ensues during the healing of the burns, do not disturb it by giving medicine for it (except it be too excessive), as it is a critical discharge, the intestines supplying by their action, the interrupted functions of the skin. When dressing the wounds, open the blisters which have formed, remove as much of the skin as can be done easily, and take care that the patient is not exposed to currents of air during this operation, which must not last a longer time, nor be oftener repeated, than is necessary ; but, if the patient should have taken cold, in consequence of which the wounds pain very much and become inflamed, red, swollen (a kind of erysipelas in the scalded parts), give Belladonna and Rhus, in alternation, every two hours a dose, and dress 88 EXTERNAL INJURIES. the wounds with dry lint; but if the wounds were already suppurating when this took place, give Chamomile, Bellad., and Hepar, in the same manner, and dress the wounds with a warm poultice of bread and milk, until suppuration com- mences again and the fever subsides. 6. Poisoned Wounds. Bites and Stings of Insects — Bees, Spiders, Bugs, Mi^quiloes, Snakes, Mad Dogs. In injuries from the above-named animals, except the two last (which are treated of below), cover the injured part with wet or damp earth, immediately, and then wet it afterward with a mixture of cold water and Arnica tincture (twenty parts to one). Internally, give Ledum (twelve glob., dissolved in water), every half hour a teaspoonful until better. In the treatment of wounds inflicted by venomous snakes and mad dogs, and of their immediate or distant consequences, hydrophobia, etc., there exists yet a great deal of uncertainty and diversity of opinion. The old school has at least retired, as it seems, from further investigation on the subject (their ast trial was that of using Chloroform and Ether) ; and it oefits homceopathists the more to promote farther investiga- tions, as they alone possess the true means to shorten the labor in discussing the merits of a proposed remedy. As experiences in this class of diseases occur so rarely, the ob- servations and opinions will be slow in forthcoming. We pre- fer to give those of Dr. Hering, as follows: The best remedy against the bites of venomous serpents, mad dogs, etc., is the application of dry heat at a distance. What- ever is at hand at the moment, a red-hot iron or live coal, or even a lighted cigar, must be placed as near the wound as possible, without, however, burning the skin, or causing too sharp pain ; but care must be taken to have another instrument ready in the fire, so as never to allow the heat to lose its inten- sity. It is essential, also, that the heat should not exercise its ;nfluence over too large a surface, but only on the wound and the poisoned wounds. 89 parts adjacent. If oil or grease can be readily procured, it may be applied round the wound, and this operation should be re- peated as often as the skin becomes dry ; soap or even saliva may be employed, where oil or grease cannot be obtained. Whatever is discharged in any way from the wound ought to be carefully removed. The application of burning heat should be continued in this manner until the patient begins to shiver and to stretch himself; if this takes place at the end of a few minutes, it will be better to keep up the action of the heat upon the wound for an hour, or until the affections produced by the venom are observed to diminish. Internal medicines must be judiciously administered at the same time. In the case of a Bite from a Serpent, it will be advisable to take, from time to time, a gulp of salt and water, or a pinch of kitclien salt, or of gunpowder, or else some pieces of garlic. If, notwithstanding this, bad effects manifest themselves, a spoonful of whisky or brandy, administered every few minutes, will be the most suitable remedy, until intoxication ensues; some of the most desperate cases have been cured in this manner. If the shooting pains are aggravated, and proceed from the wound toward the heart, and if the wound becomes bluish, marbled, or swollen, with vomiting, vertigo, and fainting, the best medicine is Arsenic. It should be administered in a dose of four globules in a teaspoonful of water; and if, after this has been taken, the sufferings are still aggravated, the dose should be repeated at the end of half an hour; but if, on the contrary, the state remains the same, it should not be repeated until the end of two or three hours; if there is an amelioration, a new aggravation must be waited for, and the dose ought not to be repeated before its appearance. In cases in which Arsenic exercises no influence, though repeated several times, recourse must be had to Belladonna; Senna also frequently proves efficacious. 8 90 external injuries. Against chronic affections arising from the bite of a serpent, Phosphor, ac. and Mercury will generally be most beneficial. For the treatment of persons bitten by a mad dog, after the application of dry heat, as directed and described above, see " Hydrophobia," below. If morbid affections or ulcerations exhibit themselves in consequence of a bite from a rabid man or animal, hydropho- bic, administered in homoeopathic doses, will often render essential service. For wounds that are envenomed by the introduction of ani- mal substances in a state of putrefaction, or of pus from the ulcer of a diseased man or animal, Arsenic is generally the best medicine. Lastly, as a preventive against bad effects, when obliged to touch morbid animal substances, envenomed wounds, or ulcers of men and animals under the influence of contagious diseases, the best method that can be pursued is the applica- tion of dry burning heat at a distance. To effect this purpose, it will be sufficient to expose the hands for five or ten minutes to the greatest heat that can be borne ; and after this, it will be proper to wash them with soap. The use of Chlorine and muriatic acid, in similar cases, is well known. Hydrophobia.—Apply distant heat to the recent wound, as described under "Poisoned Wounds," or until shudderino-s appear; and continue this practice three or four times a day, until the wound is healed, without leaving a colored cicatrix. At the same time the patient should take, every five or seven days, or as often as the aggravation of the wound re- quires it, one dose of Belladonna or Lachesis, or also of hy- drophobine, until the cure is completed. If, at the end of seven or eight days, a small vesicle shows itself under the tongue, with feverish symptoms, it will be necessary to open it with a lancet or sharp-pointed scissors and to rinse the mouth with salt and water frozen limbs, etc. 91 If the raging state has commenced before assistance can be procured for the patient, the medicines ought to be care- fully administered according to circumstances, especially Bellad. or Lachesis; or else, again, Cantharides, Hyoscyamus, Mercury, or also Stramon. or Veratrum. 7. Frozen Limbs, etc. If limbs, ears, fingers, nose, etc., are frost-bitten, rub them with snow, or put them in the coldest water, and then, by degrees, let the water be warmer, until a natural feeling re- turns again. If the person is in a state of insensibility from being frozen apparently to death, undress him carefully (cut the clothes off from him) and cover him all over with snow, leaving the mouth and nostrils free. As the snow melts, renew it. If no snow can be had, put him into a bath of water, cold as ice, in which he may lie from ten to fifteen minutes ; afterward, continue to rub with snow, or cover him with bags containing pounded ice. If in this way, the body has thawed by degrees, and the rigidity of the muscles re- laxed, dry the body carefully, and place it in a cold bed in a cool room, and begin to rub, under the bedclothes, with the warm hands only, all over. In this way continue for hours. If signs of life show themselves, inject a little camphor and water; also, put a drop of spirits of camphor on the tongue, from time to time. If more signs of life appear, give warm black coffee (with- out milk), by injection, and small quantities through the mouth, until he can take more by degrees. If severe pains in the whole body appear, give Carbo veg. (twelve glob, dissolved in half a teacupful of water), every fifteen or twenty minutes a teaspoonful, in alternation with Arsenic, if necessary, until better. The patient must avoid the heat of fire or of a stove for some timt*. ;l2 EXTERNAL INJURIES. II. Poisons. Of the poisonous substances which can be introduced into the system, those are the most deleterious and pernicious which have the readiest facility of assimilation; consequently, the animal poisons rank first, then come the vegetable, and, lastly, the mineral poisons. The animal poisons show their effects immediately on the nervous system, through the blood. The poison of snakes, for instance, while introduced into the stomach, is of no dan- gerous consequence. The vegetable poisons must be carried into the blood by digestion before their effects become dan- gerous. The mineral poisons kill only by corroding the sur- face, with which they come in contact, creating inflammation, which has a great tendency to pass quickly over into gan- grene or mortification ;* their bad effects on the system, afterward, are more lasting. In cases of poisoning, the first thing to be done is, to eject the poison as soon as possible from the system, by provoking vomiting,f or, to neutralize its action by means of suitable antidotes. * This peculiarity of the mineral poisons, to kill only by corrosion of the mucous membranes of the intestines, renders their use as remedial agents in diseases quite safe and expedient, as they can easily be divested of this poisoning or corroding quality, by reducing their crude bulk (which alone can corrode or inflame) by trituration and subsequent dilution, without diminishing in the least the curative effects of these minerals. For instance : one grain of Arsenic, in its crude state, would kill; yet, if triturated with one hundred grains of sugar-of-milk. one grain of this mixture would have lost all corroding or poisonous power, retaining, at the same time, all the curative quality, and this in a more developed form. In this way, Homoeopathy can avail itself of all the healing effects of the most deadly poisons, with the greatest ease and safety; while Allopathy stands trembling and in fear before these dread- l'ul agents, not knowing how to tame their useless fury, or to harness these wild medicinal steeds to the car of Esculapius. + That, in such cases, Homoeopathists make use of emetics and other violent means to eject poisons from the stomach, is not a proof that POISONS. 93 To produce vomiting, the following means may be resorted to, in preference to the so-called emetics, which the allopathic school has hitherto employed : 1. Tepid water, in large quantities and often repeated. 2. Snuff or mustard, mixed with salt on the tongue. 3. Tickling of the throat with a feather or fine straw ; or, lastly, 4. Injections of tobacco smoke into the anus through a pipe- stem. To neutralize or mitigate the injurious effects of poison, the following means may be used as each case requires, which will be shown below under the heading of each poison named. 1. White of Egg, dissolved in water, and thus drank in large quantities, is of the. greatest efficacy in poisoning by metallic substances, particularly Corrosive sublimate, Verdigris, Tin, Arsenic, Lead, Mercury, Sulphuric acid, particularly when there are violent pains in the stomach and bowels, with or without diarrhea. In all cases in which the poison imbibed is unknown, the white of an egg is first given when violent pains in the abdo- men are present. they resort to allopathic means, as allopathists, quite sophistically, would make people believe. It only shows that, in cases of this kind, the homoeopathic law cannot come into operation until these substances are removed, which act, as it were, as external injuries all the time, while they are buried in the stomach. In the same way, Surgery might be pronounced insufficient in its doings, because a surgeon can not heal a wound as long as the knife continues to lacerate an>l even enlarge the wound. It is evident that external injurious substances (and such are all poisons) must be removed, just as a burning roal or a stinging blister, before the injuries done to the system can be repaired by the proper homoeopathic agents; and this is done by Homoeopathy more safely and quickly than by Allopathy, as the knowledge of antidotes is further advanced by the former, which is of the utmost importance in curing the after-effects of the poison. 94 poisons. 2. Soap (white household Joap), one part dissolved in four parts of hot water, is given in all cases where the white of an egg, when indicated, was insufficient. In cases of poisoning by alkaline substances, it must be omitted as injurious. 3. Vinegar (made from wine or cider) diluted with water, as a draught or in injections, alternately with slimy things, is the principal remedy against alkaline substances, but is very injurious in cases of poisoning by minerals (the very opposite of soap-water). 4. Sugar, diluted and given in water, can be administered in cases of poisoning by mineral, as well as alkaline substances, and is, therefore, one of the most valuable remedies in do- mestic practice, as it can be most easily procured. 5. Milk and Olive oil are substances not so well calculated to envelop poisons in the stomach, as slimy, mucilaginous drinks, made of pearled barley, linseed, or rice ; yet they may be used with advantage against alkaline substances, and cor- rosive acids, such as Xitric and Sulphuric acid. 6. Mucilaginous drinks, in draughts and injections, are very useful against alkaline poisons, particularly in alterna- tion with vinegar. They are made of barley, rice, linseed, farina. 7. Coffee — strong black coffee—taken very warm, is the principal remedy for all narcotic poisons, such as Opium, Xux vomica, Belladonna, Stramonium (Jamestown weed). 8. Camphor is principally efficacious against all vegetable poisons of an acrid, corrosive nature ; also, against Cantharides (Spanish fly). The following table shows the proper and successive appli- cation of the above-named remedies in cases of poisoning with the different substances alluded to TABLE OF ANTIDOTES. 9-J Table of Antidotes to the ['01 SONS. I. ANIMAL POISONS. a. Cantharides (Spanish fly) . b. Poisonous jish, clams, muscles, etc. e. Poison of fat in half putrefied meat (Sebacic acid),as it appears often in cheese, sausages, etc. II. VEGETABLE POISONS, in general. s. Opium (Laudanum, seeds of Pop- py) .Stramonium (Gymson weed), Nux vom., Tobacco, b. Gamboge,Euphorbia,and all other burning.corrosivevegetablesub- stances which produce violent pains, c. Sumach (Poison vine).......... d. Camphor and Saffron,.......... f. Spirits of Turpentine,.......... III. MINERAL POISONS. a. Acids—Prussic or mineral acids, Sulphuric, Muriatic, Nitric,Phos- phoric acid, b Alkaline Si bstances—Pot and Pearl ashes,Lapis infernalis,Salt, and 0)7 of tartar, most Powerful Poisons. ANTIDOTES. Camphor, internally or by smelling, externally, use white of eggs and gruels. Char coal,Sugar and water, Black cof- fee, Camphor.—For eruptions and swelling of the face,Bellad.,Rhus. Vinegar and water, internally and externally as a gargle, Lemon juice, Black coffee, Black tea. For the remaining symptoms, Bryo- nia, Phosphoric acid, Creosote. Require mostly Camphor, by smell- ing, and Black coffee in a drink. TVarcoiics.require particularly Black Coffee and Vinegar diluted with water. Require mostly Soap-water and Milk. No external application, but, inter- nally, Bellad., Bryon., Rhus. Black coffee, until the patient vom- its; afterward Opium. Opium, Bellad., Bryon. Spirits of Hartshorn. Tepid Soapsuds; Magnesia; Chalk, powdered and mixed with water; Wood ashes mixed with water- Potash or Soda. Vinegar, Lemon-juice, and other acids : sour milk, mucilaginous drinks and injections. 96 medicinal diseases. POISONS. ANTIDOTES. c. Metallic Substances—Arsenic, Corrosive sublimate, Copper, Verdi- gris Lead........................... Lunar caustic,.................. Tin,........................... Soapsuds; white of eggs with water} Sugar water; Milk ; Rust of Iron. White of eggs in water; Sugar-water; Milk; Starch from Wheat flour. Epsom salt; Glauber salt. Common salt, dissolved in water. Sugar, white of eggs and milk. III. Medicinal Diseases. The abuse of medicines, prescribed often by allopathic physicians, and taken in large quantities, for a long time, produces, frequently, artificial diseases, well known under the name "Medicinal Diseases." The most obstinate and dele- terious of these maladies are those produced by vegetable drugs, as their quick and ready assimilation in the stomach, is far greater than that of minerals. From this it is evident how foolish or deceptive the conduct of those physicians is, who pretend to use in their practice only " vegetable medi- cines," as if this kingdom of nature did not contain the most noxious and violent poisons. In the following table, the drugs are put together with their antidotes, which may be given as the indications men- tioned may require. In administering them, it must be understood, that all these cases are more of a chronic nature ' consequently, the repetition of doses is not require! to be made so often, say from half a day to two, three, v.i ^dre days, until improvement takes place, or another remedy has to be selected. Medicinal diseases are not so easily cured as natural ones, because the reactive force of nature (so important in the treatment of diseases in general) cannot altogether be relied on in cases of this kind. REMEDIES. 97 List of Drugs causing Diseases, and their Remedies. 1. Opium, Laudanum, Paregoric, 8. Mercury, Calomel Quinine Peruvian bark. 4. Sulphur. 5, Magnesia. 6. Arsenic. (Fowler's solution.) 7. Lead (used in oint- ments and in washes, as sugar-of-lead wa- ter, etc.} 8 Iodine. !). Rhubarb. [0. Chamomile. 11. Cantharides — (Spanish fly.) 12 Asafaetida. 9 REMEDIES. Coffea, Ipecac, Bella, Nux vomica, Mercury. Hepar sulph., Nitric acid. Against salivation and sore mouth; Hepar,Nitric acid, Carbo veg., Sulphur. Against ulcers in the throat; Carbo veg., Nitric acid, Bellad., Lachesis, Sulphur. Against nervous weakness; China, Hepar, La- chesis. Against nervous excitability; Chamomile, Puisa tilla, Carbo veg. Against sensitiveness to changes of tlie weather, Carbo veg., China. Against rheumatic pains, Neuralgia; Carbo veg., China, Lachesis, Sulphur. Against ulcerations and swellings of glands, Bu boes; Carbo veg., Hepar, Lachesis, Nitric acid, Sulph., Thuja. Against dropsical affections; China, Dulcamara. Hellebor., Sulph. Against rheumatic pains;Arn., Puis.—Dropsical swellings; Arsenic, Ferrum.—Congestions to the head and bowels; Bellad., Mercury.— Fever, intermittent ; Ipecac, Pulsat.. Carbo veg., Arsenic, Natr. mur. Puis., Merc, Chin., Sep. Colocynth, Ars., Rheum., Puis. China, Ferrum, Ipecac, Verat, Nux vom Opium, Bellad., Platina, Nux vom. Bell., Phos., Hep., Spong., Chin., Ars. Chamomile, Colocynth, Mercury. Aconite, Ignatia, Pulsat. Camphor, Aconite, Pulsat. China, Mercury, Pulsat., Caustic CHAPTER III. CUTANEOUS DISEASES. Tue skin, as the external covering of the whole body, is, j | on account of its exposure and extent, liable to many and various diseases—from the slightest redness, or rash, to the most inveterate itch and leprosy. The importance of its pre- ; servation is, therefore, obvious. We divide the diseases of ! the skin into, 1. Acute Eruptions, Eruptive Fevers, etc. 2. Chronic Eruptions and Ulcers. 1. Eruptive Fevers. Rash. Diagnosis. — Frequently, after taking cold, particularly with a disordered stomach, persons are troubled with a rash on different parts of the body, which appears in red spots, of the size of a pin-head, scarcely visible ; however, more so in a warm bed; with intolerable itching, particularly at night, preceded by shivering toward evening, disturbed sleep, and followed by feverishness during the night In such cases, the common practice heretofore has been, and is yet, where Homoeopathy is not known, to put scorched flour on the parts affected. This is not, however, without danger, and ought not to be resorted to immediately. It | would be better first to give some of the following remedies, which will relieve, without drivinp- the disease to interna. parts. (98) NETTLE rash—HIVES. 99 Treatment.—If the itching is intolerable, with either shivering or heat, restlessness, sleeplessness, give Chamom. every hour one dose (four glob.). If not better within two or three hours, give Ledum p., every two hours a dose (four glob.). If not better next day give Rhus, and Sulphur in alternation, every three hours a dose (four glob), until ame- lioration takes place. Diet and Eegimen.—The diet ought to be very light— farinaceous substances, gruels, toasted bread and toast-water —but no meat, or soups of meat. The patient must be kept in a dry, warm room; warm lemonade is recommended. Nettle Rash—Hives. ( Urticaria.) Diagnosis.—A disease similar to the former in origin and appearance, only that the red spots, with a whitish tinge, ap- pear in groups, somewhat elevated, and itch and prick intole- rably. Sometimes the body is covered with these spots, and then the patient feels sick, has no appetite, with a feeling of fullness in the pit of the stomach. There exist several varieties of this disease, so well known under the above name of nettle-rash. They are, however, all distinguished by an eruption on the skin, similar to that caused by the contact of nettles; hence the name. Accompanied with violent itching and burning, elevations appear on the surfaco of the skin, which are of a round form and whitish yellow color; the skin itself assumes, on these places, a firm texture; these spots are surrounded by a halo of reddish hue. The patient complains, beside, of headache, bitter taste in the mouth, coated tongue, nausea, and vomiting; sometimes fever- ish symptoms appear, preceded by chilliness; this is particu- larly the case in that form of nettle-rash which is caused by indigestion, errors of diet, and exposure to cold. The patients feel relieved of the gastric and febrile symptoms after the eruption has made its appearance, which frequently is facili- tated by vomiting or perspiration. 100 CUTANEOUS diseases. Some persons have a constitutional predisposition for this disease, in as far as they will invariably be attacked by it after eating certain articles of diet; for instance—shell-fish, cucumbers, mushrooms, crabs, clams, strawberries, etc. Others are inclined to it because they have naturally a tender, irritable skin; elderly females, particularly those which in early age suffered much from rheumatism, have a great tendency to it. The duration of this disease varies from one to four and seven days; it is sometimes transient, the eruption vanishing quickly; very often it reappears, and becomes very trouble- some. The disease is, generally, not dangerous in its results, and yields readily to the appropriate remedies. This disease frequently appears during an epidemic of Erysepelas, particularly in the hot summer months; in such cases fever is present, preceded by gastric—bilious symptoms, pains in the limbs and arms, headache, drowsiness, sense of fatigue, etc., the patient sometimes even becomes delirious before the eruption appears, after which, however, soon all these alarming symptoms leave. This form of urticaria, gene- rally soon disappears, on the cessation of the fever. Treatment. — When caused by indigestion, particularly from rich and fat food, give Pulsatilla, morning and evening (four glob.). When caused by taking cold, and accompanied with diarrhea, bitter taste in the mouth, and slimy coated tongue give Antimon. crud. alternately with Dulcamara (four glob.). When caused by taking cold in damp, wet weather, exhibiting itself with pains in the limbs, shivering, and head- ache, give Bryonia and Rhus, alternately, every three or four | hours a dose (four glob.), followed, in twenty-four hours, by a dose (four glob.) of Sulphur, if necessary. If not better the third day, give, evening and morning, a dose (four glob.) of Ledum p. When these remedies are of no avail, or there is a burning sensation, with itching, great restlessness, and i even an uneasy feeling, give two doses of Arsenic, in alterna- erysipelas. 101 tion with Apis mellifica, and, the next day, of a solution of Urlica urens (one drop in six tablespoonfuls of water), every three hours a teaspoonful. Sometimes this rash strikes in suddenly, when the patient feels oppressed, sick at the stomach, and weak. In such a case, give immediately, Ipecac, (four glob.) ; in an hour after- ward, Bryonia (four glob.), and, after that, in two hours, if not better, Arsenic (four glob.). At the same time, cover the patient well, to produce perspiration, which will also be pro- moted by warm drinks, particularly warm lemonade, if he has no diarrhea at the time. If a person is troubled with this disease for a longer time than common, or liable to it on the slightest occasions, let him take Calcarea, every four days a dose (four glob.), in the evening, and, if not better, in four or six weeks, Lycopodium, Sulphur, Carbo vegetabilis, Nitric acid, in the same manner. No external application whatever, should be made, as the disease might suddenly strike in, producing serious or even fatal consequences. Diet must be simple ; no meat nor heating drinks ; nothing but water, black tea, gruels, dry toast, baked apples, and stale bread. Erysipelas, or St. Anthony's Fire. Diagnosis.—It is characteristic of this disease, that it ap- pears suddenly, on different parts of the body, with heat, redness, swelling, tingling, and other painful sensations; in severer cases, the heat becomes intense on the parts affected ; the surface almost shines, the pains become burning and shoot- ing, and the skin rises in blisters filled with water (erysipelas bullosum). In such cases, an intense fever is present, with its concom- itant gastric nervous symptoms, such as a quick, full, wiry pulse; high fever, preceded by shivering or chill; tongue coated, white or dry brown ; great thirst; pains all over the body ; scanty and deep-colored urine ; intense headache, 102 CUTANEOUS DISEASES. with sleepiness or wakefulness ; very sensitive to noise and light. The nearer to the brain this disease appears, as on the face, the ears, or the scalp of the head, the severer the symp- toms of the head will be, and consequently, the more danger- ous is the attack, so that delirium often ensues. In the so called "wandering erysipelas " (erysipelas errati- cum), the morbid spot disappears from one place, changing into a yellowish hue, to reappear again on another, in the form of redness and heat, so that it frequently wanders from the left side of the face, around the ear and neck to the right side, before the whole disease disappears. In such cases, the face is very much swollen and disfigured, closing, for a time, the eyes, nose, and ears. If the scalp of the head is attacked, the hair often falls off afterward. Causes. — In most cases, exposure to cold immediately after the system has been heated or excited by over-exertion or mental emotions, particularly with a previous derangement of the stomach; or, in females, during menstruation. Some persons are predisposed to it. Certain kinds of food, at cer- tain seasons, will also produce it, such as lobsters, oysters, and other shell fish ; also the abuse of alcoholic liquors. Treatment.—All outward applications ought to be avoided as dangerous—at any rate, all which are greasy. In the use of wet bandages cover the parts well. Salves and ointments are very dangerous. If the itching and burning is too violent, we may mitigate it a little, by applying powdered starch made of wheat flour, but not until after having given some of the following medicines internally. The internal remedies are the most important. If the fever is very high, pulse full, skin dry, give first a few doses of Aconite, one every two hours (four glob.), fol- lowed by Belladonna, two doses, one every four hours (four glob.), which, in less severe attacks of this disease, is alone suffi- cient. In such cases, the patient improves after twelve or six- erysipelas. nj:i teen hours, and no more medicine is needed ; he simply remains at home a few days, until there is no more danger of taking cold. In severer cases, however, when after the above treatment the symptoms do not abate, give Lachesis, two doses, every three hours one (four glob.), particularly if the patient com- plains of dryness in the throat and pain in swallowing ; also, coughs without raising; or Apis mellif. in alternation with it. If no better after this, or if there be great sensitiveness to noise and light; the rash expanding in radiation ; shining redness on its surface, which is very sensitive to the touch; sometimes raised in blisters ; give Belladonna and Rhus tox. in solution (twelve glob, in half a teacupful of water, each cup having its separate teaspoon), every two hours a teaspoon- ful, alternately, until four teaspoonfuls of each are taken. Then wait twelve or more hours. If the patient is then very drowsy, give a dose of Opium (four glob.) ; or, if very wake- ful and restless, give CoffeaCCi and Bellad?0, alternately, every hour a dose (six glob.), for three or four hours, and wait ao-ain twelve hours; after which repeat Belladonna, and Rhus tox., in solution as above. If the symptoms are yet the same, give two doses of Hepar, every three hours one (four glob.), when the skin looks less shining and inflamed, but heat, pain, and swelling, are the same. The above treatment suits severe cases of erysipelas of the face, head, or ears, with high fever, and, also, the vesicular form, where it appears in blisters, and the " wandering erysip- elas." In the latter, however, where we cannot expect so rapid a termination of the disease, Pulsatilla is often success- ful, particularly when the skin is more of a bluish red, or the internal or external ear is attacked ; also, in those cases which originated from eating noxious articles, such as oysters, clams, etc. If erysipelas appears on the joints, give Bryonia, three doses, every six hours one (four glob.), alternating with Rhus, and followed by Sulphur after thirty-six or forty-eigh hours, one dose (four glob.), if necessary. 104 CUTANEOUS diseases. If it appears on the scrotum, Arsenic is necessary, admin- istered in the same manner as Bryonia. If the vesicles be- come gangrenous or of a dark color, the patient is weak, or black diarrhea sets in, Arsenic and Carbo veg. ought to be given alternately, every three hours one dose (four glob.), until a homoeopathic physician takes charge of the patient. Sometimes a swelling of the affected parts, showing the pressure of the finger, combines itself with erysipelas (ery- sipelas oedematodes). This requires Rhus tox., in alternation with Apis mellifi, twice a day (four glob.) for three or four days. If erysipelas terminates in ulceration of the parts affected, give Rhus and Sulphur alternately, every evening a dose (four glob.) for four days, and, afterward, a dose of Silicea for two evenings, and wash the ulcer three or four times a day with lukewarm water, in half a teacupful of which twelve globules of Silicea are well dissolved. The disposition to this disease will be taken away by the alternate use of Rhus, and Graphites, every four days a dose (four glob.), if continued for four or six weeks. Beside this, however, change the mode of living, if it was too luxurious ; avoid highly-seasoned or salted food, drink freely of cold water, and wash and bathe frequently and systematically. Application of Water, as an auxiliary to the homoeopa- thic medication, is confined to the use of the wet sheet, to produce perspiration; this accomplished, a great step in the cure of erysipelas has been gained; no direct application of the cold water on the parts affected, is advisable, except where the burning pain is intolerable, when a wet bandar may be applied, but well covered ; too long-continued consti pation, treat with injections and drinking of cold water DiET.-During this disease, the diet should be as in fevers very light; dry toast, gruels, and black tea; warm lemonade is very good and refreshing, if no diarrhea prevails; stewed prunes may also be allowed, particularly in convalescence. If, at any time during this disease, the bowels are confined ERUPTIVE FEVERS. 105 even for four or six days, it will not exert, in the least, a detrimental effect upon the patient; on the contrary, it is bet- ter than the opposite state. Avoid taking cold during the convalescence, as it is often followed by dangerous results, dropsies, etc. If, at any time during the attack, the erysipelas suddenly disappears, and the brain, in consequence, becomes affected, which shows itself in drowsiness, difficulty of breathing, and spasmodic twitchings, give Cuprum, in solution (twelve glob, in half a teacupful of water), every half hour a dose, until a homoeo- pathic physician takes charge of the patient. Before we leave this subject, let us here remark, that ery- sipelas, as such, is no infectious disease whatever, and has lost its dread entirely, since homoeopathic remedies have been used in the treatment of it. Eruptive Fevers with an Infectious Epidemic Character. We now come to a class of eruptive diseases which appear, generally, as epidemics, and are infectious. These are measles, French measles, scarlet rash, scarlet fever, chicken-pox, vario- loids and small-pox. Their epidemic appearance depends upon the general laws of disease growing out of the chang- ing conditions of the seasons and atmosphere. As a general rule, we can say that persons are attacked only once in their lifetime with these diseases, though some few exceptions may happen. Their contagiousness does not commence, as is generally believed, during the fever period, or when the eruption first appears; but only after the pustules are well filled, or drying up, that is, from the seventh day onward, to three or four weeks, as long as the system throws out through the skin the infectious matter. Before the seventh day of either of the above diseases, no infection can take place, for the same reason as no vaccination is possible out of a pustule before that time. The infecting matter must be first fully ripe in the system before it can affect another; be, therefore, 106 CUTANEOUS DISEASES. rather more careful during the convalescence of a patient, or after his death (when the contagion is in its highest state of perfection), than in the beginning of his sickness. This is the case as well in measles as in scarlet fever, varioloids and small-pox. Measles. (Morbilli.) This eruptive disease so well known under the above name, is preceded mostly by symptoms of a severe cold in the head or a catarrh; the nose begins to run with frequent sneezing, the eyes assume a peculiar watery appearance, with profuse dis- charge of hot tears; soon a severe cough appears, at first dry, with a metallic sound, afterward more moist and less harsh. These symptoms are accompanied by a more or less severe fever, which increases in intensity toward evening. This first or catarrhal stage of the measles lasts generally three days and is followed by the eruption itself, which ap- pears first on the face and spreads thence over the neck and breast; the extremities are generally the last points which are attacked. The eruption shows itself in the beginning in small points, which become larger, as the disease progresses, until they form patches, which are mostly of an irregular, oval, and semilunar shape and of a highly red color. The center of each patch contains a small vesicle, slightly elevated above the surface, which can be easier felt than seen; under the microscope it appears in a half rounded form, filled with a clear and transparent lymph. This stage generally lasts from twenty-four to thirty-six hours. At its close the accompany- ing fever and catarrhalic symptoms are at their hight; they disappear gradually with the eruption, which looses its intense redness by degrees and generally vanishes entirely at the end of the third day after its appearance. The scaling process which now takes place, is not always perceptible to the eye, although the microscope will reveal the small bran-like scales of the rejected cuticle; an itching on the skin accom- MEASLES. 107 panies this process, which also terminates the fever and catarr- halic symptoms. This stage is in its duration more.indefinite than the former, but may be considered to last generally from six to seven days, during which time the patient must receive as great attention as ever. The above course of the measles is the usual or normal, and generally attended with the least danger. They may be called the catarrhal measles; there are varieties however, which according to their nature, render them more aggravated and dangerous, modifying the treatment materially. The inflammatory form appears with a high, full pulse, dry skin and inflammatory symptoms of the respiratory organs. The nervous form has a frequent, small and weak pulse, sometimes burning hot skin, at other times cold extremities, pale face and great debility; the eruption will not appear, and in its stead the patients are taken with spasms in the lungs, resembling asthma, or frequently with real convulsions. These dangerous symptoms disappear, however, as soon as the eruption has fully established itself in the skin. Another variety is the putrid, which is characterized by hemorrhages from the nose and lungs. The blood is generally of a dark color, very liquid, and not coagulable. In this form the eruption appears bluish, and the patients are mostly delirious. Another but less aggravated form is the gastric, where the tongue is very much coated, the head aches .violently, and the pulse is quick, but soft, sometimes intermittent; the eruption in this variety is rather pale and the skin between the several patches of a yellowish hue. The measles are a contagious disease and appear generally epidemically. The contagion is easily communicated by con- tact with the patient; it is of a very volatile nature and floats in the air, thus extending the infection over a large space in a short time. A measles epidemic is usually preceded by a hoop- ing cough epidemic; it appears mostly after hard winters in 108 CUTANEOUS DISEASES. the beginning of spring, particularly when the season is dis- tinguished by unusual dampnoss. In adults, this disease generally assumes a severer char- acter than in children, because it developes in them more readily those constitutional germs of diseases which often lie hidden in the system a long time, such as consumption, sore eyes, etc. In children, its attacks are rarely dangerous, ex- cept when other causes render it complicated, or it is badly treated. The diseases after measles are numerous, and frequently very troublesome, sometimes even dangerous; to avoid their occurrence, ought to be the principle object in the treatment from the beginning. Measles attack a person but once, and this happens mostly in childhood; adults suffer more severely from an attack of measles, than children. Treatment.—In the milder forms of this disease, the catarr- hal and gastric, it is sufficient to administer Aconite and Pulsatilla in alternation, every two or three hours a dose (four globules), during the two first stages; in the third stage one or two doses of Sulphur will frequently be beneficial. The nourishment should be light, such as milk and water, gruels, toasted bread, water, black tea, etc. The room must be darkened in such a degree as to make it agreeable for the patient; the temperature be moderately warm, and never oppressively so. The patients ought to be covered well, parti- cularly if the eruption hesitates to make its appearance, yet care must be taken, not to burden them to excess with heavy clothing. If, at any time, there is great restlessness and sleeplessness, introduce a dose of Coffea™, repeating it as often as necessary, particularly in the night. If the cough is very dry and hoarse (resembling croup), give a dose (four glob.) of Hepar in alternation with Coffea (if the patient is very much agitated and irritable), at inter- vals of one or two hours. MEASLES. 109 If, however, the cough excites severe pain in the upper part of the breast and sides (complication with bronchitis and pneumonia), Aconite and Bryonia (dissolved in water and ad- ministered the same as Aconite and Pulsatilla are necessary. If the measles strike in at once and look pale, or if sick- ness at the stomach and feebleness ensues, give ipecac, and Bryonia alternately, every hour or half hour a dose (four glob.), and if the ekin looks bluish brown, give Arsenic and Apis mell. in alternation, every hour or two hours a dose, until better. If the head is affected in children, give Cuprum, every half hour a dose (three glob), twice or three times; and if not better in three hours, give Bryonia and Hellebor. nig. in solution (twelve glob, of each to half a teacupful of water) every hour, alternately, a teaspoonful until better. In the third stage the patient may be allowed to be out of bed, but he must not be exposed to the cold and damp, until all the symptoms have disappeared from the lungs, bowels, and skin. The returning appetite may be gratified by degrees. This period of convalescense lasts usually from four to six days. But if the measles appear in a more aggravated form, it needs different remedies from the above, to carry the patient safely through. If the measles are tardy in their appearance give Ipecac and Bryonia, a few doses of each in alternation, particularly if with a sick stomach there is present great prostration, chilliness or feverishness and thirst. If diarrhea is present in such a case, alternate China and Pulsatilla. If in scrofulous children a whitish diarrhea sets in, with drowsiness and a hot head, the patient sleeps with his eyes half open, and has sickness at the stomach on being raised off the pillow, give Bryonia and Hdlebor. in alternately in solution, every two hours a teaspoonful, until the color of the discharges changes to a yellow or green, when a dose of Sulphur may be given, which will foster the appearance of the eruption. Belladonna is required in those cases where the throat feels dry and painful during swallowing, the patient has a dread of 110 CUTANEOUS DISEASES. light, thirst and a spasmodic, dry cough; in a high fever with congestions to the head, agonizing restlessness and delirium, this medicine is invaluable. Rhus, in alternation with Belladonna or Bryonia, if the fever attending the eruption assumes the typhoid direction; the tongue is dry and red, skin hot and dry, constant or occa- sional delirium, cough dry and frequent. Arsenicum in alternation with Rhus, when in addition to the above symptoms there is great restlessness, brownish or dark diarrhea and great thirst; while China and Phosphor, acid will suit better for a diarrhea of a yellowish color without pain. If the affection of the lungs approaches an inflammation, give Tartar Emet. and Phosphorus followed by Sulphur, if no amelioration takes place in twelve or twenty-four hours. For ear-ache during or after measles give Pulsatilla and Mercury; for the mumps and the swelling of the glands on the neck Dulcamara, Belladonna, Mercurius and Carbo veg. will be sufficient in most cases. During a measle epidemic it is recommended to give Pulsa- tilla and Aconite as preventives, alternately, every night a dose (from two to four globules); in a great many instances this course has prevented or at least mitigated an attack of this disease. Application op Water in this disease, is, in general, the same as in scarlatina, where the detailed treatment is given. If the cough affects the breast very much, a wet bandage may be applied, well covered; the water for drinking must not be too cold. Disorders consequent upon Measles.—If sensitiveness to light continues too long after the eruption is out, give Bella- donna, morning and evening one dose (four glob.); this same remedy, applied similarly, suits, if the head is affected (con- gestion of the head), in alternation with Stramonium Constipated, or not too open bowels, are not injurious FRENCH MEASLES. 1 1 1 during or after this disease; if a mucous dianhea ensues give China, Mercury. Pulsatilla., Apis mellifi, every six hours, unti. better. If not better, give one or two doses of Sulphur— every six hours one dose (four glob.). If the diarrhea is watery, and connected with typhoid symptoms, loss of con- sciousness, dry tongue, give Arsenic and Phosphorus in the same manner. If earache ensues, give Pulsatilla, every two or three hours a dose; if this is accompanied by running of the ear, give after Pulsatilla a dose (four glob.) of Sulphur on two suc- cessive evenings, and if not better in two or three days, give Carbo veg. in the same manner. If the glands below and in front of the ear swell (par- otitis, or mumps), give Arnica and Rhus every four hours or six hours a dose (four glob.), till better. The remaining cough requires principally Pulsatilla, Spongia, Bryonia, Drosera, Hyoscyamus, whose symptoms must be compared in the "Materia Medica." See also under " cough." Burning and itching of the skin requires Chamomile, Rhus tox., Arsenicum, and Sulphur. Diet must be light—as gruels, water (children milk and water), toasted bread; and only gradually more nourishing N. B. Do not allow the children to go out of the room too early, or even to go to the door or window, or play on the floor ; we cannot be too careful to avoid taking cold. As a preventive of measles, give Aconite and Pulsatilla even- third day a dose (four glob.), alternately, during the epidemic ; it may prevent an attack, and will certainly miti- gate its severity. French Measles. In this disease, which resembles the former, but is milder in every respect, it is only necessary to mitigate the fever and restlessness, if there is any, with alternate doses (four .-lob.) of Coffea and Aconite, one every two, three, or six hours, after which, the eruption soon disappears. [ 1 2 CUTANEOUS DISEASES. Diet and Regimen the same as in measles, but when com- plicated with catarrhal symptoms, give a dose or two (four glob.) of Pulsatilla; and when the head is congested, give a couple of doses of Belladonna in alternation with Aconite. Scarlet Rash. This disease is different from scarlet fever, in as far as the redness of the eruption is darker, and the finger, on slight pressure, leaves no white imprint, beside there are numerous small granular elevations, felt under the skin, sometimes dis- tinctly seen. There is another distinctive difference from scarlet fevi r; this latter appears, invariably, first on the face, next on the body, and lastly on the extremities. Such a regu- larity is not found in scarlet rash—it may appear irregular- ly or at once over the whole body. It is frequently and mostly seen in combination with scarlet fever, which is known by its smooth redness on the surface. Treatment.—If it appears alone, it is not a dangerous dis- ease, and yields easily to a few doses of Aconite, every three or four hours one dose (four glob.), and in alternation with Coffea, if there is great restlessness and irritability. If it is combined with scarlet fever, the symptoms some- times become very severe ; see, for their treatment, the next article, " Scarlet Fever." In case it disappears suddenly, Ipecac, and Bryonia should be given, every half hour, or I hour, a dose (four glob.), twice or three times, at the same time covering the patient well; but when congestion to the head appears, with drowsiness, give Opium (four glob.), or, if the patient starts on closing the eyes, Belladonna (four j glob.), once or twice in four hours. Application of Water, the same as in " Scarlet Fever." Diet the same as in measles, and the same caution as re- gards taking cold afterward. N. B. This disease does not strictly prevent patients from | having the real scarlet fever afterward, although it often SCARLET fever. 113 diminishes their liability to it, as I have had occasion to ob- serve in many instances. It 4>ears the same relationship to scarlet fever, as French measles (or measle-rash, as we may call it) does to ordinary measles. Scarlet Fever. (Scarlatina.) A well-known scourge to the world of children, and dread ed by the allopathic physician more than any. other. It is not the least triumph of the glorious Hahnemann to have found the true specific against this disease, diminishing its terrors, and furnishing a remedy, which the Allopathists have adopted to a great extent. Diagnosis.—After a fever of more or less severity, charac- terized by a very quick pulse, and sometimes accompanied with sore throat, headache, thirst, and stupor, or uncommon liveliness, the eruption appears in the form of bright red (scarlet) blotches indefinitely marked, on which, when pressed by the finger, a white spot remains, which soon becomes red a^ain, from the center to the circumference. If it is not com- bined with scarlet rash, no grains can be found in the skin by rubbing over it with the hand; it appears, the first day, on the face and neck, the second on the breast and region of the stomach, and the third day, on the arms, hands, and limbs. But more frequently it appears in combination with scarlet rash (see this article), in which case it assumes a more dan- gerous and destructive character. If this disease exists alone, it generally terminates in five or six days, the skin coming off in large pieces. Treatment.—Belladonna is the specific for this disease, which is cured by its use alone, except in complicated cases The symptoms requiring its use, are dry burning fevei, quick pulse, starting on closing the eyes for a few minutes, great thirst, dry, red, or whitish coated tongue, urine scanty and highly colored, scarlet eruptions on the face, or over the entire body. Sometimes this external redness does not appear, 10 114 CUTANEOUS DISEASES. but instead of it the throat is more or less affected, in which case the tongue has always a reddish gloss. Yet, even this wandering of the scarlatina from the outside skin to the mucous membrane of the throat, does not materially increase the danger of the case, if the glands only do not enlarge too much. Under all these circumstances, as indeed always at first, give Belladonna in the following manner: Dissolve twelve glob- ules in half a teacupful of water, and give of this solution every two, three, or four hours, a teaspoonful for four or six times. If the disease gets worse soon after giving Belladonna, discon- tinue its use, or let the patient smell of spirits of camphor a few times and do not recommence the use of Belladonna, until the child gets worse again ; this, however, will not generally be found necessary. In this manner continue to use the Belladonna for three or four days, until the scaling process commences, when it is only necessary to keep the patients away from the slightest draught: it is by far the safest to keep them in bed closely for four or five days after the fever has left, when a dose of Sulphur (four glob.) may be given to complete the cure. But if the case is a complicated one from its beginning, or becomes so in its progress, other remedies beside Belladonna are needed. Cases of this kind ought to be treated by a homoeopathic physician; yet, where none is to be had, the following prescription will be found beneficial: If there is great restlessness and sleeplessness, irritability, whining, and tossing about, give Coffea and Belladonna in so- lution (twelve glob, in half a teacupful of water), alternately, every hour a teaspoonful; or, if there is violent fever, with dry heat, full and quick pulse, congestion of the head, occa sional delirium or lethargy, with starting when awaking, and dry, short, painful cough, give Aconite and Belladonna°m so- lution, alternately, in the same manner. If the patient is better under this treatment during the day- time, but in the night these symptoms appear more or less, SCARLET fever. 115 particularly restlessness and sleeplessness, give Coffea ' and Belladonna ' , every hour alternately (four glob.), until the patient is more composed. If, with great drowsiness and tossing about, the tongue is very dry, thirst great, with swelling of glands on the neck increasing, skin shining on the face and neck, head thrown backward, and almost constant delirium, give Rhus and Belladonna in solution in the same manner as above, every hour a teaspoonful, alternately, for six or eight hours, followed by Coffeanc and Belladonna00- ; if very restless during the night, as above, this prescription repeated every day for three or four days, secures, in most cases, a favorable issue; per- spiration sets in, and then one or two doses of Sulphur (four glob.) are necessary to complete the cure. If this disease is combined with scarlet rash, as it mostly is at present, the symptoms become more severe, the throat is affected inside and the glands swell outside, sometimes to a great extent. We call this the malignant scarlet fever. In such cases, when ulceration of the glands commences, indi- cated by a very offensive smell, and a great quantity of mucus running from the mouth, give Mercury (twelve glob. dissolved in half a teacupful of water), every two hours a teaspoonful, for six or eight times alone, or alternating with Belladonna, if the patient starts or jerks on closing the eyes, cannot swallow liquids easily, has violent thirst, with sensi- tiveness to light. If no improvement takes place within twelve hours, give Xitric acid in solution the same as Mercury, twice or three times, and then wait six or eight hours, giving in the meanwhile, only an occasional dose (four glob.) of CoffeaLC- and Bella- donna c , alternately, if the patient is very restless. If no better at the end of that time, restlessness still in- creasing, the saliva excessively fetid, with grating of teeth, crive Arsenic and Lachesis alternately in solution, in the same manner as Mercury, and after that, in the same manner, give 116 CUTANEOUS DISEASES. Nitric acid and Lycopodium, particularly when the stupor of the patient increases and lethargy sets in. If, in this condition, the breathing resembles snoring with burning heat of the skin, whether dry or covered with perspi- ration, give Camphor and Opium in solution (twelve glob. of each, separately dissolved in half a teacupful of water), every half hour a teaspoonful, alternately ; give of each three or four times, and after that, Bryonia and Hellebor. in alter- nation, (twelve glob, in half a teacupful of water), in solution, every hour a teaspoonful. If, at any time, during this disease, a kind of stranguria. (difficulty of urinating) ensues, give Cantharides (four glob.) once or twice, and in alternation with Coffea, if there is great restlessness and irritability, if not better, give Conium in the same manner. If croupy symptoms appear, give Aconite and Hepar sulph., alternately, every hour a dose (four glob.), until better. Application of water.—In all eruptive fevers the use of water as a remedy has proved to be very beneficial, and is particularly so in combination with homceopathic medication In very severe cases of Scarlet Fever we would recommend «ts use, especially when the fever is intense and the reactive force of the system impeded, or when a repercussion of the eruption has taken place. We insert the treatment as directed by Dr. Munde, a very experienced hydropathist, who treated thus hundreds of Scarlet Fever patients successfully; it sup- ports Homceopathic medication very much. The patient is wrapped in a wet sheet and well covered with blankets; he remains in this position, until perspiration ensues, when he is washed off in milk-warm water; if the throat is inflamed, a cooling bandage is placed on it durino- the perspiration and renewed every five minutes. If the firs° packing does not promote perspiration, the wet sheet is renewed until perspiration ensues. In this perspiration he remains until the heat in the head and throat increases or I SCARLET FEVER. 117 difficulty ot breathing ensues, when he is unpacked and washed off, as stated above. Tnis whole process is repeated as often as the fever reappears in a high degree. Sometimes a sitting-bath of milk-warm water of one half or three-fourths of an hour duration is applied, if the pains in head and throat are severe. As soon as the perspiration appears, the patient may be considered to be out of dano-er. " In case the scarlet strikes in suddenly,, the patient is spono-ed off in cold water all over, and if spasms had ensued, cold water is dashed over him in larger quantities, until the spas- modic action ceases; he is then wrapped, without being dried or rubbed, in woolen blankets, and, if possible, as much cold water given, internally, as he can drink; in most cases a general perspiration will ensue, the eruption reappears and the patient is saved. Diseases consequent upon Scarlet Fever and Scarlet Rash. Earache and Ulceration in the Ear.—For severe pains in the ear, give Belladonna, Pulsatilla, and Hepar sulph., alternately, every two hours one dose (four glob.), until better. For the running of the ear (otorrhcea), give Lycopodium six times, every evening and morning one dose (four glob.), wait three or four days, and if no better, give Silicea in the same manner. For the swelling of the glands below, and in front of the ear (mumps), give Carbo veg. and Rhus, alternately, every four or six hours a dose (four glob.), until two doses of each are taken. If a child after this disease evinces symptoms of dropsy of the brain (head hot, extremities cold, vomiting on moving, with or without diarrhea, sleeps with eves half open), give Bryonia and Hellebor. n., in solution (twelve glob, in half a teacupful of water) every two hours, alternately, a teaspoon- ful until it gets more lively again and the above symptoms disappear, when a dose (four glob.) of Sulphur will be ser- viceable. 1LS CUTANEOUS DISEASES. In case of dropsical sweVing of the whole body, give first Hellebor. and Belladonna in the same manner as above, and afterward Bryonia and Hellebor., alternately, then Apis mellif. In such cases Arnica, Arsenic, Phosphor, acid and Sulphur are also useful; commence with Arnica, of which two doses may be given, one in the evening and one in the morning (four glob.) ; and then wait one day until signs of improve- ment show themselves. If these do not appear, give the other remedies one after another in the same manner. Keep the patient always covered during this treatment. ForNsoreness of the nose and face, with swelling of the glands under the chin, give first Mercury twice, every evening a dose (four glob.), then wait two or three days, and if neces- sary, give one after the other, Hepar sulph., Silicea, Sulphur. and Calcarea. If the scarlet strikes in suddenly, the eruption assuming a livid bluish hue, and the child becomes drowsy, with hurried breathing, give first Bryonia and Belladonna, a couple of doses, every half hour a dose (four glob.), and then if no better give Cuprum in solution (twelve glob, in half a teacup- ful of water) every fifteen or thirty minutes a teaspoonful. If not better in two hours, continue the same with Camphor in alternation, and cover the patient well. Diet and Regimen the same as in measles; examine closely " X. B." at the end of article on "Measles." As a preventive against scarlet fever, give, during the pre- valence of the disease, to every child a dose (four glob.) of Belladonnarc every other evening. N. B. It is hardly necessary to urge the necessity of Jie advice and attendance of a homceopathic physician in this disease, if one can possibly be obtained. It frequently occurs, that before the eruption comes out, convulsions set in which seem to threaten the life of the patient. In such a case give Belladonna and Cuprum in alternation (twelve globules of each dissolved in half a CHICKEN-POX. 110 teacupful of water) every ten or fifteen minutes, half a tea- spoonful, until better; Tartar emetic, if the convulsions are accompanied with vomiting and diarrhea, cold, clammy skin, ;md hurried respiration; beside, treat the patient as directed under the heading "Convulsion" in "diseases of children." As soon as the eruption appears more distinct, the congestion to the head, and with it the convulsion, ceases; cases of this kind, commencing apparently so unfavorably, terminate never- theless most favorably, as the worst ot the disease appeared in the beginning, where the patient had more power to over- come it. Chicken-Pox. (Varicella.) Diagnosis.—This eruption is often mistaken for small-pox or varioloid, particularly when a small-pox epidemic is raging. We will give the differences between them. Before the chicken-pox appears, the patient is only sick from twenty- four, to forty-eight hours, and then he has, generally, fever and headache, with bilious rheumatic symptoms, without the severe swimming in the head and the backache, which never fail to appear before the small-pox breaks out. Instead of that, he complains of stranguria and tenesmus (see glossary), which is not the case in small pox. The chicken-pox appears irregularly on different parts of the body at once, while the small-pox and varioloid always appear on the face first. Again, the pustule of the chicken- pox appears at once in the form of a bladder, not as in small- pox and varioloid, in the form of a point like the head of a pin. When the chicken-pox is developed, the pustule has but one cavity, without any inner divisions, containing the clear liquid, and without a dent on the top of it; while the pustule of the small-pox contains the liquid in divisions, like an orange, and has a dent on top. The liquid of the chicken- pox very seldom becomes turbid or mattery, as is the case in small-pox, but dries up in a spongy crust, without leaving a mark; the crusts of small-pox are hard, and oftentimes leave !20 CUTANEOUS diseases. marks. Chicken-pox is not contagious in the same manner as small-pox; it depends, for its propagation, more on individual predisposition, strengthened by atmospheric in- fluence. Treatment.—For the fever, prior to the eruption, give Aconite and Belladonna every two or three hours, alternately, a dose (four glob.), until three doses of each are given. If. the patient complains of bilious rheumatic symptoms, give Bryonia and Rhus, alternately, every two hours a dose (foui glob.), until three doses of each are given. If there are bilious nervous symptoms, give Belladonna and Rhus, alternating in the same manner. If tenesmus is present, give Mercury, every two hours one dose (four glob.). If there is stranguria, give Cantharides and Conium, alternately, every two hours a dose (four glob.), until three doses of each are given, or the patient is relieved. If the eruption is very considerable, give two doses of Anti- mon. crud., every twelve hours one (four glob.). Diet and Regimen as in measles. X. B. In children severe symptoms of the head may appear, for instance, convulsions (see this article) or the eruption might strike in; in the latter case, treat it as stated in measles striking in. (See article "Measles.") Chicken- pox may occur more than once in a lifetime. Small-Pox. ( Variola.) This disease has four important stages, which we will first describe, giving their treatment afterward. First. Febrile Stage. — This commences, generally, from seven to fourteen days after the exposure to the contagion, with a chill more or less severe, after which, intense fever sets in with severe pains in the head and small of the back, aching in the bones and general soreness; dry, hot skin, great thirst, cough, oppression in the stomach, sometimes vomiting of bile ; light hurts the eyes, with swimming of the SMALL-POX. 121 head; the mind wanders, is flighty, anxious expression of countenance and great prostration of strength. Second. Eruptive Stage.—After the febrile stage has lasted from forty-eight to seventy-two hours, the eruptive stage commences, by the appearance of small red pimples on the forehead and face of the size of pin-heads, after which the severity of the fever symptoms abates gradually. On the first day the eruption appears on the face; the second, on the breast and body; and the third, on the limbs and arms—this stage, therefore, lasts three days. Third. Stage of Suppuration. The pustules now grow to perfection, as large as a bean cut in two; the liquid inside is contained in cells like an orange, on top is a little dent, and around them a red circle. This stage lasts three days; but as the pustules first appear on the face, then on the breast, and lastly on the extremities, they are already in perfection on the face when they are still filling on the breast and growing on the extremities. Thus, a wise Providence has divided the burthen in three parts, which would otherwise be unbearable. At, the end of this period, the liquid in the pustules is tur- bid and mattery. Fourth. Stage of Desiccation.—On the eighth or ninth day the eruption begins to dry up; some of the pustules burst, and with the formation of scabs desiccation commences and progresses until the tenth day, at which time, in favorable cases, the fever has entirely disappeared, the swelling of the face has diminished, the scabs have fallen off the upper part of the body, leaving marks of a reddish-brown color. This is the regular and favorable course of the disease where the pustules are not so numerous as to run together; but where the small-pox is confluent, the danger of the case and its duration are considerably increased. Treatment.—Febrile Stage.—During the chill and the first six hours of the fever, give Aconite, every two hours a dose 11 122 CUTANEOUS PISEASKS. (four glob.). If severe headache (congestion), with sensi- tiveness to light, and delirium, are present, alternate with Belladonna, in the same manner. If, afterward, severe backache ensues, with pains in the j bones and general soreness (bilious rheumatic), give Bryonia and Rhus, alternately, every two or three hours a dose (four o-lob.), for twelve or sixteen hours. This is generally suf- ficient. If, however, there is vomiting, give one dose (four glob.) Tart. emet. If the headache increases to insensibility, stupor ensues, and snoring-like breathing, give one or two doses of Opium, every two hours one (four glob.). If the patient is very restless, sleepless, and irritable, give Coffea ' and Belladonna'10, every hour a dose (four glob.) until better. Treatment of the second or eruptive stage. — If the delirium, which may have lasted up to this time, does not dis- appear entirely when the eruption comes out, or if the eruption does not appear sufficiently or not at all, give Stramonium, in solution (twelve glob, in half a teacupful of water), every two hours a teaspoonful, for twelve hours. If the lungs suffer, at this stage, with a hoarse, rattling cough, give Tart, emet., a few doses, every two hours one (four glob.) ; if with great oppression on the chest, give j Ipecac, in the same manner. I In children, this stage requires particular attention, and j Belladonna, in alternation with Stramonium, should be given, every two hours a teaspoonful of each (ten glob, in half a j teacupful of water), until the eruption is out. If, however, this stage progresses finely, without severe symptoms, give nothing but Tart. emet. and Thuja, in alterna- tion, every three hours a dose (four glob.), until six doses of each are taken. These remedies have the specific power to mitigate the eruption, from the similar eruption they produce SMALL-POX. 123 on the healthy. Still more powerful acts, in this respect, the Vardain^, shortening the disease perceptibly and preventing the pitting of the face. Treatment of the third stage.— Suppuration.— If this stage has a great deal of fever, give Mercury, every three hours a dose (four glob.) until four doses are taken, particu- larly when tlfere is abundant saliva in the mouth. The swell- ing of the eyes only requires ablutions of warm water and milk. If, however, in this stage, the skin between the pustules becomes of a livid hue or dark brown, and the pustules themselves are watery and flabby (black small-pox), give Arsenic in solution (twelve glob, in half a teacupful of water), every two hours a teaspoonful, alternating, in the same man- ner, with China, if diarrhea ensues. After these remedies, a dose of Sulphur (four glob.) will be of service. This treatment is also serviceable, if, in the confluent form, typhoid symptoms occur, with brown, cracked tongue; in which case give, in the absence of diarrhea, instead of China, Rhus in alternation with Arsenic. Striking in of the eruption happens in this stage more than in any other, and ought to be treated with Cupr., as directed in " Scarlet Fever" (see this article). Treatment of the fourth stage.— Desiccation.— In the beginning of this stage, give a dose (four glob.) of Sulphur; if the patient is tolerably comfortable, he does not require anything more than cleansing the skin by frequent ablutions with tepid water, and a careful attention to diet. If, however, the diarrhea continues, give Mercury in alterna- tion with Sulphur, every three or four hours a dose (foul glob.) until better. The itching at this period is alleviated by Rhus tox., and by Sulph., evening and morning one dose (four glob.). If the patient has reached this period in a typhoid state, ho must be treated accordingly. (See " Typhus.") 124 CUTANEOUS DISEASES. Application of Water.—The wet sheet, as applied in scarlet fever, is in this disease of great service, as also the application of the wet compress under the head and neck, if the eyes and ears suffer a great deal. The wet sheet is re- peated every day, as also the ablutions in milk-warm water after the sweating process ; sometimes it is necessary to repeat it twice a day, if the disease has assumed a nervous, putrid character. Constipation is relieved by injections and drink- ing of cold water. Diet and Regimen.—The room of the patient should be kept well ventilated, not too warm, and almost dark, during the whole time. The diet should be more cold than warm; for instance, water, ice-cream as much as wanted, lemonade, oranges (the latter three not in diarrhea), gruels, dry toast; also, well- stewed prunes and roasted apples ; animal food is not allowed, even long after convalescence. Diseases which may occur after small-pox, such as con- sumption, diarrhea, inflammation of the eyes, etc., see under their proper heads. As a preventive against this disease, vaccination is well and favorably known; for how long a time, however, this may prevent small-pox, is yet a matter of speculation. It varies, certainly, in different individuals; the shortest period may be seven years ; the longest is not known. I consider vaccination and revaccination from time to time, our duty and a safeguard against the encroachments of this fearful disease; Vaccinincc internally given is prophylactic. N. B. See introduction to "Eruptive Infectious Fevers," I p. 105. Varioloid, or Modified Small-Pox. ( Variolois.) This disease is similar, in all respects, to the former, yet I not the same. It is decidedly milder, and requires no men- tion of a different treatment from that given under " Small Pox." (See this article.) CHRONIC ERUPTIONS. 125 N. B. A person who is well vaccinated may, when exposed to small-pox, take the varioloid ; and, thus far, vaccination, which is a protection against small-pox, seems not to prevent the varioloid, although one who has had the small-pox will very seldom take the varioloid. The varioloid rarely leaves scars on the skin. I i 2. Chronic Eruptions. To give a detailed description of all the varieties of cuta- neous diseases coming under the above head, would be of no advantage for domestic practice, as most of these chronic skin diseases require the most skillful discrimination of an attending physician ; for the reason that their causes and j character are too deeply connected with the patient's consti- tution (in each case, perhaps, differently so); and, thus, it is almost impossible to generalize them and their treatment, | within the limits of a medical guide-book like this. We i will describe some of the most familiar ones, advising the j reader, at the same time, to apply to a homceopathic physi- cian immediately on finding his own treatment insufficient, because all chronic cutaneous affections require immediate and \ proper treatment. Irritation of the Skin.—Itching. (Pruritus.) A fine rash under the skin, scarcely perceptible, and color- less, produces a very disagreeable and distressing itching, particularly at night, when undressing, or in bed after getting warm. It is caused, mostly, by exposure to the extremes of j heat and cold, and appears, consequently, in the height of j summer, as well as in winter. Sometimes, the eating of too much fat or greasy food produces it: if so, the diet ought to be changed. Treatment—Wash, every evening before going to bed, with water and plenty of Castile soap, without drying it off. If this does not relieve within four or six days, try brandy or 126 cutaneous diseases. alcohol, in the same manner (but take care not to come in contact with a light). If this does not give any relief, wash with water mixed with Spirits of Camphor. Internally, ad- minister as follows: If the irritation is worse in the warmth of the bed or near the fire, particularly after scratching, give Pulsatilla, every evening a dose (six glob.), and, also, if fat food may have caused it. If it commences after going to bed, and resembles flea bites all over the body, the pain shifting from one part to another, Ledum p., given in the same manner, will be of service. Mercury suits, when it continues through the whole night, and after scratching bleeds easily and freely; in this case alternately with Causticum, every other evening, one dose (four glob.) for a week. If an intolerable burning accompanies the irritation, amount- ing almost to feverishness, take Bryonia and Rhus, alternate- ly, every six hours a dose (four glob.) for twenty-four or thirty-six hours; two days after take Hepar sulph., evening and morning a dose (six glob.). If not better in four or six days after, take Carbo veg., evening and morning, one dose (six glob.). If it commences when undressing, take Xux vomica and Arsenic, in alternation. If old people are troubled with it, give Opium and Secale, alternately, every evening a dose (four glob.). If it renders the patient very restless, so that he per- spires, take Colocynth. If it is caused by summer heat, take Lachesis and Lycopodium, alternately, every evening a dose (four glob.). If it is accompanied with fine stitches, like needles, take Thuja, every evening a dose (four glob.), for two evenings. If it does not yield to one of the above remedies, take Si- licea, every third evening a dose (four glob.), until four doses are taken. If then not better, take Sulphur, in the same manner. chilblains. If this irritation shows itself around the anus or the private parts (prurigo), its cause is rather a constitutional one, and requires Calcarea, Lycopodium, Sulphur, Xitric acid, Sarsapa- rilla, and Sepia. If it is around the anus, Dulcamara, Xitric acid, Petrol., Sulphur, Lycopodium, Graphites. If on the scro- tum, Thuja. If on the pudendum or private parts, Conium is the specific; twice a day (six glob.). Administration. —In using these remedies, begin with the first—put twelve globules in four tablespoonfuls of water, i and take, evening and morning, a teaspoonful. After it is taken, discontinue four days ; then take the next in the same manner, if not better. Beside this, wash frequently in cold | water. Chilblains. Diagnosis.—Chilblains mostly appear on hands and feet which have been frost-bitten, and are extremely painful if they burst and ulcerate. Treatment.—If the parts begin to swell, assuming a dark, ; reddish-brown color, with itching and beating, worse in the | evening or at night, take Pulsatilla, in solution (twelve glob- ules in half a teacupful of water), morning, noon, and even- ing a teaspoonful, and occasionally wash the parts affected in j a teaspoonful of the solution. In a few days afterward, take Rhust, eavning and morn- ing, a dose (four glob.). If the parts have a bright red color, and itch more in the warmth, take Xux vomica, in the same manner. If these remedies do not relieve, give Phosphorus alone or in alternation with Hepar sulph., if ulceration has commenced. 1 If the parts are very painful and burning, take Chamomile alone, every three or four hours, a teaspoonful, or alternately with Arsenic, in the same manner, if not relieved soon. If the swelling is hard and shining, take Arnica internally, and wash externally with two drops of the tincture to a tea- spoonful of water, the same as Pulsatilla. 128 CUTANEOUS DISEASES. If the swelling still increases, and appears of a bluish red, j lake Belladonna, in the same manner as Chamomile. f Diet.—Abstain strictly from pork, and all irritating sub- stances, such as pepper, and too much salt and salted meats. If ulceration sets in, dress externally the parts with poul- tices or other mild applications, until relieved. Excoriations. (Intertrigo.) If they appear during the summer, in adults, give Arnica, Carbo veg., Xux vom., Lycopodium, Sulphur, beginning with Arnica, every evening a dose (four glob.) for two days, and then wait two days for its effect—taking the next in the same manner, and so on until better. Chafing of bed-ridden patients (bedsore) requires Arnica (ten drops of the tincture to half a teacupful of water), externally applied, with cloths dipped into the mixture. At the same time place a soft, tanned deerskin under the sheets of the bed, the hairy side down. If the affected parts look bluish, and there is danger of mortification, give China internally, in alternation with Carbo veg., every four or six hours a dose (four glob.), and wash externally, with a solution of Silicea (twelve globules in half a teacupful of water), several times a day. Disposition to fester.—There exists in some persons a dis- position of the skin to fester, if the slightest injury has taken place, or ulcers do not heal. In such a case, give of the following remedies every week, on two succeeding evenings, one dose (four glob.), until better, Chamomile, Hepar sulph., Lachesis, Silicea, Sulphur. Chapped hands (rhagades), from working in water, require Calcarea, Hepar sulph., Sepia, Sulphur, administered in the | Eame manner. Cracked skin, from cold in the winter, requires Petrol, Sulphur, in the same manner; also Puis., Merc, and Lycopod. RINGWORM--TETTER. 12U Ringworm. (Herpes circinnatus.) This eruption appears in small rings on various parts of the body ; within them the skin looks healthy as usual; at least, this is the case at first. They are more apt to appear in summer. Treatment.—Dissolve Sepia (twelve glob.) in half a tea- cupful of water, and give for three days, morning and even- ing a teaspoonful, and wash with part of the solution; repeat the same for eight or ten days, if necessary. If this treatment should be insufficient give internally Rhus and Sulphur, alternately, every other day a dose (four glob.), and if not improved after twelve or fourteen days Cal- carea, succeeded by Causticum, four doses of each every week, one dose (six globules). Tetter. (Herpes.) This term comprehends a great many varieties of the same disease, which, when present, show a constitutional disorder that ought to be treated by a homoeopathic physician. The tetter may appear on any part of the body—hands, face, lips, the ears, etc., and requires different remedies accordingly; but the easiest direction which can be given for practical pur- poses, in a domestic way, is to be guided by its discharging quality. Dry tetter requires Dulcamara, Sepia, Silicea, Sulphur. Running tetter—Dulcamara, Rhus, Graphites, Calcarea, Ly- copodium, Sulphur. Bleeding tetter—Arsenic, Carbo veg., Rhus, Mercury, Sul- phur. Ulcerating tetter—Mercury, Sulphur, Rhus, Sepia, Lycopo- dium. Violently itching tetter requires principally: Xitric acid, Phosphorus, and Graphites; if it itches worse in the warmth, Clematis; if worse in the evening, Alumina and Staphysagria. Administration.—In using these remedies for a tetter, 130 CUTANEOUS DISEASES. having one of the above qualities (its locality on the body does not make so much difference), take a dose (six glob.) of the first-named remedy, on two consecutive evenings, and repeat this every week for four weeks, then discontinue for two weeks, taking the next remedy in the same manner, if the tetter shows no improvement during that time. In case of amelioration, however, take no more medicine unless worse again. Keep the air off the tetter by a simple cover. Application of Water, in very obstinate cases of this dis- ease, is sometimes required; its use, however, must be di- rected in an institution, to which we recommend patients of this kind to resort. Diet as in chilblains. Itch. (Scabies.) Not every eruption or pimple that itches is the itch ; a malady so much dreaded in a family, that everything is welcome, and indiscriminately used, which will tend to eradi- cate this loathsome disease; and thus salves and ointments without number are used, but not without danger. Even if apparently cured by these salves, it is only driven into the system, laying the foundation for innumerable diseases after- ward. Therefore, never do anything of this kind, under any consideration. First, be sure that it is the real itch, which is contagious. Frequently, it is only a disease described in the article on " Itching." Diagnosis.—The real itch appears in pointed vesicles, filled with a transparent serous fluid, mostly about the wrists, be- tween the fingers, and around the joints. The itching in- creases in the evening, especially in the warmth of the bed. It never appears on the face. Treatment.—Sulphur is the specific for it. Take, every evening, a dose (ten glob.), for eight days; at the same time, wash the parts with half a pint of water, into which is put a MILK-CRU8T 131 grain of powdered Sulphur, twice a day, morning and even- ing, shaking the mixture well before using. Repeat this treatment if, after a week, no improvement has taken place ; but, then, alternately with Mercury internally, as above. If, after another week, there is no improvement, and the eruption is yet small and dry, take Carbo veg., for eight days, every other evening a dose (six glob.), and, afterward, if necessary, Hepar sulph., in the same manner; but if, during this time, pustules have made their appearance, give Caustic, in the same manner. The pustular or humid variety generally spreads more over the body, and also appears frequently on the back, shoulders, arms, and thighs. In this form Sulphur and Lycopodium are necessary, given, as stated above, in "Sulphur and Mercury," for eight days; then wait eight days, and, if no better, take Caustic, and, after it, Mercury, in the same manner. Sepia, internally and externally, applied in the same man- ner as Sulphur, has frequently been beneficial when nothing else seemed to have the desired effect. When the pustules are large, and turn yellow and blue, take Lachesis, for several evenings a dose (six glob.). When the itch has been suppressed by external applica- tions, and dangerous results threaten, give Sulphur and Arsenic, in alternation, every evening a dose (six glob.). In obstinate cases, apply to a homceopathic physician. Application of Water internally and externally is, in this disease, of the greatest benefit; bathing and washing daily are essential; beside, the patient can perspire in the wet sheet twice a day with a cold sponge-bath after it. If possible, he ought to take a sitting-bath of half an hour's duration, before going to bed. Drinking of cold water is recommended. Milk-crust. ( Crusta lactea.) This disease, as, in fact, all chronic eruptions of any extent, ought to be treated by a skillful homoeopathic physician; yet 132 CUTANEOUS DISEASES. we will here insert as much of the treatment as will warrant its rational commencement and often favorable termination. Diagnosis. — It consists of numerous small, whitish pus- tules, appearing in clusters upon a red basis, first on the face, the cheeks and forehead, but spreading, afterward, over the whole head and other parts of the body. The redness and swelling frequently increase, and, with it, the itching becomes intolerable, particularly if a large part of the face and head is covered with the eruption. In such cases, the glands on the neck and under the ears enlarge in consequence. Children, from four to eighteen months of age, are liable to it. Treatment.—Sepia is the principal medicine, of which three doses, each of four globules, aTe to be given every day. This treatment I have found very efficacious in numerous cases, in most of which the disease disappeared within three or four weeks. If the child at any time is very restless, and the itching seems to be very aggravated, particularly at night, give Aco- nite and Chamomile, alternately, every two hours a dose (two glob.) until better. If the running of the eruption suddenly dries up, and the child becomes drowsy, sleeps with eyes half open, has a hot head and cold feet, give Bryonia and Hellebor. n.. as directed under the head of "Measles." Externally, apply nothing but a little sweet cream, or wash occasionally with weak soapsuds. Mothers feel very much annoyed at the first appearance of this certainly very disagreeable eruption, fearing that it would injure the complexion, etc.; but this is not the case, for the complexion becomes very fair after its disappearance. Scald-head. (Ring-worm of the Scalp.) (Tinea capitis.) There are several varieties of this disease; but for practi- cal purposes, the distinction of dry and running scald-head ia sufficient. CORNS. 133 Diagnosis.—It appears, generally, on the hairy part of the head, in numerous yellowish pustules, finally forming a thick crust covering the head and neck of children from two to fourteen years of age: bad as it is, and obstinate to cure, yet its sudden disappearance, after the application of violent external means, creates worse internal disorders, and fre- quently even death. It is highly contagious; be careful even with the articles of clothing, particularly on the patient's head ; let no other child come in contact with them. It gene- rally lasts a long time, and ought to be treated by a skillful homceopathic physician. Treatment. — First institute the treatment given under "Milk-crust," and continue it for four weeks; if no amelio- ration takes place during that time, give, if the eruption is of the dry kind, Calcarea carb., every third evening a dose, (six glob.) for two weeks, and then, if there is no sign of improvement, give Sulphur in the same manner. If it is the running scald-head, give Lycopodium, and afterward Sulphur, in the same manner. If scrofulous symptoms appear, such as swelling of the glands on the neck and throat, give Bry- onia and Dulcamara, alternately, every six hours a dose (four glob.) until better. If the discharge of the eruption is very corrosive, causing ulcers, give Arsenic and Rhus in alterna- tion, every evening and morning a dose (four glob.), and wash with a solution (twelve glob, in half a teacupful of water) of each medicine, applying it to the edges of the scab, while giving it internally. Application of Water.—See "Tetter." Diet and Regimen.—Thc^usual homoeopathic diet must be adhered to strictly. (See "Introduction.") The hair ought to be removed in the beginning of this disease. . „.. Corns. (Clavipedis.) Induration of the bkin. Corns on the Feet.—U they will not disappear after several cuttings and applications of Arnica tincture (six drops mixed 134 CUTANEOUS DISEASES. with two tablespoonfuls of water, or Arnica plaster) an internal treatment must be resorted to for their eradi- cation. First, take Antimon. crud., every evening a dose (six glob.), if the pains are more pressing, and as if needles were running through the corn. If the pain is of a burning nature, take Calcarea carb., every other evening a dose (four glob.). If they are inflamed, take Lycopodium, Sepia, Silicea in the same manner, taking every week another remedy if necessary. If they are particularly troublesome in wet weather, take first Bryonia and Rhus, alternately, every two hours a dose (four glob.), for eight hours, and then twelve hours afterward a dose of Sulphur. Induration of the skin.—Sometimes the skin indurates (gets callous) on the hands and feet, becomes painful and peels off—in such cases, take Graphites internally, every second evening a dose (four glob.), until four doses are taken, and use externally the same remedy (twelve glob, in half a tea- cupful of water well shaken) three times a day. Warts. (Verruca;.) Neither cauterize nor cut these excrescences; it is too dan- gerous ; a better remedy is the application of the tincture of Rhus on the wart three times a day. They will quickly dis- appear. If they do not disappear within four or six weeks, resort to the internal use of the following remedies: Causticum, if the warts are fleshy or seedy. Antimonium crud., if they are fiat, hard or brittle. Dulcamara, if they are on the back of the fingers. Calcarea, if on the sides. Administration.—Take of a remedy every other evening a dose (four globules), for eight days. Whitlows on the Fingers. Felons. (Panaris.) This disease exists in the form of an abscess, more or les9 ULCERS 135 deeply seated, on the end of the finger, attended with severe Dain and considerable swelling. In the beginning, its formation may frequently be pre- vented by dipping the finger quickly into water almost boiling, or by wrapping around it finely-powdered wood soot made wet with alcohol, or by washing the finger with a mixture of a drop of creosote in half a teacupful of water. But if tl.is does not avail, keep warm bread-and-milk poultice around it all the time until it opens, and take internally, Mercury, Hepar sulph., and Silicea, alternately, every six hours a dose (four glob.), for two or three days. After it opens, wash the finger three times a day in water, m half a teacupful of which twelve globules of Silicea are dissolved, or keep the bandage around the finger wet with this solution. Ulcers. We can only give their general treatment here, as their origin and appearance are too various to be discussed in a work on domestic practice. They arise, mostly, from a dis- eased condition, which must be first changed by systematic internal treatment, before the external sign of it, the ulcer, can heal. When it is forced to close itself by violent exter- nal means, the disease, of which it was the expression, attacks internal parts, and the danger is thus increased, as the dignity of the organ affected is greater. Be careful, therefore, in using salves and ointments. Diagnosis and Treatment.—First. An ulcer may be deep, presenting a hollow excavation. In this case fill it once or twice every day with dry scraped lint, previously cleaning it well with warm water, and tying it up with a bandage. This promotes healthy granulation, and the hollow gradually fills up. lnternallv give Lachesis, Hepar, and Silicea, alternately, everv second dav a dose (four glob.), until four doses of each ure »iven, or improvement is perceptible. Second. An ulcer mav be flat, superficial, sometimes pre- 136 CUTANEOUS DISEASES. senting proud flesh; in this case dress it with finely-powdered loaf sugar, or with a bandage dipped in cold water and changed from time to time. Internally, Petroleum, Lycopo- dium, and Silicea, in the same manner as above. Third. An ulcer may be fistulous : in this case try to compress, if possible, the farthest ends of the fistula, or fill them with dry lint to excite healthy granulation, always try- ing to heal up the deepest cavity first. Give Antimon. crud., Calcarea carb., Silicea, and Sulphur, in the same manner as above. Fourth. An ulcer may be callous, with thick, hard, broken margins. In this case fill the bottom with dry lint, and dress around the margins with simple cerate. Give Arsenic, Pul- sat., Lycopod., and Sulphur, in the same manner as above. Fifth. An ulcer may be carious, proceeding from the bone ; dress outside with simple cerate, and give Mercury, Sulphur, Calcarea carb., and Lycopodium in the same manner as above. Sixth. An ulcer may be varicose, caused by swelling of the veins, for instance, on the lower limbs; dress outside with simple cerate and lint, or cold-water bandage, and give Pulsatilla, Lycopodium, Lachesis, and Sulphur in the same manner as above. We have another condition of the ulcer to take into con- sideration, in order to determine what medicine has to be given. First. Ulcers may be painful; in this case give : a. When accompanied by a burning or drawing sensation, Arsenic, Rhus, and Sulphur in the same manner as above. b. When beating, eating, or pressing, Mercury, Lachesis, Ly- copodium and Sulphur in the same manner. c. When itching, Hepar sulph., Pulsatilla, and Sulphur in the same manner. Second. An ulcer may be without pain; in this case give Phosphor, acid, Carbo veg., Sepia, and Sulphur in the same manner. ABSCESSES, TUMORS, ETC. 137 Third. An ulcer smells offensively; in this case give Carbo veg., Arsenic, Pulsatilla, and Sulph., in the same manner. Fourth. It spreads very much, increasing in size; in this j case give Mercury, Lachesis, Hepar sulph., Silicea, and Sul- phur in the same manner. Syphilitic ulcers require Mercury, Xitric acid. Lachesis, and Thuja in the same manner. Application of Water.—See " Tetter." Abscesses. Tumors. Swelling of Glands. When a congestive or inflammatory swelling is not dispers- ed or absorbed, it changes gradually into an abscess; matter forms which finally discharges through an opening of the sore, either prepared naturally, or artificially by a lancet. Treatment.—Before an abscess opens, it may be very pain- ful ; in this case, poultice it with bread and milk, and take internally, Belladonna, Lachesis, and Mercury, alternately, every three or four hours a dose (four glob.), until better. If it is a long time maturing, without being very painful (cold swelling), take Hepar sulph., Iodine, and Sulphur, every other evening a dose, alternately, and poultice it when it comes near breaking. After an abscess has opened, wash it frequently during the day with a solution of twelve globules of SUicea in half a teacupful of water, and take internally Silicea, every other evening a dose (four glob.), until three doses are taken. If it be desired to open an abscess with a lancet, select the lowest part, if it be also the softest, which latter place is . always to be chosen first. In other swellings, particularly when they appear hard, with stitches through them, or soft, without much pain, apply nothing externally, until after hav- ino- consulted a homceopathic physician. Meanwhile, take in- ternally Calcarea carb., every three or four days a dose in the evening (four glob.), until six doses are taken; afterward. Sulphur in the same manner. 12 ___________________ 138 CUTANEOUS DISEASES. Enlarged and indurated glands on the neck, etc., require Rhus t. and Dulcamara, every evening, alternately a dose (four glob.) ; when suppurating, Hepar sulph. and SUicea, every third evening a dose (four glob.), alternately, until four doses of each are taken. Boils. Malignant Boils. Carbuncles. These are painful, hard tumors, of a pyramidal form, and deep red color, generated sometimes by a constitutional ten- dency, very often, however, as critical discharges after acute or eruptive fevers, or terminating chronic eruptions, such as itch, etc. They suppurate slowly, and discharge, on break- ing, a little pus mixed with blood, exhibiting a core which is gradually discharged. Treatment.—The best applications externally are poultices made of bread and milk or flax-seed; all other things, such as roasted onions, soap and sugar, are too irritating, and enlarge the suppurative sphere. Internally take first Arnica evening and morning a dose (six glob.), and if the boil gets very painful and red, take Belladonna and Mercury, alter- nately, every three or four hours a dose (four glob.). If matter has formed, take Hepar sulph. every four hours a dose (four glob.), until the tumor breaks. The predisposition to boils may be removed by taking Sulphur, every week one dose (six glob.), for six weeks. If a boil becomes blue, and increases very fast (malignant boil), take Lachesis every three or four hours a dose (four glob.) in alternation with Arsenic. Let the treatment be the same if typhoid fever ensues, and the patient is very weak, restless, and sleepless ( Carbuncle, Anthrax), and mortification threatens. A boil is called a carbuncle, when it is hard, of a livid hue, and after its breaking does not present a central core, but numerous openings., through which offensive matter and blood is discharged. Carbuncle or Anthrax is always a dan- gerous disease particularly when seated on the head. If i! SCIRRHU8--CANCER. 139 is on the back, wash with a solution of SUicea ; if on the chin, with a solution of Xitric acid alternately with Carbo veg.: par- ticularly if salivation attends the disease. If the pain in the ulcer is burning, wash with a solution of Arscni-, and give in- ternally Arsenic and Carbo veg., if stinging, give Apis mellif. Scirrhus. Cancer. We mention these diseases here, not to give their treatment, because the seriousness of their character would not allow of their being treated domestically; but it is necessary to warn patients of this kind against all those who pretend to cure them with the knife or cauterizing applications. They always end fatally under such treatment, and with increased misery. At the same time, we would advise them not to despair, but to apply immediately to a skillful homoeopathic physician, who possesses the only means which can rationally afford re- lief, and which sometimes effect a complete cure. Indurations under the skin, in glands, on the lips, nose, etc., with stitching pains through them, should receive attention, from the fear that they might be of the scirrhus nature; if so, and if not attended to in time, they will become open cancers. In such cases, relief is possible, but only by the timely advice of a skillful physician. Meantime, take Belladonna, every third evening a dose (four glob.), until four doses are taken. In open cancers, the distressing burning pains are relieved by Arsenic, in solution (twelve glob, in half a teacupful of water), every two or three hours a teaspoonful, until four or ;ix are taken CHAPTER IV. FEVERS. The term fever is frequently misunderstood; people in- tending to express by it the disease itself, while, in reality, fever is the reaction of the vital powers against a disease; and, as every action in nature can be of a threefold kind, either not powerful enough for its purpose, or just powerful enough, or, lastly, too powerful, the fever, also, as an action of nature. allows these three divisions. Accordingly, we have simple irritative fevers, where the effort of nature to remove the disease is just sufficient; or, inflammatory fevers, where this effort is greater than is neces- sary; or, lastly, torpid fevers, where the effort is not suffi- cient to accomplish the removal of the disease. In all forms of acute disease, fever of one of the above kinds is present to a greater or less extent. It is obvious that one form of fever may, under circumstances favorable to the change, merge into another ; for instance, a simple irri- tative fever may become an inflammatory one, if the patient is over stimulated; or a torpid one, if his vital energy is too much depressed. How dangerous, therefore, must be the use of allopathic remedies in fevers, as, when a little too strong or too weak, they lead to such awful consequences! But, in Homoeopa- thy, this result is altogether obviated, as the remedial agent used, neutralizes, by its specific action, the disease of which the fever was only an attendant symptom (140) Ill Tims we see, in pneumonia, under allopathic treatment, that the fever frequently returns with great violence, although the patient, shortly before, had been depleted to exhaustion. The reason is, that the cause of the fever, the pneumonia, had not been removed by the depletion ; the reactive force or vital energy to overcome the disease was merely diminished, and, therefore, the system rouses itself up again to a second attempt; if checked or depressed again, it must finally sink to rise no more ; it must fall into the torpid or typhoid form. Not so, under the homceopathic treatment, where the disease itself is specifically reached and as it were absorbed ; for when the disease is removed, no effort of nature is necessary, and, consequently, the fever disappears of itself.* The action of the unaided vital force of nature, during the fever, is in two directions—by the nervous, and by the vascu- lar system—to bring about a crisis, sufficient for the extermi- nation of the disease ; but, if it fails in establishing a suffi- cient crisis, nature has to surrender, and death ensues, either by paralysis of the nervous system (paralysis pro- perly so called), or paralysis of the vascular system (mor- tification). The less the disease, therefore, the less needs be the crisis; and we aid nature, indeed, if we take away the disease, but not if we take away her vital power to overcome it. Herein lies another important difference between the two medical sys- tems • and it is easy to see how salutary the homceopathic, and how destructive the allopathic treatment of fevers must be. * The best illustration of the modus operandi of the homceopathic medicines, or what is meant by specific action generally, is found in the effect of the dynamic agents of nature on each other Posit.ve and negative electricity, being similar, but not identical in then- nature neutralize or absorb each other; while positive and posit.ve being identical, repel each other, having no affinity to each other. In the lame manner, two similar diseases absorb each other to the zero point this state is where neither exists, and, therefore, health. 1 1 _' FEVERS. In most cases, Homoeopathy takes away the disease so en- tirely, by its specific method, that no crisis at all appears. If it, however, takes place, it manifests itself by diarrhea, perspiration, or other secretions, or by an eruption ; after which, the skin becomes moist and the pulse regular. Diagnosis.—The symptoms by which the presence of the three forms of fever may be known, are given in the follow- ing characteristics : First. Irritative form.—Shivering, preceding a moderate heat; skin natural or a little moist; pulse not very much ac- celerated, but fuller, stronger, and not hard; urine a little more reddish than common, and with a sediment after the fever leaves. Second. Inflammatory form.—Great lassitude precedes a short but severe chill (which frequently does not appear, how- ever), followed by an intense heat; skin dry and burning; eyes sparkling ; tongue dry ; thirst intense ; pulse quicker, hard, and full; urine red and scanty. Third. Torpid form. — The greatest lassitude prevails during its presence ; the patient feels very weak, although he may be very hot at times; at others, the temperature is very much diminished; the skin is now very dry and inclined to crack; then, again, covered with clammy perspiration. At one time, the tongue is dry and black ; at another, either natural or covered with a tough mucus. There is often an absence of thirst, although the tongue is dry ; and then, again, thirst is intense, with a moist tongue. The pulse shows the same anomaly, being sometimes full, with a low temperature of the body ; and again, at other times, small and weak, with a high fever-heat of the system. Treatment. — As we have only given here the general character of the three kinds of fever that combine themselves with local diseases of the different orp-ans, we must, also, generalize their treatmen there, and refer, for details, to the affections of the respective organs where fever manifests common or ephemeral FEVER. 14o ilM-ll. For instance: fever of the lungs, pneumonia, inflam- matory, or torpid (typhoid), see "Affections of the Lungs." The essentials in the treatment of all fevers are as follows: Quiet and rest of body and mind, as much as possible ; cool and even temperature of the patient's room, say from fifty to sixty degrees, according to comfort; pure air and thorough ventilation, without producing it by draughts pass- ing on or over the patient. Let the patient lie on mattresses, and be covered with quilts, light, but sufficiently warm. As the patient himself does not desire solid food, we ought not to give it; but, when thirsty, we must never refuse drink. The best drink is cold water, as much as the patient desires, if it agrees with him ; frequently give toast water, barley or rice water, or lemonade, except when the patient has a diar- rhea, or is taking Aconite, with which no acid will agree. In convalescence, baked apples and stewed prunes are very salutary, if there is no diarrhea at the time ; the latter, however, should be partaken of sparingly. We will now treat of several other general forms of fever as they occur. Common or Ephemeral Fever. (Febris Simplex.) Diagnosis. — Shivering, followed by heat, restlessness, thirst, quick pulse ; its termination is generally within twenty- four or thirty-six hours, by profuse perspiration. It is mostly caused by exposure to sudden changes of tem- pefature, and will then terminate in from twenty-four to forty- eight hours ; but where it is the forerunner of other more serious diseases, such as scarlet fever, measles, etc., it will be superseded by them. Treatment.—Aconite, in solution (twelve glob, to half a teacupful of water), every two hours a teaspoonful, until per- spiration ensues. Diet and Regimen.—Cover the patient well, and let hint 144 FEVERS. drink cold water, which promotes perspiration. Bathing the feet in warm water before lying down is allowed, but it should be done near the bed. N. B. If pains are felt in different parts of the body, see respective headings, and treat accordingly. General Inflammatory Fever. (Synocha.) Diagnosis.—See " Fevers—Inflammatory form." Causes.—This form of fever is frequently caused by sud- den checks of perspiration and exposure to high degrees of temperature or its sudden change. It also originates by ex- ternal injuries or lesions. Plethoric and young persons are most liable to it. It frequently runs into typhus fever, particularly when treated allopathically. Treatment.—Aconite must be given first, the same as in common fever. See preceding article. But, if, after six hours, there is no improvement, give Belladonna; especially when the head is hot with violent pains in the front ])art; red face, sensitiveness to light; sparkling eyes ; noise distresses; very restless or drowsy ; great thirst; delirium. Administration.—the same as Aconite above, or alterna- ting with it, until better. But, if, with the general symptoms of inflammatory fever, there is swimming in the head on rising or moving; some deli- rium ; oppression at the pit of the stomach; vomiting after drinking; constipation; aching pains in the limbs and small of the back; oppression of the lungs; give Bryonia; and, if the weather is damp and rainy at the time, give Rhus, in al- ternation with Bryonia, in the same manner as above in Aco- nite and Belladonna, until better. Application of Water, in the form of the wet sheet, and a covering of blankets, beside drinking of cold water, is recom- mended as an auxiliary to the homceopathic medication. nervous or typhoid fever. 145 Diet and Regimen—the same as under the head of "Com- mon Fever." Nervous or Typhoid Fever. (Typhus.) These names signify the same disease, the various grades of which are distinguished by prefixing the appropriate word in an adjective form, as a malignant typhoid fever ; a malig- nant typhus, or, a malignant nervous fever ; all three of which signify the same. Although we could not advise any one to treat a fever like this on his own responsibility, with no other guide than a work on domestic practice, unless in cases of absolute neces- ! sitv, it is, nevertheless, advisable to give a sufficient account of the disease and its remedies, to enable the inquirer to dis- tinguish it from others, and commence its treatment with the right remedies. The progress of the disease may frequently be arrested by early and proper treatment in its commencement. To the realization of this important point our particular attention will be directed, as in the prevention of disease is seen the great advantage of domestic practice. Diagnosis.—The real nature of typhus consists in an alter- ation of the blood, which becomes thick, decomposed, and carbonized; but as such a qualitative change of the blood cannot take place at once, the disease begins slowly, but is sure in its progress, unless arrested by the proper homoeo- pathic remedy. The first indications are, general lassitude, chilliness, fol- lowed by occasional feverishness, and, sometimes, pain in the head, chest, or abdomen, followed by drowsiness. Then appear the symptoms given under the heading "Fevers— Torpid form." Beside these, one characteristic symptom of real typhus is, a pain in the abdomen near the right hip, sensible to heavy pressure ; here, in the intestines, ulcerations 13 14:6 FEVERS. of the glands invariably take place in real typhus; hence the pain only on pressing heavily. Under such symptoms, it runs its course, if not checked by good homoeopathic treat- ment, perhaps to convalescence, by frequent critical efforts, in about twenty-eight days. The best crisis is perspiration which comes on gradually; ' or, sleep, in the place of delirium and restlessness. Bleed- ing of the nose is less favorable ; and a still less favorable i crisis is the swelling of the glands in front of, and below the ! ear ; or, it ends in death, either by paralysis, or mortification. (See "Fevers.") | Causes. — In general, any depressing influence on the vital powers of the body may produce typhus, but, particu- larly, over-exertion of the body or mind; excesses of any kind ; long and imprudent exposure to cold or damp weather; bad air, water, and mode of living; crowded population in filthy | streets and small apartments; exhausting blood-letting in ! inflammatory diseases ; or, lastly, a real typhus contagion, which is generated in one form of the disease. (See below, " Contagious Typhus.") Preventives. — The best preventive is, to avoid the above | described causes of the disease, and to take, if already threat- ! ened with it, Bryonia and Rhus, every evening alternately a dose (four glob.), for eight days, or until better. Keep 1 quiet and in the house; follow the diet prescribed in fevers I generally; keep the feet warm and head cool; drink freely of cold water, and take no allopathic remedies, such as pills, etc., upon any consideration. j Different Forms of Typhus. First. According to the time of its appearance, typhus is: | a. Primary idiopathic, or true and contagious typhus; or, I b. Secondary, following another disease, and pseudo-typhus; that is, fevers with apparently typhoid symptoms. different forms of typhus. 147 Second. According to its locality, typhus is . a. Typhus of the brain (typhus cerebralis), typhoid brain fever, and congestive fever ; b. Typhus of the lungs (typhus pulmonalis), typhoid lung fever; c. Typhus of the bowels (typhus abdominalis), abdominal typhoid, and yellow fever. N. B. In either of these three forms, those characteristic symptoms of real typhus (pains, on pressure near the right hip, in the intestines), as mentioned above (see "Diagnosis"), never fail to appear, even if the brain or lungs are primarily affected. Third. According to its qualitative appearance, typhus is : a. Versatile (typhus versatilis), with excited nervous action ; b. Stupid (typhus stupidus), with depressed nervous action ; c. Putrid (typhus putridus), with tendency to organic dissolu- tion. For practical purposes Ave follow the distinctions made under the " third " or last division, as it is only the qualitative differences in typhus that make different remedies necessary. The stupid form is oftener found in the typhus of the brain ; the versatile, in typhus of the lungs; and the putrid, in typhus of the bowels. Yet there are exceptions. Treatment.—At the commencement of all three forms, if there is headache, giddiness, chilliness with alternate heat, rheumatic pains in the limbs and arms, sometimes a slight cough with pains in the back, with or without diarrhea, sick- ness at the stomach or vomiting, restlessness at night, furred tongue ; give Bryonia and Rhus, every two hours a dose (four glob.), until three of each are taken. Make the patient lie down, well covered, and await the reaction for twentv-four hours ; giving nothing, during that time, except one or two doses of Coffeacc and Bellad? c, if he is very restless during the night. As soon as the patient perspires and the symp- toms gradually disappear, the typhus, as such, is checked, 14S FEVERS. and its return is prevented by giving, on the third day, even- ing and morning, a dose (four glob.} of Sulphur; during which time the patient still keeps his room,, and diets as re- commended in fevers. If, however, the disease progresses, and the real typhus symptoms appear more and more, give as follows : If inflammatory symptoms appear, such as full, hard pulse ; hot, dry skin; violent thirst; give Aconite, two or three doses, every two hours one (four glob.) ; and alternate with Bella- donna, in the same manner, if to the above symptoms are added violent congestion of the head or lungs, with severe headache ; sensitiveness to light and noise ; starting after closing the eyes, and wild expression of countenance. Wait eight or twelve hours for the effect. If no change for the better takes place, but, on the contrary, the symptoms increase in violence, give Bryonia and Rhus again, alternately ; but now only every four hours a teaspoon- ful of their respective solutions (twelve globules in half a tea- cupful of water), with which continue until four of each are taken, or until better. After this time, the disease may have changed, so as to make one of the following remedies necessary. Phosphor, acid. Great exhaustion, flighty when awake, always lying on the back in a drowsy state ; giving either no reply to a question, or replying incoherently, loquacious, de- lirium, or low muttering, picking the bedclothes, black lips, dry, hot skin; frequent, copious, watery diarrhea. Crocus is almost a specifie in typhus with diarrhea; twelve globules in half a teacupful of water, every hour a teaspoonful, for at least three days. Arsenic. If, with these symptoms, there is extreme prostra- tion of strength, falling of the lower jaw, open mouth, dull and glassy eyes, burning thirst, profuse diarrhea, pulse barely perceptible ; alternate Carbo veg. with Arsenic, if to the above symptoms is added rattling respiration, cold perspiration on different forms of typhus. 149 the face and extremities, and very offensive evacuations, to be given in solution as above, every half hour a teaspoonful. These remedies suit principally in the putrid form of the disease. In the stupid form, however, after Bryonia and Rhus have been given, the following remedies may be found necessary. Opium. When there is great drowsiness, with snoring breathing, open mouth, low mutterings, picking .the bed- clothes, lethargy, all discharges passing involuntarily, give every hour a dose (four glob.), until better, if not, give Phos- phor, acid as above. Lachesis. Under the same symptoms as those under- Opium, particularly if the tongue is very red and shining, as if var- nished ; in the same manner as above. Lycopodium. Under similar symptoms as Lachesis, and then in alternation with it, in solution, every two hours a tea- spoonful, until a change takes place ; but particularly if there is a strongly marked redness of the cheeks, constipation, and screaming, especially on awakening, dryness of the tongue with- out thirst. These are specific where constipation is present. In the versatile form, after Bryonia and Rhus have been given, the following medicines may be necessary, as, Hyoscyamus. When there is a desire to escape; twitchings, and grasping at persons that are near; hot, red face, with bluish cheeks, sparkling eyes, dry, brownish tongue; alter- nately bland and furious delirium, involuntary evacuations; give every three hours a dose (four glob.), alternating with Belladonna in the same manner; or, in alternation with Stramonium. If to these symptoms are added frightful fancies, loquacious delirium, staring eyes, spasmodic action, convulsions, and aversion to liquids; no stool or urine, and loss of consciousness. There are several other remedies, which, under various cir- cumstances, are important in the treatment of this disease. Arnica, Arsenic, Camphor, China, Veratrum, Cantharides, Coc- 150 FEVERS. cuius; see in " Materia Medica" their pathogenetic symptoms, and give them if similar with the state of the patient. N. B. If at any time the patient is very sleepless, give CoffeaCCi and Belladonna00■, every hour a dose (four glob.), alternately. If there is clammy, cold skin, debilitating and clammy sweats, diarrhea or disposition to it, give Camphor and alternate with Coffea, if very restless, every half hour a dose until better. During convalescence, China, Mercury, and Sulphur are frequently necessary. (See " Materia Medi- ca," at the end of the book. Application of Water. —In no disease, perhaps, is the wet sheet, as an auxiliary remedy, of more use than in the different forms of typhus, particularly where the skin is dry and hot. In this state, even frequent ablutions will relieve the patient very much; the drinking of cold water must be allowed, except during a chill or when the patient lays in a heavy perspiration. Diet and Regimen the same as under " Fevers." Congestive fever is a typhoid brain fever, and is treated as already stated,'with Aconite, Belladonna, Bryonia, Rhus, Opium, etc. The contagious typhus is in nothing different from the above, only it is caused by contagion. The attack occurs but once in a person's lifetime and its course is marked with great severity. The pseudo-typhus or bilious-rheumatic {ever is composed of the incipient symptoms of typhus, and has to be treated accordingly, as stated above, with Bryonia and Rhus, follow- ed by Sulphur, to prevent its running into real typhus. For the treatment of this form, however, compare Ipecac, Pulsa- tilla, Ignatia, and Xux vom., in the " Materia Medica" at the end of the book. The ship fever is a species of the contagious and abdomi- nal typhus; treat accordingly; compare as in "Yellow Fever." YELLOW fever. 1 o 1 Yellow Fever. As I never had an opportunity to observe and treat this malignant fever, I thought it advisable to insert here the full article of Doctor Marcy on that subject, who had an oppor- tunity to peruse the notes left by Doctor Taft, whose success in the treatment of yellow fever was astonishing : This fever is exceedingly uncertain in its course, violence, and duration. It may strike its victim suddenly prostrate, overwhelming, in its severity, the whole system, and thus preventing a single rally of the circulatory vessels ; or it may advance mildly, differing but little from an ordinary attack of remitting fever. In some instances it bears a strong resem- blance to the higher grades of bilious fever. Much depends upon the peculiar circumstances of the individual attacked. If he is recently from a temperate climate, and unaccustomed to hot regions, he will be more susceptible to the action of the poison, than if he had been previously acclimated. Medical men have supposed that after a certain period of exposure, the system becomes so completely accustomed to the miasm, that it loses all susceptibility to its influence, and in this manner the process of acclimation is accomplished. There is, doubtless, some truth in this idea, but there are other causes which exercise quite as important an influence in this process. Those persons who abandon a temperate, for a residence in a tropical climate, do so in that physical condition which the requirements, habits, and regimen of the former naturally generate. In a previous chapter we have seen that, in cold regions, where the atmosphere is highly condensed, a large amount of animal food is requisite to sup- ply the system with sufficient carbon and hydrogen to resist and neutralize the action of the inspired oxygen. With these habits, appropriate only where a condensed atmosphere is respired, individuals seek the tropics, with bodies abounding in carbon, and continuing, in most instances, their accustomed legimen of animal food and stimulants, thus burdening their 152 FEVERS. systems with an amount of the elements of nutrition fai greater than the oxygen contained in the rarefied air which they inhale cap decompose. It is probable, therefore, that one of the chief predisposing causes of yellow fever, is the presence of a greater amount of carbon in ihe system than the inspired air can properly act upon. The exact equilibrium between the supply of the elements of tlyj food and the absorbed oxygen is disturbed; the carbon predominates, and all of those derangements which proceed from a superabundance of this agent, neces- sarily ensue. "* The inhabitstnts of tropical latitudes have comparatively but little desire for animal food, but prefer farinaceous diet, vegetables and fruits, in this manner naturally securing to themselves a due proportion between the elements assimilated and the oxygen absorbed ; while the inhabitants of the north find it necessary to consume large quantities of meat and other articles abounding in the elements of nutrition, in order to preserve a healthy equilibrium. We, therefore, most strongly urge it upon those who remove from cold to hot climates, to adapt their systems by appropriate regimen and strict temperance in all things, for the change, and we confi- dently predict that they will enjoy as great an immunity from this dreadful scourge as the natives themselves. Diagnosis.— The premonitory symptoms of yellow fever are giddiness, wandering pains in the back and limbs, slight chills, nausea, and frequent sensations of faintness. After these symptoms have continued a few hours, a de- cided reaction occurs; the circulation becomes excited, the face flushed, the eyes red ; there are violent pains in the head, back, loins, and extremities; distress of stomach, and vomit- ing of acid bilious matters; the surface becomes dry and burning hot; mouth and throat dry, with intense thirst, and Bometimes delirium. The duration of this paroxysm is usually about twenty-four YELLOW FEVER. 153 hours, although occasionally it continues two or three days, after which there is a remission of all the symptoms, except a distressed sensation in the stomach, with nausea and vomit- ing. The patient remains in this state with a considerable degree of comfort for a few hours, when there is a recur- rence of many of the former symptoms in an aggravated form. The stomach now becomes extremely painful and sen- sitive ; vomiting is violent and incessant; the fluids ejected are of a darker color; the skin and eyes acquire a yellow tinge, and the mind becomes confused and wandering. The duration of this second stage varies from twelve to forty-eight hours, with sometimes slight remissions toward the termination of the paroxysm, when the third or last stage sets in. This stage is characterized by the complete development of the dreaded "black vomit.'" At this period, the powers of the system all sink rapidly; the pulse flags, and perhaps intermits ; the tongue becomes dry, black, and shriveled ; the breathing irregular and laborious; cramps seize the calves of the legs and the bowels ; the whole countenance loses its natural, life-like expression ; the extremities become cold ; col- liquative sweats, diarrhea, hemorrhages, and loss of intellect occur, and, finally, dissolution ends the scene. This is only a brief outline of the more ordinary symptoms and course of the malady, and will, we trust, serve to aid the inexperienced practitioner in his diagnosis. Each case, how- ever, must necessarily present modifications according to the predisposition, habits, and peculiar circumstances of the in- dividual attacked. Causes. — When animal and vegetable matters are sub- mitted, for a considerable length of time, to the daily influence of intense solar heat, and a certain amount of moisture in the crowded and filthy streets of cities, or other confined places, a miasm is generated, which, under favorable circum- stances, will cause yellow fever. Concerning the nature of this miasm we know nothing; but it is evident that the 154 s FEVERS. continued high degree of temperature to which these sub- stances are exposed, and the confinement of their noxious emanations within the walls of crowded cities, develop a more virulent morbific agent than is the case when the same matters are exposed in the open country, or to a more irregu- lar and less intense heat, such as usually occurs in more , temperate localities. There are several other causes which act as powerful pre- disposing influences, one of the most important of which, as before mentioned, is the too free use of animal food and stimulants. We may also include in this category, irregular habits, mental anxiety, depression of spirits, fear, grief, ex- posure to night air or to a burning sun, and, indeed, whatever else tends to debilitate the organism. Treatment.—The remedies most commonly applicable in the treatment of this affection are Ipecac, Belladonna, Bryonia, Rhus, Arsenic, and Aconite. The other medicines likely to prove serviceable are, Nux vom., Mercurius, Veratrum, China, Sulphur, Cantharides, Carbo veg., and Lachesis. The late and much lamented Doctor Taft, of New Orleans, was emi- nently successful in his treatment of the yellow fever as it occurred in that city. Some time since, we had the pleasure of perusing a letter from a highly intelligent gentleman of New Orleans, in which he states, that the success of Doctor Taft was so great in this malady as to attract the marked attention of a large number of citizens; and the writer ex- presses a deliberate opinion, that a new and favorable era would soon have occurred in the management of this formid- able affection, if the able and accomplished Taft had survived. The remedies which this physician found most successful, and upon which he chiefly relied, were Aconite, Ipecac, Bella- donna, and Bryonia, in the first, and sometimes second stages ; in the second and third stages, in addition to the above, Rhus tox., Arsenic, Veratrum, Cantharides, Carbo veg., Nux vom. These medicines were usually employed at the first attenua- YELLOW FEVER. 100 tion, and frequently repeated, either singly or in alternation, as the circumstances of each case appeared to require. When the first symptoms declare themselves, as dizziness, slight chills, pains in the back and limbs, uneasy sensations at the epigastrium, with nausea, vomiting, and sensation of faintness, Ipecac, at the third attenuation, should be immedi- ately exhibited. This remedy may also be found serviceable during the second and third stages, in alternation with some other article. Should the malady continue to progress, the following medicines should be considered, and, in proper cases, promptly administered. Belladonna. Glowing redness and bloated appearance of the face; eyes red and sparkling, or fixed, glistening, and prominent; tongue loaded with whitish mucus, or yellowish, or brownish; pulse variable. Dry burning heat; sharp, darting and shooting pains in the head; violent throbbings in the head; burning thirst; painful heaviness and cramp- like pains in the back, loins, and legs; pressure, cramp-like, and contractive pains in the stomach; inclination to vomit, or violent vomitings. During the remission, melancholy; dejec- tion ; when reaction comes on, great agitation, with continual tossing and anguish. Administration.—Belladonna is for the most part applica- ble to the first stage of yellow fever. Twelve globules in half a teacupful of water, every hour or two hours a teaspoon- ful, until better or another remedy is needed. Bryonia. Skin yellow ; eyes red, or dull and glassy, or sparkling and filled with tears; tongue dry, and loaded with a white or yellow coating; pulse rapid and full, or weak and rapid. Severe pain and burning sensation in the stomach; vomiting, particularly after drinking; burning thirst; pains in the back and limbs ; headache, aggravated by movement ■ eyes painful on motion; sense of fullness and oppression in the stomach and intestines. Anxiety, with dread and appre- hension respecting the future ; loss of memory ; delirium. 156 FEVERS. Administration. — Same as Belladonna, or in alternation with Rhus. Rhus. Surface of a dirty yellow color; eyes glazed and sunken; tongue dry and black; lips dry and brownish; pulse quick and small; loquacious delirium, or coma with sterto- rous breathing; constant moaning. Distressing pain and burning in the stomach ; nausea and vomiting; paralysis of the lower extremities; spasms in the abdomen; want of power over the abdominal muscles; colic; diarrhea; difficulty in deglutition, and pain on swallowing. Intellect dull and clouded ; constant uneasiness ; delirium. Administration.—Same as Belladonna. (See Bryonia.) Arsenic Face of a yellowish or bluish color; eyes dull and sunken, with a dark mark under them; sclerotica yellow; nose pointed; coldness of the body, with cold and clammy sweat; lips and tongue brown or black ; colliquative sweats ; pulse irregular, or quick, weak, small, and frequent, or sup- pressed and trembling. Sense of extreme debility; dull, throbbing, stunning, or shooting pains in the head ; burning or sharp and darting pains in the epigastrium, or in the region of the liver; limbs feel stiff and useless; frequent evacuations, with tenesmus, or painless and involuntary; oppression at the chest, with rapid and anxious respiration; cramps in the calves of the legs ; great oppression at the stomach, with vio- lent vomiting, especially after drinking; drawing and cramp- like pains in the abdomen; sensation as if a weight was pressing upon the abdomen. Indifference; weakness of memory; stupidity; delirium, with great flow of ideas ; loss of consciousness and of sense; raving. Administration. — Dissolve in water, as stated in Bella- donna. In urgent cases, a teaspoonful may be exhibited every half hour, until some change is produced in the symp- toms. In less dangerous cases, the intervals of administra- tion may be lengthened as circumstances require. Aconite. Suitable in the first and second stages, when , YELLOW FEVER. 157 there are burning and dry skin; red cheeks; full and rapid pulse ; red and sensitive eyes; tongue natural or covered 'rith a whitish slimy coat; lips and mouth dry; vomiting of mucus and bile ; urine dark-red. Violent febrile reaction ; sensation of intense heat; great thirst; acute pains in the temples, forehead, or on the side of the head; vertigo on rising, eyes weak and sensitive to light; pains and soreness in the back and limbs ; nausea ; general sense of debility; great heat and irritability of the stomach; short and anxious respiration. When the fever is on, great anguish, anxiety, and restless- ness ; for the most part nightly delirium. Administration.—Dissolve in water as above. Aconite and Belladonna may sometimes be alternated with benefit in the first period of the disease. In a majority of cases, a few doses of this remedy will be found indispensable, during the first reaction. Nux vomica. Skin yellow; face pale or yellowish, espe- cially around the nose and mouth ; lower part of the sclero- tica yellow; eyes inflamed, with redness of the conjunctiva; eyes surrounded with a dark circle and full of tears; tongue with a thick white or yellow fur, or dry, cracked, and brown, with red edges; pulse variable. Burning pains in the stomach; pressure or cramp-like pains in the epigastrium; vomiting of acid, bilious, or mucous matters ; frequent and violent hiccough ; eyes sensitive to light; vertigo, or pains in the head ; tremors of the limbs, cramps in different parts ; thirst for beer, brandy, or some stimulant; contraction of the abdominal muscles ; loose discharges of slimy or bilious mat- ters or blood ; burning pains at the neck of the bladder, with difficulty in urinating; coldness, paralysis, and cramps. in the legs ; feet benumbed and cramped. Excessive anxiety, uneasiness, fear of death ; despair, or loss of consciousness and delirium, with moaning or muttering. Administration.—Same as Belladonna. Mercurius. Yellow color of the skin ; eyes red, blood- 158 FEVERS. vessels of sclerotica injected; eyes sensitive to light; paraly- sis of one or more limbs ; tongue with moist, thick, white fur, or dry and brown mucus ; faeces variable ; pulse-irregular, or quick, strong, and intermittent, or weak and trembling. Ex- cessive inclination to sleep, or restlessness from nervous irri- tation ; sense of fatigue and debility; rapid loss of strength; dizziness, or violent pain in the head; violent convulsive vomiting of mucus and bilious matter; burning pain and tenderness of the stomach ; constipation, or diarrhea with discharges of mucus, bile, or blood; coldness of the arms and legs, with cramps ; excitability and sensibility of all the or- gans. Anguish and agitation ; weakness of memory; appre- hensions ; discouragement; moroseness; raving. Administration same as Belladonna. Veratrum alb. Face of a yellowish or bluish color, cold and covered with cold perspiration; eyes dull, clouded, yel- lowish and watery; lips and tongue dry, brown and cracked; hiccough ; coldness of the hands and feet; trembling and cramps of the feet, hands and legs; evacuations loose, black- ish or yellowish ; pulse slow and almost extinct, or small, quick, and intermittent. General prostration of strength; confusion of head, or vertigo ; deafness; difficult deglutition ; intense thirst; violent vomiting of green bile and mucus, or black bile and blood ; burning in the stomach ; great exhaus- tion ; cramps in the stomach, abdomen, and limbs; diarrhea. Timid, despondent, restless, loss of sense ; coma or violent delirium. Administration same as in Arsenic, and with it in alter- nation. «• Sulphur. Face pale, or yellowish ; eyes red, or yellowish ; aphtha? in the mouth; tongue dry, rough, and reddish, 01 with white or brownish coat; pulse hard, quick, and full; faeces whitish, greenish, or brownish, bloody or purulent. Dizziness, or sharp pains in the head; itching and burning pains in the eyes; roaring in the ears ; nausea, with trembling BILIOUS REMITTENT FEVER. 159 and weakness; vomiting of bilious, acid, bloody, or blackish matter ; pressure and pain in the stomach; pains in the back and loins. Melancholy, sad, timid, undecided, wandering. Administration.—Dissolve in water as above ; every four or six hours a teaspoonful. Cantharides is sometimes indicated in the third stage with complete insensibility, cramps in the abdominal muscles and legs, suppression of urine, hemorrhages from the stomach and bowels, and cold sweat on the hands and feet. It may be employed in water, dissolved, every half hour a teaspoonful, until a decided impression is produced. Carbo veg. and Lachesis have both proved curative in the third stage of yellow fever, and should always receive due attention in grave cases, as also Argentum nitricum. Application of Water.—See " Typhus." Diet and Regimen.—Same as under "Fevers." Bilious Remittent Fever—Bilious or Castric Fever. (Febris remittens, Enteropyra.) Diagnosis.—A more or less severe chill is followed by fe- verish heat, with dry skin, and rapid but soft pulse ; the lat- ter is frequently intermittent, mostly irregular. The patient has a feeling of oppression and swelling at the pit of the stomach ; pressure on the stomach causes not much pain, but rather a disagreeable sensation by the gases in the stom- ach, which are belched up, smelling disagreeably, sometimes with vomiting of a tough, variously-colored mucus, with a bitter, putrid, or slimy taste. The patient has a foul tongue, with a yellowish or brownish coat; he complains of head- ache, particularly a pressing sensation over the eyes, of diz- ziness and unusual lassitude. In the beginning of the disease, the bowels are constipated ; in its progress, offensive discharges appear, of badly-digested food with mucus. The urine, generally, is turbid, resembling a mixture of butter with water (urina jumentosa). 160 FEVERS. There appear, sometimes, two varieties of this fever. First variety, respecting the stomach, which sometimes is in- flamed in several spots, exhibiting many symptoms of a real gastritis ; such as vomiting after the least eating or drinking, continual eructation of gas and hiccough, beside great tender- ness on pressing the region of the stomach. Second variety, respecting the febrile excitement, which some- times assumes the febrile type, particularly in persons of a plethoric constitution. In such cases the pulse becomes hard and full, with rush of blood to the head, the skin dry and hot, the tongue has a thin, whitish coat, the urine, at first dark brown, becomes turbid only on standing. The remis- sion of these symptoms takes place in the morning, therefore, the name remittent fever ; a complication with the intermittent is frequently observed, particularly in marshy regions. Causes.—This fever mostly appears in the summer, when the atmosphere is moist or changeable ; also, during long- continued hot weather. Persons of weak digestion, with irri- table temperament, are predisposed to it; also, those of seden- tary habits, and indulging in debauchery or eating to excess indigestible food. As exciting causes, we mention : over- loading of the stomach, anger, fear, taking cold and expo- sures to inclement climates. Duration and course are very indefinite ; this disease may terminate in a few days or it may last for weeks. Under a judicious homoeopathic treatment, its duration is very much shortened, as, by the specific action of the medicines on the disease, its termination does not depend on the appearance of a favorable crisis, whereby a great deal of time is saved. If, however, a crisis appears, it does not impede the homceopa- thic medication : if it is too excessive or debilitating, the pro- per remedies have to be applied. Such crises appear by vomiting of food or bile, and by diarrheas of bile, mucus and indigestible substances. It is very favorable during the course BILIOUS REMITTENT FEVER. 161 of the disease, if the skin becomes moist, the urine deposits a sediment, or fever blisters appear on the lips and nose. This disease can change into the intermittent fever or ty- phus, if neglected or badly treated. In such cases we refer the reader to the chapters of these diseases. Treatment.—As the premonitory symptoms of a bilious remittent fever indicate, generally, a derangement of the stomach, from errors in the diet, or exposures to the changes of the weather, it is necessary, above all, to counteract these effectually in the beginning. In this stage of the disease, commonly termed biliousness, there is no fever yet, which will soon appear, however, if the patient does not adhere to a strict diet and keep quiet. His diet must be of the light- est kind, gruels, light bread, black tea and cold water; com- plete rest on the bed or couch. In case of the stomach having been overloaded, take coffee without milk or sugar; if caused by the eating of fat meat, etc., take Pulsatilla, China, Carbo vegetabilis; and, if there still remains nausea and gagging, give Antimonium crudum (see "Indigestion"). If anger was the cause, give Chamomile, and, if accompanied by chilliness and headache, in alternation with Bryonia (see "Affections of the Mind"). If climatic influences, exposures to cold or damp weather caused the biliousness, give Bryonia and Rhus particularly if pains in the head, arms, and limbs are present; administer as stated page 119; beside, consult the article on indigestion. The principal remedies for the bilious remittent fever, are Aconite, Pulsatilla, Bryonia, Nux vom., Ipecac, Tartar emet., Antimon. Cedron, Cham. Clielidon. Coloc, China, Phospho- ric acid, Arsenic, Veratrum. If the symptoms of the first variety predominate, consult the article on gastritis, if those of the second, see "Congestion of the Head," and "Inflamma- tory Fever." Symptomatic Detail.—Aconite. High fever; rapid pulse , yellow coating on the tongue; bitter taste and eructations ; 14 162 fevers. bitter, greenish or slimy vomiting ; painful sensitiveness of the stomach ; headache, worse when talking. Pulsatilla. Foul tongue, with a whitish coat; foul, bitter taste, especially of bread ; sour, or offensive belching ; aver- sion to food, particularly warm; desire for acids ; throwing up of food or mucus; flatulence ; chilliness, with languor ; ill- humor ; inclined to a diarrhea. Antimonium crudum. Dull headache, worse when going up stairs, loss of appetite, loathing, tongue coated or covered with blisters, thirst at night, nausea ; eructations, painfulness of the stomach to the touch; flatulency. (Bryonia is suit- able after it.) Bryonia. Especially during summer in hot and damp weather, dry tongue, coated white or yellow, thirst, bitter taste, desire for acids, wine ; bilious vomiting after drinking, dullness of the head with vertigo, worse after drinking,- chil- liness. (In alternation with Rhus.) Chamomile. Bitter taste in the mouth, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting of green, bitter, or sour liquid ; tensions and pressure in the stomach, anguish and restlessness. Cedron. Chilliness toward evening with following fever, ex- treme weakness and vomiting of green bile; almost specific in hot and marshy regions. Nux vomica. Bitter or foul taste in the mouth, painful pressure and tension in the pit of the stomach ; constipation, with frequent but ineffectual urging to stool ; rheumatic pains in the head and body, inability to think. (After it Chamo- mile suits frequently.) Ipecacuanha. Loathing of food, with desire to vomit; vio- lent, but ineffectual efforts to vomit; or easy vomiting, but with great force; violent pains in the stomach ; aching in the forehead, or sensation as if all the bones of the skull were broken. Arsenicum. Colic or burning pains in the stomach and ab- domen ; great sensitiveness at the pit of the stomach to touch; BILIOUS REMITTENT FEVER. 163 burning pressure at a small spot in the stomach ; great de- bility, wants to lie down; vomiting after drinking or motion ; drinks often, but little at a time. Mercury. Moist, white or yellowish coated tongue, pain- ful sensitiveness of the pit of the stomach and abdomen, worse at night, with restlessness ; drowsy in the day-time, sleepless at night. (Suits well in alternation with Chelidon.) China. No appetite, loathing of food and drink ; chilliness and shuddering after drinking ; flatulence ; aiarrnea or undi- gested food ; very weak from debilitating losses; in alterna- tion with Phosphoric acid, as directed in Typhus fever. Colocynth. Vomitinp; or diarrhea after eating ever so lit- tle ; spasmodic colic ; cramp in the calves. Tartar emetic. Constant nausea, with desire to vomit; gagging ; slimy vomiting and diarrhea. (Suits well in alter- nation with Bryonia.) Veratrum. Dry tongue, coated yellowish, bilious vomiting and diarrhea, debility, fainting after a stool; cutting pains in the abdomen. Carbo vcgetabilis. Acidity in the stomach with pains, when pressing on the pit; heaviness or dullness of the head with debility ; offensive diarrhea with great prostration. Sulphur. If the fever had its cause in abdominal ple- thora, which is frequently accompanied by hemorrhoidal affections. Administration.—Give of a selected remedy every three or four hours a dose (four globules) until four or six doses are taken ; then discontinue for twelve or fourteen hours, to await the result. It is very proper to give the medicine dissolved in water. If that can be done, dissolve twelve globules in half a teacupful of water, and give, every two or three hours, a teaspoonful; for four or six times. Application of Water—see "Fevers ;" beside, if consti- pation shall be removed, the effect of the proper homoeopathic 164 FEVERS. remedy can be supported by cold injections and drinking of cold water. Diet and Regimen.—As in fevers generally, lemonade is very grateful to patients of this kind, must however be avoided, where there is severe diarrhea. Intermittent Fever. Fever and Ague. Chills and Fever. (Febris intermittens.) The difference between remittent and intermittent fevers is very marked, and ought to be well understood. Remittent is a fever in which the symptoms continue during the whole time of the patient's sickness, only varying, from time to time, in severity; but never leaving the patient en- tirely at any time. Intermittent, however, is a fever, in which the symptoms, at certain times, cease, and the patient feels as if entirely free from them, or well. To this latter class belong the chills and fever, or fever and ague, which is caused either by a certain miasma, generated in marshy countries, or follows other diseases, acute as well as chronic ; for instance, inflammation of the liver, indigestion, internal obstructions, etc. Diagnosis. — The cold stage is preceded by languor, yawning, drowsy headache, numbness of toes and fingers, and blue nails. Then coldness of the extremities is felt, grad- ually increasing, until the patient sometimes begins to shake and tremble, his teeth to chatter, and delirium ensues. During this time, the pulse is weak and oppressed ; his thirst variable; the cold stage lasts from twenty minutes to three or four hours, and varies much in severity. The hot stage shows all the symptoms characteristic of an inflammatory attack: hot, dry skin ; thirst; full, quick pulse; congestion of the head, and sometimes, even delirium. Its intensity and duration are variable, the latter being fiom two to six or eight hours. INTERMITTENT FEVER, ETC. 165 The sweating stage indicates an abatement of the fever, although, frequently, there are fever and perspiration at the same time. Treatment.—Certain and general rules for the treatment of this disease cannot be given; it depends too much upon the individual, and exciting causes, to make up its general char- acter. But we will try to be as practicable on the subject as possible. Two or three attacks must have passed before we can know, for a certainty, that we have to do with an intermittent. These attacks will have been treated already, according to their appearance, either as bilious rheumatic, or gastric fevers, whereby we may have used remedies beneficial in fever and ague also. But if this shows itself clearly as such, adopt the following treatment: First, Ipecac, four doses (six glob, each), given in regular intervals between two attacks of fever, during which no medicine should be given; but, after it is over, give one dose of Nux vomica (six glob.). If, then, the next attack is lighter, do not give any more medicine, as the disease will disappear, the attacks gradually growing lighter and lighter. But if this general treatment does not succeed, select the specific remedy among the following, taking great care to find the one most similar to the symptoms of the disease. For its application, I will here give general directions suitable for (.'very case. Administration.—Having found the remedy, give three doses of it (six glob, each), commencing twelve hours before the next attack is expected, once in four hours a dose. During the attack, if the chilliness and fever are very severe, give, invariably, Aconite, in solution (eight glob- ules in half a teacupful of water), every half hour or hour a teaspoonful, until the attack is over. If the next attack is lighter, give no more medicine ; if not lighter, select for the next attack another more suitable remedy. In this way pro- 106 FEVERS. ceed for ten or fourteen days, trying to find the right homoeo- pathic remedy, before adopting the method spoken of at the end of this article, which subdues the fever without, perhaps, eradicating it as safely as the homceopathic remedy would, if found. Cedron—always the first remedy to be used; dissolve in water as directed above and give during a chill, fever and sweat, every hour a teaspoonful—in marsh-fevers and those mistreated with Quinine, it is specific. Arsenic. For great debility, disposition to vomit, or violent pains in the stomach ; great anguish in the precordial region; lameness of the extremities, or violent pains; imperfect develop- ment of chilliness and heat, or both ; alternately sensations of internal chilliness with external heat; drinking very often but little at a time. The pains in the limbs or all over the body are almost insupportable, with anxiety and restlessness, op- pression in the chest, nausea, bitter taste in the mouth. (Compare China, Ipecac, Veratrum.) China. When, before the fever, there is nausea or thirst, voracious appetite, headache, palpitation of the heart, thirst between the cold and hot stages, or after the hot stage, or during the perspiration; cold and heat alternately; no thirst during the heat; great debility; uneasy sleep; yellow com- plexion. (Compare with Arsenic and Lachesis.) This re- medy particularly is suitable for those intermittents, originat- ing; from marsh miasms. Natrum mur. Violent headache during the chilliness and heat, with obscuration of sight, amounting almost to partial loss of consciousness; pains in the bones, yellowish com- plexion ; fever-blisters on the lips and ulcerated corners of the mouth ; thirst during the chills, more during the heat; sensi- tiveness at the pit of the stomach; bitter taste ; no appetite, or slight chilliness with yawning, and stretching, without thirst, followed by high fever with thirst, then perspiration with drowsiness and sleepiness ; particularly in cases where intermittent fever, etc. 16/ Quinine had been i;iven, to suppress the fever. (Compare with Ignatia, Arsenic.) \ Ignatia. Thirst only during the chill; gastric symptoms, I pain in the bowels during the chill, and eruptions on the lips, as in Nat rum mur.; external heat moderates the chill; externa] heat with partial internal shuddering. (Compare with Carbo veg., and Nalr. mur.). Carbo veg. Thirst only during the chill; rheumatic pains in teeth or limbs, before or during the attack ; nausea; giddiness during the heat; chill comes on in the evening or at night; particularly appropriate in damp or wet weather. Sabadilla. When the attacks return almost at the same i hour, with chills of short duration; then thirst followed by | heat, or where the paroxysm consists entirely of chills. Ipecac. Much shivering with but little heat, or the contra- ry ; increase of the shivering by external warmth (the opposite of Ignat.); oppression at the pit of the stomach ; no thirst, or but little, during the chill; violent thirst during the heat; nausea and other gastric symptoms ; clean or slightly coated tongue ; nausea and vomiting; oppression of the chest before or during the paroxysm. (Compare Nux vomica.) Nux vomica. External heat, with internal chilliness, or vice versa; desire to lie down, and to be constantly covered, even during the heat; rheumatic pains in the sides, abdomen, and limbs ; during the heat, headache, buzzing in the ears, heat in head and face, with redness of the cheeks, thirst, and con- stipation. (Compare Ipecac.) Pulsatilla. Gastric symptoms; chills, heat, and at the same time in the afternoon and evening (compare Sabadilla) ; no thirst during the whole paroxysm, or only during the hot stage ; at intervals the patient feels very chilly. It is very suitable when a disordered stomach has caused a relapse, or i after Lachesis. Beside, compare Antimon. crud., Bryonia, 1 Chamomile. Lachesis. Chills after a meal or in the afternoon, with 1________----------------------------------------------------- ■ 168 fevers. pains in the limbs and back; oppression of the chest; violent headache during the hot stage, with delirium, burning thirst, restlessness, internal shuddering; debility; livid complexion during the intervals and when the fever returns easily after eating sour things ; in which case it alternates advantage- ously with Pulsatilla. Veratrum. External chill and cold sweat, particularly on the forehead, with internal heat and dark-red urine ; delirium and red face, or chills with thirst and nausea; or, vomiting and diarrhea during the heat or in the beginning of the cold stage, with pains in the back and loins. Sambucus, when the perspiration is very profuse, even during the intermission. Antimonium crud. When the tongue is very much coated with nausea, and vomiting, little or no thirst, constipation, or diarrhea. (Compare Pulsatilla.) Bryonia. For bilious symptoms, with much thirst, rheu- matic stitches in the side during the heat. Rhus. The paroxysms for this remedy consist of heat, preceded and followed by chills. If bilious rheumatic symp- toms are present, alternate with Bryonia. Capsicum. Chilliness with thirst, followed by heat without thirst, or thirst only during the hot stage ; the chills are vio- lent and last long; the heat is intensely burning ; throat and mouth filled with mucus; cannot bear noise; diarrhea of acrid, slimy matter. Sulphur. Intermittents, following suppressed cutaneous eruptions, or after the abuse of quinine. Calcarea. Chills and heat alternate, sometimes external coldness, and internal heat, head and face hot, extremities cold, pains in the small of the back, diarrhea. Opium. Intermittents of old persons and children, where drowsiness with loud snoring prevails, oppressed breathing with the mouth open; face looks bloated and dark-red; twitchings of the muscles of the extremities. INTERMITTENT FEVER, ETC. 16!) We will now give some general indications and the names of the medicines only. The symptoms may be examined in the Materia Medica, at the end of the book, and then the choice made accordingly. F'or marsh-intermittent fevers: at first Cedron; then China., I Arsenic, Ipecac, Carbo vegctabilis. For fevers prevailing in damp and cold seasons: Carbo veg., Rhus, Sulphur, China, Pulsatilla, Lachesis, Veratrum. , | For mismanaged fevers, by large doses of Quinine: Cedron. Pulsat., Arsenic, Natrum mur., Lachesis, Sulphur. For daily fevers: at first Cedron; Arsenic, Bryon., Carbo ; veg., China, Ignatia, Ipecac, Lachesis, Natrum mur., Nux ! vomica, Pulsatilla, Rhus, Veratrum. For tertian, or every-other-day fevers: Arsenic, Carbo veg., China, Ipecac, Nux vomica, Pulsatilla, Rhus. For quartan, or every-fourth-day fever: Arsenic, Pulsatilla, Veratrum. When the fever returns yearly, give at first Cedron; after- ward Lachesis, Carbo. veg., or Arsenic. Having tried to cure the intermittent fever with these reme- dies for a fortnight, without success, and being unable to pro- cure a homceopathic physician, give the patient the following I remedy: ! i Take four or six grains of Quinine, mix with eighteen or twenty grains of loaf sugar, and triturate thoroughly, in a clean mortar, for half an hour ; make six powders of it, and j give, twelve or eighteen hours previous to the next attack, one powder; and, afterward, every two hours one, until all are given. Give, then, a similarly prepared powder one hour before the next chill is expected to come on, for at least a week, and, afterward, continue to give such a powder every seventh day, in the evening, for thirteen weeks after the last chill. If the fever returns (which it seldom does), use Pul- satilla, Arsenic, and Natrum mur. 15 170 tfHVERS. N. B. If the disease is complicated with biliousness, see this article in Index. Application of Water in the cure of this disease is fre- quently of the greatest advantage, and ought to be preferred by homceopathists to any other expedient, on account of its efficacy and harmlessness. The wet sheet during the period of heat, the sitting-bath before going to bed every evening, except when in a fever-paroxysm, or during perspiration, and the wet bandage around the abdomen, are the principal modes of application. The proper homoeopathic remedy must be given at the same time. It is frequently necessary to re- sort to the douche, particularly in obstinate cases, or where the reactive force of the system has to be aroused. In numerous cases of the most inveterate kind, I have had recourse to the wet sheet, and I must acknowledge, that in most all of them, but one, application was sufficient to cure the fever and prevent its return. It can only be useful, however, in such cases, where the reactive force is still abundant and then the effect is startling. I begin to pack the patients just when the chilly period commences, the duration of which is thereby very much shortened, fever-reaction quickly follows, and the patients are well contented to remain in the pack until the fever and sweat is over. Diet and Regimen, as generally in fevers. (See "Com- mon Fever," page 143). CHAPTER V. AFFECTIONS OF THE MIND. Sudden emotions are often followed by fatal consequences either immediately or soon after, and it is not well to neglect them, particularly in children and delicate women. We will give, in the following tabular view, the most fre- quent emotions, with the principal remedies, whose symptoms are detailed below, and which must be compared with the patient's symptoms before a choice is made. For the consequences of fright and fear: Opium, Aconite, Belladonna, Ignatia, Pulsatilla, Mercury. Excessive joy : Coffea, Opium, Pulsatilla, Aconite. Grief: Ignatia, Phosphor, ac, Staphysag., Colocynth. Home sickness: Phos. ac, Mercury, Capsicum, Staph. Unhappy love: Hyoscyamus, Ignatia, Phosphor ac. Jealousy : Hyoscyamus, Lachesis, Nux vomica. Mortification and insult: Belladonna, Ignatia, Platina, Colo- cvnth, Staphysag., Pulsatilla. Contradiction and chagrin: C/iamomile, Bryonia, Ig?iatia, Colocynth, Aconite, Nux vomica, Platina, Staphysag. If accompanied with indignation: Colocynth, Staphysag. Violent anger: Aconite, Nux vomica, Chamomile, and Bry- onia, Phosphorus. Symptomatic Detail.—Aconite. Headache, with conges- tion to the head; constant fear, especially in children; or when Opium has not been given at once for fright. Belladonna. Loss of consciousness, or constant anxiety, (171) 172 AFFECTIONS OF THE MIND. with weeping, fear, crying with malice, particularly in children, also, when Opium and Aconite have been insufficient for fright. Capsicum. For sleeplessness from home-sickness, with heat and redness of the cheeks. Chamomile. For the following consequences of anger: bitter taste in the mouth, nausea, vomiting of bilious matter, cutting colic, pressure in the stomach, headache, fever, thirst, restlessness, asthma, suffocating fits; in children, convulsions or gastric derangement, after eating or drinking, shortly after an angry fit. Bryonia. Chilliness and shuddering over the whole body; vehement anger; loss of appetite ; nausea ; vomiting of bile. Coffea. Nervousness from great joy, with trembling and faintness, especially in females and children. Colocynth. From chagrin or mortification — colic, cramps in the stomach, nausea, bitter vomiting, sleeplessness. Hyoscyamus. From fear — stupefaction, and apathy, ina- bility to swallow, convulsions, sudden starts or involuntary laughing during sleep, desire to escape ; and, also, From unhappy love—jealousy, restlessness, running about. Ignatia. From fright, mortification, chagrin, grief, espe- cially after losing a friend — irresistible grief, headache, ver- tigo, vomiting, gastric symptoms or even convulsions, espe- cially in children, from fright or from unhappy love. Mercury. From fright, mortification, or home-sickness — as great anguish, trembling, and restlessness; sudden starting from sleep ; congestion of blood on the least motion ; sleep- lessness ; cannot bear the warmth of the bed ; nervousness ; quarrelsome mood ; complains of everybody, even one's own family; constant shivering ; night sweats. Nux vomica. From anger—particularly after having eaten or drank something, or after Chamomile or Bryonia has been piven without effect. Opium. From joy or fear, to be given immediately—loss AFFECTIONS OF THE MIND. 173 of consciousness; perspiration about the head, with coldness of the rest of the body ; congestion to the head ; involuntary diarrhea ; snoring-like breathing ; faintingfits ; spasms ; epi- leptic fits, with spasmodical rigidity of the whole body. Phosphoric acid. From deep grief, unhappy love, home- sickness, or in any case where Ignatia is not sufficient, parti- cularly when the patient is dull and listless; when the hair falls out, or turns gray; hectic fever, with profuse sweats; sleepy in the morning. Platina. From anger and mortification — as indifference, sadness, and laughter; pride, with contempt for others; great anguish and dread of death. Pulsatilla. From fear — diarrhea, with heat in the abdo- men. From anger — in persons of a bland disposition, or when Chamomile is not sufficient. Staphysagria. From anger or indignation and ill-humor— the patient pushes violently away whatever is near him; rest- lessness ; fear ; also, From deep grief, as sadness, with a disposition to take everything wrong — dread of the future ; sleepy in day-time and sleepless at night; falling off of the hair; feeble and faint voice ; hypochondriac mood. Administration.—The selected remedy should be prepared and given as follows ; Dissolve twelve globules of it in half a teacupful of water, and give, every half hour a teaspoonful, until three or four are given, or until better; if not better after three or four doses are taken, select another remedy, and give it in the same manner. As soon as the patient feels better, give the medicine at longer intervals. Application of Water.—That in the various affections of the mind, when depending on material changes of the system, the water can be made a useful auxiliary, is evident; yet its application is only necessary, where the disease has been of long standing. In such cases it is possible to arouse by it 174 affections of the mind. the sleeping reaction of the system and prepare the way properly for the readier action of homoeopathic medicines. Frequent bathing and washing are the principal modes of ap- plication. Hypochondria. Hysteria. These two diseases are not essentially, but sexually, diffe- rent. Hypochondria is the name for it in a male person, Hysteria, in a female. Persons inclined to this disease have great disposition to spasms and nervous attacks ; their idio- syncrasies and sympathies are very much developed, from which result a great variety of singular fancies and imaginary sufferings, changing frequently in expression and character; sadness and excessive joy, deep distress and buoyant hilarity follow each other in rapid succession. Their real disorders can be traced generally to obstructions in the abdomen and abnormal states of the sexual organs. Debilitating influences of any kind may produce them, particularly where constitu- tional predisposition is present; also, suppression of habitual secretions, as piles, fluor albus, etc. The female system is more liable to them, if an ungoverned and unsatisfied imagi- nation is fed daily by reading novels, plays and trashy romances. This disease is by itself not fatal; but becomes very troublesome to the patient as well as others. Treatment.—Part of the treatment must consist in encour- aging the patient during the fits of distress and pain even if only imaginary; to the patient these sufferings are real, and it cannot be of benefit to him, to express doubts of their reality in his presence. A kind, patient, sympathizing atten- tion, with occasional congratulations on his progressive recov- ery, etc., is more beneficial, and contributes much to gain his confidence. During the hysteric fit or spasm, it is only necessary to admit fresh air, and sprinkle cold water in the face of the patient; let him smell from time to time on camphor, or HYPOCHONDRIA--HYSTERIA. 175 hartshorn. Between the attacks, the patient's diet ought to be regulated according to the strictest homoeopathic rules, allowing plenty of exercise in the open air, if it can be taken; diverting the mind from his own state of health; using hydro- pathic means, and giving those homceopathic remedies which suit his case. The difference between a congestive and a nervous hypo- chondria and hysteria is very important, as it greatly facili- tates the selection of the right remedy. The congestive form is signalized mostly by red, swollen face, wild looks, full pulse, feverishness, and requires princi- pally : Aconite, Belladonna, Nux vomica, Bryonia, Opium, Calcarea, Natrum mur., Sulphur. The nervous form exhibits a pale face, with distressed looks, general debility, weak pulse, chilliness, and requires mostly: Aconite, Coffea, China, Igna., Puis., Chamo., Lach., Nux moschata, Phos., Platina, Vera. Symptomatic Detail and Administration of these reme- dies, see "Affections of the Mind." If the disease is based decidedly on obstructions in the abdomen, consult the following remedies particularly: Nux vomica. Ill-humor; aversion to life; disposUion to vehemence; disinclination to mental labor; unrefreshing sleep; feels worse in the morning; dullness of the head, with aching pains, or sensations as if a pin were sticking in the brain ; aversion to the open air ; constant desire to lie down; great exhaustion after walking; painful distension in the hypochon- dria and stomach ; constipation of the bowels ; disposition to, or presence of, the piles (hemorrhoids). Sulphur follows well after Nux vomica. Sulphur. Lowness of spirits; solicitude about one's affairs, health, salvation; fixed ideas; anxious impatience ; restless- ness ; vehement disposition ; bodUy and mental indolence; ab- sence of mind ; cannot think; exhaustion after mental labor; fullness and pressure in the stomach; constipation; feels very unhappy. Calcarea carb. follows well after Sulphur. 17;; AFFECTIONS OF THE MIND. Calcarea carb. Lowness of spirits, with disposition to weep ; , anxiety, with congestion or palpitation of the heart; despair about one's health ; apprehension of illness, misfortune, infec- [ tious diseases, insanity, etc.; dread of death; cannot think, or perform any mental labor. (Natrum m. follows well after | Calcarea carb.) Natrum mur. Lowness of spirits ; weeping and lamenting j about the future; desire to be alone; aversion to life; ill— j humor; disposition to vehemence; cannot perform mental labor; headache, with want of appetite; indigestion after eating. Administration.—Give of the selected remedy every third evening a dose (six glob.), until four or six doses are taken ; then discontinue for the same length of time ; giving after- J ward the next best remedy in the same manner; and so on, until better. Application of Water. — Beside the modes of applying the water indicated on page 173, this disease requires sitting- baths, foot-baths, wet bandage around the abdomen, cold | injections and the wet sheet; sometimes the douche is in- dicated when the symptoms of this disease resemble that of the following; in melancholia the douche is the principal application. Melancholia. Mania. A disturbance of the normal actions of the mind similar to the former, but more deeply seated, with general derange- ment of the system always requiring skillful medical aid. If the patient is timid, unsociable, sad, listless, weak, we call it melancholia; if he is in the opposite state, and dwelling on a fixed idea, we call it mania and frenzy. The treatment of these disorders is so difficult and complicated, that it would be impossible to introduce it here with advantage. We only draw the attention of the reader to a few remedies, which may be given to commence a cure or satisfy immediate neces- sities, until competent help can be procured. MELANCHOLIA — MANIA. J77 For deep melancholy: Arsenicum, Aurum, Lachesis, Nux vom., Sulphur. £ For silent melancholy : Ignatia, Cocculus, Lycopodium, Phos- phor, acid, Pulsatilla, Veratrum. For religious melancholy: Aurum, Belladonna, Lachesis, Pulsatilla, Sulphur. For mania, bending upon self destruction; to hang one's self, Arsenicum; to drown one's self: Belladonna, Hyoscy- amus, PulsatUla, Secale; to shoot one's self: Antimon. crud., Carbo veg. For restlessness, wandering about: Belladonna, Hyoscyamus, Stramonium. For mania, as if possessed by bad spirits : Hyoscy.; as if seeing ghosts : Belladonna, Stramonium. For frenzy, rage, cursing, etc.: Bellad., Hyoscyamus, Vera- trum, Stramonium. Symptomatic Detail and Administration of these remediea same as under "Affections of the Mind." CHAPTER VI. AFFECTIONS OF THE HEAD. I. Congestion, or Determination of Blood to the Head. ( Congestio ad caput.) Some persons have a predisposition to this disease ; others acquire it by wrong habits, such as the use of spiritous liquors, leading a sedentary life, or by intense mental appli- cation. It becomes dangerous by long continuance, in which case the patient ought to put himself under the charge of a homceopathic physician. For the single attacks, we will indicate the remedies below. Diagnosis.—In such an attack, the beating of the arteries of the head is felt by the patient, the veins of the neck are swelled, the head feels full and heavy, and giddiness ensues, particularly when stooping, exercising, or walking in the sun, and when turning round suddenly. The head aches mostly above the eyes ; increased by stooping, coughing; sleep is unrefreshing; drowsy. Treatment.—In general, the patient ought to abstain from heating or ardent drinks, such as coffee, liquors and tea; drink cold water freely, and wash or bathe in it. Every evening take a cold foot-bath up to the ankles, rubbing the feet briskly after it. Never allow bleeding, as it would only increase the disposition afterward, without taking away the present attack sooner than the following remedies will do, if properly applied. (178) congestion of blood to the HEAD. 179 The principal circumstances, under which congestion to the head takes place, and their remedies, are : From great joy : Coffea, Opium. From fright or fear : Opium. From anger, violent: ChamomUe, Bryonia, Nux vom. From anger suppressed: Ignatia. Prom a, fall or blow, causing concussions : Arnica. From loss of blood or fluids : China. From a cold: Dulcamara, Bryonia, Rhus tox. From constipation : Aloes, Opium, Nux vom., Bryonia. From drinking liquors : Nux vom., Opium. From sedentary habits : Aloes, Nux vom., Aconite. At the critical period of girls, or From the stoppage of menstruation : PulsatUla, Aconite, Belladonna, Bryonia, Veratrum. From dentUion in children: Aconite, Coffea, Belladonna, Chamomile. Before giving one of the above remedies, examine the symptoms as detailed below. Aconite is the first remedy to be given, if the head aches violently above the eyes, as if it would burst, particularly when stooping or coughing, or when it is caused by fright or anger, especially in children. (See "Affections of the Mind.") Aloes. Periodical headache, alternating with pains in the small of the back; stitches in the left temple, worse when treading. Congestion of blood to the head from suppressed hemorrhoids and gout. Belladonna. After Aconite, if necessary, or in alternation with it, if the congestive symptoms are more on one side of the head, and particularly the right; or if there is violent pressure in the forehead, increased by motion, stoopino-, noise, or the glare of light; darkness before the eyes; buzzing in the ears. N. B. Belladonna and Aconite for young girls at the critical age. (See Pulsatilla.) 180 AFFECTIONS OF THE HEAD. Opium. First remedy, if occasioned by fright (see " Af- fections of the Mind," under Opium), or in those serious cases of sudden congestion which occur in summer from a draught of cold water when heated, with the following symp- toms : vertigo; buzzing in the ears; stupor, with sweat pouring off the head ; pulse full and heavy, or quick and weak. Also, in those cases which arise from extreme constipation, when the patient has no desire for stool (Nux vom. in consti- pation, with ineffectual effort to evacuate the bowels), with red and bloated face ; dry mouth ; wandering look ; if, with acid regurgitations, nausea and vomiting, alternate with Nux vom.; the same, also, when from debauch. Coffea. In cases of congestion caused by excessive joy, or in children when teething; sleeplessness, and agitation; sometimes in alternation with Belladonna or Opium. Chamomile. Congestion caused by angry passion, particu- larly in children when teething ; followed by Bryonia or Nux vom., if necessary. Ignatia. Congestion from suppressed anger or grief. Arnica. By a fall on the head or other parts ; congestions of the head take place either by actual concussion, or by fright and fear occasioned by a fall. In both cases, Arnica, exter- nally applied (twelve drops of the tincture in half a teacup- ful of water), in wet bandages ; and internally, in alternation with Aconite. Also, in cases where there is heat in the head, with chilli- ness of the other parts ; dull pressure in the brain, buzzing in the ears, and vertigo ; obstruction of sight, especially when rising from lying down. Nux vom. Congestion from sedentary habits; intense tudy, or drinking spiritous liquors ; also from violent anger (see Chamomile and Bryonia), when there is nervousness, with painful feeling in the head when walking or moving, pressure in the temples ; dim eyes, with desire to close them CONGESTION OF BLOOD TO THE HEAD. 181 without being able to sleep; the symptoms worse in the morning, in the open air, or after a meal; bowels constipated, with ineffectual desire to evacuate. N. B. In cases where Nux vom. does not give perfect relief, in persons fond of liquors, Opium, Calcarea carb., and Sul- phur, at intervals of four or six days, one dose (six glob.), are necessary. (See " Delirium Tremens.") PulsatUla. Congestion at the critical period of young girls, or in phlegmatic temperaments, when there is distressing pressure and pain on one side (particularly the left) of the head; relieved in the open air, or from binding the head; whining mood ; anxiety ; shivering ; pale face, with vertigo. Mercury. Congestion with sensation of fullness, or as if the head were compressed by a band; relieved by the pressure of the two hands around the head ; worse at night; disposi- tion to perspire—is often suitable after Belladonna and Opium. Dulcamara. Congestion from the least cold; wet feet, particularly when there is continual buzzing in the ears, with dullness of hearing. China. Congestion after loss of fluids, or blood-letting, or hemorrhage ; when there is beating in the head, with palpi- tation of the heart, and dimness of sight; heavy breathing when lying with the head low ; followed, in such cases, by Calcarea carb. and Veratrum. Bryonia. Painful pressure in the temples, or sensation as if everything would fall out of the forehead when stooping, nose bleeds without relief; constipation. If in wet weather, alternate with Rhus. Administer every two or three hours a dose (four glob.), until three doses of each are given, or until better. Rhus tox. Congestion with burning, throbbing pains, and fullness in the head; rheumatic pains in the limbs; worse after eating. (See Bryonia.) Administration of the above remedies, the same as in ' Affections of the Mind." 182 AFFECTIONS OF THE HEAD. Application of Water.—This ought to form an impor- tant part in the treatment of this disease, at least, when caused by sedentary habits, intense study, or drinking spirit- ous liquors. Beside the proper homceopathic remedies, the patient ought to take, an hour before dinner every day, a cold sitting-bath, drink during the day from eight to twelve tum- blers of cold water, and exercise a great deal in the open air ; in the evening before going to bed it is well for him to take a cold foot-bath of ten minutes' duration, during which time the feet must be rubbed and after the bath dried off. Diet and Regimen.—The diet ought to be light, farina- ceous ; no meat or broths, except in cases where loss of blood or fluids has preceded the congestion. In the habitual form of congestion, early rising and daily exercise in the open air, bathing or sponging in cold water, are recommended. 2. Vertigo. Giddiness or Dizziness. It arises either from disordered stomach, irritation of the brain and congestion to the head, or from suppressed erup- tions, or ulcers; also from riding in a carriage. In most cases it accompanies severe disorders of the brain and stomach, when it ought to be treated by an experienced homoeopathic physician. Until such help can be had, the following remedies may be resorted* to: Treatment.—Vertigo from disordered stomach : Nux vom., Arnica, Cham., Pulsat., Antimon. crud., China, Rhus, Coccu. Irritation of the brain, from excess of thinking, etc.: Nux vomica, Arnica, Bellad., Chamomile,-Hepar, Pulsatilla, Rhus. Suppressed ulcers and eruptions: Calcarea carb., Sulphur. Riding in a carriage : Hepar sulph., Silicea, Cocculus, Pe- troleum. Congestion of blood to the brain : Aconite, Aloes, Bryonia, Arnica, Belladonna, China, Lachesis, Mercury, Nux vomica, Opium, Pulsatilla, Sulphur. VERTIGO — giddiness. 183 Before giving one of the above remedies, read its detailed Bymptoms below. Aconite. Vertigo on raising the head after lying down or stooping, attended with nausea, vomiting, dimness of sight, ioss of consciousness. Antimon. crud. Nausea and vomiting; aversion to food; disordered stomach ; is followed well by PulsatUla. Arnica. Vertigo from over-eating, or during meals, with nausea, dimness of sight, red face; is followed well by Nux vom., Chamomile, Rhus, Locheiis. In cases of this kind, frequently very dangerous, seek the advice of a homceopathic physician. Nux vom. Vertigo during or after a meal, or when walk- ing in the open air; stooping or thinking; worse in the morn- ing or evening, in bed, when lying on the back, with sensation as if turning around or falling; fainting ; loss of conscious- ness. Opium. From fright, with trembling ; stupor; dimness of sight; worse when rising from bed, and obliged to lie down again. PulsatUla. Vertigo when looking upward, or when sitting or stooping ; worse in the evening, or after a meal; better in the open air. Rhus. Vertigo when lying down in the evening, with fear of falling or dying. Lachesis. Vertigo on walking in the morning, with ab- sence of mind; intoxicated feeling ; constipation; sensation as if the head were turning to the left side. Mercury. Vertigo on arising in the morning, or in the evening, with nausea ; dimness of sight; or when raising the head, with a desire to lie down again. (See Bryonia.) Bryonia. Same as Mercury, and with feeling of intoxica- lion and congestion when stooping and rising again. Hepar sulph. Vertigo from riding in a carriage. Cocculus. Same as Hepar sulph., if this is not sufficient. 184 AFFECTIONS OF THE HEAD. Petroleum. Same as Cocculus, if that is not sufficient. Silicea. Same as Petroleum, if this is not sufficient, or the vertigo seems to rise from the back to the nape of the neck, and thence to the head; worse in the morning and after emotion. Sulphur. Vertigo in the morning, or at night, when ascend- ing an eminence, or after a meal; after suppressed ulcers and eruptions. China. Vertigo, with fainting when raising the head. (See " Congestion to the Head.") Calcarea carb. Same as Sulphur, and when with trem- bling before breakfast; coldness of the head; congestion to tlie head. Chamomile. Vertigo in the morning or after eating, and drinking coffee, with fainting turns. Administration. — Every two, three, or four hours, one dose (four glob.) until relieved, or another remedy is neces- sary. If in vertigo, caused by congestion to the head, see "Administration" in that article. Application of Water, in this disease, is similar to that recommended in congestion of blood to the head; but the sitting bath for violent vertigo must be lukewarm, while cold-water bandages are applied to the head at the same time. The proper homoeopathic remedies must be adminis- tered. Diet and Regimen the same as in " Congestion to the Head." 3. Weakness of Memory. This diseased state of the brain is principally caused by debilUaiing loss of fluids, such as bleeding, purging, sexual excesses, etc., for which give China, Nux vom., and Sulphur, every week one or two doses (six glob.), in alternation, until better. Sometimes it is caused by excessive mental labor, lor which give Nux vom. and Sulphur, as above. APOPLEXY. 185 If caused by external injuries, a fall or blow, give Arnica (See "Congestion to the Head.") If by congestion to the head, give Accmite, Belladonna, Chi- na, Mercury, Rhus, and Sulphur. (See " Congestion to the Head.") If by excessive use of spiritous liquors, give Nux vomica, Calcarea carb., Lachesis, Opium, Sulphur, in the same manner as above, under "Debilitating Loss," etc. Administration, Diet, and Regimen as in " Congestion to »he Head." 4. Apoplexy. (Apoplexia.) Short, thick-necked persons, of a full and fleshy growth, are predisposed to this disease; it is also hastened on by the too free use of spiritous liquors, by excesses of any kind, and suppression of the habitual perspiration of the feet. An attack of apoplexy is often preceded by heaviness and full- ness of the head; buzzing in the ears; dim eyes; dullness of hearing ; sleepiness ; indistinct speech ; numbness of limbs. If this state exists, particularly in old persons, or those pre- disposed to apoplexy, the greatest care should be taken in the diet, which ought to consist only of simple farinaceous and mucilaginous substances, and cool acidulated drinks; they ought not to exercise very much, particularly in the heat of the day, and should take the following remedies, as it is easier to prevent an attack than to cure it. Opium. If in old people there is unusual stupor ; buzzing in the ears ; obtuseness of hearing; redness of the face ; con- stipation ; pulse slow and full. Give three times a day a dose (four glob.), until better. Nux vomica. In people of a sedentary habit, or addicted to the use of ardent spirits, in alternation with Opium and Lachesis, particularly when, with the above premonitory symptoms, there is headache on the fight side, with vertigo and a nervous bilious temperament. Administration same as under Opium. 16 186 affections of the head. Lachesis. Same as Nux vom.; but particularly when the left side of the head suffers, and lowness of spirUa is connected with it. Administration same as above. Belladonna and Aconite under the same circumstances as stated under " Congestion to the Head." Arnica. When symptoms of congestion to the head appear after a meal. If an apoplectic fit ensues, however, continue the same remedies as indicated above, only give them in solution (twelve globules to half a teacupful of water), every half hour a teaspoonful until better, or another remedy is indicated. In such cases hasten immediately to procure a homoeo- pathic physician. Avoid bleeding under any circumstances ; the chances of killing the patient by such an act are too frequent. Application of Water is of great advantage in this dis- ease ; beside the proper homoeopathic remedies, apply cold water on the parts affected; use the wet sheet, even the douche. Diet and Regimen as in " Congestion to the Head." 5. Inflammation of the Brain. The brain and its two coverings (see Anatomical Part) are subject to inflammation separately, the characteristic symptoms of which show themselves, particularly in the beginning of a brain fever. We will, therefore, give them separately, as it is important and interesting, to be able to distinguish between the different localities of the disease. Diagnosis. First species, called meningUis, if the dura mater, the skin next to the skull, is inflamed. The acute meningitis attacks a person suddenly, exhibiting, immediately, stupor and drowsy symptoms ; the patient cannot be raised easily, or keep his head erect; it inclines to fall on either side; he complains of no pain, except vertigo and diz- ziness ; reels when walking ; pupil contracted; sensitiveness INFLAMMATION OF THE BRAIN. 187 to light, although the eyes are not red as yet; constipation ; scanty, dark-red urine ; fever, with a soft pulse. N. B. Old people are most liable to this species of inflam- I mation of the brain ; also those who have indulged too much i iii the use of spiritous liquors, particularly after taking cold. It frequently precedes an apopletic fit. Second sjyecies. Called arachnoiditis, if the covering next to the brain is inflamed. This species does not commence with stupor, and not without pain, like the first species, but with violent pains over the entire head; increased by par- oxysms of congestion, with violent beating of the arteries of the neck and temples ; sleeplessness; low muttering; pulse ' quick ; if stupor ensues suddenly, the patient dies soon after. Third species. Encephalitis vera, or inflammation of the substance of the brain, in its various parts. It commences with violent congestion and pulsation of the arteries on the neck and head; face red and bloated; eyes j bloodshot and brilliant; intense heat of the head, and violent delirium. The patient tosses about, screams, and evinces great muscu- lar strength and sensitiveness to light; pupil contracted; cannot hear well. The deeper the interior of the brain is affected, the more the senses are stupefied, so that, in some cases, the patient can, finally, neither see nor hear ; dry skin; violent thirst; hard, full pulse ; fever accordingly ; frequent vomitings or retchings. Treatment.—It is easily to be conceived that, in such a j violent disease, no layman would trust his own judgment, except in cases of absolute necessity ; and, on this latter account, we give the following treatment of the above three species of brain fever, which is the same as regards the internal remedies, and differs only in the external applications, as will be seen below. External Applications.—First species—cold water ban- dages. 188 AFFECTIONS OF THE HEAD. Second species—warm water bandages. Third species—cold-water bandages, or pounded ice. Internal Treatment.—First species— Opium, Hyoscyamus, Bryonia. Second species—AconUe, Belladonna, Hyoscyamus. Third species—Aconite, Belladonna, Stramonium, Bryonia, Hyoscyamus. Before giving the medicine selected, read the symptoms presented below. Aconite is generally given first, when there is inflammatory fever, delirium, violent burning pains through the whole brain, particularly in the forehead; red face and eyes; hot and dry skin. Six hours after give Belladonna or continue the use of Aconite in alternation with Belladonna, until better. Belladonna. This remedy is almost a specific in inflamma- tion of the brain, particularly when there is great heat of the head, red and bloated face, violent pulsation of the arteries on the neck and temples ; burying the head in the pUlow ; sensi- tiveness to the slightest noise and light; burning and shooting- pains in the head ; bloodshot and brUliant eyes, with a wild expression ; contracted or dilated pupils ; violent and furious delirium ; raving; loss of consciousness; sometimes low mut- terings, convulsions, vomiting, violent thirst. Administer alone or in alternation with Aconite (see above), or with Stra- monium and Hyoscyamus (see below). Hyoscyamus. Stupor, loss of consciousness, delirium ; sud- den starting; talks about his affairs; inarticulate speech ; singing, muttering, smiling, picking the bed clothes ; skin dry ; red face ; desire to escape; involuntary stool and urine. Stramonium. Red face ; staring look ; frightful visions ; sleep natural, but with twitching, tossing about, and absence of mind when awaking ; desire to escape, and screams. Bryonia. Constant stupor, with delirium ; sudden starting from sleep, screams, cold sweat on the forehead; burning and shooting pains in the head, or stitches through it. INFLAMMATION OF THE BRAIN. 189 Opium. Stupor, with heavy breathing; eyes half open ; confusion and giddiness after waking; complete listlessness and dullness of sense ; also, no desire for anything, or com- plaining of anything. Administration.—Dissolve twelve globules of the selected remedy in half a teacupful of water, and give either alone or in alternation with another remedy, similarly prepared in another teacup, every hour or two hours a teaspoonful, until j better or another remedy is needed. Each remedy must have its separate teaspoon, with which it is given to the patient. I If signs of amendment Appear, discontinue all medicines. Diet and Regimen as in " Common Fever." Inflammation of the brain in children. As the brain of j children is very tender, its diseases must necessarily be more dangerous and frequent, and we give, therefore, in the follow- ing, a more special and somewhat modified treatment for inflammations of the brain in children : If a child's head is very hot, feet cold, skin dry and hot, it j sleeps with eyes half open, has scanty urine, with or without vomiting or diarrhea, let the cause of the disease be what it may, in such a case give at once Bryonia and Hellebor. n., in solution (twelve globules in half a teacupful of water, each remedy in a separate cup), every two hours a teaspoonful, alternately, until better, or until the symptoms require a J change of remedy, generally Sulphur or Mercury. (See l Materia Medica, at end of book.) j If the child gets worse, or exhibits at the beginning the | following symptoms, beside those above-mentioned : motion- less eyes, with insensible pupil ; loss of consciousness ; moan- ing ; icy coldness, with bluish color of the skin ; pulse nearly imperceptible ; respiration interrupted ; give Belladonna and ! I Zincum in alternation ; to be prepared and given in the same manner as Bryonia and Hellebor. n., above. j The above suggestion is important, as cases of inflammation of the brain occur so often in children, when, as is said, l!.»U x AFFECTIONS OF THE HEAD. the disease goes to the head. For instance in teething; in common cold, with fever; in scarlet fever (see this ar- ticle) ; or in other eruptions, when suppressed ; also, worm fevers. If such a state should continue in a child for some time, dropsy of the brain (see "Hydrocephalus") would speedily ensue ; the above treatment will surely prevent this, if ap- plied in time. N. B. If, at any time during the treatment of inflammation of the brain, the patient is very restless and sleepless, we may give, with great advantage and without injury to the effect of the other medicines (which are discontinued during that time), Coffea00- and Belladonna00', alternately, every hour a dose (four glob.), until better. This may be done often in the night. 6. Sunstroke. Is a species of inflammation of the brain ; the principal rem- edy is Glonoine, 2d atten., every five minutes a dose. If not better in half an hour, give Camphor, in alternation with it, at intervals of five or ten minutes, if he is sweating profusely while unconscious, and breathing heavily. Belladonna, after Camphor has been given, in alternation with Lachesis, every half hour, in solution (twelve globules of each in separate teacups half full of water), a teaspoonful at a time. Externally, wash the head and face occasionally with bran- dy, and give, internally, small quantities of brandy until the patient revives. Put neither cold water nor ice upon the head. 7. Headache. This disease, so frequent and troublesome, requires to be treated with particular minuteness; the more so, as its treat- ment falls almost entirely within the legitimate sphere of do- mestic practice, except where headaches are the concomitant HEADACHE. 191 symptoms of severe fevers, as in the typhus, etc., or the fore- runner of dangerous attacks, as in apoplexy, etc., in Avhich cases the respective articles must be consulted. ! Administration of Medicine in Headache. — For this [ purpose we divide all headaches into habUual and accidental. I This requires two modes of administering the medicine : one I for the cure of an attack of headache, be it accidental, or one of the habitual attacks; and the other, for the eradication of the habitual headache, or the predisposition to it. First. Administration of medicine for an attack.—Having ! selected a remedy (from those stated below), dissolve of it six globules in three tablespoonfuls of water, and take, accord- ing to the severity of the headache, from half an hour to two, three, or six hours, a teaspoonful, until three are taken, when its benefits must be apparent. If beneficial, continue j with the same, only at much longer intervals, as long as ne- cessary. If not beneficial, select carefully another remedy, and prepare and take in the same manner. Secondly. Administration of medicine for eradicating the | disposUion to certain kinds of headache; for instance, sick headache.—Having selected a remedy, take of it, every third or sixth evening, a dose (four glob.), until four or six doses are taken ; when the next best remedy has to be taken in the same manner, or until better. Application of Water, in the various forms of headache, must be modified according to its different causes. If con- stipation shall be removed quickly, apply cold injections, if the ! pains are very severe, sitting-baths of short duration must be used, or cold foot-baths ; these means dare not be used during menstruation. Beside, we refer the reader to the chapters, in j which the prescriptions for the causes of headache are given. a. Headache from Congestion of Blood to the Head. Aconite. Violent throbbing; heaviness: fullness in the forehead and temples, with a sensation as if the head would 192 AFFECTIONS OF THE HEAD. burst; burning pain through the whole brain; red, bloated face, and red eyes; sensitiveness to light and noise; worse on moving, talking, drinking, rising up; full and quick pulse. After it, or in alternation with it, Belladonna may be given, if necessary. (See " Congestion of Blood to the Head.") Belladonna, Violent aching pain, as if the head would split, or as if the brain would protrude through the forehead ; heat in the head and coldness of the feet; undulating feeling, as of water in the forehead; violent throbbing of the arteries of the neck and temples ; delirium, either with red, bloated face, bloodshot eyes, great sensUiveness to light, noise, and touch, or vertigo and deeply-seated, violent, pressing pains, with pale face, drowsy unconsciousness (compare, in such a case, arti- cle on "Apoplexy"); worse on moving the eyes, or raising or moving the head. In alternation with Aconite or Rhus, if the symptoms agree. (See Aconite and Rhus.) Bryonia. Distending pressure from within, particularly through the forehead, on stooping or moving, with violent beating or single stitches in the head; desire to lie down; con- stipation of the bowels; bleeding at the nose. Before it, Belladonna frequently suits; after it Rhus. (See these reme- dies.) Rhus. Fullness of the head, with burning and throbbing pain ; oppressive weight in the back part of the head, with a sensation as if a fluid was rolling inside ; a feeling of loose- ness, particularly in wet weather. In alternation with Bellad. or Bryonia. Pulsatilla. Oppressive, dull pains on one side of the head, commencing in front at the root of the nose, and going back, or vice versa; better in the open air, or by compressing the head, or lying down; worse toward evening, or when sitting or looking upward; pale face, agitated mind, inclined to weep. It suits females and persons of a mild character, and lymphatic temperament. Nux vomica. The opposite of the former. Pains ; worse H/iADACHE. 193 in the morning and in the open air; heaviness of the head, especially when moving the eyes or thinking; a sensation as if the skull would split; contusive pain in the brain, worse when stooping or in motion; constipation, with rush of blood to the head ; irritable, rash, or lively temperament, full habit, and for persons of sedentary habits, or who use coffee and ardent spirUs freely. (Compare Bryonia, Belladonna, and Chamo- mile. ) Mercury. Fullness of the head, as if it would fly apart, or ivas lied up with a bandage; better by pressing the head with the hands, but worse at night, in the warmth of the bed, and not relieved by profuse sweating. Opium. Constipation with rush of blood to the head; vio- lent tearing, pressing pains through the whole brain, and heaviness with beating in the head; unsteady look. (See "Congestion to the Head.") b. Headache from Catarrh and Cold in the Head. The principal remedies are Nux vomica, Mercury, Sulphur, Aconite, Chamomile. (See, for other remedies, "Catarrh.") Nux vomica.—Heaviness in the forehead; obstructions or running of the nose; feverish heat of the head, cheeks, and body, alternately with chilliness, constipation. After it Mer- cury often suits. Mercury, is particularly useful in those headaches accom- I panying the epidemic catarrh (influenza), when there are pressing pains in the forehead, over the root of the nose ; fre- quent sneezing and running at the nose, with redness and ex- coriation; also, with painful itching in the nose; fever, with chilliness, pains in the limbs, and thirst. It alternates well with Nux vomica or Sulphur. Sulphur. After Mercury has relieved, but not entirely cured the cold, and when there is still felt fullness, pressure and heaviness in the forehead, stitches, and painful jerking; 17 1*)4 AFFECTIONS OF THE" HEAD. especially on the left side, with heat and rush of blood to the head; constipation. Aconite. Pressing, dull feeling and heat in the forehead; worse at night; better in the open air; fever, intermixed with i chills ; running at the nose and eyes. Chamomile. Intolerable tearing and jerking on one side of the head, down to the jaws, with sore throat, hoarseness, and bitter, foul taste in the mouth. Is frequently suitable after Aconite. c. Headache from Rheumatism. The principal remedies are Chamomile, Colocynth, Ipecac, Pulsatilla, Bryonia, Mercury, China, Nux vomica. Chamomile. Drawing, tearing pains on one side of the head, down to the jaws; very sensitive to touch; hot sweat about the head; one cheek red, with paleness of the other; and if the pain almost drives to despair. Suits well after Coffea: after it Bryonia, Pulsatilla, and China, are suitable. Colocynth. Violent tearing, drawing, cramping, or aching pains, with nausea and vomiting; worse when stooping or .'ying on the back ; pains appear in the afternoon, with rest- lessness. Ipecac. Drawing in the forehead ; worse or excited by touch ; headache, with nausea; sensation through the skull, extending to the tongue, as if the brain were bruised; pains better after vomiting ; relieved by heat. Nux vomica. Tensive drawing pains on one side of the head, with a bruised sensation in the head ; worse when stooping or in the open air, with nausea and sour vomiting; constipation. Pulsatilla. Darting, rending, jerking pains on one side only, particularly in the temples ; pain as if the brain were lacerated. (See " Nervous Headache.") Bryonia. Rending and shooting pain, from the neck up to the sides of the head, with shivering or fever; worse by HEADACHE. 19o motion and at night, or during changeable weather. In alter- nation with Rhus. Mercury. Burning, shooting, throbbing, and rending pains on one side principally, down to the teeth and neck, and in the ears; worse at night, and in the warmth of the bed, with perspiration which does not relieve. China. Aching pains at night, with sleeplessness, jerking, tearing ; boring on top of the head, with a bruised feeling of the brain ; worse in the open air, by touch, motion, draughts of air and wind ; sensitiveness, even of the roots of the hair, to touch. d. Headache from Constipation and Gastric Derangement. 1. Constipation, which causes congestive headache, is gen- erally cured by Bryonia, Nux vom., or Opium, according to its concomitant symptoms (see these three remedies, under "Headache from Congestion to the Head," p. 191), or by Pulsatilla and Mercury. (See their symptoms under the same heading.) But, if the constipation has a chronic character, give Silicea. When there are beating pains in the head, mostly from congestion, from the nape of the neck to the top of the head ; pressing in the head, as if it would split, with sleepless- ness at night, and worse in the morning when awaking, or when reading, writing, or thinking ; constipation, with ineffec- tual urging. Suits, frequently, after Lycopodium, or Lachesis and Lycopodium, in alternation, when there is, cutting as with knives in the top of the head, or hammering on stooping, with congestion to the head ; disposition to faint, and great restlessness ; whining mood ; yellowish complexion. Sepia. Headache on shaking or moving the head, or walk- in <>•, with tendency of blood to the head, heaviness, and con- fusion, with nausea and vomiting; worse in the morning and on looking at bright sunlight. Sulphur If the former remedies do not cure, or when the 196 AFFECTIONS OF THE HEAD headache is more on one side (the left), with heat and con- gestion ; roaring in the head; worse by thinking, in the open air, or walking, or when it appears every morning, or night, or every week. 2. Headache from Gastric Derangement, is generally accom- panied by & furred tongue, loss of appetite, fullness in the fore- head, as if it would split, with beating pain ; worse when stooping. It is frequently connected with bad taste in the mouth, and nausea or vomiting, and sour risings (acid stomach) caused by indigestion. (See these articles.) The principal remedies are, Antimonium. When the pain is worse on going up stairs, and better in the open air. With nausea, loathing, and aver- sion to food, Bryonia, Pulsatilla, Nux vomica. (See "Head- ache from Congestion" and "Indigestion.") e. Headache from External Causes. There are many external circumstances that produce head- ache ; we will state the most frequent of them, with their remedies, whose detailed symptoms must be consulted under the headings mentioned within the brackets, and at the end of the book, in the " Materia Medica." a. Headache from drinking coffee—Nux vomica, Chamomile, Ignatia. b. From over-heating—Aconite, Belladonna, Bryonia. (See " Congestion to the Head.") c. From drinking ardent spirits—Nux vomica, Arsenic, La- chesis. d. From loss of sleep, long watching—Nux vomica, Cocculus, Pulsatilla, Lachesis, Carbo veg. e. From abuse of tobacco—Hepar sulph., Nux vomica, Anti- mon. crud. f. From excess of mental or bodily labor—Nux vomica, Sulphur, Lachesis, Lycopodium, Silicea. g. From grief—Ignatia, Staphy. (See " Mental Diseases.") SICK HEADACHE. 197 h. From anger or chagrin—Chamomile, Nux vomica. (See the same.) *. From bad changeable weather—Bryonia, Rhus, Carbo veg. (See "Headache from Cold.") j. From bathing—Pulsatilla, Antimon. crud., Calcarea carb. k. From suppressed eruptions—Antimon. crud., Sulphur. (See "Skin Diseases.") I. From mechanical injuries, blows, etc.—Arnica, Bellad., AconUe. (See "External Injuries.") N. B. In regard to the administration of the above medi- cines, we refer the reader, in all cases of headache, to what is said about it in the beginning of that article, p. 191. Sick Headache. This form of headache, so well known under the above name, is of a chronic nature, appearing periodically, and de- pending mostly upon gastric, rheumatic disorders in persons of a psoric constitution, and may be eradicated by a system- atic homceopathic treatment. Although this requires the skill of medical attendance, we will try to bring within the reach of every intelligent person sufficient knowledge for the commencement of a treatment, which, if successful, will en- courage him to seek further medical advice. First, we will give the treatment of the attack itself: Ipecac, and Belladonna—in almost all cases which com- mence with nausea, after which a bruised feeling of the whole head manifests itself, followed by vomiting or retching. Administration.—Of this and the following remedies, as directed in the beginning of the article, page 191. If not better within an hour, select one of the following remedies : Hyoscyamus. If with headache there is great sensitiveness to light, worse in the warmth of the bed, on liaing down or in a draught, and from noise, such as shutting the door, etc. (See " Congestion to the Head.") 198 affections of the head. Thuja. A boring pain over the eye ; relieved by pressure; in alternation with Belladonna. Spigelia. If there is great sensitiveness to noise, with the pains worse on the left side, and insupportable beating in the temples, the pain sometimes descending into the face and teeth, worse by stooping or motion and in the open air. The headache appears generally at a regular time in the morning, growing worse with the ascending sun (sun pain). In this case, in alternation with Belladonna. Sanguinaria. If there is great sensitiveness to the walking of others in the room, with fullness of the head, as if it would burst, worse on the right side, with a feeling as if the eyes were pressed outward, chilliness, nausea, inclination to lie down. (Compare Bryonia in " Congestion to the Head.") Aconite. (See this remedy in " Congestion to the Head.") When the patient has a great sensitiveness to all kinds of odors, the pain mostly on the left side. In this case in alternation with Sulphur, or Ignatia. (See "Nervous Headache.") Aloes. If the patient complains of stitches in the left tem- ple ; the headache appears periodically, alternating with pains in the small of the back. (See " Congestion to the Head.") Sepia. If there is a great dislike to be touched, and sensi- tiveness to thunder-storms and the cold air. (Compare with China in " Headache from Rheumatism." If the patient is easily vexed, pain mostly above the right eye and worse by shaking or moving the head. Beside, consult the articles on " Congestion to the Head," " Headache from Rheumatism," and " Neuralgia in the Head." Second, to eradicate the disposition to sick headache, take Sepia, SUicea, and Sulphur, each remedy for six weeks, com- mencing with Sepia. During this time proceed as follows: take the first three weeks, every week, two doses (six glob.) NERVOUS HEADACHE. 199 in the evening, on going to bed ; for the last three weeks, every week one dose (six glob.). If during that time attacks of sick headache occur, treat them as directed above and re- sume the other treatment again after they are over. Nervous Headache. Neuralgia in the Head. (Megrim.) In this kind of headache, to which nervous persons and females are mostly subject, the head is generally cool, the face pale, with a suffering expression ; in females great quan- tities of colorless urine are discharged ; if vomiting sets in, it only relieves for a short time ; the pain is mostly concentrated in one spot, with the characteristic feeling, as if a nail were j driven through the head (clavus hystericus); the patient is generally very nervous, fickle-minded, dejected, hysterical, j or hypochondriacal. Treatment.—Beside the medicines mentioned under "Sick Headache," which are suitable in this kind of headache, also (see this article), there are the following : Coffea. Pain as if a nail was driven into the head, or as if [ the brain were torn or bruised ; pain seems to be intolerable; ; also, noise and music ; the patient is very restless, screams, I weeps, feels chilly and has an aversion to open air and drink- ing coffee, though being, at other times, fond of it. The headache generally arises from cold, close thinking, or vex- ation. Ignatia. Aching pain above the nose, relieved by bending I forward ; sensation as if a nail had been driven into the head '> | with nausea, dimness of sight, and yet dread of light; pale face, copious and watery urine ; pain is momentarily relieved by a change of position; tendency to start; fitful mood ; taci- turn and sad. Pulsatilla. Tearing pains, worse toward evening, with pale face, whining mood, loss of appetite, no thirst, chilliness sometimes with palpitation of the heart; pains are worse 200 AFFECTIONS OF THE HEAD. during rest, when sitting, better in the open air, and when the head is bandaged tight; particularly suitable for mild phlegmatic persons. Aconite. (See " Sick Headache.") When it arises from cold, with catarrh, buzzing in the ears and pains in the ab- domen ; also, when there is a sensation as if a ball was rising up into the head, as if of cool air. Belladonna. (See " Sick Headache.") When there are wavering shocks, and a sensation of fluctuation or undulation, as of water. This pain sometimes commences very gently, but increases rapidly on one side (mostly the right) to piercing pains, which produce agonizing lamentations and temporary delirium, dimness of sight, buzzing in the ears. Thuja. A boring pain over the eye ; suits well after Bella- donna and Apis mellifica. Platina. Suits often after Belladonna, particularly in females, when there is roaring in the head as of water, with coldness in the ears, eyes, and one side of the face; also illu- sions of sight, viz : objects appearing smaller than they really are ; violent cramp-like pains over the root of the nose, with heat and redness of the face, restlessness, and whining mood. Hepar sulph. Suits after Belladonna or Mercury, if there is pain as from a nail in the brain, with violent nightly pains, as if the forehead would be pulled apart, and when painful tumors appear on the head. Mercury. After Belladonna, if the pain shoots down into the teeth, neck, and left ear; worse at night, with perspira- tion, which does not relieve. The pain is better by pressing the head with both hands. ChamomUe. Suits often for children and persons unable to bear the least pain, and when there are acute, shooting pains in the temples, or a rending, drawing pain on one side ex- tending to the jaw, especially when one cheek is red, the other pale, the eyes painful, sore throat, and bitter taste. Colocynth. Violent, excruciating, tearing, drawing pains FALLING OFF OF THE HAIR. 201 on one side, or cramp-like, compressive sensation, aching, with nausea; worse when stooping or lying on the back, with great restlessness; perspiration smells like urine; copious watery urine during the pains, or scanty, offensive discharges of urine between the paroxysms. Arsenic Pains in the head, sometimes very severe, almost maddening, with nausea, buzzing in the ears, weeping and moaning, tenderness of the scalp; cold applications relieve the pain for the time ; suits frequently after Pulsatilla; when better in the open air, worse within doors. Veratrum. Maddening pains on one side with great weak- ness, fainting when rising, cold perspiration, chilliness, diar- rhea, tenderness of the scalp; suits well after or before Arsenic If these two remedies will not relieve, give China. Suitable for persons sensitive to pain, feverish, dis- satisfied dispositions, talkative and restless at night; the pains are aching, preventing sleep, or are piercing, jerking in the forehead, with a bruised feeling in the brain ; worse by touch, reflection, conversation, open air, motion, draughts of air; the scalp very sensitive to the touch. Sepia. (See " Sick Headache.") When the pain in the temples renders them very sensitive to the touch ; quietness and darkness relieve ; also, a good sleep. Sulphur and Silicea. For the chronic treatment, as direct- ed in " Sick Headache," 197. Administration.—The above-mentioned remedies must be given according to directions in " Sick Headache." Application of Water, see page 191. Falling off of the Hair. (Allopecia.) This frequently happens after severe fevers, when Hepar sulph., Silicea, and Lycopodium suit; or after debilitating losses, such as depletion, excesses, profuse sweats, etc., when we may give China and Mercury; or, if it happens to women when nursing, Calcarea carb. and Sulphur. If long-continued 202 affections of the head. grief is the cause of it, give Phosphoric acid and Staphysag. If caused by frequent attacks of nervous headache, give Hepar sulph. and Nitric acid. If caused by having taken too much calomel, give Hepar and Carbo veg. Administration.—As it takes a long time to see the effects of a remedy in this disease, do not change it quickly for another, but take every week one dose (six glob.) of a remedy for four weeks, and then discontinue two weeks before taking another medicine. If by that time the loss of the hair seems less, do not change the medicine. Externally, use the same remedy by washing with a solution of twelve globules in half a teacupful of water every other night. If the hair is dry and splits easily, cut it often, every month or six weeks a little; use nothing but pure bear's oil; all other preparations and pomatums are of little use, and often very injurious. For the dandruff, scales of tJie scalp, take Calcarea carb., Graphites and Staphysag.; if with itching, take Graphites, Ly- copodium, and Sulphur. Administer same as above. CHAPTER VII. AFFECTIONS OF THE EYES. General Remarks. The diseases of the eye ought to claim our most careful attention, as this important organ is, from its position and complicated, delicate structure, subject to a great variety of diseases, which, heretofore, have been very badly treated under the allopathic system. All external applications, in the form of strong eye-waters and salves, are injurious, and even if, as in scrofulous sore eyes, for instance, these salves seem to have effected a cure, it is only by driving the disease from the external parts to some internal organ, which is, at the time, the weakest—in most cases to the lungs. If external remedies are wanted, pure water is preferable in all cases of inflammation, applied either cold or warm, according to the feelings of the patient. In cases of external injuries to the eye, the arnica lotion (ten drops of Arnica tincture to half a teacupful of cold water) must be used externally. But, when erysipelas affects the eyes, nothing wet ought to be applied, but warm bags filled with bran. (See "Ery- sipelas.") When the inflammation of the eyes and face is caused by the poison of the sumach, or other weeds, apply nothing out- wardly, but give the internal remedies recommended for that disease. (See "Poisoning by Sumach," page 95.) (203) 204 affections of the eyes. 1. Inflammation of the Eyelid and its Margins. a. Inflammation and Swelling of the Eyelid. Aconite. In all cases where the inflammation and the pain is great, attended with fever and restlessness, or where the lids are swollen, hard, and red, with heat and sensation of burning and dryness, or when there is a copious secretion of mucus in the eyes and nose, with dread of light, fever, and thirst; after it Belladonna, Sulphur, or Hepar sulph., are often necessary. (See these.) Belladonna. If Aconite is not sufficient; or when there is a feeling of burning and itching in the red and swollen eye- lids, which stick together, and bleed easily when opened; also, when the edges are turned to the outside, and feel as if paralyzed (see Hepar sulph.). Hepar sulphuris. If there is a sensation of ulceration or contusion in the red and swollen lids on touching them, with sensitiveness to light, and spasmodic contractions of the lids in the morning. In alternation with Aconite, Bellad., or Mercury, as the symptoms indicate (see these remedies), every three or six hours a dose (four globules), until better. Sulphur. Frequently in alternation with Aconite, when the swelling and redness are very bad, with pressing, burn- ing pains in the eye and lids (as if from sand in the eyes), great secretion of mucus, and sensitiveness to light. After it Calcarea carb. is frequently necessary. Mercury. If there is a hard swelling, with cutting pain, and difficulty of opening the lids, as if from contraction, ulcers and scabs on the edges, worse in the night, and in the warmth of the bed, with restlessness and perspiration, or if there is a burning itching in the eyes, worse in the open air, with great dread of the light of the fire. After, or in alter- nation with it, give Hepar sulph., every six hours a dose (four glob.) until better. Euphrasia. In cases where the eyelids are red and swelled, INFLAMMATION OF THE EYELID, ETC. 205 their margins ulcerated, with itching in the day-time, sticking together in the morning, constant catarrh, headache, heat in the head and dread of light, with profuse secretion of mucus and tears. In alternation with Nux vom., if the eyeball is very red, and there is burning with the itching ; if the patient is very irritable, and feels worse in the open air; but in alterna- tion with PulsatUla, if he is of a mild character, and feels better in the open air. Arsenic. Inflammation of the inside of the lids, with in- ability to open the eyes, and violent burning pain. Spigclia. In inflammation and ulcerations of the lids, with biting soreness, difficulty of raising the lids (as if from stiff- ness), with burning in the eyes and pain in the head, worse on the least motion. Calcarea carb. Frequently after Sulph., when there are cutting, burning pains, especially when reading, with red, hard and great swelling, and copious secretion of mucus, and the lids sticking together in the morning. Hyoscyamus and Chamomile in alternation, when the eyelids are closed spasmodically, with a sensation of heaviness or pressure. Administration.—Give every two, four or six hours a dose (four globules) of the selected remedy, either alone or in alternation with another, until the patient is relieved, or another remedy is necessary ; discontinue the medicine alto- gether, as soon as the patient is improving. Application of Water, either cold or warm to the eyes, is strongly recommended ; if constipation is present, use cold water injections, and drink cold water freely. b. Inflammation of the Margins of the Lids. The principal remedies in this disease, which frequently appears without affecting the whole lid, are Bellad., Euphra- sia, Pulsat., Nux vom., Mercury, Hepar sulph., and Chamo- mUe. 206 AFFECTIONS OF THE EYES. (See the detailed symptoms of these remedies in the pre- ceding article : "a. Inflammation of the Eyelids.") 2. Inflammation of the Eyeball. ( Ophthalmia.) In most cases where the eyeballs are inflamed, the lids will also be affected, and the remedies stated under " Inflam- mation of the Eyelids," will be beneficial. This is particu- larly the case, when AconUe, Bellad., and Euphrasia are in- dicated, which are the most important remedies in diseases of the eyes, and to which we refer the reader, in the preced- ing article. But frequently the eyeballs alone are implicated, especially when cold, together with a scrofulous or rheumatic predisposition, is the cause. The first remedy in this disease, particularly when it ap- pears suddenly, is AconUe. When the eyes are very red, with dark redness of the vessels, and intolerable burning stinging, or aching pains (worse on moving the eyes), dread of light, copious flow of tears, yet with dryness of the eyelids and fever. Belladonna. When the white of the eye is very much in- flamed, sensitive to light, either copious flow of burning hot tears, or great dryness of the eyes, which ache all around, or deep inside, with stitches proceeding from the eyes to the head (worse on moving the eyes), and a severe cold in the head, or a violent headache, with stupor and vertigo, sparks of black spots before the eyes, and a short dry cough, it suits mostly after Aconite; but frequently, too, after Hepar sulph., and Mercury. Euphrasia. Same as Bellad., and when this is insuffi- cient ; or when the pain in and above the eyes, in the head, is more pressing, and the cough not dry, but loose ; also, with profuse running at the nose ; worse in the evening. Xux vomica. When the eyes are bloodshot, smarting as if from sand, with swelling and softening of the eye, irritable temper, coated tongue, redness of the corners of the lids, with CHRONIC INFLAMMATION OF THE EYES. 207 stiffness and itching, acrid tears, dread of light in the morn- ing, headache every night, and stoppage of the nose. Ignatia. If the pain is more like pressure in the eyes, which are not much inflamed, but with copious flow of tears and nasal discharge, great sensitiveness to light, mild, quiet, disposition. Pulsatilla is often effective, after Aconite has subdued the worst inflammation, and severe pains remain (tearing, stitch- ing, and cutting), in rheumatic inflammation of the eyes, where there is sensitiveness to light; worse in the afternoon and evening ; the patient is fretful and inclined to weep. Bryonia. After Pulsat., when Jhe redness still remains, the lids are swollen, with pain in the head when the eyes are opened ; worse at night. Rhus. After Bryonia, or in alternation with it, in damp, wet weather, or when the eye continues to burn and stitch, with the running of water, or the eyelids are swollen as if from erysipelas. Spigelia. Aching, stitching, or boring pains, penetrating into the head, and returning regularly at the same time of day, with a sensation as if the eyeballs were too large. The pain is at times insupportable. Sulphur (See "Inflammation of the Eyelid") is also ne- cessary, after Mercury and Pulsatilla. Administration the same as in the foregoing article. Application of Water. (See p. 205.) Diet and Regimen, in all diseases of the eye must be lioht, as in fevers generally (see these). Rest and quiet in the room are necessary. The room itself should be dry, airy, and darkened. 3. Chronic Inflammation of the Eyes. The treatment of these inflammations varies according tc their causes, which are either hereditary or acquired. 208 AFFECTIONS OF THE EYES. a. From Gout and Rheumatism. For the severest symptoms use Aconite, Bellad., and Spi- gelia, as stated in the preceding article ; also, Colocijnthis. When there is violent burning and cutting, extending far back into the head and nose, with great anguish and restlessness ; or violent pressure in the forehead; worse when stooping, or lying on the back ; severe drawing pain in the head, with vomitiner. Hepar sulph. If Bellad., or Spigelia, is insufficient; or when there is redness of the eyes and eyelids, with soreness when touched; sensitiveness to light, especially in the evening; sight at times dim and obscured, at others clear ; pressure in the eyeball, as if it would start out of the head. Administration, the same as under " Inflammation of the Eyelids." Application of Water in this and the following diseases of the eyes, can be made either for the purpose of palliatino the present condition or of eradicating them entirely. If the first is our object, we refer the reader to page 177, where these means are detailed ; if we want to eradicate the disease by the use of water as a principal means, we recommend the reader to have recourse to a water-cure establishment, where a systematic use of water will be found highly beneficial in these diseases. b. From Scrofula. ( Scrofulous Sore Eyes.) Scrofula frequently affects the eyes, after an inflammation of the lids or eyeball has set in, from causes above stated, by which complication such cases are rendered much worse, and more difficult to cure ; for dimness of sight and ulcers on the ball of the eye often remain ; they require medical attention, as the consequences of neglect, or family treatment, would be too serious ; and the necessity for the eradication of scrofula is, of itself, obvious. chronic inflammation of the eyes. 209 In the beginning of such an attack, give AconUe and Bella- donna, as stated under "Inflammation of the Eyelids" and " Eyeball." Also, all the other remedies mentioned there, if they are required by the symptoms. Beside these, Dulcamara is of use, when cold is the cause of the sore eyes, and when they are made worse by reading, with dim- ness of sight, and a sensation as if sparks of fire were flying out of the eyes; pain over the eyes; worse when at rest; better when walking. Administration the same as above. For ulcers on the eyeballs, remaining after the inflammation has subsided, give Euphrasia, Hepar sulph., and SUicea, each remedy during one week; two or three times every evening a dose (four glob.). When SUicea is given, apply externally a wash of twelve globules of Silicea in half a tea- cupful of pure cold water. Make the application several times a day. For specks, give Euphrasia, Hepar sulph., Silicea, Calcarea carb., XUric acid, in the same manner as stated under " Ulcers on the Eyeball." Diet and Regimen.—See " Inflammation of the Eyeball." c. From Syphilis or Venereal Disease. The tyes may be implicated in this disease, and become inflamed, particularly when a gonorrhea is suppressed and transferred, as it were, to the eyes, or when syphilis has pen- etrated the whole system. In the latter case, a homceopathic physician must be consulted. In Inflammation of the eyes and lids from suppressed gonorrhea, administer at first AconUe, as stated under " Inflammation of the Eyes ;" after it Pulsa- tUla, in the same manner; then wait two or three days, and give, if necessary, Xitric acid, Mercury, and Sulphur; com- mencing with Xitric acid, and taking four doses the first week ; four doses of the next remedy, the second week ; and so on, until better. 18 210 AFFECTIONS of the eyes. In the real Syphilitic Eye-affections : Nitric acid, Mercury, and Thuja, are the principal remedies—to be given as above. Diet and Regimen.—See "Inflammation of the Eye-ball," and " Syphilis." d. From abuse of Mercury. This drug, given in allopathic doses, frequently produces severe affections of the eye ; for which must be given, Hepar sulph., Nitric acid, Pulsat., and Sulphur, in the same manner as stated above, under " Syphilitic Eye-Affections." Diet, also, the same. 4. Sty on the Eyelid. A sty is a small boil on the eyelid, produced by the swell- ing of the Meibomian glands, which are imbedded all along the margins of the lid. The specific remedy in the commencement of this com- plaint is Pulsatilla. A dose (four glob.) twice a day, until four doses are taken ; then discontinue two days ; and if not better, or if suppuration appears, take Mercury in the same manner, in alternation with Hepar sulph. If no suppuration, but induration takes place, or hard spots remain, and if the sties appear often, give Staphysag., a dose (four glob.) two or three times, during one week ; and after- ward, for two or three weeks, give each week two doses of Calca. carb. (each dose four glob.), until better ; and if not, Sulphur, for the same length of time, and in the same manner. Externally, apply nothing ; but bathe occasionally in warm water. Diet and Regimen.—The diet light; no animal food ; and regimen cool. 5. Weeping or Watery Eyes. If this complaint arises, as is mostly the case, from an obstruction of the lachrymal duct, or a swelling of its en- CATARACT. 211 trance, in the internal corner of the eye, a homoeopathic physician should be consulted. In the meantime, use the following remedies: Bellad., Pulsat., Calca. carb., Sili., Petrol., Sulph.; the first two remedies alternately, every day a dose (four glob.) of each, until the acute symptoms subside; the other remedies each for four or six weeks, every week two doses (six glob. each), until better. But if the watery eyes arise from a general weakness of the organ, Euphrasia and Spigelia in alternation, ever two or three days a dose (six glob.), will generally be found bene- ficial. Let this treatment be followed, at the end of two weeks, by two doses of Sulphur, on two successive nights (each dose six glob.). Diet.— The usual homceopathic diet must be observed during the whole time. 6. Cataract. (Glaucoma.) This disease, which consists of the gradual darkening of the lens in the eye (thus preventing the light from reaching the optic nerve), is, in its commencement, curable by medi- cines, if carefully selected and applied. As this, however, ought to be done by a homceopathic physician, we will here merely notice a few remedies, which may be taken in the be- ginning, until a physician can be consulted. By this means, an operation for the cataract may frequently be avoided. Pulsatilla, Sulphur, Silicea, Conium, Phosphorus. Administration.—Give each remedy for four or six weeks, every three days one dose (six glob.), in the evening, until better, or until the next remedy has to be taken. Diet and Regimen.—Light, without animal food; other- wise, the usual homceopathic diet. 212 affections of the eyes. 7. Weakness of Sight. (Amblyopia.) I Blindness (sudden and incipient)—Amaurosis. Short-sighted and far-sighted persons have not, strictly speaking, weak eyes; this latter is a defect in the optic nerve itself, which is weakened or paralyzed, in a greater or less degree. If this nerve is not much paralyzed, so that only dimness of sight exists, we call it amblyopia, or weakness of sight; if the nerve is more or entirely paralyzed, it is incipient or real blindness—amaurosis. This disease can be cured; but it must be taken in time, | and a homceopathic physician ought to be counsulted immedi- \ ately, as delay in this case is very dangerous. In the meantime take, for simple weakness of sight, Pul- satilla, Sulphur, Bellad., Calcarea carb., Phosphorus, and Ruta. Administration the same as stated under "Cataract." If Ruta shall be used, drop two drops of the tincture in half a teacupful of water, and wash the eyes three times a day with it; particularly when the weakness of sight resulted from excessive reading, sewing, etc., everything appearing i dusky and foggy before the eyes. • For incipient blindness, give the same remedies as for sim- ple weakness of sight. Attacks of sudden blindness; if caused by congestion to the head, and accompanied with pain in the head and convul- sions, give Bellad. and Hyoscyamus in solution (twelve glob. in half a teacupful of water), every fifteen minutes a tea- spoonful, until better (see " Congestion of blood to the Head"); but for sudden blindness, without an apparent cause, give first Aconite; then Mercury; every two or three hours a dose (four glob.), alternately, until better. For night-blindness; Belladonna. For day-blindness, where the patient can only see in the evening; give Sulphur, and afterward SUicea. Diet the same as in " Cataract.' SHORT-SIGHTEDNESS--FALLING OF THE EYELIDS. 213 8. Short-Sightedness. (Myopia.) This affliction, if not of too long duration, may generally be mitigated or cured by PulsatUla; or, if caused by abuse of calomel, give Carbo veg. and Hepar sulph.; if from debili- tating causes and typhus fevers, Phosphoric acid. These remedies to be administered in the same manner as stated under " Cataract." Diet and Regimen, also, the same. 9. Far-Sightedness. This frequently occurs after excessive use of ardent spirits; in which case Nux vom. must be given; every day a dose (four glob.) for a week; followed by Sulphur, in alternation with Lachesis; every week two doses of each, for four or six weeks, or until better; followed by SUicea and Phosphorus in lean persons, or Calcarea in fleshy persons. If not relieved, consult a physician. 10. Sq uinting . ( Strabismus.) A frequent cause of squinting, in young children, is that from the position of their cradle, they constantly have the light on the same side. To obviate this, alter the position of the cradle so that the light will be directly in front. If, however, squinting continues, notwithstanding, and the ! heads of the children are hot, give Belladonna and Bryonia, in alternation, every four or six days a dose (two glob.) until six doses of each are taken, or the child is better. If not better, consult a homceopathic physician. 11. Falling of the Eyelids. (Paralysis.) I If the upper or lower eyelid falls down, and cannot be raised easily, give Sjngelia, Belladonna, Sepia, Veratrum, Opium, Cocculus, Nitric acid. | Administer the same as stated under "Cataract." 214 AFFECTIONS OF THE EYES. Diet and Regimen.—The usual homoeopathic diet; bathe the eyelids frequently in cold water. 12. Foreign Substances in the Eye. If dust enters the eye and causes irritation, washing with cold water will be sufficient; but cream or sour milk will answer better, if lime, ashes or tobacco enters the eye. If a hard substance, or an insect has got into the eye, draw the eyelids apart, and turn the upper one over the lower one a couple of times, until it is felt that the substance is removed. If unable to remove it in this manner, do not rub the eye, but lie down, and bathe it in a solution of Arnica (five drops to half a teacupful of water). Internally, take AconUe, and try to sleep. If particles of iron have entered the eye, and are fastened in the white or purple, use Arnica, as above stated, and have them extracted by a surgeon. If the eye becomes very much inflamed, take a few doses of Aconite, and afterward Sulphur; and, if necessary, in a few days after, Calcarea carb. CHAPTER VIII. AFFECTIONS OF THE EARS. 1. External Ear and its Surrounding Parts. a. Eruptions and Swelling of the External Ear. The eruptions which appear on or behind the ear are vari- ous, and generally require a chronic treatment to eradicate the disease entirely, which can be done only by a skillful homceopathic physician. To begin the cure, or if severe, acute sufferings, as swelling and inflammation of the ear, ap- pear with the eruption, select from among the remedies given below, and read their symptoms in the "Materia Medica" at the end of the book. 1. For scurvy eruption: Pulsat., Lycopodium, Lachesis, Hepar sulph., Staphysag., Graphites. 2. For soreness: Lachesis, Mercury, Sulphur, Graphites. 3. For itching in or on the ears: Pulsat., Lycopodium, Sulphur. 4. For swelling of the ear: Pulsat., Mercury, Lycopodium, Sepia. 5. For ulcerated eruptions: Pulsat., Mercury, Hepar sulph. 6. For humors: GraphUes, Lycopodium, Calcarea carb. Administration.—Give each remedy for one week, every other day one dose (four glob.) until better, or until the next remedy has to be given. Diet and Regimen.—The usual homoeopathic diet; take particular care not to drive the eruption away by getting cold or by external applications. (215) 216 AFFECTIONS OF THE EARS. b. Mumps. (Parotitis.) This disease consists in an inflammation of the great sal- ivary glands, lying under and in front of the ear; children are frequently subject to it, but it seldom attacks more than once in a lifetime. Treatment.—It is not a dangerous disease in its simple form, and only requires to be kept warm by putting a hand- kerchief around it, and keeping the patient in the room. In- ternally give Mercury, which is almost a specific for this disease ; every evening a dose (four glob.), until three or four doses are taken. Sometimes the glands of the neck participate, and remain swelled for three or four days. In this case, also, pursue the above treatment. But, if the mumps disappear suddenly, by striking in and falling upon the brain, so that the patient becomes delirious and unconscious, give Belladonna in solution (twelve globules in half a teacupful of water), every hour a teaspoonful, fol- lowed by Hyoscyamus, in a few hours, if necessary. (See, also, " Scarlet Fever," striking in.) But, if in striking in, it falls upon the stomach, give Carbo veg., in the same manner as Belladonna above, and, if not better in two or three hours, Arsenic, and after that Cocculus, if necessary, in the same manner. If it falls upon the testicles, creating a swelling in those parts and inflammation, Pulsatilla, Mercury, Nux vom., every three or four hours a dose (three globules). If fever, restlessness, and erysipelatous redness are com- bined with it, particularly in damp weather, give Belladonna and Rhus in alternation, in solution (twelve globules of each in separate teacups, each half full of water), a teaspoonful every three or four hours, until four of each remedy are given, or until better. If the mumps is very obstinate and very hard, give Kali INFLAMMATION OF THE EAR. 217 carb., every evening one dose (six glob, until three doses are taken. If a catarrhalic state is connected with it, particularly hoarseness, give Carbo veg. in the same manner. This same remedy suits if the patient has previously taken much calomel. Diet and Regimen.—The diet must be light and farina- ceous; baked apples and stewed prunes, if desired, but neither animal food nor soups. The patient must be kept warm, and if feverish must stay in bed. 2. Internal Ear. a. Inflammation of the Ear. ( Otitis.) This painful disease is generally caused by exposure to cold and damp weather; sometimes, however, by the striking in of eruptions. It manifests itself by violent burning, stitching, beating pains, deep in the ear, and finally by swelling and redness of both in and outside of the ear; frequently, in very severe cases, the brain is implicated, when in children, convulsions may ensue, with vomiting and cold extremities. Treatment.—The principal remedy is Pulsatilla. In solution (twelve globules in half a teacup- ful of water), every hour a teaspoonful until better, or until six teaspoonfuls are taken; then wait the same length of time and give one dose (four glob.) of Sulphur, after which, in two hours, repeat the Pulsat. until better. But, if the brain becomes affected, with or without convulsions, give Belladonna. In alternation with AconUe, if thev fever is very high, every two or three hours a dose (four glob.); then wait four or six hours and give Belladonna?^' and Cof- fea, , in the same manner, if great sensitiveness and restless- ness remain. If an abscess is about to form, which is indi- cated by the continued beating pain in the ear, give Mercury, Lachesis and Hepar sulph., in alternation, every six hours a 19 218 AFFECTIONS OF THE EARS. dose (four glob.) until better, or until two or three doses of j each are taken. Diet and Regimen.—The same as in fever. b. Earache. ( Otalgia.) Earache, commonly so termed, resembles the inflammaiton of the ear in the character of the pain, and is only different ! in regard to its origin, as it mostly appears after taking cold as a neuralgic and rheumatic affection, or in consequence of previous inflammations of the ear. There is little or no fever accompanying the attacks, which are generally of short du- ration, and relieved speedily by the application of the follow- ing remedies: Treatment.—Pulsatilla is the first and principal remedy, particularly if the pains are darting and tearing, as if some- thing would p>ress out through the ears; the outer ear is red, hot and swollen, or, there is stitching and tearing through the ! whole side of the face, almost depriving the patient of reason, particularly in females, or in persons inclined to chilliness and disposed to cry. Chamomile. The next best remedy, especially after taking cold, or when a perspiration has been suppressed suddenly; tearing, lancinating pains in the ear, which extend to the lobe of the ear; the patient is very cross, cannot bear pain, and is easily offended. i Mercury. After Pulsat. or Chamomile. If these are in- i sufficient, or if the patient perspires a great deal without re- lief; the pains are worse in a warm bed, and there is a chilly sensation in the ears, with moisture; the pains extend to the ! cheek and teeth. Nux vomica. After Chamomile, in persons of a lively, pas- j sionate disposition ; when the pains are tearing and stinging, tending upward to the forehead and temples, and down into ! the facial bones; worse in the morning. earache. 219 Arnica is more for sensitive, nervous persons, when the pain returns on the slightest occasion, with sensitiveness to noise, and pressing and stinging in and behind the ears, which feel hot internally. China suits frequently after Arnica or Pulsat.; if the tear- ing pains are felt more externally ; are worse by touching the ear, which is red, stings, and rings. Belladonna. Similar to China, or as stated under Bella- donna in " Inflammation of the Ear." Hepar. After Belladonna, when the pain shoots into the ear on blowing the nose, or when the pain is beating, throb- bing, or roaring. Spigelia. When there is a painful aching, as if a large nail were sticking in the ear ; with aching and tearing in the cheek bones. Dulcamara. When the pains increase during rest, espe- cially at night, with nausea. Administration.—Every hour or two hours a dose (four glob.), until better. If the above remedies allay the worst symptoms, but there is still left a painfulness in the ear, particularly on the left I side, or the pains increase in the evening or before midnight, give Sulphur, evening and morning, a dose (four glob.); but if worse on the right side, and after midnight, toward morn- ino- or during the forenoon, give Calcarea carb., the same as Sulphur. In very small children, after Pulsat. and Chamomile (two glob, each) have been given at intervals of one or two hours, give Coffea and Belladonna in the same manner, and after- ward Coffeacc and Belladonna'0, every hour alternately, a dose (two glob.) until better. Diet and Regimen.—The diet light; no meat, but fruit and farinaceous substances. Externally, use heated flannels I or bags, filled with heated bran or scorched flour. 220 AFFECTIONS OF THE EARS. c Humming, Buzzing in the Ears. As a symptom it invariably accompanies earache, running of the ears and their inflammation, and will disappear with them ; but, when it appears alone, it is caused generally by congestion to the head, from catching cold, or other diseases. Pulsatilla relieves it, if worse in the evening. Nux vomica, if worse in the morning. Dulcamara, if worse at night. Mercury, in persons inclined to perspire much. Chamomile, in persons who do not perspire easUy. China, in persons who have taken much calomel, or where the noise in the ear is more a hissing, singing, or ringing noise. Carbo veg., if China does not relieve, or the noise is worse in damp weather. Sulphur, if Carbo veg. does not relieve, or the noise is com- bined with great sensitiveness to sounds, in which case it ought to be alternated with Aconite. Administration.—Of the remedy selected, must be given, one dose (six glob.), on two successive evenings, and then discontinued three days before selecting another remedy, if no improvement has taken place. Application of Water, in the form of cold foot and sitting- baths, is recommended in this disease, beside the use of the proper homceopathic remedies. Diet.—The usual homoeopathic diet. d. Hardness of Hearing. ■ Deafness. This complaint is very frequent, and as it is often combined with other chronic diseases of the ear, it ought to be treated by a skillful homoeopathic physician. When it is of a recent date it may be cured easily, but not so readily when of long standing. Sometimes it is caused by the accumulation of earwax, in which case have it removed by skillful hands. If, after such an operation, great painfulness remains in the ear, HARDNE88 OF HEARING--DEAFNESS. 221 put a few drops of Arnica solution (two drops of arnica tine- | ture to three tablespoonfuls of water, well shaken), into the ear and lie down. If the earwax is very hard to remove, put, before its re- moval, a few drops of warm milk or sweet oil into the ear. If there is a want of earwax, or too great dryness of the i ear, give Carbo veg., particularly after a suppression of fever and ague by quinine, every other night one dose (four glob.) three times; then discontinue eight days, and if not better, give GraphUes, particularly after suppression of an habitual eruption, such as tetter, or where there is a humming or thundering in the ears, especially at night; give it in the same j manner as Carbo veg. If no better after GraphUes, try Lac/ie- sis, NUric acid, and Petroleum, one after the other, in the same manner. If there is difficulty of hearing, with running of the ears, | select among the remedies prescribed for this complaint es- pecially, Pulsat., Mercury, Sulphur, and Calcarea carb., to be given in the same manner as above. If it is in consequence of congestion to the head, give, in preference, Belladonna, Coffea, Nux vomica, Sulphur, SUicea, commencing with the first, evening and morning one dose (four glob.), and wait two days before the next one is given. If it appears after acute eruptions, such as measles, etc., give, If after measles, Pulsat., and Carbo veg.; If after scarlet fever, ^Belladonna and Hepar sulph.; If after small-pox, Mercury and Sulphur—every other even- ing a dose (six glob.), alternately, until better. If it is caused by a cold in the head, or a chUl of the whole body, give the remedies for these complaints (see these arti- cles), particularly, however, Chamomile, Arsenic, iMchesis, Mercury, Sulphur, and Pulsat., in the same manner as there prescribed. If it arises from a suppressed cold (rheumatism), give 222 AFFECTIONS OF THE EARS. Bryonia and Rhus, every two hours a dose (four glob), three times each; and afterward Dulcamara and Sulphur, if ne- cessary, every evening one dose (six glob.), for four or six days. Sometimes hardness of hearing ensues after intermittent fevers have been suppressed by the use of quinine ; in this case give Carbo veg., PulsatUla, Sulphur, and Calcarea carb., every week one remedy, on two successive evenings, one dose (six glob.), until better. If caused by the suppression of chronic eruptions, or ulcers healed by salves, give Sulphur or Antimonium crud. (See "Eruptions.") If it is from swelled tonsUs, give Mercury, Staphysag., NUric acid, and Aurum, every week one remedy, on two successive evenings one dose (six glob.), until better. If caused by the suppression of a discharge from the ears or nose, give Pulsatilla, Mercury, Lachesis, Belladonna, and Hepar sulph., every two or three days one remedy (once a day a dose four glob.), until better. N. B. Do not use any external means, such as oils, how- ever much they may be recommended. e. Running of the Ears. ( Otorrhcea.) A running of the ears frequently remains after the inflam- mation has subsided, and is then beneficial in diminishing local tension. In such a case, continue the use of the reme- dies for " Inflammation of the Ear;" after which it will gene- rally soon disappear. The principal remedies are Pulsatilla, Mercury, and Sulphur. If it succeeds the measles, give Pulsatilla and Sulphur, for four days; each remedy on two successive evenings (six glob.), a dose. If after scarlet fever, give Bellad., Mercury, Hepar, Sulph. and Lycopodium, in the same manner. If after small-pox, give Mercury, Lachesis, Sulph. and Calc POLYPUS OF THE EAR. 221 carb.; each remedy for six or eight days (on two successive evenings one dose, six glob.), until better. [ In regard to the quality of the discharged substance, give, i if it is Purulent matter: Pulsat., Merc, Hepar sulph., Calca. carb. Bloody matter: Pulsat., Mercury, Lachesis. | Mucous liquid: Pulsat., Mercury, Sulphur, Bellad., Calca- I rea carb. Very offensive matter: Mercury, Hepar sulph., Lycopodium, Pulsat., Sulphur. Administration.—Give of the selected remedy, for six or eight days, on two successive evenings, one dose (six glob.), until better. The sudden suppression of a running of the ear may pro- duce dangerous consequences, which must be attended to im- mediately. If, after such a suppression, the glands of the neck, or in front of the ear, begin to swell or get hard, give Pulsat., Mercury, Bellad.; if severe headache or fever ensues, give Bellad.; if not better in a few hours, Bryonia. If the sup- pression is caused by getting cold in damp weather, give Dulcamara; and if not better in three or four hours, Rhus i and Bellad., in alternation. If, after a suppression, the testicles begin to swell, give Pulsat., Arnica, Mercury, Nux vom. Administration.—Give every two or three hours a dose (four glob.), alternately, until better. If by these direc- ^ tions no relief is obtained, consult a homceopathic physician as soon as possible. Diet and Regimen.—The same as in "Earache." f. Polypus of the Ear. These excrescenses appear frequently, during a long-con- tinued running of the ear; particularly if accidental injuries by ear-picks, etc., have taken place. They either have a 224 AFFECTIONS OF THE EARS. small or broad basis, whence they grow to a size, so as to fill up the whole internal ear. They aro not painful, but alwrays discharge an offensive mucus, and bleed easily when touched. They are not so dangerous as they are annoying and obsti- nate ; and require but a proper homceopathic treatment, by a skillful physician. In no case is it advisable to extricate them by force; we have remedies which will remove them. The principal medicine is Calcarea carb., of which every second day, in the evening, a dose (six glob.) may be given, followed by Staphysagria, in a like manner, until medical aid can be obtained. If the polypus is very large, touch it twice a day with the tincture of the gum of Opium, conveyed into the ear on a sponge. Otherwise, keep the ear clean by frequent injec- tions of milk and water. g. Foreign Substances in the Ear. Insects sometimes get into the ear; in such cases, drop sweet oil into the ear. This kills the insect, and enables us to take it out easily. If a bean, or anything that will swell, gets into the ear, bend the point of a large and stout sewing needle a very little, so as to form a fine hook; enter the ear with it cau- tiously, without touching the walls of the ear, and press it into the side of the swollen substance, which is thus caught by the hook, and may be slowly extracted. After such an operation, it is necessary to drop into the ear a few drops of an Arnica solution (two drops of the Arnica tincture to two tablespoonfuls of water, and well shaken), and give internally, Arnica and Pulsat., in alternation, every two or three hours a dose (four glob.). If there is fever and delirium, give Bel- lad. and Aconite, in the same manner. If painfulness still remains, give, in a couple of days after- ward, Sulphur, evening and morning a dose (four glob.). CHAPTER IX. AFFECTIONS OF THE NOSE. 1. Inflammation or swelling of the Nose. ■ The nose, from its position and function, is exposed to a great many diseases and injuries. a. External injuries, which may befall the nose, from the slightest contusion to the severest blow or cut, require Arnica internally, every four or five hours a dose (four glob.), and externally, the same remedy in solution (twelve drops of the tincture to a teacupful of water, well mixed). Arnica will also stop the bleeding caused by severe blows and other injuries of the nose. o. Internal causes for inflammation and swelling of the nose are scrofula, the abuse of ardent spirUs and calomel, or the congestion attending a cold. In cases of scrofulous or erysipelatous inflammation of the nose, give Belladonna. If the nostrils are swollen and- sore; with heat, redness, and pain, outwardly and inwardly, attended with a burning, pricking, and dryness ; smelling sensitive, or absent; pains as if bruised, on touching the nose ; give, even- ing and morning a dose (four glob.) ; and if not better, aftei two days, give Hepar sulph., in the same manner, until better; followed by Mercury, in the same manner ; and if this does not relieve, give Bryonia, followed by Rhus, in the same manner; par- ticularly the latter, in cases of poisoning by weeds. ,(225) 226 affections of the nose. When caused by the excessive use of ardent spirits, give Lachesis, Arsenic, Pulsat., Sulphur, Mercury, Bellad., and Calcarea carb., one after the other, in the same manner, until better. If caused by abuse of calomel, give Aurum, Bellad., Lache- sis, Hepar, in the same manner, until better. If caused by cold, see " Cold in the Head." Black spots frequently appear on the outside of the nose, for which Sulphur, or else Graphites, may be taken, on two successive evenings one dose (four glob.). For red spots: Phosphoric acid, in the same manner. When the end of the nose is red, give Rhus and Calcarea carb., in the same manner. If the redness on the end of the nose is copper-color, give Arsenic and Veratrum, in the same manner. When warts appear on the nose, give Caustic, every week two doses (four glob.), and wash with the same externally, until better. Diet and Regimen must be strictly homoeopathic, as laid down in the introduction. 2. Eruptions on the Nose.—Itching of the Nose. a. Eruptions on the Nose. The eruptions on the nose are generally of an herpetic or tettery character, and require, for their radical and safe ex- tinction, a long-continued, careful, homceopathic treatment. The use of allopathic remedies, in the form of salves and ointments, is, in the highest degree, dangerous and ought to be at once rejected ; as they may cause the disease to disap- pear externally, and fall on the eyes or lungs. It is much better to allow the eruption to stay where it is (as it can do no harm there), than to endanger, with its repression, the life of the patient. To commence its radical cure, however, give Rhus, if the redness is on the point of the nose, with sore- ness to touch. BLEEDING OF THE NOSE--EPISTAXIS. 227 Antimonium, if it is all over and around the nose, with soreness in the corners. Causticum, if it is on the point of the nose. Nitric acid, if the eruption is tettery, with stinging in the nose, as if from splinters on touch ; itching sensation ; scabby eruption. Administration.—These remedies to be given every three or four days a dose (six glob.), until better, or another one is indicated. b. Itching of the Nose Is merely a symptom of other diseases in the system ; par- ticularly in children, where it indicates an irritation near or below the navel, either from worms, inflammation of the bowels, or swelling of the glands in the abdomen. For its treatment, see these diseases. 3. Bleeding of the Nose. (Epistaxis.) Some persons are subject to this complaint constitutionally, I sometimes relieving, often injuring them very much. For ^weak lungs, with tendency to bleeding at the nose, apply im- mediately to a homoeopathic physician. Meanwhile, take Aconite and Sulphur alternately, every three or four days a dose (six glob.), until better, or until four doses of each are taken; afterward, if necessary, Sepia and Carbo veg., in the same manner. If the bleeding appears in females periodi- cally, every month, and the menses have ceased, restore the latter by the proper treatment (see " Diseases of Females"), and the former will cease of itself. If it appears in the beginning of a typhoid or other fever, or irregularly during its period, it is not considered a very favorable sign ; but if it appears on the critical days of such a fever (say the third, fifth, seventh, ninth, thirteenth, eight- eenth, or twenty-first day), it is thought to be favorable, and ought not to be interfered with immediately (see under 228 AFFECTIONS OF THE NOSE. "Fevers"), except it becomes too profuse, when China will give relief. If it results from determination of blood to the head, give AconUe, and Bellad., as directed in " Congestion to the Head." If it happens after a blow or cut of the nose, apply Arnica, externally and internally, as stated under "Inflammation of the Nose." If it arises from the use of spiritous liquors, give Nux vom., every two or three hours a dose (four glob.). If it is from overheating, lie quietly, with the head ele- vated, and take Aconite and Bryonia alternately, every hour or thirty minutes a teaspoonful, in solution (twelve glob, of each in separate teacups half full of water). If it is in consequence of great exertion, give Rhus, and Carbo veg., in the same manner, until better. If it occurs mostly during the night, give Rhus, Bryonia, and Belladonna, alternately, every evening a dose (six glob.). If in the morning : Nux vom., Bryonia, Carbo veg., in the same manner. If it occurs on the most trivial occasions, after eating, etc., gjive Silicea, Sulphur, Sepia, Calcarea carb., Graphites, Lyco- podium, at intervals of from eight to ten days, each remedy for four weeks (six globules for a dose), to eradicate the dis- position to it. Bleeding from the nose in children, from worms, requires Cina and Mercury, in the same manner. During the attack, and to allay the itching in the nose, give Cinacc, every two or three hours a dose (four glob.). If it occurs during a cold in the head, Pulsat., and Arsenic will be necessary, alternately, morning and evening a dose (six glob.), until better. If persons are naturally weak, or rendered so by loss of blood from the nose, give China in solution (twelve glob, to half a teacupful of water), every half hour or hour a tea- COLD IN THE HEAD — CORYZA. 229 spoonful, until better, or afterward Ferrum, if necessary, in the same manner. Externally use nothing but cold water or ice, on the root of the nose, keep perfectly quiet, and do not remove the clots of blood from the nose, if they form themselves. Lint pressed tightly under the upper lip frequently stops the severest bleeding of the nose. The diet must be of a cooling nature; nothing should be used in the least degree stimulating; no meat. 4. Cold in the Head. (Coryza.) Influenza, catarrhal fevers, and colds on the lungs, generally commence with affecting the mucous membrane of the nose, whence the disease descends into the larynx and bronchia. We will here treat only this diseased condition of the nose, which manifests itself mostly by sneezing, obstruction, or run- ning of the nose, with excoriations, headache, feverishness, and affections of the eyes. If the disease runs into one of the above-mentioned diseases, see their respective chapters. Treatment.—In all cases where persons are attacked with a cold in the head, first give Nux vom. and Mercury, in alter- nation, every four or six hours a dose (four glob.) for twenty- four hours; and then, if not better, select one from among the following remedies, which may be given three times in twenty-four hours (four glob, in a dose). If the patient is better, discontinue two days without giving any medicine, observing the diet, however; and then give a dose of Sulphur (four glob.) on two successive evenings, which will complete the cure. Nux vomica must be given for the following symptoms: either dryness and obstruction of the nose, with heaviness in the. forehead and impatient humor; or running of the nose in the vwrninq, but dryness in the evening or during the night; with drvness of the mouth, and constipation of the bowels; the patient feeling better when exercising or warm. 230 AFFECTIONS OF THE NOSE. Mercury. Frequent sneezing, particularly when coming from the cool air into a warm room, profuse running of the nose, with swelling, redness, and excoriation of the nostrils; itching, and aching pains on pressing the nose and cheek- bones ; soreness and pains in the limbs, copious perspiration at night; great thirst; patient feels worse in the warmth, yet cannot bear the cold. Hepar. For persons who have already taken calomel, or were not relieved entirely by the homoeopathic Mercury; or when every exposure to cold air renews the complaint, with a headache; worse by movement; or where the cold attacks only one nostril. Dulcamara. If the slightest exposure renews the obstruc- tion and the patient feels worse when at rest. Euphrasia. When, with profuse running of the nose, there is redness and soreness of the eyelids, with profuse flow of tears, and confused sensation in the head. Belladonna. If Hepar does not relieve, or when the smell is alternately too acute or too dull. Lachesis. Frequent sneezing, with profuse running of the nose, with swelling and excoriation of the nostrils and lips: or else, obstruction of the nose, humming in the ears, ill- humor, constipation, and unfitness for meditation. Particu- larly after Nux vom. Arsenic. Obstruction of the nose, alternately with profuse running and excoriation of the nostrils, with bleeding; rest- lessness and sleeplessness in the night; a desire to drink fre- quently, but little at a time; feels better in a warm air; suits well after Nux vomica. Chamomile. When the cold is caused by suppressed per- spiration, as is often the case in children, with feverishness and drowsiness; stupor; one cheek pale and cool, the other red and hot; soreness of the nostrils; cracked lips and acrid, smarting mucus in the nose. Pulsatilla. When the patient loses his appetite and smell, SUPPRESSION OF THE CATARRH. 231 I _____________________________________ and the nose secretes a yellowish, thick, offensive mucus, with heaviness and confusion in the head ; particularly when toward night and in the warmth of a room the obstruction of the nose increases; feels better in the open air, yet shivering; dis- posed to shed tears. It is beneficial before Lycopodium, and follows well after Chamomile. Lycopodium. Obstruction of the nose, especially at night; with the sense of smell too acute; tearing pain in the forehead ; dryness of the mouth, without thirst; constipation of the bow- els, with melancholy, sadness, and whining mood. Follows well after PulsatUla or Lachesis. Sulphur. Obstruction and dryness of the nose, or profuse secretion of thick, yellowish, puriform mucus; sneezing; blowing of blood from the nose witn excoriation and soreness of the nostrils; worse in the night and in wet weather. Application of Water is very beneficial in this disease and should not be neglected at the same time that the homoeo- pathic remedies are administered. The principal modes of applying it are the following: The patient, staying quietly at home in a room not too warm, applies a wet bandage around the breast and abdomen, and lying in bed well covered, tries to perspire, which may be fostered by drinking cold water; after having lain in a perspiration for some time, he takes a j lukewarm ablution. This process is repeated once a day. j Bathing in cold water is injurious. Diet must be very mode- rate ; in fact, the patient should not eat and drink anything but dry toast, gruels, and cold water; meats or stimulating drinks are very objectionable. Suppression of the Catarrh, or Cold in the Head. If the running stops suddenly and headache ensues, give Aconite a few doses, every two or three hours a dose (four glob.); if not better, give Pulsat. and China, alternately, everv six hours a dose (four glob.). If hard breathing or asthma ensues, give Ipecac, and Bryonia, every two hours a 232 AFFECTIONS OF THE NOSE. dose (four glob.), alternately, until better, or until three doses of each are taken; and if not relieved give Arsenic and Sul- phur, alternately, every four or six hours a dose (four glob.), until better. If the eyes are affected, give Belladonna, Lache- sis, and Hepar, in alternation, every six hours a dose (four glob.) until better. If inflammation of the windpipe or lungs ensues, give Aconite and Bryonia, alternately, in solution (twelve globules in half a teacupful of water), every two hours a teaspoonful. If a person is subject, on the slightest occasion, to cold in the head, bathe the neck and breast frequently in cold water; snuff cold water up into the nose when washing the face, and take Silicea, every eight days a dose (six glob.). N. B. We would remark here, that in the treatment of children, where it is difficult to distinguish the symptoms with sufficient clearness for the selection of a remedy, the alternate use of Chamomile and Belladonna should be adopted in most cases, giving every three or four hours a dose (two glob.), which removes the cold. If drowsiness sets in and sleepi- ness, with eyes half open, the use of Bryonia and Hellebor. n. is preferable, given in solution, as in " Dropsy of the Brain." After a few days, Sulphur is frequently necessary to complete the cure. Diet and Regimen.—If there is fever, see the appropriate diet in " Fevers;" if without fever, the usual homceo- pathic diet. During a cold in the head, abstain from the usual bathing on feeling worse after it. 5. Ulceration in the Nose. (Catarrh. Ozosna narium.) This is a chronic disease, where an ulcer has formed in the upper part of the nose (extending sometimes to the frontal sinus), from which an offensive matter is discharged, fre- quently mixed with blood; as long as it discharges freely the accompanying pain is inconsiderable, but when the ulcer / ULCERATION IN THE NOSE. 233 suddenly stops running, feverishness ensues with headache, swelling and redness of the nose, thirst, etc. All these symp- toms cease as soon as the ulcer begins to run again. If this disease is located in the nose, it is called ozaena narium; if in the cavity of the cheek-bones, ozoma antri Highmori. As both these diseases are difficult to cure, being caused by scrofulous or syphilitic disorders, it is necessary to consult a homoeopathic physician; yet we will point out the remedies with which the cure may be commenced. a. Ozmna narium. Catarrh. Treatment.—The cure may be commenced with Belladon- na, every second evening a dose (six glob.), particularly in females ; continue this treatment for one week, followed by Aurum, in the same manner, and this followed by Mercury, if necessary, after which take Sulphur in the same manner. ' If, however, the ulcer does not discharge, and there is fever and heat, give Belladonna and Aconite, alternately, in solution (twelve globules in half a teacupful of water), every two hours a teaspoonful. b. Ozoma antri Highmori. The same remedies as above, but if there are severe pains in the cheek-bones, throbbing, splitting, or bursting, give Arsenic in solution, every two hours a teaspoonful until better. If the discharge is thick and yellow, give Lycopod., every other evening a dose (four glob.), until better. For a chronic ulceration in the lower part of the nose, and scabs on the nostrils, take Mercury, Lachesis, Calcarea, Lyco- podium, GraphUes, Sulphur, each remedy for two weeks, every five days a dose (six glob.) ; after taking one remedy in this manner for two weeks, wait one week before the next remedy is commenced. Continue this treatment until better. Application of Water,- in these affections of the nose, 20 234 AFFECTIONS OF THE NOSE. must be local as well as general, to be beneficial. The parts affected must be frequently bathed in cold or milkwarm water; during the night a wet compress may be applied. Every day once, the patient must perspire in the wet sheet, and take the usual ablution after it; beside, enjoy plenty of exercise in the open air. Diet and Regimen.—The usual homoeopathic diet. Fre- quent applications of cold water are recommended. 6. Polypus of the Nose — Cancer of the Nose. The polypus of the nose is of frequent occurrence, and can be cured by the application of the homoeopathic medicines, as, also, that variety of this disease which consists in the thickening or enlargement of the cartilages of the nose. As these disorders, however, require medical advice, we merely mention here such remedies as may commence the treatment of both varieties with equal propriety. Treatment.—Staphysagria, Phosphorus, Calcarea, SUicea, Sepia, each remedy (every five days a dose, six glob.) for three weeks, and then discontinue for one week before the next remedy is commenced, until better. Cancer in the Nose.—The treatment of this disease ought to be confined to the application of the proper internal reme- dies, as the cause of it lies in the system. By applying early to a homoeopathic physician it is sometimes cured, while under the allopathic treatment a cure is never effected. The cure may be commenced with Arsenic and Sulphur, in the same manner as above, under " Polypus of the Nose." Diet and Regimen.—As usual in homoeopathic treatment of chronic diseases. 7. Foreign Substances in the Nose. If a child has put a bean into its nose, let it draw in its breath, then close its mouth, and make it force the breath out through the nose ; or tickle the nose with a feather to make FOREIGN SUBSTANCES IN THE N06E. 235 it sneeze. Sometimes the bean can be pushed back so as to fall into the mouth, or it can be extracted with a needle, the point of which is turned into a small hook. If this does not succeed, apply to a surgeon. After the operation apply Ar- nica in water as usual, and give internally Arnica and Rhus, alternately, every six hours a dose (four glob.). In a couple of days give one dose (four glob.) of Sulphur. CHAPTER X. AFFECTIONS OF THE FACE, LIPS, AND JAWS. 1. Inflammation and Swelling of the Face. a. Erysipelas of the Face and Lips. For the treatment of this disease see "Erysipelas," under the diseases of the skin. The principal remedies are Bella- donna, Lachesis, and Rhus, to be given as there indicated. 6. Swelling of the Cheek, Caused by toothache, is generally relieved by ChamomUe, Belladonna, and Mercury, in alternation, every three hours a dose (four glob.) when the swelling is red, hot, and hard. Bryonia and Nux vomica, in alternation, in the same man- ner, when it is pale. If the swelling is very painful, put a bread-and-milk poultice on it. (See, also, " Toothache.") Diet and Regimen.—As in fevers. 2. Eruptions of the Face. The face is, in common with the nose, liable to eruptions in the shape of pimples, produced by various causes. (See " Inflammation and Eruptions of the Nose," and " Inflamma- tion of the Face.") For the pimples (acne rosacea) in drunkards (commonly called carbuncles), give Nux vomica, Lachesis, Arsenic, and Sidphur, every eight days one dose (six glob.) of one reme- dy, and so on in alternation until better. The abstinence from spiritous liquors during this time and afterward is, of course, required. (236) face-ache—neuralgia in the face. 237 For pimples in the face, as they appear often in young persons, give Belladonna, Hepar, Carbo veg., and Sulphur, in the same manner. For all other eruptions, such as tetter, etc., see their re- i spective heads, under " Skin Diseases." For crusta lactea, or milk crust, see " Diseases of Chil- dren." 3. Face-Ache — Neuralgia in the Face. (Prosopalgia— Tic douloureux.) When this disease has been of long standing or is consti- tutional, it requires medical advice and careful treatment to eradicate it; but if of recent date the following remedies may be used with benefit. For more information look under the head of " Toothache," as the same remedies there stated will j be found to answer. It appears, generally, in paroxysms of severe pain under the eye and in front of the ear ; shooting over the other parts | of the face, most generally on one side only, and some- times accompanied with spasmodic twitchings of the facial muscles. We give first the principal medicines in the different kinds of face-ache, and afterward their details, which must be read j before a selection is made. a. For face-ache of an inflammatory character (heat, red- ness of the face, and thirst): Aconite, Bryon., Bellad., Thuja, ChamomUe, Nux vom. b. For rheumatic or face-ache from cold : Cham., Bryonia, Bellad., Mercury, Pulsat., Spigclia. c. For gouty (arthrUic) face-ache: Colocyn., Rhus, Spigelia. d. For purely nervous face-ache (neuralgia in the face, tic douloureux) ; Bellad., Phosphor., Capsicum, Spigelia, Platina, Hyoscyamus. e. For face-ache from abuse of mercury : Carbo vegetabUis, Hepar. 238 affections of the face, lips, and jaws. Symptomatic Detail.—Aconite. Redness and heat of the face, with crawling pains on one side, or pains as from ulcera- tion ; swelling of the cheek or jaws; feverish heat, thirst, great exasperation, with agitation and tossing. Belladonna. Pain following the nerve under the eye, and easily excited by rubbing that part; or tearing, shooting pains in the bones, jaws, or cheek-bones ; rigidity of the nape of the neck ; twitching of the eyelids ; spasmodic jerks of the facial muscles and distortion of the mouth ; heat and redness of the face; chilliness and feverishness at the same time. Bryonia. Red face, burning hot, with swelling on one side, or under the eyes and on the root of the nose ; pressing pains in the face, relieved by external pressure ; pains in the limbs ; chilliness, followed by fever ; thirst; tongue coated yellowish. . Carbo veg. Tearing and drawing in the cheek-bones ; swell- ing of the cheeks and face ; night-sweats ; great weakness. Colocynth. Tearing and shooting pains, more on the left side of the face, extending into the head, temples, nose, ears, and teeth, with swollen face ; or when the pains increase at the slightest touch. Chamomile. Puffed and swollen face, with hardness, bluish color, and beating of the cheek; one cheek red, the other pale; spasmodic twitchings of the facial muscles ; greatly ex- cited and sensitive, or drowsy with feverish inquietude ; shiv- ering, with internal heat; desire to lie down and not be exposed to fresh air, particularly the wind. Capsicum. Pains in the bones of the face, worse by being touched, and when going to sleep; feeling of numbness of the cheek-bone. Hepar. Pains in the boi*es of the face; worse by touch, and extending into the ears and temples ; heat in the face during the night. Hyoscyamus. Pressing or cramp-like pains in the cheek bones. FACE-ACHE--NEURALGIA IN THE FACE. 239 Mercury. Tearing or shooting pains on one side, from the temples to the teeth ; worse at night and in the wamJth of the bed; too much saliva in the mouth and perspiration without bringing relief; sleeplessness. Nux vomica. Tearing and drawing pains, with swollen cheeks ; redness of one or both cheeks ; tingling in the face with beating in the muscles of the face ; worse by meditation and from wine or coffee. Arsenicum. Burning, pricking pain around the eyes and temples, returning periodically, and so severe as almost to j drive the patient to despair; great anguish and prostration, worse during repose, after fatigue, in the evening and after a meal; temporary relief is obtained from the use of external heat. i Phosphorus. Tearing pains on the left side ; worse by moving the muscles of the face, when eating, etc.; also, by i contact. Pulsatilla. Paleness, alternating with redness of the face; convulsive motions in the face; painful sensitiveness of the skin of the face, as if sore ; shivering on one side of the face ; j no thirst. Rhus. Pressing, cutting pains in the ckeek-bones; with heat and roughness of the skin of the cheeks; follows well after Bryonia. i Platina. Tingling, crawling pains, with numbness and coldness of the cheek on one side ; or spasmodic pain and pressure in the cheek-bone ; worse in the evening, when it generally begins ; very nervous; melancholy ; with red face, and thirst. Spigelia. Jerking, tearing, burning, and pressure in the ; cheek-bones ; worse by touch or motion ; with shining swell- in"- of the diseased part. Appears at a certain time of day ; worse on stooping. Thuja. Pain in the cheek-bones, as if there was a boring; relieved by touch ; spasmodic twitching of the lips ; follows 240 AFFECTIONS OF THE FACE, LIPS, AND JAWS. well after Belladonna; heat in the face, transitory; with per- spiration in the face. Administration.—Dissolve twelve globules of a remedy in half a teacupful of water, and give every hour a teaspoon- ful, until three teaspoonfuls are given, or the pain is relieved; then discontinue for two hours; after which, give the next remedy, if necessary. If, on giving Belladonna, it relieves, but not entirely, give afterward a couple of doses of Bella- donna00', until better. N. B. In very severe cases of neuralgia in the face I have seen the most beneficial effects from the tincture of AconUe (three drops to half a teacupful of water, every fifteen or twenty minutes a teaspoonful); in such cases its external ap- plication on the parts principally affected is also recommended. Otherwise, apply nothing externally but cold water bandages. Diet and Regimen.—The usual homoeopathic diet. Ab- stain, even in health, from coffee and tea, and bathe frequently. 4. Warts and Spots on the Face.—Cancer of the Face. For warts on the face, use first the remedies stated in the article on warts, under "Skin Diseases;" and if these do not succeed, use Caustic, Dulcamara, and Sepia; each remedy I internally for four weeks, every week one dose (six glob.), and externally, wet the warts every evening with a solution of the same remedy (three glob, in a few drops of water). Spots, yellow (hepatic), on the face, require principally the use of Sulphur and Sepia, in the same manner as above. Cancer of the face : see the remarks and treatment of " Cancer of the Nose." Diet.—The usual homceopathic diet in chronic diseases. 5. Paralysis of the Face and Jaw. In this disease, the muscles of the face have lost their powei to act and be moved by the will; consequently, the affected part of the face or jaw hangs down; it mostly results from PARALYSIS OF THE FACE AND JAW. 241 j attacks of apoplexy, rheumatism, loss of fluids, and con- sequent debility, or suppression of an eruption. For more details, see the article, "Paralysis or Palsy." If it appears j in an aggravated form, it must be treated by a physician; however, commence its treatment with the following remedies: Bellad., Graphites, and Caustic, every six or eight days one remedy, every other day one dose (six glob.), until better. In paralysis of the jaw (hanging jaw), Dulcamara, Arsenic, and Lachesis, in the same manner. Beside, apply cold water, electricity, or galvanism, at the same time, if the patient is re lieved by it. Diet, as usual in chronic diseases. 6. Lockjaw. (Trismus.) See page 68. 21 CHAPTER XI. AFFECTIONS OF THE TEETH, GUMS, MOUTH. 1. Toothache. (Odontalgia.) The proper culture of the teeth is important, in regard to health and comfort; and, as they form a part of the digestive system, their soundness depends a great deal on the healthy state of the stomach and bowels ; consequently, whatever may derange these organs, will act more or less injuriously on the teeth, and ought to be guarded against. The extremes of hoi and cold drinks should be avoided, and the teeth kept scrupu lously clean ; the best method for doing this is to brush them gently with a soft brush dipped in cold water. All medicated tooth-powders are more or less injurious. If tartar adheres to the teeth, have it cautiously scraped off, by a competent person ; and if any damage is visible, externally, consult im- mediately a skillful dentist; as he can easily repair it, while an unskillful practitioner makes the evil worse. We cannot be too careful in the selection of a dentist. If habitually predisposed to toothache, consult a homceopa- thic physician, who will be able to eradicate this complaint, which has either a scrofulous or rheumatic basis. But to commence such a cure, if the toothache is recent, from cold, etc., take some of the following remedies, which may afford speedy relief. Treatment.—In most cases of toothache, try first the following remedies, in this order: Chamomile, Bryonia, Mercu- ry, Sulphur, if the patient is a male ; and (242) toothache — odontalgia. -43 Chamomile, Belladonna, Mercury, and Sulphur, if a female or child. Administration. Give, according to the severity of the pain, from one to six hours a dose (four glob.), alternately, until better. If, however, among the remedies given below, one is found which will suit exactly, give this first of all. In administering the following medicines, be careful not to give another one, when the remedy previously given has already afforded some relief; let it then have time to show its effect; say from one to six hours. Do not use creosote, and other medicines, such as opiates ; as they are very injurious to the sreneral health, and to the teeth especially. Neither allow the teeth to be extracted so very readily; as frequently it does not relieve, and can be obviated altogether, by the use of one of the following remedies. Select with care, and give as a dose, four globules at a time. Before taking any medicine, cleanse the mouth of every- thing which may have been used previously ; particularly of those things which have a smell, such as creosote, etc. The principal remedies recommended in this article for toothache are the following: Belladonna, Chamomile, Mercury, Nux vom., Pulsat., Sul- phur, Bryonia, China, Hyoscyamus, Ignatia, Rhus, Staphy- sag., AconUe, Carbo veg., Coffea, Hepar, Sepia, Silicea, Dulca. Before we give their detailed symptoms, we will state a few general indications, which are of great service in select- ing the proper medicine. First, look under the general indications, and on finding there a head applying to the case, select the proper remedies by reading their detailed symptoms below, and comparing them with the present attack. General Indications.—Toothache in children : AconUe, Belladonna, Chamomile, Coffea, Ignatia. In females: AconUe, Belladonna, Chamomile, China, Coffea, \ Bryonia, Ignatia, Pulsat., Sep in. 244 affections of the teeth, gums, and mouth. In young girls of full habit: Aconite, Belladonna. At the time of the menses : Carbo veg , Chamomile, Pulsat., Bryonia. During pregnancy : Belladonna, Nux vom., Pulsatilla, Sta- physag., Rhus. During nursing : China. In hysterical females : Ignatia, Sepia, Belladonna. In sensitive and nervous persons: AconUe, Belladonna, Coffea, Hyoscyamus, Ignatia, Nux vom. When caused by abuse of coffee : Chamomile, Ignatia, Nux vomica. Of tobacco: Bryonia, China, Chamomile, Hepar. Of mercury or calomel: Carbo veg., Hepar, Pulsat., Sul- phur. When in consequence of a chill: AconUe, Belladonna, Chamomile, Coffea, Dulcamara, Ignatia, Mercury, Nux vom., Pulsat. When caused by damp and cold air: Nux vom., Pulsat. If it is of a rheumatic nature : Chamomile, Mercury, Bry- onia, Bellad., Sulph., Pulsat., China, Rhus. Of a nervous nature : Bellad., Coffea, Ignatia, Chamomile, Nux vom., Hyoscyamus, Sulph. Of a congestive nature : Aconite, Bellad., Chamomile, China, Pulsat., Hyoscyamus. In carious teeth: Mercury, China, Pulsat., Staphysag., Chamomile, Bryon., Silicea, Sulph. With affection of the bones of the face: Mercury, Sulph. With pains up to the eyes : Pulsat. To the ears : Chamomile, Mercury, Pulsat., Sulph. To the head: Chamomile, Mercury, Nux vomica, Pulsat., Sulphur. With a swelled face: Chamomile, Mercury, Nux vomica, Pulsat., Bryonia, Sepia. With swelled gums: AconUe, Bellad., China, Hepar, Mer- cury. Nux vom., Sulphur. TOOTHACHE — ODONTALGIA. 245 With swelled submaxUlary glands: Carbo veg., Mercury, Nux vom., Staphysag. Conditions under which the toothache is relieved or aggra- vated. Toothache relieved : By pressure : Bellad., Pulsat., China, Rhus. By rubbing: Mercury. When lying down : Mercury. When lying on the painful side : Bryon. When going to sleep : Mercury. From warmth : Mercury, Nux vom., Sulph., Arsenic, Rhus. In the open air: Pulsat., Bryon., Hepar. By holding a cold hand to it: Rhus. By applying cold water, temporary relief: Bryon. From smoking: Mercury. From cold air : Pulsat., Nux vom., Sepia. When clenching the teeth : Coffea, China, Arsenic. When the gums bleed : Bellad. When sitting up in bed: Mercury, Rhus, Arsenic. By cold drink : Bryon., Pulsat. By warm drink : Lycopod., Nux mosch., Sulph. Toothache aggravated: By cold air : Bellad., Mercury, Staphysag., Sulph., Hyoscy. By cold water : Bryon., Nux vom., Culph., Antimon. crud., Calcarea. By cold washing : Mercury, Sulph., Calcarea. By drawing cold air into the mouth : Bellad., Mercut Bryon., Nux vom., Sulph. In the open air: Bellad., Staphysag., Nux vom., Chit Sulph., Rhus. In a draught: China, Sulph., Calcarea. In a room : Chamomile, Sulph., Antim. crud. From smoking: Ignatia, Bryon., China. From applying hot things : Bellad., Phosphoric acid. 246 AFFECTIONS OF THE TEETH, GUMS, AND MOUTH. From applying warm things : Coffea, Pulsat., Bryon., Cka- momile, Sulph. From warm drinks : Mercury, Nux vom., ChamomUe. From eating anything warm: Bryonia. In a warm room or bed : Pulsat., Hepar, Bellad., Mercury, Bryon., Chamomile. From drinking coffee: Ignatia, Bryon., China. When pressing the teeth together : Hepar, Hyoscya., Rhus. When touching the teeth by the tongue : Ignatia, Mercury, China, Carbo veg. When picking them : Pulsat. During motion: Bryon., Nux vom., China. When sitting: Pulsat., Rhus. When lying down: Ignatia. When lying on the painful side : Arsenic. When lying on the sound side : Bryon. When going to sleep: Arsenic. Before midnight: Bryon. After midnight: Mercury, Staphysag. In bed : Mercury, Antim. crud. When awaking: Bellad., Nux vom., Carbo veg. In the forenoon : Pulsat., Sulph., Carbo veg. In the afternoon: Mercury, Sulph., Nux vom., Pulsat. Toward evening: Pulsat. In the evening : Ignatia, Bellad., Mercury, Pulsat., Bryon., Nux vom., Sulph., Antim. crud., Rhus. By noise: Calcarea. By vexation: Rhus. When thinking : Bellad., Nux vomica. When reading : Ignatia, Nux vomica. By salt things: Carbo veg. Symptomatic Detail.—Aconite-. Feverishness, with great anxiety and restlessness, intense beating pains, with conges- tion to the head and intense burning in the face, which is swollen, and very painful. Belladonna, Bryonia, and Chamo- TOOTHACHE--ODONTALGIA. 247 l "" ~..... "' | mUe suit very well "after it; or in alternation with Coffea, if ; the pain is intolerable (see Coffea). i Belladonna. Great anguish and restlessness, or excessive i sadness, with tendency to shed tears ; sensation of ulceration I in the teeth and gums ; drawing, tearing, incisive, or shoot- ing pains in the teeth, face, and ears, aggravated in the even- \ ing> after lying down at night; bleeding of the teeth on sucking them ; swelling of the cheek ; dryness of the mouth and throat, with great thirst; worse in the open air and when eating ; heat and redness of the face, with beating in the head and cheeks ; , burning and redness of the eyes. ; After it, Mercury, Hepar, ChamomUe, Pulsat., suit. Chamomile. Violent jerking, drawing, and shooting pains, j almost insupportable; worse at niglU, when the patient is j warm in bed; with swelling and redness of the cheeks and irritability of mind; disposition to cry, during the pain; | swelling of the gums ; enlargement of the submaxillary i glands ; oftener on one side, or without knowing which teeth ache most. Shooting or pulsative pains in the head, ears, and face ; worse after drinking anything hot or cold; particu- | larly after drinking coffee; one cheek red, the other pale; vio- lent agitation, and tossing about; yet great weakness, almost to fainting. After it, Bryonia, Mercury, Coffea, Sulphur, Belladonna, | follow well. Coffea. Violent pains, during which the patient is utterly distracted ; with trembling, tears, tossing, and agitation (in alternation with AconUe). Indescribable pains; worse at night, or after a meal. I After it, AconUe, Belladonna, Hyoscyamus, Sulphur, suit well. Calcarea. Toothache in pregnant females ; pains in hollow teeth, or around loose stumps; throbbing, drawing, pricking pains, with swelled, sore, easily bleeding gums ; face full and red, particularly during the night; pains caused by taking 248 AFFECTIONS OF THE TEETH, GUMS, AND MOUTH. cold ; worse by cold or draught of air; the patient bears neither cold nor warm drinks ; noise increases the pain. Carbo veg. Drawing, tearing, or beating pains in the teeth, with painful tendency to the touch, especially after eating; the gums bleed easily; with a feeling of ulceration and looseness of the teeth ; worse in damp weather, or when hot, cold, or salted things, are put into the mouth; or when Mer- cury has not relieved the pains. China. When debilitated by loss of fluids, as after having been bled, or during nursing, etc.; or when the pain is beat- ing, drawing, jerking; dull pain in carious teeth; worse after eating; at night, or when touched; mitigated by pressing and clenching the teeth. After it, Mercury, Pulsat., Sulphur. Bryonia. Pains in carious teeth, and in the gums, as if sore and excoriated, with the feeling as if the teeth were loose: jerking and drawing pains, with a sensation as if the teeth were loose or too long, but are not so; especially when eating, or after a meal; the pains force one to lie down; are worse at night; or on taking anything hot into the mouth ; ameliorated when lying on the side affected. It suits well after ChamomUe, or before Mercury; also, in alternation with Rhus, in those toothaches which are caused either by wet weather, or accompany bilious rheumatic attacks. (See this article.) Dulcamara. In toothache accompanied by diarrhea, from cold or from a chill; suits well in such cases after Chamo- mile, when that remedy has proved insufficient; also, in cases of toothache from cold, where it has fallen upon the salivary glands, with salivation; where Belladonna and Mer- cury have proved insufficient. Hepar. Suits well for persons who have taken a great deal of mercury; and when the toothache precedes the for- mation of gum-boils; in this case, in alternation with SUicea; beside, it is suitable after Mercury or Belladonna, when their TOOTHACHE--ODONTALGIA. 249 are painful or erysipelatous swelling of the cheek, or jerking and drawing pains in the teeth; worse on clenching the teeth, when eating, in a warm room, or at night. Hyoscyamus. The pains, when this remedy should be used, are very violent; tearing; pulsation from the cheek to the forehead, after taking cold, or in the cold air, with conges- tion to the head; red and hot face; clenching of the teeth; convulsive jerkings of the fingers, hands, or arms; great ner- vous excitability; red and brilliant eyes, looking around wildly; pains are so violent as to almost cause raving. Ignatia. In persons of a sensitive temperament, yet of a mild character; or, now lively and gay, and soon after, dis- posed to weep. The toothache for which this remedy should be used, is distinguished by a sensation as if the teeth were broken; caused by taking cold; by depressing mental suffer- ing; or when the pains are worse after drinking coffee or smoking tobacco; after lying down, or in the morning on waking. It suits well after ChamomUe, Nux vomica or Pulsatilla. Mercury. One of the principal remedies for toothache in children, or when there are shooting pains in the carious teeth; and tearing pains in the roots of the sound teeth, through the whole side of the face, into the ears; with swelling of the cheek ; painful on touch; swelling of the submaxUlary glands; salivation; worse at night; but particularly so, even insup- portable, in the warmth of the bed; the pains are excited by cool and damp air, or by eating or drinking anything cold. It suit3 well after Belladonna or Dulcamara; or before Hepar, Carbo veg., or Sulphur. Nux vomica. Especially in persons who lead a sedentary life, or indulge habitually in coffee or ardent spirits; pain as from excoriation, or jerking, drawing, particularly in the cari- ous teeth; swollen and painful gums, with pulsation as in an abscess; worse at night, in the morning on waking, after din- ner, or during a walk in the open air; irritable, quarrelsome, 250 AFFECTIONS OF THE TEETH, GUMS, AND MOUTH. and peevish temper, with tendency to constipation and piles. It suits well before Mercury or Sulphur. Pulsatilla. Especially in persons of a mild, quiet, and timid character, with tendency to shed tears; toothache from cold; with earache and headache on one side, mostly on the left; tearing, shooting, or jerking pain, as if the nerve were tightened and suddenly relaxed; pulsation; gnawing pain, with pricking in the gums; pains extending to the face, head, eyes, and ears, mostly on one side, with paleness of the cheeks, heat in the head, shivering in the body and difficulty of breathing; worse in the afternoon or evening, or else after midnight; ag- gravated when warm in bed or when seated in a warm room; mitigated by cool air or when out of doors. It suits well before or after Mercury or before Sulphur. Rhus. Particularly in rheumatic toothache in wet weather, with pains in the extremities and head, shivering and rest- lessness; in such cases in alternation with Bryonia. (See this remedy.) Or tearing, jerking, shooting, tingling pains, worse in the open air or at night, when it renders the patient very restless; mitigated by external heat. It suits well after Belladonna. Sepia. Pulsative and shooting pains extending into the ears and arms as far as the fingers; tendency to sick headache; constipation and piles. It suits well after Belladonna. Silicea. Shooting pains, with swelling of the jaw-bones, which ache rather worse than the teeth ; worse in the night; fistulas or gum-boils. It suits well after Mercury or Hepar. Sulphur. Tearing, jerking, and pulsative pains, particu- larly in the carious teeth, with swelling of the cheek; conges- tion and beating in the head; shooting pains in the ears; constipation with tendency to piles; the toothache is worse in the evening or at night when warm in bed, or exposed to the open air or a current of air; also from cold water. It suits well after AconUe or Mercury. Staphysag. When the toothache affects carious teeth, or OFFENSIVE BREATH. 251 the teeth become so, and break off easily, with paleness, whUeness, ulceration, swelling and tenderness of the gums; worse immediately after eating or drinking anything cold, or by inlialing the cold air; also in the morning or at night. 2. Caries of the Teeth. (Carious Teeth.) For pains in carious teeth the principal remedy is Antimon., ChamomUe, or else Staphysag., Nux vom., Mercury, China, Pulsat., and Sulphur. Give of these every three or six hours a dose (four glob.), until relieved. For a disposition to caries in the teeth, give first Staphysag., then Sulphur, then Calcarea carb., every week two doses of one remedy, commencing with the first, each dose six globules. Beside this treatment consult a good dentist, as teeth may frequently be saved by a simple operation, while without it they would decay in a short time. 3. Offensive Breath. If it is from carious teeth, consult a good dentist immedi- diately; or, if that is impossible, clean out the hollow teeth yourself, with cotton or rolls of paper, and fill the cavities with wax. Offensive breath, caused by neglect in cleaning the teeth from tartar or particles of food attached to them after eating, can be removed only by the most careful attention to rinsing the mouth frequently and using the brush freely. Sometimes offensive breath is a symptom of other diseases, such as swelling and inflammation of the gums and glands from the abuse of Mercury. (See this article.) Where it cannot be traced to any particular cause, however, try to re- lieve the patient by giving the following remedies : If it appears only in the morning, give Arnica, Nux vomica, Belladonna, SUicea, Sulphur. If after a meal, ChamomUe, Nux vomica, Sulphur. 252 AFFECTIONS OF THE TEETH, GUMS, AND MOUTn. If in the evening or at night, Pulsat., Sulphur. If in young girls at the age of puberty, Aurum, Pulsatilla, Sulphur, Bryonia, Belladonna, Sepia. Administer every evening of one of the above remedies indicated, one dose (six glob.) for one or two weeks, when another remedy may be selected if necessary. N. B. The smell caused by Onions, garlic, or horse-radish, may be destroyed by taking a little wine, or eating a pear or boiled beets. 4. Bad Taste in the Mouth. A great many diseases, such as fevers and disorders of the stomach, have a bad taste in the mouth as an accompanying symptom, which will disappear with the principal complaint; this must be looked for in the proper chapters; but some- times it appears as a solitary symptom, for which the follow- ing remedies may be given : Taste :—Insipid—Bryonia, Rhus, Dulcam.; if after drinking, China; if after a meal or in the evening, Thuja. Coppery—Cuprum, Rhus, Cocculus. Earthy—China, Pulsatilla, Sulphur. Metallic—Lachesis, Mercury, Nux vom. Mkcous or slimy—Mercury, ChamomUe, Pulsatilla, Lycopo- dium, Belladonna, Rhus. Putrid—Arnica, Bryonia, Rhus, Sulphur, Nux vom., Mer- cury, Pulsatilla, Sepia. If worse in the morning—Rhus, Nux vom., and Sulphur. If after a meal—Rhus. BUter, bilious—Bryonia, PulsatUla, Arnica, Antimon. crud., Chamomile. Acid—Pulsat., Mercury, Nitric acid, Sepia, Sulphur. Sweetish—Mercury, Pulsat., Sulphur. Saltish—Merc, Nux vom., Tart, emet., Arsenic, Carbo veg. For loss of taste—Belladonna, Hepar, Bryonia, Phosphorus, SUicea, Natrum muriat. INFLAMMATION AND SWELLING OF THE TONGUE 253 Administration.—Take one dose (four glob.) of the ap- propriate medicine once a day for a couple of days, which is generally sufficient. If very bad, take two or three times a day. 5. Inflammation and Swelling of the Tongue. ( GlossUis.) This disease is not of frequent occurrence. When it ap- pears the tongue is swollen, either in part or wholly, often to a great extent, so as to fill the whole cavity of the mouth, thereby rendering it extremely difficult to speak, swallow, or even breathe. The disease, if not checked in time by the proper homceopathic remedies, frequently runs into suppura- tion or hardening of the substance of the tongue, after which the fever, which is generally very intense during the height of the inflammation, gradually subsides, or it terminates in gangrene of the tongue and surrounding parts. Causes.—This disease is mostly caused by local injuries, such as from the points of decayed teeth, the sting of a bee, or by rheumatic and catarrhalic influences. Treatment.—In the commencement of the disease, if the tongue has been injured externally, give Arnica, rinsing the mouth with a solution of ten drops of the tincture to a tea- cupful of water three or four times a day. If injured by burning or scalding, give Urtica urens, in a similar manner. But if real inflammation of the substance sets in, and there is great fever, give first AconUe, in solution (twelve globules in half a teacupful of water), every hour or two a teaspoon- ful alternately with Apis melliflca until better. Mercury is almost a specific after AconUe, particularly when there is great swelling and heat of the tongue and surrounding glands ; it may be given either alone, every three or four hours a dose (four glob.), or alternately with Belladonna, if the mouth is very dry and the pain excessive, with great thirst and congestion to the head; also with Apis melliflca. 254 AFFECTIONS OF THE TEETH, GUMS, AND MOUTH. Pulsatilla is beneficial in cases caused by suppression of gouty, or hemorrhoidal affections. If indications of gangrene appear, Arsenic and Lachesis are the principal remedies, alternately to be given as above in Belladonna and Mercury. If ulceration of the tongue takes place, see " Ulcers." If the swelling has become so enormous, as to endanger the life of the patient, make longitudinal incisions in the tongue. Administration, Diet, and Regimen. — As in inflamma- tory fevers. 6. Canker of the Mouth. (Stomacace.) This disease consists in an inflammation and ulceration of the inside of the mouth and surrounding parts, preceded by | general lassitude, loss of appetite, gastric derangement, and | feverishness. The local affection soon makes its appearance with heat, redness, and sensitiveness of the gums, which swell, become spongy, and retract from the teeth; presently small ulcers appear on the gums, spreading to the lips, tongue, pa- late, and inside of the cheeks, smelling very offensively. Sometimes the glands of the throat and mouth swell and participate in the inflammation, secreting large quantities of a putrid, acrid saliva, which runs constantly from the mouth, j In such a state the patient looks like one who has been deeply j salivated by the abuse of mercury; we find, also, the same weakness and feverishness. Treatment.—Mercury must be given first, as it is almost | the specific in this disease, but not, of course, in those cases which have been produced by its own abuse; in such cases see " Diseases from the abuse of Mercury." Administration.—Dissolve twelve globules in half a tea- cupful of water, and give every three or four hours a tea- spoonful until four or six are taken ; if better the patient needs no more medicine ; if not better, or about the same, CANKER OF THE MOUTH--STOMACACE. 255 select one of the following remedies, preparing and giving it in the same manner as the mercury. Capsicum. Particularly in phlegmatic persons with a full habit, leading a sedentary life; or where there are burning blisters or vesicles on the tongue, and swelling of the gums. Dulcamara. Where the patient has taken cold, or where the glands of the neck participate, feel sore, and are swollen. Arsenic. Ulcerations on the margins of the tongue, with violent burning pain ; swelling and easy bleeding of the gums ; great debility and restlessness, with a desire to drink frequently but not much at a time. Borax. Ulceration of the gums with thrush in the mouth and on the tongue; bleeding easily, particularly in children. Administration.—See "Thrush" in "Diseases of Chil- dren." Carbo veg. Ulceration of the gums and tongue, with pro- fuse bleeding; burning sensation, and excessive fetidness of the ulcers, and difficult movement of the tongue. It suits well after Arsenic, or where Mercury has caused salivation. Nitric acid. If Mercury has proved inefficacious, or if the gums are swollen, look whitish, and bleed easily, with loose- ness of the teeth ; excoriations in the mouth ; salivation and a putrid odor of the mouth. Nux vomica. In the worst cases, and then in alternation with Arsenic; principally in lean persons, who lead a seden- tary life ; or where there is putrid and painful swelling of the gums ; fetid ulcers cover the whole inside of the mouth, which smells very offensively ; the face looks discolored, with hollow cheeks, dull eyes; emaciation ; constipation and irritability. Sulphur. At the end of the cure, or when there is swell- ing of the gums with pulsative pains; thrush in the mouth and on the tongue; blisters which burn when eating; offen- sive and sour smell from the mouth, with a thickly-coated, whitish, or brownish tongue ; constipation, or greenish, slimy 256 AFFECTIONS OF THE TEETH, GUMS, AND MOUTH. evacuations ; restlessness at night. " It suits well after Arsenic, Mercury, or Nux vomica. Externally use nothing but cold water, with which the mouth should be frequently washed ; sometimes lemon-juice or sage tea is beneficial, at least not objectionable, when its use can be borne. Diet.—Only the mildest nourishment, such as gruels, milk and water, etc., is allowed ; no meat or soup of meat until the patient is decidedly convalescent. 7. Inflammation of the Palate. See "Sore Throat." 8. Abscess in the Gums.—Gum-boils.— Swelling of the Jaw-bone. Before an abscess in the gums, or a gum-boil, is formed, there is much inflammation and swelling in the parts affected, which requires the use of AconUe and Belladonna in alterna- tion, every three or four hours a dose (four glob.), until better ; or, if not better after twelve hours, Mercury and Hepar in the same manner. If the boil has formed, give Silicea, evening and morning a dose (four glob.), for three or four days; and if not better in eight days, give Calcarea carb., in the same manner, and after this Staphysag. The same treatment is suitable for swelling and ulceration of the jaw-bone, produced by carious teeth, or after the ex- traction of a tooth. Diet light, and according to the homoeopathic rules. 9. Scurvy. (Scorbutus.) This disease exhibits all the symptoms described in the previous article, on " Canker of the Mouth." It differs. however, as regards its origin and progress, which is slow and chronic. The real scurvy principally affects persons who are in SCURVY--SCORBUTUS. 2o7 circumstances which deprive them of fresh provisions (such as sailors), and expose them to damp and cold. If, at the same time, there is want of exercise, impure air, and un- cleanliness, together with depression of spirits, the disease will progress rapidly. It begins with swelling of the gums, which become spongy, discolored, and bleed easily; producing fetid breath; after- ward the lower extremities begin to swell, and the skin shows tettery and livid spots; face looks lead-colored and bloated; urine is offensive, and the stools are extremely fetid; hemor- rhages from the nose, teeth, tongue, and the urinary organs now ensue; the general debility and melancholy increases, and ulcers make their appearance on various parts; after which, a general dissolution of the system takes place. Treatment.—A great part of the cure of this disease lies in the removal of its causes ; and this should be done, if pos- sible ; substituting fresh provisions for salt; also, fresh fruits and vegetables, oranges, lemons, cider, vinegar, spruce-beer, sourcrout, etc. Beside, give the following remedies : Mercury. If this has not already been used to excess in the disease (in which case Carbo veg. should commence the cure), give it for the following symptoms : Red, spongy, ulcerated, and easily-bleeding gums, with burn- ing pains at night; looseness of the teeth ; the whole inside of the mouth covered with aphthae or thrush; fetid smell of the mouth, and ulcers; profuse discharge of offensive or sanguine- ous saliva; loose, scalding evacuations ; dark-red, fetid urine ; great exhaustion and debility, with inexpressible feeling of depression of body and mind. Administration.—Dissolve twelve glob, in half a teacupful of water, and give every four or six hours a teaspoonful, for six times; then discontinue the medicine for twenty-four or thirty-six hours, and, if improving, for a longer time ; if not, however, select the next best remedy. Carbo veg. Particularly in persons who have taken much 258 AFFECTIONS OF THE TEETH, GUMS, AND MOUTH. mercury, or when there are burning ulcers in the mouth, which bleed profusely at times, and discharge an acrid, fetid matter ; great weakness in body and mind. Nux vomica. For the same symptoms as stated in " Canker of the Mouth." (See this article.) Arsenic See " Canker of the Mouth." Beside these symptoms, it will mitigate the sufferings of the patient, in the most severe forms of this disease; ulcers are either very painful or not sensitive; look dark and livid; so does also, the whole skin, which is bluish, cold, and extremely dry; extreme restlessness, particularly at night. Nitric acid and Sulphur. See, " Canker of the Mouth." Administration of these remedies, the same as Mercury, above. Diet.—As in " Canker of the Mouth." 10. Salivation. (Ptyalism.) This disease is not always caused by the abuse of mercury; but frequently occurs after taking cold, or accompanies attacks of fever, such as scarlet, etc. Sometimes it appears in diseases of the reproductive system, as a critical discharge by the action of nature ; and is then very beneficial. Salivation (a profuse discharge of saliva or spittle) is only a symptom of that disease to which it has given its name. The disease consists in an irritation, swelling, and inflamma- tion of the glands of the mouth and throat; at times, of the whole mucous membrane, which, in health, secretes tht necessary saliva. It is evident and rational that, in order to 6top the salivation, we must remove the inflammation of the gland, or mucous membrane, by the appropriate remedies; which, if done, will of itself reduce the discharge of saliva to its legitimate quantity. All astringents which will directly diminish salivation are injurious; being only harmless, when they produce no effect. Mild washes, or gargles, such as milk and water, may paralysis of the tongue. 250 be used with benefit. Depend, however, principally upon the following remedies : Treatment. — If mercury or calomel is the cause, Hepar sulph., Lachesis, Belladonna, Opium, Carbo veg., Dulcamara, Ntnc acid, and Sulphur, in alternation, every six or twelve hours a dose (four glob.), until the patient feels relieved, if not of the quantity of saliva discharged, at least of the ill- feelings generally experienced in the whole system. If caused by cold, the first remedy to be used is almost always Mercury; and if not better after twelve or twenty-four hours, give the above-named remedies in the same order. If salivation occurs in fevers, as a crisis, do not interrupt its flow, unless it becomes very weakening and dangerous, in which case use the above-named remedies. Beside, compare "Stomacace." Diet and Regimen. — Diet of the mildest kind, gruels, milk and water, rusks, crackers soaked in milk, etc.; no meat. 11. Paralysis of the tongue. Paralysis of the tongue is one of the symptoms by which apoplexy shows itself; and in that case can only be cured by the removal of the whole disease. See, in that case, "Apo- plexy." But where the disease has only palsied the tongue and made it useless, give Lachesis, if it is experienced more on the left side of the tongue, and Belladonna, if more on the rigid side. Beside, Caustic, Hyoscyamus, Opium, Stramonium, Aconite, Sulphur, in rotation, if necessary, one after the other, giving every two or three days a dose (four or six glob.), until improvement begins. Diet and Regimen. — The usual homoeopathic diet in chronic diseases. 12. Difficulty of Speech.—Stammering.—Stuttering. A person may lose his speech in consequence of spasms or paralytic strokes, and if this is the case see their respective 260 AFFECTIONS OF THE TEETH, GUMS, AND MOUTH. chapters. If it is the well-known stammering or stuttering, medicines may be given to decrease the general sensitiveness i of the nervous system, and particularly of the nerves of speech. Yet the treatment must lie principally in acquiring such habits of speech as will bring it completely within the control of the speaker ; reading aloud is of service, intonating i every word, and beating time wUh the fingers on anything near. If this is patiently persevered in for a length of time, it will overcome the disease. A kind treatment by parents and teachers is necessary, particularly where lessons are to be repeated, or messages received. For diminishing the general sensitiveness of the nervous system, give the following remedies, which will have, also, a specific bearing upon the local disorder. Lachesis, Belladonna, Mercury, Sulphur, Stramonium, Na- trum muriaticum, GraphUes. Give each remedy for six weeks, every week one dose (six glob.), until better. Diet.—Abstain from coffee and spices. 13. Ranula, or Swelling under the Tongue. This disease consists in a swelling of the salivary glands under the tongue, where it appears as a bluish eminence, not painful, but in its final growth impeding speech materially. The principal remedies are Thuja, Mercury, Calcarea carb., and Sulphur; each remedy to be given for six weeks, every week two doses (six glob, each), until better. These reme- dies may be used at the same time externally, by dissolving a few globules in a little water, and keeping it in the mouth for a minute once a day. \ Diet and Regimen.—Abstain from coffee and spices. : L.._ CHAPTER XII. AFFECTIONS OF THE THROAT. Sore Throat.—Quinsy. (Angina faucium.) a. Common Sore Throat. This well-known disease consists in an inflammation and swelling of the back part of the throat, palate, and tonsils, which impedes the respiration to a greater or less extent, and occasions fever. It appears in different degress of intensity, from the slightest irritation of the throat, vanishing quickly, to the highest degree, the formation of an abscess in the ton- sils, or adjacent parts, which becomes very painful, and ob- structs respiration to an alarming extent. The following list of medicines will exhibit the different degrees of intensity in the symptoms, according to which the remedy must be chosen. Treatment. — I will first remark here, that perhaps in no disease the beneficial effects of cold water are so evident as in sore throat; and advise, therefore, its use in the beginning of this complaint, if it is possible. In the evening, when going to bed, put a wet bandage around the throat, and cover it with a dry cloth ; repeat the same in the day-time, if remaining within doors ; and at the same time select the proper homoeopathic remedies, as the application of the cold water will not interfere with the action of the medicine. I would also advise sponging the throat and breast with cold water, for persons who are habitually subject to quinsy, (261) 262 AFFECTIONS OF THE THROAT. in order to strengthen the weak parts. This ought to be done regularly, every morning. Another precaution which such persons ought to take, is to avoid, as much as possible, long-continued or loud talking, particularly when the weather is inclement, damp and cold, producing colds and rheumatism, or when traveling in rail cars. They should also strictly avoid any irregularity in diet and habits, and take particular care not to overload the stomach. Administration of the following Medicines.—Remember that the patient always ceases taking any medicine, as soon as he feels better, or is, at least, not worse. In the latter case, take the last appropriate medicine at longer intervals, from time to time, until entirely relieved. Having selected a remedy, dissolve twelve globules of it in half a teacupful of water, and give according to the severity of the case ; every one, two, three, or six hours a teaspoon- ful, until from three to six teaspoonfuls have been taken, when either the patient is better, or another remedy is need- ed ; if the latter, prepare and give this one in the same man- ner as above. If the patient cannot swallow, let him keep the medicine for a minute on the tongue, and then spit it out again, as the effect by that time is fully there ; or give the medicine dry on the tongue ; in which case, do not repeat it as often, say every two, three, four, or six hours a dose (four glob.). Before giving the list of medicines and their symptoms, I will state that in the commencement of most cases of sore throat, Chamomile, Bryonia, and Belladonna, in alternation, every four or six hours a dose, will be found sufficient, if taken early. If, however, the disease still progresses, select the more homceopathic remedy from among the following: AconUe, Belladonna, Bryonia, Rhus, ChamomUe, Lachesis, Mercury, Pulsat., Nitric acid, Dulcamara, Ignatia, Carbo veg., Nux vom., Capsicum, Hepar, Silicea, Sulphur ; or, if the SORE THROAT--QUINSY. 263 angina (sore throat) is caused by the abuse of mercury, look principally for Belladonna, Carbo veg., Hepar, Lachesis, Lyco- podium, Sulphur. Symptomatic Detail.—AconUe. Particularly if at the be- ginning the patient has much fever, heat, thirst, swallows with pain and difficulty ; the throat inside exhibits deep red- ness, causing a pricking sensation, worse when speaking. N. B. In inflammatory affections of the throat, AconUe ought invariably to commence the treatment: after it a suit- able remedy is Belladonna. When there are excoriating pains, with sen- sation of scraping and enlargement; generally a dryness in the mouth and throat; when swallowing, the pain shoots into the throat and up to the ear; sometimes cannot swallow at all; the drink escapes through tlie nostrils ; violent thirst, with j dread of drinking ; the throat itself inside shows a bright red- ness without much swelling, or a deep intense redness with con- siderable swelling of the tonsils, palate, and glands, with ten- dency to the formation of abscess or ulceration. Sometimes much slimy, whitish mucus in the mouth and throat; swell- ing of the muscles and glands of the neck and nape of the neck, with violent fever; hot, red, and swollen face ; red eyes, with dread of light. After it, Mercury, Hepar, or Lachesis, will be suitable. Bryonia. Sensations of shooting, with dryness of the throat and difficulty of speech ; after getting cold in damp cold weather, or after over-heating one's self, or drinking ice \ water ; frequently with pains in limbs and head, chilliness and thirst; in such cases, alternate with Rhus, every two or three hours a dose (four glob.), until three doses of each are i taken, or until better. Rhus. In most cases, where Bryonia is indicated (see the ; preceding " Bryonia"), or where there is obstructed swallowing as from contraction of the throat. C/iamomUe. Especially in sore throats of children, or 264 AFFECTIONS OF THE THROAT. i where it is caused by checked perspiration ; the glands of the neck, under the chin, and the tonsils are swollen ; in the throat itself a feeling of enlargement, with deep redness of the parts affected ; inability to swallow solid food, especially when lying down ; tingling in the throat, with hacking cough, hoarse- ness and rough voice. If fever is present toward evening; heat and shivering alternate with redness (especially of one) of the cheeks; irritability, with cries and tears; the child wishes to be constantly carried in the arms and wants things which, upon receiving, it throws angrily away. Lachesis. Swelling, redness, and feeling of excoriation of the tonsils and palate; constant need to swallow, with a sensa- tion as of a tumor or lump requiring to be swallowed; swal- lowing is obstructed, particularly of liquids, .which often escape through the nostrils; worse in the afternoon and morning, after sleeping, or from slight pressure on the neck. Sometimes it is necessary to give Lachesis after other reme- dies, particularly after Belladonna and Mercury have miti- gated the symptoms, but there still remains burning and dry- ness in the throat, extensive swelling, especially of the left tonsU, with difficulty of breathing, or danger of suffocation; or where there are small ulcers in the throat, or on the left ton- sil ; in which case, the remedy should be given in alternation with Lycopodium ; particularly when the bowels are consti- pated, and on the tonsils in the throat appear very small yellow eminences or tubercles. (See "Ignatia.") Mercury. Suits frequently in the beginning of a sore throat, when caused by taking cold, and in addition to the throat symptoms, there is a rheumatic drawing pain in the head and nape of the neck; perspiration which affords no relief; the throat symptoms are, violent shooting in the throat, and tonsUs, especially when swallowing, which extends to the ears and glands of the face and neck ; or there is a burning in the throat, and pains as from excoriation, spelling and great inflammatory redness of the parts affected; elongation of SORE THROAT — QUINSY. 265 the palate, difficult swallowing, especially of drinks, which j escape through the nostrils. In this case give it in alterna- tion with Belladonna. If an abscess in the throat cannot be avoided, Mercury, in alternation with Lachesis and Hepar, are the principal remedies to promote its maturation, and even after it has broken, Mercury is necessary, with Hepar and SUicea, to promote its healing ; particularly when the patient , feels worse at night, or in the evening, when he feels chilly and hot at the same time ; much saliva in the mouth, with per- spiration, which affords no relief; tongue thickly coated. PulsatUla. Suits very frequently in females, or persons of a mild phlegmatic character; after having taken cold, and the throat feels swollen inside ; tonsils and palate look dark and red, and dark red veins appear in the throat, which is covered with tough mucus ; the patient feels chilly toward evening. Nitric acid. Is very suitable after Mercury has been given, or in alternation with it where the throat is filled with small, superficial ulcerations, of a whitish appearance, like thrush, with bad mercurial smell ; also, in that form of angina caused by abuse of Mercury (see this article). Carbo veg. Suits well after Mercury and Nitric acid, if these remedies have not been sufficient against the ulcers in the throat; or after Bryonia and Rhus have been given, and there yet remain severe burning and pricking pains, particu- larly in wet weather. Nux vomica. Suits very well after Chamomile, or in per- sons of a bilious choleric character, when they have a sore- ness in the throat, with a feeling of rawness, hoarseness, parti- cular! v when inhaling cool air, or during the swallowing of the saliva ; or when the palate is elongated and swollen, with constipation and thirst. Nux vomica is a principal remedy for ulcerated sore throat. (See the next article.) Ignatia. Sensation as of a plug in the throat, with shoot- ings into the ear, especially when not swallowing; greater 23 266 AFFECTIONS OF THE THROAT. difficulty in swallowing liquid than solid food ; the tonsils swollen, indurated, or covered with small ulcers or tubercles. Compare ChamomUe, Nux vom., Pulsatilla, Lachesis, Mercury. Capsicum. In cases where Nux vomica seemed to be indi- cated, or when there is a burning roughness in the throat, with feeling of contraction and stiffness, beside sneezing and running of the nose, also running of the eyes. In cases of this kind it relieves very quickly. Hepar. Often after Belladonna, Mercury, Lachesis, or j when there are stitching pains in the throat, or in the swollen [ tonsils; particularly when swallowing or coughing; violent i pressure in the throat, with danger of suffocation ; necessary in maturing abscesses. (See Mercury.) SUicea. After an abscess has broken, Silicea, in alternation j with Hepar, is recommended, until it has closed and healed. Sulphur. Swelling of the throat and tonsils, with pain as from excoriation; beside a feeling of constriction. Sepia prevents the recurrence of an attack. , j Diet light. See " Inflammatory Fevers." j External Treatment.—Nothing but gargling with warm water and milk ; or for an abscess of the throat a warm lin- seed poultice, until it brea_s. Erysipelas of the Throat, as it appears mostly in scarlet I fever, measles, small-pox, etc., sometimes, however, indepen- dent of these diseases, requires in preference, Bellad., Aco- \ nUe, Nux vomica, Mercury, Lachesis, Sulphur, Arsenic, Carbo veg., Ignatia, as the detailed symptoms above may indicate. For angina caused by syphilis or gonorrhea, give mostly Mercury, Nitric acid, Thuja, Lachesis, or Sulphur. If it arises from foreign substances in the throat, such as j splinters, etc., give first Aconite, as usual ; but if, notwith- j standing, swelling and heat make their appearance in the | wounded part of the throat, look above, under "Erysipelas of the Throat," for the principal medicines, which in such cases are preferred. ULCERATED AND PUTRID SORE THROAT. 267 For constitutional or chronic angina, where a person is liable to these attacks upon the slightest occasion, commence the cure by selecting from Hepar, Lachesis, Lycopodium, Sulphur, Bellad., Nitric acid, Nux vomica, Thuja; and take them as needed, but not oftener than once a day ; and if the case is not too urgent, as far apart as every two or three days one dose (four or six glob.), until better. b. Ulcerated and Putrid Sore Throat. (Malignant Quinsy.) (Angina Gangrenosa.) This is one of those dangerous diseases, the treatment of which will seldom be attempted by domestic practice alone; yet, as persons may be in circumstances where they could not procure the aid of a homceopathic physician, I will give below the symptoms and treatment of this disease, as plainly and fully as it can be done in awork of this kind. Diagnosis.—This disease, in its most virulent form, appears mostly as an epidemic among children, when scarlet fever is raging, which it often supplants, or accompanies. In this form, it is highly infectious. In a milder form, it may occasionally attack any person, child or adult, who, from derangement of the digestive organs, or predisposition to throat diseases, is more subject to it. It commences with a chill or shivering, followed by fever ; great languor and oppression, with or without nausea ; eyes suffused, with a reddish hue; cheeks crimson; nostrils in- flamed, with a thin acrid discharge, causing excoriation of the nose and lips ; pulse weak and very quick, to indistinctness ; beside, the patient is very restless. On examination, the palate and visible part of the throat are found to be of a bright redness and swollen ; which together with the tonsils, are soon covered with numerous ulcers, coated with grayish-yellow crusts, which frequently separate in large pieces. At this time, the whole interior of the mouth, and even the lips, are involved in the destruction of the mucous 268 AFFECTIONS OF THE THROAT. membrane. The fever and restlessness increase, as also the difficulty of swallowing and breathing. The breath becomes extremely offensive ; the glands around the neck swell, and the skin on the neck and face assumes a shining, glossy appearance; finally, drowsiness sets in, and the young patient, if not soon relieved, dies with symptoms of apoplexy or suffocation. The milder form exhibits the above symptoms, with less severity, and terminates, in most cases favorably, on the third or fifth day, by general perspiration ; breathing then becomes easier; the pulse less frequent and stronger; quiet sleep ensues, and the expression of the face grows more lively. Treatment.—The typhoid character of this disease requires medicines for that class of fevers, such as Belladonna, Lache- sis, Arsenic, Carbo veg., Sulphur; and the peculiar affections of the throat, such as Mercury, Nitric acid, Nux vom. Belladonna. In the beginning of the disease, when there is dryness of the throat and choking, fear, restlessness, even delirium. For further indications and Administration.—See "Bellad." under "Scarlet Fever." Mercury. If profuse secretion of saliva makes its appear- ance, together with ulceration in the throat and mouth, which must be carefully observed, give Mercury either alone, in the same manner as Bellad., above referred to, or in alternation, with NUric acid, in the same manner, if there is great sensi- tiveness in the ulcerated parts. If these two remedies arrest the disease, causing diminution of saliva and a cleaner appearance of the ulcers, wait patiently twenty-four or thirty-six hours, at which time one dose (four glob.) of Sulphur will be sufficient to complete the cure. But if the disease progresses, Lachesis will be necessary to be given, in the same manner as Bellad., above; particularly when the neck becomes much swollen and glossy, and the gangrene of the ulcers still continues. INFLAMMATION AND SWELLING OF THE TONSILS. 269 - If no change is perceptible from its use within twelve hours. let it be followed by Arsenic; which is the principal remedy, particularly when the weakness is very great. These two remedies may be given in alternation, in the same manner, and, for at least twenty-four hours; if then not better, let Nux vomica and Carbo veg. follow in the same manner. If a drowsy sleepiness, with snoring, appears, give Opium, chree times every hour a dose (each dose four glob.), and afterward Cuprum in the same manner; if the patient sleeps with eyes half open, give Bryon., and Hellebor.,. as directed under " Scarlet Fever." After the patient is out of danger, but the ulcers do not heal fast enough, give Nitric acid, evening and morning a dose (four glob.), and in two or three days afterward, Sul- phur, in the same manner. Application of Water.—See page 261. Diet and Regimen.—Diet as in " Scarlet Fever ;" cleanli- ness and free ventilation are strongly recommended. N. B. For the treatment of the milder form of this disease, see also the preceding article on " Sore Throat or Quinsy." Inflammation and Swelling of the Tonsils. (Amygdalitis.) This disease, in its acute form, is already treated of in the article, " Sore throat or Quinsy," to which we refer the reader In the chronic form, where the tonsils have become enlarged and remain so, often for years without seriously endangering the life of the patient, it is extremely dangerous to have the tonsils cut out; as frequently, after such an ope- ration, the lungs become affected, and the patient dies of consumption. . The only safe way to cure these enlarged tonsils, is to put the patient under homoeopathic treatment; and, even though it takes a long time (the nature of the disease does not admit of a speedy reduction), it is still better than to expose the patient's life to the greatest danger, by an operation. 270 affections of the throat. Commence such a course by giving the patient the follow- ing remedies, in their order; of each remedy every four days a dose (four glob.) for six weeks, until an amendment is per- ceptible. The remedies are: Causticum, Belladonna, Calcarea carb., Lachesis, Hepar sulph., Ignatia, Sulphur. Application of Water in this disease is beneficial in the form of wet bandages during the night, cold ablutions in the evening, and sitting-baths in the morning ; beside, plenty of exercise in the open air; no meat diet, but frequent drinking of cold water. Diet.—As usual in the homoeopathic treatment for chronic diseases. Swelling or Elongation of the Palate. (Falling of the Palate.) Some persons are troubled with this disease after the slightest cold or indigestion; it consists in an inflammation of the palate (uvula), which produces the feeling of falling by its elongation. If it continues long, it becomes very annoying, and the cause of a tickling in the throat and an irritating cough. The practice of cutting off the palate, in order to take away its inflammation, is certainly radical enough, but by no means rational, and always pernicious. Treatment .— Nux vomica is the best remedy in all recent attacks; evening and morning a dose (six glob.). If not Deiier in forty-eight hours, take Mercury, Bellad., Calcarea carb., and Sulphur, one after the other, in the same manner, until better. Application of Water.—See preceding article. Diet.—Avoid meat, coffee, and spices; gargle the throat with cold water, and externally apply cold water bandages. (See " Sore Throat.") i I________________________________________________1 CHAPTER XIII. AFFECTIONS OF THE WINDPIPE AND CHEST. 1. Hoarseness. (RaucUas, Aphonia.) If this complaint accompanies other diseases, such as measles, croup, influenza, etc., its treatment will be found in the respective articles; but if the hoarseness, which is an affection of the mucous membrane of the larynx, exists alone, or only combined with a cough, we will state its treatment here. Hoarseness differs in regard to time and degree. It is recent (acute), or of long standing (chronic); also, sometimes very slight, at others very severe, amounting even to a perfect aphonia, or loss of voice. Catarrhs or colds in the throat frequently manifest them- selves only as hoarseness, and should be treated as follows. a. Acute Hoarseness. Nux vomica and Mercury (see "Influenza"), are the prin- cipal remedies. Nux vomica for a rough, dry cough, with soreness and tough mucus in the throat; the patient feels alternately chilly, and hot; is impatient and morose. Mercury. Either after Nux vomica or PulsatUla (see below), or in alternation with them, particularly when with a hoarse and rough voice there is a sensation of burning tickling in the windpipe, and disposition to easy and profuse perspiration, without relief; if with sneezmg, etc. (Se« "Influenza.") (271) 272 AFFECTIONS OF THE WINDPIPE AND CHEST. Capsicum. Hoarseness with an unpleasant tickling in the nose, which feels dry and obstructed; beside, a severe cough, and pain in the head and bowels. Carbo veg. and Phosphorus in alternation; see " Chronic Hoarseness." Chamomile. Particularly in children under similar symp- toms as Nux vomica. Sometimes one cheek red and hot, the other pale and cool; fever in the evening, and great irrita- bUity of temper. Drosera. Hoarseness, with a very deep and hollow voice. Sambucus. Hoarseness, with a deep, hollow cough ; diffi- culty of breathing, which occasions profuse sweating. PulsatUla. Stinging and soreness in the throat; voice scarcely audible (aphonia), with a loose cough and pain in the chest; running of thick, yellow mucus from the nose. Suits well after Aconite, and is followed well by Sulphur. Sulphur. Roughness and scraping in the throat; deep, rough voice in damp weather, with difficulty of breathing, particularly at night. Follows well after Mercury, Pulsatilla, Bryonia, and Rhus, and is necessary in every obstinate case of hoarseness, particularly at the end of the cure. Bryonia, and Rhus. In alternation, every two or three hours a dose (four glob.), when there is soreness of the throat and chest; worse after talking, with chilliness ; pains in the limbs and head ; oppressed breathing, frequent sneezing, with discharges from the nose. After it Mercury and Sulphur suit well. Administration.—Take of the remedies indicated three doses (four glob, each) in twelve hours (every four hours one); then wait twelve hours, and if not better take the next chosen remedy in the same manner. Application of Water.—Wash breast and neck frequently with cold water, and gargle the throat with it. Diet.—No meat or coffee; drink freely of cold water, and chronic hoarseness. 273 use the cold-water bandages around the throat during the night. b. Chronic Hoarseness. A hoarseness which has continued for some time is a symp- tom of the beginning of bronchitis, and ought to be attended to immediately. If it cannot be cured by the following reme- dies, a homoeopathic physician must be consulted. Hepar sulph. If a person has been used to take large quan- tities of calomel or other mercurial preparations, he may commence the cure with Hepar, particularly if there is a cough, worse at night, on lying in bed, or when any part of the body gets cool. After or in alternation with Phosphorus. Carbo veg. Chronic hoarseness, worse after talking ; in wet weather; in the evening and morning; also, after measles. Sulphur. See under "Acute Hoarseness." Phosphorus. Chronic hoarseness, with roughness in the throat; voice scarcely audible (aphonia) with dryness in the throat and chest. Follows well after Hepar sulph., and Carbo veg. Causticum. In very obstinate cases, where the hoarseness is worse in the evening and morning ; great weakness in the organs of speech, with a sore feeling in the throat and chest on coughing. Administration.—Take of the remedy indicated twice a day one dose (four glob.) for two or three days, and then wait four or six days for its effect; if then not better, take the next chosen remedy in the same manner. Application of Water.—The wet bandage around the throat during the night, and a washing of the throat with cold water in the morning, followed by rubbing, are recom- mended ; beside drinking plenty of cold water and frequent sponge-baths. Diet and Regimen.—Very little meat; no coffee or other stimulating drink, but much cold water, and every night cold water bandages around the throat. (See " Hydropathy.") 274 AFFECTIONS OF THE WINDPIPE AND CHEST. In no disease is hydropathic treatment of more benefit than in the beginning of bronchitis, which is most always pre- vented by it. Keep the feet warm, and do not converse much. 2. Ulceration of the Windpipe, commonly called Bron- chitis. (Phthisis laryngea.) This disease consists in a chronic inflammation and final ulceration of the larynx or windpipe ; it is, consequently, dangerous in its results, and ought to be treated by an expe- rienced physician as soon as one can be procured. It manifests itself by the following symptoms : Diagnosis.—Pain in the windpipe ; difficulty of breathing, and sometimes in swallowing; hoarseness more or less, with frequent attacks of severe coughing; expectoration of a very little mucus or matter, sometimes streaked with blood; finally hectic fever ; chilliness; burning in the hands, soles of the feet, and cheeks; thirst during fever. Treatment. — Before a physician can be obtained com- mence the cure with Aconite. If there is fever and pain in the throat. Spongia and Hepar sulph. In alternation, if with sore- ness in the throat there is difficulty of breathing ; sometime wheezing. Lachesis. If there is a feeling in the throat as of some- thing sticking in it, which cannot be removed by swallowing. Phosphor., Car. veg., Caust. See " Chronic Hoarseness." Administration and Diet. See " Chronic Hoarseness." Application of Water.—See preceding article. 3. Croup, and Croupy Cough. (Angina membranacea. LaryngUis Catarrhalis.) Although these two diseases are very different in their na- ture, they are frequently confounded and thought to be the same, only different in degree. The real difference, however, is this: CROUP AND CROUPY COUGH. 27fj Croup is a spasmodic, inflammatory disease of the wind- pipe (larynx), and in fatal cases consists in the formation of a membrane, which closes up the windpipe. It occurs mostly in dry, cold weather, with sharp northern winds. Croupy cough is a catarrhal inflammatory state of the wind- pipe, which may end, if not cured, in inflammation and con- i gestion of the lungs. It occurs mostly in damp, wet, and cold J weather. Each may precede or follow the other ; but as the remedies are entirely different, it is necessary to know the symptoms which distinguish them from each other. In the real croup children are mostly attacked in the fore part of the night, without much previous ailment, after an apparently sound sleep ; they are seized with sudden oppres- sion for breath, which appears in hurried, difficult, and hoarse respiration, accompanied by spells of coughing, with a squeak- ing, shrill, and grating, or metallic sound. These attacks | weaken the child, which is very restless, and in more or less I agony during a spell of the cough, but after it generally ! sleeps sweetly, and without obstruction in breathing, at least | the first evening. Not so in croupy cough, where the breath- i ing is labored, and the cough hollow and hoarse, even during sleep. The child coughs without awaking, showing that no local pain distresses it. Croup belongs more to a northern climate; the farther north, the more intense the croup ; while croupy cough seems to take its place in the more southern countries, where real croup seldom occurs, except during long-continued storms from the north. In severe cases of croup, the intermission of the disease on the second day, in the morning, is not sufficient to permit the child to sit up, even if cheerful, for play, which it does in croup of less intensity, where the hoarseness, cough, and fever abate in the morning, to such an extent as to render the young patient quite cheerful and playful; if, in such a case, the same, or even severer symptoms appear on the second 276 AFFECTIONS OF THE WINDPIPE AND CHEST. evening, do not be discouraged, but give the same medicine again which gave relief the night previous. The mildest attack of croup, or croupy cough, is apt to return for three nights, and parents ought to be particularly careful during the first three or four days not to allow their little croup patients to come outside the room, or near the windows, where they could inhale the cold air; keep a flan- nel around the neck, which must be removed gradually when the patient is convalescent, by tearing a small strip from it every evening. Treatment of Croup.—Without going into elaborate de- tails on the treatment of croup, which would only confuse the reader, I will state briefly that course which is pursued invariably at first in every case of croup, coming under the treatment of a homceopathic physician, generally with the greatest success, leaving only a few very severe cases to be treated with other remedies, to select which requires the ex- perience and skill of a physician. The first remedy, under all circumstances, is Aconite, twelve globules dissolved in half a teacupful of water, to be given every fifteen minutes a teaspoonful until four teaspoon- fuls are taken; then administer Spongia and Hepar, in alter- nation, each one prepared like Aconite, in separate cups, every half hour a teaspoonful until the child is better; when it sleeps do not disturb it to give the medicine; as soon as it is better give only every three or four hours a teaspoonful alter- nately. If the patient gets very bad, breathing very quick, and labored, with a constant rattling in the breast and drowsi- ness (coma) of the head, prepare and give Tartar emet., and Phosphorus, in alternation, in the same manner as Spongia and Hepar, above. If not better in three hours, give Opium twice, every half hour a dose (three glob.), and then Cuprum, in solution, as Aconite, above, and if this does not succeed in three hours, give Camphor and Coffea, in alternation for two INFLUENZA. 277 hours, prepared as above, and then Lachesis, in the same manner as Aconite above. Treatment of Croupy Cough—Give first one dose (four glob.) of Aconite, and then in one hour afterward Chamomile, Bryonia and Bellad., alternately (four glob.), until better; if not in six hours give Ipecac and Bryonia. Application of Water.—As Homoeopathy possesses reme- dies, more reliable and sure to overcome this disease, than any heretofore used, we need not the full and complicated use of cold water, which the so-called Hydropathists recommend for its cure; we can, however, adopt part of their treatment, without disturbing the influence of our medicines, and this consists simply in applying the cold-water bandage around the throat. In very severe cases the dashing of cold water over the whole body has been applied with great success. Diet and Regimen.— During the attack nothing but the mildest nourishment, such as arrow-root, farina, milk-and- water, and water alone, if there is great thirst. Warm foot and hand-baths are recommended, with this precaution, that the parts thus bathed should be covered with warmed flan- nels directly after the bath. 4. Influenza. This disease appears mostly aa an epidemic, sometimes, however, sporadic, and has, in addition to the symptoms of common cold in the head (see this article), chilliness, followed by flashes of heat, great debility and headache, which forces one to lie down ; rheumatic pains in the whole system ; pain- ful and red eyes, with great sensibility to light and difficulty of breathing. Treatment.—If most of the above symptoms .are present, give Arsenic. Every three hours a dose (four glob.), until three doses are taken ; then discontinue for six hours, await- 278 AFFECTIONS OF THE WINDPIPE AND CHEST. ing its effect, and, if not better, give one of the following J remedies, according to the symptoms : Camphor. If the chilliness still continues, or there is great difficulty of breathing and failing of strength ; let the patient either smell champhor or drop three drops of spirits of cam- phor in half a tumbler of water, and give every fifteen or thirty minutes a teaspoonful, until better. Mercury. Particularly in the commencement, when the head symptoms prevail, such as sneezing and running of the nose, with rheumatic pains in the head and body, red watery eyes, or when a loose cough, with profuse perspiration with- out relief, sets in; also, when there is a slimy diarrhea, with straining like dysentery. Give it in the same manner as Arsenic, above. This remedy is considered almost a specific in this disease. (Compare also, "Materia Medica," at the end of the book.) Bryonia. In alternation with AconUe, every two or three hours a dose (four glob.), if inflammatory symptoms appear ; fever; dry, hot skin, with a hard shaking cough, and stitches in the chest. Belladonna and AconUe, in the same manner, if the cough is dry and spasmodic, with severe headache and dryness in j the mouth and throat. Hepar, if the cold was better, but is worse again, or when the patient had previously taken much calomel. Euphrasia, when with a discharge of white mucus from I the nose, the eyes are sore and run water profusely. Phosphorus and Tartar emet., in alternation, in the same | manner, if the lungs feel oppressed, weak, and sore ; and when coughing or breathing there is rattling in the chest. Causticum. If the feeling of excoriation in the chest is prevailing, with a dry cough, so violent that the urine escapes involuntarily ; give twice a day a dose (four glob.). Pulsatilla. After Mercury, or in alternation with it. every INFLUENZA--COUGH. 279 three or four hours a dose, if the cough is loose, and the nose discharges thick, yellow mucus; soreness of the chest in the morning, after expectoration ; foul tongue ; disagreeable or insipid taste iD the mouth ; no thirst. Silicea, in chronic catarrh, which returns frequently, when it is either running or causes obstruction. Sudden suppression of the influenza sometimes produces headache, for which give AconUe, Pulsat., China; or Difficulty of breathing, for which Ipecac, and Bryonia, are suitable, followed by a dose of Sulphur, if necessary. Administration.—Every three or four days a dose (four glob.), until better or another remedy is necessary. (Con- sult also the article on " Coughs." Application of Water. (See page 231.) Diet and Regimen.—No meat or coffee ; for drink, water or lemonade, if there is no diarrhea ; gruels and toast-water. Keep the face from the direct influence of the fire in the grate or stove; it is preferable to remain in bed, where a gentle warmth may be maintained. 5. Cough. As cough is in most cases, only a symptom of some other disease, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, influenza, hooping- cough, consumption, etc., we must refer the reader to their respective chapters. Sometimes, however, a cough appears isolated from any marked disease, and is either caused by cold (catarrhal cough), or sympathy, or derangement of other organs (nervous, spasmodic, and gastric cough) ; so that we have to mention here their appropriate treatment. a. Catarrhal cough, caused by a severe cold on the lungs, is, in the beginning of the day, harsh and painful; afterward it becomes loose, with heavy expectoration, relieving the chest from pain and oppression. Treatment.—If such a cold is combined with pains in the 280 AFFECTIONS of the windpipe and chest. head and limbs, chilliness, and thirst (commonly called bilious), give Bryonia, and Rhus tox., alternately, every two or three hours a dose (four glob.), until better, or until three doses of each are taken ; then wait twelve or sixteen hours before the next remedy is taken, which will suit the remaining symptoms of the cough. (See "Symptomatic detail.") When the cough is dry, without expectoration: Aconite, Chamomile, Bryonia, Rhus tox., Belladonna, Hyoscyamus, Capsicum, Ignatia, Nux vom., Phosphorus, Hepar. When the cough is loose: Pulsat., Mercury, Tartar emet., Phosphorus, Dulcamara, Stannum, Dycopodium, Sulphur. b. Nervous and spasmodic cough, caused by nervous irrita- tion or excitement, either original, or transferred to the lungs from other organs ; for instance, pain in the womb (neuralgia) may cease suddenly, and, by being transferred to the lungs, creates here the hysterical cough. (See article "Hysteria," especially.) All the nervous coughs are dry ; but they may affect the stomach, and cause vomiting or retching; sometimes spasms in the lungs may take place ; fits of suffocation, which are generally of not so much danger as they appear to be. Treatment.—For nervous and spasmodic cough: Bellad., Hyoscyamus, Ipecac, Bryonia, Drosera, Hepar, Cina, Sul- phur. If accompanied by vomiting, retching: Ipecac, Mercury, Bryonia, Tartar emetic, Pulsat., Sepia. If by fits of suffocation : Ipecac, Tartar emetic, Opium, Chamomile, Bryonia, Drosera, Hepar, Lachesis, Sulphur, Arsenic, China. Cough, caused by sympathy from other diseases, such as worms, dentition (teething), dyspepsia; growing too fast causes in young persons such coughs. Look for these in their re- spective chapters. N. B. After having found the kind of cough in the above, select the best remedy from those designated for such kind of cough, comparing the symptoms. cough. 2S1 Symptomatic Detail.—AconUe. Violent, short cough; some- times with pains and anxious oppressions in the chest. Chamomile. Dry cough, from constant tickling in the throat and chest; worse after talking in the night; with fever and coughing during sleep; particularly in children, when they cough after crying, or a fit of anger or passion, or a tickling cough, which ceases after the patient gets warm in the bed ; also when in the morning tough, bitter mucus is thrown up. (Compare "Croupy Cough," "Cold in the Head," and " Hoarseness.") Bryonia. Dry cough, from irritation in the throat, or with pain in the chest; worse in the open air; sometimes from taking cold in damp, frosty weather; with rheumatic pains in the head and limbs ; also chilliness, followed by fever and thirst (in alternation with Rhus tox.); or a loose cough, with yellowish expectoration, or spasmodic cough after eating or drinking. (For children, see " Croupy Cough.") Rhus tox. Short, dry cough, from a tickling in the chest; worse in the evening, or before midnight; with weakness in the breast, and shortness of breath ; restlessness at night ; dry tongue (see Bryonia); worse in the air, better when exer- cising, or in the warmth ; or cough, with a taste of blood in the mouth ; bloody saliva runs from the mouth during the sleep. Belladonna. Short, dry cough, particularly at night; worse when moving; with dryness and tickling in the throat, and redness of the face, dry spasmodic cough, with retching, mostly after midnight; dry cough day and night, with soreness of the abdominal muscles, or in the region of the hip, as of falling of the womb ; or when the attacks end with sneezing, as if the person had taken a heavy cold. (For children, see " Croupy Cough.") Hyoscyamus. Suits well when Bellad. has afforded only partial relief, or when the cough at night is temporarily miti- 24 282 AFFECTIONS OF THE WINDPIPE AND CHEST. gated by sitting up in bed ; much rattling in the throat and tickling or dry hacking cough, with weak respiration ; worse by muscular action or motion; the patient can hardly walk up stairs. (See " Consumption Beginning or Galloping.") Capsicum. Particularly in persons of phlegmatical tempera- ment ; easily chUled after drinking cold water; cough worse toward evening and night; with pains in various parts of the body ; bursting headache; painful pressure, and aching in the throat and ears ; cough, with offensive breath and disagree- able taste in the mouth. Ignatia. Dry cough, with running at the nose day and night, in the same degree ; or short, hacking cough, as if from a stricture in the throat, or the tickling of a feather ; aggra- vated by the continuation of the cough; particularly in persons who are easily affected by grief, or when the cough is worse after eating, or on lying down at night, or on rising in the morning. Nux vomica is one of the most useful remedies for various kinds of cough from cold. (See "Influenza," "Cold in the Head," etc.) Tickling cough; worse early in the morning; sometimes with catarrhal hoarseness, and scraping around the palate ; tough mucus in the throat and lungs, with an itching, tickling sensation in the throat, and chilliness; cough worse by movement, reading, or meditation after meals; and fol- lowed sometimes by retching or vomiting; or fatiguing cough, with pains in the head, as if it would burst; or pains in the pit of the stomach, as if from a blow or bruise; worse in the night, or after lying down ; cough dry during the after part of the day and night, with oppression on the chest, as if from a weight; expectoration toward morning. Suits well for persons of an energetic, sanguine, choleric temperament, and for those who drink much coffee and ardent spirits. Carbo vegetabUis. Cough, with hoarseness, worse toward evening or in the morning, and by speaking; nervous, spas- modic cough, exciting vomiting in paroxysms throughout the cough. 283 day. The cough is attended with burning pain and a sensa- tion of scraping or excoriation in the chest; particularly during damp, cold weather. (In alternation with Phos phorus.) Phosphorus. Dry cough from tickling in the throat, but more in the chest; worse when laughing, talking, and drink- ing, hoarseness, and pains in the chest, particularly on the left side, as if from excoriation; lying on the left side excites the cough. (In alternation with Carbo veg., or Hepar sulph.) Hepar sulph. In alternation with Phosphorus, in dry, hoarse cough; worse after talking; or excited when any part of the body becomes cool, particularly at night. Tartar emetic. Loose cough, with much rattling on the chest; quick breathing, almost amounting to suffocation; hot and moist hands, with perspiration on the forehead; bluish lips (in alternation with Phosphorus, " see Inflammation of the Lungs"); or cough, with vomiting of food after eating; deep, hollow cough ; expectoration or mucus in the night. Dulcamara. Loose cough, after taking cold; spitting of light-red blood; hooping-cough, excited by drawing a deep breath; worse in a room, or when lying still; better when moving and out of doors. Stannum. Hard, dry cough in the evening; excited by laughing, talking, and singing; also, a loose cough, with much expectoration of mucous or sweetish matter, with feeling of soreness of the chest after it (see "Consumption"); lying on the right side excites the dry cough. Lycopodium. Cough worse in the night, or after drinking; or a tickling cough, excited by drawing a deep breath, with a saltish expectoration, and stitches in the left side of the chest (see "Consumption"); dryness of the tongue without thirst. Sulphur. Dry cough, worse in the evening and during the night, or when lying down; loose cough with expectoration of thick mucus, and feeling of soreness in the chest (particu- larly suitable after Mrcury); cough, with pain and stitches 2S4 AFFECTIONS OF THE WINDPIPE AND CHEST. in the chest or the head; also, a sensation of spasmodic constriction in the chest, as if caused by the vapors of brim- stone. Ipecac. Nervous or spasmodic cough, sometimes with | nausea, retching, and vomiting; worse at night or when walk- ing in the cold air; accompanied by oppression in breathing, almost amounting to suffocation, as if from the accumulation of mucus (congestion to the lungs), particularly in children ; when the face looks livid and dark, and the body becomes j rigid and stiff. (See "Hooping-Cough.") Drosera. Dry, spasmodic cough, with retching; worse im- mediately after lying down, in the night; chronic cough, and hoarseness after measles; dryness, and a rough, scraping sensa- tion, deep in the throat, which causes coughing. (See "Bronchitis," and "Hooping-Cough.") Cina. Dry, spasmodic cough, with shortness of breath, pale face and moaning, also in the night, with restlessness and crying. (See "Worms," and "Hooping-Cough.") Pulsatilla. Severe shaking, dry cough mostly in the morn- ing, with retching and inclination to vomit; or loose cough, with much expectoration of a bUter, yellow mucus. Mercury. Cough, with hoarseness (see "Influenza"), or excited by tickling in the throat; shaking, dry cough, mostly at night, or loose cough, with expectoration streaked with blood, and an inclination to perspire easily, but without relief. In children the cough is frequently attended by bleeding of the nose, sickness at the stomach, hoarseness and diarrhea. China. Severe cough, from ulceration of the lungs (see " Galloping Consumption"), after hemorrhage, or other losses of blood; or asthmatic cough in the night, with acute pain in the chest and the shoulder-blades. Arsenic. When China only ameliorates, without curing; or when there is dry cough after drinking; or cough, with bloody expectoration in the night, with a burning sensation Dver the whole body; asthmatical cough (see "Asthma"). cough. 285 Opium. Cough when swallowing or breathing, with anxious, heavy, and intermitting respiration, worse during repose ; full, red face (see "Congestion of the Lungs"). Sepia. Dry cough in the evening in bed, frequently with sickness at the stomach and bitter vomiting; or loose cough, with much saltish expectoration, particularly in the morning and evening (see "Consumption"). Lachesis. Short, dry, suffocating cough, as if from some- thing sticking in the throat, with ineffectual efforts to expec- torate. Administration. — Of a remedy, having been carefully selected, dissolve twelve globules in half a teacupful of water, and let the patient take every two, three, or six hours a tea- spoonful (children half a teaspoonful), until three or four doses have been taken ; then wait from four to twelve hours, according to the severity of the case; and if not better, select and give the next best remedy in the same manner. This will suit for recent attacks. In coughs of a longer standing, give the remedy for two days, evening and morning a dose (four glob.); then discontinue two or three days; if then not better, take another remedy in the same manner. To very small children, give the medicine in globules altogether, if they cannot take it dissolved in water; one or two globules at a time is a dose for them. Application of Water. — If the cough is very dry and exhausting, put a warm water compress over the whole chest, renewing it from time to time, until the cough becomes looser and the patient relieved. If possible, let the patient drink plenty of cold water and wash his breast and neck frequently with it, rubbing well afterward with a dry towel. Diet and Regimen.—If the cough is accompanied by fever j or biliousness, abstain from meat and butter; if not, these may be used : otherwise, keep the diet prescribed in chronic diseases. If persons are habitually liable to take cold, they ought to harden themselves against the changes in the atmo- 286 AFFECTIONS OF THE WINDPIPE AND CHEST. sphere, by the systematic use of cold water, externally, and internally, as spoken of in the latter part of the book (see "Hydropathy"); persons, however, with tubercular affections must not use it. Another great dietetic rule is, that persons liable to colds on the lungs ought to abstain from all spiritous liquors. The bathing of children in cold water, when they have cold on the lungs, may be suspended for the time (except when allowed by a physician especially); as in many cases it might not be admissible at all. A patient with a cough should not occupy a damp room, facing to the north; but a dry, airy chamber, exposed to the midday sun, and susceptible of easy ventilation and even temperature. If the cough at any time is very dry and pain- ful, use, as a loosening drink, an infusion of the roots of althea and liquorice, in equal parts, as freely as the patient finds it necessary, cold or warm. In chronic coughs, where the ex- pectoration is tinged with blood, no warm drinks are allowed. In fall and winter, until summer, a plaster of Burgundy pitch on the breast is recommended to those who have weak breasts ; but, after taking it off in the summer, they must wash and rub the breast well. Hooping-Cough. (Tussis Convulsiva.) Although this disease does not bring the patient in immedi- ate danger of life, as Croup and Scarlatina, yet its ravages, when reigning epidemically, have been frightful, and the destruction of life great, particularly by diseases consequent upon its attack. The old school of medicine has never been able to shorten its course, and is obliged to this day to palliate its paroxysms, while Homoeopathy has proved to an evidence, in thousands of cases treated, that hooping-cough can be arrested in its progress, and the danger averted, which attends its presence in the system, by arousing the germs of, or laying the foundation to, other fatal diseases. HOOPING-COUGH—TUSSIS CONYTTLSIVA. 287 We have preceded the article on hooping-cough with these few remarks on the merits of the two systems of practice, not in a boasting spirit, but in the hope to induce those of our lay readers, not Homceopathists, to reflect well and seriously, before they reject a mode of treatment so salutary and efficient in relieving the immense suffering and dangers, which an ;.tta.k of hooping-cough brings over their little ones. It is our duty to advise and point to the means to be applied, and this we do sincerely, supported by the experience of hundreds of cases, thus safely treated; the duty of parents, however, is, not to be indifferent, or negligent, in choosing the best means to relieve their children in times of danger and suffering. Diagnosis. — Hooping-cough generally commences with symptoms which do not reveal at once its true character; the child shows signs of a heavy cold, sneezes, has mattery, heavy eyes, runs at the nose, and has an irritating, painful cough, sometimes with feverishness and quick respiration. If these symptoms appear during an epidemic, when the hooping-cough is prevalent, it is almost certain that they are forerunners of an attack of hooping-cough, and the remedies to meet it must be chosen accordingly. This first or catarrhal stage of the disease lasts from three to eight or more days, during which time no hoop is heard, to indicate the spasmodic nature of the disease. Sometimes we meet in this stage with congestions to various organs, as the lungs and head, particularly when the children are taken with it during the period of teething, which, of course complicate? and aggravates the attack. The second or spasmodic stage of the disease commences after the catarrhal and febrile symptoms have disappeared, and j is recognized by the peculiar sound of the cough, called hoop- ing, which is known well enough not to be mistaken The cough during this stage returns in paroxysms, which sometimes { assume a periodical character, for instance, they are more frequent and int rise every alternate day; this, however, is not ; 288 AFFECTION'S OF THE WINDPIPE AND CHEST. always the case. The patients have, as it were, a presentiment l of the attack, when coming, and anxious to have some object for support, frequently run to their parents or nurses, taking i hold of their hands or clothes. The paroxysms last generally from three to ten minutes, and end mostly with vomiting of food or mucus; they are from the beginning to the middle of this stage, more intense and frequent than toward its end, when the cough loses by degrees, the metal, shrill sound, and harsh tightness; the vomiting ceases and the paroxysms grow shorter; what the children now expectorate is more compact and solid phlegm. This stage may last from seven to sixteen weeks. Hooping-cough, like measles or scarlatina, is an infectious disease, propagated by a contagion, which lodges in the mucous membrane of the wind-pipe (trachea), where it produces the peculiar affection described above. It can be communicated by the expectorated mucus, or even the breath and exhalations of the infected children; from this it is evident that if children shall be saved from the disease by isolating them from the diseased ones, it can only be done effectually by excluding all social intercourse whatever, and this not merely during the severest period of the hooping-cough, but for so long afterward, until the last vestige of the cough and expectoration has vanished. The hooping-cough generally manifests itself eight days after the exposure to infection; it commonly befalls an individual only once in his \ife-time, although frequent excep- tions to this rule are extant. It is a singular fact, that vac- cination during hooping-cough mitigates its paroxysms con- siderably. It often occurs, that this disease, if raging in great virulence, occasions serious disorders, by exciting those dispositions to disease, inherent almost, in every one, and known to physicians under the name of scrofulous and psoric diathesis. From this source may spring serious diseases of the lungs, Asthma and Consumption, caused by the presence of the hooping-cough. Croup and inflammation of the lungs may HOOPING-COUGH—TUSSIS CONVULSIVA. 289 be its concomitants, induced by exposure and loss and derange- ment of the mental faculties, in consequence of the heavy pressure of the blood toward the brain; the over-exertion during coughing, frequently occasions rupture (hernia), and protrusion of the anus (prolapsus ani). During severe parox- ysms, blood will often be expelled from the mouth and nose: this is done frequently, even for weeks and months after the hooping-cough has disappeared, on the slightest occasions. Buch as cold or overheating. Prevention.—If Hooping-cough reigns epidemically, it is beneficial to give every child, likely to be attacked, a dose (four globules) of Sulphur, by which the attack will be ren- dered less severe, if not entirely prevented. Should, notwith- standing, the child exhibit the premonitory symptoms of the hooping-cough, as described previously in the first stage, it must be treated in accordance with the symptoms. These show in most cases a catarrhal character and require for their removal the following remedies: Chamomile, Bryonia, Belladonna, Nux Vomica, Dulca- mara, Pulsatilla, Capsicum, Mercury. In administering the above remedies, give of the selected medicine four globules twice a day to the patient, and then wait twelve or twenty-four hours for its effect. Duration.—If this disease is not treated at all, or only by allopathic medicines, its duration is left to its own natural limits, and not shortened in the least; in such cases, the first stage may last from three to eight, or even twenty-one days, and the second stage, from the beginning to its height, from five to six weeks ; from thence to its total disappearance, the same length of time. Frequently, the cough reappears in those patients in the fall or winter, who had it in the preced- ing summer. But under the proper homoeopathic treatment, its duration is verv much shortened ; sometimes the disease is cut off in its progress within five or six days. Very seldom has a 290 AFFECTIONS OF THE WINDPIPE AND CHEST. person the hooping-cough twice in his lifetime, except as above stated. Treatment.—Li the first stage, where the children appa- rently have a cold, select from those remedies recommended in the articles on " Cough," and " Croupy Cough," by the use of which the cough frequently entirely disappears. These remedies are mostly Cham., Bellad., Bryonia, Calc, etc. Aconite. If the cough does not cease in a few days, but becomes very dry and whistling; the child has fever and complains of a burning pain in the windpipe. Administer as in Croup, until better, or some of the following remedies are indicated. Dulcamara. If the cough is loose and moist, with copious expectoration of a thin mucus with hoarseness, apparently brought on by exposure to wet or dampness, evening and morning a dose (three or four glob.) for two days. Pulsatilla. In the same manner, if there is a loose cough with vomiting of mucus or food ; also, a slimy diarrhea. Ipecac, and Nux vomica, alternately, if the cough is dry, accompanied by great anguish, strangling, and bluish face; worse after midnight, until morning; with vomiting and bleed- ing at the nose. Give alternately every hour or two hours a dose (three glob.), until better. Tartar emetic and Phosphorus, in alternation, in the same manner, is frequently necessary in this period, if there is rat- tling in the lungs, short breathing, great debility, drowsiness, and thirst; also, retching, with diarrhea. Carbo veg., is the principal remedy, when the cough ex- hibits the first signs of hooping; particularly, when it is worse in the evening, the patient complaining at the same time of sore throat when swallowing; shooting pains in head and chest; especially useful, when the weather is damp and cold. Give it the same as Dulcamara, above. In the second stage, when the hooping or spasms during coughing have really commenced, the principal medicines are: HOOPING-COUGH--TUSSIS CONVULSIVA. 291 Drosera, Veratrum, Cuprum, Tartar emetic, Phosphorus, Cina, Bryonia, Belladonna, Mercury, lodium, Opium, Hepar tulph., Arnica, Sulphur, Hellebor. Drosera. After the Carbo veg., when the paroxysms be- come more violent, with real hooping, vomiting of food and mucus, without or with fever, which is characterized by chil- liness, heat with thirst, hot perspiration in the night; the patient feels better when moving about. Veratrum. After Drosera, or in alternation with it, for similar symptoms, only accompanied with great weakness; small and quick pulse ; slow fever, with cold perspiration on the forehead ; child is unable to hold up its head; miliary eruption (prickly heat) over the whole body ; apathy and drowsiness, from weakness; child dislikes to move or speak. Cina. If the child, during the hooping-cough, exhibits symptoms of worms—as picking at the nose, sudden pains or gripings in the bowels, or itching at the anus—or if it be- comes stiff during a paroxysm of cough, after which a gur- ling noise is sometimes heard, descending from the throat into the stomach. This remedy can be given in alternation with Mercury (see "Mercury"), if there is bleeding from the nose and mouth at the same time. Cuprum. If the paroxysms appear very often during twenty-four hours, rendering the little patients rigid and un- conscious ; if with drowsiness and rattling of mucus in the chest between the paroxysms, in alternation with Tartar emetic (see " Tartar emetic:" compare, also, "Congestion to i the Head"). This remedy is particularly useful, when con- I vulsions appear instead of the cough, and cease when the paroxysms return ; as if the paroxysm of the lungs had been temporarily transferred to the brain. (See " Convulsions.") I Tartar emetic and Phosphorus. See page 290. Belladonna. Before or after Cuprum, when the brain becomes affected ; patient cannot bear the light, noise, 01 motion ; head seems to ache ; burning fever ; thirst; restless- 292 AFFECTIONS of the windpipe and chest. ness; delirium; convulsions (see " Inflammation of the Brain") ; in such cases, in alternation with Hellebor. : par- oxysms terminate in sneezing. Hellebor. At any time during the hooping-cough, when symptoms of congestion to the head appear, particularly when the patient sleeps with the eyes-half open (see Belladonna, above) ; it is of great service when children are teething, or otherwise weakly and delicate. Bryonia. Sometimes in alternation with Hellebor., when Belladonna was insufficient, for similar symptoms ; or when the paroxysms of suffocating cough appear more in the even- ing or at night; mostly, however, after eating or drinking, which is vomited up. Mercury. The principal remedy, when the child bleeds profusely at the nose and mouth when vomiting, with copious sweat at night, and great nervousness; also, if there are worm symptoms (see " Cina"). Sulphur. At any period, if the paroxysms are accompa- nied by vomiting, which will not yield to other remedies. lodium. If the patient pines away, or has a chronic, watery diarrhea, of lightish color. Opium. If the best indicated remedies seem not to have the desired effect, or if there is stupor (see " Congestion to the head"), with hot perspiration ; irregular breathing, with great anguish; constipation. Hepar sulph. When the cough is better, but yet hollow, hoarse, and dry, with retching and crying after a paroxysm. Arnica. When the child cries much after coughing, or coughs after crying (in alternation with Cina?0' or Hepar). Administration.—Whenever no reference is given to other chapters, give the remedies as follows : Dissolve twelve glob- ules in half a teacupful of water, and give for two days a tea- spoonful, morning, noon, and night; then wait two or three days for the. effect; if the cough is slightly improved, wait Btill longer; because the hooping-cough needs, beside the | INFLAMMATION OF THE LUNGS--PNEUMONIA. 293 right medicine, a little time, to disappear by degrees ; but, if no better, give the next remedy, in the same manner. Application of Water.—The washing of the breast with cold water, and the frequent drinking of it, is strongly re- commended. Diet and Regimen.—In cases with fever, see the diet in " Croupy Cough;" where there is no fever, give the usual diet without coffee and spices. A great deal of fresh air is j good for the young patients, if they have no feverish symp- toms. The same holds good in relation to their usual bathing, I which must be discontinued, if fever is present. Inflammation of the Lungs. (Pneumonia.) This disease generally commences with chills, followed by fever, with difficulty of breathing, and a short dry cough; pulse soft in the beginning, afterward hard, but always very quick; dull pains in the chest at every deep respiration, with great oppression; expectoration of a tough, lumpy mucus. afterward mixed with blood; the patient generally prefers to lie on his back; is not inclined to speak, or when speaking pauses after every articulation; is sometimes sullen, and wishes to be quiet; in some cases, the faco turns to a bluish purple, with red cheeks ; tongue dry, parched ; great thirst; skin dry, hyt. As soon as the skin becomes moist and natu- ral, the oppression in breathing diminishes, and a thick mucus is coughed up abundantly; the danger is over, and the patient needs only good nursing and rest in bed during convalescence. If this is not the case, however, the inflammation runs either into the nervous or typhoid stage (see " Typhoid Fever"), or into hepatization of the lungs (the air-cells are filled with lymphatic matter); both very dangerous and critical situations for the patient. Causes of Pneumonia are, mostly, exposures to cold, north or northeast winds; particularly, when at the time one is over-excited by fast running, etc.; also, suppression of hemor- 294 affections of the windpipe and chest. rhages or habitual secretions ; inhalation of obnoxious gases ; irritating treatment of catarrh (I have seen inflammation of the lungs follow the use of hoarhound candy, in a simple cold, and hooping-cough). Pneumonia appears in its highest inflammatory degree in the north, while toward the south it gradually decreases in violence, but not in danger; because here the bilious complication occurs more frequently (bUious pneumonia), where bleeding is particularly injurious. Treatment.—This disease requires quick and energetic action; and the first remedy to be given, under almost all circumstances, is AconUe. In the chill, as well as the highest fever, in the commencement (either alone, in water dissolved, twelve globules to half a teacupful ), every half hour a teaspoonful, until the fever is broken, and the pain and oppression in the chest are ameliorated ; or in alternation with Bryonia, when oppression and pain in the chest are very severe (resembling pleurisy — see that article); worse by every movement or cough ; expectoration bloody, of a brick- dust color; also, pains in the extremities; tongue is coated, often dry, with great thirst; constipation. Administer the same as AconUe, only every hour or two hours a teaspoonful. If after these two most important remedies-the disease still seems unchecked, give, in six or eight hours afterward, if not better, Phosphorus, in alternation with Tartar emetic, dissolved in water, the same as AconUe and Bryonia, every hour, or two hours, a teaspoonful, until three or four teaspoonfuls of each are taken; wait for the effect of these remedies, from eight to twelve hours, as frequently their effects are not seen imme- diately. If necessary, repeat both the above prescriptions, or choose among the following remedies, if the patient, in place of being better, has run into the typhoid or hepatized stage of the pneumonia. INFLAMMATION OF THE LUXOS--PNEUMONIA. 29") The typhoid stage of pneumonia commences when *he pa- tient is restless, particularly at night; throws himself about and becomes quite delirious, or lies motionless on his back in a stupor; breathing quick and irregular; snoring with his eyes half closed, and rattling of mucus in his lungs; tongue I dry, pulse quick and thread-like; skin dry, or covered with clammy sweat (See "Typhus Fever"). Treatment.—In the beginning of this state give China. Particularly if the patient, in the early part of the I disease, under allopathic advice, had been bled, or lost blood by other means, such as hemorrhage, or a fall or blow (in the latter case, in alternation with Arnica); or when the patient complains mostly of a pressure in the chest, stitches in the breast and sides, together with palpitation of the heart when breathing or coughing; beside, great weakness, fine, quick pulse and yellowish coated tongue. Administer two or three I times, every two or three hours a dose (four glob.); then wait from four to six hours, after which recourse may be had to Bryonia and Rhus tox., as prescribed in "Typhus Fever" (see this article). If the disease still progresses, it will be necessary to give Opium (see this remedy in "Typhus Fever"); or j Arnica, under similar symptoms, but without delirium ; or Hyoscyamus (See "Typhus Fever"), if the cough is spas- I modic or very irritating. Belladonna (see "Typhus Fever"), when the oppression i is very great. I Veratrum. If the pulse is very small and weak; extremi- ties cold ; delirium; vomiting and diarrhea ; sinking ; no sleep ' whatever. Camphor and Coffea, in alternate doses, in a similar i state, particularly if the patient is covered with cold per- | spiration. Phosphoric acid. If after the patient has been relieved by 296 AFFECTIONS OF THE WINDPIPE AND CHEST. the above remedies, there is yet diarrhea present. (See "Ty- phus Fever.") Sulphur may be given once or twice, if the amelioration brought about by previous remedies seems not to be perma- nent ; then return to those medicines again, which previously were the most efficacious. Administration the same as in "Typhus Fever." Hepatization, or the second stage in pneumonia, when infil- tration of the lungs with coagulated lymph takes place, is in- dicated by greater difficulty of breathing, and a dull sound by percussion of those parts of the breast where the pain was the severest. Treatment.—Sulphur has first to be given (twelve glob. dissolved in half a teacupful of water, every two or three hours a teaspoonful) four times; then wait from eight to twelve hours, and, if not better, give Lachesis, Lycopodium, Phosphorus, one after the other, in the same manner as Sulphur, until better. Arsenic and China, in alternation, in the same manner, when fetid expectoration, of a dirty, green color appears. Application of Water.—In the different stages of this disease relieves greatly and accelerates the specific effect of the proper remedies. The wet bandage, frequently changed, is generally sufficient to afford relief in the inflammatory stage, mitigating the fever and preventing its return. During the typhoid stage or when hepatization has taken place, the wet sheet will accelerate the cure under the proper remedies. Diet and Regimen.—As in fevers generally ; but particu- larly as in "Typhus." After-Diseases.—If pneumonia threatens to become chronic, or consumption ensues, see this article; when the patient ex- pectorates clear matter, China, Mercury, Sulphur, Stannum, Lachesis, Hepar, Lycopodium, are the principal medicines to be given, as stated in " Consumption." _________------------------------------------ inflammation of the lungs—PNEUMONIA. 297 Pneumonia in infants and children up to two or three years of age is very frequent; in fact, every cold on their lungs affects them more or less in an inflammatory manner, and our>ht not to be neglected for a moment. Beside heat, fever, thirst, dry mouth, there is quick, op- pressive breathing, with short cough, after which the chUd always cries : these latter symptoms are a sure sign of inflam- mation of the lungs in children, and unless they are relieved or disappear (particularly the respiration is slower and regu- lar), we must not feel secure in regard to the safety of the young patient. The region of the liver is often swollen and painful. Treatment.—The first remedy is Aconite. In solution or dry, half a teaspoonful, or two glob., every thirty minutes, two or three times, or until better; after which, if necessary, give Bryonia. In the same manner, if the cough is very bad; or Belladonna. In the same manner, if the head is very hot at the time. If these remedies do not relieve in from three to six hours, give Chelidonium. Every half hour four glob., for two hours, after which give Pulsat. and Spongia alternately, every hour four glob, at least for twelve hours; and as a last resort Tartar Emetic and Phosphorus. Coffea00-, and Belladonna00, in alternation, a dose (three glob.) every hour, until better. Continue with this treatment for three or four days, and in the most severe cases it will prove successful. If convulsions, or congestions to the head occur, see these articles, and treat accordingly. Application of Water, see page 296. Diet and Regimen.—Keep the patient as quiet as possible ; in a darkened chamber, if the head suffers ; not too warm ; if the child does not take the breast, give cold water freely, if 298 affections of the windpipe and chest. thirsty ; of solid food, crackers soaked in milk or water ; neither broth nor meat; gruels are good. Pneumonia in Old People. (Pneumonia notha.) This disease shows itself in old people as follows : They Deccme at once prostrated, having symptoms of a common cold, with a cough, chills, and fever; the cough is loose, and the expectoration white, yellow, slimy, and streaked with blood ; the respiration quick and labored ; pain in the breast, when drawing a long breath, mostly on a small spot; fever is not high ; pulse soft but quick ; cheeks slightly flushed ; skin generally moist at night, without relief; during the day, the patient feels tolerably comfortable ; the voice, however, is weak, almost in a whisper. As these symptoms do not seem to indicate any danger, the disease is frequently left to itself, but very often with the most fatal results; because paralysis of the lungs soon ensues, and death is inevitable. Treatment.—Aconite. Every three hours a dose (six glob.) will be first necessary, three or four times, during the fever, after which give Mercury. In the same manner; wait twelve hours, and then, if not better, in alternation with Belladonna. Particularly when the cough becomes short and dry, and the breathing difficult and suffocating; if not better, give Sulphur once or twice; afterward repeat Mercury and Belladonna. Veratrum and Arsenic. If they sink very low; cold ex- tremities, etc. (See " Typhoid Pneumonia.") Tartar emet. and Phosphorus. If, with constant rattling in the lungs, paralysis threatens ; alternately every half hour a dose (three or four glob.). Compare, also, the remedies under "Pneumonia." Application of Water ; wet bandages around breast and stomach, and drinking moderate quantities of cold water, are REMARKS ON PNEUMONIA — PLEURISY. 299 | recommended; also to excite perspiration in a slight degree [ between wet sheets. Diet and Regimen.—The same as in " Pneumonia," only [ more nourishing as soon as the inflammatory symptoms have" left in the least; the yolk of an egg with sugar; broth of beef with rice, etc. After-diseases, s^e " Consumption." There is another disease, called galloping consumption, in which the inflammation of the lungs forms the most important part. This species of pneumonia occurs mostly in young people of florid complexion, at the time of development, and needs a separate article. (See " Galloping Consumption.") It is evident, from the nature of pneumonia and the dignity of the organ affected, that a good homceopathic physician ought to be consulted, if he can be procured ; but if this can- not be done, rely on the above rules and prescriptions. Remarks on Pneumonia. This disease may frequently be complicated with other dis- eases, such as inflammation of the pleura, heart, and brain; also, with bilious, rheumatic, or gastric symptoms ; the treat- ment, however, does not vary from the above ; beside, con- sult the respective articles. Pleurisy. (PleurUis.) a. Real Pleurisy. (PleurUis serosa.) b. False Pleurisy. (PleurUis muscularis.) a. Real Pleurisy. If the sac around the lungs (called pleura) becomes in- flamed, we call it real pleurisy; this can be the case with or without inflammation of the lungs. If complicated with I pneumonia or bronchitis, these articles must be consulted together with this chapter. Diagnosis.—In real pleurisy the pain is preceded mostly by a chill and fever, as in pneumonia, but it does not produce 300 AFFECTIONS OF THE WINDPIPE AND CHEST. so much general oppression in breathing as pneumonia ; how- ever, in pleurisy the pain is more severe on a fixed spot (mostly in one of the sides of the chest), from which it radi- ates ; increased often to intolerance by deep inspiration or hard pressure between the ribs, where the pain is located; the breathing is, on this account, short, and the lying on the affected side impossible; if the back part of the pleura toward the spine is inflamed, the pains increase by moving the spine, and running up into the neck impede frequently the swallowing of food, with inclination to vomit, or produce real vomiting. Fever is never wanting, but not so evident as in pneumo- nia ; neither is the cough so distressing, but more a short and dry one, very seldom, with much expectoration of mucus. This disease terminates frequently in the formation of lymphatic effusion, which result may be known by the follow- ing change of symptoms, different from the above real pleu- ritic ones : respiration becomes more anxious and short; the patient cannot now lie on the well side either, or, if he does, he feels in danger of suffocation, because the water presses over toward the well lung; by turning, which is very diffi- cult, he feels something moving within the chest, like water; the fever becomes hectic; the urine is offensive, and has a sediment. This description will be sufficient to distinguish pleurisy from pneumonia; but there is another form of pleurisy, the so-called b. False Pleurisy. ( Stitch in the Side.) Which resembles the true or real pleurisy very much, yet is different in origin and location, as well as in termination. Diagnosis.—This false or spurious pleurisy, is not an in- flammatory, but a rheumatic affection of the intercostal mus- cles, and occurs mostly in persons subject to rheumatism ; it is preceded generally by pains in the neck, shoulders, and PLEURISV--FALSE PLEURISY. 301 throat, as if from cold, without much of a chill, fever, or thirst; the pain in the side is worse by exhaling; in real pleu- risy, worse by inhaling; slight pressure on the affected side increases the pain in real pleurisy, while only hard pressure with the fingers between the ribs increases it in false pleurisy, which has a slight cough only; in real pleurisy the cough is dry and painful. Treatment, a. Of Real Pleurisy.—Aconite and Bryonia. First of all, in the same manner as described in "Pneumo- nia," for so long a time as the pain is very intense; if not better in thirty-six or forty hours, give Sulphur. Twelve globules dissolved in half a teacupful of water, every two or three hours a teaspoonful, until four or six are taken, particularly if the fever continues with the painful oppression on the chest, yet the skin has become a little moist; this is the principal remedy, also, when effusion of plastic lymph is feared, or has taken place ; it is well enough to give the patient even a dose (six glob.) of Sulphur, if Aconite or Bryonia, or both, have restored him so far as to be able to be out of bed. If Aconite ameliorates the pains, do not be in haste to give Bryonia immediately, but wait until the disease increases again ; do the same in regard to Bryo- nia. In general, do not give another remedy as long as the former has shown a decided beneficial effect. If the patient is sleepless and restless at night, give at any time Coffea?c , and Belladonnacc', in alternation, every hour a dose (four glob.), until better. If the patient complains of lying hard on his side, in con- sequence of which he changes his position often; has cola hands and feet, yet feels hot inwardly ; or if a short, dry cough troubles him very much, particularly by increasing the stitching pain in his side, give Arnica once or twice, every two hours a dose (four glob.). If the real pleurisy is complicated with pneumonia (pleuro- 302 AFFECTIONS OF THE WINDPIPE AND CHEST. pneumonia), give the remedies described under " Pneumo- nia," such as, Belladonna, Rhus tox., Lachesis, Sulphur, Phos- phorus, Lycopodium, China, Sepia,* according to the symp- toms indicating their use. N. B. As these pleuro-pneumonias are frequently of a bUious character, the remedies for bUious or bilious rheumatic fever must be consulted. Treatment, b. Of False Pleurisy (Stitch in the side).—If there is any fever, give first once or twice a dose (four glob.) of Aconite, every hour and a half one dose ; after which ad- minister the principal remedy: Arnica. Every two hours a dose (six glob.), and in alter- nation with Apis mellifica or PulsatUla. If the patient is not better in two hours ; but if he is relieved, scarcely anything more is needed, but rest and perspiration in bed. In two or three days afterward one dose of Sulphur (four glob.) may be given to complete the cure. Nux vomica. Stitch in the side, with painful sensibility of the external parts of the chest on pressing between the ribs ; worse on taking deep inspiration or d^ <*ny movement. If at any time the patient becomes feverish, with pains in limbs, side, and head, give Bryonia and Rhus tox. (See "Rheumatic Bilious Fever.") Application of Water.—See page 296. Diet and Regimen.—As in fever generally. In false pleu- risy frequently a mustard draught, or some other heating sub- stance—for instance, a bag of heated salt—will relieve, and may be used with advantage. * Sepia once cured an old man of a most violent attack of pleuro- pneumonia on the left side, caused by a metastasis of an inflammation Df the liver, which had been subdued, but not cured, a few days previ- ous, by excessive allopathic blood-letting; China had preceded the Sepia, without decided effect. DISEASES OF THE HEART. 303 Diseases of the Heart. a. Inflammation of the Heart. (CardUis.) It is well that inflammation of the heart does not occur frequently, as its course is very rapid and dangerous, and its diagnosis difficult. Diagnosis.— The prominent symptoms are violent pains, mostly burning or cutting, in the region of the heart and toward the pit of the stomach ; great oppression in breathing, which shows itself in the distorted and anxious features of the pa- tient ; the pulsation of the heart is violent and irregular, while the pulse on the wrist is small, frequent, and trembling; the patient prefers lying quietly on the back; sometimes there is delirium, difficulty of swallowing, fainting spells, vomiting, starting in the sleep. Causes.—This disease is caused mostly by taking cold in drinking cold water when the body is heated; also, by wounds, blows, etc.; the most frequent cause, however, is acute rheumatism, particularly in the knees. See "Rheuma- tism of the Heart." It must be well understood that not every palpitation of the heart is inflammation of the heart; the latter has always an agonizing feeling of oppression and pain. Treatment and Administration.—In every case give first Aconite, as directed in " Pneumonia ;" afterward Bryon., Nux Vomica, Cocculus, Arsenic, Pulsatilla, and Cannabis saliva, at intervals of from two to four or six hours, until better; each remedy, when used, may be dissolved in water (twelve globules to half a teacupful), and every half hour a tea- spoonful given; but, if possible, procure the advice of a homoeopathic physician immediately. Application of Water.—Wet compresses on the chest in the region of the heart will be beneficial, but they must be frequently changed; the water which the patient drinks may be verv cold. If the pains are very severe, and the extremi- ties become cold, i warm foot-bath may be applied. 304 AFFECTIONS of the windpipe and chest. b. Palpitation of the Heart. (PalpUatio cordis.) Young people in their growing years, as well as old per- sons of high age, are troubled with this disease; the former from development and congestion, the latter from contraction, ossification, and want of blood. Between these two extremes of age, persons sometimes are taken with it by violent emo- tion of the mind, by the use of ardent spirits, or by constitu- tional predisposition, particularly when inclined to be affected by rheumatism, which latter mostly causes the chronic palpi- tation of the heart. In pregnancy this disease is frequent, as, also, in persons of a plethoric habit, and at the time of change of life, or during floodings, in consequence of loss of blood. If it is dependent on organic disorders of the heart, as polypus, ossification, etc.—as, also, in the chronic form—we advise strongly to apply in time to a homceopathic physician, as frequently a permanent cure may be effected. Treatment.—If caused by fright: Opium or Coffea. By sudden joy: Coffea. By fear or anguish: Veratrum. By disappointment: Aconite, Chamomile, Ignatia, Nux vom. By congestion of blood, or plethora, Aconite, Belladonna, Coffea, Ferrum, Lachesis, Aurum, Phosphorus, Opium, Sulphur. By loss of blood, or other debilitating losses: China, Phos- phoric acid, Nux vomica, Veratrum. If it is present in nervous persons, hysterical females, etc.; Coffea, Ignatia, Chamomile, Cocculus, Nux vomica, Lache- sis, Pulsatilla, Veratrum. In young, growing people: Aconite, Pulsat. In old, deerepidpeople: Arsenic, Lachesis, particularly when with temporary dimness of sight. After the suppression of an eruption : Arsenic, Lachesis, Sulphur. For ameliorating the frequent attacks in chronic palpUation RHEUMATISM OF THE HEART. 305 of the heart, the most suitable medicines are, Pulsat., Arsenic, Lachesis, Aconite, Sulphur, Phosphorus, Aurum. Administration.—Dissolve of the selected remedy twelve globules in half a teacupful of water, and take from one to twelve hours a teaspoonful, according to the severity of the case; or, if traveling, take of the medicine a dose (four glob.) from one to six or twelve hours; if not better after from one to twelve hours, select another remedy. Application of Water varies according to the character of this disease. If it is caused by plethora, cold bandages around the chest will be indicated, at the same time that the feet may be put in warm water. If caused by loss of blood 01 other debilitating influences, a cold ablution will invigorate the system and support the effect of the proper remedies. In almost all cases of palpitation of the heart, a lukewarm foot- bath in the evening will be found beneficial. Diet and Regimen.—Diet as usual in chronic diseases.— Sleep as quiet as possible during the administration of the medicine; be careful always to have dry, warm feet; avoid getting wet by exposure to rains, etc. Young people must abstain from eating much in the evening, but drink freely of cold water. c. Rheumatism of the Heart. (Rheumatismus cordis.) Diagnosis.—In this disease the palpitation of the heart is only one of the symptoms; the principal symptom is a sen- sation of Aveight in the region of the heart, with occasional stitches through it; beside, tearing pains in the external mus- cles of the chest and in those of the left upper-arm, either constantly or only periodically. With the palpitation of the heart and its violent action, the character of the pulse on the wrist does not harmonize ; the latter is invariably weak, small, and contracted. Causes.—This disease appears mostly in young persons of both sexes at the age of development, at which time it is 26 306 AFFECTIONS OF THE WINDPIPE AND CHEST. dangerous; if neglected or badly treated, the heart will in- flame or increase in size. It is also frequently caused by the translation of acute or inflammatory rheumatism (see this article) to the heart; the treatment in this case remains the same ; it is favorable, if the rheumatic symptoms reappear in the extremities. Treatment.—The principal remedies are : AconUe, Arnica, Bellad., Bryon., Spigelia, Pulsat., Arsenicum, Lachesis. AconUe. Palpitation of the heart, with great anguish, feverish heat, particularly in the face; the heart beats rapid- ly, while the pulse is slow and intermittent. Stitches and oppressive aching in the region of the heart, as if from a heavy load; the patient cannot breathe well in an erect position. Arnica. Stitches in the heart from the left to the right side, with fainting fits, quivering of the heart, with a pain as if it was squeezed together. Belladonna. Palpitation of the heart with intermitting pulse ; great anguish about the heart; tremor of the heart with anguish and pain ; oppression of the chest. (After Aco- nUe, or before Lachesis.) Spigelia. Tumultuous pulsation of the heart with suffo- cative sensation and spasms of the chest, increasing in a sit- ting posture and bending the chest forward; tremulous motion of the heart. (In alternation with Pulsatilla.) PulsatUla. Palpitation of the heart with great anguish, clouded sight and impeded respiration, particularly when lying on the left side ; anxiety, pressure, and burning sensation in the heart. Bryonia. Respiration impeded by stitches in the chest with palpitation of the heart and violent oppression (after AconUe, where acute rheumatism of the extremities had been trans- ferred to the heart). Arsenicum. Violent palpitation of the heart with great an- guish and restlessness; great heat and burning of the chest, CONGESTION OF THE CHEST. 307 with cold extremities; in such cases, in alternation with Veratrum; or with Lachesis, when the pulse becomes weaker i ' and the pulsation irregular. Lachesis. Irregularity of the pulsation; great anguish j about the heart with heaviness on the chest, in rheumatism ; ! very weak. Administration.—Dissolve twelve globules of the selected j remedy in half a teacupful of water, and give every half hour or hour a teaspoonful until relief is obtained; and if this is not the case within one or two hours, select another remedy and give it in the same manner. Externally apply a mustard poultice on the breast, put the feet in hot water and cover the patient well. Application of Water.—See page 305. Diet and Regimen, as in fevers. Apply to a homceopathic I physician as soon as possible. Congestion of the Chest. (Plethora pectoris.) Congestion or determination of blood to the chest is a fre- quent complaint in young people, during the time of the 1 development of their systems, and in-persons of a phthisical j habit. It ought never to be treated by bloodletting, even if | this means relieves for the time, as it does not remove the disposition or the bad consequences, in the system, but has a tendency, if once resorted to for palliation, to augment the difficulties for a final cure, rendering the lungs weaker by each successive attack. The homceopathic remedies, on the | contrary, relieve in a different manner, and in a much shorter I time. Diagnosis. — Great fullness, weight, and pressure in the chest; more or less palpitation of the heart, with oppression, short and sighing breathing ; cold hands and feet, and anxious look ; sometimes a hacking, short cough. Treatment. — AconUe. Particularly in plethoric females durinu- menstruation ; violent oppression, with palpitation 308 AFFECTIONS OF THE WINDPIPE AND CHEST. of the heart; shortness of breath; dry cough; heat and thirst. Belladonna. If AconUe does not suffice, and if the head is congested at the same time. See " Congestion to the Head." Nux vomica. Heat and burning in the chest, more at night, with sleeplessness and agitation; or fullness and throb- bing in the chest, with palpitation; worse in the open air; clothes feel too tight around the chest. China. In consequence of debilitating losses, as of blood, etc.; violent oppression, with great anguish; loss of sight; palpitation of the heart; cannot breathe with the head low. Phosphorus. Violent oppression, with heaviness, fullness, and tension" in the chest; palpitation of the heart, which is felt in the throat. Mercury. After AconUe, if there is anxious oppression for breath, with a desire to take a long breath; heat and burning in the chest; cough, with expectoration of mucus streaked with blood. PulsatUla and Bryonia. In alternation, before menstru- ation, or when this has stopped suddenly; also, when the piles have been suppressed; or when there is ebullition of blood in the chest, with external heat. Spongia. When movement increases the anguish, and pro- duces danger of suffocation, nausea, fainting, and prostration; particularly in persons subject to sick-headache, or other nervous affections of the head, which frequently attack the chest in this manner. Sulphur. After Nux vomica or Pulsatilla, if necessary. Administration, Diet, and Regimen, same as in "Palpi- tation of the Heart." Application of Water.—See page 305. Hemorrhage of the Lungs. (Haemoptysis, Pneumorrhagia.) Spitting or coughing up of blood is generally considered by persons such a dangerous, and, for the life of the patient, fatal HEMORRHAGE OF THE LUNGS. 309 symptom, that they lose, when it occurs, all presence of mind, frequently incapacitating them for the right action in the case; yet not all the hemorrhages of the lungs are alike in their character ; some are dangerous, it is true, but most of the an yield readily to the proper remedies, and some even cease of themselves. It will be necessary to distinguish well between them, and act accordingly, not in too great haste, but in the right manner; in this way, time is saved. More- over, we will see hereafter that the most dangerous kinds of bleedings from the lungs leave ample time to provide means, while the milder forms take more by surprise, thereby causing more fear than injury, with the exception of one form, the so-called "Apoplexy of the Lungs," which is easily distin- [ guished by marked symptoms. Be careful to examine whether the blood coughed or hawked up is from the lungs, or merely from the nose or palate. Diagnosis. ■— Without going into the distinction as to the different places in the lungs and windpipe from whence the blood may issue, as this would be without practical advan- tage, we will give now the qualitative difference of haemop- tysis, which has the highest practical bearing. We distin- guish two varieties: 1. The active or idiopathic haemoptysis, caused by conges- tion of the lungs, or mechanical injury; this is the most frequent and least dangerous. 2. The passive or symptomatic haemoptysis, caused by the ulcerative process in consumption, which gradually consumes ! the substance of the lungs (if not arrested), and causes the J rupture of larger blood-vessels; although this is the most dangerous form, as it is caused by a destructive and some- times incurable disease, yet it does not occur frequently, and even then its appearance may be expected and measures taken accordingly. First. Active hemorrhage of the lungs depends always on congestion o( blood to the lungs, which is sometimes consti- j 310 AFFECTIONS OF THE WINDPIPE AND CHEST. tutional, at other times caused by external circumstances, such as quick running, violent exercise of any kind, lifting, etc., the frequent inhaling of injurious dust, such as from lime, gypsum, or plaster of Paris, tobacco, flour, or metal filings, or of obnoxious gases, such as from nitric and sulphuric acid. Beside these causes, it sometimes appears epidemically, mostly at the time of the equinoxes, on account of the rapid changes in the temperature of the atmosphere ; the abuse of spiritous liquors is a frequent cause of hemorrhage of the lungs; also, suppression of discharges of blood from other organs, as stoppage of the menses, sudden disappearance of the piles, etc.; excessive growing and consequent weakness of the chest predisposes to it, as in general young or middle- aged persons are more liable to it. It oocurs in attacks, accompanied with more or less fever, frequently of an inter- mittent type, worse toward night. This form of hemorrhage of the lungs presents itself in the most various degrees, from the least spitting of blood to a violent effusion; the highest degree, which really endangers life immediately, is the apoplectic hemorrhage (apoplexia pul- mon.) of the lungs, where all the symptoms of an apoplectic fit are present; the patient loses his consciousness, looks as if he was suffocated, eyes protrude out of their sockets, bloody mucus issues from the mouth. Treatment. — The first thing necessary in severe cases is to let the patient keep as quiet as possible, in a half-sitting, half-lying posture; he must remain perfectly quiet, without speaking or being spoken to, except when it is indispensably | necessary ; if no homceopathic medicine is at hand, give every five or ten minutes a teaspoonful of table-salt in water, but cautiously, that it may not make him cough; or, if sulphuric acid is convenient to be had, drop five or ten drops isto a tumbler full of water, and give a teaspoonful every five or ten minutes, until the severest bleeding ceases. If homoe- opathic medicine is at hand, give directly, HEMORRHAGE OF THE LUNGS. 311 Aconite. Twelve globules dissolved in half a teacupful of water, every ten or twenty minutes a teaspoonful, until the severest bleeding ceases; afterward administer it at longer intervals, from three to six hours. This remedy suits always at first, but particularly when there is ebullition of blood in the chest, with a fullness and a burning pain; palpitation of the heart; anxious looks, with paleness of the face; profuse expectoration of blood at intervals, provoked by a slight cough. Try this remedy at least for two hours; if not j better, give Ipecac. When there yet remains a taste of blood in the mouth ; frequent, short cough; expectoration of mucus streaked with blood ; nausea and weakness ; or, Arsenic. When there is yet palpitation of the heart, with great anguish, dry heat, and desire to leave the bed; it is particularly applicable for drunkards after Hyoscyamus has been given. I Opium. Often in the most serious cases, especially in | persons addicted to spiritous liquors ; or when there is expec- toration of thick, frothy blood ; cough worse after swallow- ing ; oppression and anguish ; weak voice, drowsiness and anxious starts ; cold extremities, and heat in the chest. Nux vomica. Suits well after Opium, Ipecac, or Arsenic; particularly when there is cough, affecting the head, caused j by tickling in the chest; or when the hemorrhage was caused j by a fit of passion, by taking cold, or suppression of piles. ! Sulphur suits well after it. China. If the patient has already lost much blood; or when the cough is violent, hollow, dry, and painful, with taste of blood in the mouth ; shivering and flushes of heat; weakness, faintness, cloudiness of sight, roaring in the head. ' Ferrum. After China, if this has in severe cases relieved, yet there is great fatigue after talking; slight cough, with , expectoration of scanty, bright red blood, with pain between the shoulder-blades ; difficultv of breathino- L______________'__ " 312 AFFECTIONS OF THE WINDPIPE AND CHEST. Hyoscyamus. Dry cough at night, with expectoration of blood ; frequent waking with a start; particularly in drunk- ards, after Opium and Nux vomica, and followed by Arsenic Dulcamara. Tickling cough, from cold; the hemorrhage was preceded for some time by a loose cough. Carbo veg. Hemorrhage, with violent burning pain in the chest, in persons susceptible to changes of weather, or who have taken much calomel. Pulsatilla. In obstinate cases, when black and coagulated blood is expectorated, more in the morning or night, particu- larly in timid persons, or in females when caused by suppres- sion of the menses. Arnica. In slight hemorrhages of black and coagulated blood, with stitching, burning pains and heat in the chest, palpitation of the heart, difficulty of breathing ; or caused by mechanical injuries, fall, blow, lifting, leaning against a table by studying, sewing; or when the expectoration is clear, frothy, mixed with pure lumps of matter ; hacking cough, from tickling under the breast-bone ; pains in the limbs, as if they had been beaten. It is often administered in alternation with Aconite. Belladonna. Cough from tickling in the throat, with hem- orrhage ; sensation of fullness, as if from blood in the chest, with pressing or shooting pains, worse when moving; is es- pecially suitable for hemorrhages of the lungs in females of full habit, at the change of life, and then in alternation with Aconite. In very serious cases, Aconite, China, Ipecac, and Opium will be found most efficacious. For the bad consequences of pulmonary hemorrhage, such as weakness, cough, etc., give Carbo veg. and China. If possible, procure the advice of a physician immediately. Administration of the above remedies, in very severe cases, the same as in Aconite, stated above ; in less severe cases, or mere spitting of blood, give every six or twelve hours a dose ASTHMA. 313 (four glob.) until better, or until another remedy is neces- sary. Application of Water in the form of wet compresses on the chest is recommended ; sometimes a cold foot-bath will be necessary, the feet being rubbed constantly while in the bath. Diet and Regimen.—The patient must be kept cool; his drinks, for two weeks, at least, must be cool, not spiritous or exciting, but more slimy, such as rice and barley water, water with raspberry syrup, lemonade, etc. If the feet are cold, put them in warm water, mixed with ashes or mustard. In apoplectic hemorrhage of the lungs, give Aconite imme- diately, same as above; if not better in twenty or thirty minutes, Opium and then Ipecac; afterward, if necessary, Belladonna or Lachesis, in the same manner. Put the feet in hot water, with mustard ; also the hands, if they are cold. Send immediately for medical aid. Second. Passive hemorrhage of the lungs, or rupture of a blood-vessel in tubercular consumption, requires principally Aconite, China, Pulsatilla, Arsenic, Lycopodium, to be given in the same manner as described under active hemorrhage. See, also, " Pulmonary Consumption." Diet and Regimen the same as above. Asthma. As this disease is well known in regard to its symptoms, we will only mention here that distinction in its character which has a practical bearing. There are two kinds of asthma, as regards the cough and expectoration of mucus in an attack ; it is either a dry or humid. The former is more sudden and violent in its attacks ; has only slight cough and expectora- tion, but great difficulty of breathing. The attack of the lat- ter, or humid asthma, proceeds slowly—has a severe cough, with gradually increasing and afterward copious expectoration of mucus, which relieves greatly. Asthma in itself, is not a dangerous, but a very distressing disease, sometimes heredi- 314 AFFECTIONS OF THE WINDPIPE AND CHEST. tary, but oftener acquired; its different causes will be enu merated below, with their respective remedies attached. In general it is curable, although it takes a comparatively longer time than most other chronic diseases require, particularly when it is constitutional. A radical cure must only be under- taken by a skillful homoeopathic physician. We subjoin below the treatment for the attack itself, to alleviate temporarily, advising the patient, at the same time, not to omit any favor- able opportunity by which he may be allowed to place himself under the care of a physician, for the final cure of the disease. Treatment.—When caused by congestion of blood to the chest (see this article): Aconite, Bellad., Nux vom., Phos- phorus, Pulsat., Spongia, Sulph. i By derangement of the menstruation: Bellad., Cocculus, Bryon., Pulsat., Veratrum, Sulph. By vapors of Sulph. (brimstone): Pulsat. By vapors of Arsenic or Copper : Ipecac, Hepar, Mercury. By a chill: AconUe, Ipecac, Bryon., Bellad. By a fit of passion : Nux vom., Chamomile. By fright: Opium, Ignatia, Aconite, Bellad., Veratrum. By sudden joy : Coffea, Aconite. By a suppressed catarrh, or cold in the head: Ipecac, Nux vom., Arsenic, Apis mellifica. By dust from stone or flour : Calcarea, Silicea, Sulph. By suppression of piles : Nux vom., Sulph., Arsenic. By flatulency: China, Chamomile, Nux vom., Sulph. If it is present in children : AconUe, Bellad., Ipecac, Cham- omile, Bryon., Tartar emet., Sambucus. In hysterical women: Coffea, Ignatia, Pulsat., Ipecac, Cham- omile, Bellad. In aged persons: Arsenic, Lachesis, Opium. When it is conslUutional : Ipecac, Arsenic, Sulph. When dry, or without much expectoration (similar to cramps in the chest): Cocculus, Cuprum, Bellad., Nux vom. Sambucus. ASTHMA. 315 When humid or moist, with considerable expectoration of mucus: Ipecac, Arsenic, .China, Pulsat., Sulph. In the above tabular view, we have arranged the different kinds of asthma, as regards their origin and appearance ; so that, in search for a remedy, the number of remedies to be looked for is reduced to very few. Their distinguishing symptoms are given in detail below, and their administration at the end of the article. The principal and first remedy in most all attacks is Ipecac, after the administration of which one may proceed with more calmness to find out the next best remedy, by comparing carefully its symptoms with those of the case present. Symptomatic Detail.—Ipecac Difficulty of breathing; nocturnal paroxysms of suffocation, spasmodic constriction of the throat, rattling in the chest, from an accumulation of mucus; short, dry cough, great anguish, cries, agitation, fear of death; alternately either redness and heat, or paleness, coldness, and ghastliness of the face; sometimes nausea, with cold perspi- ration on the forehead; breathing at the same time anxiously and rapidly, with moaning and rattling. After it follows well Arsenic, Bryonia, or Apis melliflca. Arsenic. In all cases of acute or chronic asthma, with an accumulation of thick phlegm; difficult breathing after a meal; oppression of the chest and want of breath, rendered almost intolerable by any motion, such as walking, going up stairs, laughing, etc.; constriction of the chest and throat; suffocating fits, more at night; panting, wheezing, as if dying with cold perspiration; these paroxysms grow lighter on the ap- pearance of a cough, with expectoration of mucus, or of vis- cid saliva; the attacks render the patient very weak; burn- ing pain in the chest. Suits well after Ipecac, and before Sulphur, or Apis melliflca. Nux vomica. Asthma, resembling that of Arsenic, only the spasmodic constriction is felt worse in the lower part of the chest, where even loose clothes seem to be too tight; short, dry 316 AFFECTIONS OF THE WINDPIPE AND CHEST. cough, sometimes with a little blood; congestion of the chest (see this article); asthma, better by lying on the back; oc- casionally turning, or sitting up; suits well for persons ad- dicted to the use of spiritous liquors, or after Arsenic, or before Sulphur. PulsatUla. Asthma in children, after suppression of a miliary eruption; in weak, timid females, after cessation of menstruation, or after having taken cold; choking, as from the vapors of Sulphur; paroxysm of suffocation, wUh deadly anguish, palpitation of the heart, and spasmodic constriction of the throat or chest; worse at night, or when lying horizon- tally, or when moving ; better in the open air ; expectoration, with much mucus, streaked with blood, which sometimes is coagulated; with a feeling of fullness and pressure of the chest. China. Under similar symptoms as Pulsatilla, after which it suits well, if there is, with the asthma, great tveakness, and easy perspiration in sleep. Sambucus. Asthma, similar to China, but more in chil- dren (see "Asthma in children"); when there is much per- spiration; suits well after Ipecac Sulphur. Almost in any acute or chronic attack of asthma, if several other remedies were insufficient. After Sulphur, if necessary, select carefully another remedy. It suits prin- cipally when there are paroxysms of asthma, almost suffocat- ing, mostly at night, with fullness and weariness, burning, or spasms in the chest; expectoration of white mucus, detached with difficulty, sometimes bloody; constriction and pain in the breast-bone ; bluish redness of the face; short respiration, and inability to speak. Phosphorus. Asthma worse in the evening or during movement; attack of suffocation in the night, as if from para- lysis of the lungs (in alternation with Tartar emetic); con- gestion of blood to the chest, with stitches, and fullness or sensation of heat to the throat, and palpitation of the heart (in alternation with Belladonna) phthisical habit. ASTHMA. 317 Tartar emetic. Asthma in old persons and chUdren particu- larly when there are choking, retching, and paroxysms of suffo- cation in the evening, with rattling in the chest, and wheezing (in alternation with Phosphorus, see " Inflammation of the Lungs"). AconUe. Asthma in sensitive persons, young, and of ple- thoric habit, easily excited by mental emotions. In children, especially, when they cough at night spasmodically, as if they would suffocate; or with congestion to the head, with vertigo; cough with expectoration of blood. Belladonna. Asthma in children (see " Croupy Cough"), or in plethoric women at the critical period ; congestion to the lungs, with stitches under the breast-bone, and fullness in the chest; dry cough at night; anxious moaning ; respiration, sometimes deep, at other times short and rapid; com triction of the throat, as if to suffocate, with loss of consciousness and relaxation of all the muscles. Bryonia. Asthma, worse by motion and in the night, with pain in the chest; breathing like that under Belladonna; suits well after Ipecacuanha, or when it arises from suppressed eruptions. Coffea. Asthmatical breathing from sudden joy; short, dry cough. Opium. Suffocating cough, with bluish-red face ; deep, rattling, respiration, especially when fright was the cause. Chamomile. Asthma in children, after taking cold (see "Croupy Cough"), or when the hypochondriacal region is swollen, painful to the touch; crying, and drawing up of the thighs ; asthma caused by passion. Cocculus. Asthma of hysterical women, especially when they complain of constriction of the throat and chest, with oppression ; worse at night; congestion of the lungs in ner- vous persons (in alternation with Belladonna). Ignatia. Asthma after fright or indignation, especially in women ; choking and constriction in the pit of the neck, as if 318 AFFECTIONS OF THE WINDPIPE AND CHEST. from the vapors of Sulphur; want of air in walking, and cough when resting; short spasmodic cough. Spongia. Want of breath, and paroxysms of suffocation after every movement, with fatigue; rush of blood to the head and chest; heat in the face ; respiration wheezing, deep, or slow, as if from weakness (nervous asthma in persons who are habitually addicted to neuralgic affections). Cuprum. In hysterical women, after fright or anger, or before or during the menses; spasms and oppression in the chest; worse on speaking or going up stairs; short, spasmodic cough. Veratrum. Paroxysm of suffocation when rising up, during movement, especially before the menses; coldness of the face and extremities; faint pulse and cold perspiration. Suits well after Ipecac, Arsenic, or China. Lachesis. Slow and wheezing, or short respiration ; worse after eating; paroxysms of suffocation when lying down, espe- cially in persons suffering from water on the chest. (Suits well after Arsenic.) Calcarea carb. In chronic asthma, with frequent dry cough; worse at night; or caused by the habitual inhalation of dust. SUicea. In chronic asthma, caused by the inhalation of stone-dust; oppression worse when lying on the back, when running, or coughing. Administration.—Dissolve twelve glob, of the selected remedy in half a teacupful of water, and give, in severe cases, every half hour; in less severe cases, every two or three hours, and in chronic cases, twice a day a teaspoonful, until three or four are given. If better, discontinue until the symptoms are worse again; if not better, prepare and give the next remedy in the same manner. In very small chil- dren, give one or two glob, of the medicine at the same inter- vals, dry, on the tongue. Application of Water.—The wet bandage around breast and abdomen during the night will be beneficial; to prevent DROPSY IN THE CHEST. 319 an attack the patient must wash frequently in cold water, and exercise afterward in the open air; constipation is relieved by cold injections and drinking freely of cold water. Diet and Regimen.—Persons suffering from chronic asth- ! ma, ought to abstain from coffee, meat, and greasy sub- j stances almost altogether, and live mostly on farinaceous j Jiet, such as gruels, etc. Sometimes, in very severe attacks, the burning of a piece of paper, soaked in a solution of saltpeter, and filling the chamber of the patient with its smoke, will relieve ; or smok- ing tobacco, or gympsum-weed (stramonium). Asthma of Millar. j See " Children-Diseases." Dropsy in the Chest. (Hydrothorax.) This disease appears mostly in consequence of previous diseases, either acute or chronic, and is too dangerous in its J course and results to be managed by domestic treatment alone. Skillful medical aid is indispensable; yet we will briefly notice its symptoms, and some few remedies which mitigate its immediate distresses. Diagnosis.—We distinguish an acute and chronic dropsy of the chest; the principal distinguishing feature of both S kinds is, the difficulty of breathing, when moving, particularly | going up stairs, or lying with the head low ; swelling of the feet in the evening, and of the eyelids in the morning; thirst ; for. water, yet scanty urine. The acute dropsy of the chest occurs mostly in young people after eruptive fevers, such as scarlet fever, measles j (see these diseases), or after the suppression of other eruptions ! by salves, ointments, etc. The chronic dropsy of the chest occurs mostly in old age, or in persons addicted to the habitual use of ardent spirits. Treatment.—To alleviate the difficulty of breathing, and render the patient more comfortable, give Arsenic (twelve o20 affections of the windpipe and chest. glob, dissolved in half a teacupful of water), every hour a teaspoonful, until the judicious advice of a homceopathic physician can be obtained. Beside Apis melliflca, Bryonia, Carbo veg., Laches., Merc, Spige., Aeon., Sulph., are beneficial Digit., in decoction, and Aspar. are strongly recommended. Application of Water.—The wet sheet, with its conse- quent perspiration, will support the action of the proper reme- dies very much. Pulmonary Consumption. (Phthisis Pulmondlis.) We distinguish several forms of this disease, the most frightful destroyer of human life and happiness; but, as its treatment would be too complicated for a work of this kind, we would advise our readers to apply, in time, to a homoeo- pathic physician; as consumption, in its beginning, is in most cases curable. Diagnosis. — If some of the following symptoms appear, we advise to seek medical aid: constant hacking cough, either dry, or with an expectoration of a frothy mucus; shortness of breath, pain in the chest, derangement of the stomach, hectic fever, chilliness followed by flashes of heat, burning in the hands and soles of the feet, night-sweats ; circum- scribed redness of the cheeks during the fever, but pale cheeks at other times. The so-called tubercular consumption consists in the softening of the small tubercles, which are in the lungs frequently for years, without disturbing health, when they remain in their compact state ; their softening, however, produces irritation and ulceration of the lungs. In the begin- ning, this process can be repressed, and the patient saved. The galloping consumption is peculiar to young persons, in 'heir growing years, or after debilitating diseases, and requires the most careful attention of a physician. It is very rapid, and is rightly called galloping; as it is most acute, sometimes even infectious, on that account. Aconite, Hyoscyamus, are remedies, frequently useful in this species of consumption, to contusion of the chest by a fall or blow. 321 allay the high fever and restlessness, and particularly for the dry, short, irritating cough and shortness of breath, with great weakness in the night. Under scrofulous consumption, we understand an ulceration of the lungs, caused by the transfer of scrofulous affections from other parts of the system, such as swellings of the glands of the neck, etc., and all other more specific diseases, such as syphilis, cancer, etc.; also, when eruptive fevers fall with their fatal decision on the lungs, and there produce ulceration. Application of Water in this disease is to be made very cautiously and ought not to be instituted except under the advice of a competent physician; in the so-called tubercular consumption the use of water is not beneficial; and as it is very difficult for laymen to decide between the different forms of consumption, we must advise them not to trust their own judgment but seek proper medical advice at once. As this subject is so extensive and important to all, we refer our readers to a separate work, entitled " Consumption treated homceopathically," by A. C. Becker, M. D. Contusion of the Chest by a Fall or Blow. When the chest, externally or internally, is injured by a fab or blow, apply tincture of Arnica externally, as directed under "Sprains," and internally give AconUe, and Arnica, alternately, in solution, as directed under "Hemorrhage of the Lungs," until the patient is better; if, after two or three days, the fever still continues, with an ulcerative pain in the chest, give Pulsatilla; and in alternation with Mercury, if there is a heavy, thick, yellow mucus expectorated ; the latter remedy, however, in exchange with China, if night-sweats occur, and derangement of the stomach, bad appetite still continues, with sleeplessness and fever. Diet and Regimen. — The same as under "External In- juries." CHAPTER XIV. AFFECTIONS OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. Want of Appetite. (Anorexia.) Most diseases, particularly those of the bowels and those of an inflammatory character, produce loss of appetite, which, in such cases, is more beneficial than otherwise; as it pre- vents the suffering system from being burdened with nourish- ment, at a time when the organs for its digestion and use are out of order. This applies to most of the acute, and to a great many of the chronic diseases. When these have disap- peared by the use of proper remedies, the appetite returns of itself. But sometimes persons complain of loss of appetite without any apparent cause; in which case, it mostly proceeds from a derangement of the nerves of the stomach. For such patients, it is of no permanent advantage to use stimulating drinks or food, such as bitters, mustard, or coffee. These things only create an artificial appetite, never removing the cause of the disease. The best remedy, which is applicable in almost all cases of loss of appetite, is cold water, externally in ablutions and bathing, and internally freely drank at any time in the day and evening ; in large quantities, before, during, and after meals, etc., with the precaution, not to be overheated at the time. Beside this dietetic remedy, as it were, the following remedies are res»*mmended: to be used according to directions given in "Dyspepsia." — These reme- dies are Nux vomica, Chamomile, China, Antimon., Ipecac, Bryonia, Lachesis, Hepar, Arnica, Sulphur. | (322)_____________________ MORBID APPETITE--DYSPEPSIA. 323 2. Morbid Appetite. (Bulimy.) A morbid, craving, or voracious appetite, manifests itself in consequence of another disease present in the system, such as worm affections, dyspepsia, etc.; or it frequently is the necessary result of severe loss of strength, after violent, de- bilitating diseases. In every case it consists in a weakness and derangement of the nerves of the stomach, and is treated in the respective diseases of which it is generally a concomi- tant symptom. We will here only indicate some of these affections, with the remedies attached, which arrangement will be particu- larly useful. For their application and administration, see the respective chapters of these diseases. If there exists a craving for food in Worm affections: Hyoscy a., Cina, Merc, Silicea, Spigelia. Pregnant women: Nux vomica, Sepia, Petroleum, Natrum muriaticum. Convalescence after violent diseases, or loss of fluids: China, Veratrum. Dyspepsia, where unnatural hunger is present: China, Ve- ratrum, Nux vom., Sulphur, Bryonia, Ignatia, Mercury, Pul- satUla, Lachesis, Lycopodium. In satisfying an unnatural appetite, care ought to be taken not to overload the stomach. Frequent, but moderate meals, are preferable. 3. Dyspepsia, or Weak Stomach. Diagnosis.—Dyspepsia is generally characterized by weak- ness of digestion, with loss of appetite, slight or irregular appetite, painful and disordered stomach, flatulency, sour risings, ill humor, drowsiness after a meal, sometimes vomit- ing of acid, or mucus, secreted in great quantities in the diges- tive organs. Causes.—The causes of this disease are as numerous as the symptoms vary, under which it shows itself in different 32l AFFECTIONS OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. constitutions and periods of life. A principal cause lies in the irregularity of the diet: eating too much, too rich, 01 too indigestible food ; using stimulating drinks, tea, coffee, liquors, to an excess, and at an unreasonable time ; eating too quickly, or fasting too long between meals ; studying or laboring mentally too intensely, or after a full meal; this is particularly the case in our country, where merchants are in the habit of confining themselves to their arduous business too closely after full dinners, when a few hours' complete rest, bodily and mentally, would be of the greatest benefit to them ; lastly the immoderate use of tobacco, especially in the way of chewing, the use of such deleterious medicines as calomel, etc., by which weak stomach, or dyspepsia, is pro- duced. Treatment.—Avoiding the above-named causes of this disease is the first indispensable requisite in its successful cure ; at the same time, the following remedies will be of the greatest benefit, to be applied according to the symptoms. The principal remedies for recent dyspepsia are Nux vom., and PulsatUla; for chronic dyspepsia, Hepar, Calcarea, Sul- phur. (See their symptoms below.) To facilitate the choice of the remedies, we classify the dis- ease according to its appearance and causes, with the remedies attached to each kind; before selecting a remedy, consult its details below. If dyspepsia is present in children: Ipecac, Bryonia, Cal- carea, Nux vom., Sulphur. In old persons: Antimonium, Nux vomica, China, Carbo vegetabilis. In hypochondriacal persons: Nux vom., Sulphur. In hysterical females: Ignatia, Pulsat., Sepia. If the dyspepsia is caused by sedentary habits: Nux vomica, Sulphur, Sepia. By prolonged watching: Nux vom., Arnica, Pulsat., Verat., Carbo veg. DYSPEPSIA, OR WEAK STOMACH. 325 By excessive study: Nux vomica, Sulphur, Lachesis, Pulsat., Calcarea. By debUitating losses, such as bleeding, purging, vomiting, etc.: China, Carbo veg., Lachesis, Nux vom., Sulph., Calcarea. By sexual excesses: Phosphoric acid, Nux vomica, Mercury, Staphysag. By the abuse of ardent spirits: Nux vomica, Sulphur, La- chesis, Arsenic, Carbo veg. Of coffee : Nux vom., Ignatia. Of tea: Thuja. Of tobacco : Nux vom., Hepar, Cocculus, Staphysag. By over-eating: China, Pulsatilla, Antimon. By distressing emotion, such as grief, anger, etc.: Chamo- mile, Nux vom., Phosphoric acid, China, Staphysag. By mechanical injuries, blow, fall on the stomach, etc.: Ar- nica, Bryonia, Rhus tox., Sulphur. If the dyspepsia is worse after partaking of almost anything: Xux vom., Sulphur, Lachesis, Carbo veg., China. After drinking cold water: Arsenic, China, Pulsatilla, Ve- ratrum. After drinking beer: Arsenic, Calcarea, Rhus tox., Sepia, Sulphur. After drinking milk: Bryon., Xux vom., Calcarea, Sulphur. After using bread: Xux vom., Sulphur, Pulsatilla, Bryonia, Mercury. After using acids: Xux vomica, Sepia, Sulphur, Arsenic, Lachesis. After partaking of meat: China, Sulphur. After partaking of fat substances: Pulsat., Sulphur, China, Carbo veg. If the dyspepsia is combined with diarrhea: Pulsat., Chi- na, Phosphoric acid, Carbo veg., Veratrum, Arsenic, Mercury. With constipation: Xux vom., Sulphur, Bryonia, Lachesis. With sour stomach: Pulsatilla, Sepia, Phosphoric acid, Xux vom., Calcarea. 326 AFFECTIONS OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. With headache: See this article. With piles: Xux vomica, Sulphur, Sepia. Symptomatic Detail.—Xux vomica. In most cases of dys- pepsia at the commencement, particularly in persons with a tendency to piles (see this article) and habitual costiveness; or when dissipation and late hours, the abuse of ardent spirits, or exposure to cold, was the immediate cause of this disease ; this remedy is especially indicated for sour or bitter taste in the mouth, and if food, particularly bread, tastes sour, bitter, or insipid; patient has not much appetite, but a craving for beer, wine, or spirits, or he has great hunger, but a little satisfies him; after eating he is troubled with nausea, eructa- tion, vomUing of food, vertigo, hypochondriacal humor, or, after a meal, lassitude, sleepiness, drowsiness, distension, full- ness, and tension in the stomach, tender to the touch ; around the waist a sensation of tightness of the clothes; sour risings and belchings ; water-brash; sour stomach ; makes the patient unfit for intellectual labor; with constipation, and frequent heat and redness of the face, restlessness, and irascibility. After it, Sulphur suits well. Sulphur. Is in cases of long standing the principal reme- dy after Xux vomica, or when there is no appetUe for meat and bread, but a craving for acids or wine; mUk, acids, and sweet substances disagree; after a meal, difficulty of breathing, nau- sea, pain in the stomach, belching or vomUing of food, shivering, acidity, and water-brash, with flatulency and constipation ; sad, morose humor, with irascibility. After it, Calcarea carb. is often suitable. Pulsatilla. In recent cases of dyspepsia, particularly those caused by over-eating, or the use oifal or pork, or any greasy subltance, causing flatulency and indigestion (in such cases in alternation with China); no thirst; bitter or sour eructa- tions ; the taste of the food comes up again, water-brash, sad- ness, melancholy, inclined to loose bowels. China or Sulphur suits well after it. DY8PEPSIA, OR WEAK STOMACH. 327 China. Dyspepsia from loss of blood or other humors, or caused by exposure to miasms in marshy countries, near canals, etc. (see "Fever and Ague"); particularly if there is indifference to food and drink, as if from satiety; craving wines or acids; food tastes acid or bitter; after a meal uneasi- ness, drowsiness, fullness, distension; patient wants to lie down, sensitive to draughts of wind, ill-natured and dislikes everything. After it suits Bryonia, Rhus tox., Carbo veg. Bryonia. Dyspepsia especially in summer or damp weather; or when there is headache, chUliness, pains in the limbs, arms, and small of the back, aversion to food; eructation of wind, pressure and pain in the stomach after a meal; cannot beai tight clothes ; vomUing of food, constipation, with restlessness and irascibility. In alternation with Rhus or China. Rhus tox. Always in alternation with Bryonia (see " Bil- ious Rheumatic Fever"), especially when there is great rest- lessness, thirst, and dry tongue during the night. Carbo veg. Bitter taste in the mouth, aversion to food, milk, or fat, with acidity in the mouth ; frequent flatulency and belching up, tasting the fat and food which had been eaten ; nausea in the morning, water-brash during the night; heart-burn; hiccough during motion; pains under the short ribs, particularly on the left side, in the form of stitches, with pressing and fullness; cannot bear the clothes around him tight; worse in damp weather ; offensive diarrhea. Ipecac Almost the same as Carbo veg., but especially suit- able for children after indigestion, when they have vomiting of food, drink, mucus or bile; retching, vomiting, with cold- ness of the face and extremities; sinking at the stomach. (See " Cholera Morbus.") Veratrum. After Ipecac, if this should be insufficient, or there is still diarrhea, attended with griping in the bowels; great thirst. Antimon. crud. After Ipecac, if this has not removed the 328 AFFECTIONS OF THE STOMACH AND BOWEL8. nausea and vomiting, with a sensation of great fullness in the stomach, and much flatulency. Ignatia and Staphysag. See "Diseases of the Mind." Hepar. One of the most useful remedies in this disease, where a person has taken much calomel, and is easily taken with indigestion, with a longing for stimulating things, wine, or acids; nausea in the morning, with eructation or vomiting of sour, bilious, or mucous substances; hard, light-colored, difficult evacuations, or else whitish diarrhea. (In this case alternate with Xux vomica; otherwise with Mercury or La- chesis.) Calcarea. Sensation of coldness in the head, with inclina- tion to sick-headache ; acid stomach; water-brash; fullness and swelling in the region of the stomach, with great tenderness to touch; evacuations similar to those of Hepar, but the diarrhea in children has a sour smell. Follows well after Sulphur. Sepia. In persons subject to habitual sick-headache, who frequently suffer from dyspepsia when their heads feel com- fortable ; aversion to food, or else great craving ; taste sour, and after a meal acidity in the mouth, and swelling of the abdomen, or else pressure, as if from a stone in the stomach, with much belching, mostly sour or painful; inclined to con- stipation ; suits well for nervous, hysterical persons, or those who are subject to congestion of the head or bowels. Arnica. Frequent eructations, sometimes with a taste of rot- ten eggs; great sensitiveness and nervous excitement; tongue dry, thick, yellowish coated ; putrid, sour taste, hypochon- driacal humor ; inclined to diarrhea. Phosphoric acid. Great mental and pnysical debility, caused by grief, unrequited love, or loss of bodily strength by losing too much and too constantly animal liquid. In diar- rhea, alternate with China. After every meal pressure in the stomach, as if DYSPEPSIA, OR WEAK STOMACH. 329 from a load; perception of the taste of food, particularly of bread, long after it is taken. Lachesis. Irregular appetite ; repugnance to bread, with craving for wine and mUk; frequent nausea and eructation, vomUing of food; uneasiness, indolence, heaviness, fullness and pains in the stomach after every meal; constipation.— Suits well before or after Mercury. Mercury. Putrid, sweetish or bitter taste in the morning ; repugnance to solid food and meat, with craving for cooling things ; inclined to diarrhea, with straining, or to perspiration; has much saliva in the mouth. Cocculus. Sensation of emptiness and hollowness in the stomach; sour taste, with aversion to acids; dryness of the throat; nausea, even to fainting ; constipation. Phosphorus. VomUing after a meal; burning in the stom- ach ; acidity and sour taste in the mouth. Thuja. Weakness of the stomach after the abuse of tea ; rancid or bitter eructation, and throwing up of that which has been eaten. Administration.—In severe and painful cases of dyspep- sia take of the selected remedy from one to six hours a dose (four glob.) until better; but in chronic cases take only every evening or every other evening a dose (six glob.) until four doses are taken; then discontinue four days, and, if not better, take the next medicine in the same manner. Application of Water.—Is in the various forms of this disease of the greatest benefit, beside the use of the proper remedies. In most cases the wet bandage around the abdo- men, with cold ablutions morning and night, drinking of cold water and exercise in the open air, will be sufficient to support j the action of the medicine sufficiently to secure success. In very severe and inveterate cases it is necessary to resort to an hydropathic institution, where the patient can receive the i proper treatment. j 330 AFFECTIONS of the stomach and bowels. Diet and Regimen.—Beside avoiding those excesses in the diet and regimen which we have mentioned in the " Diagno- sis," as so many causes of this disease, it must borne in mind that every thing even allowed under other circumstances must not be indulged in, as soon as it disagrees with the patient. Keep busy and cheerful; avoid fatigue and exposure: the application of cold water, in a systematical way, exter- nally and internally, is highly recommended. (See "Hydro- pathy.") Exercise freely in the open air; travel and mingle in cheerful society. On this subject Dr. Gatchell very pertinently remarks: "Dyspepsia means simply indigestion, and may be produced by whatever disorders of any one or more of the various organs which contribute to the preparation of the food. It may there- fore have its origin in stomach, duodenum, pancreas, or liver. Though such is the mutual dependence of these various organs, that no one can become greatly diseased without injuring the vigor of the others. But in order to understand digestive disease, it is necessary that we should first examine digestive health. The food then, consists principally of three classes, which may be represented, one by starch, a fiecond by oil, and a third by fibrine. Starch is found in vegetables; oil, in vegetable oils and the fat of animals; and fibrine in the lean meat of animals and in the juices and seeds of vegetables, especially the bread-stuffs. In order to easy digestion, it is necessary that the food should be minutely divided, which purpose is served by mastication. In addition to this, it is important to deglutition, if dry, that it should be mixed with the saliva. But the saliva has a more important use, that is to commence the digestion of the starch. It has, however, no influence on the oil or fibrine. These descend into the stomach with no other preparation than what mastication has afforded. Here the gastric juice begins to perform its part. This, however, is a limited one, since its solvent power is exerted only upon the class to which fibrine DYSPEPSIA OR WEAK STOMACH. 331 belongs, which includes only fibrine, albumen, such as the white of an egg, casein, such as the curd of milk, and by a little extension, gelatine, such as animal jelly. It has no effect upon the oil or starch. These, therefore, except the 1 very slight change commenced in the starch by the saliva, pass out of the stomach entirely undigested. But as the nutriment of the active organs and tissues is derived almost exclusively from the albuminous class, the j gastric digestion is of the highest moment to health, and de- mands a more careful examination. We find, then, that immediately upon the introduction of the food into the healthy stomach, two striking phenomena directly begin to mani- fest themselves. One is secretion, and the other motion. At the same moment that the gastric juice begins to pour into the previously empty stomach, the muscular coat of the stomach begins to propel the food from left to right and back again from right to left, until it is thoroughly saturated with and i dissolved by the juice. Accordingly, whatever prevents the proper action of the muscles, or diminishes unduly the quantity or vitiates the quality of the gastric juice, necessarily impairs digestion. In addition to the gastric juice, the stomach, from its inner coat, which is a mucous membrane, secretes a mild mucus to lubricate its walls. The quality of this also may be vitiated, and thus interfere with digestion. But supposing the functions of the stomach to be duly performed, the albumi- nous aliment passes out quite digested, and reduced to a homo- geneous mass, while the fat and the starch, except the slight change induced in the latter by the saliva, pass out entirely | undigested. In the duodenum or second stomach, the whole mass comes in contact first with the juices from small glands similar to j the small glands of the mouth, and afterward with the juice of the pancreas, an organ similar to the salivary glands, and al60 with the bile from the liver. By means of the juice from the small glands and the pancreas, the digestion of the starch 332 AFFECTIONS OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. is completed, so that it is reduced to a sweetish mass. And that of the fat is accomplished so that it is reduced to a soapy emulsion. And now the bile begins to operate upon the entire mass, preventing fermentation with the formation of gas, and also effecting a separation of the mass into three parts. The fatty portion appearing as a creamy pellicle, the albumi- nous and sugary as limpid fluid, and the indigestible material as a reddish brown sediment, tinged with the coloring matter of the bile. And now the little villous points which project from the i mucous membrane of the small bowel begin to take up the | aliment, giving up the fatty part to the lacteal vessels to be by | them conveyed to the thoracic duct which ascends along the i spine, that by this duct it may be emptied into the great hori- ! zontal vein on the left side of the neck. But with a nice organic instinct they surrender the sugar and albuminous parts to the veins, to be by them carried to the liver, that having received a final elaboration there, they may pass into the great vein which ascends to the heart along the right side I ■ of the spine. j It will be readily perceived, that if the small glands of the | duodenum or its mucous lining in general are diseased—if the ! pancreas secretes a juice defective in quality or quantity—if the liver pours out deteriorated bile, or, what is more impor- i tant, fails to elaborate properly the great mass of the aliment | which passes through it on its way to the blood-vessels, indi- gestion is the result. In order to keep this complex system in health, a due regu- lation of all the forces which impress it is essential. And not least important are the mental forces. Thus grief will at once arrest the action of the stomach, anxiety will gradually depress ' it, and a fit of passion will produce a sudden flow of bile, not only into its proper receptacle, the duodenum, but backward into the stomach, where it is apt to produce nausea and vomit- ing. One of the most important hygienic measures for the i_____________________________________________'_______________________i DTSPEPSIA OR WEAK STOMACH. 333 healthy man and hygiastic for the diseased, is to preserve a cheerful and placid mind. Many persons hasten or aggravate dyspepsia by keeping their thoughts on the stomach. Now, it is a general rule, that all the involuntary and unconscious operations are disordered by sending the will or consciousness into them, and much more are depressed when these influences are combined with any depressing emotions. AVe should endeavor, then, at meal-times, to be as cheerful as possible, and to engage in animated but not exciting conversation, and a host who can make us laugh good-humoredly, is both pro- viding food and aiding us to digest it. I say that the conversation, though animated, shonld not be exciting, for it is another law of the system that intense action in one part tends to diminish vigor in other parts. If, there- fore, the brain labors at meal-times strength is withdrawn from the stomach and digestion is impaired, This fact is important, not merely while eating, but for some time after, even until the food enters the duodenum. Although it is pro- bable that as it passes further from the stomach, it becomes more and more removed from mental influences. But it is a good method for a considerable period after eating to walk leisurely and to talk cheerfully. It is time gained and many a student ruins health by untimely rather than by protracted study, by permitting his brain to interfere with his stomach. Not less important than regimen during and after eating is the period between meals. Children can eat frequently with advantage, adults more seldom. I am convinced that among the sedentary inhabitants of towns and cities, the third meal is generally injurious. A hard biscuit and a glass of water to the early riser with a late breakfast, a dinner about the middle of the afternoon, and a supperless night are far prefer- able to the thrce-meal-a-day system. The stomach may be ruined by small quantities frequently eaten, even though the aggregate may not be excessive. Noon, too, is a bad hour for the student and the dyspeptic 334 AFFECTIONS OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. to eat. The noon meal is very apt to produce that digestive fever which attends a settled dyspepsia in the one and precedes it in the other. This fever is not so likely to follow a three o'clock dinner. I have said that supper is a bad meal. The student should fear it and the dyspeptic utterly avoid it. They may have a faint, empty feeling from going to bed supper- Vss—so does the toper from going to bed dramless. This' feehiife ->nly arises from weakness of the stomach, and is merely palliated, not cured by eating. Perseverance, regimen, and medication, if necessary, will cure it. I do not mean to say that every case of dyspepsia can be cured. Like all other diseases incurable cases occur. If there exists organic disease of the stomach, and more especially organic disease of the liver, then is patience much needed in the subject who suffers, anf> skill in the physician who medicates. Nor can water be too highly prized in this disease, especially if there exists a chronic inflammation of the stomach or liver. In either case the wet compress should be worn, if possible, night and day. Nor are dashes and showers without their use. The wet compress should be changed as often as it becomes either dry or affected by the secretions from the surface. The wet sheet is useful in all forms of dyspepsia, and is indispensable if the disease is produced by drugging, as the most obstinate cases frequently are. These are deplorable cases where a constitutional ten- dency to indigestion has encountered the tender mercies of a drug-doctor, and, most horrible of all, where Herculean Calomel has assailed the digestive forces. Without patience and per- severance such cases are hopeless. In the milder forms of dyspepsia and in the severer, if too great tenderness does not exist, pretty vigorous manipulations may also be advantageously employed. Let the region of the atomach be forcibly grasped and pressed upon with the knead- ing movement, which I recommend in constipation. Let the fingers also be pressed up under the ribs of the left side. The tendency of these movements is at the same time to promote DYSPEPSIA OR WEAK STOMACH. 335 the muscular action and rouse the secretions. It is meeting the disease in its stronghold, it is attacking the very fortress. Nor have these manipulations less value if directed to the region of the liver upon the right side. The secretion of the hilc is thus promoted, as well as its discharge from its store- house—the gall-bladder; and the circulation of the immense mass of blood which moves through the liver, laden with the products of digestion, is also materially aided. Nor are smart taps upon the ribs over the liver and stomach without their use." 4. AVater-brash. Heart-burn. (Pyrosis.) (Indigestion. Flatulency. Sour stomach.) These ailments are mostly comprehended under the name of dyspepsia, of which they form some of the most distressing symptoms ; but where they occur more isolated their reme- dies maybe found in the following tabular view; reference to the details of these medicines may be had in the article " Dyspepsia." Treatment.—For water-brash: Xux vom., Arsenic, Carbo veg., Sepia, Calcarea carb., Phosphorus, Lycopodium, Sulphur. For heart-burn: Xux vom., Pulsatilla, China, Phosphoric acid, Sepia, Sulphur. For vomUing or throwing up, a. Of food, Arnica, Bryon., Carbo veg., Xux vom., Phos- phorus, Pulsat., Sulphur. b. Of indigested food (indigestion): China, Bryon., Pulsat., Ignatia, Lachesis, Phosphorus. (See end of this article.) c. Of acid: Xux vom., Chamomile, Calcarea carb., China, Phosphorus, Sulphur. For flatulency, or frequent rising of wind: Arnica, Xua vomica, PulsatUla, Bryonia, Rhus tox., Sulphur, Carbo veg., Veratrum. a. After eating flatulent food: China. b. After eating pork or fat meat: Pulsat., China. 336 WATER-BRASH--HEART-BURN. c. After drinking: Xux vom. d. Colic from flatulency: See " Colic." In regard to indigestion and its consequences, we will par- ticularly remark here, that if it is caused by an overloaded stomach, a cup of coffee, without milk or sugar, will remedy most of its bad consequences; the remaining symptoms re- quire Pulsat., Xux vom., Ipecac Indigestion from fat food, pork, pastry, etc., requires Pulsat., China, Carbo veg., Ipecac. That which is caused by ice-cream, fruU, or other things which chill the stomach, requires PulsatUla, Carbo veg., Arsenic. If caused by the abuse of wine: Nux vom., Lachesis, Carbo veg., Pulsat., Antimon. crud. By acid wines: Antimon., Pulsat. By sulphurated wines: Pulsat. By vinegar, sour beer, and other acids: Aconite, Carbo veg., Arsenic, Hepar. If tainted meat or fish causes indigestion, give first a little pulverized charcoal in brandy ; afterward China, or Pulsat. If salt food causes indigestion: Carbo veg. Indigestion frequently produces the following disorders, which require the remedies attached to them: Fever: Aeon., Bryon., Antimon. (See " Gastric Fevers.") Eruptions, like nettle-rash: Ipecac, Pulsatilla, Bryon. (See "Nettle-rash.") Diarrhea: Pulsatilla, Coffea, Ipecac, Nux vomica. (See "Diarrhea.") Colic: Pulsat., Nux vom. (See "Colic") Flatulency: China, Pulsat., Carbo veg. (See "Flatulency," above.) In regard to heart-burn or sour stomach, we would remark that it will often be relieved by taking of a mixture of one drop of Sulphuric acid in a teacupful of water, every hour or two hours a teaspoonful; or by drinking lemon-water in BILIOUSNESS—GASTRIC DERANGEMENT. 337 moderate quantities. This is particularly recommended to pregnant women, who frequently suffer from acidity of the stomach from constitutional causes. Administration, Application of Water, Diet and Regi- men, the same as in "Dyspepsia." 5. Biliousness. Gastric Derangement. Biliousness, or bilious complaints, as a popular term, com- prises different disorders of the digestive organs, which mostly have nothing to do with the bile or liver, but with the stomach alone. For practical purposes we divide these diseases: Into gastric affections, where the stomach alone is implicated; and, Into gastric bilious affections, where the derangement of the liver reflects its morbid consequences on the stomach. These attacks occur without much fever. 1. Gastric affections (gastroataxia). This is a general name for all those disorders of the stomach, which we have already treated in the articles on "Dyspepsia," "Indigestion," "Heart- burn," "Water-brash," and "Flatulency," to which we refer the reader. 2. Gastric bilious affections (gastrodyniabUiosa). This dis- ease is characterized by an oppression and swelling in the pit of the stomach, with inclination to vomit, and eructation of wind, of an offensive smell, like rotten eggs or meat; no appetite, and particularly a dislike for meat; thirst great, especially for acids; tongue thickly yellowish coated; either constipation or looseness of the bowels, of dark (black) offensive operations, with a great deal of wind. With these really bilious symptoms are combined a yellowish color in the face, around the nose and mouth; headache in the evening, with a full pulse and a feeling of heat without much fever. Causes.—Persons removing from the north to the south 29 3o8 AFFECTIONS OF THE STOMACH AM) BOWELS. are subject to this disease very often, which sometimes runs into bilious fever. Otherwise, it is caused more by the im- prudent use of too much meat and alcoholic drinks in warm climates; also, by mental derangement, such as anger, grief, etc. It is, frequently, the forerunner of bilious fever. Treatment.—Similar to " Bilious Remittent Fever," in its early stage. See page 159. Bryonia and Rhus alternately, every two hours a dose (four glob.) for two or three days, will generally cure bilious- ness. Application of Water.—See page 163. Diet and Regimen.— Oatmeal gruel, with sugar and lemon-juice; lemonade, in small but often-repeated quan- tities; oranges ; dry or milk toast; cold water. Meat, meat- soups, ancL^ eggs, are strictly forbidden. When recovering, a few oysters are allowed. If the bowels are very loose, the acids must not be used too freely; cautiously ; if at all. Nausea. Vomiting. Nausea and vomiting seldom occur as solitary symptoms, except when caused by errors in the diet; in which case, the ejection of the noxious substances by vomiting is most bene- ficial, and ought rather to be fostered, by drinking freely of lukewarm water, than checked by medicine. But when nausea or vomiting is caused by, or connected with, other diseases, their respective chapters must be consulted ; where, generally, these two, as prominent symptoms, are mentioned and prescribed for. AVe will, however, furnish the reader here with a list of the most frequent diseases in which nausea and vomiting exist, and attach the principal medicines thereto. The principal remedies, useful in most cases of nausea and vomiting, are : Antimon. crud., Ipecac, Nux vomica, Arsenic, Veratrum, Tartar emetic, Bryonia, Pulsatilla, Arnica, Cuprum, Sulphur. NAUSEA--VOMITING. 339 Before time can be had, to select with care the proper homoeopathic remedy in a case of vomiting, it is of no disad- vantage, to give at once : Ipecacuanha, if the tongue is clear; or Antimonium crud., if the tongue is much coated, white or yellow. Then proceed calmly to study the patient's case and select the proper remedy from the following symptoms. If nausea and vomiting is present: In pregnant females: Nux vom., Ipecac, Arsenic, Veratrum. (See "Diseases of Females.") In drunkards: Nux vom.., Arsenic, Opium, Lacliesis, Sulphur. In consequence of riding in a carriage, sailing, etc., Coc- culus, Petroleum, Arsenic, Ferrum, Secale, Belladonna. (See " Sea-Sickness.") In consequence of worms: Cina, AconUe, Ipecac, Nux vom., Mercury, Sulphur, Lachesis, Carbo veg. (See "Worm Disease.") In consequence of overloaded stomach: Pulsat., Ipecac, Antimon., Nux vomica, Arsenic, Bryonia, Rhus tox., Sulphur. (Sec "Indigestion.") After drinking: Arsenic, Ferrum, China,, Bryon., Chamo- mUe, Aconite, Arnica, Silicea. After eating: Pulsat., Nux vom., Bryon., Arsenic, Ferrum. Sulphur. (See "Dyspepsia.") In the morning: Nux vom., Arsenic, Drosera, Veratrum, Hepar., Lycopod., Silicea. In the evening or at night: China, Arsenic, Nux vom., Fer- rum, Silicea, Sulphur. After a,fall on the head: Arnica, internally and externally (See "External Injuries.") In connection wUh a cough: See " Hooping-Cough." In connection with headache: See "Sick Headache." In connection with diarrhea: See "Cholera." 340 AFFECTIONS of THE stomach and bowels. Or, in regard to ejected substances, If blood is vomited (hmmatemesis): Aconite, Arnica, Ipecac , Nux vomica, Ferrum, Hyoscyamus, Bryonia, China. (See " Inflammation of the Spleen," " Cessation of Menses," and "Hemorrhoids"). Generally, medical aid is immediately required, when blood is vomited. If the blood is very dark, Black vomU (melt*$>ta), with discharge of similar blood by the stool: Veratrum, Arsenic, China, Ipecac. (See " Diarrhea, Typhus.") If faical matter is ejoeted : Opium, Nux vom. (See " Con- stipation," and "Ileus.'') If bile is vomited, of greenish look and bitter taste : Cha- momile, Ipecac, Nux vom., Pulsat., Antimon., Cuprum, Vera- trum. (See " Biliousness," etc.) If mucus of a sour taste or smell; China, Calcarea carb., Nux vom., Pulsat., Sulphur. (See " Dyspepsia.") If watery substances: Bryon., Ipecac, Belladonna, Pulsat., Sulphur. (See "Water-Brash," etc.) Administration. — Give the medicine either dry, every hour or two hours, from three to six glob.; or, dissolved in water (twelve glob, in half a teacupful), every half hour a teaspoonful, until better, or until three or four doses of a medicine are taken, when another remedy must be selected, if the patient is not better. Application of Water.—See the different diseases, of which nausea and vomiting are symptoms ; beside, if it is desirable to have the stomach emptied of its contents, as in the case of an overloaded stomach, poisoning, etc., let the patient drink lukewarm water until this object is accomplished. If the vomiting or nausea is disconnected from other diseases, the action of the proper remedies will be supported by the use of the wet bandage and the sitting-baths; in case of attending constipation, by cold injections and drinking of cold water; habitual coldness of the feet is regulated by cold foot-baths. sea-sickness. 341 Diet and Regimen. — In feverish attacks, see "Fever." In all others, see their respective chapters. Sea-Sickness. This distressing complaint depends greatly on constitutional peculiarities, to which the remedy must be adapted. As the cause (the motion of the vessel) continues, it is necessary to repeat the medicine frequently. It will be of service to be careful in the diet just before embarkation; especially to avoid rich, fat food. Treatment.—The principal remedies are: Cocculus. In giddiness, headache, nausea; the patient feels better when lying down. Nux vomica. The same. The patient feels better when not in the open air. PulsatUla. The patient feels better in the open air, on deck. Colchicum. After Pulsatilla, or when the smell of food or the scent of the vessel sickens. Hyoscyamus.—This is the principal remedy to be taken first, every twenty or thirty minutes, a dose (four glob.); sea- sickness proceeds from a dizziness of head; this removed, the nausea will disappear. Petroleum. In cases of great debility. Arsenic If the patient becomes very weak, and there is violent retching. Ipecac. If there is frequent vomiting, without feeling weak. For constipation, during a voyage on sea, give Opium, Coc- culus, Nux vomica, Lachesis, Sutymur. When constipation is attended with a putrid taste and bloody gums, give Staphysag. When patients are constipated, and have a longing for acids and something piquant, give Sepia. N. B. It is well enough to provide one's-self, on sea voyages, with Scotch ale and herrings ; also, lemons ; as those things are mostly desired by sea-sick patients. 342 affections of the stomach and bowels. Application of Water is beneficial in this disease ; a wet bandage around the stomach, drinking of cold water, and in case of constipation, the use of cold injections and the sitting- bath are generally sufficient to accelerate the cure by the proper remedies. Administration. — The same as in " Nausea and Vomit- ing." It is beneficial to take as much exercise on deck as possible, whatever the weather may be, although the patient may not incline to do so at first. Spasms, and Pain in the Stomach. ( Cardialgia, Gastrcdgia, Neuralgia of the Stomach.) Diagnosis. — Spasmodic pains and contractions in the pit of the stomach, sometimes slight, sometimes of insupportable violence, and spreading to the chest and back, exciting nausea and vomiting ; anguish; coldness of the extremities, and even faintness ; belching up of wind often relieves the patient for a time, as, also, vomiting of an acid, limpid fluid, if acidity of stomach or a gouty disposition was connected with it. Causes.—Any derangement of the nerves of the stomach, either sympathetic, from diseases of the liver, spleen, or pan- creas, or more directly from long fasting, the habitual use of ardent spirUs, indigestible food (new bread, nuts, sweetmeats, chestnuts, cherries, figs, cheese, etc.), coffee or tea, may cause this disease; especially if, in addition to this, the person exposes himself to cold, damp weather, or if he is of a gouty disposition, which then developes itself on the stomach in this form (rheuma- tism and gout of the stomach). Females are particularly liable to this disease, which, in them, appears mostly with derange- ment of the menses, especially after their cessation (neuralgia of the stomach), when it is sometfmes associated with fits of fainting, and may end in vomiting of blood. In such cases, the periodical appearance of the disease is frequently observed. Treatment.—Persons liable to spasms of the stomach must avoid everything which could cause them directly, as spasms and pain in the stomach. 343 mentioned above. Beside this, they should keep their feet warm, and wear a woolen shirt or bandage, or in obstinate chronic cases, a Burgundy pitch plaster on the stomach. Above all, however, we recommend to apply to a homoeopa- thic physician, who, in most cases, is able to eradicate the complaint. For recent cases, or in the attack itself, the fol- lowing remedies will be found beneficial. If a person is liable to attacks of this kind, he must be par- ticularly careful in the diet; he must strictly avoid all crude, uncooked vegetable substances, such as salads; also, new made bread, sweetmeats, cherries, nuts, olives and chestnuts; cheese must be avoided, also all kinds of stimulants, tea, coffee, wine, brandies, beer; the use of cold water externally and internally is recommended. We give, first, a tabular view, to facilitate the choice of the } proper remedy. Spasm in the stomach (gastralgia), from j Abuse of Chamomile tea : Nux vom., Ignatia, Pulsat. Abuse of coffee: Nux vom., Ignatia, Cocculus, Chamomile. Abuse of ardent spirits: Nux vom., Lachesis, Arsenic, Sulph. Indigestion: Pulsat., Antimon. crud., Bryon., China, Carbo veg., Nux vom. Want of exercise, torpid bowels : Nux vom., Sulph. Excess of mental emotions, as anger, indignation, etc.; ChamomUe, Colocynth, Nux vom., Staphysag. \ Loss of animal fluids, causing excessive debility, such as blood-letting, nursing, perspirations, excessive diarrheas : China, Carbo veg., Phosphoric acid, Cocculus, Nux vom. Rheumatism and exposure to cold and damp weather : Cham- omUe, Bryon., Rhus tax., Carbo veg. A gouty disposUion, or where rheumatism or gout has fallen upon the stomach ; Ipecac, Bryon., Rhus, Nux vom., Sulph., Bellad., Calcarea. Derangement of the menses, if they are too slight: Pulsat., Cocculus. If too profuse: China, Bellad., Platina, Calc carb. t 344 AFFECTIONS OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. Symptomatic Detail.—Nux vomica. This is one of the most important remedies in this disease, and it is efficacious almost in every spasm of the stomach, in the beginning; at least there is no risk in giving directly one dose (two, three, or four glob.), as it will procure time for cooler observation and a more correct choice, according to the symptoms. If Nux vomica does not give any relief, Chamomile or Cocculus alternated, every half hour, if necessary, will be of great benefit. The pains requiring Nux vomica especially, are : contracting, pressing, and spasmodic, with sensation of retrac- tion or clawing in the stomach, with oppression of the chest, as if it were compressed by a band, with pain extending into the back and loins ; nauseous accumulation of water in the mouth, or vomiting of sour liquid or food during the pain, worse after a meal, from using cofee and ardent spirits; from over-study, creating thereby constipation, piles, hypochondria, with irascible humor, hasty and passionate character. Such persons generally are subject to nervous, pressing headache on one side, with unfitness for exertion, palpitation of the heart with anxiety. Administration, see at the end of this article. Cocculus. Often very beneficial, when Nux vom., or Cham- omile has given but temporary relief, or when there are spasms in the stomach, mitigated by belching up of wind ; j otherwise, similar to Nux vom. Chamomile. Distension of the stomach, with pressure as I from a stone, or as if the heart were being crushed with oppres- ] sion and shortness of breath ; pains are worse at night with j great anguish and tossing; momentary mitigation by drinking j coffee. The patient is peevish and irritable; pains drive him out of bed. This remedy suits well to be given alternately with Coffea, and if then no improvement takes place, try Bel- ladonna. Belladonna. Especially where Chamomile was of no avail, although well indicated, mostly in women of a delicate, sen- SPASMS and pain in the STOMACH. 345 sitive constitution, at the time of too profuse menstruation, and then alternately with Platina, until better. Bellad?0-, alternately with Coffea?0-, will be very beneficial in this dis- ease, if the patient is decidedly better, but cannot sleep nor lie quiet. Belladonna also suits in such violent pains as to take away consciousness, and cause falling down; also great thirst, but the pain gets worse after drinking. Pulsat. Is the principal remedy in mild, sad, tearful dispositions, or where the menses are tardy, producing those spasms. The pains are shooting; worse by walking and mak- ing a false step ; spasmodic- pains in the stomach, caused by fasting, or overloading the stomach ; with nausea, vomiting of food; not much thirst; pains are worse in the evening, with feeling of chilliness; frequently loose bowels. Ignatia. Frequently after Pulsatilla, and when there are pressing pains, as from a stone, especially after a meal or at night; weakness, burning, emptiness in the pit of the stomach, sensitive to touch ; aversion to food and drink ; cannot bear tobacco; also, pains from mental causes, indignation, etc.; or suits well for persons who have the pains from having fasted too long. China. Spasms from indigestion, with swelling of, and painful pressure in, the stomach, with rumbling of wind and flatulency ; spasms after loss of strength by blood-letting, nursing, diarrheas, etc. Carbo veg. Follows well after China, if the spasms were caused after eating flatulent or spoiled food ; also, spasms occurring in damp and wet weather; particularly if there is a painful, burning pressure, with anxiety, worse on touch or at night; or contracting, spasmodic pain, forcing the patient to bend double, with shaking; worse when lyino- down; heart-burn ; nausea ; the very thought of food sickens him. Lachesis. Pressing pains, ameliorated soon after a meal, but renewed afterward, with constipation, dyspepsia, and flatulency. 346 AFFECTIONS OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. Lycopodium. Compressive pains, ameliorated in bed dur- ing the night; worse in the morning, after a meal, and espe- cially in the open air. x Arsenic. Violent pains and anxiety in the cardia and the stomach; burning and spasmodic pains in cardia and stom- ach; vomiting after drinking the smallest quantity of liquid; suitable for spasms in old people, where cancer of the stom- ach may be supposed to exist, and in drunkards. Sulphur. Pressing pains as if from a stone, mostly after a meal, with nausea, water-brash, or vomiting ; acidity; throw- ing up of food; disposition to piles, or accumulation of mucus in the intestines ; hypochondriacal, whining mood. Antimon. crud. See "Indigestion." Bryonia. Pressure as from a stone in the cardia, when eating, or after a meal, with a sensation of swelling in the pU of the stomach; pains worse by any motion; constipation; rheu- matic pains in the head and limbs. In alternation with Rhus tox. When the pressure in the stomach and cardia obstructs the breathing, particularly after taking cold in damp, cold weather. (See " Bilious Rheumatic Fever.") Staphysag. Spasms in the stomach after anger or indig- nation. Calcarea carb. Suitable for plethoric persons, with full red faces or for females who have their menses very pro- fusely ; or alter Belladonna has given partial relief; espe- cially when there is a sensation of clawing and retraction in the stomach, worse after a meal, frequently wUh vomiting of food; disposition to piles, constipation, and palpitation of the heart. Administration.—Dissolve of the remedy selected twelve globules in half a teacupful of water, and give, every thirty or forty minutes, a teaspoonful, until three or four are taken ; then wait thirty minutes, and, if not better, select another remedy, and give it in the same manner, until better. This is the mode of administration in the most urgent cases. GRIPING COLIC—STOMACH-ACHE. 347 When the pains are not so severe, give the medicine at longer intervals; say, from one to two, three, or six hours, until amelioration takes place. In real chronic cases of this dis- ease, give the chosen remedy only evening and morning a dose (four glob.), for two days, and then wait the same length of time, before another remedy is given ; if better during that time, no more medicine is necessary. Application of Water in the form of wet bandages around the stomach, and the use of the sitting-bath, will accelerate the cure ; if the feet are habitually cold, apply the cold foot- bath every evening. Diet and Regimen.—The same as in " Biliousness," and " Gastric Derangement." If no cold water is applied externally, a mustard plaster, or other heating substances, such as scorched flour, heated bran in small sacks, may be laid on the stomach. The pa- tient is advised to remain as quiet as possible during the paroxysms. Griping Colic. (Colica; enteralgia.) (Stomach-ache.) Diagnosis.—Pains in the intestines, more or less violent; griping, pinching, tearing, or burning, mostly in the region of the navel, yet often.spread all over the bowels ; severe cases of colic are accompanied by anxiety and cold sweat; stools either loose or confined ; when the colic pain is seated in one place of the abdomen for a length of time without moving, danger of inflammation of the intestines ensues, which is indicated by the pain, hitherto griping and pinching, becoming burning, and fever appearing (see " Inflammation of the Intestines "); vomiting of sour, bilious phlegm, or dis- tension of the abdomen, painful to the touch, often attend the severest cases of colic. Causes.—These are constitutional or acquired by circum- stances ; the latter are very many, such as colds, indigestion, worms, constipation, mental emotions, and occupations which 348 AFFECTIONS OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. require persons to work in deleterious metals, such as lead, etc. According to these exciting causes, the three principal varieties of colic are : 1. BUious colic, with bilious vomiting, severe griping, or shooting or twisting pain in the abdomen ; at first relieved by pressure, afterward tender to the touch, with painful disten- sion, cold extremities, restlessness, yellowish cast of the skin and eyes, the face expressing great anguish. 2. Flatulent or wind-colic, with frequent belching up of wind, with or without relief; swelling of the abdomen, which is distended and painful in different places, as the wind accu- mulates and moves in different parts of the intestines; the pains come in paroxysms, and are sometimes very severe. 3. Painter's or lead colic, which commences sometimes be- fore an attack with general lassitude, wandering pains in the bowels and extremities, heaviness in the lower limbs, chil- liness, and depression of spirits; the attack itself exhibits the same symptoms as bilious colic, except there is not often vomiting of bile, but great pain and restlessness, during which the patient bends forward, pressing firmly against the abdomen, his extremities feeling cold, and his pulse being small and suppressed. Treatment.— The first thing to be done in any colic, if it is at all severe, is the application of a general warm bath, during which the patient, sitting in a tub, the warm water reaching up to the pit of the stomach, is covered with blankets to confine the hot steam closely around him ; after ten minutes, he ascends from the bath and lays down with the blankets, without being dried off, and is covered with suf- ficient clothes ; the warmth then may be kept up by putting heated bricks or hot water flasks around the patient, on the spots where he complains the most; a profuse perspiration will ensue, which relieves the cramp and makes the patient feel easier at once ; it must be kept up until every vestige of pain has left for some time. The medicines to be prescribed GRIPING COLIC—STOMACH-ACHE. 349 below may be given, however, from the commencement of the pain, and continued until relief is obtained. AVe will now give in a tabular view the principal kinds of colic, with theii remedies, the symptomatic details of which may be consult- ed below. a. Bilious colic: Nux vomica, Colocynth, Chamomile, Bryonia. b. Flatulent or windy colic: Pulsatilla, China, Carbo veg., Cocculus, Nux vom., Colocynth, Lycopod., Sulphur. c Painter's or lead colic: Opium, Bellad., Platina. d. Colic with obstinate constipation (see " Miserere "): Opi- um, Nux vom. e. Colic caused by piles or hemorrhoids: Nux vom., Lachesis, Pulsat., Colocynth, Carbo veg., Sulphur. f. Colic from an inflammatory state of the intestines (in- flammatory colic) : Aconite, Belladonna, Hyoscyamus, Mer- I cury, Lachesis, Nux vomica, Arsenic, Sulphur. (See "En- teritis.") g. Colic from worms : Mercury, Cina, Sulphur. ( See "Worms.") h. Colic from indigestion (gastric colic) : Pulsat., China, Xux vom., Bellad., Bryon., Carbo veg. i. Colic from indignation or rage: Cham., Coloc, Staphys.,' Sulphur. k. Colic from a chill: Aconite, Cham., Coloc, Merc, Xux vomica. I. Colic from exposure to cold, damp weather: Pulsat., Bryo- nia, Rhus tox. m. From bathing: Xux vom. n. From external injuries, such as strains or blows: Arnica, Bryon., Rhus tox., Carbo veg., Lachesis. o. Colic in children principally: Chamomile, Rheum, Coffea, Aconite, Bellad., Cina, Sulphur. (See "Diseases of Chil- dren.") p. Colic in pregnant or lying-in women: ChamomUe, Xux 3oO AFFECTIONS OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. vomica, Arnica, Bryonia, Pulsatilla, Sepia. (See "Diseases of Women.") q. In hysterical women (nervous colic of women): Ignatia, Xux vom., Cocculus. (See the same.) r. Colic at the time of the menses (menstrual colic): Pul- satilla, Coffea, Veratrum, Cocculus. (See the same.) s. Colic in persons with low spirits: China, Nux vom., Sul- phur, Calcarea carb., Stannum. Select first, according to the character of the disease, one of the above remedies, and then read its symptoms in the following symptomatic detail. It will be seen above that Nux vom. and Colocynth are the principal remedies in almost all kinds of colic, and consequently mostly to be used; we recommend, therefore, the careful study of their distinguish- ing symptoms. Beside these two medicines, Pulsat. and Bel- ladonna will be found of frequent application. Administration of these remedies, see at the end of this article. Symptomatic Detail.—Nux vomica. Constipation, hard or difficult stool, with pressure in the abdomen as from a stone; the colic pain is contractive or compressive, sometimes pinching and drawing ; pressure at the pit of the stomach, with disten- sion and tenderness of the abdomen when touched ; feeling as if the clothes around the waist were too tight; flatulency and severe griping, deeply seated in the abdomen, with cold hands and feet, and sometimes sharp and severe pressure on the bladder and rectum, as-if wind were about to escape vio- lently, forcing the patient to bend double ; beneficial in almost all kinds of colic, where constipation predominates, or the pa- tient likes to be quiet, to sit doubly bent, or to lie down on account of violent pains in the loins and head. Colocynth. This is the principal medicine for colic ; vio- lent, even the most violent cutting, pinching, clawing pains and stUches as if from knives, with excessive restlessness, agitation and tossing, sometimes cramp in the limbs, shivering, either no GRIPING COLIC—STOMACH-ACHE. 351 inclination to stools and violent diarrhea and vomUing ofbUe or food, immediately after eating ; abdomen either swollen with wind, flatulency, or feels very empty; however, very tender, as from a bruise. After it are suitable, Chamomile, Mercury, >! Belladonna. Belladonna. The colic pains are : swelling and protrusion, like a pod of the colon between the pit of the stomach and the navel, relieved by pressing upon it or by bending double; pain at the same place, as if the intestines were grasped by the flnger nails; or spasmodic constriction in the abdomen in females, with a feeling of bearing downward as if something would fall out, similar to the falling of the womb, or pains i connected with this disorder; general characteristic for Bel- \ ladonna: congested, hot head, red face, severe pain in the head, aggravated by movement, cannot bear the light, feels dry in the throat, etc. (See "Materia Medica.") After it Mercury, Lachesis, or Hyoscyamus, is suitable. Pulsatilla. Shooting, beating pains in the pit of the stomach ; farther down in the abdomen a feeling of heaviness and fullness, with disagreeable tension and distension, tender- ness and pain as if from a bruise when touched; suffering from flatulency (see this article), and consequent colic after indigestion ; worse when sitting, lying, or in the evening, with shivering; patient feels better out doors, than within; is in- clined to, or has diarrhea ; pale face, with livid circle around the eyes ; pressure, tension, and aching in the head. After it are suitable, China, Lycopodium, Mercury, Sulphur. China. Excessive distension of the abdomen, as in tym- panitis, with fullness and pressure, as if from hard bodies ; or spasmodic constriction ; pain, with stoppage of wind and bear- ing down toward the hypochondriacal region; worse at night, after errors in diet, and in persons weakened by severe loss of animal fluids, such as bleeding, too heavy perspiration, nurs- ing, diarrhea, etc. (See "Pulsatilla.") Cocculus. One of the principal medicines, particularly in 352 AFFECTIONS OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. spasmodic and windy colic, and in those colics of women be- fore or at the time of their menses (see " Female Diseases"); or when there are constrictive, spasmodic pains in the hypo- gastrium, nausea, difficulty of breathing, flatulency, and full, distended stomach ; or a feeling of emptiness in the abdomen, with squeezing and tearing in the stomach ; nausea ; constijm- Hon; nervous excitability. Coffea. Excess in pain, which drives to despair; great agita- tion, tossing, grinding of the teeth ; coldness of the limbs ; moaning, and fits of suffocation. Ignatia. Colic in the night, waking out of a sleep, with shooting into the sides and chest; difficult, but relieving dis- charge of wind ; suitable for sensitive and delicate women. Hyoscyamus. Spasmodic and griping pain, with vomiting; cries ; pain in the head ; hardness and distension of the ab- domen, and tenderness when touched. Chamomile. Tearing, drawing pains, 'vith great restless- ness ; nausea : bitter vomUing or bilious diarrhea; incarcerated wind, with anguish, tension, pressure, fullness in the pit of the stomach; one cheek red, the other pale ; the colic appears mostly at night, toward sunrise, or after a meal. (Pulsat. suits after it.) Bryonia. Fullness and pressure in the abdomen after eat- ing ; cutting and stitching pains in the bowels, particu- larly after drinking warm milk; colic pains with diarrhea after taking cold, or in the heat of summer. Alternately ^ith Rhus tox., in bilious rheumatic attacks. (See. this article.) Rhus tox. Pressure in the stomach and pit of the stomach; pain in the abdomen at night; restlessness and diarrhea of watery and slimy substances. (See Bryon.) Sulphur. Against hemorrhoidal colic, when Carbo veg., or Mercury has been given without effect; against bilious colic, when Chamomile or Colocynth was insufficient; against flatu- lent colic, after Chamomile, Calcarea carb., Mercury, or Carbo GRIPING COLIC—STOMACH-ACHE. 353 veg., was administered; or against worm colic, after Mercury or Cina had been given. Carbo veg. Distension and fullness of the abdomen ; diffi- cult belching up of wind; colic after riding in a carriage; flatulent colic, with rumbling in the bowels; discharge of wind of a putrid smell; either constipation, or diarrhea of a putrid smell. Arsenic. Excessive pain, with great anguish in the abdomens- intolerable burning, or sensation of cold in the abdomen; pains are worse at night, after eating or drinking; watery or bilious vomiting; diarrhea, with thirst, shivering, and excessive debility. Veratrum. Cutting as from knives in the abdomen, which is very tender to touch; burning in the whole abdomen; flatu- lent colic, with noisy rumbling of wind, which is discharged with difficulty. (Alternately with Arsenic, in severe cases, or with Coffea at the time of menstruation.) Opium. Abdomen hard and distended; tympanitis, with heaviness in the abdomen, as from a weight (lead or painter's colic); obstinate constipation, with vomiting even of fasces and urine ; or involuntary stools, of a dark color and fetid. Lachesis. In spasmodic and inflammatory colic, when Colo- cynth, Belladonna, Cham., Nux vom., have been administered without effect; in hemorrhoidal colic, and after mechanical injuries; after Carbo veg., when there is great weakness, sinking feeling, small, quick pulse; or alternately with Lyco- pod., if there is great constipation left. (See this article.) Lycopodium. In flatulent colic, swelling, fullness, and dis- tension of the pit of the stomach, with colic pain, incarcera- tion of wind, which is not discharged. (Is suitable after | Pulsat., or Lachesis; see these.) Platina. In consequence of fear or anger, or poisoning by lead, after Opium and Belladonna; suitable principally for females, or when the bodily sufferings disappear as soon as the mental distresses begin, or vice versa; is afraid of dying; cannot refrain from weeping; contracting pain in the abdomen; 30 354 AFFECTIONS OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. pressure in the stomach after eating; also a contracting pain, as if laced too tight; with a sensation of constant bearing down. AconUe. Extreme tenderness of the abdomen; much anguish, restlessness and tossing, particularly when the pains are located in the region of the bladder; when the bowels seem to retract, with frequent but unsuccessful want to urinate. Arnica. Contusive pain in the sides of the abdomen in pregnant females; pain from lifting in the abdomen ; fullness in the stomach, as if one had eaten too much ; stitches in the pit of the stomach, with pressure back to the spine, and an oppres- sion on the chest, worse after eating, drinking, and touch; stitches in the left hypochondrium, taking away the breath; dis- tension and hardness of the abdomen, with soreness in the sides; better after discharge of urine ; diarrhea, watery, or from indigestion. Mercury. Shooting or violent contracting pains in the ab- domen, especially around the navel, with nausea ; frequent desire to evacuate, or slimy diarrhea; profuse quantity of saliva in the mouth; shivering, with heat, especially in the face ; abdomen tender to touch ; colic pains, worse in the night; great lassitude. Cina. Colic pains from worms, especially around the navel, which is tender to the touch. Cina?0' in such cases, every half hour repeated (the dose from two to four glob.), is more effectual than the other preparation of Cina (see "Worms"). Rheum. Particularly in infants, when the colic is accom- panied by diarrhea of a sour smell and pressing down before and after the stool; or when there are in adults cutting pains in the abdomen, forcing one to bend over frequently soon after eating ; worse when standing. Sepia. Colic pains in pregnant or lying-m women, or even spasms, as if the intestines were turning over; cutting pains after motion; burning and slUches in the abdomen, which ia GRIPING COLIC—STOMACH-ACHE. 355 ; hard and distended; pressure and sensation of heaviness in the abdomen, with bearing down; rumbling of the bowels after eat- ing ; constipation, or greenish diarrhea, especially in children. ' Calcarea carb. Contractive, gnawing spasms, or cutting i pains in the abdomen; difficulty of discharging the wind. I with noisy rumbling of the bowels; cannot bear the clothes | tight around the hypochondria; acidity of the stomach, with vomiting of food, especially in children when teething; light- ish diarrhea. Stannum. Spasms in the region of the diaphragm, as in hysterical or hypochondriacal persons, with difficulty of eject- ing the wind ; constipation, or slimy diarrhea, and great j weakness. (Compare China.) Administration.—Dissolve twelve glob, of the selected remedy in half a teacupful of water, and give every fifteen or | thirty minutes a teaspoonful, for two or three times; then j wait the same length of time before giving another remedy, [ if not better; but if the patient is better, do not repeat the medicine as often. This is particularly the case with Colo- cynth, which is the most frequently-needed remedy. In the j i most agonizing pains, the alternate use of Coffea and Camphor | in solution, given as above stated, affords temporary relief, until other remedies may complete the cure. In cases where the pains are not so excessive, the medicines must not be re- ] peated as frequently ; say, only from two, three, to six hours | a dose (four glob.) until better, or until another remedy is needed. Diet and Regimen.—Persons subject to this complaint must avoid all substances which produce it, such as kale I (kohl) and other green vegetables, acidulated drinks, veal, etc. In an attack of colic, give only the mildest nourishment; i gruels, toast-water, toasted bread, etc.; no milk, except in j worm colic, when sweet, cold milk will pacify the worms. Keep the feet dry and warm, also in wet, cold weather, a wet bandage around the stomach and abdomen. In colic 356 AFFECTIONS OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. from indigestion, a cup of black coffee immediately taken is strongly recommended. Congestion and Stagnation of Blood in the Abdomen. That process, by which disease is generated and grows, j depends upon certain laws, which in no case appear in more constant regularity, than in producing the different kinds of congestions. The three great divisions of the body—head, breast, and abdomen—are, at certain periods of man's life, successively, the places for congestions and stagnation. Thus | the head inclines to be congested in childhood, the breast in ! youth, up to thirty or thirty five years (hence, in this period I most all lung-diseases occur), and, finally, the abdomen in I middle age, from thirty five to old age (hence in this period so many bowel-diseases, such as hypochondria, piles, dyspep- sia, etc., take place). One of the most natural causes for ! these diseases is the determination of blood to the abdomen. We ! must not increase, by our mode of living, this natural ten- dency to congestion ; as, if neglected or mistreated, its cure will be very difficult. | Diagnosis.—Persons troubled with this disease have a i sensation of heat and burning in the stomach, together with the feeling of heaviness, hardness, and tension in the lower ! j part of the abdomen. Treatment.—Nux vomica and Sulphur, are the principal I i remedies. ' Nux vomica. Especially for persons who lead a sedentary ; | life, are constipated, have pains in the loins, hips, and back, as if broken and very weak ; hardness and tension of the ab-. domen ; cannot bear the pressure of the clothing around the ! waist. Sulphur. After Nux vomica has relieved partially, in all j ( cases, even the most obstinate, where constipation, hypochon- driacal and hemorrhoidal symptoms are present; Nux vom., i alternately with Sulphur, every second or third day a dose j L. INFLAMMATION OF THE DIAPHRAGM. 357 (four to six glob.), until four doses of each are taken, will generally be sufficient to relieve ; if not, repeat it after an interval of from eight to fourteen days, during which time no medicine must be taken. Arsenic and Carbo veg. Administered in the same manner, if there is great weakness, with tendency to diarrhea and flatulency. Capsicum. If the evacuations are soft, trifling, slimy, watery, give twice or three times a dose (four glob.), until better. Other remedies, to be used successively, but slowly, are : Pulsatilla, Sepia, Belladonna, Mercuvy, Lachesis, Lycopo- dium. Application of Water.—The sitting-bath, cold foot-bath, and the wet bandage around the abdomen are beneficial i auxiliaries in the treatment of this disease; beside the drink- ing of cold water. Diet and Regimen.—Exercise on foot and horseback, regu- larity of all habits and cheerfulness of mind are necessary. Diet.—See " Piles." Inflammation of the Diaphragm. (Diaphragmitis.) This disease resembles pleurisy very much; sharp, shooting pains under the short-ribs; worse on pressing between or below the ribs, on sneezing, or coughing, inhaling, or striking the body; relieved by bending the body forward ; frequently there is hiccough present. Causes.—The same as in pleurisy. We have only to add, that external injuries, such as blows, falls on the ribs directly, or a jarring of the diaphragm by a jump on the heels and | feet, or (as in little children it is often the case) a twistino- or unnatural turning of the body, are the most frequent causes | of this disease. Treatment.—The same as in "Pleurisy." The principal remedies are: Bryonia, Aconite, Nux vomica. 358 AFFECTIONS OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. Chamomile. This latter, particularly in infants and chil- dren, when they are swollen around the short-ribs, where the slightest touch can not be borne without screaming or stoppage of breath (see, in "Diseases of Children," *'Livergrown"). Chelidon., when Chamomile seems to be insufficient, and there is extreme constipation, and then alternately with Nux com. If caused by external injuries, Arnica, externally, in solu- tion, and internally, in alternation with Aconite, every hour or two hours a dose (six glob.) must be used until better. Application of Water. — Wet bandages around the breast and stomach. We may be allowed, to insert here a case in point, showing conclusively how important sometimes it is to make use of water as an auxiliary remedial agent. Miss O., eighteen years of age, of full habit and bilious nervous constitution, was attacked in the hottest days of July, j with severe pains in the epigastric region, which prevented her from breathing freely, and from turning on either side; she had to lay perfectly quiet on her back, without being able to | move, in order to avoid the most agonizing pain in the region of the diaphragm, which appeared swollen and very painful to | the touch. Pulse very quick and suppressed, tongue thickly j coated and rather dry, thirst increased. She had, during the past few weeks, been arduously engaged in nursing the sick, which had materially, weakened her otherwise good constitution and reduced her strength—she appeared in her present condi- tion very feeble and exhausted. Aconite and Bryonia (3d) dissolved in water, alternately every two hours a teaspoonful, was prescribed. In the evening, almost the same symptoms presented themselves, except an additional perspiration, which did not relieve her agony. Bryonia (3d) and Mercury (6) dissolved in water were now given in alternation, every two hours a teaspoonful, and a wet bandage put around her in the region of the stomach. Soon after this application, her con- dition improved decidedly; she was able to turn herself; in the inflammation of the stomach. 3o9 morning but very little soreness was left, and on the same evening she conversed cheerfully, sitting up in the bed. The gastric-bilious symptoms disappeared as rapidly as the con- gestion receded; another application of the wet bandage that evening made her feel still more comfortable, and the next morning she needed no further attendance. Thus this dan- gerous case had terminated favorably within the short period of a little more than two days. We have frequently attended similar patients; our climate, particularly in the summer, favoring abdominal congestions of this kind, but never was the recovery as quick as in this case. The relief by the wet ban- dage was immediate, according to the patient's own expression. Administration, Diet, and Regimen, the same as in " Pleurisy." Abdominal Inflammation. We will now proceed to the inflammations of those organs which lie between the peritoneum, or that serous membrane which envelops all the abdominal viscera. The inflamma- tions of these organs have this one peculiar feature in regard to the pulse, that the higher the inflammation runs, the smaller and more suppressed the pulse appears; sometimes it is only discoverable by hard pressure. 1. Inflammation of the Stomach. (GastrUis.) Diagnosis.—This is a dangerous disease, and ought not to be treated by laymen; but, on account of its rapid course, we feel the necessity of introducing it here, in order to enable every one to diminish, or take away entirely its danger, by applying those remedies which have a specific bearing ipon it. Gastritis is characterized by a constant, violent, burning, and stitching pain in the gastric regions, increased by pressure, respiration, or taking any kind of food ; beside this, there are heat, swelling, and tension, with pulsation in the region of the stomach ; nothing will stay on the stomach, not 360 AFFECTIONS of the stomach and bowels. even pure water; although there is great thirst, yet water is frequently rejected, because sometimes, beside other violent nervous fits and convulsions, hydrophobic symptoms occur, with tetanic spasms, great and sudden prostration ; fainting ; the pulse gets smaller, more wiry; extremities cooler, and the restless anxiety greater, the higher the inflammation is. Death takes place, either by gangrene (which is announced by sudden cessation of all pain, small, remitting pulse, scarcely perceptible, hands and feet icy cold), or by nervous paralysis, with spasms and fainting fits, together with symp- toms of the utmost debility. Signs of improvement are, when the pulse becomes larger and broader, the pains less severe, without ceasing entirely, and the hands and feel warmer. This disease may, after an improper treatment, pass into chronic inflammation, induration, or ulceration of the stomach. Causes. — Bilious diarrheas, if suddenly checked ; acrid poisons taken into the stomach; abuse of emetics and ardent spirits ; transfer of gout; suppressed secretions; external inju- ries ; or drinking of water when heated. Treatment.—AconUe is the first remedy to be given, if the pains are severe, and the heat great in the stomach, or when a chill preceded the affection, or when it was caused by taking cold drinks when overheated. Administration.—Dissolve twelve glob, in half a teacupful of water; give every twenty or thirty minutes a teaspoonful until ten spoonfuls are taken ; if then not better, select another remedy, which must be prepared and given in the same manner, until better, or another remedy is necessary. Bryonia. Generally after Aconite or Ipecac. Ipecac. After Aconite, if vomiting predominates, and the disease was caused by indigestion, but the tongue is clear. Antimon. Under similar symptoms as Ipecac; but the tongue has a thick coating of white or yellowish mucus. Pulsatilla. After Ipecac, or Bryonia, or when the disease inflammation of the stomach. 361 was caused by indigestion, or a chill in the stomach from having taken ice. Arsenic. For a similar condition, but there is rapid faUw cf strength, pale, sunken countenance, cold extremities; alte ■- nately with Veratrum. Veratrum. For similar symptoms (see "Asiatic Cholera") Belladonna and Hyoscyamus, alternately, if nervous, spas- modic, hydrophobic symptoms appear ; drowsiness, delirium, loss of consciousness. Arnica. In case external injuries were the cause of the disense. Nux vomica and Lachesis, in alternation, if abuse of ardent spirits caused the gastritis ; after which, Lachesis and Arsenic may be alternated with benefit. Cantharis. In the most violent cases, particularly when the burning pain is intolerable ; alternately with China. Opium and Camphor, alternately, if no remedy seems to ameliorate the case; drowsiness and stupor, particularly in drunkards; afterward give other suitable remedies which will have a better effect. For gastritis from acrid poisons, see " Poison." After the poison is removed, treat as above. For the chronic form of the disease, see " Dyspepsia, Car- dialgia, Spasms of the Stomach." Application of Water.—A lukewarm sitting-bath, reach- in <>• above the navel, is recommended ; in the bath the patient's abdomen is constantly rubbed. After the vomiting ceases wet compresses are applied on the stomach and cold injections used to remove constipation. The chronic form requires strict dieting, the constant wearing of wet bandages, frequent sweatings in the wet sheet, foot and sitting-baths; beside the frequent drinking of small quantities of cold water. Diet and Regimen.—As during the height of the disease nothing will stay on the stomach, it is better to offer the patient nothing but water; afterward the mildest gruel, made 31 362 affections of the stomach and bowels. of rice or flour, milk and water, buttermilk, gum-arabic water, milk-toast. Continue this diet for some time before it is changed for a stronger one; and then only soups and mild vegetables. 2. Inflammation of the Bowels. (Enteritis.) This disease occurs in two varieties ; either idiopathic, Avhere no other disease preceded it, or symptomatic, when it appears in consequence of other diseases, such as "Typhus," etc. The former is very acute, but of rare occurrence, and in- volves in its sphere the mucous membrane, as well as the submucous tissue and peritoneal coat—a very painful and dangerous disease ; while the latter, not so acute in its course, occurs more frequently, attacking the mucous membrane of the intestines, mostly in portions ; being, on that account, not so painful and dangerous, but sometimes leading to ulcera- tions of the bowels. Diagnosis of the idiopathic or very acute form.—Violent burning or pungent pain, permanently on one spot of the ab- domen, generally in the region of the navel; increased by the slightest touch or movement; with tension, heat, and bloat- edness of the abdomen ; obstinate constipation ; vomiting of slime or bile, finally of faeces (ileus miserere); violent thirst, yet cold drinks do not agree; sobbing, anxiety; restless- ness ; pulse small, contracted, as in gastritis ; urine frequently suppressed. The fatal termination of this disease occurs under similar symptoms as in gastritis by gangrene ; the most violent pain suddenly disappearing, pulse sinking, remittent, impercepti- ble ; involuntary, cadaverously fetid stools. The symptoms of recovery are the same as in gastritis. In regard to the obstinate constipation which is such a constant symptom in this disease, we would remark that this does not constitute or cause the disease, but is its natural consequence, and disappears as soon as the inflammation, by the proper inflammation of the bowels. 383 remedies, is reduced. Any violent attempt, by severe medi- cines, to effect a passage, would only add to the inflammation, and hasten a fatal result. The best expedient for this pur- pose is, beside the medicines to be mentioned hereafter, injections of tobacco smoke, which relieve the pain, or luke- warm baths, which destroy the spasms, often remaining aftei the inflammation is subdued. Treatment.—AconUe must be used first, as directed in gas- tritis. It is the principal remedy as long as the accompany- ing fever is intense and the skin very hot. In severe cases, Arsenic and Veratrum after it, in a similar manner, as directed in gastritis. In less severe cases, Lachesis, Belladonna, and Mercury, in alternation, will suffice, if the skin has become cooler, from the application of AconUe, but there still remain great sore- ness of the abdomen and intense thirst. These medicines must be separately dissolved in water (twelve glob, to half a teacupful), and every two hours, alternately, a teaspoonful given, until three or four teaspoon- fuls of each are taken, or until better. But in the severest cases, when vomiting of faeces appears (ileus miserere), Opium must be administered, every hour a dose (four glob.), and if not relieved within six, eight, or twelve hours, Plumbum, in the same manner. It is in this stage where injections of an infusion of tobacco, or injecting tobacco ! smoke, is of the greatest benefit; also a lukewarm bath, to relax the whole system, and facilitate a decided reaction. Diagnosis of the symptomatic or subacute form.—This is always a concomitant symptom in typhus, or other malignant fevers ; also in consumption of the bowels. The pain of the abdomen consists of a soreness, aggravated by hard pressure, and after cold drinks and indigestible food ; the tongue is red, smooth, sometimes shining; loss of appetite ; thirst variable; constant dryness in the mouth and throat; nausea and 864 affections of the stomach and bowels. vomiting are more cr less present, the more so, the nearer the inflamed portions of the intestines are to the stomach. When the lower parts are more inflamed, which is indicated by the pain in that region, diarrhea of a slimy mucus, often mixed with blood, is present, as in dysentery. This is parti- cularly the case in the beginning of Consumption of the bowels, such as nursing females are sometimes subject to, see " Diseases of Females." Treatment.—If this disease occurs in typhus or other ma- lignant fevers, see their respective chapters. In the com- mencement of a typhus, if the pain in the abdomen is exces- sive, give a few doses of AconUe, every two or three hours one (four glob.); after which give Bryonia and Rhus tox. (in a half a teacupful of water, twelve glob, dissolved), every two hours, alternately, a teaspoonful. See " Typhus Fever." If it resembles a bloody dysentery, after the use of Aco- nUe as above, give Belladonna and Mercury in alternation (dissolve of each twelve glob, in half a teacupful of water), every hour a teaspoonful, until better ; after which Nitric acid generally suits, particularly if the patient has already taken a good deal of calomel; or Colocynth, if bilious, green matter is vomited or discharged by the dysenteric operation. For the application of these medicines, and of Sulphur, which is important in this disease, see " Dysentery." If worms are suspected to be the cause of the inflammation of the bowels, or are complicated with it, see " Worms." If the disease resembles or runs into consumption of the bowels, s-^e " Diarrhea" and " Diarrhea of lying-in Women." The chronic form of this disease requires the same reme- dies, only administered not so often, because the symptoms , are less urgent. In all severe cases of this kind, it would be indispensably necessary to apply to a homceopathic physician, if one can be had. INFLAMMATION OF THE LIVER. 360 Application of Water, see preceding article. Diet and Regimen, the same as in " Gastritis." Inflammation of the Liver. (Hepatitis.) Diagnosis.—This inflammation differs according to its place in the liver. a. When the surface and the convex, or upper part of the liver is inflamed, there are in the right hypochondrium some- times stitches, at other times burning pains, often as violent as in pleurisy, shooting to the breastbone, the right shoulder- blade, increased by deep respiration, frequently accompanied with cough and vomiting; in this form the patient cannot lie on the right side. b. When the concave, or lower part, and the substance of the liver is inflamed, there is not so much pain, but more a feeling of pressing, heaviness, as of a bag lying in that re- gion ; the color of the eyes and face become yellowish, as if jaundice were present; bitter taste, and vomiting; in this form the patient cannot lie on the left side. In both forms general inflammatory fever is present more or less, and the region of the liver sensitive to pressure, and apparently bloated and hot. The first form may be mistaken for pleurisy, as the symptoms are very similar; but, as in such a case the treatment would be the same, no danger can result from such a mistake. If hepatitis is not well treated, it has the tendency to pass into the chronic state, forming ulcerations, which either ap- pear externally or communicate internally with the intestines or the lungs, causing inflammation of these organs; in- durations, adhesion, gangrene, are also issues of neglected hepatitis. Causes.—Summer heat and hot climate predispose to this disease ; also, the abuse of ardent spirits; beside, it is excited by external lesions, concussion of the brain, suddenly sup- pressed diarrhea or dysentery, hemorrhoidal congestion, or 366 AFFECTIONS OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. strong emetics or purgatives, the abuse of mercury, the presence of stones in the gall-bladder, indigestion, violent passion or anger, particularly when immediately followed by drinking ardent spirits. Treatment.—The following are the principal remedies ne- cessary for the acute form of this disease : AconUe, Cham- omile, Bryon., China, Bellad., Mercury, Nux vom., PulsatUla, Sulph., Lachesis, Ghelidonium. For the species a. are more suitable: Aconite, Belladonna, Bryon., Mercury, Lachesis, Sulph., Chelidonium. For the species 6: Aconite,'Chamomile, Mercury, Pulsat., China, Nux vom., Sulphur, Chelidonium. For chronic affections, such as enlargement and induration of the liver (liver complaint): Nux vom., Sulphur. (Other serious chronic diseases must be treated by a homce- opathic physician.) Symptomatic Detail. — Aconite. At the commencement of the treatment, when there are violent inflammatory fever, shooting pain in the region of the liver, tossing about, fear of death, and anguish; pain seems to be insupportable. Belladonna. Pressing pains extending to the chest and shoulders; fullness in the pit of the stomach and around the short ribs; difficult and anxious respiration; after Aconite. Chelidonium. Dull, heavy deap-seated pain in the right side of the chest, shoulder, and in the region of the liver with embarassed respiration, alternately with Mercury. Bryonia. Pressing pains, with fullness in. the hypochon- dria; violent oppression of the chest; rapid and anxious breath- ing ; tongue yellowish and thickly coated, followed by fever and thirst; pains worse by movement; constipation. Suit- able after Aconite or alternately with Mercury. Mercury. Patient cannot lie long on the right side; pains are pressing and shooting; bitter taste in the mouth; thirst and shivering; skin and eyes yellowish. After it Itachesis and Sulphur are suitable inflammation of the liver. .;(!7 Lacliesis. If Belladonna or Mercury is insufficient, or when the patient is in the habit of drinking ardent spirits. Sulphur. In every case of hepatitis, either at the end of the cure, or when the preceding remedies have produced no perceptible amelioration within a few days. ChamomUe. In hepatitis after taking cold; when caused by violent anger, or when there are dull pressing pains, not aggravated by movement, respiration, or external pressure ; yel- low color of the skin ; pressure in the stomach; gastric bilious state of the stomach; tongue coated; bitter taste in the mouth ; fits of anguish. Pulsatilla. In,hepatitis, from indigestion, alternately with China; nausea, bitter taste in the mouth, tongue coated; op- pression of the chest; tension around the short ribs ; fits of anguish in the night, with loose, greenish, and slimy evacuations. China. After indigestion, or when there is shooting and pressing: swelling and hardness of the hepatic region; press- ing headache; bitter taste in the mouth and yellowish coat on the tongue. Nux vomica. After a fit of passion, or when there is shoot- ing and beating under the short-ribs of the right side, exces- sively tender when touched ; nausea, with sour and bitter taste; fits of anguish; shortness of breath, thirst, vertigo, and headache ; suitable for drunkards, and in chronic liver affec- tions, previous to Sulphur. Administration.—Dissolve of the remedy selected, twelve globules in half a teacupful of water, and give every two hours a teaspoonful, until three or four spoonfuls are taken, or until another remedy is indicated by the change of symp- toms ; as the patient gets better, lengthen the intervals ; as soon as greatly relieved, discontinue all medicine for forty- eight hours, when one dose (four glob.) of Sulphur may be administered to complete the cure. In chronic hepatitis, give of the necessary remedy only once in twenty-four hours a dose (four glob.), for two or three • 368 affections of the stomach and bowels. days ; then discontinue six or eight days before the next remedy is given. Application of Water. — The wet bandage is beneficial; constipation is relieved by cold injections. The treatment of the chronic form is assisted by the con- stant wearing of a wet bandage around the abdomen. Diet and Regimen.—No meat or meat soups of any kind, but farinaceous substances ; rice and oatmeal gruel, sweet- ened and made palatable by lemon-juice, lemonade, cold or warm, prunes sweetened or boiled in gruels, baked apples, toasted bread, toast-water, cold water alone. Keep the pa- tient quiet and comfortable as regards temperature. Jaundice. (Icterus.) Diagnosis.—This disease, well known by the yellow color it imparts to all the white parts of the body, is not to be con- sidered dangerous of itself, but becomes only so by neglect, when other serious disorders, hectic fever, dropsy, etc., may follow. In most cases it is the result of neglected liver dis- eases, or is caused by taking cold which affected the liver ; also, by worms or gall-stones, obstructing the gall-duct, or is induced by excessive mental emotions. In jaundice the bow- els become constipated, and if faeces pass, they are hard and whitish; the urine is orange-colored, and the skin dry, or, if moist, it is from weakness, and the perspiration imparts a yel- low color to the patient's linen. Sometimes a slight fever ac- companies these symptoms, which increases toward night, remitting or even intermitting in the morning; this is the case in the milder form. In the severer forms of this disease, ac- companied with high fever, the brain becomes affected, which, if not relieved soon, may cause the death of the patient (see for the treatment of such a state, " Inflammation of the Brain"). Treatment.—The principal object must be to increase, by degrees, the healthy action of the skin ; the patient, therefore, inflammation of the spleen. 36'J ought to keep warmly covered in bed in a warm room, and take, for the first three or four days, Mercury, morning, noon, and night a dose (four glob.) ; if not better at the expiration of four days, give Hepar and Chelidonium m.; but if signs of amelioration appear, give it at longer intervals; this course generally removes the disease in eight or ten days, during which time the patient must keep in an equal, warm tem- perature and perspiration. In very obstinate cases, Lachesis, Nitric acid, Sulphur, may be given afterward in the same manner. Jaundice, caused by a fit of passion, requires Chamomile, followed by Nux vom. If it is caused by the abuse of Mercury, or Calomel, give China, Hepar sulph., Lachesis, or Sulphur. If a child becomes yellow from having taken rhubarb too often or too much, give Chamomile, Mercury, or CheHdon. If persons are liable to jaundice upon every trifling occa- sion, give Lack., Chclid. and Sulph., every week one dose (four glob.), alternately, to eradicate the disposition. If jaundice is complicated with fever, see " Inflammation of the Liver." Application of Water. — Lukewarm sitting-baths, wet bandages around the chest and stomach, and the sweating in the wet sheet are powerful auxiliaries in the treatment of this disease ; constipation is relieved by cold injections. Diet and Regimen, as in " Hepatitis." Inflammation of the Spleen. (Splenitis.) Diagnosis.—Sharp, pressing, or shooting pains in the left side, below the short-ribs; the spleen on pressure is painful, and when pressed upward excites cough, and nausea in the stomach, sometimes vomiting of blood; if fever is present it is very high, with all the concomitant symptoms of inflam- mation of internal organs. The region of the spleen is enlarged and congested. 370 affections of the stomach and bowels. Causes. — Similar to those of inflammation of the liver, beside the abuse of quinine or Peruvian bark; also, living in a marshy region causes congestion of the spleen, and conse • quently inflammation, under otherwise trifling circumstances Treatment.—We have an acute and chronic form. For the acute Aconite, Bryonia, Chelid., and China are the prin- cipal remedies, to be administered as directed in hepatitis. If vomiting of blood is present, or some-times even the blood is discharged by the stools, Arnica, Rhus tox., and Arsenic, followed by China, are necessary, one remedy after the other, in the same manner as above. For the chronic form, enlargement, induration of the spleen (fever cake), Sulphur, Calc, Chelidon., Ferrum, Lycopod., Carbo veg. axe the principal remedies; administration as directed in the chronic form of hepatitis; but it is strongly recommended to procure the aid of a skillful homceopathic physician for its treatment. Application of Water, Diet and Regimen, as in " Hepa- titis." Worms. Every part of the system can, under favorable circum- stances, create and sustain worms, or other imperfectly organ- ized animals ; thus, the skin, liver, lungs, kidneys, even the brain and eyes, in some animals, are favorable places for their generation, the species of animals varying according to the organ attacked. Worms are most frequently found in the intestinal canal; there are three kinds of worms met with, the Ascaris, or pinworms (ascaris vermicularis), Maw-worms (ascaris lumbricoides), and the Tapeworm (taenia), of which latter there are two varieties : a. The broad one (taenia lata), varying from three to twelve feet in length, seldom comes away entire, but in joints ; and o. The solitary tapeworm (taenia solium), with long and slender joints, sometimes reaching the length of thirty feet. Diagnosis.—It is frequently not an easy matter to decide WORMS. 371 positively on the presence of worms in the system, as most all those symptoms which could lead to such a conclusion are also met with in other diseases, save the one symptom, surest of all, that is, the passage of some worms, or undoubted pieces of them. This uncertainty in the diagnosis of the worm disease is no less annoying and embarrassing for an allopathic practitioner; as his prescriptions are dangerous, and in most cases, without good or decided result for the little patient, as with the worms their cause is not always expelled. Homoeopathy, on account of its guiding principle, avoids either of the two dangerous issues, and, prescribing for the ostensible symptoms as they reflect the inward disease, cures and eradicates this surely, safely, and mildly. Merely ex- pelling the worms, by remedies which have no specific bear- ing upon the worm disease, is of no essential use, and requires often enormous quantities of poisonous and dangerous stuff before one of the worms is sickened, killed, or expelled. Yes, I have seen the foundation of painful chronic diseases laid by the over-medication in the presumed or real presence of worms ; there are even cases where children have died under the operation of those drugs, which allopathists consider necessary to apply in such dangerous doses. The most irra- tional, nay, a real lottery business, is the use of those mani- fold nostrums, in the shape of lozenges, syrups, etc., which generally contain one or more specific anti-worm remedies ; for instance, worm-seed, or pink-root, which given in small and not offensive doses would produce salutary effects, but in the combination of dangerous purgatives expose the little patients to death or misery ; at least, the smallest number escape un- hurt, most of them receiving injuries of the abdomen, the bad consequences of which impede not a little the future develop- ment of the child. Worms, as such, are not dangerous. They have no teeth, and consequently cannot eat children up alive. It is true, they can and will disturb the quiet and rest of a child, and 372 AFFECTIONS OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. make it pick at the nose, or cough, or cry out suddenly, or even have fits, etc.; yet all this is only produced by the worms having been made restless, by the presence of sickness in the system, which causes them to touch the walls of the in- testines, usually avoided by them—living in and of the mass of mucus and other nutritive substances, with which the sys- tem had been indiscriminately, and in too large quantities bur- dened. As soon as the system recovers from its own disease, either from cold or irregularity of diet, the worms return to their usual, unobtrusive" quiet again, giving no signs of their existence, nor causing alarm. Every person, more or less, has worms without the least injury to the system. Neither is it absolutely the quantity of them which is the most dan- gerous quality of this disease ; a few worms can cause as many fits, or other spasmodic symptoms, as whole clusters of them. It depends altogether on the accompanying disease ; and this it is which we will have to treat, before we can ex- pect the worms to leave the system (which I have seen frequently, after a dose of homceopathic preparation of Sul- phur), or to be absorbed (digested and reduced to mucus, from which they originated). This latter is the most com- mon result of homoeopathic medicines in this disease. In such cases, the children show signs of improvement, as soon as their abdomen becomes reduced in size and hardness; their complexion improves, they become more agile, grow better in height, and sleep quiet. And this result is always attained by the judicious use of homceopathic medicines in this disease, in whatever form it may appear; for instance, as fits, diarrhea, scrofula, etc. Fits, occasioned by worms, are not in the least dangerous, and only become so by unwisely dealing with them. The principal symptoms, by which the presence of worms in the system is indicated, are the following: the complex- ion of the patient is pale and changeable; livid circles around the eyes ; accumulation of saliva in the mouth in the morn* DISEASES CAUSED BY WORMS. 373 ing, and when not having taken nourishment for some time ; irregular appetite ; nausea; fetid breath; great hunger; pick- ing and boring at the nose, with sneezing; abdomen enlarged, but not hard; frequent distressing pain in the stomach, in the region of the navel, which forces the patient to draw up the limbs against the abdomen, or lie on the stomach when going to sleep; pupils of the eye dilated; bleeding at the nose; start- ing, as if from fright, during sleep, also grinding of the teeth; disposition to spasms, and unusual emaciation. The surest sign, however, is the discharge of worms, or parts of worms. Signs of tapeworm, in particular, are : a sensation, as of something suddenly rising from the left side into the throat and falling back, or as if a lump in one or the other side was making an undulatory motion ; dizziness, particularly in the morning, before eating. Signs of ascarides, or pin-worms, especially, are : itching in the anus, more in the evening or at night; difficulty of making urine ; tenesmus ; apparent hemorrhoidal complaints; discharge of mucus from the rectum, bladder, or vagina (fluor albus). Signs of maw-worm, or lumbricus, particularly, are : all the above general symptoms of worms, but frequently stomach- ache, which is relieved after drinking sweet, cold milk. Diseases caused by the Presence of Worms. Infancy is the age, when, on account of the general pre- dominancy of nutrition, laxity and weakness by accumulation of mucus in the intestines preponderate ; and consequently, those remote causes for the generation of worms, which may be favored even by circumstantial ones, such as flabby con- stitution of the child, damp habitation, and other epidemical and endemical influences. This variety of the remote causes of worms gives rise to an equal variety of diseases, flowing from the same source (the worms), yet different, according to their exciting causes. 374 AFFECTIONS OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. Thus, these diseases vary, from the most trifling illness, to the most severe colics, and dangerous fevers. The worms create, operating on the nervous system by sympathy, convulsions, all kinds of spasms, epilepsy, St. Vitus's dance (chorea), somnam- bulism, periodical paralysis, insanity, fury. On the vascular or blood system : fevers, congestions to bowels, hemorrhages, eruptions on the skin, appearing in ir- regular blotches of a scarlet color. On,,the reproductive system (the intestines themselves): pains, spasms, increased secretion and accumulation of mucus, diarrhea, dysentery, worm colic. Treatment.—The principal remedies for the diseases pro- duced by worms on the nervous system, as above stated, are: Ignatia, Cina?0-, Nux vom., Hyoscyamus, Belladonna, Spigelia, Sulphur. On the vascular or blood system : AconUe, Belladonna, Hyo- scyamus, Cina, Ferrum, Mercury, Sulphur, Silicea. ' On the reproductive system, or the intestines: Aconite, Bella- donna, Cina and Cina00', Mercury, Sulphur, Spigelia. (For the detail of these medicines, see below.) Especially against tapeworms, the most suitable remedies are : Mercury, and Sulphur, to be given every four or six days, alternately, a dose (six glob.) after which Calcarea carb., GraphUes, Stannum, may be given in the same way, if necessary. Cupr. oxyd. nigr. is strongly recommended. See Boston Quart. Homceop. Jour., Vol. I., p. 138. Against ascarides (pin-worms): Aconite, and Ignatia, or Veratrum and Ipecac, Lycopodium and Stannum, or Cina and Sulphur, alternately, every second or third evening a dose, until better. An injection every evening of an ounce of pure sweet oil (olive oil), without any other admixture, is an excellent adjunct against these troublesome worms. The ascarides lodge never higher up in the abdomen than the rec- tum ; therefore, can be expelled easily, or killed. Against maw-worms, or worms in the intestinal canal, are DISEASES CAUSED BY WORMS. 375 generally appropriate: Aconite, Belladonna, Hyoscyamus, Mercury, Cina and Cina™, Sulphur, Silicea, Spigelia, Stan- num, Ignatia, Nux vom.; but in particular diseases caused by maw-worms, as follows: a. For colic, vfith fever: Cinacc, Aconite, Belladonna, Hyos- cyamus, Mercury, Stannum. b. For colic with convulsions: Cina00, Belladonna, Hyoscy. Jtmus, Stannum. c For colic with diarrhea and voracious appetite; Spigelia. Nux moschata, Stannum. d. Tor fever: Aconite, Spigelia, Silicea, Stannum. For diarrhea, frequent but small stools, mostly at night, pale face, and listlessness, require: Nux moschata. For slow fever, in scrofulous children: Silicea, Stannum. Symptomatic Detail.—Aconite. In the commencement of all cases, where considerable fever exists; restlessness at night; irritability of temper; also, in cases without fever, when there is, from the presence of ascarides, continual itch- ing and burning at the anus; and then alternately with Ignatia or Stannum. Administration.—In fever, every two or three hours a dose (infant children above one year of age three glob.), repeated two or three times, until the fever abates, when another remedy will be necessary. In cases of, ascarides, alternately with Ignatia, every evening a dose (two or three glob.), followed by Veratr. and Ipecac, in the same manner. Ignatia. In pin-worms, or ascarides (see Aconite). In maw-worms, when there are spasmodic twitchings in the mus- cles of the arms, as if the St. Vitus's dance was commencing. In this latter case, alternately with Sulphur, every evening a dose (two or three glob.), or Lycopodium. Sulphur. At the end of every case of worm affectioo, after other remedies have either subdued the fever, or miti- gated the nervous symptoms. Give every evening one dose (two or three glob.), for three evenings, and then wait from 376 AFFECTIONS OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. six to eight days, before another remedy is applied, or the same repeated, if necessary. Cina. This is one of the most important remedies, par- ticularly when there is boring at the nose, fever (after the application of Aconite) ; irritability; restlessness at night; desire for things which are rejected when offered ; pale, bloated face, with livid circles around the eyes ; craving for food, even after a meal; the. child wants bread, potatoes, and other gross victuals; colic; griping; distension and hardness of the abdomen ; discharge of pin and large worms ; diarrhea ; weakness of the limbs ; the child cannot stand any more on its feet; spasmodic movements in the limbs. Administration, see Aconite. Cina00-. When the children are very nervous, cry out in their sleep, or have severe colic pains, give every one or two hours a dose (two or three glob.), until better, or another remedy is necessary. Where children ciy out in the night, groan, and are restless, give every evening only one dose (two or three glob.), until better. Spigelia. In severe cases of worm colic, fever, and diar- rhea, with craving appetite and chilliness, or where the symp- toms appear regularly at the same time of the day. Administration in acute cases, the same as AconUe in fever. In chronic cases, every evening a dose (two or three glob.) Hyoscyamus. In worm fevers, when the patients are very nervous, restless, cry out, want to run off, and stool or urine passes off involuntarily. Administration as in Aconite. Belladonna. Worm colic after the administration of Aco- nUe, when great pains remain in the stomach, which are re- lieved by lying on the bowels, starting in the sleep, sensibility to light, headache ; on awaking, the child does not know where it is, etc. Particularly useful in scrofulous children, with distended abdomen and red cheeks, or where red DISEASES CAUSED BY WORMS. 377 blotches, like erysipelas, appear on different parts of the body. In such cases, in alternation with SUicea. Administration in acute and chronic cases, the same as AconUe. Mercury. In worm diarrhea, swelling and hardness of the abdomen, and when there is unusual flow of saliva from the mouth. Administration as in Spigelia, after which it is suitable. Nux vomica. Worm symptoms with constipation (the child has frequent, but insufficient calls to stool), and irritability. Administration as in Mercury. China. In worm diarrhea, when it has already lasted some time; distension of the abdomen; debility; great appetite; pains in the stomach after every meal. Suits well in alternation with Veratrum, particularly when the stools are light-colored. Administration as in Mercury. Stannum. The most important remedy against maw-worms; suits all worm disorders. Silicea. If a worm fever assumes the slow, chronic form, with or without diarrhea, particularly in scrofulous children. Administration as in Sulphur. Diet and Regimen.—In worm fever, adhere to the diet recommended for common fever. In severe worm colic, give as a palliative, cold, sweet milk, from time to time. In diar- rhea, avoid acids, fruits, and all indigestible articles; give, rather, soups of mutton or lamb, with rice. Avoid, in chronic worm diseases, heavy, gross nourishment, such as too much bread and butter, potatoes, heavy puddings, pies, raw or boiled vegetables ; but meat-soups of any kind, meat, roasted or broiled, plenty of cold water and milk, are beneficial. Beside, bathing in cold water, and exercise in the open air. In worm fever the wet bandage and sitting-bath are recom- mended. 32 378 AFFECTIONS OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. Constipation. Costiveness. This term must not always be taken in the absolute sense as a diseased state of the bowels ; as there are persons who naturally have only every two or three days an evacuation— a habit which frequently promotes rather than disturbs gene- ral health, if the latter is not interfered with by an unwise use of medicines, such as taking pills or aperients of a dras- tic or saline nature. As a general rule, we can consider it the normal state of the bowels, to have one evacuation every day. This ought to become a fixed rule and habit, as it fre- quently corrects costiveness of the bowels, without the use of any medicine. Some occupations of life predispose to costiveness, particu- larly those which allow but little exercise. Persons, under such circumstances, must abandon these occupations, if possi- ble, for a length of time, take a great deal of exercise in the open air, change the diet (see below), and make use of cold water, externally and internally, in large quantities (see "Application of Water"). Nothing is more injurious than the continued use of medicinal aperients. They render the bowels, in time, more costive and torpid. The best expedient for facilitating an immediate action on the bowels, if wanted, is an injection, either of cold water, if the person otherwise is in health or the patient prefers it, or lukewarm water, sweet oil, or lard, and a small piece of castile-soap dissolved in it, if the constipation has been very obstinate, or a quick evacua- tion is wanted, as in children, when they have fits, etc. In most cases of acute diseases, constipation is only one of the many symptoms constituting the disease ; because it dis- appears as soon as the whole complex of symptoms has been taken away.* * One of the most striking cases of this kind, showing in a high de- gree the truth of the above statement, presented itself to me a few years ago, in a lady who had been persuaded to take castor oil, three days CONSTIPATION---COSTIVENESS. 379 If, however, constipation is the only or principal symptom in a disease, as in miserere, lead colic, etc., we have remedies which combat it more safely and successfully than all the aperients commonly used. Cases of this kind, however, must be treated by experienced homceopathic physicians. Treatment.—We will now give first a tabular view of the causes and complications of constipations, with their principal remedies, the detailed symptoms of which follow below.— These must be consulted before a selection is made. Constipation in general, or a disposUion for it: Bryon., Nux vom., Lachesis, Lycopodium, Sulphur, Sepia. In persons who lead a sedentary life: Bryon., Nux vom., Sulphur, Opium, Platina, Lycopodium. In drunkards: Lachesis, Nux vom., Opium, Sulphur. In old persons, or those of weakly constitutions, where con- stipation often alternates wUh diarrhea: Antimon. crud., Co- nium, Opium, Phosphorus. Inpregnant women: Nux vom., Opium, Sepia. In nursing infants: Bryon., Nux vom., Opium, Sulphur. In lying-in women: Bryon., Nux vom. In consumptives: Stannum, Silicea Sulphur. By traveling in a carriage : Platina, Opium. after her confinement, although in former cases of this kind she always had suffered very much after its' use, from irritation of the intestines. After the administration of the castor oil, a violent and painful diarrhea appeared, threatening fearful consequences for the life of the patient. This was, however, soon removed, by the exhibition of China, Mercury, and Pulsatilla, and her health decidedly improved, from day to day, her appetite and strength returned, and she moved about as if she was well; yet there was no disposition for evacuating, until on the twenty- second day after the last evacuation, when it appeared, without any arti- ficial means, in a perfectly healthy condition. During the eight days previous to it, the patient had been allowed a good nourishing diet, and enough of it, too. I have frequently had cases where patients had no evacuations for eight, ten, or twelve days; but I never have experienced their suspen- sion for twenty-two days, except in the above case. 380 AFFECTIONS OF THE STOMACH aAD BOWELS. During sea-voyages: Cocculus, Nux vom., Silicea. From poisoning by lead: See " Painter's Colic." From abuse of purging medicines: Opium, Nux vomica, Lachesis. From abuse of quinine: Pulsat., Carbo veg., Veratrum. Symptomatic Detail.—Bryonia. In all recent cases of constipation during fevers or bilious attacks, where headache, chilliness and rheumatic pains predominate; particularly, also, in warm weather; the patient is of a nervous, irritable temperament. After it, or in alternation with it, Nux vom. Nux vomica. Is of the most frequent application in hypo- chondriacal persons, or those suffering from piles; also, after derangement of the stomach, when there is frequent but inef- fectual effort to evacuate, or a feeling as if the anus were closed or contracted; ill-humor, fullness of the head, cannot bear the clothes tight around the waist. After it, or in alter- nation with it, Sulphur. Sulphur. In all cases of habitual costiveness, or where Nux vom. was insufficient. Opium. In all cases where there is great torpidity of the bowels, and a feeling as if the anus were closed, but wUhout the frequent and ineffectual efforts to evacuate, as is the case in Nux vomica; the patient only feels full in his bowels, has congestion to the head, with dark redness of the face, slow and full pulse ; this remedy is of frequent application in chil- dren, old persons, pregnant women, drunkards, and hypo- chondriacal persons. Sepia. In cases where there are, beside constipation, flashes of heat, sick-headache, a pressing down, particularly in pregnant women, or where Nux vomica, Opium, and Sulphur have been insufficient. Platina. In nervous females, and weakly hypochondriacal persons, where the stool only appears in small pieces, fol- lowed by tenesmus and tingling in the anus ; shuddering, and a sensation of weakness in the abdomen ; sometimes, also, a CONSTIPATION--COSTIVENESS. 381 constrictive pain in the abdomen, and ineffectual desire to evacuate. Compare Nux vomica. Lachesis. A very useful remedy in obstinate constipations during fevers, particularly where abscesses of internal organs are existing or presumed to exist, as in the liver, mesenteric glands, etc., or in alternation with Lycopodium. Where an obstinate disposition to constipa- tion is present, from constitutional causes, such as scrofula, which had fallen on the bowels after it disappeared from the skin, etc.; if, in such cases, these two remedies remove the costiveness, but the disease attacks the lungs and produces cough, which is worse when a part of the body gets cool by exposure, give Hepar sulph. See " Dyspepsia." Antimon. crud. In cases where constipation and diarrhea alternate, if one ceases the other sets in ; the stools are never regular. Phosphorus. If Antimon. is insufficient, or when the patient is of a consumptive habit, or has the consumption. Stannum. If Phosphorus does not suffice, or when there is frequent but ineffectual desire to evacuate, particularly in consumptives. Silicea. Same as Stannum, when this is insufficient, or in children whose stomachs are distended and hard, indicating worms or swollen glands; also, in dyspeptic persons, with heart-burn, sour taste in the mouth, etc. Cocculus. See "Sea-sickness" and " Colic." Conium. For old and weakly persons, who are troubled with frequent but ineffectual efforts to evacuate (after Nux vom.) ; also, in scrofulous children, where the mesenteric glands are swollen (after Silicea), particularly accompanied with soreness of the abdomen. Pidsatilla. In similar cases, where Nux vomica would suit, but the temperament is mild and phlegmatic ; or after de- rangement of the stomach by fat food, the patient appearing morose and silent; also, after abuse of quinine, either with 382 AFFECTIONS OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. or without the return of the fever and ague, and then in alter- nation with Carbo veg. This remedy, particularly, when persons have become very much debilUated, complain of rheumatism, pUes, or have the consumption. Veratrum. After Opium, when there is great torpor in the bowels, deficiency of expulsive power; or where the abdo- men becomes very tender to the touch (and then in alternation with Arsenic); see "Bilious gastric Fevers;" also, after abuse of quinine, when there is great congestion to the head and hypochondriacal feeling. Administration.—In cases where constipation exists as the only troublesome symptom, give the medicine selected in quick succession and large doses ; for instance, Nux vomica, every three or four hours a dose (six to eight glob.) for one or two days, until relief is obtained, or another remedy is chosen ; or Lachesis and Lycopodium, in alternation, three times a day a dose (six glob.); but where constipation is habitual or constitutional, the remedies must be administered at longer intervals ; for instance, Nux vomica, every evening a dose (four glob.), for three or four days ; then discontinue an equal length of time without taking medicine, after which either repeat it or select another remedy, if necessary, which in most cases will be Sulphur. Application of Water, internally and externally, is an important auxiliary for the cure of constipation. When the latter is not of very long standing or not very obstinate, the injections can be made of cold water, of which two or three every day may be taken ; the sitting-bath in such a case may be of cold water also ; but if the constipation is very obstinate, take for the above-named applications milkwarm water, and let the sitting-bath reach above the navel, and lengthen the time of application ; let the patient use it for half-an-hour 01 upward. In inflammatory diseases, fevers, etc., the injec- tions must be made of cold or cool water. Dr. Gatchel pays: constipation. 383 In constipation, the muscles fail to act sufficiently, and the membrane to pour out its lubricating mucus. In consequence of which failures, the excrement is dry, and is not duly pushed along. Now it is a law of the involuntary muscles, that motion communicated to one part has a tendency to propagate itself to other parts. And various kinds of stimuli", such as pressure with the warm hand, or the application of heat or cold to the exterior of the abdomen has a tendency to produce this motion. And this motion, probably, favors the pouring out of the mucus from the membrane which lines the muscular coat. Of this susceptibility of the muscular coat to artificial stim- uli, we can avail ourselves to promote the relief of the sufferer from constipation. The application of heat for this purpose has been employed. But the tendency of heat being to debilitate, it is somewhat objectionable. The stimulus of the hand has not the objec- tionable feature which belongs to heat. And the sufferer may find present relief, and sometimes partially overcome the habit of constipation, by grasping the abdomen with the hand, and at the same time pressing inward with a kneading motion, such as is used in the kneading of bread. This kneading, while useful all over the abdomen, is most important along the course of the large bowel, from the right hip up to the bor- der of the ribs, so across to the left side, and down to the left hip. The objection against stimulating the bowels with heat, does not apply to cold. The primary effect of cold being to depress the vital energies, the secondary effect, or re-active influence, is to exalt the vital energies, and thus to invigorate. Cold can be employed in various ways. The mere application of the wet compress will sometimes cause at once a movement of pre- viously constipated bowels. And the frequent application will sometimes cure. But the sitting-bath should not be neglected, since this has a great tendency to invigorate the bowels. 384 AFFECTIONS OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. ___________________________________ \________________ Diet and Regimen.—These are important agents in the cure of constipation ; first of all is the habit of attending to the calls of nature carefully and regularly, at a certain time, say after breakfast, though there should be no actual result from it; secondly, the careful avoidance of all nourishment" which is confining in its character, such as salted meats, cheese, rice, wheaten flour, except these things are mixed in a sufficient quantity with their opposites, such as have a loosening quality, fresh meat, and soups made of it, green vegetables, and fruits, except almonds or nuts. But the chief promoter of a healthy action on the bowels is the frequent and liberal use of cold water, internally and externally, with bodily exercise in the open air. The cold and ice water can be drank freely during and after a meal, without the least inconvenience, and ought to be preferred to the use of wines, brandies, tea or coffee. Diarrhea. Looseness of the Bowels. This complaint varies so much in regard to time of duration, form and cause, that we are obliged to give here a general view of its varieties. It is either recent, lasting only for a few hours or days, or is chronic, lasting for months or years. The discharge itself may vary as regards consistency or character, either watery, fluid, fecal, slimy, mattery, bilious, or bloody (see " Dysentery"). Sometimes a diarrhea is dangerous; at other times salutary, as in biliousness or after indigestion (see these articles). In general, however, the popular idea of the harmless or beneficial nature of diarrheas, which the common practice of thf old school of medicine has freely propagated, must be restricted, in so far as any diarrhea is of itself an indication of a diseased state of the intestines, and no disease ought to be created or wished for where we can do without it. It has been, and is yet, to a great extent, a common expression that a good cleansing of the bowels is necessary, etc.; now, these ideas, when carried out in prac- DIARRHEA—LOOSENESS OF THE BOWELS. 385 tice, lead sometimes to awful consequences, while the good which they may occasionally produce might have been ob- tained by mild and rational means. See " Constipation" and "Biliousness." On the other hand, it is just as dangerous to stop a diarrhea suddenly by violent means, such as brandy, paregoric, or astringents generally, as thereby the disease is not cured, but merely its natural outlet stopped ; as if an ulcer could be cured by covering it over to confine and hide the matter, which it has to discharge. It is always fortunate if such a diarrhea reappears. Treatment.—We will now give first a general view of the varieties of diarrhea, as regards causes, form, and appear- ances, with their principal remedies, whose detailed symp- toms may be found below, and must be consulted before a choice is made. Diarrhea without pain: China, Phosphoric acid, Ferrum, Secale. With griping or colic pain : Mercury, Colocynth, Chamomile, Rheum, Pulsatilla, Bryonia, Rhus tox., Arsenic, Sulphur, (See " Bilious colic") With tenesmus, during or after the discharge, in the anus: Aloes, Ipecac, Mercury, Belladonna, Nux vomica,, Sul- phur. (See "-Dysentery.") With vomiting: Ipecac, Veratrum, Arsenic, Rhus tox. (See "Cholera.")' With debility: China, Arsenic, Ipecac, Veratrum, Secale, Phosphorus. (See " Cholera Morbus," and "Asiatic Cholera.") Of mucus and blood: See "Dysentery." Of bile: See " Bilious Gastric Derangement;" beside, Aloes, Bryonia, Rhus tox., Arsenic, Mercury, Pulsatilla. Of watery (rice-water) liquid : see " Cholera Asiatica." After eruptive fevers, such as small-pox, scarlet, measles, etc. : PulsatUla, China, Phosphoric acid, Arsenic, Sul- phur. 33 386 AFFECTIONS OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. After sudden meidal emotions: ai\er joy: Coffea, Aconite, Pulsatilla ; after fright: Chamomile, Veratrum ; fear of cholera and other dangers: Chamomile; after grief' Phosphoric acid, Ignatia; after anger: Colocynth, Chamo- j mile, Nux vomica. (See " Mental Diseases.") After indigestion: from partaking of milk: Bryonia, Sul- phur ; of acids or fruits: Lachesis, Pulsatilla, Arsenic; of other indigestible substances, fat meats, etc., China, Pulsatilla, coffee without milk. (See "Indigestion.") After the abuse of drugs : of Mercury or calomel: Hepar, Pulsatilla, China, Carbo veg., Nitric acid; of magnesia: Pulsatilla, Rheum; of rhubarb: Pulsatilla, Mercury, Colocynth; of tobacco: Pulsat., Chamomile, Hepar, Vera- trum; of quinine: Pulsatilla, Carbo veg. After cold or iced drinks: Pulsatilla, Carbo veg., Arsenic. After taking cold, cold on the bowels : Dulcamara, Chamo- mile. In summer: Bryonia, Mercury, Arsenic. In autumn and spring, during the changeable weather: Bryonia, Rhus tox., Dulcamara, Carbo veg. In weak and exhausted persons : see "With Debility." In consumptive persons : China, Phosp>horus, Calcarea, Fer- rum. (See " Consumption.") In chronic diarrhea, of a scrofulous character : Iodine, Phos- phorus. In aged persons: Secale, Antimon. crud., Brv^raa, Phos- phorus. In pregnant and lying-in females: Phosphoric, Antimon. crud., Dulcamara, Pulsatilla, Sepia, Rheum. (See " Fe- male Diseases.") In children—by worms, teething, and scrofula : «ee those articles. Symptomatic Detail.—Antimon. crud. Watery diarrhea from disordered stomach, with foul tongue and nausea Aloes. Bilious papescent stools, the whole body becoming DIARRHEA--LOOSENESS OF THE BOWELS. 387 hot during the evacuation, with a feeling of sickness in the region of the liver; evacuations of fecal matter, bilious, not watery, not very profuse, having a peculiar putrid smell. Dulcamara. In most all diarrheas from taking cold, or when there are greenish, or yellowish, slimy, or watery evac- uations, particularly at night, with colic and griping pains in the region of the navel; great thirst, nausea, debility, and restlessness. Colocynth. Bilious or watery diarrhea, with severe cramp- like pains (see "Bilious Colic" and "Dysentery"); or after Chamomile, when caused by anger or vexation. Chamomile. Bilious, watery, or slimy diarrhea, of a green (grass-green) or yellowish white, curdled appearance, like scrambled eggs, with or without vomUing of bUe (see "Bilious- ness"); griping, tearing colic; distension and hardness of the abdomen; fullness in the pit of the stomach, and under the short-ribs; bitter taste in the mouth ; this medicine is par- ticularly useful in diarrheas from cold, fear, anger, vexation, and in those of infants (see "Diseases of Children"), when they draw up the legs, cry, toss about, want to be carried, etc. Rheum. Sour smelling evacuations, with ineffectual effort before and after, at the same time contractive colic in the ab- domen, and shuddering when evacuating; grayish brown evacuations, mixed with mucus; very useful in diarrheas of infants, particularly Avhen they cry, toss about (see Chamo- mUe), and in diarrheas of lying-in-women. Ipecac. Diarrhea of fomented evacuations, greenish, yel- lowish, putrid, bloody or slimy; dysenteric, when there are discharges of white flakes, and great tenesmus (see this ar- ticle), or diarrhea with vomiting (see " Cholera Infantum," " Cholera Morbus," and "Asiatic Cholera"). Veratrum. In all diarrheas resembling the different varie- ties of cholera (see these articles); or where there is greai debilUy or griping pains, as if knives were cutting the intestines which happens often in fevers. 388 AFFECTIONS OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. Secale. In cholera, or when painless evacuations are at- tended by great weakness; in old people, particularly females, where drowsiness ensues, in alternation with Belladonna. (See "Cholera Asiatica.") Carbo veg. In cholera (see this article), or where there are thin, light-colored evacuations, of a putrid or fetid smell, particularly in children; or after taking cold in wet weather; also, after abuse of quinine, in alternation with Pulsatilla. Arsenic Burning evacuations, with severe colic pains, alter- nately with Veratrum; or fetid, putrid, indigested diarrhea, iilternately with Carbo veg.; or watery, slimy, burning evacua- tions, principally after midnight, when Dulcamara or China have afforded no relief; or in cholera (see this article). Bryonia. Diarrhea from the heat of summer (summer complaint of children), or where bilious rheumatic (see this article) symptoms accompany the bowel complaint, alternate- ly with Rhus tox. Rhus tox. In cholera infantum (see this article) ; or in bilious rheumatic disorders. See Bryonia. Pulsatilla. In all diarrheas from indigestion or disordered stomach, where, after some griping pain, watery, green, or bilious slimy stools appear, particularly at night; sometimes the color changes, frequently from yellow to white, or the discharge is mixed with blood ; bitter taste in the mouth, and foul tongue ; in diarrhea from abuse of quinine and calomel. Mercury. In critical diarrhea after fevers or bilious states of the stomach, when it threatens to become too debilitating and irritating; this critical diarrhea generally commences with griping pain and rumbling of the bowels, after which a copious, bilious, slimy, and frothy evacuation of a very fetid smell follows, with signal relief; yet this may recur in a short time after, and finally, if not relieved by Mercury, run into a dysentery. Mercury suits for almost any diarrhea when ac- companied with griping in the bowels before, and tenesmui or burning in the anus after the discharge. DIARRHEA—LOOSENESS OF THE BOWELS 389 NUric acid. Diarrhea after taking too much calomel or mercury, particularly when the stools are bloody, with tenes- mus at the anus, sometimes of a fetid smell. Nux vomica. Frequent but scanty evacuations of watery and greenish, lightish substance, with colic and tenesmus, and then in alternation with Mercury. Ignatia. Diarrhea of a bloody slime, with rumbling in the bowels, or after continued grief. Belladonna. Frequent, small evacuations of mucus, some- times with fever heat in the head, pressing down (see "Dysen- tery") ; or in those congestions to the head which follow severe diarrheas, or accompany them in old persons, and then in alternation with Secale. (See this remedy.) Hepar sulph. In diarrheas of children, when they smell sour, are lightish, greenish, yellowish, bloody, slimy, and like dysentery ; also, in those of nursing women. (See "Diseases of Females.") China. Diarrhea after eating (lienteria), or in the night; also, when it is very debilitating, with rumbling in the abdo- men. (See "Cholerina.") Phosphoric acid. Diarrhea without pain, after grief and distress of mind; or when it passes involuntarily. (See " Cholerina.") Ferrum. Painless evacuations after eating and drinking, or discharges in the night, with griping, flatulency, thirst, pain in the stomach, back, and anus. (See "Ascarides.") Hyoscyamus. Watery diarrhea ; involuntary discharges, par- ticularly in the night. Sulphur. In most cases where other remedies seem to have failed, particularly when there are frequent stools at night, with griping, of a slimy, watery, frothy substance, and of a sour and fetid smell, or bloody; also, if a diarrhea re- turns easily on taking the least cold. Phosphorus. In chronic diarrhea without pain, particu- larly in the diarrhea of consumptives. 390 AFFECTIONS OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. Iodine. In chronic diarrhea of a whitish color, in scrof- ulous persons, and which will not yield to any other remedy. Administration.—In recent cases dissolve twelve glob, of the selected medicine in half a teacupful of water and take after every evacuation a teaspoonful until better, or another remedy is necessary ; children half the quantity. In chronic cases take every evening and morning a teaspoonful of such a mixture, or if taken in the dry state three or four glob, at a dose. Application of Water in some forms of this diseased state of the body is beneficial, particularly where by a reaction on the skin we can support the effect of the proper remedies. And this can be done in chronic, debilitating, and painful diarrheas by the application of the wet bandage, at the same time being well covered for the purpose to excite perspiration; sometimes sitting-baths are also necessary. Diet and Regimen. — Acids or acidulated drinks, fresh vegetables, and fresh'meats and meat soups are forbidden; allowed are, rice, toasted bread, boiled milk, and gruels; no coffee and spiritous liquors. Cold water can be drank, if it is otherwise not injurious. Keep quiet as much as possible, even to lying down. Dysentery. Bloody Flux. Diagnosis.— This complaint is, properly speaking, not a diarrhea; as no faeces are discharged, but only mucus and blood, accompanied by constant urging to go to stool, violent tenesmus in the anus and rectum, or severe pains in the abdo- men, if the disease is located higher up in the intestines. As long as this irritation or inflammation of the mucous membrane of the intestines lasts, no faeces are discharged; but when these make their appearance, even mixed with bloody mucus, the dysentery may be said to be at an end, or at least ameliorated. Its causes and course vary ; sometimes it appears suddenly, DYSENTERY—BLOODY FLUX. 391 j sometimes is preceded by diarrhea and other gastric rheu- matic symptoms. We distinguish a white dysentery, where only light-colored mucus (scrapings of the intestines) are discharged ; this is soon followed by the bloody dysentery, when the blood comes i from the highly-inflamed mucous membrane. In such cases more or less fever is always present. If the patient is reliev- ed, the fever subsides, and gradually with it the pains, and frequent urgency of the calls, the skin becomes moist, and sleep and rest ensue. Death may come from gangrene and exhaustion, but happens very seldom, under a jutiicious homceopathic treatment. Very severe cases of dysentery ought to be treated by a skillful homceopathic physician. The causes of this disease may be local, by irritating the intestines directly in eating and drinking, or general, by sup- pression of perspiration (hot days and cool nights promote this cause), or by an epidemic influence, which affects in a simi- lar manner the mucous membrane of the intestines, as the influ- enza-miasm attacks the nose and bronchia; also, low, marshy regions, where intermittents prevail, incline to the propa- gation of dysentery, which is sometimes very fatal at such places. Dysentery in most cases is a catarrhal affection of the intes- tinal canal, an influenza of the bowels, as it were, similar in its nature to that of the respiratory organs, properly so called. There are many points of similarity between these two catarrhs, which require to be considered. Their causes are mostly identical, sometimes occurring epidemically from miasmatic influences, preceding and accompanying Asiatic cholera, etc. Again, the tendency of influenza of the respiratory organs, to run into pulmonary typhus, and consumption, is similar to that of the intestinal catarrh, which easily runs into abdominal typhus and consumption. The pathological similarity of these diseases, is remarkably supported by the fact, that they require the same therapeutical specifics; Nux vomica and Mercurivs 392 AFFECTIONS OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. are used in most cases for both diseases. Yet in dysentery these specifics are often found insufficient; for this reason. The nearer an organ is situated to the nervous centers, the brain and spine, the easier and quicker it will be influenced by the specific means for cure; the further away from these centers in position, and function the slower it receives specific impressions. The intestines are not in such a direct commu- nication with the brain and spine as the respiratory organs; we therefore have greater difficulty in reaching them through these mediums, particularly if the nervous energy is at all prostrated. In order to arouse the latter and make the intes- tinal nerves more susceptible to the specific influence of the medicine, we ought to give Opium in alternation with Nux vom. or Mercurius, as the case may require. Nux vom. and Opium, by frequent but ineffectual desire to evacuate, and Mercurius and Opium, by great tenesmus when evacuating. In the latter stages of dysentery, where typhoid and colli- quative symptoms appear, the remedies specifically indicated, should be alternated with Carb. vegetab. or China, which remedies have the same tendency to arouse the depressed ner- vous action in colliquative states, as Opium has in the inacti- vity of the nervous life, caused by congestive tendency. Treatment. Principal remedies are Aconite, Belladonna, Mercury, Colocynth, Ipecac, Nux vom., Bryonia, Rhus, Sul- phur, Nitric acid, Carbo veg., Arsenic, Opium, Petroleum. Aconite. In all cases at the commencement, when there is fever, pain in the head, neck and shoulders, heat and thirst alternate with shivering. This is particularly the case when ' we have cold nights and hot days. Petroleum. In all cases without fever, at the commence- ment, and then in alternation with Ipecac, every hour or two hours a dose (four glob.), until better; the patient should keep quiet and observe the diet strictly; continue at least two days. ! Belladonna. After AconUe, or in the beginning, when there is dryness in the mouth and throat, tenderness of the abdo- DYSENTERY--BLOODY FLUX. o'Jo men, and blood passing with the mucus; constant feeling of bearing down. Mercury. This is by far the most important medicine in this disease, and beneficial in all stages, but particularly when there is violent tenesmus before and after the evacuations, as if the intestines would force themselves out, and yet nothing but pure blood, sometimes streaked with whUe mucus or green- ish matter appears; at other times the evacuation resembles scrambled eggs. Concomitant symptoms are: violent colic, nausea, shivering and shuddering, cold perspiration on the face, great exhaustion and trembling of the limbs. (It alter- nates well with AconUe or Belladonna, if there is fever, and with Colocynth, if the discharges are mixed with green, bilious matter, or with Opium, if reactive energy is wanting. Colocynth. After Mercury, the principal medicine, when .he colic pain appears periodically, and is excessive; the dis- charges are mixed with green matter or lumps. In such cases, alternate with Mercury, if this remedy had not been given already. Ipecac Is also of great benefit in this disease, when it occurs in the fall, or when the mucus or slime appears first, afterward only mixed with blood. In alternation with Petro- leum (see this remedy), it seldom fails to cure. Nux vomica. Small, frequent evacuations of bloody slime, with heat and thirst, mostly in summer; alternately with Mercury or Opium, by weak reaction. Bryonia and Rhus. In alternation, under the same condi- tions as stated in the article on "Diarrhea." Sulphur. In the most critical cases, where no other reme- dy seems to afford relief; after Mercury. It must be allowed to have its effect at least thirty-six hours, before another remedy is given. China. Dysentery in marshy countries, or when the dis- charges are very offensive. Nitric, acid. One of the best remedies, after Belladonna 394 AFFECTIONS OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. and Mercury have been given without effect, particularly when the discharge is either mucus without blood or blood without mucus; in either case, however, the tenesmus which follows, is violent. Carbo veg. and Arsenic. In alternation, if the discharges become putrid in smell and involuntary; stupor ensues ; red or bluish spots appear on the skin; the patient is very weak, and his breath begins to be cold; the pains in the bowels are burning. China may follow these two remedies, if the putrid smell of the discharges will not change. Administration.—Dissolve twelve glob, of the selected medicine in half a teacupful of water, and give every hour or half hour a teaspoonful, or, if the discharges are not so fre- quent, after every discharge a teaspoonful, until six, eight, or ten teaspoonfuls are given, when the medicine must be omitted for a couple of hours, to await its effect. If then necessary, either repeat the same or select another remedy, if the symptoms have increased. But as soon as an amelio- ration takes place, discontinue all medicine, even if there is yet frequency of stool and violent pain at times. If very restless at night, give Belladonna?0' and Coffea00, every hour a dose (four glob.), for four hours. If the disease becomes more chronic, give the medicine at longer intervals, say three times a day, finally only once a day. Cold water injections are of the greatest benefit, if the patient can bear them, and the dysentery is in its inflamma- tory stage. Application of Water.—The effect of the proper reme- dies may be greatly supported by using water externally and internally. In recent cases perspiring in the wet sheet, the wet compress at the same time over the abdomen, afterward an ablution and sitting-bath in milkwarm water is generally sufficient, particularly when the dysentery was caused by getting cold. But if the pains are very severe and obstinate, these must first be subdued by the wet compress, very fre- CHOLERA MORBUS. 395 quently changed; as soon as the pains have decreased, the above process for perspiring may be commenced. The patient should drink a great deaj of cold water and receive frequent injections of cold water, as long as the tenes- mus is great. Diet and Regimen.—The patient oughj to lie in or on the bed constantly, even during convalescence, if possible, well covered, but not too much heated. For food, if wanted, toasted bread, softened in water or black tea ; for drink, toast-water, or small quantities of warm lemonade, in -the inflammatory period, and when not taking Aeon, at the time. Gruels of oatmeal, rice-flour, or farina, are allowed.— Meats or soups of meat, eggs, and all animal food, are strictly forbidden, even during convalescence. Wine and spirits are real poison, in this disease, and long after it. After diseases.—If dropsy, paralysis, or rheumatism follow the dysentery, when it has either been treated badly, er was suppressed by allopathic remedies, see these articles, or send for a homceopathic physician in time. Cholera Morbus. This disease, well known under the above name, occurs mostly during the summer, in all parts of the country, north and south, resembling in its appearance the much dreaded Asiatic cholera, from which, however, it entirely differs, in character and result. (See " Cholera Asiatica.") Diagnosis.—Cholera morbus generally attacks suddenly, without any precursory symptoms, with vomiting and purg- ing, accompanied with pains in the stomach and bowels, anxiety and tenesmus ; sometimes the vomiting and urgency to go to stool are very violent and incessant, at other times less so. In very violent cases, exhaustion soon follows, pulse becomes small, scarcely perceptible, extremities cold; finally spasms and convulsions appear. At first, the discharged substances consist of the contents 396 AFFECTIONS OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. of the stomach and of bile ; afterward of a watery, lymphatic liquid ; and finally nothing is thrown up; when violent retch- ing and gagging, with urgency to go to stool, remain. The discharges from the bowels consist first of faeces; afterward of a watery, bilious liquid; each stool preceded and accom- panied with violent, burning, cutting colic, especially in the region of the navel. Causes.—Intense heat in the summer; irritable tempera- ment; teething in children (see "Cholera Infantum"); sud- den suppression of habitual discharges, such as menstruation or diarrheas, or of cutaneous eruptions and gout; errors in diet, such as eating unripe, watery fruit, or drinking acrid, sour liquids, beer, etc. Treatment.—The principal remedies in this disease are : ChamomUe, Ipecac, Arsenic, Colocynth, Dulcamara, China, Veratrum. In the beginning, give Ipecac, (administration as below); if not better within half an hour, give Veratrum and Arsenic, in alternation, in the same manner; but if this treatment does not succeed within one and a half or two hours, select from among the remedies described below one which is more homceopathically suitable, and give it as stated under "Administration." Symptomatic Detail.— Chamomile. In the beginning of the disease, or when the tongue is coated yellowish ; colic in the region of the navel; pressing pains from the stomach up to the heart; great anguish ; cramps in the calves of the legs ; watery diarrhea and sour vomiting ; particularly after fits of passion, and with an irritable temperament. Ipecac. AVhen vomUing predominates, alternately with pain- ful diarrhea. It is generally always given in the beginning of the disease, in alternation with Veratrum. Arsenic Violent vomiting, and diarrhea of watery, bilious or slimy, greenish, brownish, or blackish substances, with severe pains n the abdomen, great restlessness, suddm pros- CHOLERA MORBUS. 397 tration, cold extremities, and clammy sweat. In alternation with Verat. Veratrum. For the same symptoms as those mentioned under Arsenic, only that the pains in the bowels, especially around the navel, are violent, cutting, as from knives; also, pains or cramp in the calves of the legs; prostration is very great. See "Ipecac." and "Arsenic." Colocynth. Green vomiting, Avith violent colic; the stools at first greenish and bilious, afterward become more colorless and watery. Dulcamara. In cholera morbus caused by iced drinks or exposure to sudden changes of the temperature; frequent greenish stools, with bilious vomitings ; great debility and severe pains in the abdomen. China. Cholera morbus from indigestion ; vomiting and diarrhea after eating ever so little (lienteria); painful eructa- tion, with oppression on the chest; rumbling in the bowels; flatulency. Administration.—Dissolve of the selected remedy twelve globules in half a teiicupful of water, and give every ten or fifteen minutes a teaspoonful, until four teaspoonfuls are taken, or another remedy is necessary, which must be pre- pared and given in the same manner. Application of Water.—The patient should drink as much cold water as possible, even if it should excite more vomiting- He then should be put in a sitting-bath, during which time the extremities are constantly rubbed ; if he has cramps in his bowels, give an injection of cold water. After the vomit- ing ceases he is rubbed dry and covered in woolen blankets with a wet compress on his abdomen ; in this position he remains until perspiration sets in, after which he takes an ablution in milkwarm water. Diet and Regimen.—For a drink, thin oatmeal gruel or cold water ; if wanted. After the diarrhea has ceased and reaction has taken place, and if the patient is feverish, giv* 398 AFFECTI0N8 OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. gruels with lemon-juice. In general, treat as stated in " Bil- ious Fever." Beside, consult the article on "Asiatic Cholera." Asiatic Cholera. ( Cholera Asiatica.) This disease appeared hitherto among us as an epidemic. Before it, the star of Allopathy grew pale, and is ever since on its downward course ; with it Homoeopathy battled most successfully, and ever since her banner floats unfurled in every clime. Diagnosis. — Sudden prostration of strength ; diarrhea of watery substances (rice-water discharges, without smell or color; similar, profuse vomitings, which follow each other quickly. Although these evacuations may give the patient a little relief, it is only momentary; his prostration increases constantly until cramps appear in the feet, hands, limbs, and Arms, sometimes in the bowels and breast; insatiable thirst, with a burning sensation under the sternum (in the region of the heart). Agonizing restlessness precedes the last stage— that of collapse, in which, to the above symptoms are added, cessation of circulation of the blood in the extremities, which assume an icy coldness, while the heart palpitates violently, no pulse is perceptible; tongue and breath grow cold, agoniz- ing oppression in breathing; hollow, hoarse, and shrill voice; blue lips and nails; livid countenance; sunken eyes; shriv- eled skin on hands and feet. During all this time, the secre- tion of urine is stopped. Finally, the skin of the patient is covered with a cold, clammy perspiration. Up to this time, the patient was perfectly conscious, although feeble; but now he sinks into stupor, with bloodshot, upturned eyes, and expires. Although Asiatic cholera presents itself in the form of a diarrhea, yet it is not such ; because no fecal matter is found in the discharges ; its nature consists in' a decomposition of the blood, produced by an unknown agent (miasm or ani- ASIATIC CHOLERA--CHOLERA ASIATICA. 399 malcula), and aided by mental and physical debilities, such as fear, care, overpowering sympathy, weakness of body and mind by night-watching, exposure, etc. This decomposition of the blood in its solid and liquid parts (coagulum and serum) may be the work of days, hours, or minutes. Gene- rally, however, it commences in the early morning hours, at which time most of the cholera attacks begin. The watery part of the blood (serum) escaping from the blood-vessels, passes into the stomach and bowels, whence it is ejected in violent gushes, or runs from the bowels in streams. Thus we see that the first appearances of cholera asiatica are those of a hemorrhage of the white part of the blood; a view with which the consequent symptoms in the following stages of the disease can easily be harmonized. The cramps in the muscles of the extremities and bowels are caused by the cessation of the action of arterial blood on the muscles, and cease imme- diately, as soon as the arterial irritation reaches them again. It would carry us too far, to explain all the following symp- toms of the disease ; nor would it be of any practical use.— This, however, we must state yet, that in that form of Cholera Asiatica, called the sicca or dry cholera, where no discharge from the stomach and bowels takes place, the disagreement with the above theory is only apparent; because, by the suddenness of the attack, the decomposition of the blood is rendered so general and great at once, that the cramps follow immediately, before the serum has time to escape. Prevention. — During a cholera epidemic, a person must not give way to fear and despair, which debilitate the system too much, allowing, thereby an easier entrance to the enemy. The best remedy against the weakening thoughts is a constant and vigorous activity of body and mind, which draws our attention away from disease and death to our duties and objects of life. Necessary, above all, is regularity in all our actions, in sleeping and waking ; moderation, but sufficiency 400 AFFECTIONS OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. in eating and drinking. The most substantial nourishment is the best, such as beef, mutton, potatoes and bread ; the best drink is cold water or ice-water, which, with dry bread in sufficient quantity, is the best calculated to appease tha craving and gnawing appetite, and the rumbling of the bowels, which, in time of cholera, almost every one feels daily. A flannel bandage, even in summer, covering stomach and bowels, is strongly recommended. To be avoided, are ; over- exertions of body or mind, grief, anger, fear, as well as great muscular labor, running, walking to exhaustion, and sexual excesses. Beside these precautionary measures, every one ought to have a firm reliance in the will of God, who has placed within our reach a safe and sure remedy against this disease. The best medicine for prevention is Sulphur, which, in the thirtieth dilution, may be taken every week twice, six glob- ules each time in the evening. This remedy, more than any other, destroys within the system the liability of attack, by diminishing the psoric diathesis, more or less inherent in every one. Cure of an Attack of Asiatic Cholera.—Not every diarrhea, in time of cholera, is real Asiatic cholera, yet it predisposes to it; and we must, therefore, immediately and energetically attend to it. The first and most imperious duty in such a diarrhea is to lie down ; as the horizontal position is indis- pensable to a speedy cure. With the rice-water discharges or vomiting, commences the first stage of the disease, in which Camphor is the specific remedy, having actually the power of killing or destroying the animalcula or malignant agent which has infested the system. The application of the Camphor must be effectual and immediate, in the following manner: Cover the patient, up to the chin, well and abundantly, par- ticularly his feet, do not allow his arms out of bed; then give ASIATIC CHOLERA--CHOLERA ASIATICA. 401 him quietly, without showing anxiety by unnecessary hurry, of the tincture of Camphor,* every two, three, or five minutes, one drop, on a little piece of sugar; also, after fifteen or twenty minutes, some brandy and water, if he can retain any- thing on the stomach. As soon as the patient begins to get warm, and to perspire, give the doses less frequently, and discontinue them altogether when he perspires freely. A few doses of brandy and water will then do him good and strengthen him. In this perspiration the patient must remain without change for eight or ten hours, when he will generally have a good appetite for a lunch of cold beef or mutton, with salt, dry bread and cold water. If, however, the slightest indis- position yet remains, he must not leave the bed, as a relapse might take place. During the reaction, following the use of the camphor, frequently a headache ensues from congestion to the head, which in children and middle-aged persons dis- appears after the exhibition of one or two doses of Belladonna (for children three glob.; for adults six glob.) ; in aged per- sons, when stupor is combined with it, Secale corn, (thirtieth dilution) is yet necessary, three hours after Belladonna is given. If costiveness follows the use of camphor, a cup of coffee without milk, and twenty-four hours afterward a dose of Sul- phur (six glob.) is indicated. If the diarrhea is not entirely cnecKed, but changed into a dysenteric one, with straining and bloody tinge, Mercury will suffice, followed by Sulphur, twenty-four or thirty-six hours afterward. If by the Mercury, however, the dysenteric stool is changed into the choleroic, the use of Camphor is necessary again, followed by one or two doses of Veratrum alb. (twelfth dilution). If, however, the cholera proceeds into the second stage, where cramps appear in different parts of the body, Veratrum and Cuprum are necessary; the former, when the cramps • The tincture of Camphor ought to be made out of one part of the gum to five parts of alcohol. 34 402 AFFECTIONS OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. are more in the extremities and bowels ; the latter, when in the breast, or when great oppression in breathing is present. It is frequently best to give these two remedies alternately, in the following manner: Dissolve of each remedy twelve or sixteen globules, in four tablespoonfuls of water, and give every fifteen minutes a teaspoonful (each remedy having its separate teaspoon), giving less frequently as the symptoms decrease in violence. In this stage, it is not so much the dimi- nution of diarrhea or vomiting, which indicates an ameliora- tion, but the greater regularity and less rapidity of the pulse, which always will be followed by a discontinuance of the cramps, although these may yet threaten to break out again. If these remedies are not successful within four or six hours, or if the cramps are more in the calves of the legs, where the slightest motion will excite them, or when stupor threatens, which is particularly the case in old persons, or when the diarrhea still continues, Secale corn, must be given, in the intervals of half an hour a teaspoonful dissolved in water like Veratrum and Cuprum. If a few doses are given, wait an hour or two, if the case does not grow worse; if, however, there is a great deal of nausea or retching, in- creased by motion of head or body, Tabacum (sixglob.) must be given, at any time during the attack. If in this stage congestions to the lungs and heart appear, indicated by violent stitches in the side, almost preventing respiration, and producing restlessness and great anguish, give Cuprum and Hydrocyanic acid (Prussic acid), in alterna- tion, every ten or fifteen minutes a dose (dissolved in water, a teaspoonful as a dose. N. B. Prussic acid must be given in the second dilution). The covering of the patient during the second stage ought still to be warm, but already more according to the feeling of the patient; his drink, cold or warm water, left to his choice. Ice pills may be given to him freely, or injections of ice water if the bowels are cramped ; rub slightly the cramped parts ASIATIC CHOLERA--CHOLERA ASIATICA. 403 with the hands; warming botth t and all tht ther heating apparatus heretofore applied, are not of much use, although a homceopathist may allow them as not interfering with his medicine. If the disease should go into the third stage (collapse) the j scene and treatment change entirely. No pulse, livid counte- | nance, hoarse voice, and sunken eyes characterize this period. Act our hope is not gone ; particularly in cases which, up to this stage were treated strictly homceopathically, or where the disease ran quickly through the first stages. This period generally lasts much longer than any of the former, and medicines must be given at longer intervals. The disease frequently stays in this stage for two or three days, almost unaltered ; a slight improvement in the pulse is sometimes perceptible only within two days. In such cases, the medi- cine must not be changed or repeated often. The principal remedy is Carbo veg., in the thirtieth dilution, prepared as Veratrum above, of which for the first six hours, every hour a teaspoonful should be given. If a great deal of burning remains in the stomach, with drinking frequently, but little at a time, Arsenic, thirtieth dilution, prepared similarly, may be alternated with Carbo veg. But if thus four or six tea- spoonfuls of each remedy have been given, their use should be discontinued for ten or twelve hours—particularly if the pulse has shown evidence of returning during that time. The improvement of the pulse is, in this stage, the most impor- tant amelioration; the coldness of the surface is not of so much importance, as it often remains for a longer time with- out injury. If, after twelve hours, the patient's condition is not much improved, the same remedies may be repeated, and in this manner continued for a couple of days, when, in most cases a healthful reaction takes place. The covering, in this stage, must be altogether left to the feelings of the patient, and only so much put over him as decency requires, as the patient generally refuses all cover- 404 AFFECTIONS OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. ing, and is restless. To try to warm patients in this stage by external means, is not only useless, but cruel; as they actually complain of burning up internally ; such means only hasten dissolution. We rather recommend to wrap the pa- tient in a sheet, wrung in cold water, which may, after a few hours, be repeated, if he desires it. But, in such a case, the patient ought to be covered beside with a blanket or two, to follow up the beginning reaction. Cold drinks, particularly ice water, are preferable in this stage. In the period of convalescence, which is usually very short, great care ought of course to be taken in diet and exercise— rice and other gruels, afterward small quantities of broth, meat, and vegetables. If a typhoid fever appears, it must be treated accordingly. In that torpor or stupor which sometimes succeeds a severe attack of cholera, when the patient cannot easily be aroused, is very weak, pulse slow, yet the expression of his counte- nance is natural, SpirUus nUri dulcis is of the greatest benefit, as laurocerasug is in those cases of stupor or lethargy, which border on paralysis of the brain, or on exhaustion of the nervous system, where the expression of the countenance is indicative of great suffering, the patient very weak, pulse slow, eyes half-closed, in continual lethargy, only broken by deep sighs and moaning. Further remarks. — If a cholera case has not been brought to a successful issue during the first two stages by the means already pointed out, it runs into the third or stage of collapse, the most dreadful and fearful state, which was hitherto considered almost invariably hopeless. But here also the genius of Hahnemann has triumphed over the most difficult obstacles; the scientific method which Homoeopathy brought into the contest with this dreaded collapse of a cholera patient, has given us glorious results, and divested it of the greater part of the terror which heretofore attended it. Although the collapsed state is still the most dreaded in an attack of cholera, ASIATIC CHOLERA—CHOLERA A .SI AT 10 A. 40;": yet it is not always incurable, and in many cases yields easier to the appropriate means, than severe attacks during the first stages. This is particularly the case, where the disease pro- gresses rapidly and the patient enters into the state of collapse. not very much exhausted by the protracted first stage of the attack. It very frequently occurs, that in a few hours the patient's pulse vanishes and the collapsed stage commences, without having lost much of the blood-serum by evacuations or vomiting, or without having suffered much from cramps and that feeling of suffocation at the chest which weakens so much. In such cases when properly treated before and during collapse, a favorable result can be anticipated. In the hight of the epidemic of 1849, I observed three cases of this kind in one family; within a few hours, before help could arrive, a mother and two sons, had run into a perfect state of collapse; yet every one of them recovered, easier, I might say, than as if they had struggled for a long time in the first stage. They remained cold for two days ; at the end of the first day a faint pulse re-appeared, which increased gradu- ally in volume and strength, until a normal action was attained, the following action was not too great and subsided by degrees. These patients had received only Carbo veg., 30th dilution, every day from six to eight teaspoonfuls in solution, and no other medicine; for a drink nothing but rice water. As they did not exhibit symptoms of restlessness, I did not give Arseni- cum, which otherwise I would have alternated with Carbo. In the epidemic of 1849 seventy-three cases of decided collapse were successfully treated, mainly by the administration of Carbo veg. This remedy seems to be the principal one, parti- cularly, when the cheeks appear red, yet are cold and covered with clammy sweat. Arsenicum is indicated alone or in alter- nation with Carbo, if the patient is very restless, throws himself about continually and asks for drink«continually. An important remedy before and during collapse is Secale mrnutum, particularly when the discharges of serum still con- 406 AFFECTIONS OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. tinuc involuntary; the patient allows them to escape into the bed. without expressing the wish to be helped off from it; has still some cramps now and then, a sickish, squeamish feeling at the stomach, without vomiting, feels very much ex- hausted. In such cases this remedy in alternation with V i Opium. If the strangulation of the rupture continues, and afterward in alternation with Nux vomica until better. Also, Lachesis, Belladonna, Rhus, Arsenic, Veratrum, can be given in extreme cases, if necessary; one after the other, : every two hours one remedy, until better. Application of Water.—Cold injections are frequently of | the greatest benefit in incarcerated rupture, as also the ap- plication of cold water or ice, even in the most desperate cases. Administration.—Dissolve of the necessary remedy twelve globules in half a teacupful of water; give every fifteen or thirty minutes a teaspoonful, for two hours, or until better. Diet and Regimen.—As in fevers. Complete rest in a horizontal position is indispensable, and a truss must not be worn until all soreness has subsided. Dropsy of the Abdomen. (Ascites.) As this is one of those diseases which require a most skill- ful medical attendance, in order to secure a successful termi- nation, we cannot pretend to give more than what is necessary to a knowledge of its rise and progress. This will enable persons to be aware of the danger in time to seek for help, when it is yet possible to render it successfully. Diagnosis.—A swelling and tension of the abdomen, which follows the position of the patient; a fluctuation inside the abdomen is distinctly felt by the palm of one hand while clap- ping gently against one side, when the other hand presses the opposite side of the abdomen, in the lowest part of which the fluctuation is felt the strongest, while the patient is standing erect. Urine is scanty, brown like beer (peculiar to ascites); stools are scanty and dry; also, the skin, tongue, and mouth dry; when the water is collected in a sack (hydrops saccatus), the swelling is unequal in the beginning; the urine less scarce and brown. As the disease progresses, the feet and other parts swell successively; fever and dry cough appear, which 416 affections of the stomach and bowels. consume the strength more and more, until death ends the misery. Causes.—As such, we find previous acute fevers, scarlet or other eruptions, diseases of important abdominal organs, especially the liver, badly treated, intermittents of too long standing, which debilitate the absorbing vessels, gout, abuse of spiritous liquors, mechanical lesions, such as blows on the abdomen, falls, etc. This disease sometimes lasts very long, according to the causes, and the constitution of the patient. A pregnancy, not closely watched in its progress, may be mistaken for a dropsy of the abdomen; but, in such a case, a skillful physician must decide. Treatment.—As this disease can be cured, if early attend- ed to in the right manner, we recommend every one to apply immediately to a good physician. Until one can be procured, give, Arsenic and Sulphur, in alternation, every four days one dose (six glob.), followed by Apis mellif. in the same manner The tapping may be allowed in cases where the accumu- lation of water is very rapid; but no one must trust in it as a curative means ; the necessary internal treatment must there- fore be continued, until cured entirely. Diet and Regimen.—As in all chronic diseases, the usual homceopathic diet. External Injuries of the Abdomen. On receiving large wounds in the abdomen, do not despair immediately, as a great many are cured who received the severest cuts and shots in the abdomen, if only properly treated. Clean the wound with lukewarm water, and replace the intestines as soon as possible, handling them not with the hands, but with clean linen cloths. If the patient is faint, from loss of blood, give China; if frightened, Coffea, and afterward Arnica. Sew up the wound carefully with a silken EXTERNAL injuries of the abdomen. 417 thread waxed, leaving an opening on the lowest comer, which must be covered with scraped linen, dipped in a mixture of Arnica (twelve drops to a teacupful of water). If diarrhea ensues, give Colocynth alternately with China. If a child has swallowed a button, or any other metal sub- stance, do not give it aperient medicine, in the hope of purg- ing it out of the system more quickly; this is impossible; on the contrary, the substance will come out less quickly, as the liquid state of the faeces prevents them from carrying it along. In the meantime, observe carefully each stool to bo sure that the substance has passed. If a needle is swallowed, it may work itself through a different part^ of the body; in such a case, give Silicea, every six days a dose (four glob.). If live animals are swallowed, such as frogs, insects, etc., let the patient drink plenty of sweet oil. CHAPTER XV. AFFECTIONS OF THE URINARY AND GENITAL ORGANS. We invite the special attention of our readers to the study of the anatomical position and structure, as well as the physio- logical bearing, of the organs named in the above heading, as it will be important for the true diagnosis of their diseases, which are various and severe. Inflammation of the Kidneys. (Nephritis.) Diagnosis. — In the region of the kidneys (on both sides of the spine, above the hip, and below the short ribs), appears a pungent, pressing pain, shooting downward to the bladder ; difficulty of urination; stranguria, or ischuria (the latter only when both kidneys are inflamed, which rarely ever occurs); the urine scanty, red, and hot, sometimes bloody; the testicle drawn near to the abdomen on the affected side, painful and swollen; the foot on the same side sometimes spasmodically affected and benumbed ; in severer cases, high fever, thirst, full hard pulse, constipation, vomiting; colic pains; the pains in the kidney are worse when lying on the affected part and the back ; also when standing and walking. If this inflammation is not cured entirely, the kidney hard- ens and indurates, or suppuration takes place, which leads to the formation of abscesses and their opening, either outside through the skin, or inside in the intestinal canal. This (418) inflammation of the kidnets. 419 chronic affection of the kidneys requires medical skill for its successful termination. The principal causes are : stones or gravel in the kidney; violent blows and concussions, or any other external injury bearing on this part; excess in the use of wines and liquors; lying on the back for a long time ; lifting heavy loads ; sup- pression of piles, and their congestion transferred to the kid- ney ; the use of acrid diuretics and the abuse of Spanish fly, sometimes even when only applied as a blister, externally. Treatment.—Camphor, when the disease is caused by the application or use of Spanish fly (cantharis), or when no urine passes or only in a slender stream very slowly, with burning in the urethra and bladder. Give in such a case one or two drops of Camphor spirits, on a lump of sugar, every hour or two hours, until better. Aconite. If the fever is high, give several doses (four glob. each) of this remedy, every hour one, before the following remedies are resorted to. Cantharis is the principal medicine, when there are shoot- ing, tearing, and incisive pains, painful emission of a few drops of urine only, or complete ischuria; sometimes urine mixed with blood. Belladonna. In most cases, where the pains are worse periodically, shooting from the kidney down into the bladder, with great anguish and colic ; in fleshy women, at the time of change of life (critical age), when the menses stop. (Hepar sulph. will suit after Belladonna). Nux vomica. When this disease is caused by suppressed piles, or when there is any other abdominal congestion, with tension, distension, and pressure in the kidney. PulsatUla. In delicate females, whose menses have stopped or are very scanty ; also, when the urine appears turbid, leav- ing a purulent sediment. Arnica, externally and internally, if caused by external injuries ; after it the above remedies may be resorted to. 420 AFFECTIONS OF THE URINARY AND GENITAL ORGANS. N. B. If nephritis is caused by the pressure of stones in the kidneys, the fever which usually accompanies this disease does not appear so quickly, but, instead of it, the foot and thigh of the affected side become numb, and the testicle re- tracts ; sure signs of stones in the kidneys or the ureter. In such a case apply on the most painful spot, where the stone is lodged, narcotic, warm fomentations of hops mixed with tobacco leaves ; as soon as the stone or gravel reaches, in its descent, the bladder, the pains and inflammation caused by them cease at once. Beside this external treatment, give the patient the above medicines, as indicated. If the kidney indurates, which is known by the patient complaining of a sensation of weight in the loins or some- times by a feeling of numbness in the foot of the side affected, give Mercury, every evening a dose (four glob.). If suppuration takes place, which is known by a sensation of heaviness, accompanied by throbbing in the region of the kidney (the latter symptom ceases when the matter, mixed with blood, is discharged with the urine), give Lachesis and Hepar alternately, every evening a dose (four glob.), for eight days, or until better; apply to a homoeopathic physician. Administration. — Dissolve, of the necessary medicine, twelve globules in half a teacupful of water, and give every half-hour, hour, or two hours, a teaspoonful until better, or until another remedy is needed. Application of Water. — Tepid sitting-baths, frequently repeated, will accelerate the cure and support the effect of the proper homoeopath\c remedies. Diet and Regimen, as in fevers generally; but particularly wines, liquors, and beer are prohibited in convalescence. Inflammation of the Bladder. (Cystitis.) Diagnosis.—Burning pains in the region of the bladder, with external swelling; tension; heat and pain on touch; urine red and hot; difficulty or inability of making water; STRANGURY, DYSURY, ISCH1RY, AND ANURY. 421 constipation, with tenesmus; fever, with a hard pulse; in some cases, vomiting and hiccough. The issue of this inflammation is either resolution, indicated by a thick urine, or suppuration discharged with the urine, or abscesses and fistulas from the bladder outside, or induration, which leads to a thickening of the bladder, impeding, thereby, its action, and leading to various chronic disorders : or, if fatal, gangrene takes place. Its causes can be external injuries; suppressed piles and retarded menstruation; rheumatic, gouty, or syphilitic trans- fers ; stones in the bladder; pressure on the bladder in preg- nancy, or during the birth of the child ; the use of irritating drugs, as Cantharides, etc. Treatment. —Beside the remedies recommended in "In- flammation of the Kidneys," give Hyoscyamus, when spasms of the neck of the bladder set in, impeding the flow of urine. Carbo vegetabilis and Arsenicum, when the patient complains very much of burning during urination, which Cantharides failed to cure. Dulcamara, when this disease returns on the slightest ex- posure to cold. Sulphur and Calcarea, when the disease becomes chronic. Administration, Application of Water, Diet and Regi- men, the same as in "Nephritis." Strangury, Dysury, Ischury, and Anury. These four terms signify only different degrees of the same affection. In strangury, the discharge of urine is painful and difficult. In dysury, difficult and incomplete. In ischury and anury, it is totally suppressed. Strangury and dysury are troublesome, but not dangerous complaints, while the true ischury, or total retention of urine, ranks amon^ the most dangerous diseases, and kills, either 422 affections of the urinary and genital organs. by gangrene or rupture of the bladder, effusing the urine into the abdomen ; in its chronic form, however, the urine can be absorbed and carried into the circulation, producing, thereby, eruptions on the skin, and making the perspiration, saliva, etc., smell urinous. The causes of these affections are various. Mechanical injuries or impediments, such as gravel, stones, callosities and strictures, spasmodical, or caused by syphilitic disorders; tumors in these parts ; falling of the womb, or its dislocation ; congestion of every kind; paralysis of the bladder; the use of ardent spirits, Spanish fly, violent diuretics, etc. Treatment. — For strangury, and dysury, if caused by the abuse of ardent spirUs, Nux vom., Pulsatilla, and Sulphur; if by the use of Spanish fly, Camph., Puis., Apis mel., Aeon.; if by suppressed piles, Nux vom., Pulsatilla, Sulphur; if by taking cold, wet feet, etc., Dulcamara, Nux vom., Mercury, Pids., Bellad., Apis mel.; if after a fright, Aeon.; if after a fall, blow, etc., Arnica; if in pregnant females, Cocculus, Pul- satilla, Nux vomica; if in chUdren, Pulsatilla, Aconite, Bella- donna, Mercury. For ischury and anury, if it is spasmodic, Nux vom., Pulsa- tilla, Opium, Hyoscyamus; inflammatory, AconUe, Cantharides, Belladonna,, Nux vom., Pulsatilla (see "Cystitis"); paralytic Hyoscyamus, Dulcamara, Arsenic, Lachesis. Administration the same as in "Inflammation of the Kid- neys" (Nephritis). Application of Water ; beside the frequent use of sitting- baths of a cool temperature, it will be beneficial to cover the parts affected with wet bandages during the time between the sitting-baths. Diet and Regimen the same as in nephritis ; beside this, in strangury the drinking of large quantities of cold water, or the moderate use of gum-arabic, dissolved in water, is strong- ly recommended. In cases of disease of the bladder, consult, as soon as possible, a homceopathic physician. incontinence of urine. 423 Incontinence of Urine. (Enuresis, incontinentia urinm.) This troublesome disease exists in three varieties: 1. It is a complete or paralytic incontinence of urine (enure- sis completa s. paralytica), when the patient is constantly troubled with an involuntary dribbling of urine, owing to a variety of causes, all having the tendency to paralyze, more or less, the contractive power of the muscles around the neck of the bladder. Instances of this kind are ; apoplexy ; con- sumption, and paralysis of the spine; too great distension of the bladder by long retention of the urine ; surgical opera- tions on the bladder; paralysis, or weakness of the bladder, particularly in old age ; difficult and hard parturitions. This form of incontinence of urine requires the most careful atten- tion of a homceopathic physician. We only mention some of the principal remedies for this form of enuresis, with which a treatment may be commenced : Hyoscyamus, Belladonna, Causticum, Conium, Arsenic, Lachesis. 2. Or it is an incomplete or spasmodic incontinence of urine (enuresis incompleta s. spastica), where the urgency to pass urine is so sudden and great, that the patient is immediately forced to yield. This form occurs very frequently, caused by continual irritation in the bladder, or some contiguous part, either by stones, gravel, worms (ascarides), (see "Worms"); menstrual or hemorrhoidal congestion ; gastric derangement, with rheumatic or gouty complication; scirrhous tumors in the bladder, rectum, prostate glands; ulcers, fistulas; also, from mechanical pressure of the pregnant or dislocated uterus (see " Diseases of Females"); or, lastly, by the bad habit of urinating too frequently, diminishing, thereby, the size of the bladder. The principal remedies for this complaint are : Belladonna, Causticum, Cina, Hyoscyamus, Ignatia, PulsatUla, Rhus, La- chesis, Mercury. (Compare each remedy in "Materia Medi- ca.") Administration of these medicines as in nephritis. 424 AFFECTIONS OF THE URINARY AND GENITAL ORGANS. 3. The urine escapes involuntarily only in the night.(wetting the bed), (enuresis nocturna). This occurs mostly in children, and depends on bad habits, uncorrected in early years, or on local irritations, such as worms (see this article), or other derano-ements, enumerated under the form No. 2 (see their treatment). If it is a bad habit, try to correct it, by dimin- ishing the quantity of drink allowed in the evening, by laying the child on its side while asleep, by awakening it several times during the night in order to pass urine,^or even by chastisement in the morning, the effects of which will be remembered, even in the sleep. Beside, use the following remedies: Silicea, every third evening a dose (three glob.), for two weeks ; if not better, Sepia in the same manner ; if not better. Sulphur, Arsenic, Carbo veg. in the same manner, one after the other. Application of Water ; the cold sitting-bath in the morn- ing, and in the evening a cold sponge-bath are beneficial aux- iliaries in the treatment of the above diseases. Diabetes. Diagnosis.—Any secretion of urine, the excessive increase of which has a weakening, morbific effect on the whole sys- tem, may be called a diabetes ; although the quality of the urine be not altered, its appearance shows that it contains more water, it being colorless (nervous urine) ; cases of this kind either correct themselves, or are in connection with hys- teric or hypochondriacal diseases, the cure of which will, also, take away this form of diabetes. But where the urine is not, or not much, increased in quantity, however changed in quality, having a sweetish taste, and containing saccharine (sugar) matter (diabetes melitus), as high as an ounce in a pound, it is necessary to institute an early and earnest treat- ment for this disease, which, in its commencement, can be cured easRy, and only becomes fatal by neglect. But, as such PILE8 OF the bladder. 425 a complaint is too important in its progress and issue to be treated domestically, we here only indicate the remedies, with which a rational treatment may be commenced. Treatment.—Phosphoric acid, Carbo veg., Conium, Mercury, Sulphur. The first of these medicines is almost a specific, as also the two last ones, which may be given in alternation ; give, every evening, a dose (four glob.), for one week, and then wait a week for its effects. Application of Water ; the sitting-baths used in this dis- ease must be made of water with the chill taken off; beside these, the wet bandage around the abdomen, changed at least twice a day, is recommended; the patient is advised to drink large quantities of cold water. Diet.—Only bread, roasted meats, and soups of meat, are allowed ; no vegetables whatever ; the patient must keep in an even temperature. Piles of the Bladder. (Hemorrhoides Vesica.) As the pile disease consists in a congestion, which can tend to any part of the system, and produce piles, where the nature of the attacked organ admits of it, it is not strange to speak of piles of the bladder, because this organ allows the same disorganization, in this respect, as the rectum. They are also either blind, or open, running piles. Diagnosis.—If they are blind, or not running, they create great difficulty in making water, strangury, ischury, some- times spasms, and inflammations of the bladder (see these articles), with consequent induration and suppuration. If they are open, running piles, the blood coagulates in the bladder, obstructs the passage of urine, and may contribute to the formation of stones. Treatment.—Consult a homceopathic physician, if possible. If not, use the following remedies: Nux vomica, PulsatUla, Sulphur, beside all those recommended in the articles on strangury and ischury, in the same manner as there stated. 30 426 AFFECTIONS OF THE URINARY AND GENITAL ORGANS. Application of Water ; the frequent use of the sitting- bath and the drinking of cold water will be beneficial. Polypus of the Bladder. The neck of the bladder is the place most favorable to the generation of this kind of fleshy excrescences, where they occasion frequent obstructions iD urinating, producing similar symptoms to those exhibited in piles, and stones of the blad- der. Their existence, however, is rendered beyond doubt, as soon as fleshy particles of a round form, with a stringy sub- stance attached to them, pass from the bladder; females are subject to them more than males. Treatment.—If possible, consult a homoeopathic physician for this disease, as the cure depends too much on constitution to make a prescription of remedies, for a domestic work of this kind, possible. To commence the treatment, however, give Calcarea carb., every third or fourth evening a dose (four glob.), for four or six weeks. N. B. I once cured polypus of the bladder with ChamomUe; the case was a complicated one, where the concomitant symp- toms strongly advised its use. No other remedies had been used before ; after the exhibition of Chamomile, the polypus passed off altogether. Staphysag. is recommended after Calcarea carb., in. the same manner Application of Water; the frequent use of the sitting- bath will support the effect of the proper homceopathic remedies. Gravel and Stone in the Bladder. (Calculus.) Diagnosis.—It is sometimes very difficult to be certain of the existence of a stone in the bladder, as it produces all the symptoms recorded under strangury, ischury, and piles of the bladder. (See these diseases.) The only sure guide in establishing a true diagnosis, is the hemorrhage with the urine. 427 | examination by a competent physician or surgeon. In gravel, the diagnosis is easier, as some of it will pass, from time to ! time, clearly showing the nature of the disease. Treatment.—The treatment for a stone in the bladder can I not be given here, as such a disease must not be left tc > domestic practice. j The best remedy for gravel is Sarsaparilla, either in a homoeopathic preparation (four glob.), or, if not at hand, of j the tincture of Sarsaparilla, every evening one drop on sugar, until better. Beside this remedy, those stated under " Stran- gury" are recommended. Hemorrhage with the Urine. ( Hoematuria. Mictus cruentus. ) Diagnosis.—The blood comes with the urine, either mixed with it, like dark beer (then it proceeds from the kidneys, hematuria renalis), or it is separated from the urine, coagu- lated (then it comes from the bladder (Iwematuria vesicalis), or the blood comes alone, without urinating (then it proceeds from the urethra, stymatosis). In the first case, pains are felt in the region of the kidneys ; in the second, the region of the bladder is painful; and in the third case, the pains are in the urethra. Causes.—This disease occurs always in consequence of other diseases, already located there, to which we refer the reader. These are : inflammation of the kidneys and blad- der, and their causes, mechanical and external, stones and gravel, strangury, etc. Treatment.—The principal remedies are : China, Ipecac, Arnica, Pulsatilla, Lycopodium, to be given as stated under " Strangury." Affections of the Penis. If the front of the penis—the glans and the prepuce—is inflamed, red, and swollen, give, when caused by friction, Aco- nUe and Arnica, in alternation, every two or three hours a 428 AFFECTIONS OF THE URINARY AND GENITAL ORGANS. dose (four glob., infants half a dose), until better ; keep quiet on the bed or a couch ; abstain from all meat diet, and bathe, if necessary, with cold water alone, or water and milk ; if caused by want of cleanliness, give AconUe (four glob.), alone, and bathe. If it was caused by the touch of poisonous plants, give, in the same manner, Belladonna and Rhus, after AconUe has been given. If a burning discharge appears from the urethra, give Mercury, and if not better in twenty- four or thirty-six hours, give Capsicum, and in a few days after, Hepar; if the parts become hardened, callous, and bluish, give Lachesis and Arsenic, in alternation. Diet and Regimen.—Nothing but milk and water, dry toast, and gruels. N. B. For syphilitic disorders, chancres, and gonorrhea, see these articles. Affections of the Testicles. Inflammation, with painful swelling of the testicles, from External injuries: Aconite and Arnica, as above, under the "Affections of the Penis;" Arnica, also, externally. Gonorrhea suppressed: PulsatUla, externally and internally, as above ; Mercury, Nitric acid. Metastasis of the mumps: see this disease ; Pulsatilla is the principal remedy; also, Mercury and Nux vom. Abuse of Calomel: Pulsatilla and Carbo veg., in alternation, as above. If necessary give Sulphur after the above remedies have ameliorated, but not altogether cured. Diet and Regimen as in " Affections of the Penis." Hydrocele, or dropsy of the scrotum: if in infants shortly after the birth, wash with a mixture of six drops of Arnica | tincture, in a teacupful of water, three or four times a day; f if in older children, the same, externally, and PulsatUla, | every evening a dose (three glob.) internally; if in adults, Pulsatilla, Silicea, Sulphur, each remedy for eight or twelve syphilis — gonorrhea. 429 days, every fourth day a dose (four glob.) during that period, until better, and if not, apply to a homceopathic physician. Diet and regimen as usual in chronic diseases, when treat- ed homceopathically. Seminal Weakness. (Pollution. Impotence. Onania.) These diseases are very weakening, and frequently fatal to happiness, health, and even life. As their introduction here would carry us beyond the sphere of a domestic treatise, we advise our readers not to neglect, for a single day, the above complaints, which explain their nature in their names, but to have the advice of a skillful homceopathic physician at once. Eruptions on the Genital Organs. Eruptions on the glans; Bryonia, Rhus; on the hairy part, Lachesis; on the penis, Graphites, Phosphoric acid; on the prepuce, Sepia, Silicea; between the thighs, Petroleum. Prurigo on the scrotum (tetter) requires, mostly, Sulphur, Dulcamara, Nitric acid, Petroleum, Thuja. Administration.—Every evening a dose (four glob.), and thus every medicine used for four days, before another one is commenced; if it is not better, wash with a solution (twelve glob, in half a teacupful of water) of the same remedy during its internal use. Diet and Regimen as in chronic diseases. Erysipelas of the scrotum requires Belladonna, Rhus, and Arsenic, in the same manner as stated under "Erysipelas." (See "Diseases of the Skin.") Diet and regimen as in "Erysipelas." Syphilis.— Gonorrhea. We can only mention here the commencement of the treat- ment for these complaints, as inveterate or chronic disorders j of this kind are so complicated and difficult of treatment, as to require the utmost attention of a skillful homoeopathic physician 430 AFFECTIONS OF THE URINARY AND GENITAL ORGANS. a. Syphilis. Chancre. If infection has taken place, and a slight soreness mani- fests itself on the glans, with a pimple which soon becomes a small ulcer, marked by its hard surface and elevated edges, take, internally, Mercury, three times a day (six glob), and wash, externally, with a solution of Mercury (twelve glob, in half a teacupful of water), until the advice of a physician can be obtained. b. Gonorrhea. Clap. Gleet. If, after infection, a soreness of the whole urethra ensues, with inflammation of the glans in particular, take AconUe, every two or three hours a dose (four glob.), for six or eight times, and after it, if a running appears, use the tincture of Cannabis sat., in the application of which I found the follow- ing mode the most convenient and successful. Outwardly, use cold water bathing; to subdue pain and inflammation, keep perfectly quiet, and abstain from all meat diet. Two or three drops of the tincture of Cannabis is put into a four-ounce phial of water, and well shaken; of this mixture, a tablespoonful three times a day is taken; when nearly, but not altogether exhausted, the same phial is refilled with water, well shaken, and thus the second potency offered to the patient; and in this manner the third and fourth potency is adminis- tered, at which time all traces of the disease vanish. After the first phial, a slight increase of soreness is frequently complained of by the patient, which, however, soon disappears; and if it re-appears after the third phial, it will entirely leave after the fourth phial thus prepared, has been administered. Diet and Regimen are alike for both complaints: no meat, whatever; but milk, water, and bread; the most perfect rest. Application of Water—In the above diseases the fre- quent use of tepid sitting-baths, the application of wet com- presses and the drinking of cold water are particularly recom- mended as beneficial auxiliaries. CHAPTER XVI. DISEASES OF FEMALES. There are diseases peculiar to the female sex, whose dis- tinctive character is founded in the different physical organ- ization of the female from the male. It shall be our endeavor to be as minute in treating of them as the object of this work will allow, although a great many of them must, and will, always demand the especial attendance of a physician, on account of their importance to life and difficulty of treatment; yet a right knowledge of their nature will diminish fear, and create confidence and trust—a great lever in surmounting medical difficulties. Menstruation. With the appearance of the menses (courses) the age of puberty commences with the female, and various changes take place in the mental and physical development; such as change of voice, expansion of the chest, enlargement of the breast, a marked reserve in manners, and an increased atten- tion to outward decorum and appearance. This time gene- rally comes, in northern climates, between the thirteenth and fifteenth year; in southern, between the eleventh and thir- teenth. The same difference of time is observed in the dis- appearance of the menstrual discharge, which takes place, in the northern climates, generally between the forty-third and forty-fifth year ; in the southern, between the forty-first and (431) 432 diseases of females. forty-third year. The menses appear quite regularly in a healthy female, every twenty-eight days (a slight deviation of from two to three days earlier or later does not constitute of itself disease), and last, at an average, five days, although this is no absolute rule. We cannot recommend too strongly a strict adherence to the general principles of Hygiene, as the departure from these lays, in most cases, the foundation to those derangements in the menstrual functions which prove so fatal to the life and happiness of a female. And here we may remark that, in the course of a long practice, we have found the wearing of thin-soled shoes to be the most fruitful source of the decay of female beauty, and the decline of female health. The dam- age of tight lacing (although considerable) is nothing in comparison with the fatal habit of appearing, in all kinds of weather, in thin-soled shoes; the consequences of the latter are beyond description, fearful, and destructive. Almost all diseases which follow a stoppage of the menses, consumption, fluor albus, etc., can be traced to this source. Let reform set in! FIRST MENSES OBSTRUCTED.-TARDY MENSTRUATION. It is of the utmost importance first to know whether a girl, although old enough to be menstruated, is developed suf- ficiently otherwise to make it necessary for the menses to appear. Menstruation is the result of changes which, at the time of puberty, have to take place in the ovaries, and without which no discharge will be possible, and if forced by medicine to appear, will destroy rather than establish health. As long as the girl has not increased in size across the hips, or the breasts have not become fuller, indeed until the whole form and conduct of the girl shows that this change has taken place in the internal parts, no effort must be made to force nature, as it would be not only fruitless, but really injurious. In such cases a general treatment should be instituted; the girl should be made to exercise freely in the open air, and not be allowed FIRST MENSES OBSTRUCTED. 43J t. frequent school, if in the habit of attending. Nature will soon rally her formative forces, and herself establish without force what mediciue could not do without injury. But if the girl is fully developed otherwise, yet suffers from time to time or at regular monthly intervals from pains and congestions either in the head, breast or abdomen, it is necessary for us to interfere by giving some of the medicines, as described helow. she has, perhaps, frequent bleeding at the nose, congestions to the head, flushed face, constriction of the chest, palpitation of the heart, etc. If these symptoms manifest themselves, give first, Pulsatilla. If, beside other symptoms, she looks rather pale, is slender and feeble, melancholy and sad; feels better in the open air. Bryonia. If she looks flushed in the face, her nose bleeds frequently, inclined to constipation. Veratrum. If she is chilly, and inclined to diarrhea. Sulphur. If either of the above remedies have not brought on the menses. Administration.—Of the selected medicine, give every evening a dose (four glob.) for four nights, then discontinue four days, and give Sulphur in the same manner. If not better in four or six weeks consult a physician. Diet and Regimen.—Let the diet be simple, but nutri- tious; exercise as much as possible; apply warm foot-baths before g"iug to bed. Another very effective and important means of facilitating the appearance of the first menses, is the use of the hot sitz- bath every third or fourth evening, just when going to bed. This remedy is especially indicated when the girl frequently suffers from headache, pain in the breast or bleeding of the nose. The temperature of the bath should be from 92 to 96 degrees Fahrenheit, and its duration about 10 minutes, when she retires immediately and covers herself well in bed 37 434 DISEASES OF FEMALES. Chlorosis or Green Sickness. If menstruation occurs at the right time, and sufficiently. no disease accompanies its manifestation, and we behold the girl transformed into a woman, approaching all her character- istics, without the slightest degree of sickness or distress. Not always, however, does this great change, which has its principal seat in the ovaries, take place in such a regular and healthy manner. It may appear too early or too tardily; the develop- ment may be an imperfect one, or may not commence at all; 01 if it has made its appearance, the various phenomena may not occur in harmony with each other. In all these cases it is evident that the whole organism must participate in the morbid movements of the sexual development, and create disorders which are in more or less intimate connection with it. To this class of diseases belongs Chlorosis or Green disease. Diagnosis.—The patients have a peculiar color of the skin, not excessively white, as we see it after severe loss of blood, but a paleness with an admixture of yellow and green; the lips appear at times almost white, the lower eye-lids swell, and appear darkish blue ; the skin, rather loose and flabby, feels cold to the touch ; the patients themselves can not bear a low temperature, and wish to be where it is warm. The tongue shows an unusual pale color, and is frequently covered with a thick, tough mucus. The patients evince great muscular weak- ness ; tire very soon after slight exertions; love, therefore, rest, being apparently lazy. The same languor expresses itself in the operations of the mind, which is listless and without energy. The patients breathe hurriedly, not, however, because they have a difficulty in breathing, but on account of not having muscu- lar strength enough to take a deep breath; an examination of the lungs would show no morbid alteration of the texture ; the heart palpitates considerably, particularly when going up stairs, and the pulse is accelerated, sometimes to one hundred and forty beats in a minute, yet not full, but smaL, weak, wiry, and CHLOROSIS OR GREEN SICKNESS. 435 easily to be compressed. The veins of the skin appear of a pale rose color, never distended as in health; and the blood in them is thin and watery. With a diminished appetite, the patients have a slimy taste in the mouth, pressure in the pit of the stomach, and eructation of wind after eating, even of the most digestible nourishment; sometimes there is an immod- erate desire for eating chalk, charcoal, etc. Digestion is de- ranged, causing sometimes excessive constipation, followed by a diarrhea of substances badly digested. If the affeotion proceeds unchecked, the lower extremities become swollen, hectic cough pets in, sometimes with expectoration of dark colored clots of blood, symptoms which have all the appearance of a rapid decline. In some cases the nervous system becomes sympa- thetically affected, producing hysterioal fits, spasms, even somnambulism. We have given above a full description of this disease, to ena- ble the reader to recognize it from its first appearance. Although the disease isevidently the result of an inharmonious development of the sexual functions, yet we can not positively fix the cause upon one particular function in all cases. Sometimes menstrua- tion had not made its appearance before the disease sets in, and we naturally infer that its suppression has produced it. In other cases, however, the disease can develop itself, though the men- struation has appeared, but then it must have been either too early or too profuse; which circumstance, reflecting deleteri- ously on the simultaneous development in other organs of the system, produces chlorosis, by deteriorating nutrition. Any want of harmony, therefore, in the development of the sexual fuuetion, can excite this disease. As regards climate, the northern may retard too much, and the southern may too greatly accelerate the formation of the menses. The same may be said in regard to the conditions of life; in the poorer classes every thing has a tendency to weaken ; in the richer, to over-stimulate the constitution; either of which has deleterious effeots on the normal development of sexual functions. 436 DISEASES OP FFMALES. More immediate, exciting causes of this disease are those extremes of the mind, exhibiting either a love of indulging in frivolous phantasies and immoral connections, or a depression of spirits, a melancholy caused by home-sickness, troubles of all kinds, and particularly by disappointments in love. Marshy regions, damp dwellings, excessive exertions, or seden- tary habits, immense loss of blood, in fact, every thing which can weaken the constitution, while it needs all its strength to develop the sexual functions, can produce chlorosis. Treatment.—As this disease, on account of its great impor- tance, always needs the attendance of a skillful physician, we merely intend to draw the attention of the reader to the prin- cipal remedies to be used in the beginning, the application of which frequently prevents its progress. The cause which may have excited it must be removed, if possible, before an appli- cation of medicine can be of much avail. If chlorosis occurs in girls, when the first menses have not yet appeared, the treatment mentioned for obstructions of menstruation, in the following chapter, will be suitable. Among the remedies Pulsatilla will be best adapted to females of a mild disposition, given to sadness and tears, or if exposure to cold or dampness was the cause; if there is diffi- culty of breathing after slight exertion, sallow complexion, alternating with redness and flushes of heat, palpitation of the heart, cold hands and feet, looseness of the bowels and leucorrhea, cough with expectoration of dark coagulated blood, mental and physical languor. Sulphur after the above remedy, if the patient is not relieved. Bryonia alternates well with Pulsatilla, if there are frequent congestions to the head, bleeding at the nose, dry cough, bitter taste in the mouth, and chilliness, with pain in the small of the back. After Sulphur it is frequently necessary to give Calcarea carb., if the oppres- sion of the chest is very great, and the extremities begin to swell, after which Ferrum should be given in repeated doses, particularly when the sallow hue of the face continues with SUPPRESSION OF THE MENSES. AMENORRHEA. 437 great debility, want of appetite, nausea and hectic cough. The above medicines should be given in long intervals, say every third or fourth day a dose (six glob), until amendment takes place, or another remedy is indicated; Ferrum maybe given in the first trituration, the other remedies in higher potencies. If this disease occurs after severe sickness or hem- orrhages, give China and Carb. veg., every other evening a dose (six glob.), alternately for at least five or six weeks. In both cases, if the above medicines do not relieve, apply to a skillful physician without delay. Perhaps in no disease is the change of climate and scenery so beneficial and really curative as in Chlorosis, and we strongly advise parents, if it is possible to let the patient, particularly in the beginning of the disease, have the benefit of travel and of the salubrious air and water of the so-called Chalybeate Springs. Such a visit to he truly beneficial, must be at least of three or four months duration. Application of Water.—The frequent use of the sit- ting bath in the morning, and the sponge-bath in the evening are very beneficial; during the night the patient can apply the wet bandage around the abdomen; but during menstrua- tion all application of water must be omitted. Diet and Regimen.—Let the diet be very nutritious, exercise plentiful, particularly in open air; if mineral springs are chosen for a summer resort, give the preference to the chalybeate, containing iron. Suppression of the Menses. Amenorrhea. Or their temporary cessation, when once well established. This occurs either suddenly, by taking cold (from wet feet mostly), overheating, violent mental emotions, faults of diet, etc., and often produces violent congestions to the chest, head, or stomach, with cramps, convulsions, inflammations, etc., there is no disease which could not appear in consequence of it; or the menses have gradually disappeared, without 138 DISEASES OP FEMALES. creating any immediate symptoms in the female economy, giving rise to suspicion of pregnancy. If the suppression of the menses has been caused by the presence of other diseases in the system, such as rheumatism, etc., as above referred to, the cure of these disorders has to be effected by an appropriate treatment, before the return of the menses can be expected. If, however, the suppression is a sudden one in consequence of other morbific causes, producing violent symptoms, select from among the following remedies the most homceopathic, and administer either in solution (twelve glob.) in half teacupful of water, every hour or two hours a teaspoonful, or in the dry state (four glob.) in the same intervals until better, or until another remedy is indicated. Treatment. — Beside the remedies recommended in " Ob- structions of the First Menses," which will be of the greatest benefit here, and of which PulsatUla is the principal, we recommend AconUe. In alternation with Bryonia, every hour or two hours a dose (four glob.), in a sudden check of the menses, producing congestions to the head and chest, or Cocculus, in alternation with Veratrum, in the same manner, if severe cramps in the abdomen are present. Opium. If all the blood seems to have rushed to the head, producing heaviness there, with a dark redness of the face, and drowsiness, alternately with Apis. mel. Cuprum. In spasms of the chest, and in alternation with Veratrum, if, also, the abdomen suffers; or with Opium, if the head is congested, and with Apis, mel., if faint at the stomach. If the menses have been checked by mental agitation or depression, take those remedies recommended for fright, fear, etc., in "Affections of the Mind." See this article. Administration the same as in Aconite, above. Application of Water.—See " Chlorosis." menstruation too early. -t.'i'J Painful Menstruation. Menstrual colic. (Dysmenorrhea.) The causes of these tormenting distresses of females are generally laid in the early part of womanhood, and owing chiefly to improper treatment of other diseases, suppression of eruptions or habitual discharges, rheumatic disorders, colds, etc. The pains either appear before or during the flow of the menses, sometimes resembling real labor pains, with bearing down and forcing ; at other times as a constant aching in the loins, hips, and limbs. They generally diminish in violence as soon as the regular flow has commenced, but not always. Treatment. — If possible, lie down, cover well, and take Coffea, Pulsatilla, and Veratrum, in alternation, every half hour a dose (four glob.) unt'd better. If this does not suffice take Nux vom., if the forcing pains predominate ; Cocculus, if colic pains in the abdomen appear, with shortness of breath ; ChamomUe, if with discharge of dark-colored blood, there are pains, like labor-pains, together with colic pains and tender- ness of the abdomen, in alternation with Apis mel. If a profuse perspiration sets in while in bed, do not leave it soon after the pains cease, nor cool off too quickly, else the pains return. Avoid the use of heating substances, either externally, or internally, save a warm brick on the feet or stomach. Administration.—As above under Coffea, etc. Diet.—No coffee for the first two days. Menstruation too Early. If the menses appear too early, say every two or three weeks, the disorders causing it are too complicated frequently to be prescribed for in a domestic treatise ; apply to a physi- cian ; yet the cure may be commenced with the following remedies : Ipecac. Almost a specific in all passive hemorrhages where feebleness, dullness, nausea, and coagulated discharges prevail. 140 DISEASES OF FEMALES. Ignatia. Where the menses return every two weeks, spirits are depressed ; in alternation with Ipecac, if its symp- toms are also present. Belladonna. Heat and pains in the head, with cold feet and dryness of the throat; bearing down in the abdomen. Calcarea carb. is almost a specific in this disease, where with the menses a diarrhea or frequent discharges from the bowels appear, with pains in the bowels; suitable after Belladonna. Sulphur. If the menstruation is too early and too pro- fuse. Natrum muriaticum. If Calcarea carb. is insufficient. Administration.—Just before, or in the beginning of the menses, one or two doses of the selected medicine every three hours one dose (six glob.); after the menses are over, take one more dose and then wait until the next appearance of the menses, and observe whether they are more regular, as regards time. Menstruation too Late and too Scanty. Pulsatilla is the principal remedy, when the above difficulty exists, and also when the menses appear irregular, some- times too late and too profuse (as this is the case particularly at the critical period—change of life), sometimes too early and too scanty. In the former, Lachesis alternates well with PulsatUla. In most all cases, Sulphur is necessary, to complete the cure. Compare, also, "Suppression of the Menses," "Obstruc- tion of the First Menses." Administration, Diet, and Regimen, the same as stated there. Menstruation too Copious. Flooding. (Menorrhagia.) In cases of this kind, causes mental and physical may operate, to enumerate all of which here, would be impossible MENSTRUATION TOO COPIOUS--FLOODING. 44] We content ourselves in directing the reader to the various sources, where he can find their remedies. If mental causes, such as fright, fear, etc., exist, give the remedies stated under " Affections of the Mind," for the several exciting causes. If external injuries, see this chapter. In cases of this kind Arnica is the first remedy, after which others may be selected. In general, however, Ipecac, is the principal remedy (see " Menstruation too Early"), followed by China, if there is great weakness, buzzing in the ears, faintness when raising the head off the pillow ; Belladonna, if there is downward pressure ; Pulsatilla and Lachesis, if it occurs during change of life; also, in such a case, or in aged women, Ipecac and Secale. Chamomile. If dark, clotted blood is discharged, accompa- nied by colic-like labor-pains, violent thirst, coldness of the extremities, headache with clouded sight, and humming in the ears. Coffea and Camphor, in alternation, when there is, beside the above symptoms, exceedingly painful colic. Platina. After Belladonna or Chamomile, when the dis- charge is too profuse, or of- too long duration, of black and thick blood, with great nervousness, sleeplessness, and con- stipation. Secale. Particularly with great weakness and coldness of extremities. If real flooding ensues, resisting the above medicines, the application of cold water, or pounded ice, over the lower part of the abdomen, externally, is necessary to coagulate the blood in the vagina and uterus, which stops the hemorrhage. There can be no fear of getting cold in doing this, if it is done well ; always keep the patient lightly, but w&ll covered. In such a case, the patient must lie with the hips higher, at least not lower than the shoulder. This treatment will be effectual in the seve-est caser, of floodinj?. 442 DISEASES OF FEMALES. Administration.—Dissolve, six globules of a remedy in six teaspoonfuls of water, and give every fifteen, twenty, or forty minutes a teaspoonful, sometimes in alternation with another, and lengthen the intervals as the patient gets better, when no medicine is needed any more. Diet and Regimen.—The drink must be cold and not stimulating ; except when faintness appears, with deadly pale- ness of the face, no pulse, and cloudiness of sight, give wine and brandy, in frequent, small quantities. Camphor and China, in such cases, are of the greatest benefit. The pa- tient ought to lie perfectly quiet. Menstruation of too long Duration. Compare " Menstruation too Copious," and give of the selected medicine every evening and morning a dose (six glob.) until better. (See, also, next article, on " Change of Life, or Critical Period.") Diet in such cases must be highly nutritious. It is best to consult a physician early. CrUical Period. Cessation of the Menses. ( Change of Life.) This period, commencing about at the age of forty-five years, forms one of the most important in the life of a female. If not guided through this critical time by the counsel and aid of a skillful physician, she gathers the seeds of endless miseries, or even early death. This period may be a blessing to her, as well as a source of great distress ; as after it her health either becomes more confirmed, or disorganizations in internal organs are formed, which soon carry her off. With- out enlarging further on the subject, we recommend the early and constant advice of a skillful physician during this time, which generally lasts from one and a half to two years. First, an irregularity of the courses is experienced; they stop for three months, then reappear with great violence, then stop for four or six months, during which time the woman PROLAPSUS UTERI--FALLING OF THE WOMB. 443 shows more or less symptoms of '.ohgestions ; piles appear ; the limbs swell ; pruritus (violent itching of the private parts) frequently sets in, also cramps and colics in the abdomen ; asthma and palpitation of the heart; sick-headache ; hys- terics ; apoplexy, etc. These maladies are so various, and continually changing and complicated, that they require the constant watchful care of a family physician. Do not neglecl them. Treatment.—We can here only give general rules: eat and drink moderately ; sleep in airy, well-ventilated rooms ; avoid violent emotions or exercise, but contrive to be busy mentally and bodily ; shun exposure to inclement weather, wet feet, etc. (See "Hygiene.") Pulsatilla and Lachesis are, in this period, the principal remedial agents, of which take every six days one dose (six glob.) alternately, unless other remedies are necessary. If diseases otherwise occur, see their respective chapters. Prolapsus Uteri. (Falling of the Womb). From the position the womb naturally occupies, hanging suspended on four ligaments in the middle of the pelvic cavity, the reader can easily infer that it can change its position in all directions; one of the most frequent consists in a sinking down, to a less or greater extent, into the lower part of the pelvic cavity, sometimes so far down as to protrude externally. An event of this kind must produce considerable derangement in the female organism. The most prominent symptoms of this disorder are fully described by Dr. Dewees, as follows: " The symptoms, characterizing this complaint will be modi- fied by the greater or less descent of the uterus in the vagina; they will be intense in proportion to the extent of the displace- ment; but in all there will be a sense of something sinking iu the vagina, as if the perineum were sustaining an unusual weight; with a dragging sensation about the hips and loins; a desire to make water, sometimes without the ability to do so; 441 diseases of females. or if it do pass, it is reluctantly, and oftentimes painfully hot — i sense of faintness, and occasionally a number of nervous or hysterical feelings and alarms, which almost overwhelm the patient. A pressure and feeling about the rectum, resembling a slight tenesmus, sometimes importunely demand the patient's attention, which, if she obey, almost always end in unavailing efforts. The pain in the back is sometimes extremely distress- ing while the patient is on her feet, and gives to her walk the appearance of weakness in her lower extremities. A benumb- ing sensation shoots down the thighs, especially when the woman first rises upon her feet; or when she changes this position for a horizontal one. In some few instances, the woman is obliged to throw her body very much in advance; or is obliged to support herself by placing her hands upon her thighs when she attempts to walk. But all these unpleasant symptoms subside almost immediately if she indulge in a recumbent posture, and this circumstance pretty strongly des- ignates the disease." However well marked the above symptoms are, particularly the one last mentioned, they are not sufficiently so to prevent mistakes from being made in its diagnosis. An examination of the parts involved should never be omitted, as without it we never can be positive in pronouncing the disease prolapsus uteri. Dr. Dewees relates a case of this kind: " I was con- sulted by a lady, who had long suffered almost every symptom recorded above; I pronounced her disease to be a prolapsus of the uterus; and without an examination per vaginam, had a pessary made for its support; but, to my sad mortification, when I was about to apply it, a careful examination proved that no such condition existed, and that all the unpleasant symptoms had arisen from a thickening of the neck of the bladder." But not all practitioners avow frankly, like Dr. Dewees, their errors in this respect; after once having pronounced a similar complaint to be falling of the womb, they rather per- sist in their opinion, even after having ascertained by actual PROLAPSUS UTERI.--FALLING OF THE WOMB. 445 examination that no prolapsus exists. In this manner falling of the womb has been multiplied in such a degree, that it may be counted now among the fashionable diseases, which any lady of standing or delicate feeling ought to have, at least a touch of it. While patients complain of symptoms, similar to prolapsus, some physicians hastily and without examination pronounce them to indicate this latter disease, thereby forcing their remedial action into a direction, often detrimental to the welfare of their patients. We have seen women tormented for years under a treatment against prolapsus uteri by several physicians, who, one after another, had readily yielded to the incorrect diagnosis of the preceding one. All that time these patients had not the slightest real symptoms of prolapsus or dislocation; they were afflicted with neuralgia, congestion, induration of the womb, etc., diseases which soon were removed by a rational (homoeopathic) internal treatment.0 Rheumatism of the uterus is a frequent cause of feelings resembling falling of the womb, and a practitioner should be very cautious in pronouncing the existence of a disease so dissimilar in its treatment from the former. Although a great many physicians yet adhere to the use of pessaries and abdominal supporters in the cure of prolapsus uteri, we must confess that we have never seen such good result as would induce us to persist in their use. Since we have become acquainted with the specific power of homcepathic medicines and the tonic virtues of cold water in the form of a * While writi-i1? th3 above, we see in an article on uterine displace- ments by Dr. Ramsay, in the Boston Medical Journal, similar com- plaints made as to the fictitious prevalence of prolapsus uteri; which, according to the statement of that gentleman, is far greater in the South than in other parts of the country. We can testify in some degree to the truth of this fact ourselves. Residing in Cincinnati, we had for a number of years frequent occasion to attend ladies from the South, the complaints of many of whom resembled greatly the symp- toms attending prolapsus uteri. According to their statement they were suffering from prolapsus, having been told so repeatedly by their physicians; yet, upon examination, not the slightest trace of such a disease could be detected. We are glad to see that this professional nrror attracts the attention of those who best can correct it. Hear 446 DISEASES OP FEMALES. sitz-bath and wet bandage, we have discarded the use of pes- saries and other supporters, almost entirely. In the commencement of a cure for this disease, the patient should remain in a lying posture for a length of time, also otherwise refrain from active exercise as much as possible. The wet bandage, twice a day renewed, and frequent sitting- baths of short duration, will be of great benefit. We found the following remedies the most beneficial in this disease. Belladonna and Sepia, alternately, every other morning a dose (six glob), until better, at least for one week; during the next week the patient discontinues the medicine, but repeats the above prescription during the week following. These medicines are succeeded, if necessary, after six weeks, by Calcarea carb., to be taken in the same manner. Sometimes, during the above treatment, a dose of Nux vom., Platina, Opium, Cocculus and Ignatia may be found necessary, if the patient exhibits a good deal of nervousness with consti- pation. All stimulating diet is strictly prohibited; no coffee, no tea can be allowed; but good nourishing food is beneficial. Other displacements of the womb may occur in various directions. The retroversion of the uterus, or that state wherein the womb is turned over backward, occurs perhaps the most fre- quently, and produces many disturbances in the alvine and urinary discharges by actual pressure on the rectum and Dr. Ramsay; " This prolapsus question has been a hobby for many a pretender to secure fame, and scores of women South have been injected per vaginam with sulph. zinc, nit. arg. et id omne genus, to their serious detriment, for the mal-position of an organ from which they never suffered. Any man, with a thimbleful of brains, who will put himself- to the trouble to examine the anatomical situation of the womb, will see at a glance, that the organ, in its normal and physio- logical condition, is not easily prolapsed, at least not with the facility once supposed. We admit real prolapsus is too common; but at the same time we protest against referring every little uneasy sensation in the hypogastric region to uterine descension. It is high time we were awakening from this unprofitable and unmeaning slumber, with regard to female affections, etc. God speed the time for the benefit of our wives and daughters." LEUCORRHEA. FLUOR ALBUS. 447 bladder, frequent hemorrhages from the womb, fluor albus and menstrual irregularities. The anteversion of the uterus presents a deviation in a direction opposite to the former, the fundus uteri inclining toward, or even resting on the bladder, the neck and mouth of the womb toward the rectum. A distress similar to the former is the consequence. Leucorrhea. Fluor Albus. (Whites.) This troublesome and weakening complaint consists in a discharge of mucus, variously colored, and of different con- sistency, from the private parts. It occurs, generally, be- tween the age of puberty and the critical period, and is seldom seen later than this, except when discharges of this kind are excited in consequence of the disorganization of the womb. If it manifests itself in children, or even in infants, it is either on account of want of cleanliness of these parts, or local irritations, such as are produced by pin-worms (ascari- des), etc. Weakly females, of a nervous, relaxed, or excited tempera- ment, are more prone to it; and the more our present state of society becomes over-civilized, with its legion of pleasures, inactivity of body, idle and late hours, bad literature, and immoderate use of tea, coffee, and spices of all kinds (we mention here, only as an instance, the increased use of van- illa), the more easily will this disease be engendered. It would carry us too far, to go into the practical detail of a disease which requires the most skillful attention of a medi- cal attendant; and we earnestly recommend an application to him in an early stage of the disease. Beside this we recommend cold water, in all its various ap- plications, as the best means to restore the tone and strength of the weakened parts of the system. The principal medicines to be taken domestically, are : 4:46 DISEASES OF FEMALES. Pulsatilla. Discharge thick, like cream, sometimes creat- ing an itching around the affected parts. Cocculus. Discharge of a reddish hue before and after menstruation, with colic and flatulency. Sepia. After Pulsatilla; parts become excoriated; dis- charge yellowish, greenish, fetid. Calcarea carb. Whitish, corrosive discharge in chUdreji; in adults it is milky before menstruation or after lifting; particu larly in fat, corpulent females. Sulphur. If none of the above remedies should prove sufficient. Administration.—Four doses of a remedy selected, every evening one dose (six glob.); then abstain from taking medi- cine for four days, and if not better at the end of that time, select another remedy, and take it in the same manner. Application of Water ; frequent tepid sitting-baths of short duration (from six to ten minutes), are very beneficial in the treatment of this disease ; toward the end of the cure the wet bandage may be applied, to strengthen the parts affected. At that time injections of cold water in the vagina are also recommended. Diet and Regimen.—Diet must be nourishing, but not flatulent (see "Dietetic Rules"). Avoid the causes which excite this complaint; particularly colds and excitements of any kind. Deviation of Menses. Deviation of menses is a term signifying the appearance of a monthly discharge of blood from other places of the system, such as the lungs, bowels, nose, stomach, etc., which has the effect, that while it lasts, the real menstruation can not appear. This aberration, as it may properly be called, of a discharge so vitally connected with the sexual functions, has been observed to have taken place from all organs and parts of the system, bowels, stomach, rectum, fauces, nose, gums, urinary organs, PREGNANCY. 449 respiratory organs, eyei, ears, ulcers and wounds, wherever they were; the prmcipaf places, however, are the nose, stomach, and the end of the rectum. As regards the causes of this singular phenomenon, a great; diversity of opinion exists, as yet, among the authors; we have mentioned its occurrence here, to enable the reader to recognize its appearance, and to administer such medicines in its beginning, as are advisable. Should the disease resist those remedies, the advice of a skill- ful physician must be sought at once. If the discharge appears monthly through the eyes, Chamom., Nux vom., Carb. veg. and Bella, will prove beneficial; if through the nose or ears, Bryonia, Mercury, Rhus and Silicea; if through the lips and gums, Bryonia, Mercury and Phosphorus; if through the fauces and lungs, Phosphorus, Bryonia; if through the stomach by vomiting, Bryonia, Carb. veg., Vera- trum; if through the bowels and rectum, Nux vom., Arsenic, Sulphur. The latter remedy will be the most important in every case at the end of the cure to prevent a relapse. Pregnancy. As a state of purely physiological development pregnancy does not, of itself, imply disease as a necessary consequence during its duration. Yet the many ailments which accompany it at the present day, being the legitimate result of the com- plicated, unnatural conditions and habits of society, create and sustain the idea which people generally entertain, that a pregnant woman can never be free from one or the other dis- ease. It is our duty, therefore, to give the reader, if not an extended treatise, at least a synopsis of those ailments com- monly experienced during gestation, together with their treat- ment. Signs op Pregnancy. There are but very few general symptoms constant enough to be reliable in all cases, which indicate conception and preg- nancy in its earliest stage. We will name them here, however, 38 450 DISEASES OP FEMALES. in order to enable the reader to form a judgment of them, if they should occur. She feels a singular emotion of painful pleasure, and a shuddering, proceeding from the spine; a pain in the region of the navel, sometimes a sensation of motion in the abdomen, and a tickling in the region of the hips; she feels fatigued and sleepy ; this state is followed by a sense of fullness, warmth and heaviness in the abdomen. The first more certain sign of pregnancy, is the suppression of menstruation, which, if not caused by other morbid circum- stances, indicates that the internal surface of the uterus, from which the menstrual blood is secreted, is now engaged in other secretions, stimulated into existence by the presence of a fecun- dated ovum, which has been retained in the uterus, adhering, generally, within its upper portions. Sometimes menstruation may continue for several months ; in such cases the menstrual blood is secreted from the lower portions of the uterus, while in its upper, the changes take place necessary for the growth of the fetus? Another well attested sign is sickness at the stomach, with which a great many women are troubled in the beginning of pregnancy; it is uncertain, however, in as far as other conges- tive states of the uterus, such as suppression of the menses, etc., may produce it, without having the slightest reference to pregnancy. • If the above signs are present in consequence of true preg- nancy, other symptoms will soon develop themselves to verify it. These are enlargement of the breasts, brown circles around the nipples, appearance of milk in the breasts, and finally an enlargement of the hypogastric region. All these signs found together, form a plausible array of symptoms in favor of the existence of pregnancy, yet they are in themselves not sufficient to prove it positively, because they may be produced by other morbid agencies. Women, who have children, possess signs, which, individually, are mostly sure in indicating pregnancy. For instance, some always have tooth-ache, styes on the eye-lids, progress op pregnancy. 451 or black spots on the face, neck or hands, like freckles; others are taken at once, without a known cause, with salivation, which, in some instances, proceeds for a long time, unless mit- igated by the use of ale, champagne, or Scotch herring ; still others have strange desires or longings, modifications of the j appetite for unusual substances, such as chalk, etc. All these signs, belonging strictly to idiosyncrasies, are, therefore,, no absolute signs of pregnancy, but only accidental. The most sure sign of pregnancy which a woman can have, is the quickening, or the motion of the child. It generally ' takes place at four and a half months from the beginning of gestation, and serves, therefore, as a mark of reckoning, being the middle of the time allowed generally for the duration of pregnancy. In but very few cases, quickening occurs either sooner or later. When this takes place, it may be safely pre- sumed, in connection with the former signs, that a true preg- nancy exists, which has, at that time, already run half its course. _ Progress op Pregnancy. A fecundated ovule, if it shall grow, must adhere to the sides of the uterus; if it does, we may consider conception to have taken place in realiiy. Then the uterus is stimulated to secrete from its walls on all sides, a membrane, called the decidua, lining the whole internal cavity of the uterus, and ' forming the medium between fetus and mother, by which the former can come into communication with the blood circulation of the latter. Within this membrane a circulation is estab- lished, which unites the child with the mother, through the cord and the after-birth, the former adhering to the child, the latter to the uterus, in which it roots, like a tree in the ground, both containing veins and arteries for the flux and reflux of the blood. The blood of the child does not go over into the circu- lation of the mother, to become decarbonized, but is oxygenized by being exposed in the finest ramifications of the placenta to 452 DISEASES OP FEMALES. the oxygen carried thither by the arteries of the uterus. Thus the great purpose of oxygenizing the blood is carried on with- out the necessity of inflating the lungs with atmospheric air, which, of course, would be impossible in fetal existence. The fetus, or young being in the womb, from this time up, grows and develops itself with astonishing rapidity, in the thousands of intricate parts which constitute the human organ- ism. Though bound together by the vital force in one harmo- nious whole, the various parts of the different systems develop not all simultaneously, but gradually crystallize, as it were, into one whole body. This formative process consumes more than one-half of the uterine life of the new being. If no disturbing influences interfere, it will develop in a perfect man- ner ; but if morbid causes should operate on the fetus, its har- monious development may be intercepted, and its growth arrested at any period during gestation, in certain parts of the system, while others develop themselves naturally. This fact explains the origin of those organic imperfections and deform- ities which characterize the so-called monsters, whose singular appearance is sometimes attributed, by the ignorant, to myste- rious causes. To this class of arrested fetal development belong also most of those cases, where children are born with marks on their bodies, or limbs not developed or even entirely wanting. It is not as yet sufficiently settled, whether such a state of things can be produced through the influence of the mother on the child, some physiologists denying its possibility, as no nervous connection between the two is as yet found to exist. Whether or not fear, fright, etc., operating violently on the nervous system of the mother, can affect the child, we know at least, that misfortunes of this kind are best averted by avoiding those violent nervous emotions. Exercise. Bodily exercise, or even fatigue, is easier borne by a pregnant woman than mental excitement. While the former increases DRESS. 453 her physical health, and consequently that of the child, the latter disables the energies of her system, and must injuriously reflect on the child's development. It is the duty of the future mother to live and act during gestation in a manner that her offspring may be benefited thereby. Nothing must be omitted to realize this, the principal object of her life. She must expect, beforehand, to undergo all kinds of hardships and to make severe personal sacrifices ; the thought that it is for the benefit of her future offspring, will strengthen her to an indefinite degree of fortitude and courage. She must take daily exercise, sufficient and of an active nature. For instance, riding in a carriage does not belong to the active exercises; walking, particularly in the open air, is more active, and therefore better calculated to invigorate the system of a pregnant woman. The best, however, is that ex- j ercise which, accompanies the daily attendance to the various l duties of a household. In these the pregnant woman can find | employment sufficient for body and mind up to the very last hour of her confinement, and more suitable to invigorate her own and the child's health, than any other. She must not merely direct the affairs of the house ; such a course would not accomplish the ends in view. But she must be active and busy herself, if it is only in the lighter kinds of work, such as set- ting the table, sweeping and dusting the rooms, etc. If she does not feel well at such a time, particularly if she is threat- ened with abortion, she must not commence, or if she has, must cease at once, to exercise in the above manner. A perfectly healthy woman, however, should not neglect these exercises j under the mere pretext of being unbecoming or too fatiguing. j Dress. I Next to exercise, the most important consideration is dress, which ought to be as loose as possible, in order to allow the most ample liberty for enlargement. Corsets, or tight clothes J 454 diseases op females. generally, are very injurious, as every one will readily concede It must be understood, however, that she ought to dress suffi- ciently warm at all times, to feel comfortable. If she has been in the habit of washing and bathing in cold water, the state of pregnancy, even far advanced, does not prevent her from following this most important hygienic rule as long as it is convenient or shows its beneficial effects by re-acting on the system in a healthful glow. ♦ Periods of Pregnancy. Quickening is a term by which is generally expressed the first perception a woman has of the child's muscular action, and not as if life, at that time, first entered the child. It may vary as to time and power of expression; in some women it occurs earlier and stronger, because the child may be more active and strong; in others it is retarded and weak, because the child may be less lively and powerful or the quantity of the child's water greater. Upon the whole, however, it may be said that quickening occurs in the middle of pregnancy, or four and a half months from either the conception or the birth of the child. Yet, very many and great exceptions to this rule exist; in soim1 women it may never manifest itself, in others it may appear as early as two months and a half after conception, as one lady I knew myself used to experience. Syncope or faint- ing is not an unfrequent accompaniment of quickening, but soon ceases after the woman has become more habituated to the peculiar feelings of motion in her womb made by the child. About this time the womb has extended so much as to raise itself out of the pelvic cavity, thus acquiring more room for extension and the facility to rest on its brim. From this time up to the seventh month the growth of the child is very rapid and perceptible in the outward appearance of the future mother, the most prominent feature of which is the so called "pouting out of the navel" or its protrusion, which takes place between the sixth and seventh month. The navel, instead of forming DISEASES DURING PREGNANCY. 455 a hollow, is now pressed outwardly by the force of the gravid uterus which sometimes causes the navel to protrude. In the seventh month the child has acquired such a perfec- tion of development, in all its parts, that it is able to subsist outside the womb, if accident or disease should have hastened its birth. Any birth previous to the seventh month is, there- fore, called very properly an abortion, indicating, thereby, the impossibility of the birth of a living child, although some exceptions may even here take place; while a birth at the sev- enth and before the ninth month is designated as a premature birth, because the child can live, although prematurely born, and consequently of difficult raising. Preguancy has, in most cases, a duration of nine months, each of thirty days, although sometimes it lasts two hundred and eighty days, or ten months, each of twenty-eight days; cases have even occurred, within my knowledge, where ladies were not confined until the three hundredth day after concep- tion, which constitutes ten solar months, each of thirty days. Accordingly we see that a variation of thirty days is possible, or that a regular birth may occur between two hundred and seventy and three hundred days of pregnancy. We will now consider the most common aliments during pregnancy. Diseases during Pregnancy. Pregnant females, even if ever so healthy otherwise, are liable to diseases to which pregnancy, as such, predisposes. These we will treat of in particular; while, for other ailments, we refer the reader to their respective headings, giving here only the most suitable medicines: For moral affections (see "Affections of the Mind"): Aco- nite, Pulsatilla, Belladonna, Platina, Lachesis, Stramonium, Veratrum. Convulsions and spasms: Belladonna, Hyoscyamus, Ignatia, Chamomile, Platina. 456 DISEASES OP FEMALES. Melancholy (low spirits): Aconite, Pulsatilla, Ignatia, Bel- ladonna. In all the above diseases, compare their respective chapters Morning Sickness—Nausea, etc. This distressing complaint is present during pregnancy in some females; in others it is wanting. It begins usually about six weeks after conception, and lasts up to the fourth, fifth, even seventh month, more or less violently. It is of a constitutional origin, and can not be taken away easily, as the exciting cause still exists. The same may be said about the spitting of frothy saliva, with which some women are troubled. As the nausea generally is greatest when the patient rises in the morning, the disease has received the name " morning sidcness." Its cause is as yet enveloped in the general mys- tery which hangs over the secret proceedings of gestation, and its sympathy with other functions. An increased uterine sen- sibility, reflecting on the ganglion nervous system, seems to be the excitor of a great many of these sufferings during preg- nancy, and a proper, harder mode of life the best calculated to prevent them. However, this hard, active life, in which manual labor forms the principal occupation, must not be commenced during pregnancy, but prior to it, in order to pre- pare the system for making the change within beforehand. This disease commonly ceases at the third or fourth month, very seldom continuing through the whole term. The nausea is frequently succeeded by the vomiting of a frothy mucus, sometimes even of bile, after it has continued, for some time quite violently. Various means have been tried to subdue this affection, but what in one case is successful, often fails in another. Gener- ally we have found that riding in a carriage, even over a rough road, produces more comfort to the patient than anything else; fresh air and a voyage certainly have relieved some of the most distressing and obstinate cases. NAUSEA AND VOMITING DURING PREGNANCY. 457 Exercise in the open air, cheerful society, strengthening food, and refreshing drinks, such as ale. lemonade, or salt fish, sardines, smoked herring, are frequently means to alle- viate the sufferings. The following medicines, also, often have a good effect. We consider tabacum to be the principal remedy, particu- larly if, with nausea, there is fainting and a deadly p.dene.-s of the face, relieved by being in the open air: the patient loses flesh very fast; vomiting of water or acid liquid and mucus. Sepia, if the nausea has lasted a great while, and appears mostly in the morning; in the evening there is a painful feel- ing of emptiness in the stomach, with burning and stinging in the pit. Va-atrum, very suitable after tabacum, or with it in alter- nation, particularly when the nausea is combined with great thirst; yet the patient vomits, after drinking ever so little, and has sour eructations, with great debility. If the latter symptom is present, arscnicum may be very beneficially admin- istered alternately with veratrum. Cuprum, if cramps in the stomach or chest appear during the paroxysm of vomiting, in alternation with ipecac, if there is a tendency to diarrhea at the same time. Camphor, in small doses, will frequently relieve, when a cold perspiration covers the skin, with hot head and cold extremities. Secale after veratrum or cuprum, if pains in the uterus manifest themselves, similar to false labor pains threatening abortus. Ipecac If bile is thrown up, coated tongue, loss of appetite. Nux vomica. If with sickness at the stomach there is headache, constipation, pressure in the stomach. Arsenic. Vomiting after eating and drinking; great weak- ness. Pulsatilla. Sour vomiting; white, coated tongue. 39 4o8 DISEASES OF FEMALES. Petroleum. (See "Sea-sickness.") Natrum Muriaticum. Nausea and vomiting with loss of appetite and taste: water-brash, acid stomach and painfulness of the pit of the stomach. Application of Water.—See "Sea-sickness" page '208 Administration.—Give of the selected remedy three or four doses (four glob, each) a day, for two or three days in succession before the application of another remedy. pruritus. (Itching.) Itching of the Private Parts.—This is perhaps the most distressing and troublesome disease to which females are sub- ject ; it takes away rest and sleep, thus producing sometimes the most extreme debility. We are as yet unable to determine the precise cause of this disease; in most cases, however, it must be the secretion of some acrid fluid, which is discharged on these parts at intervals, when the itching takes place. Want of cleanliness may aggravate the attack, but scarcely ever can be its sole cause. Pruritus more frequently attacks pregnant women, but is not confined to them alone. At first its appearance may produce in the mind of the sufferer a sus- picion of being affected with some secret disorder, thus adding mental sufferings to the intolerable physical ones, particularly if the disease appears in the form of aphthous eruption, like the thrush of infants. In such cases a strong solution of borax in water, applied three or four times a day, if necessary by a syringe, will remove the itching in a short time. Another very excellent remedy is the injection of amnwniated water into the vagina; it is best applied alternately with that of the borax solution. The constant application of cold water is necessary in a few cases where the itching is more in external parts; it affords sometimes the only means to procure rest and sleep for the patient. VARICOSE VEINS. 459 We should never omit to institute an internal treatment; the following remedies, to be given in their order, will be of great benefit; each remedy should be used for three days, twice a day a dose (six glob.), until better. Of internal remedies I have found Conium the most effica- cious; it almost acts like a specific, curing nine out of ten cases. Give this remedy first a good trial, even before using the external remedies. But if it should not cure in eight days, give the following remedies as above designated. Apismellific, Arsenicum, Rhus, Bryonia, Pulsat., Mercury, Sarsaparilla, Sulphur, Sepia, Silicea^ Graphites, Carb. veg. Before leaving this subject, we will draw the attention of the reader to a precautionary rule in the external treatment of this disease. If a patient, afflicted with pruritus, has schir- rous tumors in the breast, the external application of the borax for the pruritus should be preceded by the internal use of the remedies above mentioned; in a similar case coming under our notice, the schirrus began to degenerate into an open cancer as soon as the pruritus had been hastily removed by the ex- ternal use of borax alone; the lady in question died soon after. Varicose Veins. A complaint which consists in an extension of the veins on the lower extremities, owing to the pressure of the pregnant uterus on the large veins of the abdomen, impeding the speedy return of the venous blood upward, creating, thereby, stagnation. If they are not painful and large, frequent washing in cold water is sufficient, as they speedily disappear after the birth of the child. But when they are very large and painful, the patient should lie down for a few days, and apply beside, if necessary, a bandage or laced stocking, to compress the extended veins. This bandage should be applied in the morning, when the least swelling is present. The following remedies can be taken with benefit, every three days one dose (six glob.), changing the medicines every 460 diseases op females. week, until better: Arnica, Nux vomica, Pulsatilla, Arsenicum, Lycopodium, Carbo. veg., Lachesis. Spots on the Face during Pregnancy. Yellowish or brownish spots on the face, which often appear in pregnant females, require the use of Sepia, every eight days one dose (six glob.), for five or six weeks or until better; if not, Sulphur in the same manner. Plethora—Congestion—Fever. These are forms of diseases to which pregnant women are mor inclined than others, because in that state the blood has naturally a higher degree of plasticity or formative energy, which explains the fact that women otherwise weakly and badly nourished, frequently suffer in this direction; how much more must it be the case where women allow themselves to indulge in too nourishing and highly seasoned food or stimula- ting drinks. Plethora manifests itself by a full, hard and more frequent pulse, rush of blood to the head, vertigo, buzzing before the ears, numbness of the extremities, asthma, sleeplessness, etc. In such a state it would be dangerous to await her confinement; various diseases might result from this plethoric condition, of which we will mention only one—convulsions—sufficiently important to induce energetic action against plethora during gestation. Congestion and fever do not differ materially from the former in symptoms or their intensity; they appear upon the whole, however, more locally and are more transient. The principal treatment, particularly to prevent plethora, consists in a rigid and careful regimen as to diet, exercise and habit. This, in most cases, will be sufficient to prevent its appearance, and obviate all further medication. For this purpose the patient must avoid all mental and corporeal excite- ment; eat little but often, more vegetables than meat; drink hemorrhages. 461 nothing but water or lemonades, if she is not inclined to diarrhea; dress not too warm and exercise freely in the open air, avoiding, however, fatigue. If notwithstanding these dietetic rules, symptoms of plethora develop themselves, the patient should take, from time to time, Aconite and Belladonna alternately, every six, twelve or twenty-four hours a dose (six glob.), which, better than bleed- ing, will counteract the above named plastic quality of the blood, the real cause of plethora. It is not a surplus of blood which forms the characteristic of plethora; such a thing can not exist in the vessels limited to a certain quantity; this surplus, if it existed, would sooner burst the vessels in the nose and lungs than be confined in too small a room. The above idea has only obtained on account of the means which were used to counteract the evil. Bleeding was heretofore considered the only remedy for plethora, and as it certainly gives momentary relief, the physicians judged the disease by the remedy, or rather by the action which the remedy produced. Subsequent investigations have shown that the benefit of a venesection does not consist so much in the lesser quantity of blood remaining after it in the system, but in the nervous influence, and its reflection on the quality of the remaining blood. Bleeding constitutes, therefore, a remedy for this form of disease, although its application is limited to but few in- stances, particularly where plethora threatens to give rise to that formidable disease cabled puerperal convulsions, one form of which is frequently occasioned by a state resembling plethora, where an early venesection will be beneficial, if the head is very much congested at the time. Hemorrhages. In the article on menstruation, we treated of the hemorrha- ges from the womb, which if they occur during pregnancy, require a similar treatment, except in cases where symptoms of a miscarriage appear; for these the reader will find the 462 diseases op females. necessary advice in the article on that subject. Here we in- -tend to speak about the hemorrhages from other parts of the system, from the nose,, the lungs and the stomach. They are frequently caused by a congestive tendency and have a critical import as to their cause. If they are not too severe at the time, the local congestion generally is diminished by them, and the patients feel relieved afterward. But if they are too . profuse and repeat too often, it is necessary to interfere. .." Aconite should be used first, particularly if a feverish state Preceded the hemorrhage; if it does not speedily relieve, alter- nate it with Bryonia, in solution, every half hour a teaspoonful. If there is however, not much fever, but more coldness, or if the blooding has already continued for some time, give Ipecac. and China in alternation, also in solution, in the same manner until better. In slight cases the above prescription will be suitable for hemorrhage from the nose, stomach and lungs; in severe cases of bleeding from the lungs, the alternate use of Opium and Ipecac, or China will be necessary; in that of the stomach, China and Veratrum or Arsenic, and the application of cold water or ice on the root of the nose if the bleeding from this part does not yield speedily. In regard to the vomiting of blood, we would yet remark that it constitutes, frequently, a symptom of inflammation of the spleen, and if so, the treat- ment of this disease must be instituted before the vomiting can stop. Hemorrhoids—Piles. This disease of the rectum frequently occurs during the latter part of gestation, and occasions, beside great annoyance and distress, sometimes even symptoms of threatening miscar- riage. By carefully avoiding constipation, which may be considered one of the principal causes of this complaint, it can be mostly prevented or its attacks rendered mild and compara- tively short. We can also by medicines given internally, and SWELLING OF THE FEET AND LOWER LIMBS. 463 water, either warm or cold, applied externally, mitigate the severe pains and swellings, though we may not be able to cure this disease while gestation continues, which being its cause, will constantly re-produce it. Xux vomica and Sulphur in alternation, every evening a dose (six glob.), are the principal-remedies against it. If these should not relieve within a few days, recourse may be had to Ignatia, if the pains, like violent stitches, shoot upward, and much blood is discharged, or the rectum protrudes at each evacuation; it also quiets the nervous system, if irritated by the ineffectual straining to evacuate, so often experienced after a discharge in persons troubled with piles. If constipation is present in a high degree, alternate Ignatia with Opium, every two or three hours a dose (six glob.), until better. If these remedies do not relieve, give the following. Sepia^ Bellad., Hepar, Lachesis, Arsenicum, Carb. veg. in their order, in intervals of a day; of each remedy two doses (six glob, each), until better. Externally the application of cold water in sitz-baths, compresses or injections, is of the greatest benefit when the tumors do not bleed, but are very much en- larged and painful; while the warm water or steam is prefer- able when the tumors bleed or have ceased to bleed, yet con- tinue to be very painful. Almost entire abstinence from food, except bread and water for a few days, shall, according to some others, be an excellent dietetic in piles. Meat diet is to be avoided as much as possible. The removal of the tumors by the knife is a painful, and during pregnancy, highly dan- gerous operation, as thereby abortion may be excited. We, therefore, warn the reader never to have an operation of this I kind performed during pregnancy. Swelling op the Feet and Lower Limbs. The same cause, which during gestation, produces varicose veins and piles, can also produce a swelling of the feet, the 464 diseases of females. limbs and even of the whole body, as in some extraordinary cases it has been witnessed. By the pressure of the extended womb on the larger lymphatics, a stagnation ensues, which prevents the absorption of the lymphatic fluid, and causes it to accumulate within the areolar tissue. In the evening the lower limbs are generally swollen more, as the water sinks by its own gravity; in the morning the face and eye-lids show more of the watery infiltration. As long as no fever, at least no full, hard pulse attends a circumstance of this kind, it is of no great significance, save the annoyance and trouble to the patient. It disappears quickly after delivery, sometimes in a few hours; neither does it interfere to such a degree during delivery, as might be believed from the extent of the swelling. An immense absorption must take place, even during parturi- tion, because in one case, which came under our own observa- tion, no hindrance to a successful termination of the birth was experienced, although prior to its commencement, it seemed almost impossible that it could take place at all, in such a degree were the external parts swollen, almost closed. In that case, the absorption took place during the labor, as soon as by change of position, the child exerted no more pres- sure on the lymphatics. But if the pulse is hard and full, measures must be taken to relieve the patient. She must take exercise, keep the bowels open by means of cold water injections, and the internal use of Bryonia and Opium, every two hours a dose (six glob.), until relieved; if the fever rises still higher, take Aconite and Bryonia in the same manner. TOOTH-ACHE. This is a frequent complaint during pregnancy; it requires the same attendance as when it occurs at other times, with this exception, that the extraction of carious teeth should not be permitted, as the shock occasioned thereby might bring on an abortion. Chamomile, Belladonna, Mercury, Sulphur. SALIVATION—DERANGEMENT OF APPETITE. 465 every hour a dose (four glob.), until better, generally relieves the severest pains, and makes extraction quite unnecessary. Salivation. We had occasion, in the first part of this book, to mention salivation as one of the signs of pregnancy, at least in some women. Sometimes it continues during the greater part of gestation, and becomes one of the most troublesome and weaken- ing ailments, particularly if it is combined with nausea and vomiting, when the derangement it creates, in the health of the woman, becomes truly alarming. While the future mother thus sometimes is brought to the verge of the grave, her ex- pected offspring does not suffer in like manner, on the contrary, in most cases, appears to have done the better for it. This, by way of consolation to the sick woman, for whose comfort we can not do much. Yet some of our medicines, even in this constitutional disorder, mitigate frequently to a great extent, the severity of the salivation. Mercury is one of the principal remedies, if salivation was not caused by the abuse of mercurial preparation; also Lobelia, Lachesis, Iodine, Hepar, Pulsatilla, Sulphur, Nitric acid. Take each of the foregoing remedies on four consecutive evenings one (four glob, at a dose), discon- tinue a few evenings, to await its result, and if not better, take the next remedy in the same manner. Derangement op Appetite. This may manifest itself in various ways. Sometimes a complete disgust for every kind of food occurs, while in other cases, the appetite is so excessive as to become really a symp- tom of a diseased state of the stomach; again, in some cases it becomes capricious, desiring the strangest and most unusual articles for food, such as chalk, charcoal, etc. As it is almost impossible to correct this abnormal condition by the application of medicine, we must recommend to those suffering under it 466 DISEASES OP FEMALES. to consult, their own feelings as long as it is prudent and reasonable. Any excess must be detrimental. To remain without food for too long a time, merely because we have an aversion against it, would finally lead to an incura- ble state of exhaustion. One article, ice-cream, a patient of this kind certainly can bear, if nothing else will stay on the stomach; she can at least sustain life with it. In some cases I have seen that Scotch herring, ale, champaigne, or other spicy articles, did overcome the sickly repugnance of the stomach. Any thing is good which effects our purpose, and the patient must never tire to try, until she has found what will suit her case. Arsenicum, every other night a dose (four glob.), will frequently restore appetite. Those who indulge in the eating of strange and unusual articles, ought to be reminded that though a little to satisfy their craving might not do them any harm, a great quantity continued to be taken for a long time, will have a deleteri- ous effect. Dr. Dewees relates a fact of this kind, where a lady died from the effects of eating chalk in too large quantities. If the appetite becomes too excessive, the bad consequences for the system are not so trifling as persons might believe at first. The various symptoms of repletion, congestions to the head, lungs, and bowels, can take place; also head-ache, bleed- ing of the nose, lungs, etc., beside a disordered state of the digestive organs, not easily cured. In such cases, it is well to use food containing less nutriment in a greater bulk, such as rice, arrowroot, farina, etc., which is still very digestible. A little moral effort to restrain the excess of the appetite, is also very desirable, and ought to be practiced by reducing the quantity, not by abstaining from food entirely for some time. Calcarea carb., every three or four nights a dose (four glob.), will frequently curb the appetite within its proper limits. The tepid full bath every other evening before retiring to bed, has a similar effect. DIARRHEA—CONSTIPATION. 467 Diarrhea. • This disease does not occur as often during pregnancy as constipation, but it is more injurious, because it weakens the system more, and needs, consequently immediate attention. There is one form of it which needs an especial description. Women of scrofulous constitution frequently are very consti- pated during the whole period of pregnancy, until a few weeks before confinement, when all at once a diarrhea commences, which lasts from eight to ten days. During labor, and a few days after, they seem to be entirely free from it, but very soon afterward are attacked again, at which time the discharges, assume a purulent character, disclosing at once the presence of a fearful disease, ulceration of the bowels. At the same time, the secretion of milk has not been diminished, on the contrary, is increasing in quantity, and its quality rendered richer, so that the child thrives well, while the mother runs down, and if not relieved, will soon waste away under hectic fever. The mouth becomes sore, very tender, easy to bleed; at that stage it is called "nursing sore mouth." This disease needs our closest attention. The strictest rest in a horizontal position, the mildest nourishment, such as farina, etc.; the exhibition of Nux vom. and Hepar., alternately in repeated doses (every three hours), generally relieves the patient in a few days, after which a few doses of Nitric acid will be suffi- cient to finish the cure. Other forms of diarrhea require remedies similar to those usually given, of which the reader will find the necessary in- formation in other parts of the Domestic Physician, under the head of diarrhea. We mention here only the names of some of the most prominent. Antimon. crud., Phosphorus, Pul- satilla, Mercury, Sepia. Constipation. A sluggish condition of the bowels is a frequent concomitant of pregnancy, caused by a combination of circumstances, occur- 468 diseases of females. ing at that period. A diet regulated especially to counteract it, the eating of cooked, or ripe sweet fruit of different kinds, such as prunes, apples, etc., and the drinking freely of cold water, beside active exercise in the open air, will be mostly instrumental to remove this difficulty. If these means should not succeed, recourse should be had to the following medicines for the use of which a more specific reference can be found in this Domestic Physician, in the article on constipation. One of the best means to overcome long-continued constipation, is the alternate use of Nux vom., Opium and Platina, every three or four hours a dose (six glob.), until an evacuation is effected; if it should be too tardy or insufficient, an injection of cold water will aid the effect of the medicine. Bryonia and Ignatia will frequently suffice to remove constipation, if the bowels feel painful, and Lycopodium or Sulphur, if it has continued for a long time. Dyspepsia, Heart-Burn, Acid Stomach. These complaints, though not confined to pregnancy, never- theless occur very frequently at that period, and particularly in those persons who were troubled with them previously. This fact is explained easily by the pressure which the en- larged uterus exerts on the stomach, especially in the latter months, thus interfering with digestion. Nux vom. and Pul- satilla are the principal remedies to regulate these disorders; the former, if they are attended with constipation, the latter, if with diarrhea. For an acid stomach, frequent but small quantities of lemonade, or a mixture of one drop of sulphuric acid in a tumbler of water, is highly recommended, and will, sooner and more lastingly, correct the acid in the stomach, than lime-water or magnesia, which at best only absorbs the acid present, not preventing thereby its new formation. Difficulty op Swallowing. This may occur in any female of a nervous disposition, and at any time, not constituting, therefore, an ailment peculiar to SPASMODIC PAINS—DYSURY, ETC. 469 this period; yet if it does appear during pregnancy, it becomes very annoying; though not dangerous, it sometimes requires our action. The principal remedies are Belladonna, Lachesis and Ignatia in alternation, every evening a dose (six glob.), until better. Spasmodic Pains and Cramps. In the Legs, Bach and Stomach. (Colic Pains.) Pains of this kind are generally of a neuralgic nature, and occur mostly during the first half of gestation, though cramps in the legs are witnessed during the whole term. Their treat- ment does not essentially vary from that followed when present at any other time. In using external auxiliaries, such as warming bottles, hot bricks, blisters, etc., we would warn the reader not to apply them too hot, on account of the peculiar state of the patient, and if possible to do without them alto- gether, or to substitute bandages dipped in warm water, or a warm hip bath. Rubbing affords great relief, when the calves of the leg are cramped, or the pain in the back is very severe. The following medicines should be used, one at a time, dissolveu in water, every half hour a teaspoonful, until better; if this is not the case within one or two hours, the next should be taken in the same manner. Cramps in the abdomen; Colocynth, Nux vom., Chamomile, Ignatia, Pulsatilla, Belladonna, Lachesis, Veratrum, Cuprum. In the legs; Veratrum, Secale, Cuprum, Chamomile, Sul- phur. In the hips: Colocynth, Rhus, Belladonna, China, Ferrum. In the feet: Calcarea carb., Sulphur, Graphites. In the back: lgnat., Rhus, Kali carb., Bryonia, Bel- ladonna, Nux vomica. Dysury, Strangury, Ischury. Scanty and painful urination are of frequent occurrence during pregnancy, caused not merely by rheumatic and gouty 4T0 diseases of females. disorders, external injuries, suppressed piles, etc., as is com- monly the case, but also by the pressure of the extended uterus upon the neck of the bladder, which makes urination difficult and painful. If this pressure continues too long or becomes excessive, the discharge of urine may be prevented thereby entirely, so that a complete ischury or anury takes place, which will require the application of an instrument called catheter. Before the evil, however, grows to that hight, the patient can try different positions, particularly in reclining, in order to relieve the neck of the bladder from the mechanical pressure of the womb. If cold or rheumatism was the cause of the strangury, the patient will feel great relief from drinking freely of cold water, or slimy drinks, such as slippery elm, gum Arabic, etc., which dilute the urine, rendering it less irritating to the bladder, and urethra. Beside, the following remedies should be taken in their order, every two or three hours a dose (six glob.), until better. For strangury: Nux vomica, Pulsatilla, Cocculus, Can- tharides. For ischury: Aconite, Belladonna, Cantharides, Hyoscy- amus, Opium, Lachesis. Incontinence op Urine. A partial or total inability to retain the urine, is one of the most annoying complaints during pregnancy. Short and frequent hip baths, and cold water bandages are of the greatest benefit; beside the following remedies should be used in their order, every other day a dose (six glob.), until better. Bel- ladonna, Causticum, Hyoscyamus, Conium, Arsenicum, Lache- sis. Also have reference to what is said under the same head- ing in another part of this book. Jaundice. (Icterus.) This disease, well known by the yellow color it imparts to all the white parts of the body, is not dangerous of itself, but pain in the right side. 471 becomes only so by neglect, when other serious disorders, hectic fever, dropsy, etc., may follow. In our diagnosis of jaundice we must not depend on the darker appearance of the skin alone; this assumes frequently a darkish, almost yellow color during pregnancy, without jaundice being present at all. The distinguishing features, which always indicate it, are con- stipation with whitish, almost colorless feces, urine of an orange color, and dry skin, with slight remitting or intermit- ting fever. We mention this disease here, because during pregnancy, particularly toward its close, it sometimes occurs, caused partly by mechanical pressure of the highly extended uterus upon the biliary ducts, partly by the sympathetic in- fluence, which gestation evidently shows even from its begin- ning on all the digestive organs, especially the liver. It is stated that jaundice more frequently occurs in winter than in summer, and oftener in blondes with a lymphatic; than in brunettes with a sanguine temperament. Its cure consists in re-establishing, by degrees, the healthy action of the skin by means of an even, warm temperature in a room, or still better in the bed; frequent tepid sitting-baths, wet bandages around the stomach, and the sweating in the wet sheet are powerful auxiliaries in the treatment of this disease ; constipation is relieved by cold injections. Beside, the following remedies should be given; three times a day a dose (four glob.) of the remedy selected, for a few days until better. Mercury and Hepar in alternation ; Lachesis and Sulphur alternately; and if caused by a fit of passion, Chamomile, and Xux vom. in alternation. But if these rem- edies fail, take Chelidonium, every three hours a dose, until better. Pain in the Right Side. This pain, caused by a fullness or congestion in the liver, sometimes makes its appearance from the fifth to the eighth month, and is also the result of pressure and sympathy occa- 472 DISEASES op females. sioned by the extended uterus on that organ It mostly manifests itself as a deep-seated pain or aching, slightly in- creased by taking a long breath, and generally worse by laying on the right side, showing that the convex or upper part of the liver, next to the diaphragm is the principal seat of the con- gestion. The patient also feels at certain times a marked sensation of heat, and of a dull, heavy weight in the part mostlv affected. To be bled for this affection is not alone not benefi- cial, but really injurious, and is entirely discarded even by the old practitioners. The wet, cold bandage, often renewed, gives more relief; beside a sufficiency of exercise, neither too much nor too little. The following medicines, however, will be beneficial to mitigate the suffering by dispelling the congestion. Aconite and Mercury in alternation, every three hours a dose (four glob), if the pain and heat are intense. Chamomile in the same manner, if the pains are of a dull, pressive character, with paroxysms of anguish. Pulsatilla, if the pains appear like spasms and toward evening. Chelidonium, if with difficulty of breathing, every hour six globules, until better. (See article " Hepatitis.") Asthma.—Congestion of the Lungs. Mechanical as well as sympathetic causes produce, parti- cularly in the latter months, congestions of the lungs, which affect the functions of the lungs and the heart. This occurs, however, more in such women as have formerly been troubled with similar complaints. Difficulty of breathing, asthma, palpitation of the heart, and sometimes a hacking cough with Bpitting of blood, are the immediate consequences of these con- gestions. A great deal of care is needed on the part of the patient as regards diet and mode of living; what she eats must be of easy digestion, not much at a time, nor of a heating nature; she must avoid exposure to cold and dampness; attend carefully VERTIGO--CONGESTION OP THE HEAD. 473 to the secretions of the skin, for which purpose she must dress warmer than common. If she is inclined to constipation, she should take frequent cold injections. Beside, give her the following remedies in their order, every three hours a dose (four glob.) until better. Asthma.—Ipecac, Bryonia, Belladonna, Pulsatilla, Arsen- icum, Veratrum. Palpitation of the Heart.—Aconite, Belladonna, Pulsatilla, Arsenicum, Opium, Veratrum. Spitting of Blood.—Aconite, Ipecac, Opium, Arsenicum, Pulsatilla, Arnica. Pleurisy.—Aconite, Bryonia, Pulsatilla, Arnica. Hacking Cough.—Ipecac, Ignatia, Nux vom., Capsicum, Mercury, Pulsatilla. Vertigo.—Congestion of the Head. Headache, fainting and vertigo are frequent and sometimes very distressing ailments during pregnancy. They are caused by the plethora and nervous irritability, which often accom- pany the functional processes during gestation; if they repeat too frequently and violently, they may even become dangerous. To prevent their recurrence, the patient must avoid all mental or physical excitement, follow the strictest hygienic rules in diet and exercise, and keep the bowels in a good state, either by eating relaxing articles, or using injections. If the feet are cold, while the head is hot, a cold foot-bath every evening, with severe rubbing after it, is necessary; also a tepid sitz-bath in the morning, with rubbing after it. Almost the severest head- ache can be mitigated instantaneously by a hot hip-bath. Faint- ing is geherally relieved by loosening the clothes around the waist, a draft of fresh air, and sprinkling the face with cold water. Beside the above rules, the patient should take of the fol- lowing remedies, every two or four hours a dose (four glob.), in their order, until better. 40 474 DISEASES OP FEMALES. Vertigo.—Aconite, Belladonna, Lachesis, Opium, Bryonia, Nux vom., Mercury, Sulphur. Headache.—Ipecac, Belladonna, Opium, Bryonia, Rhus tox., Ignatia, Pulsatilla, Sepia. Fainting.—Ignatia, Chamomile, Coffea, Nux vom., Pulsa- tilla, China. Sleeplessness.— Coffea, Belladonna, Ignatia, Nux vom., Ac- onite, Hyoscyamus, Opium. Depression of Spirits.—See Hysteria. Compare the same heading in another part of this book. Neuralgic Pains. From the fact that the nervous system plays an important part in every thing connected with gestation, it is evident that we can expect neuralgic disorders in the organic and functional sphere during that period. This manifests itself particularly in organs below the diaphragm, where the uterus exerts its greatest influence. Neuralgic pains in the abdomen are very frequent; they appear under the short ribs, near the hips, or in the region of the bladder; it is generally a dull, heavy ache or burning, stinging in the muscles of the abdomen, remitting or intermitting as regards intensity. If the pains are felt within the abdomen, they resemble colic pains. Sometimes the neuralgy extends to the muscles of the small of the back, of the lower limbs, of the neck, arms and head; and if it affects the diaphragm or the pit of the stomach, the patient is taken with fits of laughing or crying, with spasmodic eructations of wind, sneezing, yawning, stretching and sighing. All these different complaints proceed from the same cause, viz: exces- sive nervous sensibility. If the extension of the uterus is very considerable, inclining too much in front, a circumstance which frequently causes dis- tress, much may be done by applying a bandage around the abdomen for support. Besides, the patient should wash fre- quently in cold water, and rub diligently the parts affected PUERPERAL CONVILSIONS. 47n with cold water, in order to strengthen them. For the differ- ent complaints under the above head, take the following medi- cines in their order, every two or three hours a dose (four glob.), until better. Neuralgic Pains.— Coffea, Belladonna, Pulsatilla, Chamo- mile, Bryonia, Rhus tox., Arsen., Veratrum, Sulphur. Spasmodic Laughter.—Belladonna, Hyoscyam., Phospho- rus, Stramonium. Spasmodic Crying—Sobbing.—Puis., Aur., Ign., Platina. Spasmodic Sneezing.—Aconite, Rhus tox., Silicea. Spasmodic Yawning.—Ignatia, Rhus, Platina, Natrum mur., Sulphur. As neuralgia is frequently the result of indigestion, persons subject to it should be particularly careful in their diet, avoid- ing substances of a heating nature, spices, coffee, tea, etc. Puerperal Convulsions. (Eclampsia gravidarum.) This is perhaps the most dangerous disease to which preg- nancy predisposes, and on this account its treatment should never be undertaken save by a skillful physician. AVe have introduced it here solely for the purpose of making the reader acquainted with the symptoms, particularly in the beginning of the convulsions, where a prompt and energetic action some- times will arrest their progress. Dr. Meigs speaks as follows about this disease: "It is a malady that is not met with every day—but it is one so horri- ble in its appearance, so deadly in its tendency, so embarrassing sometimes in its treatment, that, although it is not met with every day, it is solicitously expected, and probably obviated in many a case, which, but for such careful supervision, would swell its proportions in the statistical tables." We call these convulsions puerperal, because they can only effect in such a manner women advanced in pregnancy, during labor, or in the first days of the lying-in. L_________.____________.__________.______.___________ 4:76 DISEASES OP FEMALES. --------------.------------------------------------------• i The convulsion is sometimes preceded by symptoms which more or less prognosticate its appearance, though sometimes it may occur without the slightest premonitory symptom, like a flash of lightning, the literal meaning of the word eclampsia. Dr. Meigs considers the following to be the most important premonitory signs: "Women with short necks; those who are fat; those who possess considerable muscular strength; those whose tissues are firm, solid, hard and unyielding; those that are of a sanguine-nervous temperament; those who have swollen feet and hands, and such as upon waking in the morn- ing complain of numbness in the hands and bloating of the features; those who are affected with a feeling of great weak- ness or with loss of sensation in one side of the face, or in one of the members; those who have suddenly lost their hearing; those who have vertigo, headache, flashing of light within the eyes, dimness of sight, double vision or half sight; those who have sudden loud noises in the ears, and such as feel as if a violent blow had been received upon the head; those, further- more, who labor under intense anaemia, with distension of the blood-vessels and heart," and we might add, those who consti- tutionally can not bear the slightest degree of pain without a severe shock to the nervous system—"all such are to be held liable, and closely observed and protected." Puerperal convulsions are similar in appearance to other convulsions; spasms of the muscles in every part of the sys- tem, foaming at the mouth, spasmodic breathing, and above all, unconsciousness. There are two kinds, the nervous and san- guineous, as they are called; in the former the face remains pale until toward the last, when it assumes a bluish color; in the latter, the face appears from the first very much bloated and swollen, dark red; this kind bears bleeding from the arm or foot in the commencement, while in the former it would not be advisable to bleed. In both it is advisable to use mustard drafts on the calves of the legs, allowing them to draw for at ! least half an hour; to put cold water or ice on the head and MISCARRIAGE. 477 have the bowels moved oy one or more injections of salt and water; at the same time the exhibition of remedies must not be neglected. Opium in repeated doses of a lower potency, if the face is dark, red and bloated, the breathing very loud and snoring, the patient entirely unconscious. Br Had. and Hyoscy., if the face is less congested, and there is a higher degree of unconsciousness. Stramonium in alternation with Belladonna, where the face changes from paleness to redness and vice versa, the eyes appear squinting and from time to time the patient laughs spasmodi- cally. (Jlannomile, Ignatia, Lachesis are also recommended. Miscarriage. (Abortion.) M iscarriage can take place at any time between the first and seventh month. If it occurs after the seventh, it is no longer so called, but premature birth; as at this period the child can be saved, and the object of pregnancy be gained, to give birth to a living child. But if the child is born before the seventh month, it can not live; thence the name "miscarriage." The more advanced the pregnancy is, the less is the danger which might result from a miscarriage. The oftener a woman has miscarried, the more her constitution inclines to new misfor- tunes of the same kind. Miscarriages are more liable to occur again at the same time of pregnancy at which the former or j last one happened; if once past that period, the danger to mis- carry diminishes. Miscarriage can become a habit; it some- times appears epidemically, in so far, at least, as in certain seasons the uterine congestion generally increases (menses appear more frequently and profusely, hemorrhages take place spontaneously, etc.), and in the same ratio, the possibility and occurrence of abortion multiplies.0 ° I observed this phenomenon, on the approach of the Asiatic cholera in Cincinnati, in December, 1848, when there was a sensible increase 478 diseases op females. If a woman approaches the time where formerly she had miscarried, she must be careful not to provoke a return by walking great distances, lifting, running down stairs, riding over a rough road, etc. These practices might excite at any time a miscarriage in females who never were predisposed to it; certainly much more in those already predisposed. A weak- ening, luxurious mode of living, late hours, great mental excitement, are causes of miscarriage, and must be srtictly avoided. In fact any important irregularity in diet or mode of living, may produce abortion; its causes are numerous, and frequently even form part of a woman's every day habit. For instance, tight-lacing, dancing at evening parties and the excitement so studiously sought in our modern society. All these artifi- cial means of producing life's fleeting pleasures should be dis- regarded by one who soon will feel the more lasting joys of a mother; for the sake of reaching that exalted happiness, she should cheerfully forego for a short time, the fashionable and doubtful amusements of so-called fashionable society. Yet there are some characters so destitute of all maternal feelings and so infatuated with the ease and luxury of high life, that they are sadly aggrieved as soon as they know they are enciente. They know what is before them; they will have to deny themselves in many things; wealth, of which they have so much, is unable to buy a release from nature in that of miscarriages and hemorrhages of every kind, increasing during the spring of 1849, and the most frequent in July and August, when the cholera was raging the most fearfully. Women miscarried at this time who never before had had any predisposition to it, although mothers of many children; premature births occurred without any apparent cause, bodily or mentally. After that time, the tide of the disease turned, and with it the abortions decreased in number; also, other kinds of hemorrhages. Undoubtedly, the small quantity of positive electricity in the atmosphere, caused a general debility in the nervous system, and consequent muscular and vascular laxity, which even involved, in its general effects, the uterus in all its functions. Hence the epidemical appearance of abortions. Such facts must only be known and recognized as such, and it becomes an easy task to prevent misfortune. miscarriage. 479 respect. Knowing that they can not escape the natural destiny of woman, they frequently conceive the unnatural thought to deprive nature of its legitimate right by producing | abortion artificially, either in exposing themselves to violent exercise or by taking certain drugs, which, as they have been informed, will excite an early miscarriage. It can not be de- nied that a low state of morals like this, does exist, even in the highest circles of Society, where wealth is abundant to sustain the gifts of nature, and such barbarous conduct can not be excused by ignorance or poverty. But seldom, we may say never, can they accomplish their criminal purpose without endangering, in the highest degree, their own lives and health. No medicine which is powerful enough to produce abortion, can do it without first poisoning the whole system by passing through the stomach and the blood-vessels of the abdomen to the uterus; it will sooner destroy the life of these organs, than affect the purpose in view. If such desire is already criminal, its execution must be doubly so, because it adds the attempt at suicide to that of destroying the life of an unborn infant. It is not so easy to sever the bonds existing between mother and child, if both are well and the former has no peculiar pre- disposition for miscarriage. It is this latter only which allows the most trifling accident sometimes to produce an abortion, while in females who have no such susceptibility, the severest misfortunes leave the infant in the uterus untouched and unhurt. The premonitory symptoms of a miscarriage are: chilliness, followed by fever and bearing down sensation, which afterward | increases to labor pains; cutting, drawing, mostly in the loins and abdomen. A discharge of bright-red blood either immedi- ately issues from the vagina, or coagulated, dark blood appears from time to time; frequent repetitions of these efforts of nature are usually necessary to expel the fetus; varying in duration from two hours to two days. Treatment.—As soon as the above symptoms appear, even in a slighter degree, the patient must lie down and keep L________________________________ 480 DISEASES OF FEMALES. perfectly quiet, without moving. She should be placed upon a mattrass or any thing harder and cooler than a feather bed. The room should have plenty of fresh air; doors and windows should be open for that purpose. Her drink must be cool toast- water, lemonade, ice-water, etc., and in giving it to her, care must be taken that the patient does not exert herself in receiv- ing it: her position on the couch or bed should be strictly horizontal; it is rather better if her feet are slightly elevated. No stimulating food or drink is allowed except when complete exhaustion from loss of blood supervenes, at which time small quantities of wine may be given (see Flooding). The cover- ing of the patient must be thin but sufficient. Great care should be taken to prevent officiousness on the part of nurses and friends, who by conversation and over-kindness, disturb the rest of the patient. Under no circumstances dare a con- duct like this be tolerated; complete rest being necessary for the patient, we must procure it for her, even at the risk of giving offense to those who fancy they have the right of showing kindness to the sufferer by doing her positive harm. If the attack is brought on by mechanical injury, a fall, blow, mis- step, or walking, lifting, etc., take Arnica. Twelve globules dissolved in half a teacupful of water, every fifteen or twenty minutes a teaspoonful, until bet- ter, or until after one hour another remedy becomes neces- sary. Secale will be the next remedy to be given, in the same manner as Arnica, particularly in females who have miscarried more than once; in older ones, or in those who have a weak and exhausted constitution, when the discharge consists of dark, liquid blood, and the pains are but slight. China, in alternation with Secale, becomes necessary, when the loss of blood is considerable, and weakness and exhaustion evidently increase; buzzing in the ears; cloudiness of sight; loss of consciousness; fainting when raising from the pillow. Hyoscyamus, if the patient falls into spasms or convulsions MISCARRIAGE. 481 of the whole body, with loss of consciousness, discharge of light, red blood, worse at night. ; Crocus, if dark clotted blood is discharged, increased by the least exertion, with sensation of fluttering or motion around i the navel. If other remedies fail, this sometimes will help. Ipecac, becomes a necessary remedy, in alternation with j Secale, if with flooding there is nausea, fainting, cramps. Platina and Belladonna in alternation, either at the begin- ning, or after Ipecac, has failed to relieve, and the pains are I in the loins and bowels, severe bearing down, as if the intes- tines would be forced out; sensation in the back, as if it were broken; very pale or flushed face; discharge of dark, thick, clotted blood. Administration the same as stated in Arnica, Diet and Eegimen.—As in "Menstruation too Copious," " Flooding," which article may also be consulted, if the above remedies arex insufficient for the flooding. After the fetus has been expelled, the bleeding generally stops, and no further treatment is necessary, but the one com- monly followed in a regular birth. The patient needs the same length of time to recover, and the same careful watching as during the lying-in. Indeed, it is advisable to keep in bed longer than common, in order to give the uterus a better chance to recover from the shock, and become stronger, also to avoid those diseases caused by weakness of the pelvic organs, such as prolapsus uteri, fluor albus, etc., which so often follow a mis- carriage or regular birth if badly treated. Miscarriage must not be considered as a slight disorder; its consequences upon the system are sometimes fearful. As an interruption of the natural order, we can easily imagine that its effects upon the system must be more distressing than a regular birth, which is but a fulfillment of a natural development. Do not neglect to procure a physician, if possible, immedi- ately. N. B. Premature birth, or a birth occurring after the sev- 41 482 DISEASES OF FEMALES. i "" " enth, and during the eighth month, must be treated as a regu- lar birth; but frequently needs medical aid, which ought to be procured. Parturition. Eegular Birth. This is a strictly physiological process, not requiring any more interference than is necessary for the sake of comfort and cleanliness. There are, however, many circumstances connc, ted with this process, which formerly were considered and treated so differently from what they are at the present day, that it is very desirable to make the reader acquainted with the most approved methods and practices now in vogue during and after parturition. What we intend to say on this subject is not merely a recital of opinion, but has been found practically effi- cacious by us in hundreds of cases. Within the. last thirty years the views on the treatment of women in labor and child- bed have changed materially, and we are happy to say deci- dedly for the better. Before that time it was considered dan- gerous to allow fresh air or cold water to a woman in labor or after delivery, lest she contract diseases of all kinds. Now both are considered indispensable preventives and valuable remedial auxiliaries in the cure of those same diseases. Not- withstanding the slow progress which medical reform has made in certain classes of physicians, it is not to be doubted that in obstetrics even the most virulent opposers of reform in medi- cine have generally yielded with a praiseworthy zeal. Scarcely a physician of any denomination will be found, at present, advocating the old practices, whereby the natural process in labor or childbed is so much and so often interfered with, that disease and death may be the result. If a diarrhea precede the commencement of labor, as it some- times does within the last few days of pregnancy, it is best not to interfere with it, as its effect will be rather beneficial than otherwise. It is usually caused by a nervous agitation, fear, etc., which frequently is relieved by looseness of the bowels. LABOR., 483 Ait the same time other nervous symptoms may manifest them- selves, such as depression of spirits, a whining mood, a dispo- sition to shed tears, fear of not surviving the labor and birth of the child, etc. Aconite and Opium will be sufficient to quiet the nervous system; let the patient take, evening and morning, alternately, a dose (six glob.), until better. The real labor is near at hand, as soon as a slight discharge of mucus tinged with blood appears—the so-called "show"— which is a favorable sign at the beginning of labor. The less we interfere with the action of nature during par- turition, the easier will be its termination; the closer we follow the general laws of health during pregnancy, labor and child- bed, the less sickness will attend women and infants. During labor our duty should be, in a great measure, directed to the arrangement of the outward circumstances, which exert such a great influence on its progress. For this purpose the bed of the patient should be placed so, that it allows of free access on all sides; it should consist, if possible, of a mattress, which is preferable to feathers. The room should be well ventilated, and provision made to have plenty of fresh air, when needed. The patient should have as much cold water as she desired, before, during and after labor; a denial in this respect would act very injuriously. We will now consider the different stages of parturition, their normal or abnormal condition, and treat- ment. Labor. Labor is the term by which we express the process of nature to expel the contents of the womb. Labor-pains, or contrac- tions of the womb, are the natural means to accomplish this object; they are consequently indispensable to the object in view, and a woman in labor should never consider her pains, although disagreeable, in any other than this light, else she might fret and whine herself sick without use, and thus deprive the most salutary provision in her condition of a part of its 484 diseases op females. great benefit. Every expulsive effort of nature is connected with a certain degree of painful exertion, mingled with a feel- ing of ease and repose, which takes away, in a great measure, the severity of real pain. An analogous sensation may be experienced by the muscular contractions of the rectum and colon, which occur in intervals, thus permitting a grateful I feeling of repose to intervene. Labor may be divided into natural or preternatural, accord- ing to its own or the character of attending circumstances. If the labor is just sufficiently strong to expel the contents of the womb within a moderate time, without manual inter- ference, and without danger either to the mother or child, we call it natural labor. On the contrary, if it is protracted, difficult, too painful or inefficient on account of its own weak- ness, or the presentation of parts which hinder its efficacy; if it is attended with other serious disorders, such as con- vulsions, hemorrhages, lacerations of the uterus or other con- tiguous parts, we call it preternatural labor. Labor consists in the frequently repeated contractions of the uterus, aided by those of the surrounding muscles, by which expulsatory efforts the mouth of the womb gradually enlarges, the vagina widens, and thus the child is forced through the extended passage. From the above it is evident, that if no mechanical impedi- ment either from the structure of the pelvis or the position or size of the child interferes, the labor will be sufficient in almost all cases to accomplish the object of nature without real danger. The time in which natural labor usually terminates varies; may be put down, however, from six to eight hours as the average duration. The labor at the birth of a first child often lasts longer, but is on that account not more dangerous. Its duration, however, is somewhat more protracted, since the parts have never hereto- fore been expanded. The attending persons should in such cases be especially kind and patient. SPURIOUS OR FALSE LABOR-PAINS. 485 Spurious or False Labor-Pains. We call those pains spurious or false, which do not exert an expelling power on the uterus, although resembling in other respects the true labor-pains; the difference between them is so great, that the patient herself can not mistake it. The true labor-pains begin either in the lower part of the abdomen, in the region of the bladder, thence passing backward toward the spine, or they start in the back and shoot thence around to the front. Another still more certain sign of true pains is the cessation of all pain between two attacks, while the false labor- pains do not cease entirely. Spurious pains, being caused by nervous or rheumatic disorders, can appear in any part of the system, but very seldom stay long in one place; they may be in the back, loins or front, wandering from one place to another like rheumatism or neuralgia. They are soon dispelled by Pulsatilla, every fifteen minutes a dose (six glob.), the patient keeping as quiet as possible and well covered, to get warm and perspiring. Sometimes Chamomile is necessary, if the patient does not perspire much. Nux vom. is the most suitable remedy, when there is a pain j as if from a bruise in the region of the bladder, or a constant but insufficient urging to stool; also when the woman is of an impatient, passionate temperament, having been inclined to the use of stimulants, wine, coffee, etc. Bryonia, when the pains mostly lodge in the small of the back, and increase by motion, with irritability of temper, con- stipation, and congestion of the head; in the latter case alter- nately with Aconite particularly in women of a plethoric con- j stitution, with a full, bounding pulse, flushed face, hot and j dry skin. Belladonna, alternately with Aconite, particularly when the head is hot and the feet are cold; the pains resemble spasms. 486 diseases op females. Ignatia, when the pains are connected with great depression of spirits, and require frequent change of position, which mitigates their severity. Excessively Painful Labor. The true labor-pains sometimes may become too violent, and following each other in quick succession, cause such great agitation and restlessness, as to render their mitigation neces- sary. This can be effected by the use of the following remedies. Coffea and Aconite alternately, every ten minutes a dose (four glob.), until better, or the next remedy is indicated. For nervous trembling, fear and anxiety, before or during labor-pains: Aeon., Coff., Bellad., Ignat. Chamomile, if the mind is greatly excited, the pains are intolerable; the woman very sensitive and impatient. Belladonna, under the same symptoms, particularly when, with heat in the head, the feet are cold; is also beneficial in cases of first labor, where the unyielding state of the parts produces these extra exertions of nature. Nux. vom., in cases similar to Chamomile, but with a con- ' stant, ineffectual urging to stool. Toward the close of labor, the Sulphuric Ether may be applied to mitigate the severity of the pains; do not let a candle be near the Ether. Protracted Labor. If the pains continue too long, say from twenty-four to thirty-six hours, labor becomes preternatural, and needs an especial treatment. We have to consider the causes which may produce this unusual delay. They are various, and most of them of such a nature as only an experienced midwife or physician is competent to remove. We will speak here of such as safely can come within reach of domestic help, being caused mostly by a mismanagement of labor in its early stages, or by a constitutional peculiarity of the patient, which can be remedied. protracted labor. 487 It is not unusual, however, that women in their first con- finement experience a more than commonly protracted labor; this need not give rise to fear of danger, especially not if the woman is otherwise strong and healthy, as such ones more than the weakly, nervous women offer the greatest resistance to the expulsive efforts of labor. If the woman has been urged to support the pains by ex- ertions of her own at the very beginning of labor, thus ex- hausting her strength at a time when such efforts can be of no avail, it will frequently be found that toward the middle or close of the labor, when she ought to support it, she flags in strength, and from sheer exhaustion is unable to bear down or facilitate the expulsion of the child. In such cases, labor becomes protracted, and the only means of correcting it, consists in making the patient omit for some time her efforts, until she has gained more strength; during this rest broth or wine in small quantities should be given to her. If great restlessness has produced a high degree of nervous excitement, impeding often the progress of labor, the exhibi- tion of Coffea and Aconite is indicated, in intervals of ten or fifteen minutes, a dose (four glob.); Bdladonna should be given if the head is hot and the feet are cold; and Nux vom., if the restlessness is connected with expressions of impatience. At the same time she should be exhorted to lie more quiet, and be covered well, in order to excite perspiration on the skin, when the latter is dry and husky. If during the early part of labor, warm drinks (green, or chamomile, tea) had been freely given, by the use of which relaxation of the system and protracted labor had been pro- | I duced, it is necessary to change, giving the patient cold water ! when thirsty, beside Coffea and China, antidotes to green tea; Ignatia and Pulsatilla, antidotes to Chamomile tea. Warm drinks ought never to be given during labor, even if it is severe. The cold drink, especially cold water, has a contract ing effect, and thus makes labor-pains more vigorous. 483 DISEASES OP FEMALES. Absence or Sudden Cessation of Labor-pains. If they cease at once, either from fright or some other emotion, and the patient exhibits symptoms of congestion of the head, with red and bloated face, sopor, loud breathing, like snoring, Opium, every ten minutes a dose (four globules), should be administered. If upon the cessation of labor-pains, spasmodic distress in different parts of the body appears, Pul- satilla should be given, in the same manner. If they cease in women naturally feeble and exhausted, Secale is the best remedy to revive both the strength of the patient and the pains. It must be given in the same manner. If protracted labor is caused by mechanical impediments, too narrow pelvic passage, abnormal position or unusual size of the child, manual assistance is necessary, which can be rendered only by competent persons. Convulsions occurring during labor very seldom retard its progress; they should, however, be treated forthwith, as stated on page 489. Too Sudden Termination op Labor. Labor too quickly terminated, say in half an hour or less, is considered unfavorable for both the health of the mother and child. As regards the former, the chances for a sufficient and healthful contraction of the womb, so essential to avert danger of hemorrhage and after-diseases, are diminished by a labor too quickly terminated. To prevent the bad consequences in I this respect the woman should confine herself to a horizontal position for a longer time than usual, and apply frequent cool j sponging-baths, in order to strengthen the parts, weakened by the too sudden termination of the birth. The danger for the child consists in the mechanical injuries it may receive by j falling on the floor, etc., if the labor should terminate so fast as not to allow the woman time of reaching a bed or couch. ! Cases of this kind have occurred; though very rare they maj occur again. A woman having experienced too sudden labor CRAMPS. CONVULSIONS. SPASMODIC PAINS. 489 j --------------------—----------------------------------- should the next time, toward the end of pregnancy, avoid ex- ercising severely, and going up and down stairs; she should not omit to lie down frequently for a few hours and wash her stomach, back and hips once or twice a day in cold water. My this process the muscular fibres of these parts near the uterine region are strengthened so as to offer a greater resist- ance during parturition. Cramps. Convulsions. Spasmodic Pains. These are nervous symptoms, which frequently appear during labor, retarding the quick and successful delivery, j In such cases, give. Chamomile. If acute, cutting pains extend from the loins to the hypogastrium, attended with spasms. Belladonna. If the pains bear down most violently, so that convulsive motions of the limbs ensue; great agitation, con- stant tossing; red and bloated face; profuse sweating or dry, heated feces. Hyoscyamus. Severe convulsions, with loss of consciousness, great anguish and cries, with oppression of the chest. Stramonium. Trembling of the limbs and convulsions, without loss of consciousness. Ipecacuanha and Ignatia in alternation, when the patient l complains of a confused feeling in the head; sensation of suf- focation; convulsions. Coffea, if excessive joy has caused agitation. Opium and Aconite, if fear has been the exciting cause. Cocculus. Lf the whole body is cramped or convulsed, particularly the lower part of the abdomen, with heat and redness of the face; in alternation with Belladonna. Administration.—Every fifteen, twenty, or thirty minutes, one dose (three glob.), until better or another remedy is re- quired; if the medicine is taken in water, dissolve twelve globules in half a teacupful, and give every fifteen or twenty minutes a teaspoonful. 490 DISEASES OF FEMALES. The Waters. (Child's Water.) At every birth a certain quantity of water is discharged during labor and after the child is born. This is the fluid which during pregnancy surrounds the child and is contained within the membranes, where it evidently has been placed by a wonderful provision of nature for the protection of the child as well as the mother. For the latter it is of the utmost ser- vice during labor, as it furnishes the best means of dilating the mouth of the womb in the beginning of parturition. When the mouth of the womb opens, the membranes are forced into the opening at every pain, forming a bag filled with the water, pressing on all. points, evenly and gradually like an elastic wedge, possessing the mildest and surest power. As soon as the opening thus made, is large enough for the child's head to enter, the rupture of the membranes usually takes place, which causes so much of the water to escape as is contained in the bag, serving to lubricate the lower parts which now shall undergo the great distension. Much of the water, however, is still retained in the womb, which, during succeeding labor serves the same purpose, softening and lubricating the parts, and rendering the descending head moist and slippery. Thus is this wonderful process, the birth of a child, facili- tated immeasurably by the simple but effective agency of this limpid fluid. The immense benefit derived from the waters for this purpose, becomes sadly apparent when we have to witness labor which is deprived of its aid. Sometimes the waters break too early and then they escape entirely, causing what is called a "dry birth." In such a case labor will always be very protracted and painful. To mitigate its severity, we have to supply what by accident or misfortune has been lost. We either inject sweet oil or thin, sweet goose- oil in the vagina, or apply it there from time to time on the points of the fingers. This circumstance also teaches us the great lesson, never to delivery. 491 break the waters too soon by artificial means. If it becomes necessary, we should wait until the opening of the os uteri is sufficiently enlarged to allow the head to enter when the water has escaped from the bag. As the membranes around the child are composed of a double lining, it often occurs that between them a quantity of water accumulates, which is in no connection with the true waters contained within the inner membrane next to the child. This so-called false water frequently escapes long before the termi- nation of gestation, in fact it can do so at any time, in which case it seldom fails to frighten the woman, exciting in her the apprehension of abortion or premature birth. The above explanation of this circumstance should dispel her fears, espe- cially if she recollects that such a discharge of false water never is accompanied with labor-pains. The quantity of the waters varies; it is sometimes very great, causing even suspicion of dropsy or the presence of twins. Delivery The most agonizing so-called "cutting pains," occur just before delivery; they are of short duration, however, and of such a nature that, although extremely painful, they do not weaken, but, on the contrary, strengthen the patient, by arous- ing her energy to the utmost. At that time we frequently hear her cry out at the top of the voice, "Oh, I must die! I must die!" These words must not frighten those in attendance. It is true they are expressions of agony, but they do not indi- cate danger; they are rather of good import, signifying the effective progress of the birth. Kind, consoling words, stating that now the labor soon would terminate, etc., are the best remedy at this juncture of the case. Just when the child is appearing, the attendant should sup- port the region underneath its head to prevent a tearing of the tightly drawn skin at that point; this can be done with the 492 diseases op females. open palm of the hand, pressed yieldingly underneath the head where it bulges out the most. Treatment after Delivery. After delivery, but while the after-birth is still remaining within the womb, it is our duty to examine the uterine region outside, to make ourselves sure of the sufficient contraction of the womb, which, if rightly contracted, can at that time be felt hard as a stone, above the bladder, about the size of an infant's head. If not contracted, this lump can not be felt, in which case we must either suspect another child within the womb or have to fear that by an internal hemorrhage, the womb has expanded again. In the former case the abdomen will feel quite large, and parts of the child yet unborn, are distinguish- able through the walls of the abdomen, while in the latter, the womb will not extend as much but feel more yielding and soft. This last circumstance requires immediate, gentle, but firm and gradually increasing pressure with, and rubbing of the hand, which must be continued until the womb contracts anew, growing less in size and harder to the touch. After-birth. If the child cries lustily, it may be removed soon by cutting the navel string three inches from its body, but not before it has been ascertained that the navel string does not any more pulsate. As long as the beating of a pulse can be felt in any portion of the navel-string, it must not be cut; a few minutes detention on this account will never be of any injury, but may be of great benefit to the infant. The beating begins to cease first in that part of the string nearest the mother, and dimin- ishes gradually toward the navel of the child. Wherever it has disappeared, the cord may be severed; even if it is too long at first it can be shortened afterward at leisure. Before the cut is made (generally about three inches from the navel of the child), tie two strings made of firm yarn or cord, tightly I HEMORRHAGE--FLOODING AFTER DELIVERY. 493 around the navel string, allowing an inch of room between them; in this place the cut should be made either with a pair of scissors or a good sharp knife, being careful, however, that no other parts of the infant's body are hurt by the operation. After the child is removed, it may be ascertained how far the after-birth has been expelled, and whether far enough to allow of an easy removal. If, on examination, it is found to lie within the vagina, it can at once be grasped with the hand and extracted; but if the cord reaches higher than the upper part of the vagina, and its connection with the placenta can not be felt, it is highly improper to seek its expulsion by force applied to the cord. The after-birth is expelled from the womb by labor-pains, and if these have ceased for a while after the expulsion of the child, without having effected that of the pla- centa, it is proper and more safe to await the return of the after-pains, which in due time will make their appearance. They may be hastened by rubbing and gently pressing the abdomen externally, over the region of the womb, excitiDg thereby this organ to new contraction. After a few pains of this kind, the placenta will often be found lying within the grasp of the fingers; at any rate but very slight tractions care- fully made, will be sufficient to bring it down. This is all the manual assistance which persons not initiated in the art of obstetrics dare undertake as regards the removal of an after- birth. In most cases it should not be removed so quickly; there is at least sufficient time to wait for the arrival of a com- petent person. Meanwhile Pulsatilla alternately with Sn-ale, \ every half hour a dose (four glob.), may be given, which fre- quently will hasten its expulsion. If the patient's head is ! congested, face full and red, give of Belladonna four globules, in preference to the above remedies. Hemorrhage—Flooding after Delivery. The only danger, perhaps, which may threaten women during and shortly after the birth of a child, is that which results 494: DISEASES OP FEMALES. from flooding. Yet, carefully managed, this will not occur very frequently, nor be so very dangerous. A great deal can be done to avoid it. One of the most frequent causes of hemorrhage after delivery is mental excitement, either of a joyous or sad nature.. Some- times the husband, overjoyed at the safe delivery of his wife, expresses his own feelings in a too exciting manner, which causes like emotions in the fatigued patient; or the latter becomes suddenly very depressed in spirits on being told the sex of the infant, herself having expected it to be the oppo- site. Excitement of any kind must be carefully kept, at this period, from the patient. She needs complete rest of body and mind; sleep is the best restorer of strength, and the patient may indulge in it one hour after the birth of the child. After delivery and the removal of the placenta, the woman should lie perfectly quiet for the first eight or ten hours, with the knees close together, well covered up to her chin, in order to keep up the perspiration excited on her skin during the pre- ceding hard labor. A sudden cooling down sometimes produces a chill, with other bad consequences. When thus carefully covered, the nurse should wash the abdomen and other parts with moderately cool water without uncovering her, and if there is a tendency to a greater discharge from the womb than com- mon, put a cold water bandage over the region of the womb, changing it whenever it becomes warm. Even if no flooding is threatening, a wet compress under the bandage commonly applied, will be a cooling and pleasant appliance, restorative in the highest degree, and preventing the abdomen from remain- ing afterward too pendulous. If flooding should occur, rub the region over the womb, using steady and powerful friction with the hand, until the womb contracts again, and after-pains appear, which diminish the danger of flooding; besides give the patient Belladonna if she has a great deal of bearing down. AFTER-PAINS 495 Chamomile if hex limbs are cold and she has pains around the abdomen. China and Ipecac alternately, in the worst cases, when the above remedies do not succeed; or Pulsatilla, if a discharge of clotted blood appears at inter- vals, ceases and re-appears; followed by Crocus, Platina and Sabina. As the last and surest remedy, apply the coldest water in wet compresses, renewed every minute, or pounded ice on the abdomen; this will soon stay the flooding permanently, except when caused by parts of the after-birth being yet in the womb. After-pains. AVomen, during the first confinement, experience, very sel- dom, after-pains. They are mostly caused by the renewed efforts of contraction in the womb, dilated from time to time by the clots of blood oozing from the parts where the after- birth adhered. This may last a few hours or many days, just as the case may be. The following remedies will mitigate their severity, particularly if they are of a rheumatic or spasmodic origin, as is sometimes the case. Arnica is the first medicine, externally in a wash on the generative parts, and internally in globules; it sooths the irri- tability of the womb, after severe labor. Alternately with it, give Pulsatilla, every two or three hours a dose (four globules), which regulates the uterine contractions. Chamomile and Nux vom. in alternation, in the same man- ner, if the pains are very pressing, producing impatience and irritability, with frequent but ineffectual urging to stool. C>fna and Aconite, in the same manner, alternately; if severity of the pains drive the patient almost to despair. Secale in weakly females or those who have already had many children. Belladonna, if the pains are attended with much bearing 496 diseases op females. down, congestion to, and heat in the head, flushed face, coldness of the feet, tenderness and fullness of the abdomen, in alterna- tion with Opium, if the patient has an unusual disposition to sleep and stupor, during which her breathing is loud and snor- ing, only now and then interrupted by the severe after-pains. Sometimes the application of the cold, cool or warm shallow- bath, as circumstances may require, will be of great benefit; also the wet bandage around the abdomen. Confinement—Its Duration and Management. This term signifies the lying-in of a woman for a certain length of time, during which she shall recruit and recover her former strength and health. In a perfectly natural state of society, and under circumstances where the physical power of woman is not marred, the time of confinement needs to be but very short. Indeed there are cases on record where women have been able the next day after delivery to attend to their duties partially, and in a few days afterward altogether. But such iron constitutions can not be expected to exist in our arti- ficial state of society. AVe are consequently compelled to adopt rules which will prevent the many disorders which may befall debilitated constitutions after delivery, if not carefully attend- ed. Our modern Hygiene has made great reforms, also, in this period of female development, and women are less longer now confined to their rooms than they were in former times, and we may, if we continue to live more in accordance with nature, arrive at still greater results. Water, fresh air and exercise will yet work miracles. At the present time we hold it still necessary for the mother to remain in bed for the first five or six days, after which she j may sit up awhile, at first in bed, gradually lengthening the time, until she can sit up at the end of two weeks altogether Circumstances, of course, will modify the above. The greatest danger, however, which can arise in this period, is generally caused by excitement of the mind, variously induced. The DIET during confinement. 497 principal fault in this respect, consists in allowing friends and neighbors to pay lengthy visits to the patient. Velpeau, a great obstetrician, speaks about this bad fashion as follows: "It is important that the patient should neither speak nor be spoken to, except when necessary. A calm state of the mind and repose of the body are so indispensable, that too much care can not be taken to remove every cause that might inter- fere with them. Most of the diseases which affect a woman in childbed, may be attributed to the thousands of visits of friends, neighbors or acquaintance, or the ceremony with which she is too often oppressed; she wishes to keep up the conversation; her mind becomes excited, the fruit of which is headache and agitation; the slightest indiscreet word worries her; the slightest motives of joy agitate her in the extreme; the least opposition instantly makes her uneasy, and I can affirm that among the numerous cases of puerperal fever met with at the Hospital de Perfectionnement, there are very few whose origin is unconnected with some moral commotion." Before the fourteenth day, therefore, visitors should not be admitted on any consideration. The risk is too great. Diet during Confinement. The diet during this time should receive our attention, but not with a view to cut short the allowance, or confine its qual- ity to the mere dainties or so-called light food. Our opinion in this respect may differ somewhat from those who believe that a woman in confinement, although weakened by the whole pro- cess of delivery, by loss of blood and a great flow of milk, could subsist more comfortably, and gain strength, on light diet than strong, nourishing food. Our rule has been to let her desire alone in this respect, to let her choose her own diet, if no exist- ing disorder will dictate otherwise. A healthy woman can relish and bear usual food the next day after delivery, as well as at any other time, and it is folly to make her starve at a time when she needs food the most. It is well enough not to 42 498 diseases op females. allow her to eat .too much at a time, nor partake of any stimu- lating substances, either in food or drink; even tea or coffee may be better replaced by cold water. The room should be aired daily once or twice; the curtains around the bed should be such as to allow free circulation. Cleanliness in every par- ticular should be observed. The bowels are naturally constipated for the first four or five days after delivery. If, after the lapse of that time it is neces- sary to interfere, give a few doses of Opium and Nux. com., in alternation, every three hours a dose (six glob.); if head and limbs ache, give Bryonia in the same manner. At the same time apply a few injections of cold water. Under no consid- eration whatever, give her cathartic medicine, the use of which is in no case more superfluous and hazardous. Stewed prunes or other relaxing dried fruit, will be equally efficacious and more harmless than physic. Lochial Discharge. After the delivery of the placenta, the womb does not imme- diately re-assume its former size and consistence; this reduc- tion is the work of time, and, as it progresses, produces what is called the lochia or lochial discharge—liquids which ooze from the walls of the uterus into its cavity, whence they escape through the vagina. Through this process the womb gradually is reduced in size and its loose texture becomes firmer again, until a normal size and consistence is regained. The first two or three days this discharge consists of blood, partially coagu- lated ; while the milk appears in the breasts, a more serous liquid is discharged, more or less tinged with blood; finally, on the sixth or seventh day, the flow becomes whitish or purulent, of a thicker consistence. This may last variously, from two or three to twenty days. It is evident, that a process like this can be disturbed either by general or local causes, operating upon the womb, from which, as from a sponge, these liquids are pressed. If the womb inflames or is congested, its contracting lochial discharge. 499 movement is impeded, consequently the discharge will cease; if the blood is constitutionally vitiated, its scrum, as it oozes into the cavity of the womb, will be bad also, becoming sanious, thin, watery, of greenish color and bad smell, or a tedious sup- purative process may take place, by which nature seeks to counteract the retarding influence of a bad constitution. Our remedies in such cases are intended to support struggling nature in the restoration of the natural discharge, as the best indica- tion of the healthful action of the womb. Irregularities of the lochial discharge during the presence of other diseases, such as childbed fever, etc., can only disap- pear after their cure, and require our attention in so far as they are symptoms of these diseases, to which we refer the reader. Suppression of lochia, in consequence of congestion or in- flammation of the womb, can occur after exposures to cold, errors of diet, mental emotions, sudden joy, fear or grief, etc.; chilliness, fever, sometimes delirium, thirst, headache, pains in the back and limbs generally accompany a suppression of the lochia. If high fever is present, with congestion of the head, delirium, etc., give Aconite and Belladonna, in alternation, particularly if there are delirium and violent pains in the head and back, with pressure in the genital organs, as if they would be thrust out, every two or three hours a dose (four glob.), until better; if not relieved, give Bryonia alternately with Aconite, and if no improvement follows, the fever continuing, in alternation with Pulsatilla, as above, especially when men- tal excitement of some kind or exposure to cold preceded the affection. Veratrum, after indigestion, with rush of blood to the head, delirium, and palpitation of the heart, every two hours a dose. Opium and Aconite alternately, as above, if sudden fright was the cause. Dulcamara and Pulsatilla, if no fever is present, and the suppression was caused by exposure to dampness and cold. Coffea and Chamomile, alternately, if the patient is highly excited and unable to bear the pains; restless and impatient 500 diseases op females. AVarm compresses around the abdomen and a warm hip-bath are also recommended in cases of this kind. Diet the same as in fevers. Excessive and protracted lochia generally require the same remedies as recommended for flooding. Crocus, if the discharge is dark colored, black, and of viscid consistency, with a feeling in the abdomen as of something alive. China and Ipecac, in alternation, if the discharge appears in paroxysms, with nau- sea, vertigo, fainting, cold extremities, paleness of the face and hands, debility. Calcarea, in leuco-phlegmatic persons, fat, but flaccid, especially when there is an itching sensation in the uterus. Belladonna and Platina in alternation, when the dis- charge is thick and dark, with drawing pains in the loins and abdomen; and Secale in elderly and debilitated persons with cool extremities and great anxiety of mind. Rhus, in cases where the lochia return after they once had ceased. Silicea, when the lochia appear each time that the infant is put to the breast. The above remedies may be given as often as once or twice a day, until better, six globules as a dose. Complete rest and good nourishment are indispensable to cor- rect these disorders; the cure can be accelerated by shallow hip-bath of a medium temperature. Offensive, sanious lochia need frequent washings with tepid water, and the use of Belladonna, once a day a dose (six glob.) ; if not better within eight days, give Carbo animalis in the same manner, followed by Secale, China, Curb, veg., if neces- sary, as above. Diet must be very nourishing; patient must have plenty of fresh air, if possible, in high, dry locations. Secretion op Milk—Milk Fever. Milk may appear in the breasts long before the termination of pregnancy; usually it makes its appearance the third day after delivery, in most cases gently and without much distur- bance of the general health; but sometimes under a storm of deterioration of milk. 501 excitement in the vascular and nervous system, which is called milk fever. After a severe chill, which penetrates the whole body, a violent fever appears, with headache, congestion to the brain and chest, which produces difficult respiration; during this time the breasts begin to swell and the patient perceives the shooting in of the milk; the breasts become now tender and hard. Although this fever soon may disappear, it is desirable to mitigate its severity, which can be done by a few doses of Afonitc, every hour or two a dose (four glob). As soon as the patient begins to perspire, most of the above symptoms will cease; if they should not, give Bryonia, if the head and back Btill ache or there is great oppression at the chest. If the head, however, is the principal seat of distress, particularly if the patient can not bear the light, give Belladonna in the same manner. If the breasts are very tender to the touch, the patient is very restless and much excited, give Coffea and Chamomile in alternation, every hour a dose (four glob), until better. Pulsatilla is particularly indicated when the breasts are very much distended, feel very sore, and rheumatic pains extend to the muscles of the chest and shoulders; it should be given every three hours a dose (four glob). Give Bryonia and Rhus alternately, every two hours a dose (four glob.), if the tongue is coated and the back and limbs continue to ache, after the fever has disappeared. External applications are of not much use during a milk fever, except, perhaps, a compress dipped in hot water and wrung out well. The milk should be drawn out as soon as possible, either by the child or a breast pump. Of the latter, we have found those having an Indian rubber globe attached to them, to be the best kind. Deterioration op Milk. A good quality of human milk should exhibit a whitish color, with a tinge of bluish or yellowish; should taste 502 DISEASES OF FEMALES. pleasantly sweet and have no smell; a drop of it put on a nail should glide off from the same, if held in an oblique position, slowly, leaving a whitish mark on the nail. A drop of good human milk put in a tumbler of water, will mix in it slowly, forming clouds in it here and there. Sometimes the, milk deteriorates, becomes too thin and watery, or too thick, oleaginous, acrid, even acid; at other times it appears mixed with pus and blood, tastes bitter and assumes an abnormal color. Milk can, however, be deteriorated without exhibiting any other external signs, save its bad consequences on the child. This is particularly the case after severe mental emotions, fear, grief, anger, etc., or the use of large doses of medicines, which, absorbed by the vessels, come into the circulation of the system. As to the effect of the mind on the secretion of milk, Carpenter remarks: 'The formation of this secretion is influenced by the ner- vous system to a greater degree, perhaps, than that of any other. The process may go on continuously, to a slight degree during the whole period of lactation ; but it is only in animals that have special reservoirs for that purpose, that any accu- mulation of the fluid can take place. In the human female, these reservoirs are so small as to hold but a trifling quantity of milk; and the greater part of the secretion is actually formed while the child is at the breast. The irritation of the nipple produced by the act of suction, and the mental emotion con- nected with it, concur to produce an increased flow of blood into the gland, which is known to nurses as the draught; and thus the secretion is for the time greatly augmented. The draught may be produced simply by the emotional state of the mind, as by the thought of the child when absent; and the irritation of the nipple may alone occasion it; but the two influences usually act simultaneously. The most remarkable examples of the influence of such stimuli on the mammary secretion, are those in which milk has been produced by girls deterioration op milk. 503 and old women, and even by men, in quantity sufficient to support an infant. The application of the child to the nipple in order tranquilize it, the irritation produced by its efforts j at suction, and the strong desire to furnish milk, seem, in the | first instance, to occasion an augmented nutrition of the gland. so that it becomes fit for the performance of its function; and then to produce in it that state of functional activity, the result of which is the production of milk. It is not only in this way that the mammary secretion is influenced by the con- dition of the mind; for it is particularly liable to be affected ,as to quality by the habitual state of the feelings, or even by their temporary excitement. Thus, a fretful temper not only lessens the quantity of milk, but makes it thin, serous, and gives it an irritating quality; and the same effect will be pro- duced for a time by a fit of anger. Under the influence of grief or anxiety, the secretion is either checked altogether, or it is diminished in amount and deteriorated in quality. The secretion is usually checked altogether by terror; and under the influence of violent passion it may be so changed in its character, as to produce the most injurious, and even fatal consequences to the infant. So many instances are now on record in which children that have been suckled within a few minutes after the mothers have been in a state of violent rage or terror, have died suddenly in convulsive attacks, that the occurrence can scarcely be set down as a mere coincidence; and certain as we are of the deleterious effects of less severe emotions upon the properties of the milk, it does not seem i unlikely that in these cases, the bland nutritious fluid should be converted into a poison of rapid and deadly operation." There is evident danger in allowing the child to suck imme- diately after violent emotions of the mind; the same has been experienced after violent bodily exercise, running or perform- ing hard manual labor. A suitable length of time should elapse before a mother dare give, with impunity, the breast to a child after such disturbing influences have occurred, and not 504 DISEASES OF FEMALES. even then should the child suck until after a considerable quantity of milk has been extracted artificially, else it will become sick from the milk which was in the breast during the excitement. The quality of the milk can be improved by the use of the following remedies. If it is thin and serous take China, every other evening a dose (six glob.), for eight days; if not improved at that time, take Stannum in the same manner, and if not better after its use, take Mercury, particularly if the infant refuses to suck. If the color of the milk is too yellow and the taste a bitter one, give Rheum in the same manner. If the child throws up the milk immediately after suck- ing, give Silicea every three or four days one globule, until better. Suppressed Secretion op Milk. The circumstances which suppress the secretion of milk in the breasts, are as various as the manifold relations, external or internal, which influence our system. The most prominent, j however, are the following: Exposures to cold or dampness, | errors in diet, sudden and violent mental emotions, diseases in other parts of the system, particularly if they are of a nervous character. The consequences following a sudden suppression ! of lacteal secretion, are frequently of a serious nature, and their prevention requires our immediate attention. The danger is greatest when congestions to the head, breast or abdomen appear. Give immediately of Pulsatilla (twelve globules dissolved in half a teacupful of water), every two or three hours a teaspoonful; this will frequently restore the flow of milk, particularly if cold was the cause. But should congestions of the head, lungs or abdomen be ! present, give EXCESSIVE SECRETION OF MILK. 505 Belladonna and Bryonia in the same manner as above, in alternation, until better. If mental emotions have caused it and the patient is very" much excited and restless, give first Aconite and Coffea in alternation, as above. If exposure to cold or dampness produced the suppression give Chamomile, Bryonia, and Rhus, particularly when the head and limbs ache and fever is present, having been preceded by a chill. If diarrhea sets in, give Pulsatilla, Mercury, Bryonia, Rhus. Excessive Secretion of Milk. A too copious secretion of milk may produce swelling and inflammation of the breasts with all its concomitants; also obstructed or involuntary emission of milk, debility, nervous and inflammatory disorders, headache, hysterics, even tuber- cular consumption. In such cases medical aid should be sought at once. Until that is procured, the following remedies may be given. Belladonna every other evening a dose (six glob.), will diminish the secretion, if febrile and congestive symptoms are present. Calcarea carb., if the former does not give relief, in the same manner for one week. If not relieved, take Phosphorus in the same manner; beside apply externally ootton batting, which mitigates swelling and pains. The same remedies are beneficial, if the milk escapes all the time, keeping the parts constantly wet and rendering them more liable than usual to cold on the slightest exposure. China should be given when great debility is present, either when the milk flows involuntarily or is secreted too copiously; in the former case it alternates well with Pulsatilla, in the latter with Rhus, every evening a dose (four glob.), until better. Frequent washing and bathing is recommended. 43 506 DISEASES OF FEMALES. Deficiency of Milk. Various circumstances may cause a deficiency of milk in quantity; they are either constitutional or occasional. To the former belongs the mother's age, which if too young or too far advanced predisposes to this complaint; women inclined to corpulency have not much milk, also such as in former con- finements, compelled by disease or otherwise, did not nurse their children; organic diseases of the breasts themselves may sometimes prevent the secretion of a sufficient quantity of milk. As exciting causes may be accounted depressing mental emo- tions, sudden change of the mother's mode of living, sedentary habit, exposure to cold and dampness, faults in the diet, abuse of cathartic medicine and a high degree of physical debility. As to the treatment of this disease we have, of course, first to remove its cause, as far, at least, as possible. After this is done the following remedies should be given to correct the remaining derangement. Agnus caslus is recommended very highly in cases of this kind ; the patient takes every other evening a dose (six glob). If constitutional causes operate, the patient should undergo a proper treatment by a competent Homoeopathic physician. Calcarea, lodium, Causticum, Sepia, and Sulphur, in such cases will be most beneficial. Asafcetida in small quantities, either in tincture or first trituration, is recommended very highly; as also the anis and dill seed ; the latter made into a tea and drank three or four times a day. Some women use drinks made of milk and various spirituous liquors; we would request the reader to be careful in their use, as the child will thus receive milk more or less impregnated with alcohol and its fearful consequences. Sore Nipples. This affection, consisting of an excoriation of the skin around and on the nipple, usually appears soon after the child has AGUE IN THE BREAST--GATHERED BREAST. 507 been put to the breast. Its main cause consists in a constitu- tional tenderness of the skin, which manifests itself on the slightest occasion, in cracks and wounds, of a very sensitive nature. We have witnessed distressing cases of this kind; the sufferings seem sometimes to be insupportable, if the complaint has progressed very far. Our aim from the beginning should be to prevent the soreness of the nipples, by washing them and the breasts a few months before parturition twice a day in cold water. This strengthens the skin and renders it less liable to be affected afterward. After the birth of the child observe the following directions. Apply Arnica, six drops of the tincture to a teacupful of water; wash with it every time after the child has sucked. At the same time give internally. Chamomile every four or six hours a dose (four glob.), particularly when the nipples inflame, swell and threaten to ulcerate, with pains almost insupportable, like tooth-ache. If this fails give the following medicines in their order, each one ounce a day for six or eight days until relief is obtained. Mercury, Sulphur, Silicea, Graphites, Lycopodium, Cal- carea carb. These remedies are intended to remove the con- stitutional taint which underlies the affection, and without the extinction of which no true cure of sore nipples can be effected. One of the best expedients externally applied, is a cow's teat fastened on a silver plate; this instrument can be had in the drug stores. They are preserved in diluted alcohol and are washed in clean water each time before being applied. If the wound is not ulcerated, it may be covered with collodion, which permits the sucking of the child without tearing it open every time afresh. Ague in the Breast. Gathered Breast. It is a general law of our nature, that organs which are at certain periods especially active, are at that time more subject to disease than others not equally active. During lactation, 508 diseases op females. the breasts are the organs predominantly active in the female system; they are, therefore, the ones on which the diseases occurring during the whole of that period will reflect more or less. If a nursing woman gets cold, it will settle there; if by mental excitement, passion, fright, anger, fear, grief, etc., she becomes sick, it will affect first the secretion of milk; in short, any disorder during lactation has its bad effect on this process. Ague in the breast is the most common form by which this effect manifests itself, and if not relieved at once, will end in the suppuration of the mammary gland. A more or less severe chill is followed by fever, generally accompanied by lancinating or shooting pains in the breast, whose secretion is mostly arrested at the time. This increases the size of the breast and if the milk is not removed, will pre- dispose to inflammation and suppuration. As a general rule we recommend to give at once, Chamomile and Bryonia alternately, every hour a dose (four glob.), for four hours; after which discontinue for four hours, and let the fever pass off by perspiration, without giving any more medicine; if the fever, however will not disappear, or if it returns, give Aconite and Belladonna, particularly when the breasts are swollen, hard, and very tender; externally, apply hot brandy cloths. If lumps remain in the breasts, rub with sweet oil, or lay over the breast a plaster made of beeswax and sweet oil. If a gathering of the breast can not be avoided, abstain from applying the warm poultices as long as possible, as it has a ten- dency to implicate a still larger part of the breast within the suppurative sphere; give during this time Phosphorus and Hepar alternately, morning and evening a dose (four glob.), until better, or until four doses of each are taken, after which discontinue the medicine, awaiting its effects at least three or four days; if no signs of improvement are visible, give Mercury and Lachesis in the same manner; and then again, STATE OP THE BOWELS DURING CONFINEMENT. 509 Phosphorus and Hepar, until the abscess has opened or the swelling is diminished. After the opening of the abscess and the discharge of the matter, give Silicea, every evening and morning a dose (four glob.); externally apply a wash on the breast three times a day, made of twelve globules of Silicea in half a teacupful of water. This remedy may be followed in two weeks, if neces- sary, by Sulphur, internally in the same manner as Silicea, and thus in alternation with it, until the breasts are healed. During this time poultices of bread and milk, or slippery elm, may be used to mitigate the irritation. Let the diet be nourishing but not stimulating. The infant may be allowed to nurse as long as possible; and if not, use the breast-pump to draw the milk out as often as needed. State op the Bowels during Confinement. On account of the great changes going on at this time in the female organism, whereby a great quantity of liquids is dis- i charged from the womb and breasts, their secretion in the intes- tines and discharge by the stool is retarded, mostly for five days after delivery; if a stool is forced, artificially, before that | time, it must operate injuriously, as that much liquid is taken j away from places where nature needed it most. If after the lapse of five days, no motion on the bowels has appeared, give of Bryonia, four doses, every three hours one (six glob.), and await its effects twenty-four hours, after which, give Nux vom- ica in the same manner, if necessary. Sulphur after that, if necessary, in the same manner. An injection, either of lukewarm water and two tablespoonfuls of sweet oil, or the same with a little castile-soap dissolved in it, may be given on the sixth day, if necessary, and as often after- ward as needed. If diarrhea sets in the principal medicines are: Rheum, Phosphoric acidf China, Pulsatilla. For closer examination '510 DISEASES OF FEMALES. of the symptoms and their exciting cause, see article "Diar- rhea." But there is one kind of diarrhea peculiar to nursing women, which is frequently connected with the nursing sore mouth (see this below). The discharges from the bowels are whitish, cur- dled, smelling sour and musty, being copious and frequent, but not very painful. This diarrhea is the beginning of consump- tion of the bowels, and must be attended to immediately. I have found the following remedies almost specific in such cases: Nux vomica and Hepar, alternately, every three hours a dose (six glob.), until better, or until six doses of each are taken; at the same time the patient must lie on the bed or couch. Diet.—Black tea, dry toast, rice, afterward, beef-steak and roasted mutton. (See, beside, "Consumption of the Bowels.") Childbed Fever. There are few diseases more dangerous than this, particu- larly when it has been permitted by neglect or otherwise, to progress in its fearful career. Consequently, by introducing it here we can not have the intention of enabling the reader to treat it, when fully developed; this stage requires the most skillful medical aid. Our aim is to make the reader acquainted with its character and symptoms, and such remedial means as will have a tendency to subdue it in the beginning, which can be effected more easily than its cure in after stages. Diagnosis.—Like most fevers, childbed fever is preceded by a chill, or at least a chilly sensation, crawling from the small of the back along the spine upward; it is generally not very severe, even less so than those rigors indicating the approach of a milk fever, with which it might be confounded. But its apparent mildness and the presence of tenderness to the touch of the abdomen across the uterine region, which is wanting in milk fever, establish the diagnosis of approaching childbed fever. It is important to remember that tenderness of the childbed fever. 511 abdomen is always connected with puerperal fever, even with the chill which precedes it. The slightest touch of the finger, nay, the weight of the bed-clothes on the abdomen, is almost insupportable, the pains are sometimes so intense, that the patients cry out loudly and scream with agony. The mildest chill may be followed by the severest fever. The whole abdo- men seems to be inflamed in a very short time; the lochia are suppressed, so is also the secretion of milk, if it already had appeared; if not, it will of course, not make its appearance in that condition of the patient. Sometimes the childbed fever attacks shortly after delivery, within two or three days; at other times it appears only after ten or twelve days. The lat- ter cases are considered more favorable than the former. If the pain is confined to one particular spot in the-abdomen, the disease is not so dangerous as if the whole abdomen is painful to the touch. This latter is the most characteristic symptom of this fever; while other fevers may resemble it, having simi- lar pains, none has this extreme tenderness to the touch, even to the slightest pressure on the abdomen. The pulse is always very frequent, as high as 150 per minute; excessive thirst. headache, burning fever, vomiting, etc., are present in most cases. AVithout detaining the reader with a greater amount of detail on a disease, which, in its hight, none but a professional man will allow himself to treat, we will indicate at once what has to be done in the beginning. Treatment.—During the chill give the patient of Aconite (twelve glob, dissolved in half a teacupful of water), every half hour a teaspoonful, until it is succeeded by fever, when it is alternated with Belladonna, prepared in a similar manner. every hour or two hours a teaspoonful, until better. If the lochia have ceased, alternate Bryonia, prepared simi- larly as Aconite, until the severest symptoms cease. At the same time put around the abdomen a thick cold-water bandage, frequently renewed, until the heat disappears, and profuse • > I 2 DISEASES OP FEMALES. perspiration, rest, quiet, and sleep ensue. Give as a drink plenty of cold water; fresh air is also necessary. Milk-leg. (Phlegmasia Alba Dolens.) AVe make mention of this disease here, as one whose symp- toms and course are so strange and frightful to the uninitiated, that a better acquaintance with its character is very desirable. Its treatment, when fully developed, must be directed by a skillful physician; only in the beginning, remedies may be at once applied to subdue it; these we intend to communicate. Diagnosis.—The first symptoms of this disease are pain and swelling in some part of the leg or groin, which soon increase and prevent the motion of the limb at a very early stage. The fever present is generally not very high, but very constant. The disease makes its appearance usually within the first two weeks after delivery, and consists in an inflammation of the lymphatic vessels, veins and areolar tissue of the leg; the vul- gar belief, that the milk, transferred from the breasts by some cause, appears in the legs, and makes them swell, is, of course, at the present day discarded as unfounded, and nothing is left of this belief but the popular name, milk-leg. It is astonish- ing to what an extent the leg can swell up in this disease, it being sometimes larger than a man's body. Treatment.—Belladonna seems to be the remedy which, in the beginning, better than any other controls this disease. Give three times a day a dose (six glob.), followed by Bryonia and Rhus in alternation, in the same manner, if necessary. As soon as possible procure medical aid; meanwhile keep the leg at rest and in an elevated position. The diet during this time must be very light, such as tea, toast and gruels; if a relish is wanted, lemonades, stewed prunes or other dried fruits are preferable. Mania in Childbed. The above name indicates the nature of the disease suffici- ently; it is a mental derangement, caused by a peculiar condi- NURSING. 513 tion in which the womb is during parturition and childbed. Although cases of this kind are rare, yet they occur; and if not known, might greatly frighten the attendants of the patient. Sometimes the disease appears in the form of a mania, with all the symptoms of rage, fury and wildness; frequently the head aches violently, the face is very red, eyes have a wild appearance, roll round and are very sensitive to the light; the pulse is very full and frequent, the patient generally very rest- less and agitated. In this state Belladonna, every two or three hours a dose (six glob.), will be beneficial, alternating it with Hyoscyamus, if necessary. At other times the disease assumes the character of a melan- cholia, without the exhibition of feverish symptoms; the patient appears low-spirited, talks at random, particularly when left alone; she is shy and given to fear, sleeps very little or none at all. Belladonna, Lachesis and Pulsatilla are the principal remedies in thi3 form of mania. They may be given, the first two in alternation, morning, noon and night a dose (four glob.); the latter twice a day a dose (six glob.), if the former did not relieve. As this disease, on account of its importance, requires the most skillful medical aid, we abstain from giving here more of its treatment. If the secretions peculiar to childbed, such as milk and lochia, re-appear, a favorable issue of the disease may be expected. Nursing. With the termination of parturition the object of nature is only half fulfilled. The new being has been brought into the world; but torn from its parental roots, it would have gained nothing, if nature had not kindly provided the fountain of life, from which, for some time to come, it is destined to draw its nourishment, suitable in an eminent degree for its infantile nature. Without this breast of milk, the helpless young would 514 DISEASES OP FEMALES. perish by the hundred; and though large, deplorably large, as it at present is, still the mortality of infants would be fright- ful, nay, equal to a complete destruction of the human race, if nature had not mixed and prepared the food in the mother's bosom for the feeble offspring. A provision of this kind demands our unqualified admiration and most loyal adhesion; although a law of nature in the full- est sense of the word, it does not manifest itself in passionate excitement for self-gratification, or vigorous egotism for self- preservation, which constitute the stimuli of most other laws of nature; but in the more divine garb of love, not in receiving but in dispensing blessings; not in defending one's self, but in protecting another one from starvation and death by offering for sustenance the life's fluid of one's self. For this purpose nature provided the milk-secreting organs whose function must be exercised, else injury will be done not only to the infants, by depriving them of their natural nour- ishment, but also to the health of the mother, by the distension and inflammation of the breasts. Reasons of the most urgent nature should only prevent a mother from suckling her infant. Serious diseases, such as consumption, eruptive or other fevers, great constitutional debility, mental derangement, etc., are some of those which demand a discontinuance of nursing. But they occur very rarely; more frequently do we meet with a spirit of unwillingness on the part of mothers, to undergo the trouble, and occasional self-denial, which the nursing of infants forces upon them. In a majority of such cases, it is not want of maternal affection, but the belief that their own health and beauty might suffer, while no damage could result from it to the health of the infant by taking the milk of another one. As to the first reason, mothers are sadly mistaken. AH medical men agree that nursing, far from deteriorating or weak- ening the constitution, adds to the health and beauty of women. Besides, it is a matter of the greatest importance for the infan* WET-NURSE. 515 of having the most suitable nourishment; and none is more suitable than the own mother's milk. Neither in age or qual- ity can it be rivaled by that of a wet-nurse, to say nothing of the many other disqualifying circumstances of the latter. Wet-nurse. If it is, however, indispensable in some cases to have a wet- nurse, great care should be taken of ascertaining that she pos- sesses the requisite qualifications. We would recommend that she should be examined thoroughly by the physician of the family, before she is permitted to give her breast to the child. She must be free from diseases of the skin, eyes and eyelids; she ought to have a clear complexion and healthy, full form. Her disposition should be mild and amiable; her character energetic, but not irritable. She must show a habit of clean- liness in personal matters; regularity and temperance in eating and drinking. Her morals should be above suspicion. If these qualities have been found in a nurse, it is necessary to compare the age of her milk with that which the child needs; it dare not vary three months either way. In all other respects, if she is engaged, she should live and act during nursing as the mother herself would do. It is well, however, to watch a nurse carefully for a month or two, before too much confidence is bestowed upon her, as she may slily do things not exactly wrong in her own opinion, yet objectionable altogether. Some nurses are in the habit of giving the children laudanum, to make them sleep well as they say. This, of course, has to be interdicted at once, for obvious reasons. Opium in any shape or form should be withheld from an infantile constitution; it is more dangerous and destructive than alcohol. If the mother concludes to nurse the infant herself, it should be placed on the breasts eight or ten hours after delivery, except urgent circumstances prevent it. In doing so, the nipples are at once drawn out and the act of suckling will encourage the flow of milk in the breasts, thereby preventing distension, as 516 diseases op females. the milk already in the breasts being drawn out thus early, permits the newly secreted to take its place. Besides, the infant once having taken hold of the nipple while not yet made smaller by the distension of the breast, hardly ever refuses to do so afterward, although the breast may be full and tense and the nipple almost disappear. It is a very reprehensible practice in mothers, to give the breast to children on the slightest occasion; for instance, when it awakes or begins to cry, either from being frightened, as children often are, or from real pain. An infant quieted by the breast, will soon go to sleep, during which a congestive state of the brain is produced, sometimes to such an extent as to engender spasms. It is much better to calm down the irri- tability of a child by more rational means; if nothing will help, a warm bath or some of the medicines recommended in the treatment of children, will do it, Coffea, Chamomile and Belladonna are the principal remedies for that purpose. Weaning. It is a question yet open for discussion, to determine when nursing shall cease. The opinions of medical writers are very much divided on this subject. Our own coincides with those who believe that it should not last longer than a year, certainly not over eighteen months. Others maintain that two and even three years is a time not too long. We hold that nature has indicated in the development of the child, her own wish as to the proper period of the termination of nursing. As soon as the teeth have appeared, the child is evidently ready to mas- ticate and digest substances more solid than milk, and the eagerness with which it seeks to get hold of more solid food at that time, proves clearly that nature designed to terminate nursing. It is proper, however, to continue until the period of teeth- ing is fairly over, as this is a time during which the children are more or less delicate and feeble. DIET—SORE MOUTH. 517 Diet during Nursing. The diet of the mother, while nursing, should be more nourishing than common, although it is not necessary to be too particular in its selection. Her own wishes will generally point to the kind of food most wholesome for herself and child. As regards the latter, a little experience will soon teach the proper medium, and this must be kept. Acid food or drink, though perfectly agreeable to the mother, usually disagrees with the infant; consequently the mother will have to abstain from it. We have mostly found it the best plan to let nursing mothers prescribe their own diet, choosing it according to their liking; as to quantity we would advise them not to indulge their appetite too much at a time. To eat frequently but little at once, should be the rule. A so-called stimulating diet is under no circumstances advisable. Either the nursing mother is well, then she has no need of stimulating food or drink; or she is sick, then she needs medical treatment, which, according to Homoeopathic principles, is always without stimulus. AATe will now consider the various disorders belonging to the nursing period. Sore Mouth of Nursing Women. In some females this complaint is constitutional; it is caused by the peculiar irritation which nursing has upon their diges- tive organs; if let alone, it sometimes becomes so bad as to force us to discontinue nursing, or to send the patient to mountainous places (the higher the better), where the digestive organs become stronger and more able to resist this weakening influence, occasioned by the constant loss of fluid (milk). The following remedies, however, will be used with benefit: Mercury, China, in alternation, every evening and morning a dose (four glob.), for a week. Nitric acid, every other evening a dose (four glob.), until better, or for a week ; and, afterward. 518 DISEASES OP FEMALES. Borax, Ncx com., Sulphur, in the same manner. Beside, see article on " Stomacace." Diet and Eegimen.—Diet nutritious, but not flatulent, as frequently a diarrhea accompanies this complaint, which re- quires particular attention. See foregoing article. Exercise in the cool, fresh air (but not fatiguing exertion by walking), riding out in a carriage, etc., are beneficial, also cold bathing, or sponging. General Complaints during Confinement. For sleeplessness: Coffea. For colic: Chamomile, Bryonia, Pulsatilla, Sepia, Verat. For convulsions (spasms^): Ignatia, Hyoscyamus, Platina. For retention of urine: Hyos., Nux vom., Bellad., Pulsat. For debility: China, Phosphoric acid, Veratrum, Calcarea carb. For falling off of the hair: Lycopodium, Calcarea, Natrum mur., Sulphur, Apis mell. For white swelling (milk leg) : Belladonna, Rhus, Lachesis, Arsenic, Sulphur. N. B. For further information and the -administration of medicines in the above diseases, see their respective Chapters. Irritable Uterus. Rheumatism and Neuralgia of the Womb. We have had occasion to speak of these complaints in con- nection with after-pains and other disorders of the lying-in. But they frequently appear idiopathic without being caused by, or complicated with any other disease. The most charae teristic symptom of all of them is a pain, the seat and direction of which varies as it now proceeds from the small of the back and the lumbar region, now starts from the front part of the pelvis and radiates in all directions. The fact of the pains being increased by motion, erect position, and its abatement by a recumbent one, has given rise IRRITABLE UTERUS. 519 to an erroneous diagnosis, by mistaking this disease for falling of the womb. Act a careful examination per vaginam, will convince us that, though the uterus is found to be lower in the vagina than common, it is not prolapsed or otherwise seriously displaced; but its neck is very sensible to the touch. somewhat shortened, because enlarged, and the mouth of the uterus more closed than in a natural state: the vagina itself feels hot and swollen. i The course of this disease is more chronic than acute, and | involves more or less all the uterine functions. It appears mostly in paroxysms, brought on by certain exciting causes, such as erect position, over-exertion, conjugal connections, powerful mental emotions, even faults in diet; sometimes the most extreme point of the spine becomes so tender as to prevent I the patients from sitting any length of time. The treatment of these disorders should be conducted by a skillful physician. Beforo his attendance, an effort may be made to diminish the congestive tendency to the neck of the womb by giving Belladonna and Sepia alternately, every four days a dose (six glob.), until better, in connection with tepid injections in the vagina, and tepid sitz-baths. During this time the patient should abstain from meat and other stimula- ting diet, keeping as quiet as possible. i CHAPTER XYll. TREATMENT OF CHILDREN. Apparent Death op a New-born Infant. (Asphyxia.) If the new-born infant, as yet in connection with the after- birth, either from exhaustion or other causes does not breathe, or at least very imperfectly, it requires immediate attention. Its mouth must be cleaned from the mu?us within, and its limbs and the navel-string freed from all incumbrances. While one attendant procures warm water for a bath, another may improve the time by rubbing its spine, particularly that portion behind the upper part of the lungs from the neck downward, vigorously, and for a long time. This movement alone, is in most cases sufficient to restore animation and compel the infant to breathe. If no sign of life appears after fifteen minutes, put the infant, without cutting as yet the navel-string, into a warm bath, in which the rubbing on the spine and elsewhere should be continued. If this manipulation is unsuccessful, inflate the infant's lungs by breathing gently into its mouth, for which purpose it should be covered with a loose silk handkerchief, in order to break the force of the inflation. When the lungs are inflated, press the breast outside to expel the air again, and thus continue to inflate the lungs and expel the air in alterna- tion for some time. If the child looks pale in the face, give it a dose (two glob.) of tartar emetic; if it looks bloated, almost crimson, give it Opium (two glob.) on the tongue. If no signs (520) DIET op new-born INFANT--COLIC. 521 ut lift appear after that, cut the navel-string if no pulsation is any more perceptible in it (as long as the navel-string pulsates it should" never be cut), remove the child from the bath, dry off and wrap it well in warm flannels. After it has been allowed some rest, the efforts of re-animation should begin again in the same manner; in addition to the above, slight Bhocks of electricity now Bhould be applied, directing the poles on the upper part of the spine and in front on the breast-bone. Diet op a New-born Infant. After washing and dressing, the infant wants sleep, into which it falls as soon as it is warm enough. Put it in the mother's bed; near her, if possible. After having slept for six or eight hours, lay it on the breast, even if no milk were there, and feed it afterward with molasses and water (under no cir- cumstances bread and water), or milk and water, half and half, and sweetened with loaf sugar. It is scarcely possible to state precisely the time when and how often an infant should take the breast; we can only advise the reader to be as regular in this respect as possible. Infants can be trained into certain habits very early. If no sickness prevents, an infant should have the breast about every three hours during the daytime, while in the night it can do without the breast for six or eight hours. This habit once formed, will preserve its health better, on the known principle that regu- larity in eating and drinking does the same in adults. Wash its mouth after feeding every time with cold water; it prevents the thrush. Colic. Crying of Infants. Examine well whether pins, sticking the little sufferer, are the cause. If no cause is apparent but the universal one (colic), give Chamomile and Belladonna, in alternation, every half hour or hour a dose (one glob.), on the tongue. 44 522 treatment op children. If the child bends its body double while crying, and retracts its thighs, give Chamomile, when the face is red; or Belladonna, when the face is pale. If the child has greenish stools at the same time, give Chamomile. If it has loose evacuations, of a sour smell, give Rheum. If these will not suffice, Ipecac and Jalappa. All in the same manner. For great restlessness, sleeplessness, and feverish heat, with crying, give Coffea^- and Belladonna00-, in the same manner. Sometimes a tepid bath relieves the infant's sufferings, when nothing else will do it, or the application of the wet sheet, to do which, the infant is simply wrapped in a wet napkin or towel and well covered. Elongation op the Head. This deformity of the infant's head is only temporary; wash it with Arnica tincture and water (six drops to a teacupful); in a few days it will disappear. Snuffles. Obstruction op the Nose. (Coryza.) Give Nux vomica, one glob., in the evening, and Sambucus the next evening, if not better; in that manner alternate, until relieved. If the nose runs water, give Chamomile; and if this does not relieve, Calcarea, every other night one or two globules; Carbo veg., when it is worse, every evening, and Dulcamara, when worse in the open air; Tartar emetic, when there is rattling of mucus in the chest, worse at night. Swelling of the Breasts op Infants. Do not press or handle rudely these delicate swellings; as they contain nothing, the least of all milk, to be squeezed out. It is an inflammation, and must be treated like any other inflammation of glands. First, we should try to reduce tb« RESTLESSNESS—inflammation of evks. 52y swelling; which can be accomplished, in most cases, by cover- ing it with a lint, dipped in sweet oil. If this will not succeed. j wash it several times with warm brandy and water, and give the child internally, Chamomile and Belladonna, alternately, I every evening and morning a dose (one glob). If it still grows larger (I have seen them of the hight of one inch and more), keep on it a bread-and-milk poultice, and after the gathering opens, treat it like any other abscess; inwardly, give Mercury | and Hepar, every evening one glob., alternately. i Restlessness. Sleeplessness. If without any apparent cause, the child can not sleep, give it Coffea00- and Belladonna00-, alternately, every hour one glob., which in most cases will have the desired effect. If not, how- ever, give Chamomile, if the restlessness is attended by flatulency and griping; the child starts and is feverish, with redness of one cheek. Pulsatilla and Ipecacuanha, if it arises from overloaded stomach. Opium, if the face of the child looks red and bloated. Application of Water, see "Colic of Infants," page 521. Inflammation of the Eyes. This is a frequent complaint among infants. Do not expose the eyes to a light too strong, nor to cold draughts of air. Drop a few drops of the mother's milk into the eyes several times a day. Beside, give Aconite and Belladonna, in alternation, three times a day one glob., for several days. If this course does not succeed, give Chamomile, when the eyelids are swollen and glued together in the morning with yellow matter. Mercury and Pulsatilla, in alternation, if small, yellowish ulcers are perceived on the margins of the eyelids, with dis- charge of yellowish matter. L. 524 TREATMENT OP CHILDREN. If not better, give Euphrasia and Rhus, in the same man u.r; and, at last, Sulphur, every other evening one glob, for a week, particularly in scrofulous children. Thrush, or Sore Mouth op Infants. (Aphtlwe.) This disease to which infants are most liable* within the first or second month after birth, consists in the formation of whitish flake-like excrescences on the tongue and around the gums. Before their appearance, the mouth and tongue seem to be unusually tender, as indicated by rose-colored patches on the surface of the tongue and around the gums, with unusual dryness .and lack of moisture in the mouth; the child at the same time showing a reluctance in nursing, with a restless, crying mood. Soon the thrush begins to make its appearance in whitish spots on the tongue and gums, which multiplying and uniting, may cover the whole interior of the mouth as if sprinkled thickly with flour. If the thrush has reached this hight the general health of the infant begins to suffer; diarrhea, followed by feverishness, sets in with their necessary consequences of emaciation and decline. Causes. It is generally believed that a want of cleanliness produces this disease in infants; yet such is not always the case, although it frequently may generate it, or contribute at least to its progress and fatality. We must acknowledge a constitutional taint in the system, as one of the principal causes of this disease, as we find it occurring so often in private families, where the most scrupulous care in regard to cleanli- ness was taken to prevent its attacks. I have observed, also, that the season has influence upon its frequency; a moist heat of the summer months predisposing to its appearance, amount- ing sometimes even to an epidemic. A frequent cause of this disease, is those little bags, filled with sugar and bread, which are put into the infant's mouth for sucking, to keep it from crying; they irritate the tender THRUSH, OR SORE MOUTH OF INFANTS. 525 membrane of the mouth, which irritation degenerates into real thrush, as soon as the stomach-juice alters, and deteriorates; and this, it always does, by dosing the child's stomach with sugar and bread, a combination of substances which must produce acidity. Another cause of the thrush is, the improper use of the bottle or spoon, if ^children are principally nursed by them. The greatest cleanliness is, in such cases, indispensable, in order to prevent thrush; the milk in the bottle must never be allowed to sour, it must always be prepared fresh for the use of the infant; the best proportions in mixing it with water, is half and half; yet, sometimes I have found the clear milk not too strong for very young infants, in cases where diluted milk seemed not to nourish them sufficiently. The cow's milk is generally not richer than the mother's, and why shall we not give it in the same degree of nourishing in which nature designed it originally to be given. The nature of the thrush is as yet little known; on the first sight, the mouth has the appearance of being ulcerated, which, in reality, it is not; underneath the white flake, the mucous membrane appears unaltered, except having a reddish tint. Microscopic investigations have led the physicians to believe thrush to be rather a fungoid excrescence on the mucous mem- brane, which, like a parasite, developing itself from internal causes, grows on that particular spot, under circumstances favorable to its development. Certain it is that the thrush never appears on the mucous membrane of the nose or wind- pipe, but exclusively on that of the mouth and stomach-pipe, showing thereby a specific relation to the abdominal system. Whatever its nature may be, its treatment is sufficiently known to us, and we can, in almost all cases, prevent or re- move it entirely and safely. The thrush is to a certain extent contagious, a circumstance which has been verified in numerous cases. Its contagion can be propagated by allowing other children to nurse from the 526 TREATMENT OF CHILDREN. same breast, or use the same bottle or spoon, nay, the dried flakes o it 58 ANATOMY and physiology. der blade (scapula), collar-bone (clavicula), upper arm-bone (humerus), two bones of the fore-arm (ulna and radius ), the wrist (carpus), the metacarpus (palm of the hand), and the fingers and thumb (phalanges). The collar-bone (clavicula, see fig. 1, No. 1), is attached at one end to the breast-bone, at the other to the shoulder bone: it is shaped like the italic /, and its use is to prevent the arms from sliding toward the breast; a fracture of this bone requires a more complicated bandage to keep the broken parts together, than any other within the range of surgery. The shoulder-blade (scapula) lies on the upper and back part of the chest, forming the shoulder, where the upper arm bone inserts itself in a shallow (glenoid) cavity, surrounded by a strong ligament (capsular) ; the shoulder-blade itself is a thin, flat, and triangular bone, covering the back, and re- mains in its position, or moves in different directions, by nu- merous muscles which adhere to its projections. The upper arm (humerus) forms a connection, at the elbow, with the ulna of the fore-arm, and at the shoulder, its round head is applied to the glenoid cavity of the scapula, in which it is firmly confined by the capsular ligament, thus forming the most movable joint in the whole system. The lower or-fore-arm is composed of two bones, called ulna and radius : the former articulates with the humerus at the elbow, forming a perfect hinge-joint; this bone is located on the inner side of the fore-arm, while the latter, the radius, lies on the outside of the fore-arm (on the side where the thumb is placed), and articulates with the bones of the wrist, forming the wrist-joint; the ulna and radius, at their extre- mities, articulate with each other, so that the hand can rotate, permitting its complicated and varied movements. The wrist (carpus) consists of eight bones, ranged in two rows, and firmly bound together, thus allowing only a small amount of movement. anatomy of the bones. 559 Fig. "4. Fig. 8. Fig. 4. Fig. 2. 1, The shaft of the humerus. 2, The large, round head that is placed in the glenoid cavity. 3, The articulating surface upon which the ulna moves. Fig. 3. 1, The body of the ulna. 2, The shaft of the radius. 3, The upper articulation of the radius and ulna. 4, Articulating cavity, in which the lower extremity of the humerus is placed. 5, Upper extrem- ity of the ulna, called the olecranon process, which forms the point of the elbow. 6, Surface of the radius and the ulna, where they articulate with the bones of the wrist. Fig. 4. s, The scaphoid bone, l, The semilunar bone, c, The cunei- form bone, p, The pisiform bone. These four form the first row of carpal bones, t, t, The trapezium and trapezoid bone's, m, The oa magnum, u, The unciform bone. These four form the second row of carpal bones. Fig. 4. 11, The metacarpal bones of the hand. 2, 2, First range of finger-bones. 3, 3, Second range of finger-bones. 4, 4, Third range of finger-bones. 5, 6, Bones of the thumb. 560 anatomy and physiology. The palm of the hand (metacarpus) contains five bones, foui of which are joined with the first range of finger-bones, and the other with the first bone of the thumb. The fingers have three ranges of bones (phalanges), while the thumb has but two. N. B. The mechanism of the hand, with its wonderful adaptation to all the various purposes of life, is one of the many facts which indicate man's superiority over the rest of the animal creation, and must excite in us the deepest interest and astonishment at the Divine wisdom and power. The lower extremUies comprise sixty bones, analogous in construction and form to the upper extremities ; the thigh-bone (femur) ; the cap of the knee (patella) ; the shin-bone (tibia); the small bone of the leg on the outside of the tibia (fibula) ; the instep (tarsus); the middle of the foot (metatarsus); and the toes (phalanges). The thigh-bone is the longest and strongest bone in the sys- tem, supporting the weight of the whole body. Its upper part, a large round head, fills a corresponding cavity in the pelvis and forms the so-called hip-joint, thus admirably fitted, in its mechanism, for its various offices requiring strength and motion. The cap of the knee (patella) is a small bone in front of the knee, connected with the thigh-bone by a strong ligament; it acts like a pulley, in the extension of the limb. The shin-bone (tibia) is the largest bone of the lower part of the leg, of a triangular shape, and considerably enlarged at each extremity. The small-bone of the leg (fibula) is of a similar shape with the former, but smaller, and bound firmly to it at each extremity. It lies on the outside of the leg. The instep (tarsus) is formed of seven irregularly-shaped bones, so firmly bound together by ligaments as to allow of but little movement. The palm of the foot (metatarsus) consists of five bones, corresponding to the five toes, with which they articulate on ANATOMY OF THE BONES. 561 the front extremity, while on the hinder one, they articulate with one range of the bones of the instep. By this arrangement, an arch is formed, convex above and concave below, which gives elasticity to the step, preventing the jarring of the whole frame by any weight thrown upon the feet, in their various use3. The toes are composed of fourteen bones (phalanges); each of the small toes has three, while the great toe has but two ranges of bones. Fig. 5. Fig. 6. Fig.7. Fig. 5. l.The shaft of the femur, (thigh-bone). 2. A projection, called the trochanter minor, to which are attached some strong muscles. 3, The head of the femur. 4, The trochanter major, to which the large muscles of the hip are attached. 5, The external projection of the 562 anatomy and physiologt. femur, called the external condyle. 6, The internal projection, called the internal condyle. 7, The surface of the lower, extremity of the femur, that articulates with the tibia, and upon which the patella slides. Fig. 6. 1, The tibia. 5, The fibula. 8, The space between the two, filled with the inter-osseous ligament. 6, The junction of the tibia and fibula at their upper extremity. 2, The external malleolar process, called the external ankle. 3, The internal malleolar process, called the internal ,-u.kle. 4, The surface of the lower extremity of the tibia, that unites with one of the tarsal bones to form the ankle-joint. 7, The upper extremity of the tibia, upon which the lower extremity of the femur rests. Fig. 7. A representation of the upper surface of the bones of the foot. 1, The surface of the astragalus, where it unites with the tibia. 2, The body of the astragalus. 3, The os calcis, (heel-bone). 4, The scaphoid bone. 5, 6, 7, The cuneiform bones. 8, The cuboid. 9, 9,9, The metatarsal bones. 10, The first bone of the great toe. 11, The second bone. 12, 13, 14, Three ranges of bones forming the small toes. The joints, which have such important functions to per- form, are composed of the extremities of two or more bones, lined and surrounded with cartilages, synovial membranes, and ligaments. The cartilage (gristle) is a smooth, solid, elastic substance, of a pearly whiteness. It appears as a thin layer, on the articular surfaces of the bones—thicker in the center upon convex surfaces, while the opposite arrangement exists upon concave surfaces. The synovial membrane forms in a thin layer over the carti- lages a closed sack, in the interior of which a constant secretion of a viscous fluid takes place, to facilitate the movements of the joints. The ligaments consist of numerous straight fibres, arranged into short bands of various breadths, or so interwoven as to form a broad layer, which surrounds the joint, forming a capsular ligament. They are white, glistening, and not elastic, and found mostly exterior to the synovial mem- brane. physiology of the bones. 563 Physiology of the Bones. The bones, by their solidity and form, retain every part of the system in its proper shape. They not only afford points of attachment for the muscles and ligaments, to hold the body together and bring it into motion, but they protect, in strong, bony cavities, all the important organs from external injuries, such as the brain, the eyes, etc. The bones grow and decay, like any other'tissue, by new particles being deposited from out the blood, and old, useless matter removed, by the constant action of the absorbing ves- sels. This has been tested thoroughly. Some of the inferior animals were fed with food containing madder. After a few days, several of these animals were killed, and their bones exhibited an unusual reddish appearance. The rest of the animals were for a few weeks fed on ordinary food, without containing madder, and when killed their bones had the natural color again. The extremities of the bones are the best suited to form joints ; for which purpose their texture is more porous, con- sequently more elastic, and the external surface of the parts immediately joining each other in a joint is covered with a cushion-of cartilage, to diminish jarring or grinding. The contemplation of each minute particle, its uses and applica- tion in the system, its appropriate location, etc., the thousand wonderful machines which can be observed, acting usefully and quietly in our systems, reveal more and more the wisdom and omnipotence of the great Architect. Wonder and adora- tion fill the heart of the beholder of such creations as the human body, in its detail and in its whole, as a complete and noble machine, to run the errands of the holier part of man, the soul. The bones serve, in the animal frame, as a proper basis ; the ligaments hold the bones in their proper places firmly, as if clasped by steel, yet with room to move. They surround the joints like a hood, or extend from one bone to the other, in 564 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY. the form of side layers. By these ligaments, the lower jaw is bound to the temporal bones, and the head to the neck. They extend the whole length of the spinal column, in strong bands, on the outer surface, as well *as within the spinal canal, and from one spinous process to another. The joints are different as regards movement and com- plexity of structure. Some permit motions in all directions, as the shoulder ; some in two directions, as the elbow, allow- ing flexion and extension; others in three and more direc- tions ; others, again, have no movement at all, as the bones of the skull, in adults. The Muscles. A muscle consists of bundles of fibres of different size, each one inclosed in an areolar membranous sheath. Every bun- dle is composed of small fibres, and each fibre of numerous filaments, each of which is inclosed in a delicate sheath. At the end of the muscle, the fibrous substance ceases, and the tendon (cord) commences, by which the muscle is attached to the bone. The union is so firm, that the bone will sooner break than permit the tendon to separate from its attachment. The form of the muscles varies very much, according to their uses. It is either longitudinal, having a tendon at each extremity, or it diverges in the form of a fan, called a radiate muscle. Others are penniform, converging, like the plumes of a pen, to one side of a tendon; or bi-penniform, where they thus converge on both sides of a tendon. The color of a muscle is red; each fibre is supplied with arteries, veins, lymphatics, and nerves, both of sensation and motion. Where a great many muscles congregate around an organ, they are inclosed in a fascia, a fibrous membrane, which assists the muscles in their action by keeping up a tonic pressure on their surface. Beside, it protects the parts under- neath ; as, for instance, in the palms of the hands or feet MUSCLES. 565 The separate muscles are also inclosed in fasciae, and arranged in layers, as their use requires it. The interstices between the different muscles are filled with fat, which gives to the body roundness and beauty. We may arrange the muscles into four parts ; those, 1. Of the head and neck. 2. Of the trunk. 3. Of the upper extremities. 4. Of the lower extremities. As it is impossible to give an interesting detail of the muscles of the body, their insertions and names, without illustrating them by plates, we content ourselves with the following general remarks. There are more than five hundred muscles in the human body, forming around the skeleton two layers, a superficial and deep-seated one. Some muscles are voluntary, under the control of the will, such as those on the fingers, limbs, etc.; others are involuntary, as the heart. On the back, the muscles are arranged in six layers, one above the other, for the complicated movements which the back, neck, the upper extremities, and the abdomen require. The diaphragm is a muscle which needs particular expla- nation. It is located between the chest and abdomen, sepa- rating them completely ; being penetrated only by the pipe leading to the stomach, and by the great blood-vessels, lead- ing from and to the heart. It may be compared to an inverted basin, its bottom being turned upward into the chest, its edges corresponding to the outline of the edges of the lower ribs and breast-bone. Thus, the cavity of the abdomen is en- larged at the expense of that of the chest. Respiration, however, changes the natural position of the diaphragm con- stantly, facilitating this process by its own action. During inhalation, the diaphragm descends into the abdomen, enlarg- ing the chest ; during exhalation, the reverse takes place ; thus a constant and healthy action is oiven to both the res- 566 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY. piratory and digestive organs. In this place we should men- tion the great benefit which results from inhaling deep, to the full extent of the lungs, which is greatly facilitated by exer- cising the abdominal muscles, causing them to swell out when inhaling, and drawing them back when in the act of exhaling. A little exercise in this way, will soon show the good results in the ease, and full extent to which the lungs can be filled. The action of the muscles, in performing their various functions, can be explained only by the supposition of an in- herent contractility, as a peculiar characteristic of the muscu- lar fibre, which can shorten its substance, when a sufficient stimulus acts on it. This stimulus is the nervous fluid, directed to the muscles by the will, if voluntary actions shall be performed, or, independently of the will, when the invol- untary actions are wanted, such as the beating of the heart, etc. The nature of this nervous influence may be analogous to a galvanic or electrical current; as these agents, when acting on the muscles, produce similar effects. The rapidity with which the muscles move, is truly aston- ishing, as any one can observe, in rapid speaking, or playing upon instruments. It is not alone the size of the muscle which determines its strength ; but, also, the size of the nerves which lead to it, and the size and activity of the brain, which must supply the nervous fluid necessary as a stimulus to action. Yet a great deal depends on training and exercise, as these enlarge both the muscle and nerve. The blacksmith, wielding the hammer daily and forcibly, will have a stronger arm than the student, who merely exercises his muscles with a pen. From this, it is evident that the muscles ought to be educated or trained for the vigorous and healthful performance of their duty. Strict and systematic rules are given for this purpose, in an art called the gymnastic, which, to under- stand and practice diligently, we recommend strongly. It is indispensable for the young, and not without advantage foi THE TEETH. 567 the middle-aged, to spend part of a day in systematic, health- ful exercise of their muscles. The benefits are too great and palpable to bring them forward here, singly. Washing in cold water, also, invigorates the muscles. The Teeth. The teeth differ from other bones in composition, nutrition, and growth; while bones, when fractured, generally unite, the teeth never do, when broken. They are divided into two parts, crown and root; the former, protruding from the jaw- bone, is covered by the highly polished enamel; the root is placed in the sockets of the jaw, consisting of bony matter, through which several small vessels and nerves pass, giving. nutrition and vitality. The teeth, when beginning to grow, are formed within dental capsules, inclosed within the sub stance of the bone, appearing as a fleshy bud or granule, from the surface of which exudes the ivory on the bony part of the tooth. In growing, it rises in the socket, which is formed simultaneously around it, passing, finally, through the fleshy part of the gum. Fig. 8. The permanent teeth of the upper and lower jaw. a, b The incisors, c, The cuspids, d, e, The bicuspids. /, g, The molars 'double teeth.) h, The wisdom teeth. _J 568 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY. The first teeth, called milk-teeth, are twenty in number; they are temporary, and disappear from the seventh year upward ; the last, or wisdom-teeth, do not appear until a person is twenty years of age. The four front teeth are called incisors ; the next one on each side is the eye-tooth (cuspid); the next two are bicuspids (small grinders); and the next two are grinders (molars); and the last one is called the wisdom-tooth. The incisors, cuspids, and bicuspids have each but one root. The molars of the upper jaw have three roots, while those of the lower jaw have but two. Alimentary Organs. These comprise the mouth and teeth, salivary glands, pharynx, oesophagus (stomach-pipe), stomach, intestines, lac- teals (milk, or chyle vessels), thoracic duct, liver, and pancreas. The mouth contains the instruments of mastication and the organs of taste. The preparation of food for digestion com- mences already in the mouth, where it is masticated and mixed with saliva from the salivary glands, of which there are six, three on each side of the jaw. Their names and positions are : The parotid gland lies in front of the external ear, and behind the angle of the jaw ; its duct opens into the mouth, opposite the second molar tooth of the upper jaw ; this gland is swollen and inflamed when children have the mumps. The submaxillary gland lies within the lower jaw, anterior to its angle. Its duct opens into the mouth by the side of the string or bridle of the tongue (frsenum linguae), on each side of which lies The sublingual gland, of an elongated and flattened form, beneath the tongue ; it empties its saliva through seven 01 eight small ducts, into the mouth, by the side of the strinj of the tongue ; a disease called the " frog" consist* \* tb< | swelling of this gland. alimentary organs. oG9 The pharynx or throat is the continuation of the mouth, and forms that cavity immediately below the palate where four passages unite, two coming from the nose and mouth, the other two going to the stomach and lungs. The stomach-pipe (oesophagus) is a large membranous tube, descending behind the windpipe, the heart and lungs, through the diaphragm into the stomach; it has two mem- branes, an internal, or mucous, and an external, or muscular coat; the latter consists of two sets of fibres, one circular, the other longitudinal. The stomach lies on the left side of the abdomen, imme- diately below the diaphragm, where the stomach-pipe enters its upper part at an opening called the cardia; from this point it enlarges into a sack, which lies with its larger end on the left side, while its smaller end contracts gradually toward the pit of the stomach, where it empties into the in- testines ; this opening in the stomach is called the pylorus. The stomach has, beside the mucous and muscular coats, an outer or serous coat, which is very tough and strong, of a smooth and highly polished appearance, and confines the stomach in its proper location. The stomach has a great number of glands, to secrete the gastric juice. The intestines, or alimentary canal, are divided into two parts, the small and large. The former, commencing at the stomach, measures about twenty-five feet, while the large intestine, ending at the rectum, is about five feet in length. The latter is divided into three parts, the ccecum, (the begin- ning of the large intestine), which lies near the right upper hip-bone ; the colon, which, from this point on the right side, ascends to the region below the liver, then transversely crosses the upper part of the abdomen, from below the liver, to the lower part of the stomach on the left side, where it bends again, descending to the left hip-bone, and entering the cavity of the pelvis, being called here the rectum. The small intestine, commencing at the stomach and ending 48 570 anatomy and physiology. at the cozcum, is also divided into three parts ; the duodenum, called so from being generally twelve fingers long, com- mences at the stomach, ascends obliquely to the under sur- face of the liver, then descends perpendicularly (where it receives the ducts from the liver and pancreas), and passes transversely across the lower portion of the spinal column behind the colon, terminating in the jejunum, its continuation ; and this, in its turn, is continued by the ileum, which empties itself into the cozcum at the right hip, after the small intes- tines have made numerous windings. While the stomach and intestines receive the food for digestion, and assimilate it, various other secretions from the liver, pancreas, etc., enter the alimentary canal to foster this process, and still other vessels are ready to absorb the assimilated juice and carry it into the circulation of the blood. Of the latter are the lac- teals or minute vessels, which commence on the mucous membrane of the small intestines; from these they pass between the membranes of the mesentery to small glands, out of a collection of which larger vessels run to another range of glands, and so on, through several ranges of these gland- ular bodies, until they all empty themselves into one large duct, called the left thoracic duct, which ascends from the abdomen upward, lying in front of the spinal column, and passes through the diaphragm to the lower part of the neck; here it makes a sudden turn downward and forward, empty- ing itself into a large vein, which passes into the heart; its diameter is equal to a goose-quill. The liver is a gland, which lies under the short-ribs of the right side, below the diaphragm, and is composed of several lobes; its upper surface is convex, its lower concave ; it is the largest organ in the system, weighing about four pounds; its use is to secrete the bile, a fluid so necessary for chylifica- tion. The gall-bladder, containing the surplus of bile not immediately necessary for the system, being, as it were, a reservoir, lies on the under surface of the liver, and empties inte alimentary organs. 571 the gall duct, which carries the bilious fluid to its destination in the duodenum. The pancreas is a long, flattened gland, similar to the sali- vary glands on the neck; it is about six inches long, weighs three or four ounces, and lies transversely across the pos- I terior wall of the abdomen, behind the stomach ; its product, a saliva or pancreatic juice (necessary for digestion), is carried by a duct into the intestines in the duodenum, just where the gall duct opens into the intestines. The spleen (milt), of an oblong, flattened form, lies in the left side below and touching the diaphragm, stomach, and pancreas. It is a reservoir capable of containing a great quantity of blood, ready for the purpose of the liver, to se- J crete the bile. The blood, in passing through the spleen, loses a portion of its red globules and thus becomes less stimulating. The omentum (caul) descending in four layers of serous membrane from the stomach and transverse colon, contains fatty matter, deposited around the vessels, which ramify through its structure. Its functions are: to protect the intes- tines from cold, and to facilitate their movements. The whole digestive apparatus is supplied with arteries, veins, lymphatics, and nerves; the latter chiefly from the ganglionic system. (See this.) One of the most wonderful processes in the animal econ- omy is that of the assimilation of food. During its mastication (chewing) a considerable quantity of saliva (spittle) is mixed with it, the object of which is, to soften and moisten the food, preparing it for easy deglutition. When it reaches the stomach, it is subjected to the powerful | action of \he so-called stomach-juice (gastric juice), which is ! secreted by the glands, immediately located in the substance of the stomach. Beside, it is constantly in motion by the ac- tion of the muscles of the stomach, which brings the food into contact with the mucous membrane, and thus it become* \ completely saturated with gastrie juice, and at length dis- 572 anatomy and physiology. solved into a pulpy, homogeneous mass of a creamy consistence, called chyme, which passes, as fast as it is 22 made, through the py- lorus into the duode- num. Fig. 9. Au ideal view of the organs of digestion. 1, The upper jaw ; 2, the low- er jaw ; 3, the tongue ; 4, the roof of the mouth ; 5, the oesophagus; 6, the trachea ; 7, the parotid gland; 8, the sublingual gland; 9, the stomach ; 10, the liver; 11, the gall- cyst ; 12, the duct that conveys the bile to the duodenum 13, 13, 14, the pancreas ; A, A, the duodenum ; C, the junc- tion of the small intestine with the colon ; D, the ap- pendix vermiformis; E, the ccecum ; F, the ascend- ing colon; G, the trans- verse colon; H, the de- scending colon ; I, the sig- moid flexure of the colon ; J, the rectum. In the duodenum, the bile and pancreatic fluid mix with the chyme, which, by their action, is separated into a creamy fluid (chyle) which is nutritious, and a reddish the urinary system. 573 sediment, which is excrementitious ; at this point, the forma- tion of the fecal matter commences. From the above it is seen that the bile has no agency in the change through which the food passes in the stomach. The common belief, that bile is in the stomach, is erroneous. If bile is ejected in vomiting, it merely shows that not only the action of the stomach is inverted, but also that of the duodenum. Emetics will, generally, bring bile from the most healthy stomach, by inverting the action of the stomach and duodenum; the expression being bilious, having a bilious attack, etc., is generally wrong, the bile having nothing to do with these disorders, for which a better expression would be ; the stomach is out of order; if persons, generally, would j know this fact, a great deal of wrong and disastrous treat- ] ment would be avoided, as they would not force the stomach j to eject bile continually, where there is none located. The Urinary System. This system, whose duty it is to secrete and carry out of the system the urine, is composed of the kidneys, the ureters, and the bladder, with the urethra attached to it. The kidneys, between four and five inches long, and two and a half broad, lie in the lumbar region, behind the perito- neum, on each side of the vertebrae. Their texture is dense and fragile, presenting, in its interior, two structures, an external (cortical), and an internal (medullary) substance. The former contains the blood-vessels, which carry the blood from which the urine shall be separated ; the latter consists of tubes, which conduct the urine away from the secretin«■ vessels. It is then received in the pelvis of the kidney, from which it runs into the ureter, the excretory duct of the kidney, a membranous tube of the size of a goose-quill, about eighteen inches in length ; this runs down along the posterior wall of the abdomen, behind the peritoneum and crossed by the 574 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY. spermatic vessels, to the bladder in front, in which it empties from behind and on the side. The bladder is of an oblong, ovoid shape, situated behind the os pubis and in front of the rectum. It is the reservoir for the urine, which is carried there by the two ureters from the kidneys. It is retained in its position by eleven liga- ments, supporting it on all sides. The bladder is composed of three coats, an external, or serous, a muscular, and a mucous, or internal coat. The urethra is the membranous canal issuing from the neck of the bladder. It is curved in its course, composed of two layers, a mucous and an elastic fibrous coat. Through it passes the urine out of the body. The Respiratory and Circulatory Organs. These organs are closely connected with each other. All the blood must pass through the lungs, to receive there new life and energy, by being exposed to the oxygen of the air. For this and other reasons, we will treat of these organs, here in connection. After the nutrient portion of the food (the chyle—see page 572) is discharged by the thoracic duct into the left subcla- vian vein, at the lower part of the neck, it is carried to the right cavity of the heart, where it mixes with a large quantity of venous blood. This mixture of fluid, as such, would not be suitable to restore the lost powers of the body, unless subjected to a process, by which the chyle is converted into blood, and the venous blood freed of its carbonic acid and water. The respiratory organs consist of the windpipe (trachea), the bronchia (continuations of the trachea), and the air-celh (the extreme points of the bronchia). The lungs are com- posed of innumerable ramifications of the bronchial tubes, •ii.ling in air-cells, lymphatic vessels, and the pulmonary RESPIRATORY AND CIRCULATORY ORGANS. 575 arteries and veins ; their connections by cellular tissue, forms the parenchyma of the lungs, or its substance. The lungs are divided into two large parts, the left and right, each one of which is inclosed in a layer of the serous sac, called the pleura. Between the right and left lung, more to the left side, lies the heart, separated from either by a serous mem- brane. Fig. 10. Fig. 10. A representation of the larynx, trachea, bronchia, and air- cells. 1, 1, 1, An outline of the right lung. 2, 2, 2, An outline of the left lung. 3, The larynx. 4, The trachea. 5, The right bronchial tube. 6, The left bronchial tube. 7, 7, 7, 8, 8, 8, The subdivisions .if the right and left bronchial tubes. 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, Air-cells. The trachea proceeds from the larynx, descending to the pit of the neck, where it divides into two parts, assuming the name of 0 l 6 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY. Bronchia, which descend in numerous ramifications, into the lungs, and form altogether a surface of twenty thousand square inches, or about thirty times the surface of the human body. The air-cells are small bronchial tubes, and form the ends of these ramifications, retaining the air, when once inflated, except pressed out by force. The trachea, bronchia, and air-cells are lined with the mu- cous membrane, and supplied with arteries, veins, and nerves. The object of respiration is to free the system of carbon and hydrogen, which accumulate in the system, and would make an end to its existence, if not removed. For its removal, an allwise Providence has used the inhaling of air, which contains oxygen, in sufficient quantity to form a com- bination with the carbon and hydrogen, which then is exhaled, in the form of carbonic acid and water. In this process, another wonderful provision was contained, which gives life and motion to the whole system. It is the genera- tion of heat. The blood, in passing through the lungs, receives oxygen from the atmosphere. The oxygen thus obtained is carried to the minute vessels, called capillaries, where it unites with the carbon and hydrogen of the decay- ing organs, as well as with the same elements furnished hj the food, and thus maintains the heat throughout the entire system. The circulatory organs are the heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries. The heart, placed obliquely, in the left cavity of the chest, has the form of an inverted cone, the base of which lies up- ward and backward in the direction of the right shouldei and its apex points forward to the left side, about three inches, tc a space between the fifth and sixth ribs; below, it rests on the tendinous part of the diaphragm. The sac, by which the heart is surrounded, is called pericardium. This is lined bj a serous membrane, one layer of which invests the heart RESPIRATORY AND CIRCULATORY ORGANS. 577 Between the lining and investing layer a serous fluid is secreted, to facilitate the action of the heart. The dropsy of the heart has its seat in this place. Fig. n. Fig. 11. A fiont view of the heart. 1, The right auricle of the heart. 2, The left auricle. 3, The right ventricle. 4, The left ventricle. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, The vessels through which the blood passes to and from the heart. The heart itself is a muscle, whose fibres run in different directions, but mostly in a spiral direction. It is divided into four distinct compart- ments, the right and left auricle and the right and left ventricle. Before the birth the auricles are united by an opening. After birth, this opening closes, preventing the venous blood of the right auricle from passing directly into the left. If this opening, by a fault of nature, remains unclosed, a disease ensues, called the blue disease, because the child looks bluish, on account of the venous blood of the right heart entering the circulation of the arterial blood of the left auricle. All vessels leading from the heart are called arteries; those leading to the heart, veins. The right heart sends a pulmonary artery, filled with venous blood, to the lungs, and the left heart receives pulmo- nary veins, filled with arterial blood, from the lungs ; in this case only, such an exception exists. Otherwise, all the arte- ries in the body carry red or arterial blood, and all veins, dark or venous blood. The venous blood, together with the chyle, is propelled through the pulmonary arteries, by the right heart into the lungs. Here it receives the oxygen of the air, is converted into red blood, and carried by the pulmonary veins into the left heart, which sends it through the great artery, called the aorta, in innumerable divisions, into all parts of the body. 49 i) i S ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY. In this way, two systems of circulation are formed; one called the lesser or pulmonic circulation, where the blood rushes from the right heart, through the lungs, and returns, changed into red blood, to the left; the other, called the 'jreater, or systemic circulation, where the blood rushes through all parts, and to the very confines of the body; and returns, changed into dark blood, to the right heart. This double circulation may be illustrated easily by the figure 8, the cen- ter of which is the place where the heart is located. Fig. 12. Fig. 12. An ideal view of the circulation in the lungs and system. From the right ventricle of the heart (2), the dark, or ver.ous, blood ia RESPIRATORY AND CIRCULATORY ORGANS. 579 forced into the pulmonary artery (3), and its brandies (4, 5) carry the blood to the left and right lung. In the capillary vessels (6, 6) of the lungs, the blood becomes arterial, or of a red color, and is returned to the left auricle of the heart (9) by the veins (7, 8). From the left auricle the arterial blood passes into the left ventricle (10). By a forci- ble contraction of the left ventricle of the heart the blood is thrown into the aorta (11). Its branches (12, 13,13) carry it to every organ or part of the body. The divisions and subdivisions of the aorta terminate in capillary vessels, represented by 14, 14. In these hair-like vessels the blood becomes dark-colored, and is returned to the right auricle of the heart (1) by the vena cava descendens (15) and vena cava ascendens (16). The tricuspid valves (17) prevent the reflow of the blood from the right ventricle to the right auricle. The semilunar valves (18) pre- vent the blood passing from the pulmonary artery to the right ventricle. The mitral valves (19) prevent the reflow of blood from the left ventricle to the left auricle. The semilunar valves (20) prevent the eflow of blood from the aorta to the left ventricle. The arteries, which convey the blood from the heart to every part of the system, are composed of three coats. The external or fibrous, is firm and strong; the middle or raus- culo-fibrous, is contractile and elastic; the internal is a thin, serous membrane, which gives the artery inside a smooth polish. Communications between arteries are numerous. The veins, which return the blood to the heart, are thinner, and more delicate in structure than the arteries. They are composed, like these, of the same three coats, but each one is more delicate and fine. The capillaries form an extremely fine network of vessels, between the ends of the arterial and the beginning of the venous system. Through these, all the blood must pass ; and in this point, the capillary system resembles the fine ramifi- cations in the parenchyma of the lungs, where the blood passes through infinitely small vessels. The pulse is caused by the periodical action of the heart, projecting the blood in jets. In infants, it beats in a minute more than a hundred times ; in adults, about seventy times ; in old persons, less than that, sometimes only sixty times. 580 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY. The quantity of blood in a healthy individual varies very much; fat persons have generally less. On an average, a healthy adult has from twenty-five to thirty pounds. Fig. 13. A front view of the organs within the chest and abdomen. 1, 1, 1, 1, The muscles of the chest. 2, 2, 2, 2, The ribs. 3, 3, 3, The jpper, middle, and lower lobes of the right lung. 4, 4, The lobes of the left lung. 5, The right ventricle of the heart. 6, The left ven- tricle. 7. The right auricle of the heart. 8, The left auricle. 9, The THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 581 pulmonary artery. 10, The aorta. 11, The vena cava descendens. 12, The trachea. 13, The oesophagus. 14,14,14,14, The pleura. 15, 15, 15, The diaphragm. 16, 16, The right and left lobes of the liver. 17, The gall-cyst. 18, The stomach. 26, The spleen. 19, 19, The duodenum. 20, The ascending colon. 21, The transverse colon. 25, The descending colon. 22, 22, 22, 22, The small intestines. 23, 23, The abdominal walls turned down. 24, The thoracic duct, opening into the left subclavian vein (27). The lymphatics are the vessels by which the process of ab- sorption is carried on, to remove particles of useless or inju- rious matter. They are extremely minute at their origin, and are distributed upon the skin and other membranes as well as upon the surface and in the substance of organs. As they increase in size, they diminish in numbers. At certain points, they pass through soft bodies, called lymphatic glands, which are mostly located in the groins, armpits, on the neck, in the chest, and the abdomen. Sometimes these glands swell, pro- ducing lumps known as kernels, etc. The lacteals are vessels similar to the former, but designed to absorb the chyle from the small intestines, where they are located in great numbers. They transfer their contents to the thoracic duct, and this conveys the chyle to the left sub- clavian vein, at the lower part of the neck. The Nervous System. This system, by which life is distributed and sensation im- parted, consists of two distinct parts, the brain, with its spinal appendix, together with all the nerves leading from these great nervous centers to all parts of the body, and the gangli- onic system of nerves, called, also, the sympathetic nerve, located chiefly on each side of the spinal column, but having its principal plexuses around the abdominal organs. We give here a short anatomical synopsis of these most interesting parts of the body; requesting our readers, at the same time, to peruse larger works on this subject, if their time and inclination will permit. 5S2 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY The brain is located within the skull-bones (cranium), and is divided into two hemispheres, the right and left. This is the case in the upper part of the brain ; below, the two hemi- spheres are connected by a dense layer of transverse fibres, called the corpus callosum. In the interior of the brain, there are several cavities, two of which are of considerable siae, called the lateral ventricles. Water collects in these cavities, in that disease called " Dropsy of the Brain." Fig. 14. Fig. 14. A vertical section of the cerebrum, cerebellum, and medulla oblongata, showing the relation of the cranial nerves at their origin. 1. Cerebrum ; 2. Cerebellum, with its arbor vita? represented ; 3. The medulla oblongata ; 4. The spinal cord ; 5. The corpus callosum ; 6. The first, or olfactory nerve ; 7. The second, or optic nerve ; 8. The eye ; 9. The third, or motor oculi; 10. The fourth, or patheticus ; 11. The fifth, or tri-facial ; 12. The sixth, or abducens ; 13. The seventh, or facial; 14. The eighth, or auditory; 15. The ninth, or glossopha- ryngeal; 16. The tenth, or pncumo-gastric ; 17. The eleventh, or spi- nal accessory , 18. The twelfth, or hypo-glossal; 20. Spinal ncrvea THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 5*vl The substance of the brain is of a pulpy character, quite soft in infancy and childhood ; it gradually becomes more consistent in advanced years. It is divided into three parts, the large brain (cerebrum), the small brain (cerebellum), and the medulla oblongata, or that part of the spinal cord which lies within the skull to- gether with the pons Varolii. These three parts of the brain within the skull are invested and protected by the three membranes of the brain ; the dura mater, a firm and fibrous membrane next to the skull ; the arachnoid, a serous membrane, which envelops the brain and spine, and is like the serous membranes of the heart and lungs, a closed sac : this is the middle membrane of the three; the pia mater, a vascular membrane, composed of in- numerable vessels, held together by areolar tissue ; this is the nutrient membrane of the brain. From the brain issue the cranial nerves, in twelve pairs, to supply the organs of sense and motion with life and vitality. They are arranged, as regards local origin, as follows : 1. The olfactory; 2. The optic; 3. The motor oculi ; 4. The patheticus ; 5. The tri-facial; 6. The abducen ; 7. The facial ; 8. The auditory; 9. The glossopharyngeal ; 10. The pneumogastric; 11. The spinal accessory; 12. The hypo-glossal. The spinal cord, its membranes, and the roots of the spinal nerves, are contained within the spinal column. The cord is continuous with the brain, or its lowest part, the medulla ob- longata, and is divided into two lateral halves by an anterior and posterior fissure. Each of the lateral halves is divided by furrows into three distinct sets of fibres, called the ante rior, lateral, and posterior columns ; the posterior are the columns of sensation ; the anterior, those of motion, and the lateral are divided in their functions between motion and sensation. From these divisions issue the spinal nerves, thirty-one pairs ,134 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY. in number, each one from two roots, an anterior and posterior, combining the functions of motion and sensation. After the two roots have united, which constitute the spinal nerve, it passes through the opening between the vertebrae on the sides of the spinal column, and distributes itself to its re- respective organs in innumerable ramifications. Fig. 15. Fig. 15. The distribution of the fifth pair of nerves. 1, The orbit for the eye ; 2, The upper jaw; 3, The tongue ; 4, The lower jaw; 5, The fifth pair of nerves ; 6, The first branch of this nerve, that passes to the eye ; 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, Divi- sions of this branch ; 7, The sec- .ond branch of the fifth pair of nerves distributed to the teeth of the upper jaw; 15,16,17, 18, 19, 20, Divisions of thisbranch; 8, The third branch of the fifth pair, that passes to the tongue and teeth of the lower jaw; 23, The division of this branch that passes to the tongue; 28,The di- vision that is distributed to the teeth of the lower jaw. The spinal nerves are divided from the head downward, into eight cervical pairs, twelve dorsal, five lumbar, and six sacral pairs. The ganglionic system, or sympathetic nerve, consists of a series of knots, or ganglia, lying on each side of the spinal column, united with each other by nervous threads. It con- nects itself with the brain and spinal nerves. Each ganglion or knot, may be considered as a distinct center, from which branches issue in four directions, some for communication with other ganglia, some for distribution. The latter accom THE SKIN. 585 pany the arteries to the different organs, and form a network around them, called plexuses, and named after the artery which they accompany ; for instance, the mesenteric plexus, hepatic plexus, etc. In this way all the internal organs of the head and trunk receive branches from the sympathetic nerve, which, therefore, is considered a nerve of organic life. The Skin. The skin covers the exterior of the body, and appears, to the naked eye, as composed of one membrane only. By closer examination, however, it is found to consist of two distinct layers of membrane, the upper or scarf-skin (epi- dermis), and the real skin (cutis vera), which lies underneath the former. The upper-skin (epidermis) is thin, semi-transparent, like a fine shaving of horn ; it has no nerves or blood-vessels, and is without sensation. The hair and the nails are of the same nature. The real skin, (cutis vera, or corion) consists of minute fibres, interwoven with each other to a firm, strong and flex- ible web. This manner of composition permits innumerable interstices or pores, which are finer or closer on the superfi- cial part of the skin than on its lower surface. The upper surface of the skin contains blood-vessels and nerves, looks, therefore, more red or pinkish, and is sensitive ; while the lower strata of the skin connects with the fibrous web, in which the subcutaneous fat of the body is deposited. Beside, the skin-is supplied with nerves; lymphatics also exist in great numbers. The oil-glands are contained in some parts of the true skin, in great abundance, as on the face and nose, the head. etc. ; they communicate with the surface of the skin through small tubes, which penetrate the skin, and open mostly at the roots of hairs. These glands deserve our particular notice, as their usefulness is so great, that neglect in cultivating their healthy action is 58G ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY. felt very severely. They appear in great distinction on the eyelids, where their disease causes the so-called sty ; they produce in the ear-passages the so-called ear-wax : they impart oil to the hair by infusing it into the sheath of eacli hair. In some persons these oil-glands cannot discharge their contents on the surface of the skin, on account of some dis- eased state, when it becomes dry and dense, appearing in round, dark spots, produced by the presence of a minute worm', The perspiratory glands are oval-shaped, or globular balls, lying",in the deeper meshes of the real skin, from whence they communicate with the surface through minute cylindrical tubes, called "pores." The quantity of these pores is truly astonishing ; they average about twenty-eight hundred in the square inch of surface ; and if an ordinary sized man has twenty-five hundred square inches of surface, the whole number of pores in the skin amounts to seven millions. How important must be, therefore, the culture of the skin, as an >rgan for secretion and exhalation. II. DOMESTIC SURGERT. Our present age is, more than any former, one of locomo- tion; many persons and families are constantly thrown on the tide of travel and emigration beyond the accustomed means which a high state of civilization had provided for them in their former homes. In such unusual conditions, and under such increased liabilities to accidents dangerous to life and limb, each one has to carry within himself a world of resources and practical knowledge, ready for use at a moment's warning. The Domestic Physician, therefore, ought to include also a Do- mestic Surgery, which should contain for the most common accidents the most simple and effectual means of relief and cure. For this purpose alone the author has deemed it impor- tant to add this separate treatise on accidents and their treat- ment. Where a surgeon is near at hand, his services should at once be procured; hut when none can be had and help must be rendered without delay, the following rules will be found very acceptable to those placed in such unfortunate emergen- cies. Surgical Appliances. a. Poultices. These are of various and frequent application, sometimes with the most relieving and beneficial result. They have either a soothing or stimulating effect; as we therefore wish the one or the other, different materials have to be chosen. To produce a soothing effect we use bread and milk, corn-meal, flaxseed or slippery elm, in fact any substance which will keep moisture (587) 688 DOMESTIC SURGERY. and warmth for a long time and lies softly on the skin. Of the stimulating poultices we mention here but one, that is, the mustard poultice, as this is the only one which can be applied without interfering with the action of homceopathic medicines. The preparation of a poultice is simple and quick: mix the substance with boiling-hot water, and stir it until it becomes smooth; then spread on linen or cotton cloth, grease it slightly on the surface, and lay it on the parts affected as warm as the patient can endure it; this degree can be ascertained by putting the back of the hand on the poultice; if it can be borne there without inconvenience, the patient will generally not complain. For maturing abscesses and boils, the bread-and-milk and flaxseed poultices are perhaps the most suitable; after their opening, however, the slippery-elm poultice is frequently pre- ferred, particularly if a great deal of sloughing needs the slightly astringent or stimulating property of such a poultice. Therefore slippery elm is the best poultice in carbuncles and other deep ulcers, where its use can not be supplanted by any thing else. The size of a poultice depends upon the size of the surface which is affected; it must more than cover this; its thickness is more uniform, varying from a quarter to half an inch; as soon as it is dry or cool it should be changed. The mustard draft is frequently needed in pleuritic affec tions and rheumatic pains in other parts. This is made by mixing equal parts of mustard and corn-meal, spread on cloth and covered with a piece of fine gauze, which comes next to the skin. The yeast poultice, like the slippery-elm, is used on ulcers which slough a great deal, and where cores and other effete masses have to be removed by degrees. In all cases where poultices are applied, the parts should be well covered, so that their full effect may be had. They ought to be changed frequently, particularly when, as in summer, they incline to get sour, which never must be permitted. 8URGICAL APPLIANCES. 58h b. Fomentations. These partake of the nature of poultices as regards intention of use, namely, to diminish local inflammation and swelling. Their application is either warm or cold; in both cases water forms the most suitable substratum; with it we can combine medicinal tinctures such as Arnica, Calendula, etc., if we wish their effect. In contusions and bruises we use Arnica, in lace- rations and cuts the Calendula, in burns the Urtica urens tinc- ture, etc.; in all these cases cold water has to be used (ten to twenty drops of the tincture to half a pint of water). Cloths, dipped into this mixture and slightly wrung out, are applied and frequently renewed. In using hot fomentations, either of water alone, or of hops contained in a sack and dipped into hot water, the parts, after the hot cloths are applied, have to be well covered, so as to keep moisture and warmth for a long time. The attendant should have two cloths, so that at the renewal of the one he has always one ready to put on immediately. Care should be taken, to prevent the wetting of the cloths and the bed by the application of oil-cloth. c. Plasters. These are mostly used for keeping wounds together, or are put on sores to keep the air off. For this purpose a variety of plasters are in use; the common sticking-plaster and the so-called court-plaster are perhaps the most known and used, the former for larger and deeper wounds, the latter for abrasions or slighter wounds of the skin. The Arnica plaster is very useful for sprains and chronic rheumatism, particularly in the small of the back and the chest, where it may be worn for months. d. Rollers and Bandages. Without bandages, the surgeon could not successfully prac- tice his art; he makes use of them for various purposes. They 590 DOMESTIC SURGERY. should be made of stout linen or cotton sheeting; strips of four fingers' width are torn off and several of them sewed together, until the required length is attained; then they are rolled tightly together, either in one or two rolls, as the ac- companying figure shows. In using them the operator must try to cover all parts of the limb, which shall be i bandaged with an equal force, spirally and smoothly, not allow- ing any wrinkles. To accomplish this he has to turn over the bandage on itself in certain parts of a limb, where it is needed, until he can go on in an even spiral again, all the time letting each turn cover half of the for- mer. The illus- tration will show how to bandage a leg. In ban- daging an arm or a leg, commence with the fingers or toes and work upward, as stated. The ban- dage must not be put on too tight, as this would stop the cir- culation of the blood, which might produce mortification. If too tight, the bandage must be unrolled and re-adjusted. In fractures of bones, the bandage is saturated from time to time with the Arnica lotion, to facilitate the cure. In many cases bandages must be made wider than four fingers, for instance, ! in fractures of ribs, where the ban. i dage necessarily should reach from the arm-pit to the end of the small ribs; in other cases, particularly of. children, the bandage must be made smaller than four fingers. The T. bandage is suitable to fasten cover- ings of the head or abdomen ; it is easily made and applied. ACCIDENTS—REMOVAL OP PERSONS INJURED. 591 e. Splints. These are made of thin pine wood, or strong paste-board of suitable width and length, to be adjusted on a broken limb after it has been set, and there to be fastened either by straps or rollers. They keep the broken ends in position, and prevent them from separating. Their use will be especially referred to in the treatment of fractures. i Accidents. The injuries from falls and blows, if not at once fatal, may consist in bruises, either external or internal with more or less hemorrhage, in wounds, contusions and concussions, in sprains : and dislocations of joints and finally in fractures of bones. We I refer the reader to the general remarks made in Chapter II., under the head of " Casual Diseases," which are introduc- tory to the special treatment of casualties contained in this chapter. Eemoval op Persons Injured by Accident. If a person who has been injured, is unable to move or can not walk home, his injuries must be of a serious nature, and it j is our duty not to increase his sufferings or dangers by injudi- ciously handling him on his removal. For this purpose suit- j able litters are furnished in large cities where hospitals are j located. AVhen these are not to be found, a litter can easily j be constructed on the spur of the moment out of four stout ! poles, to which is attached either a sacking bottom, or over ' which boards are laid, covered with straw or bedding. The annexed figure will explain itself. This mode of carrying a j patient is pre- ferable to re- I moving him j ^^ in a carriage drawn by hor- ses, as the jolting over rough pavements is thus avoided. 5S2 domestic surgery. Fractures op Bones* Heretofore it was believed, even by the profession, that broken bones must be set as soon after the accident as possible, and this belief is still prevalent among the people at large. Modern investigation, however, has shown that it is better to adjust the broken parts after the primary inflammation has subsided, which lasts from three to four days. "Broken limbs" says Dr. South, "should not be set, as it is called, that is, bound up with roller, splints, and pads, for the first three or four days, as for some hours after the acci- dent the part continues swelling; if bandaged up tightly while this is going on, much unnecessary pain is produced, and if the bandages be not slackened, mortification may follow, which I have known to occur. It is best then, at first, only to lay the broken bone in as comfortable a posture as possible, and nearly as can be in its natural direction; and it may be lightly bound to a single splint, merely for the purpose of keeping it steady. The arm, whether broken above or below the elbow, will lie most comfortably half bent upon a pillow. The thigh or leg will rest most easily upon the outer side with the knee bent. Broken ribs and broken collar-bones are an exception to the general rule, and require immediate attention." Fracture op the Nose. This is easily perceived by the deformity of the parts; in adjusting the nasal bones introduce a silver or wooden pencil into the inside of the nose and push out the depressed bones, while the fingers on the outside support and keep them in their places. Apply cold Arnica lotion for several days until in- flammation has ceased. Fracture op the Lower Jaw. This is a fracture of more serious consequence and of frequent complications, such as luxation of one of the condyles, lacera- Q For general remarks see page 81. fracture op collar-bone. 593 tion of soft parts and loosening of teeth. The dislocation of a condyle has to be first reduced (see page 603); then the loosened teeth have to be arranged in their proper places, and finally the fracture may thus beset: Bring the broken ends together and after ad- justing them secure their po- sition by closely shutting the mouth and keeping it shut. Then pass over the chin from ear to ear a stout piece of cloth, India rubber or calf- skin leather, previously cov- ered over with sticking plaster. To secure this in its place put over it a split bandage in the manner shown in the illustration. This bandage must be eight inches wide, split at each end; its front tails are passed up to behind the crown of the head, and its back tails up in front of the crown of the head. The cross- ings of the bandage have to be well stitched together. The patient has to subsist on liquid food and drink, which he sips through the openings of the teeth. This may last for a month or six weeks. Wet the bandage with Arnica lotion for the first three or five days. Fracture op Collar-Bone. This is of frequent occurrence and requires immediate ad- justment, which is easily accomplished, but from the diffi- culty of keeping the broken parts together by bandages, deformities frequently will remain, sometimes even a drooping of the shoulder on the affected side. This fracture is easily recognized by the shoulder of the sick side being considerably lower than the other; on examining the collar-bone itself, by passing the fingers along its edge, a gap in the bone will be found, and on moving the shoulder backward, crepitation or a grating sound will be perceived. The setting is easily effected. 50 594 domestic surgery. Before this is done however, have the following articles ready for use: First, a pad, made of linen or cotton cloth, three inches thick on one end and one inch thick on the other. Secondly, a roller or bandage four fingers wide and four yards long. Thirdly, a piece of linen rag two by four inches, well covered on one side with mutton tallow. Finally, thread, nee- dle and scissors, to be near when needed. After this is done, place the patient in front of you, with his back toward you, and taking hold of his two shoulders press them backward toward you, let them be held there by another; then taking hold of the elbow of the sick arm, elevate it to the hight, even a little above the other shoulder; then adjust the ends of the broken collar-bone, at the same time removing from the body the upper arm far enough to slip under the arm-pit, first the greased linen rag, with the greased side close in the pit, under this the pad, with the thickest part in the pit; on this pad now press the upper arm, firmly elevating and supporting the elbow all the time. Then turn the bandage once or twice around the arm and body, fasten the pad to these turns of the bandage, and keeping the fore- arm in a right angle over the breast, envelop this by the turns of the bandage, carrying the roller from under the elbow over the sound shoulder several times. (See illustration.) The various turns of the bandage then have to be fastened by stitches to each other, wherever needed; on the broken spot a compress wet in Arnica lotion, has to be put and kept wet from time to time. Over the whole put a sling, supporting the elbow and fastened on the sound shoulder. (See illustration.) In children the cure of this fracture lasts from a fortnight to three weeks, in BROKEN RIBS. 595 I older persons a month. If the bandages get loose or deranged, they have to be re-adjusted. In bed the patient should recline on the sound side, rather elevated. The wound fever is slight; if it is not, however, give Aconite and Arnica alternately, a I few doses. Diet must be light and not stimulating. Broken Bibs. The fracture of one or more ribs is to be presumed to exist, if, after a fall or blow, the patient feels at every breath a stitch in the injured side, and if a slight cracking is heard or felt by the hand, placed flatly on the injured part, while the patient draws in a long breath. Keep the patient as quiet as possible and put a tight bandage around his chest, reaching from the arm-pits to the short ribs; before this is tightened and fastened, lay over the broken parts a compress wet in Ar- n ica lotion, which afterward is kept wet through the bandage. Inwardly give Arnica and Aconite in alternate doses (six globules every hour or two hours). The patient should rather lie in an elevated position, particularly in a day or two after the accident. If the bandage gets loose, it has to be adjusted again. If the ribs be broken on both sides, or if the breast-bone is fractured, no bandage must be applied, but only a compress, wet with Arnica lotion, laid on the injured parts and the pa- tient be kept perfectly quiet. « Fracti-re of Arm above the Elbow. (Humerus.) The most frequent fracture of the humerus occurs in its middle portions; seldom above near the shoulder, or below near j the elbow. . It is always easily detected; the patient being in- capable of raising either the elbow or fore-arm; crepitation is heard ou slightly rotating the arm. If the arm is very much swollen, keep it for a day or two, slightly bent on a pillow, without setting it, but bathe it con- stantly with the cold Arnica lotion until the swelling subsides. 596 domestic surgery. Then adjust the parts by extending the arm sufficiently to make length and positions agree with the sound one, the fore- arm being always at a right angle. Then bandage the arm from the fingers upward to the arm-pit; there stop the roller and lay on the four sides of the upper arm four well padded splints. (See illustration.) These splints reach not further than the el- bow, and are fastened by the roller which now is turned from the shoul- der down to the elbow and back again to the shoulder, where it is sewed fast. Then wet the bandages with Arnica lotion, put a sling under the arm and around the neck, which must not reach further than half the fore-arm. If the bandage gets loose in a few days, put another one over the old one, or re- adjust anew. In about a month the broken parts have united. Fracture of the Fore-Arm. If both bones are broken the fracture is easily discovered. "But," says Dr. South,0 "if only one be broken, it is not so easy for an unpracticed person to distinguish it; but this is of less consequence, as the sound bone serves for a splint to keep the broken one pretty nearly in its place, even though no splints be put on." If swollen, bathe the arm in cold Arnica lotion until the swelling has disappeared. If both bones be broken, two padded splints are required, extending from the tips of the fingers to the bend of the elbow in front, and to the point of the elbow behind. The fore-arm is now to be bent on the elbow; the splints applied, one before and the other behind, and both bound firmly to the arm with a roller from the fingers up to the bend of the elbow. The arm then resting on its back is to be put in a sling, which shall 0 Dr. John F. South'e Household Surgery. BROKEN FINGERS--THIGH. 597 Bupport it from the elbow to the finger ends. The splints must be kept on about a month. Broken Fingers. If the first or second joint of either of the fingers be broken, it is readily discovered; but not so easily if it be the third joint, which, however, is but rarely broken without more seri- ous mischief. If swollen, bathe the fingers in Arnica lotion until the swelling has disappeared. A piece of thin wood or stiff pasteboard, as wide and as long as the finger, is to be placed on its front or same side as the palm of the hand. Upon this the finger being laid straight, it is to be bound with a roller an inch wide from end to end. It is best to keep the hand in a sling for three weeks or a month, and not to attempt using it till after that time. The broken finger often remains stiff a long while after it has be- come well knit together; it is therefore a good plan to render the joints supple by thrusting the hand for half an hour daily into warm grains, but, if these can not be procured, soaking it for the same time in warm water; and afterward to bend the finger gently forward and backward, as far as it can be moved without pain. Broken Thigh. If this accident occur in any part a little distant from the hip or knee-joint, it is easily ascertained from the unnatural bending at the scat of injury and by the person being unable to lift up the leg below the broken part, as well as by his not liking to attempt it on account of the pain produced by the ends of the bone pushing into the flesh. For the first day or two, bath the patient's thigh with Arnica lotion, and begin to set the fracture on the third day. Though a much more serious accident than either of those already mentioned, it may be managed quite as easilv, and in 598 domestic surgery. 'i "} many cases, if the person will be quiet, without any splints, although it is better to use them. Without Splints.— The patient must be placed upon his back upon a firm mattress, laid on a board resting on the bed-frame, which is better than on the sacking, as that sinks with the weight of the body when resting on it for some weeks. Two thick pads are to be made, of sufficient size to cover, the one the whole of the inside of the sound knee, and the other the inside of the ankle of the same limb. Both limbs must now 1 c laid close together, in the same straight line as the body, resting on the heels, with the toes right upward; and in doing this care must be taken that the calves of the legs rest flat on the mattress. Thus far done, the body must be kept immovable by one person, who grasps the hips with his two hands. A second person then takes hold of the bro- ken limb with both hands, just above the ankle, and gently and steadily draws it down without disturbing its position, while a third places the knee-pad between the two knees, and the ankle-pad between the ankles. The gentle pull- ing being continued, the sound knee is brought close to that of the broken limb, but a little above it, so that it rests against the jutting inside of the joint, and then, both being kept close together, a pad about as broad as the hand must be turned round both legs, directly below both knees, and around this a roller about three yards long must be tenderly, carefully, and tightly wound, so as to prevent one knee slipping from the other. A strap and buckle will serve the same purpose; or, in want of roller and strap, a handkerchief may be passed twice round and tied, care being taken not to make the knot y" fracture of leg below the knee. 599 opposite either of the hard parts which mark the place of the two leg-bones; for if put there it will be liable to cause very uneasy pressure. Both ankles are next to be tied together in like manner, care being taken that that of the sound is above Mint of the broken limb. A small pad is now to be put be- I tween the insides of both feet to guard them against the pres- sure which is made by binding the feet together, and this • ompletes the whole business. This method, simple as it is, is a very good one, and as good cures have followed as under the usual and more complicated mode of treatment. Fracture of the Bones of the Leo below the Knee. (Tibia and Fibula.) Experience proves, says Dr. Epps,° that both the bones are more frequently broken together than singly. Great care must be taken that the end of the tibia is not pushed through the skin. I Symptoms.— Not being able to walk or bear upon the leg; mobility of the fractured pieces; a distinct crepitus (noise); | and a change in the direction and the shape of the limb. While the swelling lasts, the limb should be rested on a pil- low, applying Arnica lo- tion, etc. After the swell- ing has subsided, which takes from three to six days, the fracture should be set. Two splint* are required, one for the outer side with a hole for the an- kle, and one for the inside; both to be well padded, especially at the ends. The leg is to be placed as represented in the cut, with the knee a little bent; * Dr. George K. Epps' Treatise on Accidents, in the British edition of Pulte's Homoeopathic Domestic Physician. 600 domestic surgery. the leg is carefully lifted sufficiently high to allow the outside splint being placed under it; and the other splint is then placed on the inside, due attention being directed to the holes for the ankle-bones, and that the great toe is in a line with the inner edge of the knee-cap. A roller is then applied, com- mencing at the foot, bandaging up to nearly the fractured part; a second roller is applied, commencing just above the fractured bone up to the knee; again see that the fractured bones are in position; then a third roller (or the remainder of the first), is bandaged over the fractured part. A pillow is placed on the outside to raise the limb a little. The advantage of thus ap- plying the bandages being, that the middle or last roller can be removed without disturbing the limb or splints to examine the fractured ends of the bones. The foot must be kept steady with the leg. Fracture of the Shin-Bone only. (Tibia.) This fracture very seldom happens without the fracture of | the lesser bone also (fibula) ; but should it happen, it is to be I put up in like manner to a fracture of both bones. Fracture of the Lesser Bone only. (Fibula.) The only evidence, generally, of fracture of this bone, is pain when the patient puts his foot to the ground. All that is required is rest, by keeping it upon the bed, and apply the Arnica, etc., lotion. ' Fracture of the Foot and Toes. Severe contusions and lacerations accompany, more or less, in- juries of this kind, which require a preparatory treatment by externally applying the Arnica and Calendula lotion, before any reposition of the bones thus crushed or broken dare take place. The foot has to be kept in a horizontal position, wrapped in a compress wet with the above named lotions; if more lacerated take Calendula, if more contused take Arnica compound fractures—dislocation. 601 tincture. When swelling and inflammation have subsided, ad- justment must take place, and the broken parts kept in position by strong pasteboard splints and bandages. Compound Fractures. These are attended by an external wound or protrusion of the broken bone through the skin; on this account they are of the most dangerous character, particularly on the lower limbs, as the amount of force necessary to produce such an injury must have been very great, and acting perpendicularly must have jarred the whole frame, consequently produced internal in- juries. Their treatment as to setting and treating the broken p irts does not differ from that of a simple fracture; hut the bandages and other apparatus must be so arranged as to per- mit afterward the dressing of the wound without risking a new displacement of the bone. The same should be done in commi- nuted fractures, where the bone is crushed and splinters of the bone have to separate and subsequently to be removed when loosened, through the external wound. Dislocation or Luxation. The joints of the body are formed by the junction of the ends of two bones, fastened and surrounded by ligaments and acted upon by muscles for purposes of motion and exertion of power. According to the requirements of use, they are formed and fashioned differently. Dislocation takes place, when by ex- ternal violence or natural weakness of the ligaments, the end of one bone is displaced from the other and kept in that posi- tion for a length of time. We extract here from Dr. George N. Epps on "Accidents." "Joints are divided into ball and socket (orbicular), having a rotatory motion, as in the articulations of the shoulder, hip, and thumb—and angular, or pump-handle (ginglymoid), as in the articulation of the elbow, knee, etc. The ball and socket joints have the greater diversity of 51 602 domestic surgery. motion, and also have the greater liability of being dislocated, but, fortunately, are the most easily put in their place. The sooner a dislocation is reduced, the easier it can be accomplished; the longer a dislocation remains unreduced, the more difficult, and in some cases, the reduction will have be- come impossible. In consequence of the muscles being the chief cause of resis- tance in the reduction of dislocations at the time of receiving the injury, should the patient be suffering from faintness, weakness, sickness, intoxication, paralysis, etc., thus preventing the exercising of his strength, the less will be the difficulty in- effecting the reduction. Dislocations are attended with more or less laceration or tearing, or lengthening of the soft parts immediately sur- rounding the joint, more especially the membrane investing the joint; it may re-slip from its socket after the reduction, to prevent which, the parts must be kept perfectly quiet. It is essential after the reduction of a dislocation of the shoulder or the jaw, that a bandage should be applied to retain them in position, giving the parts rest for a time to become strong. Dislocations are divided, as in cases of fractures, into sim- ple and compound: simple when the skin is not broken; com- pound, when the skin is broken. The difference in regard to the termination is immense, the simple being trivial; but the compound is frequently accompanied with peril, too generally rendering amputation necessary, and in too many instances terminates fatally. The aged are less liable to dislocations, but they are mart liable to fractures. Where a patient receives a fracture, and at the same timt a dislocation, the dislocation is to be reduced before the frac- ture is attended to. The reduction of a dislocation should be accomplished by a gradual, continuous, extending force. It is known by the limb recovering its natural length, shape, and direction, being dislocation of the neck. C03 able to perform certain motions which are not possible while the bone is out of its place. The patient experiences a great and sudden diminution of pain upon the reduction. The head of the bone of the shoulder-joint and of the hip-joint make a snapping noise at the moment of returning into the cavity of the joint. Dislocation of the Jaw. Luxation of the jaw can occur only forward; one or both sides may be dislocated. If only one side, the chin is twisted, the motions are partial, and the mouth is a little open. When both sides are dislocated, the fixed, open state of the mouth, and projection of the chin; leave no doubt even upon the most inexperienced person of the character of the accident. The reduction of this dislocation is very simple; having guarded the thumbs with thick gloves, or other coverings, place them on the lower grinders, one on each side, the fingers clasping the lower jaw near the chin; then by pressing down the thumbs on the lower grinders, and, at the same time, raising the chin with your fingers, the articulating parts (processes) of the jaw are drawn downward, and immediately return into their natural places; a split bandage is then applied as in fractured jaw (page 592), and retained for three or four days. Should you be fearful of your thumbs being bitten, place the patient on his back, and introduce between the grinders on each side, instead of your thumbs, a piece of cork. Dislocation of the Neck. Complete dislocation of the bones (vertebrae) of the neck can not take place without being followed by instant death ; but sub- luxation, that is, partial dislocation, may. Place your knees (if you have not an assistant on the spot) against the shoulders of the patient, and apply gentle extension with one hand under the chin, and with the other hand to the back of thf I head; the patient being placed on his back. 604 domestic surgery. Dislocation of the Shoulder-Joint. The luxation of the shoulder-joint is the most frequent of the various dislocations. Of the several dislocations of this joint, that which generally happens is into the arm-pit. Symptoms.—The arm can not move without the shoulder (scapula or blade-bone) moving with it. The natural round- ness of the shoulder is gone. The patient can not use the arm. The elbow is separated from the side. Eeduction or Treatment.—There are four or five modes of reducing or " putting in " this dislocation, but that presented in the accompanying woodcut, perhaps, is the most easily managed by the reader. The sufferer is placed either on the bed or floor, with a pillow under his head. The operator hav- ing removed his boot from his left foot (assuming the patient's left arm is dislocated) places the heel with a pad between the arm and the body of the patient; he then takes hold of the patient above the wrist with his hands (or having previously passsed three turns of a wet roller round the arm, just above the elbow, and over it a jack-towel), gradually extends the luxation at the wrist, etc 605 limb, pushing with his heel toward the shoulder, but giving (after having kept up the extension a short time) the inclina- tion with the foot outward. It will greatly reduce the amount of extension required, at the time of pulling, by directing the patient's attention to some other object, such as raising his feet, etc. It generally returns to its socket with a snap. When the dislocation is reduced, bandage the arm and fore-arm (the fore-arm being at a right angle with the arm) to the body by a few turns of a broad roller, supporting the arm in a sling while any swelling of the joint continues, and apply Arnica lotion, etc. ! Luxations at the Wrist, Joints of the Hand, etc.° J The wrist joint is liable to several displacements. Both radius and ulna may be dislocated together, either forward or backward, or each of them may be separately displaced in cither direction—thus making six varieties of luxation. If both bones are displaced forward, this projection of the bones of the arm under the carpus or forward, happens from falling upon the palm of the hand, the ends of the radius and ulna bearing with great force against the annular ligament. while unprotected by the carpal bones, they being bent back wards. On the contrary, the displacement —at the back of the wrist takes place when a person falls on the back of the hand, so that the arm bones may be similarly thrust over the carpus, while the carpal bones are thrown for- ward and upward under the flexor tendons, in front of the fore-arm. 0 See the excellent work on Surgery, by Drs. Hill and Hunt. 606 domestic surgery. The distinctive symptoms are indicated in this account of the nature of the accidents. In the former case there will be a manifest protuberance on the front of the wrist, with a some- what similar but smaller one at the back of the wrist, produced by the carpal bones. The hand is bent back out of the line of the fore-arm. In the latter case—the luxation backward or to the back of the wrist (represented by the figure)—the symp- toms are exactly reversed. There being projections both behind and before in either case, can never occasion their being con- founded. The direction of the edges or ends of the projections, as well as of the hand, will immediately show the nature of the case. Strains of the wrist, produced by falls and other violence, may occasionally simulate dislocation. This may be distin- guished by the fact of the questionable symptoms coming on gradually, and not showing themselves immediately after the accident, as in actual dislocation. There will also be more flexibility of the hand; nor will the swelling be likely to imi- tate accurately the separated extremities of the arm and car- pal bones. The reduction is similar in both cases. The surgeon takes hold of the patient's hand in one of his, while the fore-arm is supported by his other hand. An assistant meanwhile holds the arm at the elbow, keeping that joint slightly flexed. As soon as sufficient force is applied in the different directions, the natural action of the muscles throws the bones into their proper place. As soon as the reduction is effected, compresses should be placed upon the wrist and secured by a roller, the part being kept constantly wet with cold dilution of Arnica water, etc. The roller should enclose the whole hand, commencing from the end of the fingers and be continued, moderately tight, up to the elbow. A splint should afterward be added, and the fore- arm suspended in a sling. If the parts are very painful, give internally Aconite and Rhus. dislocation at the ankle. 607 Dislocation at the Ankle. This may occur in various directions, outward, inward, forward, and (very rarely) backward. There are generally complications. The dislocation inward is the most common. A tumor is caused by the internal malleolus pressing so firmly against the skin as almost to burst through. The foot is turned out, but the joint is still movable. The fibula is often fractured. To reduce, let an assistant take hold of the foot by the heel and toes, flexing the leg at a right angle with the thigh, and— while the thigh is held fast by another assistant just above the knee—make extension at the ankle, the surgeon at the same time pushing the end of the tibia back to its place. Then fix it with splints and bandages, and keep it wet with cold dilution of Arnica Tr., to subdue or prevent inflammation. 608 domestic surgery. separate dislocation at the wrist. Of the radius alone (the ulna adhering by its ligamentous attachment):—the external or thumb side of the hand is twisted backward and the opposite side inward or forward. The extremity of the radius may be felt and generally seen also, forming a prominence in the front of the wrist, its styloid process being removed from its station opposite the trapezium. The same treatment is required for reduction and dressing as ' in the complete dislocation, that is, displacement of both bones together. The ulna alone is oftener dislocated, or rather detached from the carpus (it forming no part of the wrist joint) than the radius alone. The accident is always accompanied with rupture of the ligament. The ulna generally projects at the back of the hand. The hand is twisted. The bone may be easily pressed down from where it appears on the back of the wrist, but will not stay in place. When the pressure is taken off, the deformity is renewed, the muscles drawing it up, the ligaments that should keep it down being torn away. The accident is always to be ascertained by the projection of the ulna above a level with the cuneiform bone, and the change in the position of its styloid process, which is thrown out of its proper line with the metacarpal bone of the little finger. To accomplish the reduction, all that is required to be done is simply to place the ulna down in its proper cavity at the side of the radius, and retain it there by suitable compresses and splints. The latter should extend along the fore-arm in a line with the back of the hand. They should be well padded and j then secured by a roller. III. HYGIENE AND HYDROPATHY. Hygiene. Hygiene comprises the knowledge of instituting such a \ mode of living as is best calculated to preserve health. The clearer this knowledge is, and the closer we follow the rules of health, the surer the prevention of diseases will be. It is certain, beyond doubt, that less misery, disease, and death, would mar the happiness of this fair world, if its inhabitants would live more in accordance with the laws of nature, and less after their own often mistaken notions and passions. Reform, in this respect, has already commenced ; and, with a more rational method of healing, and the application of a more efficient and salutary tonic agent (the water), invalid and enfeebled mankind can look forward to a happier, because a healthier future. In the following pages, we will notice briefly the most important subjects affecting the physical well-being of an individual. These are : food and drink, sleep, air, and exer- cise, clothing and occupation. In all our wishes and necessities of physical and mental things, we must never forget two important principles : first, to inquire whether they are really beneficial or useful, and if so, to use them in moderation.* * For more minute details on this subject, see Dr Tarbell's Sources of Health (609) 610 HYGIENE AND HYDROPATHY. Food and Drink. The waste of bodily strength must be supplied by suitable food and drink. This is the greatest necessity of nature : and if errors are committed in this respect, our injured system must suffer the bad consequences. It is, therefore, of the ut- most importance to pay particular regard to the selection of our daily food and drink, in order to escape disease, and often premature death. Suitable food must have two paramount qualities : it must be nutritious and digestible. Not all nutritious food is digesti- ble, and' vice versa. A great many experiments have been made, to test the relative digestibility of food, and from these and the experiments on the sick bed, valuable knowledge in regard to the choice of food has been collected. According to these investigations, boiled rice is the most digestible, and roasted pork, fat and lean, the most indigestible substance. In order to give the reader a more comprehensive view of the relative digestibility of food, we insert Dr. Beaumont's results, as related in Dr. Tarbell's " Sources of Health." U. M. Rice............................Boiled......Digested in.....1 Pigs' Feet, soused................ " .....................1 Tripe, soused.................... " .....................1 Eggs, Whipped..................Raw.......................1 30 Trout, Salmon, fresh.............Boiled.....................1 30 " ____........Fried......................1 30 Apples, sweet....................Raw.......................1 30 Venison steak...................Broiled....................1 35 Brains...........................Boiled....................1 45 Sago............................ " ....................1 45 Tapioca......................... " ....................2 Barley.......................... " ....................2 Milk............................ " ....................2 Liver, beef's, fresh...............Broiled....................2 Eggs, fresh......................Raw......................2 Codfish,cured, dry................Boiled....................2 Apples, sour......................Raw......................2 Cabbage, with vinegar............. " .................... .2 FOOD AND DRINK. 611 Milk............................Raw......Digested in.....2 15 Eggs, fresh.......................Roasted...................2 15 Turkey, wild..................... " ...................2 18 " domestic...............Boiled....................2 25 ..................Roasted...................2 30 Gelatine.........................Boiled.....................2 30 Goose......... ................Roasted...................2 30 Pig, sucking..................... » ...................2 30 Lamb, fresh......................Broiled...................2 30 Beans, pod......................Boiled....................2 30 Cake, sponge....................Baked....................2 30 Parsnips.....„...................Boiled...................2 30 Potatoes, Irish...................Roasted...................2 30 " ...................Baked....................2 30 Cabbage, head...................Raw......................2 30 Spinal Marrow...................Boiled....................2 40 Chicken.........................Fricassee..................2 45 Custard.........................Baked....................2 45 Beef............................Boiled....................2 45 Oysters..........................Raw......................2 55 Eggs............................Soft Boiled................3 Beef, fresh, lean, rare,.............Roasted...................3 Beefsteak .......................Broiled...................3 Pork, salted.....................Raw......................3 " .....................Stewed....................3 Mutton, fresh....................Broiled...................3 " ....................Boiled....................3 Chicken soup.................... " ....................3 Dumpling, apple................. " ....................3 Oysters..........................Roasted...................3 lb Pork-steak.......................Broiled...................3 15 Pork, salted......................Broiled....................3 15 Mutton..........................Roasted...................3 15 Bread, corn......................Baked....................3 15 Carrot...........................Boiled....................3 15 Sausage..........................Broiled...................3 20 Flounder........................Fried.................... .3 30 Oysters..........................Stewed..................3 30 Beef............................Boiled....................3 30 Butter...........................Melted....................3 30 Cheese, old ....................Raw......................3 30 612 H7GIENE AND HYDR0PATH7. n. M Bread, wheaten, fresh.............Baked.....Digested in.....3 30 Turnips.........................Boiled....................3 30 Potatoes, Irish................... " ....................3 3C Eggs............................Hard Boiled..............3 30 " ............................Fried.....................3 30 Green Corn and Beans............Boiled....................3 45 Beets............................ " ....................3 45 Salmon, salted.................... " ....................4 Beef............................Fried.....................4 Veal............................Broiled....................4 Fowls, domestic..................Boiled....................4 " ..................Roasted...................4 Ducks, domestic................. " ...................4 Heart, animal....................Fried.....................4 Beef, old, salted..................Boiled....................4 15 Pork, salted.....................Fried.....................4 15 .....................Boiled....................4 30 Veal............................Fried.....................4 30 Ducks, wild......................Roasted...................4 30 Suet, mutton.....................Boiled....................4 30 Cabbage, with vinegar............ " ....................4 30 Suet, beef........................ " ....................5 3 Pork, fat and lean.................Roasted...................5 15 The above table is very explicit, as regards the digestibility of certain substances, and we can ask its particulars with con- fidence, whenever we wish to decide this point in the choice of food; but, in relation to its nutritious qualities, whether highly nutritious or less nutritious food is necessary, we must follow the researches of Prof. Liebig, who first explained satisfactorily the connection of digestion and respiration. He showed that the lungs receive a greater quantity of oxygen in cold than in warm climates and seasons. A correspond- ing amount of carbon, which is contained in the food, is ne- cessary to mix with the blood, and unite in the lungs with this oxygen, to produce such a degree of animal heat, as is re- quired by the external circumstances of the individual. The colder the climate, therefore, the more carbon (or food con- DIGESTIBILITY OF FOOD. 6i:j taining carbon) is .necessary, to produce animal heat; the warmer the season or climate, the less of it is necessary. For this reason, is-fish-oil the staff of life for the Greenlander ; because it contains the greatest amount of carbon, for produc- ing a great quantity of animal heat, which he needs in those regions ; while persons under the equator live principally upon watery, vegetable productions, affording but little sup- port to animal heat; as nature supplies this by the hot cli- mate itself. Animal food, in general, is more nutritious than vegetable; but the structure of our digestive organs, from the teeth to the lowest part of the intestines, shows conclusively that man was destined to partake of both kinds, animal as well as vegetable. The latter must preponderate, however, on account of the reasons above given, in warm seasons and climates, while the animal food takes precedence in cold re- gions and seasons : in the highest latitudes, even to the ex- clusion of all vegetable diet. In temperate regions, a judi- cious combination of both kinds of food is necessary to sustain life harmoniously. The digestibility of food varies according to individual strength and habit. Pork may be completely indigestible to the invalid and student, although it is highly nutritious, while it is perfectly digestible for the woodcutter and hunter in wild regions. Animal food contains, principally, fibrine, albumen, gelatine, oil, casscinc, and osmazome. Fibrine is digestible and nutritious. Albumen is nutritious, but becomes indigestible when hard- ened too much by heat. Gelatine the substance which forms the so-called jelly, is nutritious and readily digested ; but its digestibility is fre- quently impeded by improper ingredients mixed with it, par- ticularly in the form of aciJs. Oil sustains heat but is difficult of digestion ; it requires the action of bile in the intestines to assimilate it properly. 614 HYGIENE AND HYDROPATHY. Casseine is both nutritious and digestible. It is contained in the cheesy part of milk. Osmazome is that substance which imparts flavor to the meat and the soups. Its presence shows the nutritious and digestible quality of the meat. According to the predominance of one of the above-named substances, animal food has been divided into three classes : 1. Fibrinous class ; comprising mutton, beef, pork, ducks, geese, and venison. 2. Gelatinous class ; to which belong veal, lamb, young poultry, and most kinds of fish. 3. Albuminous class ; containing oysters, eggs, brain, and liver, the sweetbread in calves. The digestibility of meat varies according to the mixture of oil, or osmazome ; for instance, ducks and geese, although belonging to the fibrinous, or best digestible class, are more indigestible than beef; because they are of an oleaginous nature. Mutton and beef are among the most nutritious and digest- ible of meats. The former is rather better for invalids, dyspeptics in particular. Venison, also, is very nutritious and digestible. Pork is difficult of digestion ; because it is united to so much oily or fat substance. Beside, its continual use causes diseases of the skin and lymphatic system. Veal and lamb belong to the gelatinous class ; very nutri- tious, but not so easily digested, because they are not suffi- ciently matured or ripened, as it were. Poultry differs, also, according to its age ; the young containing more gelatine, and requiring, in consequence, not so much roasting or baking; the older ones containing more fibrine, and requiring, therefore, more cooking and roasting. Among the fowls, there are none more suitable for invalids than the wild fowls, such as partridges, pheasants; etc. digestibility of food. 6in Eggs and oysters, are very nutritious, and very digestible, in their natural state ; but to harden their albumen, by cooking or stewing too much, renders them very objectionable for the Bick. Clams are not so digestible. Fish, in general, differ as regards their digestibility, in the same proportion as they contain more oily substance. Ma- rine fish generally contain more oil than fresh water fish. Fish without scales contain more oil, and are, therefore, more indigestible than other fish. Vegetable food contains, principally, starch (fecula), gluten, mucilage, oU, and sugar. Starch, like oil, furnishes carbon, and abounds in the grains, in potatoes and other roots, as well as in arrowroot, sago, tapioca, etc. Gluten, the nutritious part of grain also, enables it to form a tenacious paste, by the mixture of flour with water ; it is similar to the animal fibrine. Mucilage, or gum, is innutritiouS, but useful, by furnishing carbon and hydrogen to the oxygen of the blood. Sugar and oil serve the same purpose. Rice is a digestible and nutritious vegetable, wholesome for healthy and debilitated persons. ']i\\epotato ranks next, if roasted or baked, while it is less digestible when boiled ; the sweet-potato is less digestible than the common potato. Arrowroot, sago, tapioca, farina, are both digestible and nutritious. Beets contain a good deal of sugar, and on that account, furnish considerable carbon and hydrogen ; but, as the fibrous part of the beet is entirely indigestible, invalids must abstain from its use. Orion, cabbage, asparagus, and tomato, contain but verv little nutriment, and must not be indulged in by per- sons having, or being disposed to the diseases of the ab- domen. 616 HYGIENE AND HYDROPATHY. Fruits, in general, are refreshing and wholesome, but not very nutritious. This latter quality makes them very desira- ble in diseases, where a nutritious diet otherwise would be detrimental. In the convalescence from fevers, apples, baked or roasted, dried prunes stewed, etc., form a refreshing and grateful diet for the recovering patient; in the green state, fruit produces flatulency, and must be avoided by patients, although a moderate use of ripe fruit for a well person, is very good, except in seasons when bowel complaints predo- minate. In order to enable the reader to distinguish between sub- stances, as regards their nutritious quality, we subjoin here a list of some of those most in use, as given in Carpenter's Physiology. In this table human milk is taken as the stan- dard of comparison=100. NUTRITION TABLE. Vegetable. Rice........................ 81 Wheat..................119-144 Potatoes..................... 84 Carrots.................... 150 Turnips..................... 106 Brown bread............. 166 Rye......................... 106 Peas...................... 239 Maize.......,............100-125 Lentils................... 276 Barley....... .............. 125 Mushroom.................289 Oats........................ 138 Beans..................... 320 White bread................. 142 Animal. Human milk................. 100 Portable Soup............. 764 Cow's milk.................. 237 White of egg.............. 845 Oyster...................... 305 Crab, boiled............... 859 Yolk of eggs................ 305 Skate, raw................. 859 Cheese ..................331-447 ------boiled............... «.">9 Eel, raw.................... 434 Herring, raw............... 910 ----boiled.................. 428 --------boiled............808 Mussel, raw................. 528 --------milt of............ 924 ------ boiled............... 660 Haddock, raw............. 920 Ox liver, raw................ 570 --------boiled............ 816 DIGESTIBILITY OF FOOD. 617 Pork-ham, raw............... 539 Flounder, raw............. 898 ---------boiled............ 807 ------- boiled............ 954 Balmon, raw................776 Pigeon, raw............... 756 -------boiled.............. 610 -------boiled............ 827 Lamb, raw..............--- 833 Veal, boiled............... 911 Mutton, raw................. 773 Beef, raw.................. 880 -----boiled................ 852 ----boiled................ 941 Ve&\, raw.................... 873 Ox lung................... 931 Water is the only liquid which nature has furnished in abundance for drink ; without it, all living beings and organ- ized forms would perish. How important it is, therefore, to procure an article, so indispensable and necessary, in as pure a state as possible. The best water for drink is, without doubt, rain water, as it is free from admixtures of earthy substances ; yet, even rain-water frequently becomes impure by falling through an impure atmosphere, particularly that hanging over large towns, or by running on roofs of houses, through unclean spouts before it reaches the cistern. Equal to rain-water, in purity and taste, is the water pro- cured by the melting of snow and ice, if the latter has been formed in clean ponds or rivers. But where rain water cannot be obtained in sufficient quan- tity or purity, it is generally taken from the rivers and lakes, which furnish a better water than wells. The latter contains more or less lime, salts, or other earthy impurities, which render it neither palatable nor healthy. Water, coming from marshy regions, is entirely unfit for drinking ; at least, not until, by boiling, the inherent organic matter is destroyed. A healthy person ought to habituate himself to a free use of cold water. Beside using it externally in baths, he should drink morning, noon, and evening, with his meals, a sufficient quantity to dilute the food. But the water he drinks must be cold, as it is this latter quality which offers to the stomach a natural and strengthening stimulus for digestion ; in summer, and in southern latitudes, ice is necessary to render the water 618 HYGIENE AND HYDROPATHY. fit for hygienic purposes. If a person is once used to di ink plenty of cold or ice-water at or after his meals, he seldom suffers from indigestion, and needs not the use of stimu- lating drinks ; and every one can easily habituate himself to this practice. It is a wrong idea, which seems yet to prevail to a great extent, that it is unwholesome to drink water at the meals ; but experience has the advantage, and one can soon test the matter for himself. The trial must only be continued for some time, in order to allow the system to accommodate itself to the new habit. Health and good spirits will be the consequence of such a change in a per- son's living. It is also very proper to drink a tumbler of fresh water when retiring in the evening, or on rising in the morning. In doing this, the want of other drinks or beverages of a stimu- lating nature, such as coffee, or tea, is not felt so much, and can be dispensed with easier by degrees. Coffee, especially, is one of those enticing, palatable beve rages which have laid the majority of the civilized world under contribution ; it is made nutritious by the addition of cream and sugar; but the greatest part of its contents is medicinal, and consequently, not fit for daily consumption, without creating artificial alterations in a person's healthy condition. Hahnemann, the illustrious founder of Homoeo- pathy, was the first who drew the attention of the coffee- drinking community to the destructive tendency their favored article had on the constitution. He distinguished well between a moderate use of this drink and an immoderate consumption in large quantities and strong decoctions. We recommend our readers to read his admirable article on this subject. It exhausts all that can be said in regard to it, and is capable to cure the most inveterate coffee-drinker. Homoeopathy forbids its use in most all diseases, and insists on a more natural diet; in this important undertaking, she is supported by the rigorous system of hydropathy, which demands th* DIGESTIBILITY OF FOOD. 619 abolition of all stimulating drink, and allows nothino- but water. But, if coffee cannot be abstained from, or if a person is only using it moderately, without experiencing bad conse- quences, it would be well to recommend a good preparation of the bean, by roasting it but slightly, grinding it never long before it is used, and adding to the decoction one-half of boiled milk. In this way, coffee may be drank with com- parative impunity. Tea, as a daily drink, meets with the same objections as coffee, and is only tolerated in its use for the sick, because these have not been sufficiently estranged from such stimu- lants to do without it. To healthy persons we would recommend to abstain from its use entirely, as tea is neither nutritious, nor capable of fostering the digestion. If any tea shall be used, let it be black tea, as this contains less of the tannin, or the astringent principle, which forms an ingredient of all kinds of teas. Chocolate, or cocoa, is decidedly preferable to coffee or tea as a daily drink, although it is, to some extent, an indigestible article, which needs good digestive powers and exercise to render it wholesome. It is frequently allowed to patients who have no abdominal diseases, or do not suffer from weakness of the stomach. MUk is very nutritious, but not always digestible. Although nature designed infants to subsist for some time on milk, it is no stronger proof, on that account, of its greater digestibility; as it is well known that an infant's stomach is not yet weak- ened by stimulating food or drink, and is better prepared for the digestion of milk than that of adults. The practice of drinking milk at dinner is very injurious; it is more wholesome toward evening, particularly in the sum- mer, and in the morning, when bread-and-milk forms a good diet for healthy persons. 620 HYGIENE AND HYDROPATHY. The reason why country people can eat and drink milk with impunity, while persons living in cities dare not do the same, lies simply in the constant exercise of the former, combined with less care and hasty pursuits of life. After drinking milk, no sour articles must be drank or eaten, as an undue coagulation will ensue in the stomach, with all its morbific consequences. Buttermilk is a healthy beverage, but it must be used with care, not allowing any vsids or fruits to follow after it. SpirUous liquors, wine, brandy, etc., must be considered as medicines, never as drinks, which might be adopted for daily consumption with impunity. And, in a medicinal capacity, they are truly beneficial, while, in the other, they have proved to be the greatest curses of mankind. But enough has been said and argued on this point, and it would be useless here to repeat the proofs, that the habitual use of spiritous liquors ruins both body and soul. As medicines they are prescribed by the physician ; for instance, brandy, after having eaten indigestible articles, or as a stimulus in Asiatic cholera; wine after debilitating dis- eases, or after great loss of blood ; and ale or porter for nurs- ing women, etc. We advise strictly to adhere to the principle, " Touch not, taste not, handle not." Sleep. This interruption of the voluntary activity of the bodily powers is as necessary for their renovation and strength as food and drink; in sleep reparation is not counteracted by waste as it is during the period of wakefulness. If we would eat and fill our blood with nourishment, yet have not suffi- cient bodily exercise to exhaust strength, we would soon pro- duce a disturbance of the equilibrium, which must exist in our system between loss and supply. In the following order we should regulate the hours of life ; first, work (mental and bodily exercise for every healthy individual, without excep bleep. 621 tion); second, eating (the principal meal ought to be had toward evening, after the labor is done); third, sleep (soon after eating, in order to permit the nourishment in the blood to crystallize into the different solids of the system). The time which should be passed in sleep varies according to age, occupation, and constitution. Children need more sleep than those of a maturer age, where the growing, or solidifi- cation of the system is not so much required. Vigorous, mental activity needs longer sleep to recruit than mere bodily labor ; because the nervous energy, which facilitates solidification, becomes more exhausted by mental than bodily fatigue. The lymphatic constitution needs more sleep than the nervous and bilious, because the former having less nervous energy, requires longer time to convert, during the sleep, the blood into muscle, nerve, sinew, etc. There is no normal quantity of hours to repose in sleep; as a general rule, it may range from six to seven hours in twenty-four ; circumstances alter these, however, frequently ; every one must try to find out which number of hours will suit for him. The best time for sleep is, without doubt, from nine or ten o'clock, before midnight, until three or four o'clock in the morning. Early rising has so many advantages in point of health and happiness, that it hardly needs a further recom- mendation here. The place of sleep ought to be chosen from among the best in a house. The lower floors are never fit to contain bed- rooms, as the confined air, during the night, in the lower part of a house, is unfit for respiration. The sleeping apartment should be the best located and the largest room in a house ; an eastern and southern exposure is the best; during the day, its windows must be kept open, and the bed-clothing aired ; the best surface to repose on is the hair mattress, which combines all the necessary requisites for this purpose, During the sleep, the cover ought to be sufficient; if possible, 622 HYGIENE AND HYDROPATHY. let it consist of quilts, whose number is regulated as to comfort. Some persons have the erroneous idea that, to lie on the back during sleep, is the most healthy position one can as- sume; the most natural and healthy position is to lie on the side, the very best is the right side. But this varies as to habit, and, if so, does not signify disease. By lying on the back, the spine is pressed and heated, beyond what may be good for it. Lie with the head supported, by one pillow, slightly elevated above the rest of the body. Air and Exercise. The quality of the air which fills our lungs has the great- est influence on the healthy state of our system ; as on it de- pends the thorough change which the blood must undergo, from the venous to the arterial. The atmospheric air con- sists of one-fifth part of oxygen and nearly four-fifths nitro- gen, and a small quantity of carbonic acid gas. The first, or oxygen, is the only life-sustaining fluid, while the nitrogen and carbonic acid gas, each by itself, are life-_destroying; but, in the above mixture of the three, the air becomes just adapted to the wants of our physical existence. Alter this proportion in the least, and sickness and death must be the inevitable consequence. It is of the highest importance therefore, to have the air which we breathe as nearly like that which nature has prepared for us as possible. This, however, we can only accomplish by a thorough system of ventilation, which carries of the vitiated air, and permits fresh nir to enter our apartments freely. The rooms for the sick are no exception to this most necessary rule. The more air a patient can have, the sooner he will recover. The only precaution necessary in such cases, is to prevent a draught from passing over the patient. We direct the attention of our readers particularly to this subject, and invite them to make themselves acquainted with AIR AND EXERCISE. (jj.j works treating extensively on the necessity and the art of ventilation ; as in many a situation in life, it will be of the ut- most importance for them to carry the theories of ventilation into practical execution ; for instance, in building dwelling- houses, churches, halls for meetings, etc. We would here make one remark in regard to churches, which receive their ventilation at the sides, by opening the windows at the time of meeting. This seems to me a practice fulfilling well enough its immediate object—the ventilation —but doing harm in another direction, namely, creating a draught, which passes over part of the assemblage, thereby rendering their seats very uncomfortable, and dangerous for health and life. An edifice with high ceilings ought to be always ventilated from the top of the ceiling, where the heated air will sooner be found than at the side or below. In short, we would advise everybody to try always to breathe as pure and fresh air as possible; may he be in health or in sickness. Everything which has a tendency to deteriorate the air must be avoided and removed. Exhalations from marshy grounds, damp cellars, or any place where animal or vegeta- ble decomposition is going on, are frequent sources of disease and death. Everything must be avoided which renders the air moist and damp, or prevents a free circulation all around the places where we dwell. The more air, the better; par- iicularly in childhood, where the healthy development of the system depends so much on the lively stimulus which the plentiful consumption of the oxygen gives to the energies of the system. An infant, instinctively wants to be carried in the open air, where it delights to breathe the invigorating fluid. Parents should send their children in the free, open air as often as possible ; as nothing more contributes to health and a good constitution than exercise in the open air. AclivUy, motion, exercise, is a principal object and funda- mental condition of organic life. Without it, there is no ener- 624 HYGIENE AND HYDROPATHY. getic expressions of the functions of the organs, which be- come torpid, and act sluggishly. Without exercise, the muscle will never swell and become strong and well-formed; the joint never will become supple. Without exercise, the appetite never will be stimulated, the nerves invigorated, and the blood system put in vigorous motion. Exercise, however, brings life and energy to every part of the system. Look at the blacksmith's arm—how muscular, strong, and healthy. Bodily exercise and labor is required of every one, may he be rich or poor, learned or ignorant, to keep healthy, and become strong. It should be the particular care of parents, beside mental culture, not to neglect the bodily education of their children. The tiaining in all the arts of life must have reference to the wants and necessities of the present and future well-being of those dear ones, placed under our especial guardianship. Gymnastic exercises now form a branch of the education of our youth, and should be practiced regularly and constantly, commencing with the lighter exertions, until the severer feats j can be performed with ease. Walking, and running at a moderate gait, is perhaps the best and most suitable exercise for adults, beside that exercise which the daily occupations offer. It ought to be borne in mind, however, that no severe exen ise must be undertaken directly after meals; as a full stomixh, for digestion, requires suspension of muscular ac- tivity. Clothing and Occupation. In no department of civilized life has the fancy of man committed so many errors, leading to destruction of health and life, as in that which relates to the external covering of the body. In choosing a garment, one must always first re- member its purpose and use, before he follows the dictates of fashion. If fashion was directed more by the utility than by the oddity and fancifulness of clothing, its reign might be tolerated ; but this is, unfortunately not the case. It is, foi CLOTHING AND OCCUPATION. 625 instance, fashionable among ladies to wear thin-soled shoes; yet there is no greater destroyer of human life than a thin- soled shoe—not even pestilence and vice. The object of clothing the body, beside for decency, is to shield it from the heat and cold of weather. To this purpose j all other considerations, as of beauty, convenience, etc., ought to yield the preference ; and even healthy persons should not easily depart from a rule so imperative and necessary. j Cotton, linen, and wool, manufactured into different kinds of stuff, are the articles mostly used for clothing. Linen is the best article for summer, and should not be laid aside in winter, except by persons subject to rheumatism and frequent colds. Cotton has won its way almost into universal use, and its applicability for summer and winter wear is generally admit- ted. Yet it is not a sufficient substitute for the woolen goods, particularly flannel, when persons liable to rheumatic attacks need, beside protection from cold, a covering which stimu- lates the skin to a higher degree of action, and absorbs at the same time, its perspiration. This the woolen fabrics, espe- cially flannel, etc., do, better than any other, and are, there- fore indispensable to persons of a tender skin, and to those liable to great exposure to the extremes of cold and heat. Wool is a bad conductor of caloric, and, therefore, the best calculated to retain the heat generated within the body upon the surface, as well as to protect it from external heat. The quantity of clothing must be regulated according to the seasons ; but in such a manner that its change should never be in advance of the coming season, but only after it has fully set in. A change of under-clothes before June is seldom without serious consequences; while the summer dress may be retained until late in the fall and winter, with- out great inconvenience and detriment. Clothing must be made so that it does not incommode the body either in motion or rest. 53 626 HYGIENE AND HYDROPATHT. The human system is so admirably constructed in all its parts, that none presses or weighs heavily upon the other; and in this way, only, the perfect harmony and healthy condition of all its functions is rendered possible ; for the same reason, however, does it not permit any external pressure, by clothing, etc., without serious injury. If the boots or shoes are too tight, painful corns appear, and imbitter the hours of the sufferer; if the waist is laced too tight, lung complaints are its fearful and destructive consequences. It would be unnecessary to enlarge upon this subject; it is known too well by every one, at the present time. In general, keep the head and breast cool; the feet and stomach, however, warm. If the dress has become wet, hasten to change it. Be not careless in this respect; as fre- quently negligence in undressing, after having become wet, has been the cause of lingering diseases, or even death; par- ticularly the feet require our whole attention in this respect. Young girls, at the age of change, must be especially watched well as regards the protection for their feet and abdomen. After violent exercise, we must cool off by degrees, cover- ing ourselves more, as we become cooler. The occupation of a person has a great and increasing effect on his health, mentally as well as bodily. That this is undoubtedly the case, has been clearly proved by the statis- tical tables, carefully made for the purpose of showing the relative longevity of persons pursuing different avocations of life. The following statistical table, made at Berlin, in 1834, and taken from Dr. TarbelTs " Sources of Health," is very instructive in this respect: Of 100 Clergymen, attained the age of 70 years and upward,..........42 " " Farmers,............40 " " Commercial men,.........36 HYDROPATHY. 627 Of 100 Military men, attained the age of 70 years and upward,..........33 " " Lawyers,............29 " " Artists,............28 " " Teachers,............27 " " Physicians,.......• ... 24 It is evident, from the above, that the quiet pursuits of life, which require a constant and certain amount of mental and corporeal activity, of not too exciting a character, such as the professional labors of a minister of the Gospel, or the occu- pation of a farmer, are the most favorable to the attainment of a high age ; while the physician, the very opposite of these two, as regards regularity and uniformity of action, is the lowest in the scale of his years of life. There is no doubt that the above table is correct; and if so, it teaches volumes to every one who has either already chosen a pursuit of life, or who has yet to do it. The former must adhere the more to the strictest rules of health, if he has chosen a less favorable profession ; the latter may benefit himself infinitely by select- ing the more healthy pursuit of life, if he has to choose between two. A greater sense of duty, and a lesser degree of unchecked ambition, might have saved many a valuable life from an early grave. It is our duty to live as long and as usefully as possible. Hydropathy. Hydropathy is the name for a method of curing diseases by the application of cold water, in various ways, internally and externally, as circumstances may require. Although the advantage of cold water in disease was known in the earlier times, yet its systematic use for that purpose was never looked upon as an essential part of the healing art, and, therefore, no decided results were elicited. To Prissnitz, a simple farmer in Germany, belongs the honor of having first boldly 628 HYGIENE AND HYDROPATHY. proclaimed, and sustained by facts, the high qualities of cold water, as a remedy for diseases. And so rapid was the progress of this new and startling doctrine, that while its propounder was still enjoying his fame and fortune, his discovery had already been adopted in almost every part of the world. The appearance of Hydropathy, as an auxiliary branch of medicine and hygiene, seems to have been providential in our time; as it was never before more needed, and never would have been appreciated as much. Our generation, so weakened, physically and morally, by a thousand influences which we could hardly enumerate here, needed, with the change of medicine which was consummated in the discovery and culti- vation of Homoeopathy, a system of dietetic rules and strengthening appliances, which should be as much according to nature as those formerly prescribed had been against nature. In this hygienic or preventive feature of the cold water lies one of its greatest blessings ; another one, however, presents itself in its healing powers, for a number of diseases. Although its healing effects are wonderful, and entitled to all consideration and praise, yet its universal application, as the only curative agent, superseding direct medication, is impossible ; because its principle is more negative in its effects upon disease in general. The cold water, in strengthening the powers of nature, prepares them to throw off disease, or, in other words, to produce a crisis, which enables nature, in a struggle with the disease, to throw it off. This principle of Hydropathy is true in chronic as well as acute diseases ; but in. the latter, its application is more limited, and this in proportion to the aeuteness and severity of the diseases. To treat Asiatic cholera, for instance, or cholera infantum, with cold water alone, might be, to say the least, a questionable and hazardous undertaking. Neither would it be necessary or right to trust, in the thousands of medical cases, to one healing agent alone, which at best only assists in keeping up HYDROPATHY. 629 sinking nature, when we have the knowledge of other agents which have a direct annihilating effect upon the disease itself. And this is Homoeopathy, whose application in diseases does not prevent the use of cold water; but, in most cases, pre- scribes its use, to strengthen nature, that the remedies may destroy the disease in a direct or specific manner. These .wo systems, properly combined and practiced together, will iOrm the most complete code of medical rule and action which nas existed, as yet. Allopathy and Hydropathy can never act together; because the principle of the former, to break down the natural strength, is too antagonistic to the objects of the latter, which tries to elevate, and not to destroy the strength of nature. There is no other alliance left, neither could any other be conceived, as natural, harmonious, and effective as that of Homoeopathy and Hydropathy, each one supporting and strengthening the doings of the other. Prov- idence was evidently at work in permitting the former to be discovered by the most learned and philosophic mind of the age, the illustrious Hahnemann; and the latter to be prac- ticed first by an unlearned, but unsophisticated peasant; the first being the result of deep reasoning and research in matters of nature, the latter of simple and clear observation. The power of this double lesson, given to the medical world almost at the same time, was too overwhelming not to arouse it from perversion and affectation. Hahnemann at first broke down, with a giant's strength, the learned fetters which for ages had encompassed the best minds among the medical profession. He opened and showed the true way ; a new era had begun, and men, liberated from old prejudices, were willing to try anything offered with some de- gree of plausibility, reserving for themselves the final judgment. After such changes were wrought in the mode of thinking, it was possible that Mesmer could succeed and find followers. and that Oerlel and Prissnitz could draw the attention of sufferers to the remedial powers of water. 630 HTG1ENE AND HYDROPATHY. The pretensions of Hydropathy to constitute a perfect medical system, in which light some of its most modern practi- tioners have tried to establish it, must and will be abandoned, as they have neither a theoretical basis nor practical demon- stration. In fact, efforts of this kind, if persisted in obsti- nately, must finally result in detriment to the good cause itself, diminishing the reputation of the cold water, in those spheres where its application is deservedly of the greatest benefit. And this range of action is by no means so small or so inferior as to make the exclusive friends of Hydropathy seek for a larger dominion, even beyond the reach of its principle or easy application. It needs but a slight acquaint- ance with the workings of Homoeopathy, in comparison with Hydropathy, to come to the conclusion that the former could sooner dispense with the assistance of the latter, than vice versa, but that a judicious union of both insures the most blessed results. In a great many cases, the cold water may be applied alone, without giving any medicines. This is particularly the case in those chronic forms of diseases, which have been treated or produced by allopathic medicines; such as chronic rheumatism and gout, syphilis, mercurial diseases, dyspep- sias, chronic diarrheas, constipation, etc. But even in such cases a recourse to a full use of Hydropathy is not necessary, if the patient seems to possess yet a sufficient amount of natu- ral strength to produce a reaction. Homoeopathic medicine, rightly administered, will be found efficacious in a majority of such cases, as the practice of thousands of homceopathic physicians proves daily. But where the patient's constitution has been weakened by the disease, strength and material power are necessary to overcome the disease. In such cases, the cold water is the only agent which can safely and quickly accomplish that. In many acute diseases, the cold water can be used to mitigate the intensity of the symptoms, in subduing local HYDROPATHY. irritation and fever, in softening hardened surfaces, and repelling congestions. In other acute diseases, it may be applied as an accessory remedy, without interfering in the least with the specific action of the homoeopathic medicines, as in sore throat, inflammation of the brain and other organs. In acute diseases of the skin, such as measles, scarlatina, etc., the application of cold water on the diseased surfaces must not be attempted, except prescribed and attended to by a physician, as repressions of these eruptions on internal organs may take place, followed by dangerous consequences. We will mention here those diseases, in the treatment of which cold water may be applied, as an accessory, without hesitation. The mode of application for each disease is explained further, below. Inflammation of Internal Organs. If there is inflammation of the brain, eye, throat, bowels, liver, spleen, or kidneys, apply, beside giving the necessary homceopathic remedies for these diseases internally, cold bandages externally, as near the organs affected as possible. Their application is described below. In the commencement of those diseases, the cold bandage applied in the evening is very beneficial in its results. If applied after the disease has taken too deep a hold on the system, it is of less benefit. Congestions of the Head, Breast, and Abdomen. (PUes.) Are frequently mitigated by the application of the cold- water bandages, often changed, and foot-baths; the sitz- baths, if the abdomen is the seat of the disease. Rheumatism in its various forms, Gout, Tic Douloureux, and Sciatica, Are diseases, where hydropathic applications may be used beneficially with the homceopathic treatment. The mode of applying the water varies in these diseases according to the 632 HYGIENE AND HYDROPATHY. constitutionality of the patient and the severity of the case. The cold-water bandage, wet sheet, and local baths are mostly necessary, although sometimes warm or lukewarm applica- tions of water may be found more serviceable. Constipation and Chronic Diarrhea. Allows of mitigation by hydropathy; the former by the wet sheet, drinking of cold water, and a good deal of exercise; the latter by drinking cold water and using sitz-baths, with exercise and a suitable diet. Different Modes of applying the Cold Water In regard to this subject we prefer to lay before our readers what one of the most experienced hydropathists, Dr. Weiss, of Freywaldau, has communicated in his Handbook of Hydropathy: 1. Ablutions. These may be local or general; they are performed in the following manner: The naked hands, or, better, a large sponge or woolen cloth is dipped into a vessel containing cold j water, placed upon a chair. The sponge is to be gently pressed, and then conveyed, for some few minutes, rapidly over the whole surface of the body; water may also, at the same time, be poured over the head ; but not every one is able to bear the latter application, especially in the winter. Another method of performing ablutions with cold water, consists in wrapping a linen sheet, dipped into cold water, around the body, and thus washing all the parts; this process is more powerful, abstracting more heat from the body. In i pursuing this, or any other mode of ablution, it is advisable to stand in a spacious vessel, so that the water which runs off may not wet or soil the room in which the operation is conducted. The best time, undoubtedly, for these ablutions, is the j morning. They are to be performed immediately after rising ABLUTIONS. 633 from bed, when the temperature of the body is raised by the heat of the bed. The sudden change favors, in a great measure, the reaction which ensues, and excites the skin, rendered more sensitive by the perspiration during the night, to renewed activity. In some cases, and under certaia condi- tions, more than one of these ablutions becomes necessary the same operation may then be repeated at different inter vals. In most cases a second ablution, before going to bed, will suffice. Local ablutions will have to be repeated most frequently, where we wish to produce increased reaction; even in these cases, the temperature of the body, or its natural i warmth, should be restored before proceeding to a second ablution. To increase the beneficial effects of this washing, it should be accompanied by friction during the process; this is also essential immediately after it. Quite as necessary is exercise in the open air, if circumstances will in any way permit it. Very great invalids only may be allowed, after washing, to retire to bed. Ablutions are, for the most part, preparations for a more powerful system of treatment, in order to accustom the body, by degrees, to water which is absolutely cold; tepid ablu- tions are, therefore, to be recommended at first, especially to irritable and weakly individuals, or such as have nevei brought cold water in contact with their bodies. Ablutions continued for a quarter of an hour, or longer, act as a stimulant and refrigerant; those of a shorter dura- tion have a strengthening and exhilarating effect, and also the property of equalizing the circulation of blood, as may readily be perceived after general ablution of the whole body. Cold ablutions are fitted for all constitutions; they are best adapted for purifying and strengthening the body; for women, weak subjects, children, and old age. Even in pul- monary complaints they produce alleviation, and even perfect amendment, where these diseases have not made too great a progress. 634 HYGIENE AND HYDROPATHY. The room in which the ablution is performed, may be slightly heated, for debilitated patients, in winter, to prevent colds, in consequence of too low a temperature of the apart- ment ; this exception is, however, only admissible for very weakly persons. Generally speaking, ablution may be per- formed in a cold room, especially where persons get through the operation quickly, and can, immediately afterward, take exercise in the open air. After ablutions, as regards mild- ness of operation, follow 2. Shower-Baths. These baths are taken in a machine, or box (Schneider's bath), constructed for the purpose. The internal arrange- ment of this machine, or bath, is such, that, on opening the cock closing the pipes which communicate with a reservoir, the water is brought in contact with different parts of the body at the same time, in the form of many fine streams. Very weakly or irritable people may begin with tepid water, and they will soon accustom themselves to cold water, as these baths produce a very grateful impression. Those who cannot obtain a proper machine, may stand in an empty bathing vat, or other vessel, sufficiently large, while an assistant, standing on a chair, pours water over them from a common watering-pot, which answers the purpose perfectly. The action of these baths consists in a general shock to the nervous system, and to the skin; in consequence of which, the secretion and excretion are promoted, and the whole economy benefited. They are to be recommended, chiefly, in the diseases requiring repeated sweatings for their cure; for patients who, in consequence of congestions, and diseases of the chest, cannot bear the full baths after the process of sweating. These baths deserve recommendation to families. Children may be best accustomed to cold water in these ma- chines, where the temperature can at first be raised, and then gradually decreased. HALF-BATHS. 63' 3. Partial, or Half-Baths. All baths, where the common bathing vats are half, or three parts filled with water, are thus denominated. The half-baths, serve, frequently, as a preparation for the full- baths (Vollbader), or for a more active system of treatment; they have, therefore, a higher temperature, between fifty-nine and seventy-seven degrees of Fahrenheit. They should be continued from five minutes to an hour, or more, according to the purposes we have in view. If these baths be in- tended as a preparation for more active treatment, they must be of short duration, as also for persons who cannot bear cold baths, or full-baths. If our object be to produce a de- rivative effect, to remove congestions from other organs, the duration of these baths must be regulated by their effects. The patient must remain in them until revulsion is produced. Neither the temperature, nor the length of time can be de- termined beforehand ; this must be regulated always by the constitution, the nature of the disease, or the obstinacy of the case : generally speaking, a quarter, half, or a whole hour will suffice. If our intention be to call forth a higher degree of reac- tion, or even fever, by these baths, the temperature must be lower, their duration extend from one to three hours. Baths continued for so great a length of time must only be used by the advice of a practical hydropathist, as they not only considerably derange the organs of digestion, but pro- duce sufferings with which the patient was unacquainted before. The whole time the patient is in these baths, he should continually rub himself with the water contained in the vat, extending the friction to the parts above and under the water, that he may not take cold. If this mode of ap- plication be intended as preparatory to the use of cold baths, or to produce increased reaction, it is advisable to pour a few buckets of cold water over ihe patient before he rises from the bath. 636 HYGIENE AND HYDROPATHY. Neither half-baths, nor any other kind of bath, are to be taken on a full stomach. Exercise, further, is especially to be taken after long-continued half-baths ; it must not, however, be neglected after the use of cold water in any form. 4. Full-Baths. For these baths, spacious and deep receptacles are ne- cessary; they should admit of freedom of motion, and fresh water (if possible) should uninterruptedly flow into them. That the body must be, in a certain measure, prepared foi their use, I have already mentioned ; and even after a proper preparation, as caution, it is desirable to wash the head, or pour cold water over it before entering the bath. This rule is to be strictly observed where the patient has perspired for a length of time, or where he is suffering from congestions of the head and chest. The latter circumstance requires our especial consideration, where these attacks are increased after the first baths, notwithstanding the necessary preparation. Such patients must be spared the further use of them, to pre- vent dilatation, or rupture of blood-vessels. Only young, robust persons may, without injury, venture, after protracted sweating, to plunge suddenly into the bath without washing the head. It is, moreover, necessary that every patient should enter the bath as soon as possible after gently and quickly cooling his head and chest; for all unnecessary delay is at- tended with pernicious consequences. The length of time the patient should remain in the bath varies in different cases ; half a minute, or one minute, is gen- erally sufficient; an experienced hydropathist only may pre- scribe full-baths for a lengthened period. During the bath, the patient must exercise the members of the body. Imme- diately after leaving the bath, he should quickly dry the whole body, using friction to promote reaction. If possible, he should perform the rubbing himself; and, where this is PLUNGING-BATHS. 637 impracticable, he should be aided by an assistant. Exercise, after dressing, is next required, where circumstances will allow it, in the open air, to further reaction also. Cold full-baths are indicated in all those diseases where augmented reaction, invigoration, or a shock to the nervous system is to be produced, where the warmth of the whole body is to be equalized ; where all secreting and secerning vessels are to be invigorated ; where the circulation of the blood is to be determined to the skin for the elimination of morbid matter. These baths are to be avoided, or used, at least, with cau- tion, in all congestions, in inflammations of internal vital organs, in diseases of the chest without exception, in certain head affections, in cases where a very active crisis ensues, and in all those where violent excitements or shocks would prove injurious. 5. General Plunging-BatJis. The plunging-bath should be taken like the former bath, in a large reservoir, or trough, filled with water. The patients, generally, such as cannot of themselves enter the bath, are placed upon a chair above it, arranged by means of ropes and pullies to move upward and downward, so that the pa- tients in the sitting posture may be plunged into the water as deeply and as often as is necessary. As a substitute for an apparatus of this kind, the patient may be laid upon a sheet, held by several persons, which is quickly plunged into the water, and again withdrawn. The intention of these plunging- baths is pretty much the same as that of the former ; but their action is more stimulating, and the shock severer than in those cases where the patient can enter the bath unassisted, and use exercise while bathing. Hence one, for the most, rive plunges, suffice to cool the body ; in obstinate nervous fevers, however, they are occasionally to be repeated several times in the course of the day. 63S HYGIENE AND HYDROPATHY. 6. Local-Baths. By this term, we understand baths of tepid or cold water, into which a portion of the body is immersed for a certain period. Their action is more powerful than that of local ab- lutions. We will commence with 7. Head-Baths. They are applied, according to the object we may have in view, to different parts of the head, in the form of eye-baths, ear-baths, or derivative-baths. The use of these baths is attended with some inconvenience. A large dish or basin is to be filled with water, and placed on the floor at the upper end of a mattress. The patient lays himself at full length upon the mattress, and immerses the part of the head to be bathed into the water; e. g., if it be an eye-bath, the whole face is to be introduced into the vessel filled with water. In this case, it is necessary, moreover, to open and shut the eye-lids frequently, in order to bring the water in contact with the eye-ball. The duration of these cooling and strengthening baths is from two to six minutes, but both their duration and temperature are subject to variations. In some diseases of the eye, as we shall hereafter show, cold baths are not only inefficient, but they even augment the affection and sufferings considerably. Under these circumstances, we must endeavor to discover the temperature best adapted to the case, and make use of other detersive baths as auxiliaries. These and all other varieties of topical baths are to be repeated, according to circumstances, three to five times a day. We use for these purposes, also, boat-shaped eye-baths resembling liquor-glasses, and adapted to the shape of the eye; but baths in these vessels are less worthy of recommendation than the former bath, inasmuch as they contain a less quantity of water, and press, moreover, on the appendages of the eye. The ear-bath is taken in a similar manner; the side affected, or, where both ears are diseased, both sides are to be SITTING-BATHS. §?,\\ alternately immersed into the water, so that it may enter the meatus. These baths should, with few exceptions, be cold ; their duration should extend from six to ten minutes. A more protracted use of them is not advisable, because it would produce more injury than benefit. The same applies to all head-baths. Where head-baths are used as derivatives for violent and local pains of the head, the side of the head opposite to that affected is immersed in the water for three or four minutes. This may be repeated several times during the day, if necessary. If the head-baths are to have an anodyne or soothing effect in gouty or rheumatic affections, they should be used at a temperature of fifty-nine degrees to seventy-two degrees of Fahrenheit. One side, of the head, and then the occiput, afterward the other side is to be plunged into the water, and this proceeding is to be repeated several times, until the de- sired alleviation ensues. In cases of necessity, this process may be repeated several times in the course of the day. 8. Sitting-baths. (Sitz-baths.) For these baths we use water of various degrees of tem- perature. The vessel for this purpose is rather inconvenient, but so constructed that the patient can remain for the neces- sary time in it in the sitting posture. The dimensions of the vessel should be the following; height of the pedestal, four to rive inches ; the inner depth of the vessel, nine to ten inches ; height of the back, six to eight inches ; whole breadth of the vessel, twenty-two to twenty-four inches. These baths are made of wood or tin ; the latter, however, deserve the preference. The vessel in which the bath is taken should be filled with water, until it reaches the navel of the patient when in the sitting posture. In especial cases, a greater or less height of water may be requisite. During the bath, the upper part of the body is to remain covered, the shirt should 640 HYGIENE AND HYDROPATHY. be turned up, and the legs and feet are to be enveloped in a woolen coverlet. While the person is in the bath, he should rub the abdomen with a woolen cloth, to increase the action of the skin, and to facilitate the passage of flatulent col- lections. The action of sitting-baths varies, partly according . to the length of their duration, partly according to the tem- perature of the water. Where they are desired to have a tonic action, the temperature should be from fifty to fifty-nine degrees of Fahrenheit, and they should be continued from ten to fifteen minutes. Of course, they are to be repeated frequently during the day. To act as a stimulant, and to produce more powerful reaction, they must be continued for the same length of time ; but their temperature must not exceed forty-one degrees to forty-four degrees of Fahrenheit. In summer, this temperature may be obtained by the aid of ice. Where the sitting-baths are to act as derivatives, determin- ing the blood from parts which suffer from congestion, the patient must remain twenty minutes to half an hour in the bath. It is sometimes necessary, during the bath, to adapt cold applications (umschlage) to the parts affected ; this is the more necessary, if the congestions increase during the bath. If the sitting-baths be intended to produce a solvent effect, a moderate temperature of fifty-nine degrees to sixty-eight degrees of Fahrenheit, and rather a lengthened continuation of them, say from half an hour to an hour or more, will be required. It is, moreover, advisable, that patients suffering from obstructions or hemorrhoids, should sit in deeper water ; it may, in this case, extend beyond the umbilicus. For sitting-baths in rivers, a peculiar apparatus is ne- cessary. A board with a round hole, about eight inches in diameter, is fixed about five or six inches below the level of the water; on this aperture the patient is to sit. At a distance of more than one fathom from this board the water is FOOT-BATHS. 641 to be confined by means of any suitable contrivance, so that it may be made to flow with force against the abdomen during eight, at the most, fifteen minutes. In all abdominal diseases, and in debility of the organs of generation, these baths are of extraordinary benefit. Whatever object we may aim at in the use of these varieties of sitting-baths, we must not lose sight of the rule, that they are never to be taken immediately after eating (unless especial cases call for an exception), as they will otherwise derange the digestion, and produce irregularities in the evacuations. The best time for the use of these baths, is an hour before dinner, or before going to bed. In the latter case, they offer the advantage of securing a night's rest to the patient. Generally speaking, two sitting-baths a day will suffice ; in particular cases, especially, if not persevered in for a lon« time, five to six may be taken during the day. Exercise in the open air is to be strictly recommended both before and afte these baths. 9. Foot-Baths Are taken in a small tub, or in the same vessel as the sitting- baths. The temperature and volume of water must depend on the action we wish to produce. If these baths are to act as stimulants, they must be very cold, not exceeding forty-one degrees of Fahrenheit. The water should have a depth of one, at the most, two inches, and the bath must not be con- tinued longer than five minutes. They may be repeated several times during the day, according to circumstances. Rubbing, immediately after the baths, to promote speedy reaction, and also exercise after them, are indispensable. If the object of the foot-bath be to determine from the head or chest, the vessel must not be too large, in order that the water may become somewhat warm during the bath, which may be continued, in that case, from twenty minutes to one hour. In this case, also, the water must not be as cold as for the former purpose, and should cover the ankles. If congestion increase 642 HYGIENE AND HYDROPATHY. during the bath, cold applications should be at the same time applied to the parts affected. Friction and motion of the feet are absolutely necessary during and after the bath. A variety of other partial baths, adapted to the different members of the body, are brought into operation in a general course of treatment by cold water. The effect desired is ob- tained partly by the duration of the bath, partly by the tem- perature of the water, as I have before mentioned in speaking of local baths in general. Where the baths are to act as stimulants, the water must be very cold, not exceeding forty- one degrees of Fahrenheit; they may, however, be repeated several times in the course of the day, if requisite. They are to be continued from five to eight minutes. By friction, immediately after the bath, we arrive more speedily at the desired end. If the intention of these baths be to produce a soothing effect, their temperature must not be below fifty-nine degrees of Fahrenheit; they may, however, be continued for a longer period of time ; fifteen to thirty minutes will, in most cases, suffice ; they may also be repeated, on the return of the attacks of pain. Where their action is to be derivative, the temper- ature should be from forty-six to fifty-nine degrees of Fahren- heit, and they should be continued for half an hour to one hour or longer. If they are to produce this effect gradually, and not rapidly, we frequently resort, at the same time, to applications (umschlage) to the part affected. Cooling appli- cations, frequently repeated, will often lead to the desired result, and, at other times, applications producing warmth, will be most serviceable ; we should, therefore, consider whether the object be to produce cold or heat. 10. The Drop-Bath. This term is applied to single drops of water falling from a height of several fathoms. For this forir of bath, a vessel is, used, filled with very cold water, and furnished with a very THE DOUCHE. ill- I small aperture, through which the water passes in the form of drops. The small aperture should be partly closed by a plug, to prevent the drops from following each other in rapid succession. By these means, their operation is considerably increased, and it becomes yet more potent if we allow the drops to fall upon a particular part at certain periods, and ; rub the part during the intervals. The reaction about to commence, will, indeed, be thus interrupted, but will after- ward make its appearance in a more powerful and energetic form. The violent excitement and irritation of the nervous system produced by these baths, render it necessary to restrict the use of them to half an hour; nor are they, indeed, adapted for vital parts, or such as are abundantly supplied with nerves. They are often used with more effect in obstinate and chronic cases of paralysis, than the douche or affusion, with which they may alternate. Powerful and continued friction with a horse-hair glove, is never, in this case, to be neglected after the baths. 11. The Douche. This description of bath is prepared with the aid of me- chanical contrivances, by means of which a stream of water is made to fall upon the body with more or less force. In many respects it is most advantageous to make use of a natu- ral fall of water for this purpose; we can then conduct the water simply into a channel, giving it a fall of twelve to twenty feet, and to the stream a caliber of half an inch to five inches. These simple douches are far less disagreeable to the sensations of the patient than those of artificial construc- tion. In the former, the patient can turn himself freely and alter his position so as to expose any part of the body to the stream. Douche rooms, admitting, by their construction, of the access of the air from above, produce an agreeable sensa- tion, especially in summer, and are very beneficial in their L.____._____________________________________._________ 644 HYGIENE AND HYDROPATHY. action. After the first t.me of using these baths, the dread- ful ideas which many patients preconceive of them quickly I disappear. Our chief consideration, in the use of the douche, should j be to guard against applying it to the body when quite cold, or when in a state of perspiration after active exercise. The patient, after undressing in a moderate temperature, steps below the falling stream, attempting to receive it in the palms of his hands, that the whole force and volume of the water may not fall upon his body immediately, which is not, to say the least, at all times agreeable. After having thus prepared himself for the more potent shock, he must expose himself to the full stream, and in such a manner that the whole column of water will fall chiefly on the neck and spine. From time to time, he must equably expose the other members of the body to the stream ; but the affected parts chiefly, and for a greater length of time. He should be careful not to allow the stream to fall perpendicularly on the head, chest, or on the region of the liver, especially if these parts be weak or affected with disease. The duration of the douche must be regulated by the con- stitution of the patient, and the effect we wish to produce ; it should never be continued for less than one, nor more than twelve minutes. Where a natural douche is not to be obtained, we make use of the well known machines resembling a fire engine in shape and construction. By means of these contrivances, we may bring one or more streams of any given force into operation. Our care must be directed to the selection of cold and fresh water for this purpose ; finally, the same rules are to be observed which we laid down for the use of the former douche. The period of the day at which these different douches (ex- cepting those for the eye and ear) are used, varies. They | are only to be taken, as an exception, fasting, or immediately WET BANDAGES. 645 after sweating, and never on a full stomach, nor oftener than once or twice daily. Rather active exercise should be taken after the douche, until the peculiar sensation of reaction has totally disappeared, or an uncomfortable sensation of cold, accompanied by head- aches, fainting, etc., will be experienced, instead of an agree- able and beneficial glow. It is, moreover, not advisable to drink cold water immediately after the douche, becau.-e a rapid generation of heat is thus impeded, and inflammations of the stomach and bowels might be caused. The douche, the most powerful stimulant known in hydro- pathy, is always applicable where excitement is necessary, but attention must be paid in every case, to age, constitution, and to the vital powers. Cases are not unfrequent, where the nature of the diseases calls for this stimulant to complete the cure, but where it must be avoided in consequence of pregnancy, pulmonic affections, etc. No mode of applying cold water is more abused than the douche ; in most hydro- pathic establishments, even at the present day, this is, unfor- tunately, too often the case. But very few experienced hydropathists regard it as a stimulant requiring caution. For the most part, it is looked upon as a remedv indis- i pensable to every cure, is brought into use injudiciously, and without mature deliberation, and continued to the detri- ment of all organs ; the beneficial results, therefore, which a judicious use of it would produce, are, necessarily, often- times frustrated. 12. Local Applications ( Umschlage). Wet Bandages. By these applications, two different effects may be produced, viz., that of cooling the part to which they are applied, or that of raising its temperature. Where they are intended as refrigerants or derivatives, the cloths must be of a size suited j to the part inflamed ; they should be folded six or eight times, dipped into very cold water, gently pressed before application, 64(5 HYGIENE AND HYDROPATHY. and are to be renewed every four or ten minutes, according to the degrees of inflammation. If we cannot obtain water sufficiently cold in summer-time, ice must be added to it until its temperature sinks to forty-one or forty-four degrees of Fahrenheit. This low temperature is especially necessary in dangerous inflammations of important organs ; e. g., of the brain. The bandages must then be continued without inter- mission, day and night, until danger is averted. Neglect in changing the wet clothes (umschlage), at the proper time, will cause fatal results. One omission of the change is suffi- cient to frustrate their beneficial operation ; for violent reac- tion is only to be subdued by continual cold. The warming applications of cold water consist of pieces of linen folded two or three times, and dipped into cold water; they must be well pressed out before application, and not changed until they begin to dry—this is the indication for their repetition. This variety of application must be not only well adapted to the part, but it is to be further secured against the access of the air by a dry bandage, in order that the reaction it produces may generate a degree of heat in the part covered exceeding the temperature of the body. The combined action of the moisture and heat thus produced is that of a solvent or morbid matter, dispersing swellings and indurations, which are thus rendered more fit for absorption and elimination. These applications are not only well adapt- ed for the removal of tumors, but may be applied also, with great benefit, in various cases of affections of the abdomen. Their efficacy, in all derangements of the digestive organs, and diseases of the liver, etc., is proved. The applications to the abdomen vary somewhat in form from the former bandages. A piece of linen, two yards in length, and rather more than one foot in breadth, is to be doubled, sewn together, and furnished with strings, to enable us to adapt it closely to the body, and secure it in its situa- tion. In using the bandage thus arranged, about one foot of WET LINEN SHEETS. 647 it in length should be wetted with fresh water, well wrung out, and Applied round the body ; thus, the wet portion will extend once, the dry part twice round the body. These abdominal belts are to be worn according to the urgency of the case, sometimes for several hours in the day, or through the whole night; in some instances, again, for weeks, both by day and night. 13. Applications around one-half of the body, or around the whole body. Wet linen sheets. For this purpose, the bed must be prepared in the same manner as for the process of sweating. The wet sheet is laid upon the extended blanket, the patient lays himself at full length upon the former, whereupon it is folded around him, so as to come in close contact with every portion of the body. The patient is now to be enveloped in the blanket and the bed-covering (feather beds). The wet sheets are. of remarkable utility in all febrile dis- eases. In acute fevers they must be changed according to the degree of heat, every quarter or half hour, until the dry, hot skin of the patient becomes softer, and more prone to perspiration. When this symptom is observed, the renewal of the wet cloths may be delayed for a longer period, until perspiration actually ensues. The patient must then remain for several hours in this state, until uneasy sensations, and other inconveniences, render it necessary to extricate him ; but it is more advisable to keep him in the loosened envelopment i until perspiration ceases spontaneously, when a tepid ablution, or half-bath, should follow. In acute eruptions of the skin, measles, scarlatina, small-pox, etc., the wet sheets are not less serviceable, when the eruption cannot make its way to the surface in consequence of the dry state anJ heat of the skin, and of the violence of the fever; or where the rash has receded suddenly, owing to other disturbances. In both cases, the wet sheets are of essential service ; one application 648 HYGIENE AND HYDROPATHY. of them suffices, sometimes to re-establish the eruption. If the rash fail to make its appearance after the first or second envelopment, cold affusion is to be preferred. There are cases in which the use of this remedy may be deemed objec- tionable, and a continuance of the wet sheets may appear more proper; we must, then, examine the skin carefully before every change, to see whether the eruption be nearer the surface, the skin softer, and the heat abated. In the latter case, the applications are to be discontinued, that the reaction of the skin may not be disturbed. The wet sheets, followed by tepid ablutions, cannot be sufficiently recom- mended, in all diseases of children. Many severe complica- tions are averted, or relieved, at least, by them ; or, where this is not the case, the disease itself is brought more speedily to a favorable termination. The envelopment in wet sheets is not only of great advan- tage in acute diseases, but is, also, an admirable remedy in a variety of chronic cases, attended with an irritable, rough, and inactive skin, and in a multitude of skin-diseases ; but in all those cases, a frequent change of the sheets is seldom necessary. In using the envelopment, we generally raise the temperature of the patient, and occasionally allow him to perspire, according to the circumstances of the case. Deter- mination to the head, during the process, must be removed by cold applications to that part. If the feet remain cold for a long time in the wet cloths, and show no disposition to become warm, they are to be extricated and wrapped in the dry blanket only. 14. Sweating. In the treatment by water, perspiration is brought about in the following manner: The patient is undressed and laid upon a woolen coverlet or blanket, extended on the bed. A servant wraps first the one side of the blanket round the body of the patient, drawing it close in all directions ; grasp- ing now firmly with the one hand the portion in which the SWEATING. 649 patient is enveloped, he draws, with the other hand, the blanket round the patient, and tucks this portion also closely under him. Care must be taken that the coverings be in ! close contact with the body, especially at the neck, that the heat given off by the body may be well retained, and not suf- fered to escape. It is the excess of caloric, thus confined, \ which induces exhalation from the skin. Individuals who are to perspire for several hours, and cannot retain their urine long, may be furnished with a urinal, placed between the legs at the time of wrapping them up. The head may be included in the covering, or enveloped even in the pillow, so that the face alone is free, provided the patients do not suffer i from congestions. The head must remain uncovered, on the other hand, if a disposition to congest be observed. Slight excitement of the vessels, before the outbreak of perspiration, generally passes off spontaneously; but where this favorable termination does not ensue, a cooling bandage (umschlage) is to be laid on the head of the patient, who must, at the same time, drink a little cold water. Warming applications (umschlage) are to be wrapped around all parts affected with nodes, gouty swellings, etc., before enveloping the patient. The use of these auxiliaries is to allay pain, which is generally more violent before the appearance of perspiration, and to excite a more copious exhalation from the parts to which they are applied. Patients who are very restless in the blanket, and thus loosen it, should be confined more closely in the encasement by additional cloths and girths, as they would otherwise have to remain wrapped up during half a day or longer. Persons thus enveloped being totally helpless, an assistant should be always in attendance to open the windows as soon as perspi- ration ensues, and to administer, every ten or fifteen minutes, as much cold water as is necessary to promote perspiration. The action of the skin must be kept up uninterruptedly, and JO 6 50 HYGIENE AND HYDROPATHY. the perspiration should pass off in form of vapoi, or in drops, as long as the case requires it. The result of this mode of treatment is pretty certain, but the time necessary for the production of perspiration is not the same in all cases ; for some individuals perspire soonei than others. The season, and many other inevitable circum- stances, exert, moreover, a considerable influence on the skin; thus, some patients, especially in summer, will perspire in a quarter of an hour, while others require three to five hours for that purpose. In febrile and inflammatory diseases, we frequently cannot produce perspiration in less than twelve or twenty-four hours, although we change the wet sheets often, and resort to other auxiliary means. The best time for exciting perspiration, in chronic cases, is in the early hours of the morning, from four to five o'clock at the latest. In acute diseases, the time depends on the fever itself, or on renewed exacerbations ; it must be pro- duced, therefore, when required, without reference to time. A repetition of the process twice on the same day, is only admissible and advisable as an exception. The indication for such practice would occur more frequently in chronic than in acute diseases ; because in the latter perspiration should be kept up until it ceases spontaneously, or is interrupted by other circumstances. Two sweats daily can only be recom- :■ ended to the robust, and even these persons will not be able to endure the protracted sweating required in some few troublesome cases, without injuring the skin and other impor- tant organs. We cannot determine, a priori, how long each patient should sweat. The ordinary duration, in chronic cases, is from half an hour to three hours, daily ; but moderate perspi- ration is to be encouraged for a lonp-er time in acute diseases. Critical perspiration requires the longest duration, and should not be disturbed; we should rather, in this case, do SWEATING. 651 everything in our power to aid and promote it, until it ceases spontaneously. When the patient has remained in a state of perspiration long enough, the woolen covering should be loosened about his feet and legs, to enable him to walk. The attendant then raises him in bed, and leads him to the place where he is to bathe or wash. Sedan chairs or other contrivances, will be necessary to convey patients quickly to the bath, in serious cases. No danger is to be dreaded from the transition from heat to cold (as experience in many thousand cases has proved), if the necessary precautionary rules laid down for the use of full-baths be duly observed; for, in this mode of producing perspiration, important internal organs are not excited. After the bath, the patients who can walk, or take other exercise, must not return to bed; but should dress quickly, go into the open air, drink the quantity of water prescribed, and afterward take their breakfast. Those patients, on the other hand, who can take no corporeal exercise, must be rubbed, after the bath, for some time, the friction extending over the whole surface of the body. This peculiar mode of inducing perspiration is to be brought into use in all dis- eases where morbid matter is to be eliminated from the system, because the skin, as daily experience teaches us, is the organ best adapted for this purpose. At the commence- ment of the treatment, the perspiration is clear and aqueous for some time ; at a later period it becomes more viscid, then varies in color, and assumes a powerful odor. The urine, at the same time, or later, in the course of treatment, assumes the same properties in color and odor; open sores and the breath participate in this change. These symptoms usually make their appearance at different intervals, in a protracted case. Critical excretions seldom continue without inter- mission from their first commencement, until all extraneous substances are removed from the body; it is true, that this 652 HYGIENE AND HYDROPATHY. phenomenon is observed sometimes, but it is always a rare occurrence, and the critical discharges will not then unfre- quently continue two to four months. There can be no doubt that an incalculable quantity of morbid matter is removed from the body in the act of per- spiring; for it is often to be recognized by the organs of sense, by its color and odor during the process. Most strik- ing is, at times, the odor of valerian, turpentine, iodine, musk, asafoetida, sulphur, and mercury. The colors observed, are generally confined to red and yellow; brown and blue are less frequently met with: the latter occurs often in the depo- sits in the urine, which may assume, also, all other colors. IV. MATERIA MEDICA. 1. Aconite. Acute local inflammations; active, sanguineous conges- tions ; evil consequences of a chill in a dry, cold air; affec- tions in consequence of fright or of anger; measles; erysipe- latous inflammations ; inflammatory fevers, even with bilious or nervous symptoms; mental alienations, with fixed ideas of approaching death; cerebral congestion, with dizziness; croup, first period ; hooping-cough, first period. General Symptoms.—Shooting pains, or rheumatic, which I are renewed by wine, or other heating articles; sufferings which, particularly at night, seem insupportable ; attacks of pain, with thirst and redness of the cheeks; uneasiness, as if in consequence of suppressed perspiration, or in conse- quence of a chill. Skin. Skin dry and burning; scarlet rash; measles ; nettle-rash. Sleep. Sleeplessness from anxiety, with constant agitation and tossing; starting in sleep. Fever. Dry, burning heat, with extreme thirst, sometimes, especially at the beginning of the disease, preceded by shiver- ings with trembling; heat, chiefly of the head and face, with redness of the cheeks, shuddering over the entire body; shiv- ering, for the short time that they may be uncovered during the heat; pulse hard, frequent, and accelerated. Moral Symptoms. — Great agitation and boasting, with anguish, discouragement that cannot be consoled, cries, tears, groans, complaints and reproaches; apprehensions and fear of approaching death ; a great disposition to be angry, to be (653) 654 MATERIA MEDICA. frightened; alternate paroxysms of laughter and tears; inquietude under disease, and despair respecting a cure; delirium, chiefly at night. Head. Weight and fullness in the forehead and temples, with pressing outward, as if everything was going to issue through them; congestion of blood to the head; aggravation of the pains in the head by movement, by speaking, by rising from a recumbent position, and by drinking; amendment in the open air. Eyes. Eyes red and inflamed, with deep redness of the vessels, and intolerable pains. Ears. Buzzing in the ears. Nose. Bleeding from the nose. Face. Red spots on both cheeks. Throat. Pain in the throat, with deep redness of the parts affected, and difficult deglutition; burning and pricking in the throat, chiefly when swallowing. Stomach. Sensation of swelling tension and pressure, as from a weight in the pericordial region and in the stomach. Abdomen. Tension and pressure in the hypochondriac region ; pressure in the hepatic region; painful sensitiveness of the abdomen to the touch, and to the least movement. Faeces. Loose, watery stools; white stools, with red urine. Urine. Urine scanty, burning, dark red, and with a brick- colored sediment. Larynx. A constant desire to cough, produced by an irri- tation or a tickling in the larynx; short and dry cough, prin- cipally at night; spitting of blood, with the cough; shootings and pains in the chest when coughing. Chest. Short breathing, chiefly during sleep, and on get- ting up; breathing difficult, anxious, and attended with groans; painful stitches in the chest, chiefly when breathing, coughing, and moving; stitches in the side; palpitation of the heart, with great anxiety. Trunk. Painful stiffness in the nape of the neck. ARNICA. 655 J _________......______ _____ 2. Arnica. Affections in consequence of mechanical injuries (falls, com- j motion, blows, etc.), wounds, principally those inflicted by blunt instruments ; bites ; excoriation of bed-ridden patients ; bruises, dislocations, sprains, and fractures; accidents result- ing from a strain; stings of insects; corns, by an external application of it, after having pared them. General Symptoms.—Pains, as from dislocation; fainting fit, with loss of consciousness, in consequence of mechanicaJ injuries; paralytic state, on the left side, in consequence of apoplexy. Skin. Red, bluish, and yellowish spots, as if from con- tusions. Head. Whirling giddiness, with obscuration of the eyes, chiefly when getting up, moving the head, or walking. Eyes. Pain like excoriation in the eyes and eyelids, with difficulty of moving them. Face. Face pale and hollow. Mouth. Tongue dry, or loaded with a white coating; pu- trid smell from the mouth 'in the morning. Stomach. Vomiting of dark, coagulated blood. Abdomen. Pain, as from contusion in the sides. Anus. Involuntary stools, chiefly in the night. Urinary Passages. Involuntary emission of urine; urine of a brownish red, with brick-colored sediment. Respiratory Organs. Cough, with expectoration of blood; even without cough, expectoration of black, coagulated blood after every corporeal effort. Chest. Respiration short, panting, difficult, and anxious; shootings in the chest and sides, with difficulty of respiration, aggravated by coughing, breathing deeply, and by move- ment; pain as of a bruise, and of compression of the chest. Trunk. Pains, as from a bruise, and dislocation in the back, in the chest, and in the loins. MATERIA MEDICA. Arms. Pain, as of dislocation in the joints of the arms and hands; want of strength in the hands, on seizing any- thing. Legs. Pains, as if from fatigue or from dislocation ; ten- sion in the knee, as if from contraction of the tendons; inflam- matory, erysipelatous swelling of the feet with pain, and aggravation of the pain by movement; hot, painful, hard, and shining swelling of the great toes. 3. Arsenic General Symptoms.—Burning, chiefly in the interior of the parts affected, or sharp and drawing pains ; nocturnal pains, so unbearable that they excite to despair and fury; aggravation of suffering in the evening in bed, on lying on the part affected, or during repose ; mitigation by external ^ heat and movement of the body ; want of strength, excessive weakness, and complete asthenia, even to prostration. Skin. Skin dry as parchment, or cold and bluish; ulcers with raised and hard edges; fetid smell, ichorous suppura- tion, ready bleeding, putridity, and bluish or greenish coloi of the ulcers. Sleep. Nocturnal sleeplessness, with agitation and con- stant tossing. ! Fever. Coldness over the whole body, sometimes with cold and clammy sweat; pulse irregular, or quick, weak, small and frequent, or suppressed and trembling. Moral Symptom,s. Anxiety, inquietude, and excessive an- guish, principally in the evening in bed. Face. Face pale, hollow, and cadaverous ; lips bluish or black, dry, and chapped. Mouth. Offensive smell from the mouth; tongue brownish or blackish, dry, cracked, and trembling ; ulceration of the tongue on the anterior edge ; thrush of the mouth. Throat. Inflammation and gangrene of the throat. j AppetUe. Violent burning, choking, and unquenchable BELLADONNA. 657 thirst, with inclination to drink constantly, but little at a time ; want of appetite. Stomach. Vomitings after drinking and eating ; vomiting of mucous, bilious, or serous matter, of a yellowish, greenish, brownish, or blackish color ; burning internal heat, diarrhea, and fear of death ; excessive pain in the epigastrium, chiefly when touched; insupportable heat and burning in the peri- cordial region, and in the stomach. Abdominal Region. Swelling of the abdomen, as in ascites; violent cutting pains, cramp-like pains in the abdomen ; colic, chiefly after eating and drinking, or in the night, and often accompanied with vomiting or diarrhea, with coldness, inter- nal heat, or cold sweat. Fasces. Violent diarrhea, of greenish, yellowish, whitish color, or brownish and blackish; burning in the rectum and in the anus. Larynx. Dry cough, in the evening after lying down, with a wish to rise; also, after drinking, with difficulty of respiration. Chest. Breathing short; difficult, stifling dyspnoea, and attacks of suffocation, sometimes with cold sweat, spasmodic constriction of the chest or of the larynx, anguish, great weakness", coldness of the body, pain in the pit of the stom- ach, and paroxysms of cough ; oppression of the chest when coughing, when walking, and when going up stairs ; violent and insupportable throbbings of the heart, chiefly when lying on the back, and especially at night. 4. Belladonna. Scarlatina ; sleeplessness ; inflammatory fevers, with ner- vous, gastric, or rheumatic affections ; erysipelas. General Symptoms. — The least contact, ami sometimes, also, the slightest movement, aggravates the sufferings ; dread of every movement, and of all exertion ; ovcr-excitemeni, and too great sensibility of all the organs. 658 MATERIA MEDICA. Skin. Swelling, with heat and scarlet redness of the whole body, or of several parts, chiefly the face, the neck, the abdo- men, and the hands; red, hot, and shining swelling of the diseased parts. Sleep. Constant desire to sleep; nocturnal sleeplessness, in consequence of excessive anguish or great agitation; when sleeping, frequent starts, with fright, groans, cries; on waking, headache, and aggravation of sufferings. Fever. Dry, burning heat; pulse strong and quick, or full and slow, or small and slow, or small and quick, or hard and tense ; sweat of the parts that are covered only. Head. Fullness, heaviness, and violent pressure on the head, as if going to burst, with desire to lie down ; dartings into the head, as if from knives; strong pulsation of the arte- ries of the head ; bending the head backward ; boring with the head into the pillow while sleeping. Eyes. Aching pains in the eyes and the sockets, extending into the head ; inflammation of the eyes, with injection of the vessels ; dread of light. Ears. Piercing pressure, sharp pain, pinching, squeezing, and shooting in the ears; swelling of the parotids. Face. Face pale, sometimes suddenly alternating with red; burning heat of the face ; dark, or scarlet, or bluish redness of the face; swelling of the submaxillary glands, and those of the neck. Teeth. Sharp and drawing pains, at night or in the even- ing ; the touch and the open air aggravate the toothache. Mouth. Sensation of great dryness, or actual and exces- sive dryness and choking in the mouth ; tongue red, hot, shining, dry, and cracked, or loaded with whitish mucus ; redness of the edges of the tongue ; paralytic weakness of the tongue, with difficult and stammering speech. Throat. Excoriating, scraping, and shooting pains in the throat and in the tonsils, principally when swallowing; in- flammation and swelling of the throat, of the velum palati. BRYONIA. 65'J af the uvula, and of the tonsils ; suppuration of the tonsils ; complete inability to swallow, even the least liquid, which frequently is forced out through the nostrils ; sensation of choking, and spasmodic constriction in the throat. AppetUe. Burning, excessive, and intolerable thirst, often with dread of all drink; drinking with trembling precipi- tation. Stomach. Spasmodic hiccough. Abdominal Region. Cramp-like, contractive and constric- tive pains in the abdomen, and especially around the navel, with a sensation as if the parts were squeezed or seized with the nails ; the pains force one to bend himself, and are accom- panied by vomiting or by inflation and protrusion of the transverse colon in the form of a pad ; soreness of the whole abdomen, as if everything in it were excoriated. Urine. Frequent discharges of urine, copious, pale, and watery; difficulty of retention and involuntary emission of urine. GenUal Organs. Violent pressure toward the genital parts, as if all were going to fall downward, principally when walking or sitting upright; menses too copious and too early. Larynx. Loss of voice ; cough chiefly at night, or in the afternoon, in the evening in bed, mostly dry, short, and some- times convulsive; when coughing, cutting in the abdomen ; the least movement, when in bed at night, renews the cough. Chest. Oppression of the chest, difficult respiration, dys- pnoea, and short breath, sometimes with anxiety ; respiration short, anxious, and rapid ; pressure on the chest. Trunk. Painful swelling, and stiffness of the neck and the nape. 5. Bryonia. Rheumatic and arthritic affections, even with inflammatory fever and swelling; local inflammations; inflammatory fevers, S60 MATERIA MEDICA with nervous, gastric, or bilious affection, and strong excite- ment of the sanguineous and nervous system; typhoid fevers, in the inflammatory period. General Symptoms.—Tension, drawing pains, acute draw- ings, and stinging, especially in the limbs, and chiefly during movement, with insupportable pains on being touched ; red, shining swelling of some parts of the body; aggravation of the pains and sufferings at night, and from movement; ame- lioration during repose ; desire to remain in a recumbent posture. Sleep. Restlessness, especially before midnight, caused by heat, agitation of blood, and anxiety; sleep, disturbed by thirst, with bitter taste in the mouth when waking; inability to remain lying on the right side. Fever. Cold and shivering of the body, even in bed, ac- companied by pains in all the limbs ; shiverings ; with trem- bling, often with heat in the head, redness of the face, and thirst; before the shiverings, vertigo and headache ; univer- sal dry heat, external and internal, almost always with a great desire for cold drinks. Moral Symptoms. Irascibility and passion ; delirium, with ravings about the transactions of the day. Head. Great fullness and heaviness of the head, with raking pressure toward the forehead, and when stooping, a sensation as if everything were going to fall out through the forehead ; headache, aggravated by movement. Nose. Swelling of the nose; frequent bleeding of the nose, sometimes in the morning, or when the menses are suppressed, or even when sleeping. Face. Face red and burning ; swelling of the face, some- times on one side only, or under the eyes, and at the root of the nose ; lips swollen and cracked, with bleeding. Teeth. Toothache, with desire to lie down ; mitigated by ,ying on the parts affected ; jerking, drawing toothache, with a sensation as if the teeth were too long or loose. BRYONIA. 661 Mouth. Dryness of the mouth, with burning thirst; tongu» dry, loaded with a white, dirty, or yellow coating. Throat. Sensation of dryness, and great dryness in the throat. AppetUe. Bitter taste in the morning; repugnance aud disgust for food. Stomach. Nausea and desire to vomit, especially after eat- ing ; vomiting, as soon as one has drank, and especially on drinking after a meal; shootings in the stomach during movement; burning in the pit of the stomach. Abdominal Region. Pains in the liver, when touched, on breathing or coughing; cramp-like pains, or cuttings and shootings in the abdomen. F&ces, Constipation ; diarrhea in the summer. Urine. Urine scanty, reddish, brownish, and hot. Genital Organs. Menses suppressed ; metrorrhagia of a deep-red blood, with pain in the loins and in the head ; swelling of the labium, with a black and hard pustule. Larynx. Cough, mostly dry, excited by a tickling in the throat; cramp-like, suffocating cough, after having eaten or drank, and often with vomiting of food ; cough, with stinging in the sides of the chest, or with aching pains in the head, as if it were going to split; cough, with expectoration of mucus of a dirty-reddish color. Chest. Respiration impeded by stinging in the chest; stingings in the chest and in the sides, especially when coughing or breathing deeply, allowing one to lie only on the back, and aggravated by any movement whatever; heat and burning pain in the chest, with anxiety and tight- ness ; beatings of the heart, frequent!v very violent, with oppression. Trunk. Pains in the loins, like a painful weight; shoot- ings in the loins and in the back, aggravated by cough and respiration ; rheumatic heaviness and tension in the nape of the neck, and in the neck. 662 MATERIA MEDICA. Arms. Tractive pains in the joints of the shoulders and the arms, with tension, stinging, and shining, red swel- ling ; pain of dislocation in the joints of the hands on mov- ing them. Legs. Drawing pains in the thighs ; swelling of the legs, extending to the feet; pain, as of dislocation, in the foot, when walking. 6. Calcarea Carbonica. Muscular weakness, difficulty of learning to walk, atrophy and other sufferings of scrofulous children; rickety affections, polypus ; fistulous ulcers ; delirium tremens; difficult denti- tion in children, with convulsions. General Symptoms.—Agitation of blood, mostly in pletho- ric individuals, often in the head and in the chest; epileptic convulsions, with cries ; the symptoms are aggravated after washing and laboring in the water, in the evening, after i meal, and every second day. Skin. Nettle-rash, chiefly disappearing in the fresh air; swelling and induration of the glands, with or without pain. Sleep. Restlessness from flow of ideas, or in conse- quence of frightful images, which appear as soon as the eyes are shut; dreams, frequent, vivid, anxious, fantastic. frightful. Fever. Excessive internal coldness ; frequent attacks of transient heat, with anguish and beating of the heart. Moral Symptoms. Melancholy and disposition to weep ano to be frightened. Head. Piercing in the forehead as if the head were going to burst, hammering pains in the head after a walk in the open air ; icy coldness in and on the head ; falling off of the hair ; tumors in the hairy scalp. Eyes. Ulcers, spots, and opacity of cornea ; red and thick swelling of the eyelids. CARBO VEGETABILIS. 66:! Ears. Purulent discharge from the ears ; polypus in the ears; cracking in the ears, when swallowing and chewing; hardness of hearing ; inflammatory swelling of the parotids. Face. Swelling of the upper lip ; painful swelling of the submaxillary glands. Stomach. Regurgitation of sour substances ; sour vom- itings. Abdominal Region. Swelling and induration of the mes- enteric glands; enlargement and hardness of the abdomen. Faces. Evacuations like clay ; diarrhea during dentition, of a sour smell, fetid, or yellowish, in infants. Genital Organs. Menses premature and too copious. Larynx. Cough at night, violent and dry, sometimes even spasmodic. Chest. Pain as from excoriation in the chest, especially on breathing and being touched ; palpitation of the heart. Trunk. Hard and painful swelling of the glands of the neck. Arms. Drawing pains in the arms, also at night; boils j.i the hands and the fingers. Legs. Drawing lancinations, or cutting, acute pains in them ; swelling of the knees ; corns on the feet, with burn- ing pain as of excoriation. 7. Carbo Vegetabilis. Evil effects from the abuse of mercury, or of cinchona; sufferings caused by warm and damp weather ; sensibility to changes of weather ; intermittent fevers, even those which the abuse of cinchona has rendered obstinate; Asiatic cholera, with total absence of pulse. General Symptoms.— Burning pains in the limbs and in the back ; the majority of symptoms appear~while walking in the open air ; soreness of all the limbs, especially in the morn 664 MATERIA MEDICA. ing, when one has just risen; sudden prostration of the physical powers ; liability to take cold. Fever. Shivering and coldness in the body ; cold sweat on the limbs and face. Moral Symptoms. Inquietude and anxiety, especially in the evening. Head. Heaviness of the head. Nose. Violent coryza, with hoarseness and raucity of the chest. Teeth. Opening, retraction, excoriation, and ulceration of the gums ; bleeding of the teeth and gums. Mouth. Dryness, or accumulation of water in the mouth. Throat. Scraping and burning pain in the throat, the palate, and the gullet. AppetUe. Salt taste in the mouth and of food ; after a meal, great inflation of the abdomen. Stomach. Rising of fat food ; sour risings after a meal. Faces. Evacuations liquid, pale, or mucous; involuntary evacuation. Urine. Diminution of the secretion of urine. Larynx. In the morning and in the evening, hoarseness, aggravated by prolonged conversation, and chiefly in cold and damp weather. Chest. Dyspnoea on walking ; pain as from excoriation of the chest. Trunk. Rheumatic, drawing pains, acute pulling and shootings in the back, the nape of the neck, and the muscles of the neck. Arms. Pullings, and acute drawing pains in the fore-arms, the wrist, and the fingers : paralytic weakness of the wrists and of the fingers. Legs. Drawing, and paralytic pains in the legs ; cramps in the legs, and in the soles of the feet. CHAMOMILE. CfJ", 8. Chamomile. Different affections of women and of children, chiefly fying-in women and new-born infants; bad effects from the abuse of coffee and of narcotic palliatives ; suffering in con- sequence of a chill; affections arising from sudden grief, or a fit of passion; convulsive and spasmodic attacks ; excori- ation of the skin ; disposition for every wound to ulcerate ; bilious and gastric affections ; excoriation of the nipples ; ery- sipelas on the breasts; catarrhal cough, with hoarseness, chiefly in children. General Symptoms.— Rheumatic, drawing pains, chiefly at night in bed ; pains with thirst, heat and redness of one of the cheeks ; over-excitement, and excessive sensibility of the nervous system, with great sensibility to pain. Sleep. Nocturnal sleeplessness; when sleeping, starts with fright, cries, tossing, tears, talking. Fever. Burning heat and redness (often only in one) of the cheeks, chiefly at night, with groaning, tossing Moral Symptoms. Disposition to weep and to be angry, with great sensibility to offense ; quarrelsome and choleric humor. Head. Headache on waking in the morning, or while asleep. Eyes. Eyes inflamed and red, with pressive pains, chiefly on moving the eyes, and on shaking the head; blearedness in the eyes, and nocturnal agglutination. Ears. Shootings extending into the ears, with disposition to be angry at trifles ; buzzing in the ears ; inflammatory swelling of the parotids, as well as of the sub-maxillary glands and of those of the neck. Face. Face hot, red, burning, or redness and heat of one cheek, with coldness and paleness of the other. Teeth. Toothache, mostly of one side, and chiefly at night, in the heat of the bed, with insupportable pains which almost drive one to despair, frequently after eating anything hot (or cold), and chiefly after having taken coffee. 666 MATERIA MEDICA. Throat. Sore throat; deep redness of the parts affected. AppetUe. Bitter taste in the mouth and of food ; excessive thirst for cold drinks. Stomach. Bitter, bilious vomiting. Abdominal Region. Flatulent colic, with inflation of the abdomen ; excessively painful colic, pullings and cuttings in the abdomen. Anus and Faces. Diarrhea at night, with slimy or green- ish faeces, or mucus. Urine. Menstrual colic, before the catamenia; pressure toward the uterus, as if from the pains of childbirth; me- trorrhagia, with discharge of deep-red blood and of clots, and accompanied with labor-pains. Larynx. Dry cough, produced by constant titillation in the larynx ; anger excites cough (in children). Chest. Attacks of flatulent asthma, with anxiety and full- ness in the pericordial region. Legs. Cramps in the calves of the legs, chiefly at night. 9. China.—Cinchona. General Symptoms.—Pains or sufferings, excited or aggra- vated by touch, at night, or after a meal; great general weak- ness, with trembling; great tendency to perspiration when moving and sleeping. Skin. Yellow color of the skin. Sleep. Painful, frightful dreams, which continue to pro- duce agitation after waking. Fever. Shiverings, with shuddering, or feverish trembling, commonly without thirst; the thirst generally takes place only before or after the shiverings ; easy perspiration during sleep ; nocturnal debilitating sweats. Moral Symptoms. Hypochondriacal dejection; excessive irascibility, with pusillanimity. Head. Headache as if from suppressed coryza; pain as from a bruise in the brain ; pressive headache ; acute jerking CHINA--CINCHONA. 667 or pressive pains in the head ; headache as if the head were going to burst; congestion to the head ; sensibility of the ex- tenor of the head, and even of the roots of the hair, when touched. Eyes. Sparkling, black, dancing spots, and obscuration be- iore the eyes. Nose. Bleeding of the nose and of the mouth. Face Complexion pale, earth-like, sometimes of a black- ish yellow. Teeth. Dull and distressing pains in the carious teeth. Mouth. Tongue with a yellow or white coating AppetUe. Bitter taste of food and drink; desire for a variety of food and for dainties, without knowing exactly which ; great weakness of digestion. Stomach. Eructations, with taste of food ; pressure in the stomach, with cramp-like pains, especially after having eaten. Abdominal Region. Hardness and swelling of the liver • swelling and hardness of the spleen ; piercing in the spleen ' dropsical swelling of the abdomen, with asthmatic sufferings and fatiguing cough. Faeces. Slimy, watery, yellowish diarrhea; loose evacua- tions, with excretion of undigested food; loose evacuations, chiefly after a meal or at night; crawling in the anus, as if from worms. Urine. Urine deep-colored, with sediment like brick- dust. Genital Organs. Congestion to the uterus; leucorrhea, with cramp-like contraction. Larynx. Violent, convulsive cough, sometimes even with inclination to vomit; cough, with expectoration streaked with blood. Chest. Shooting in the chest, when coughing and breath- ing ; stitches in the side ; violent congestion to the chest. 668 MATERIA MEDICA. Arms. Paralytic, jerking, tearings in the muscles and \ bones of the upper and lower extremities, excited by touch. 10. Cina. Scrofulous affections; acute hydrocephalus of children; wetting the bed ; hooping-cough ; chiefly in scrofulous chil- dren or in those suffering from worms. General Symptoms. — Convulsions and distortion of the limbs ; epileptic convulsions, with cries, turning on the back, and violent movements of the hands and feet; external pres- sure aggravates or renews the sufferings. Sleep. Nocturnal sleeplessness, with agitation, tears, cries, heat and anguish. Moral Symptoms. Child cries wrhen it is touched. Eyes. Pupils dilated. Nose. Desire to put the fingers into the nose; stoppage cf the nose. Teeth. Grinding of the teeth. Appetite. Hunger a short time after a meal. Faces. Loose evacuations, of the consistence of pap; discharge of ascarides and of worms by the anus ; loose, involuntary, whitish evacuations. Urine. Wetting the bed, urine soon becomes turbid. Larynx. Cough, with sudden starts and loss of con- sciousness. ExtremUies. Contraction and jerking of the hand and of the fingers ; cramp-like extension of the legs. 11. Coffea. Excessive nervous excitability; excessively painful neural- gia ; sleeplessness from nervous excitement; evil conse- quences of unexpected or excessive joy. General Symptoms. — Painful susceptibility of parts af- fected ; mental and physical excitability; sleeplessness from COLOCYNTHIS — CUPRUM. 669 excitement of the imagination, flow of ideas, and fantastic visions ; desire to lie down and to shut the eyes, without being able to sleep. Head and Throat. Pains in the head, as if the brain were bruised ; sore throat, with great and painful sensibility. Stomach and Faces. Cramps in the stomach ; abdominal pains, which even drive one to despair, especially in women ; diarrhea, also, during teething. 12. Colocynthis. Evil effects from mental emotions, with indignation and mortification. General Symptoms. — Painful cramps and cramp-like con- tractions, in the internal or external parts. Skin. Troublesome itching, with great restlessness in the whole body, especially in the evening in bed, followed by perspiration. Head. Attacks of semi-lateral headache. Stomach. Colic and diarrhea, however little is eaten. Abdominal Region. Inflammation of the abdomen, as if from tympanitis: cramp-like pain and constriction in the intestines, especially after a fit of passion ; excessively violent colic, with cutting, cramp-like, or contractive pains, which compel one to bend double, with restlessness in the whole body, and with a sensation of shuddering in the face, which seems to proceed from the abdomen ; coffee and tobacco smoke diminish the colic. laces. Loose evacuations of a greenish yellow ; dysen- terical evacuations, with colic. Urine. Diminished secretion of urine. 13. Cuprum. Spasmodic affections and convulsions ; encephalitis; Asiatic cholera; hooping-cough ; spasmodic asthma. General Symptoms.—Tonic spasms, with loss of conscious- 670 MATERIA MEDICA. ness, throwing of the head backward ; the convulsions gene- rally begin in the fingers and in the toes; convulsive starting^ at night when sleeping; violent convulsions, with great dis- play of strength ; symptoms which appear periodically, and in groups. Head. Whirling vertigo, as if the head were going to fall forward ; stupefying depression in the head, with crawling in the vertex ; pains in the occiput and nape of the neck, on moving the head. Eyes. Convulsions and restless movements of the eyes. Face. Spasmodic distortion of the face ; lips bluish. Teeth and Mouth. Foam in the mouth. Stomach. Violent vomitings, with cramps in the abdomen, aggravated by touch and by movement. Abdominal Region. Spasmodic colic. Faces. Violent diarrhea. Chest. Respiration accelerated ; short, difficult respiration, with spasmodic cough and rattling in the chest; suffocating fits ; cramps in the chest, which interrupt the respiration and the voice. Trunk and Arms. Cramps of the fingers and of the toes. 14. Drosera. Catarrh and hoarseness ; hooping-cough ; affections of the respiratory organs, in consequence of croup. Larynx. Crawling in the larynx, which excites a short cough and shootings as far as the throat; sensation of dry- ness or roughness, and of scraping in the bottom of the gul- let, with inclination to cough ; hoarseness and very low voice ; dry, spasmodic cough, with inclination to vomit; fatiguing cough, like hooping-cough, with bluish face, wheezing respi- ration, attacks of suffocation, bleeding from the nose and mouth, and anxiety ; vomiting of food during the cough and afterward. Chest Difficulty of respiration when coughing or speaking. DULCAMARA — GRAPHITES. 671 15. Dulcamara. Affections, in consequence of taking cold in general; tet- ters of different kinds ; nettle-rash. General Symptoms.—Aggravation of sufferings, chiefly in the evening or at night, and during repose, mitigated by movement; swelling and induration of the glands; dropsical swelling of the whole body, limbs, and face. Skin. Dry, furfuraceous, humid, scaling, or suppurating tetters ; reddish tetters, bleeding after being scratched, with i painful sensibility to the touch, and to cold water. Faces. Diarrhea, as if after a chill,, of greenish or brown- ish mucus ; nocturnal, watery diarrhea with colic. Larynx. Catarrh and hoarseness, as if from having taken cold; moist cough. Arms. Tettery eruption on the hands. 16. Graphites. Tetters of several kinds especially on the face ; wens. General Symptoms. — Great disposition to take cold, and fear of the open air and of currents of air. Skin. Tetters, and other humid or scabby eruptions, sometimes with secretion of corrosive serum, or with itch- j ing in the evening and at night; unhealthy skin, every injury tends to ulceration; deformity and thickness of the nails. Eyes. Inflammation of the eyes, injection of the veins, swelling and abundant mucous secretion from the eyelids. Ears. Dryness of the internal ear ; scabs, tetters, running and excoriation behind the ears ; hardness of hearing miti- gated by the motion of a carriage. Nose. Dry scabs on the nose ; nostrils excoriated, cracked, and ulcerated , fetid smell from the nose. Face. Flushes of heat in the face ; erysipelatous inflam- mation and swelling of the face, with eruption of vesicles; 672 materia medica. one-sided paralysis and distortion of the muscles of the face, with difficult articulation; ulcers on the internal sur- face of the lips ; scabby eruption on the chin and around the mouth. Throat. Sore throat, even at night, as if there were a plug within it. AppetUe. Weakness of digestion; inflation of the abdomen after a meal. Abdominal Region. Immoderate expulsion of fetid wind, preceded by pinchings. Faces. Obstinate constipation, with hard faeces; large hemorrhoidal excrescences in the anus. Urine. Wetting the bed. Menses. Suppression of menses; in place of menses, flow of blood from the anus. Arms. Arthritic nodosities on the fingers ; tettery ex- coriation between the fingers; thickness of the nails of the fingers. Legs. Tetters on the thighs, hams, and tibia; cold feet, even in the evening in bed ; tettery excoriation between the toes ; thickness and deformity of the toe-nails. 17. Helleborus. Dropsical affections, especially some kinds of anasarca, and chiefly those which proceed from the repercussion of erup- tions, such as measles; scald-head, with obstruction of the glands of the neck ; acute hydrocephalus. General Symptoms.— Convulsions. Sleep. Sleepiness, with eyes half open and pupils turned upward. Moral Symptoms. Dullness of the internal senses Head. Stupefying pain and sensation of a bruise in the head ; painful heaviness of the head ; disposition to bury the head in the pillow, when sleeping. L HEPAR sulphuris. 673 Faces. Watery and frequent evacuations. Chest. Difficult respiration, as if from hydrothorax; constriction of the chest. 18. Hepar Sulphuris. Evil consequences of the abuse of mercury ; scrofulous affections icterus ; scald-head; eruptions and tetters on the face ; scrofulous catarrhal ophthalmia; ulcers on the cornea. General Symptoms.— Pains as if from excoriation or a bruise on different parts when touched ; swelling, inflamma- tion, and ulceration of the glands ; aggravation of the pains at night. Skin. Eruption of pimples and tubercles, painful when touched ; unhealthy skin, every injury tends to ulceration ; suppurations. Sleep. Jerking at night, as if from want of air. Fever. Dry heat at night; great disposition to perspire in the day-time. Head. Pain in the head, as if a nail were driven into it; pain, as if from ulceration in the head, directly above the eyes ; tuberosities on the head, with pain as if from excoria- tion when touched. Eyes. Stinging in the eyes ; inflammation of the eyes and eyelids, with pain as from a bruise and excoriation when touched ; specks and ulcers on the cornea; spasmodic closing of the eyelids. Ears. Heat, redness, and itching in the ears; scabs behind and on the ears. Nose. Pain as from a bruise and excoriation in the nose when touched. Face. Face burning and of a deep red; erysipelatous in- flammation and swelling of the face ; pains in the bones of the face when touched. Teeth. Toothache, with jerking and drawing pains, aggra- rated by closing the teeth, by eating, and in a hot room; 674 materia medica. swelling and inflammation of the gums, which are painful to the touch. Mouth. Salivation ; sore throat, as if there were a plug in it. Appetite. Desire only for acid or pungent things. Stomach. Eructations, with burning sensation in the throat. Faces. Whitish diarrhea, of an acid odor, especially in children; dysenteric evacuations, greenish, or of a clay-color, with evacuation of sanguineous mucus. Urine. Wetting the bed ; discharge of mucus from the urethra. Genital Organs. Flow of prostatic fluid, especially after making water, and during a difficult evacuation ; excoriation between the thighs ; leucorrhea, with smarting. Larynx. Hoarseness ; dry cough in the evening, from any part of the body becoming cold, or when lying on the bed ; attacks of dry, rough, and hollow cough, with anguish and suffocation, often causing one to weep. Chest. Anxious/ hoarse, wheezing respiration, with danger of suffocation when lying down. Arms. Pain, as from a bruise, in the bones of the arm ; arthritic swelling of the hand, fingers, and joints of the fingers, with heat, redness and pain, as from dislocation, during movement; skin of the hands cracked, rough, and iry ; panaris. Legs. Swelling of the knees ; cracks in the feet. 19. HY03CYAMUS. Convulsions and other spasmodic affections, chiefly in I pregnant or parturient women, as well as in children, and in j consequence of worms; excessive nervous excitement, with sleeplessness ; encephalitis ; acute hydrocephalus. General Symptoms.— Convulsions, with cries, great an- guish. Fever. Burning heat of the body, especially of the head. ignatia. 675 Moral Symptoms. Desire to run away ; loss of conscious- ness, with eyes closed, and raving about business ; delirium; perversion of all actions. Head. Headache, as if from concussion of the brain; pressive and benumbing pain in the forehead. Eyes. Eyes red, fixed, convulsed, spasmodic closing of the eyelids ; nocturnal blindness, weakness of sight, as if from incipient amaurosis. Mouth and Throat. Redness of the tongue ; constriction in the throat and inability to swallow liquids. AppetUe and Stomach. Vomiting of food and drinks im- mediately after a meal. Faces. Involuntary evacuations. GenUal Organs. Metrorrhagia, of a bright-colored blood. Larynx. Cramp-like cough at night, especially when lying down, sometimes with redness of the face and vomiting of mucus. Chest. Pressure on the right side of the chest, with great anxiety and shortness of breath when ascending stairs ; spasms in the chest, with short breathing. Arms. Hands clenched, with retraction of the thumbs (in the convulsive fits). Legs. Painful cramps in the thighs and calves of the legs. 20. Ignatia. Spasmodic affections, especially in consequence of fright or contradiction, and chiefly in hysterical women, or in children; melancholy and other mental affections caused by affliction ; difficult teething of children, with convulsions ; prolapsus recti also, in children. (iENERAL Symptoms. — Violent pain, merely on being touched, in different parts ; attacks of cramp and of con- vulsions ; hysterical debility and fainting-fits ; the pains are removed always by change of position. 676 MATERIA MEDICA. Skin. Excoriation of the skin ; itching, when becoming warm in the open air. Sleep. Violent spasmodic yawnings, especially in the morning. Fever. Absence of thirst during the heat and perspi- ration. Moral Symptoms. Tenderness of character, and delicacy of conscience ; love of solitude. Head. Pressive headache, especially above the root of the nose ; aggravated or relieved by stooping; the headaches are aggravated by coffee, brandy, tobacco-smoke, noise, and strong smell; headache, as if a nail were driven into ihe brain. Eyes. Convulsive movements of the eyes and eyelids. Face. Convulsive jerkings, and distortion of the muscles of the face ; convulsive twitchings of the corners of the mouth. Throat. Sore throat, as if there were a plug in it ; shoot- ings in the throat, extending sometimes to the ear, chiefly when not swallowing ; inflammation, swelling and induration of the tonsils, with small ulcers ; impeded deglutition (of drinks). Appetite. Dislike to milk and tobacco-smoke ; painful in- flation of the abdomen after a meal. Stomach. Hiccough every time after eating and drinking; periodical attacks of cramp in the stomach, aggravated by pressing on the part affected. Abdomen. Shootings and pinchings in the abdomen, especially in the sides ; flatulent colic, especially at night. Faces. Hard evacuations, with frequent ineffectual efforts ; prolapsus of the rectum during evacuation ; itching and crawling in the anus. Catamenia. Cramp-like and compressive pains in the re- gion of the uterus, with attacks of choking. iodium. Q77 Larynx. Short cough, as if from a feather in the throat, becoming more violent the more one coughs. Chest. Difl&cult respiration, as if hindered by a weight upon the chest ; choking with running; palpitation of the heart at night. Arms. Insupportable pains in the bones and joints of the arms, as if the flesh were being loosened; convulsive jerkings in the arms and in the fingers. Legs. Convulsive jerkings of the legs. 21. Iodium. Scrofulous and lymphatic affections; abdominal phthisis; inflammatory swelling of the knee. General Symptoms. — Swelling and induration of the glands ; atrophy and emaciation until reduced to a skeleton. Fever. Pulse quick, small, and hard. Head. Congestion to the head, with beating in the brain. Face. Complexion pale, yellowish ; swelling of the sub- maxillary glands. Teeth. Softening of the gums. Stomach. Eructations, generally acid, with burning sensa- tion. Abdominal Region. Abdominal pains, which return after every meal; enlargement of the abdomen, which renders it impossible to lie down without danger of suffocation. Faces. Loose, soft evacuations, alternating with constipa- tion ; violent, frothy diarrhea. Catamenia. Catamenia, at one time too late, at another too soon. Larynx. Inflammation of the throat and trachea, with contractive sore pain ; copious secretion of mucus in the tra- chea, with frequent hawking; dry cough; cough in the morning. Chest. Difficulty of respiration when going up stairs. 678 materia medica. Trunk. Swelling of the exterior of the neck ; swelling of the glands of the neck, nape, and armpits ; hard and large goitre. 22. Ipecacuanha. Gastric and bilious fevers; intermittent fevers; gastric uneasiness, especially when caused by indigestion; Asiatic and sporadic cholera; gastric affections, with vomiting and diarrhea, asthmatic affections. General Symptoms.—Attacks of uneasiness, with dislike to all food, and excessive and sudden debility. Fever. Coldness, especially of the hands and feet; thirst only during the shivering or chill. Head. Attacks of headache, with nausea and vomiting. Appetite. Great repugnance and dislike to all food. Stomach. Nausea; vomiting of drink and undigested food, of bilious, greenish, or acrid matter, and sometimes imme- diately after a meal; vomiting, with diarrhea. Faces. Loose evacuations like matter in a state of fermen- tation ; diarrhea, with nausea, colic, and vomiting; dysenteric evacuations, with white flocks, and followed by tenesmus. GenUal Organs. Metrorrhagia, with discharge of bright- red and coagulated blood. Larynx. Cough, especially at night, with painful shocks in the head and stomach, with disgust and inclination to vomit, and vomiting, or with fits of suffocation, stiffness of the body, and bluish face. Chest. Spasmodic asthma, with contraction of the larynx. 23 Lachesis. Sufferings of drunkards, from the abuse of mercury; faint- ing fits ; erysipelas. General Symptoms.—Great weakness of body and mind. Skin. Skin yellow, green, lead-colored, or bluish, or olackish, chiefly around the wounds and ulcers. Head. Vertigo, chiefly on waking in the morning ; apo- lycopodium. 679 plectic fits, with blue face, convulsive movements of the limbs; headache, with congestion of blood, sparkling before the eyes ; headache every morning on waking, or after din- ner, or else from every change of weather. Mouth. Tongue shining, red, and cracked ; painful exco- riation and inflammatory swelling of the throat; constant de- sire to swallow, and a sensation on swallowing as if there were a tumor, some foreign body, or a plug in the throat; ulcers on the palate, back of the mouth and throat, AppetUe. Desire for wine. Stomach. Excessive sensibility of the precordial region to the slightest touch. Abdominal Region. Inflammation and softening of the liver ; pain and stitches in the region of the spleen ; abdomen hard and distended, with flatulent colic. Faces. Obstinate constipation, with hard and difficult evacuation ; loose evacuations, principally at night, or after a meal, or in warm (and damp) weather, or from having taken fruits and acids. 24. Lycopodium. Obstruction of the glands; typhus fever; inertia of the intestines and obstinate constipation; chronic pneumonia; tuberculous phthisis. General Symptoms. — Excessive sensibility to fresh air; great tendency to take cold. % Skin. Excoriation of the skin of children. Moral Symptoms. Melancholy and disposition to weep, aversion to speaking. Face. Frequent flushes of transient heat in the face ; swelling of the submaxillary glands. Mouth. Dryness of the mouth without thirst. Throat. Dryness of the throat; inflammation of the throat and palate, with shooting pain. Stomach. Pressure in the stomach after every meal; 680 MATERIA MEDICA. swelling of-the epigastrium, with painful sensibility to the touch. Abdominal Region. Tension around the hypochondria, as if caused by a hoop; induration of the liver ; fullness and distension of the stomach and abdomen ; obstructed flatu- lency. Faces. Obstruction of the abdomen. Genital Organs. Leucorrhea, milky, yellowish, reddish and corrosive; excoriation and running sores of the nipples. Larynx. Nocturnal cough, which affects the head, dia- phragm, and stomach. Chest. Short respiration during almost every exertion ; palpitation of the heart, especially during digestion ; painful eruption and liver spots on the chest. Trunk. Swelling of the glands of the neck and shoulder, with shooting pain. Arms. Nocturnal aching pains in the arms; dryness of the skin of the hands. Legs. Swelling of the knees ; ulcers on the legs ; pain hi the soles of the feet when walking. 25. Mercurius Vivus. Swelling and inflammation of the glands; inflammatory fevers, with disposition to perspire profusely ; rheumatic or catarrhal headache; scrofulous, rheumatic, catarrhal (and arthritic) ophthalmia; syphilitic ophthalmia; rheumatic and catarrhal otalgia; rheumatic prosopalgia and toothache ; dysen- tery ; mucous or bilious diarrhea ; influenza. General Symptoms. — Rending or drawing, or stinging pains in the limbs, principally at night, in the heat of the bed, which renders the pain insupportable ; nocturnal aching pains; rheumatic pains, with profuse sweat, which affords no relief; the whole body feels as if it had been bruised, with soreness in all the bones; emaciation and atrophy MERCURIUS vivus. 681 of the whole body; excitability and sensibility of all the organs. Skin. Enlargement, inflammation, and ulceration of the glands, with pulsative and shooting pains, hard, red, and shining swelling; violent and voluptuous itching over the whole body, principally in the evening, or at night, augmented by the heat of the bed, and sometimes with burning after being scratched. Fever. Copious, excessive, and colliquative sweats, both day and night, in the morning; sweat, with nausea and desire to vomit; great fatigue. Head. Vertigo, principally on getting up, or on raising up the head; fullness and pressure in the head, as if the fore- head were squeezed by a band, or that the cranium would split; heat and burning, or tearing and drawing pains, or stinging in the head, often only one-sided and extending to the ears, teeth, and neck. Eyes. Itching, tickling, and burning in the eyes ; eyes red and inflamed ; eyelids red, inflamed, swollen, ulcerated on the margins, and covered with scabs. Ears. Tearing, stinging, and drawing pains in the ears, increased by the heat of the bed; purulent otorrhea, with tearing in the affected side of the head and in the face. Face. Bloatedness and swelling of the face ; tearing in the bones and muscles (of one side) of the face ; obstruction and inflammatory swelling of the submaxillary glands, with stinging or pulsative pains. Teeth. Tearing, stinging, or pulsative pains in the carious teeth, or in the roots of the teeth, often spreading as far as the ears, and in the entire cheek of the side affected, some- times, also, with painful swelling of the cheek or of the sub maxillary glands, with salivation and shivering; appearance or aggravation of toothache, principally in the evening or at night, in the heat of the bed, where it is insupportable; renewed by the fresh air, as well as by eating, and taking 682 materia medica. anything hot or cold into the mouth ; retraction and swelling of the gums, principally at night, with burning pain and sensation of excoriation on touching them and on eating; gums livid, discolored, and very sensitive; ulceration of the gums. Mouth. Putrid smell from the mouth; inflammatory swelling of the inside of the mouth ; burning pain, vesicles, blisters, aphthae, and ulcers in the mouth; accumulation of tenacious mucus; profuse discharge of excessively fetid saliva ; tongue moist, with white and thick coating; inflam- matory swelling and ulceration of the tongue, with stinging pains ; entire loss of speech. Throat. Stinging pains in the throat and tonsils, princi- pally when swallowing; inflammatory swelling and redness of all the back parts of the mouth and throat; constant desire to swallow; inability to swallow the least liquid, which escapes through the nostrils; the pains in the throat com- monly extend as far as the ears, the parotids, the submaxil- lary glands and those of the neck : they are aggravated, for the most part, by empty deglutition, as well as at night, in the fresh air and when speaking, and they are accompanied with salivation. AppetUe. Acid and mucous taste ; dislike to all food, prin- cipally solid nutriment, meat. Stomach. Violent, empty eructations; excessive tender- ness of the stomach and precordial region ; pressure as if from a stone in the pit of the stomach. Abdominal Region. Painful sensibility of the hepatic region, with stinging, burning pain ; complete icterus; obstruction and inflammatory swelling of the inguinal glands. Faces. Loose and dysenteric evacuations, principally at night, with colic and cuttings; tenesmus and burning in the anus; nausea and eructations; shivering and shuddering, ex- haustion and tremor of all the limbs ; scanty evacuations of sanguinolent mucus; evacuations which are mucous, or NUX VOMICA. 683 bilious, or putrid, or acid, or of a greenish or brownish color; evacuatiou of acrid and burning fecal matter; discharge of blood or of mucus from the rectum ; discharge of ascarides and lumbrici. Urine. Frequent, copious emission of urine, like diabetes ; corrosive and burning urine. Larynx. Catarrh, with febrile shivering; continued hoarse- ness and loss of voice; pains in the head and chest when coughing, as if these parts were about to burst. Chest. Difficulty of respiration, with attacks of suffocation at night, or in bed, in the evening when lying (on the left side) shootings in the chest and side, or extending as far as the back, principally when breathing, sneezing, and coughing; pain as from excoriation and of ulceration in the chest. Trunk. Obstructions and inflammatory swelling of the glands of the neck. Arms. Sharp pains in the shoulders and arms, principally at night and when moving these parts. Legs. Sharp and piercing pains in the hip-joints, as well as the thighs, principally at night, and when moving; oede- matous, transparent swelling of the thighs and legs. 26. Nux Vomica. Sufferings from the abuse of coffee, wine, or other spirit- ous or narcotic drugs ; bad effects from passion or excessive study, prolonged watching, or a sedentary life ; periodical and intermittent affections ; gastralgia ; gastritis ; gastrico- mucous or bilious affections; dyspepsia, also with vomiting of food ; vomiting of drunkards, of pregnant women ; incar- cerated hernia; obstinate constipation; blind and bleeding hemorrhoides. General Symptoms.—Repugnance to the open air; great desire to remain lying down or sitting. Sleep. Too short sleep, with difficulty in going to sleep again after midnight, and inability to remain in bed after three 684 MATERIA MEDICA. o'clock in the morning ; on waking in the morning, pain in the limbs as if they were bruised, great lassitude, with desire to remain lying down, and fits of stretching and of convulsive yawning. Fever. During the shivering, skin, bands and feet, face or nails are cold and bluish; during the heat, vertigo, headache, shivering when moving in the least, or when uncovered in the slightest degree, thirst. Moral Symptoms. Hypochondriacal, sorrowful, and sad humor ; ill-humor, vexation, and anger ; dislike to, and unfit- ness for, bodily and mental labor. Head. Vertigo, with sensation of turning and of wavering of the brain ; heaviness, pressure, and sensation of expansion in the head, as if the forehead were about to burst, especially above the eyes. Eyes. Eyes inflamed, with redness and swelling, also the eyelids. Nose. Obstruction of the nose, sometimes on one side only, and often with itching in the nostrils and discharge of mucus ; obstruction in the head, principally in the morning, or at night, and dry coryza with heat and heaviness in the forehead, and obstruction of the nostrils. Teeth. Putrid and painful swelling of the gums. Mouth. Fetid, putrid, and cadaverous smell from the mouth ; tongue loaded with a white coating, or dry, cracked, brownish or blackish. Throat. Swelling of the uvula; bitter taste of the mouth ; desire for brandy. Stomach. Frequent, bitter, and acid eructations; violent hiccough ; vomiturition and violent vomiting of mucous and sour matter, after drinking or eating, or in the morning ; pres- sure in the stomach as if by a stone; tension and fullness in the epigastrium ; tight clothes are insupportable. Abdominal Region. Flatulent colic, sometimes in the morn- ing, after eating or drinking, with pressing pains, as if by stones. oriuM. 685 Faces. Frequent but ineffectual and anxious desire to evacuate ; obstinate constipation, as if from inactivity of the intestines; incomplete evacuations; small, loose, aqueous or mucous and sanguinolent evacuations.; hemorrhoides, with excoriating, stinging, burning pain, and pressure in the anus and rectum. Urine. Ineffectual desire to urinate ; frequent emission of watery and pale urine ; burning pain in the neck of the blad- der when making water. Larynx. Catarrhal hoarseness and painful roughness of the larynx and chest; accumulation of tenacious mucus, which it is impossible to detach ; pains, as from excoriation in the larynx when coughing. Chest. Asthmatic constriction of the chest at night, in bed, when going up stairs, choking, anxiety. Trunk. Pains, like those caused by a bruise in the back and loins ; rheumatic, drawing, and burning pains in the back. 27. Opium. Recent affections rather than those of long standing ; ner- vous torpor, and want of vital reaction against the medicines that have been administered ; sufferings of drunkards ; affec- tions of old men ; bad effects of fright, with continued fear, or of sudden joy ; typhus ; delirium tremens; ileus ; constipa- tion, principally that caused by torpor of the intestinal canal, after frequent diarrhea, or from want of exercise, and espe- cially in the case of vigorous persons, or those who are phthoric, or well fed, as well as in the case of children and pregnant women ; tympanitis; suppressed or false and spas- modic labor-pains. General Symptoms.— General insensibility of the whole nervous system. Sleep. Lethargy, with snoring and mouth open ; excessive desire to sleep, with absolute inability to go to sleep. 686 materia medica. Fever. Pulse generally full, slow; fever, with lethargic sleep, snoring. Face. Face dark red, sometimes brownish, hot, and bloated. Stomach. Vomiting of fecal matter and of urine. Abdominal Region. Abdomen hard and distended, as in tympanitis. Faces. Constipation, long-continued ; involuntary evacua- tions. Chest. Noisy, stertorous, and rattling respiration; attacks of suffocation on making an effort to cough. 28. Phosphorus. Physical and nervous weakness caused by protracted influences injurious to the vital economy; hemorrhage and congestion of blood; cholerine; chronic and colliquative diarrhea ; chronic laryngitis ; disposition to croup. General Symptoms.—The majority of the symptoms mani- fest themselves morning and evening, in bed, as well as after dinner, while several others appear at the beginning of a meal and disappear after it. Skin. Lymphatic abscesses, with fistulous ulcers, which have callous margins, and secrete a fetid and colorless pus, with hectic fever ; copious bleeding from small wounds. Sleep. Unrefreshing sleep ; in the morning it appears as if one had not slept enough; nocturnal heat; hectic fever, with dry heat toward evening, especially in the palms of the hands, sweat and colliquative diarrhea, circumscribed red- ness of the cheeks, etc. Moral Symptoms. Anguish and uneasiness, especially when alone. Head. Vertigo, with nausea and pressing pains in the head ; congestion to the head, with beating ; falling off of the hair. PULSATILLA. 6<; Eyes. Inflammation of the eyes ; nocturnal agglutination of the eyes; black spots before the sight. Nose. Unpleasant dryness of the nose ; continual discharge of yellow mucus from the nose. Face. Face pale, wan, dirty, earthy, with hollow eyes, surrounded by a blue circle. Stomach. Sour regurgitations of food ; nausea of various kinds, especially in the morning; spasmodic pain and con- traction in the stomach. Abdominal Region. Spasmodic colic; sensation of coldness, with heat and burning in the abdomen ; flatulent colic, with grumbling. Faces. Prolonged looseness of the bowels. Larynx. Aphonia ; cough excited by a tickling and itch- ing in the chest, or with hoarseness and sensation as if the chest were raw; cough, with purulent and saltish expectora- tion, or of blood. Chest. Obstructed respiration of various kinds ; congestion to the chest; palpitation of the heart. Arms. Trembling in the arms and hands. Legs. Drawing and tearing in the knees ; swelling of the feet. 29. Pulsatilla. Affections of persons of mild character, inclined to pleas- antry, and to laughter or weeping, with a mild countenance, and of phlegmatic temperament, inclining to melancholy, lymphatic constitution, with pale complexion, blue eyes, and light hair, freckles, disposition to take a cold in the head, or to other mucous discharges, etc.; bad consequences from the abuse of sulphur-waters, of mercury, cinchona, chamomilla, or from the fat of pork ; rheumatic and arthritic affections, with swellings; inflammatory otalgia; dyspepsia, with vom- iting of food ; raucous or bilious diarrhea; inflammatory swelling of the testes; organic affections of the heart; in- flammatory swelling of the legs and feet. 688 MATERIA MEDICA. General Symptoms. — Sharp, drawing, and jerking pains in the muscles, aggravated at night, or in bed in the evening, as well as by the heat of the room, mitigated in the open air, and often accompanied by torpor, with paralytic weakness or hard swelling of the parts affected ; shifting pains which pass rapidly from one part to the other, often with swelling and redness of the joints. Skin. Red spots like measles or nettle-rash ; chilblains, with bluish-red swellings, heat and burning, or pulsative pains. Head. Vertigo, as during intoxication ; headaches in the evening after lying down, or at night, compression sometimes mitigates them. Eyes. Pressive, or sharp, shooting pain in the eyes, with inflammation ; sties on the eyelids. Ears. Shootings, with itching, or sharp, jerking pains and contraction in and around the ears ; the pains sometimes come on by fits, attack the whole head, appear almost insupport- able, and almost cause the loss of reason ; inflammatory swelling, heat, and erysipelatous redness of the ear and auditory duct, as well as the surrounding external parts ; tingling, roaring, and humming in the ears; hardness of hearing. Nose. Obstruction of the nose and dry coryza, principally in the evening and in the heat of a room. Face. Face pale, and sometimes with an expression of suf- fering. Teeth. Sharp, shooting pains in the teeth, or drawing, jerking pains, as if the nerve were tightened, then suddenly relaxed, or pulsative, digging, and gnawing pains, often with pricking in the gums, and shivering worse in the evening, or afternoon, in the heat of the bed, or of a room, mitigated by cold water or fresh air. Mouth. Tongue loaded with a thick coating of a whitish or yellowish color. PULSATILLA. ijijj) Throat. Pain, as if from excoriation in the throat, as if it , were all raw, with sensation as if these parts were swollen, principally when swallowing, or accumulation of tenacious mucus, which covers the parts affected. Appetite. Bitter or sour taste in the mouth, immediately after having eaten ; sensation of derangement in the stomach, similar to that caused by fat pork or rich pastry; after eating, nausea, and pressure in the pit of the stomach, and many other sufferings. Stomach. Nausea and vomitings take place in the evening or at night, and after eating or drinking, with shivering, paleness of face, colic; pressive, spasmodic, contractive, and compressive pains in the stomach and precordial region, after a meal or in the evening; pulsations in the pit of the stomach. Faces. Loose evacuations, with colic and cuttings, of greenish, bilious, or watery matter; blind and bleeding hemorrhoides, with itching, smarting, and pain, as if from excoriation. Genital Organs. Inflammatory swelling of the testes, and of the spermatic cord (sometimes only on one side), with pressive and drawing pains extending into the abdomen ; metrorrhagia ; black menstrual blood, with clots of mucus, or discharge of pale and serous blood ; menses irregular, too tardy, or entirely suppressed, with colic, hysterical spasms in the abdomen ; nausea, and vomitings, shiverings, and pale- ness of face ; leucorrhea thick, like cream. Larynx. Shaking cough in the evening, at night, aggra- vated when lying down, accompanied with a desire to vomit, or by a choking, as if caused by the vapor of sulphur; moist cough, with expectoration of white, tenacious mucus, or of thick yellowish matter. Chest. Spasmodic constriction of the chest, or larynx, in the evening, or at night when lying horizontally; frequent Hnd violent palpitation of the heart. t590 MATERIA MEDICA. Trunk. Rheumatic, tensive, and drawing pain in the nape of the neck. Arms. Sharp, jerking, and drawing pains in the shoulder- joint, as well as in the arms, hands, and fingers. Legs. Pain, as from subcutaneous ulceration in the legs and soles of the feet; swelling of the knees, with sharp, drawing, and shooting pains; great fatigue in the legs and in the knees, with trembling. 30. Rhus Toxicodendron. Rheumatic affections, with swelling ; vesicular erysipelas ; bad effects from a strain, dislocation, concussion, and other mechanical injuries, especially when attended with sufferings in the joints and synovial membranes; gastric affections; diarrhea and dysentery; coxalgia and spontaneous dis- location. General Symptoms.—Rheumatic and arthritic drawings, tension and tearing in the limbs, increased to the highest degree during repose, in bad weather at night, and in the heat of the bed ; red and shining swellings. Sleep. Disturbed sleep, with anxious and frightful dreams. Fever. Malignant fever, with loquacious delirium, violent pains in all the limbs, excessive weakness, dry or black tongue, dry, brownish or blackish lips, heat and redness of the cheeks. Head. Heaviness and pressive fullness in the head ; beat- ing and pulsations in the head, especially in the occiput; bal- ancing and sensation of fluctuation in the head at every step, as if the brain were loose. Eyes. Inflammation of the eyes and lids ; swelling of the whole eye and surrounding parts. Ears. Swelling and inflammation of the parotids, with fever. Face. Erysipelatous inflammation and swelling of the face, with pressive and tensive shootings, and burning SECALE--SEPIA. i;:h crawling; vesicular erysipelas, with yellow serum in the vesicles ; humid eruption and thick scabs on the face. Mouth. A yellow and sometimes also a sanguineous saliva flows from the mouth at night. AppetUe. Thirst from a sensation of dryness in the mouth. Faces. Loose, sanguineous, serous, or slimy evacuations ; obstinate diarrhea. Larynx. Cough, excited by a tickling in the ramifications of the bronchi, short and dry. Chest. Shootings and lancinations in the chest and its sides. Trunk. Pains in the loins, as if beaten; stiffness of the nape and neck. Arms. Warts on the hands and fingers. 31. Secale. Gastric and bilious affection; Asiatic and sporadic cholera; diarrrhea, especially in old men; metrorrhagia of weak women. Sleep. Great desire to sleep, and deep, lethargic sleep. Eyes. Eyeballs sunk deep in the sockets. Face and Teeth. Face pale, discolored, yellow, wan, with the eyes hollow and surrounded by a blue circle. Faces. Loose, frequent evacuations, with serous or slimy faeces, and sudden prostration of strength ; involuntary evac- uations. 32. Sepia. General Symptoms. — The symptoms disappear during every violent exercise, except on horseback, and are aggra- vated during repose, as also in the evening; uneasiness and throbbing in all the limbs, violent ebullition of blood during the night, with pulsation in the whole body; great tendency to take cold, and sensitiveness to cold air. Skin. Itching in different parts, which changes to a burn- 692 MATERIA MEDICA. ing sensation ; brown, reddish, and livid spots on the skin ; deformity of the nails. Fever. Profuse perspiration from the slightest movement, sadness and dejection with tears ; susceptibility and peevish- ness. Head. Attacks of headache, with nausea and vomiting when shaking or moving the head, and also at every step; j semi-lateral headache ; violent congestion of blood to the j head. Eyes. Pressure on the eyeballs ; inflammation, redness, and swelling of the eyelids, with sties. Ears. Shooting in the ears. i Nose. Scabby and ulcerated nostrils. Face. Yellow color of the face; yellow streak on the nose j and cheeks in the form of a saddle; yellow color and herpetic ! eruption around the mouth. Teeth. Toothache when compressing the teeth, when touching them, and when speaking, as also from the slightest current of cold air. Throat. Hawking up of mucus, especially in the morning. AppetUe. Putrid, or sour taste ; repugnance and dislike to food. Stomach. Throbbing in the pit of the stomach. Abdominal Region. Enlargement of the abdomen (in women who have had children). Faces. Ineffectual desire to evacuate ; greenish diarrhea, S often with putrid or sour smell, or especially in children; prolapsus recti; protrusion of hemorrhoides. Urine. Wetting the bed during the first sleep. GenUal Organs. Bearing down in the uterus; prolapsus uteri; leucorrhea, of a yellowish or greenish red water. Larynx. Dry cough, which seems to arise from the stomach, especially when in bed in the evening, and often with | nausea and bitter vomiting ; cough excited by a tickling, and ■ accompanied with constipation, detached with difficulty. i i : I SILICEA. 6!) i Chest. Dyspnoea, oppression of the chest, and short breath when walking and ascending, as well as when lying in bed, in the evening, and at night; ebullition of blood in the chest, and violent palpitation of the heart. 33. Silicea. Obstruction, inflammation, induration, and ulceration of the glands ; inflammation, softening, ulceration, and other diseases of the bones ; ulcers, almost of all kinds; ulceration of the mammae ; chronic coryza and obstinate disposition to j take cold in the head ; panaritium. Skin. Mild and malignant suppurations, especially in membranous parts ; carbuncles. Head. Vertigo, with nausea, which mounts from the 'ack to the nape of the neck and head ; tearing pains in the head, , often semi-lateral; moist scald-head. Eyes. Redness of the eyes ; swelling of the lachrymal gland ; black spots before the sight. Ears. Hardness of hearing ; swelling and induration of the parotids. Nose. Scabs, pimples and ulcers in the nose. Face. Ulcers on the red part of the lip ; herpes on the chin ; swelling of the submaxillary glands. AppetUe. After a meal, sour taste in the mouth ; pressure in the stomach, water-brash, vomiting. Stomach. Nausea every morning. Faces. Constipation, and slow, hard faeces. Trunk. Inflammatory abscess in the lumbar region; swel- ling and deviation of the spine; swelling of the glands of the nape of the neck, on and under the axillae, sometimes with induration ; suppuration of the axillary glands. Arms. Burning sensation in the ends of the fingers; panaritium. Legs. Inflammatory swelling of the knee ; caries in the ; tibia ; offensive smell from the feet. 691 MATERIA MEDICA. 34. Sulphur. General Symptoms. Great sensitiveness to the open air and to the wind; the majority of the sufferings are aggra- vated, or appear at night, or in the evening, and also during repose, when standing for a long time, and by exposure to cold air; they disappear when walking or moving the parts affected, and also in the warmth of a room; but the heat of the bed renders the nocturnal pains insupportable. Skin. Itching in the skin, at night in bed ; scabious erup- tions, with burning itching; desquamation and excoriation of the skin in several places ; ulcers, with elevated margins, surrounded by itchy pimples ; inflammation, swelling, and induration, or suppuration of the glands. Fever. Frequent and profuse perspiration day and night; aptness to perspire when working, partial perspiration, prin- cipally on the head. Head. Fullness, pressure, and heaviness in the head, prin- cipally in the forehead; congestion of blood to the head, with pulsative, clucking, hammering sensations, and feeling of heat in the brain; quotidian, periodical, and intermittent head- aches, appearing principally at night, or in the evening in bed, or in the morning; movement, walking, the open air, and meditation often excite or aggravate the headaches. Eyes. Itching, tickling, and burning sensation in the eyes and eyelids ; inflammation, swelling, and redness of the scle- rotica, conjunctiva, and eyelids; pustules and ulcers round the orbits, as far as the cheeks ; great sensitiveness of the eyes to the light. Ears. Obstruction and sensation of stoppage in the ears, on one side only ; humming and roaring in the ears. Nose. Inflammation, ulceration, and scabs in the nostrils. Face. Heat, and burning sensation in the face, with dark redness of the whole face, circumscribed redness of the cheeks. Teeth. Appearance or aggravation of toothache, princi- SULPHUR--VERATRUM. 09-J pally in the evening, at night, or in the open air, and also from a current of air, from cold water, eating and masticating. Mouth. Aphthae in the mouth and on the tongue. Throat. Pressure, as if from a plug, or from a tumor in the throat. AppetUe. Dislike to sweet and acid things. Abdominal Region. Shootings in the abdomen, principally in the left side when walking; pains in the abdomen, princi- pally at night, or after eating and drinking, mitigated by bending forward. Faces. Constipation, and hard, knotty, and insufficient evacuations; hemorrhoids. GenUal Organs. Excoriation between the thighs and groins. Larynx. Moist cough, with profuse expectoration of thick, whitish, or yellowish mucus; when coughing, pain as if from excoriation, or shootings in the chest. Chest. Obstructed respiration, dyspnae and attacks of suf- focation, principally when lying down at night, and also during sleep; periodical spasms in the chest; shootings in the chest or sternum, or extending as far as the back, or into the left side. 35. Veratrum. Sporadic or Asiatic cholera ; diarrhea, of different kinds, also those produced by cold drinks, when one is over-heated. General Symptoms.— Pains in the limbs, which are ren- dered insupportable by the heat of the bed, and disappear completely when walking; sudden, general, and paralytic prostration of strength. Fever. General coldness of the whole body, and cold, clammy perspiration ; fever, with external coldness ; pulse slow, and almost extinct. Head. Attack of headache, with paleness of the face, nausea and vomiting ; cold perspiration of the forehead. 690 MATERIA MEDICA. Nose. Icy coldness of the nose. Face. Face pale, cold, hippocratic, wan, with the nose pointed, and a blue circle round the eyes ; cold perspiration on the face; lips dry, blackish, and cracked. Teeth. Grinding of the teeth. Mouth. Sensation of coldness on the tongue ; tongue dry, blackish, cracked. AppetUe. Immediate vomiting and diarrhea, however little is eaten. Stomach. Violent nausea, with desire to vomit, with ex- cessive thirst; violent vomiting, with continued nausea, great exhaustion and desire to lie down ; vomiting of black bile and blood ; vomiting, with diarrhea ; the least drop of liquid and the slightest movement excites the vomitings ; burning sensa- tion in the pit of the stomach. Abdominal Region. Excessively painful sensitiveness of i the abdomen when touched ; cramps in the abdomen, and cuttings, as if from knives ; burning sensation through the whole extent of the abdomen, as if from hot coals. Faces. Loose, blackish, greenish, brownish evacuations; unnoticed evacuation of liquid faeces. Urine. Retention of urine ; urine diminished. GenUal Organs. Menses suppressed, with delirium. Chest. Chest very much oppressed ; cramp in the chest, with painful constriction ; violent palpitation of the heart, which causes heaving of the chest. Arms. Icy coldness in the hands; cramps in the fingers. Legs. Violent cramps in the calves of the legs and feet icy coldness of the feet. 36. Apis Mellifica. Dropsical affections ; suppression and translation of acute and chronic eruptions, catarrhs and erysipelas; nettlerash and its consequences ; swelling and inflammation of the tongue, mouth and throat; hydrocephalus; apoplexia; iritis, corneitis, apis mellifica. G97 staphyloma, sty on the eye-lid; chronic diarrheas, inflamma- tion of the abdominal and pectoral organs ; oedema of the ex- tremities ; scarlatina; measles. General Symptoms.—General feeling of lassitude with trembling ; sudden prostration of the vital force, vomiting, diar- rhea, cold extremities, paleness of face and feebleness of pulse. Skin. Eruption like nettlerash, with burning and itching, blotches on the body and back of the hands; large, hard, elevations like musquito bites upon the back and legs, with stinging, itching and burning; furuncles and large swellings with stinging pains; cedematous swelling of the extremities. Moral Symptoms. Irritable disposition ; unfitness for men- tal exertion; dread of death, feels as if he should not be able to breathe again. Head. Oppressive headache when in warm room and reading. Eyes. Burning, stinging itching in the eye, eyelids, with swelling and pricking sensation as if from a foreign body; smoky opacity of the cornea, with almost entire loss of sight. Nose Violent sneezing (coryza?). Face. Burning, biting, stinging heat with a purplish hue, erysipelas on cheek and nose ; swelling under the eye. Mouth and throat. Scalding of the mouth and throat; feel- ing of contraction in the throat with difficult deglutition; tongue feels as if burnt (glossitis). Stomach. Violent eructations; nausea and inclination to vomit, with rumbling in the abdomen and threatening diarrhea. Abdominal region. Sickly feeling; dull pain, and soreness of the bowels when sneezing or pressing upon them ; enlarge- ment of the abdomen, with swelling of the feet, and scanty urine. Faces. Frequent yellow watery evacuations; painful diarrhea. Anus. Hemorrhoids witli constipation ; biting, borinf stinging piin; urging to stool. Urine. Scanty, with burning pain, highly colored. Menstruation. Profuse, with faintness; ovaritis (ovarian dropsy ?). 59 GLOSSARY OF M Abortus. Miscarriage; abortion. Abscess. A collection of pus seat- ed in any particular organ or tissue. Adhesion. In surgery, the direct union of parts, that have been divided. This union is often at- tended by inflammation, which is thence called Adhesive Inflammation, which at- tends the union of surfaces, sep- arated by a wound; it is syno- nymous with union by the first intention. Adypsia. The absence of natural thirst. Alkali. A substance which unites with acids in definite proportions, so as to neutralize their proper- ties more or less perfectly, and to form salts. It changes vege- table blues to green. Allopathy. A term used by ho- moeopathic writers to designate the old practice of medicine in contradistinction to their own, now generally employed by both parties ; literally implies, curing a disease with a medicine which produces a dissimilar one. Amenorrhea. Absence or stop- page of the menstrual flux. Anasarca. Dropsy of the cellular tissue, or membrane, immediate- ly under the skin. Angina. Sore throat. The term is also applied to diseases with difficult respiration. Angina Membranacea. Croup. Angina Parotidea. Mumps. Angina Pharynoia. Inflammation \ EDICAL TERMS. of the membrane which lines the pharynx. Anorexia. Want of appetite. Anthrax. Carbuncle. Antiphlogistic. Applied to reme dies employed in the old systen against inflammation; literally, against heat. Antrum Highmori. The maxillary sinus. A hollow or cavity above the teeth of the upper jaw, in the middle of the superior maxillary bone. Anus. The inferior opening of the rectum. Apoplexia. Apoplexy; a loss of voluntary motion and conscious- ness. See Diagnosis under this head. Apyrexia. The intervals between febrile paroxysms. Arthritis. Gout. Ascaris, plur. Ascarides. Pin- worms. Asphyxia. Absence of pulsation. Asthenic. Low ; applied to dis- ease ; literally, want of strength. Astringents. Medicaments used in the old practice to contract the animal fibre. Atony. A want of tone or energy in the muscular power. Atrophy. A morbid state of the digestive system, in which the food taken into the stomach fails to afford sufficient nourishment. A wasting of the whole, or of individual parts of the body. Auscultation. The detection ol symptoms by the ear in dia ease. (698) OLOSSARV OF Bilious. Connected with the se- cretion of bile. Blepharitis. Inflammation of the eyelid*. Bokborygmus. Rumbling in the intestines, caused by flatus or wind. Bronchia ; BuoNcni. The tubes into which the trachea or wind- pipe divides. Bronchitis. Inflammation of the ramifications of the windpipe. Bulimy ; Bulimia. Canine, or ex- cessive hunger. Cadaverous. Resembling a corpse. Caecum. The blind gut; so called from its being perforated at one end only. Carcinoma. Cancer, adj. Carcino- matous. Cardialgia. Pain in the stomach. Carditis. Inflammation of the heart. Caries. Ulceration of the bones. Carotids. The name of two large arteries of the neck. Carpologia. Picking at the bed clothes. Cartilage. Gristle. Catamenia. The menstrual flux. Catarrh. Cold ; used, also, to ex- press inflammation of the mucous membrane. Catarrhal Ophthalmia. Simple inflammation of the conjunctiva. Cathartic. Purgative. Cellular Tissue. The fine, net- like membrane enveloping or connecting most of the struc- tures of the human body. Cephalalgia. Headache. Cerebral. Appertaining to the brain. Cervical. Belonging to the neck. Cissatio Mexsium. Discontinu- ance of the menstrual flux. Chlorosis. Green sickness. I Chronic. Long continued, in con- tradistinction to acute. Cicatrix. A scar left after the healing of a wound. Ci.avi Pedis. Corns. Clo.,jc Spasm. A spasm which is ical terms. 699 | not of long duration. It is op- posed to tonic spasm, which see. Coagula. Clots of blood. Coagulable Lymph. The term given to the fluid which is slowly effused into wounds, and after- ward forms the uniting medium or cicatrice. Colic. Griping in the intestines. Collapse. Failing of vitality. Colliquative. Excessive discharge of any secretion. Coma. Drowsiness. Coma Somnolentum. Drowsiness, with relapse thereunto on being roused. Comatose; Drowsy. Compress. Soft lint, linen, etc, folded together so as to form a pad, for the purpose of being placed, and secured by means of a bandage, on parts which re- quire pressure. Congestio ad Caput. Determina- tion of blood to the head. Congestio ad Pectus. Determina- tion of blood to the chest. Congestion. Overfullness of the blood-vessels of some particular organ. Conjunctiva. The membrane lin- ing the eyelids, and extending over the forepart of the eyeballs. Contagion. Propagation of a dis- ease by contact. Cornea. The anterior transparent or.tion of the eye. It is of a orny consistence. Coryza. Cold in the head. Coxagra. Inflammation of the hip-joint. Literally, seizure or pain in the hip. Coxalgia. Literally, pain in the hip ; inflammation of the hip- joint. Cranium. The skull. Crepitation. Grating sensation, or noise, such as is caused by pressing the finger upon a part affected with emphysema; by the ends of a fractured bone when moved ; or by certain salts during calcination. 700 glossary, of medical terms. Crepitant Rhonchus, or Rale.— The fine crackling noise heard in consequence of the passage of air through a viscid fluid. It is heard in the first stage of in- flammation of the lungs. Crepitus. Crackling or grating. Cutaneous. Appertaining to the skin. Cuticle. The outer or scarf-skin. Cystitis. Inflammation of the bladder. Deglutition. The act of swal- lowing. Delirium. Derangement of the brain, raving. Depletion. Abstraction of the fluids; generally applied to ve- nesection. Desiccation. A drying up. Desquamation. Falling off of the epidermis in form of scales. Diaphragmitis. Inflammation of the diaphragm (muscular parti- tion between the thorax and ab- domen.) Diagnosis. Distinction of mala- dies. Diarrhea. Looseness of the bowels. Diathesis. Constitutional tenden- cy- Dietetic Relating to diet. Diplopia. Affection of the eyes, in which objects appear double or increased in number. Diuretic Medicines which in- crease the secretion of urine. Dorsal. Appertaining to the back. Drastic. Powerful purgatives. Duodenum. The first intestine after the stomach, so called from its length ; the twelve-inch gut. Dyscrasia. A morbid condition of the system ; adj. Dyscrastic. Dysecoia. Deafness. Dysmenorrhea. Painful menstru- ation. Dyspepsia. Indigestion ; literally, difficulty of appetite. Dyspncea. Difficulty of respira- tion. Shortness of breath. Dysuria. Difficulty in passing urine. Effusion. A pouring out, 01 escape of lympii or other secre- tion. Emaciation. A falling off in the flesh. Emetic Provoking vomiting. Encephalitis. Inflammation of the brain and membranes. Endemic Peculiar to a particular locality. Endocarditis. Inflammation of the internal parts of the heart. Enteralgia. Colic. Enteritis. Inflammation of tho intestines. Ephemeral. Of a day's duration Ephialtes. Nightmare. Epidemic Diseases arising frorr. general causes. Epigastrium. -The region of the stomach. Epilepsy, Epilepsia. Falling sick ness. Epistaxis. Bleeding from the nose. Epithelium. The cuticle. Erysipelas. St. Anthony's fire. Rose. A disease of the skin. Erysipelas Phlegmonodes. Phleg- monous erysipelas. Erysipelas (Edematodes. CEdema- tous erysipelas. Erysipelas Erraticum. Wander- ing erysipelas. Erysipelas Gangrenosum. Gan- grenous erysipelas. Erysipelas Neonatorum. Indu- ration of the cellular tissue ir infants. Exacerbation. Aggravation of fever, etc. Exanthema. Eruption terminating in exfoliation. Expectoration. Discharge of any matter: phlegm ; pus from the chest. Exudation. Discharge of fluid from the skin, etc Faeces. Alvine excrement. Fasciae. In anatomy, dense fibroua expansions, which either attach or invest muscles. Fauces. The throat. Febris. Fever glossary of medical terms. 701 Febris Nervosa. Nervous fever, or typhus. Femur. The bone of the thigh. First Intention. See Union by the. Fistula. An obstinate, tube-like sore, with a narrow orifice; adj. Fistulous. Fistula Lachrymalis. An ulcera- ted opening in the lachrymal sac. Flatus. Wind in the intestines. Flatulency. Fcetus. The infant in the womb. Fomentation. The application of flannel wet with warm water. Functional Diseases. Those in which there is supposed to be only derangement of action. Furunculus. A boil. Fcrunculus Malignans. Carbuncle. Gangrene. Incipient mortification. Adj. Gangrenous, Gastralgia. Pain in the stomach. Gastric Belonging to the stomach. Gastritis. Inflammation of the stomach. Gastrodynia. Vide Cardialgia. Gland. A small body met with in many parts of the body, and consisting of various tissues, blood-vessels, nerves, etc. Glossitis. Inflammation of the tongue. Glottis. Opening of the wind- pipe. The superior opening of the larynx. Granulation. See Incarnation. Hematemesis. Vomiting of blood. Hemoptysis. Discharge of blood from the lungs. Spitting of blood. Hemorrhage Discharge of blood. Hemorrhoides. Piles. Hectic Fever. Habitual or pro- tracted fever. Helminthiasis. Worm disease. Hemiplegia. Paralysis of one side of the body, longitudinally. Hepatitis. Inflammation of the liver. Hepatization. Structural derange- ment of the lungs, the result of inflammation, changing them into a substance rusembling the liver ; hence its name. Hernia. Rupture. Hernia Congenital. Congenital hernia. Literally, hernia from birth. Herpes Circinnatus. Ringworm Hordeolum. Stye. Hydrocephalus. Water in the head. HydrophobiaSymptomatioa. Symptoms resembling those aris- ing from hydrophobic virus, ap- pearing during the course of other diseases. Hypertrophy. A morbid increase of any organ, arising from ex- cessive nutrition. Hippocratic Sunken and corpse- like. Hypochondrium. Region of the abdomen, contained under the cartilage of the false ribs. Hypochondriasis. Spleen disease; great depression of spirits, with general derangement; adj. Hypo- chondriacal. Hypogastrium. The lower ante- rior portion of the abdomen. Hysteria. Nervous affection ; al- most peculiar to females. Ichor. A thin, watery discharge secreted from wounds, ulcers, etc.; adj. Ichorous. Icterus. Jaundice. Icterus Neonatorum. Jaundice of infants. Idiopathic Original or primary disease. Idiosyncrasy. Individual peculi- arity. Ilium. The haunch-bone; it, to- gether with the pubis, sacrum, and ischium, contributes to form the pelvis. Ileus Miserere. A form of colic, a twisting pain in the region of the navel. Incarcerated. Strangulated 01 constricted; a terra applied to rupture. Incarnation. The process by which abscesses or ulcers are healed: 702 GLOSSARY OF MEDICAL TERMS. this takes place by means of I little grainlike, fleshy bodies, denominated granulations.which form on the surface of ulcers or suppurating wounds, etc., and serve the double purpose of- fill- ing up the cavities and bringing closely together, and uniting, their sides. Incubus. The nightmare. Infection. Propagation of disease by effluvia. Infiltration. Diffusion of fluids into the cellular tissue. Integuments. The coverings of any part of the body. The skin, with the adherent fat and cellu- lar membrane, form the common integuments. Intention. See Union by the first. Ischias. Pain in the hip. Ischuria. Suppression of urine. Lachrymation. Tear-shedding. Lactation. Suckling; also the process of the secretion of milk. Lacteal. Appertaining to the pro- cess of the secretion of milk. Lactiferous. Conducting or con- veying the milk. Laryngeal. Belonging to the lar- ynx. Laryngitis. Inflammation of the larynx. Larynx. Upper part of the wind- pipe. Lesions. Injuries inflicted by vio- lence, etc. Lesion, Organic Structural de- rangement or injury. Leuco-phlegmatic Torpid or slug- gish ; mostly applied to a tem- perament characterized by want of tension of fibre; with light hair, and general inertness of the physical and mental powers. Leucorrhoxa. Female sexual weak- ness ; vulg. whites. Lochia. Discharge from the womb after delivery. Lumbago. Rheumatism in the loins. Lumbar. Appertaining to the loins. L"mbricus. The round or long Luxation. Dislocation. Lymph. A colorless liquid, circu lating in the lymphatics. Lymphatic As applied to tem- perament ; same :is leuco-phlcg- matic Lymphatics. Absorbent vessels with glands and valves distrib- uted over, the body. Lymphatic Glands. Conglobate Glands. These are composed of a texture of absorbents, or lymphatic vessels, connected to- gether by a cellular membrane. Mamma . The breast in the female; adj. Mammillary. Mania. Insanity; madness. Marasmus. A wasting away of the body. Materia Medica Pura. The title of that splendid work of the im- mortal Hahnemann, in which the true properties of medicaments are given, as determined by ex- periment upon the healthy body. Maxillary. Appertaining to th« jaws. The superior and inferior maxillary bones from the upper and lower jaws. Megrim. A pain affecting only one side of the head. Meibomean Glands. Small glands within the inner membrane of the eyelids. Menorrhagia. Excessive discharge of blood from the uterus. Menses and Menstrual Flux. The monthly period. Meningitis Spinalis. Inflamma- tion of the spinal membranes. Metastasis. The passing of a dis- ease from one part to another, Meteorismus. Extreme inflation of the intestines. Metrorrhagia. Discharge of blood from the womb. Miasm, or Miasma (Marsh). Pecu- liar effluvia or emanations from swampy grounds. Micturation. Urination. Miliaria. Eruption of minute transparent vesicles of the size of millet seeds; miliary eruption. GL08SARY OF MEDICAL TERMS. /O'i Miliaria Purpura. Scarlet-rash. Morbus Coxarius. Disease of the hip ; hip-disease. Mi.-cous Membrane. The mem- brane which lines the sides of cavities which communicatewith the external air, such as that which lines the mouth, stomach, etc. Mucus. One of the primary animal fluids; secretion from the nos- trils. Myelitis. Inflammation of the spinal marrow. Myopia. Short-sight; near-sight- edness. Narcotic Having the property of inducing sleep. Nasal. Belonging to the nose. Nasal Cartilages. The cartilages of the nose. Nephritis. Inflammation of the kidneys. Neuralgia Facialis. Face-ache. Nodosities. Swellings ; nodes, a swelling of the bone or thicken- ing of the periosteum. Notalgia. Pains in the loins. Occiput. The posterior part of the head. Odontalgia. Toothache. (Edema. Swelling; dropsical swell- ing; adj. (Edematous. Olfaction. The act of smelling. Omentum. The caul. The viscus consists of folds of the perito- neum connected together by cel- lular tissue ; it is attached to the stomach, lying on the anterior surface of the bowels. Ophthalmia. By this term is now usually understood simple in- flammation of the Conjunctiva. Catarrhal Ophthalmia. OrHTHALMio Nerve. The first branch given off from the Gasse- rian ganglion of the fifth pair of nerves; it divides into the lachry- mal, frontal, and nasal nerves. Ophthalmitis. Inflammation of the entire ball of the eye. Organic Disease. In pathology, diseases in which there is de- rangement or alteration of struc ture, are termed organic. Os Uteri. The mouth or opening of the womb. Ossicula Auditoria. The small bones of the ear. They are situ- ated in the cavity of the tympan- um, and are four in number: termed the malleus, incus, stapes and os orbiculare. Otalgia. Earache. Otitis. Inflammation of the ear. Otorrhea. A discharge, or run- ning from the ear. Oz^na. An ulcer situated in the nose. See Ozccna. Palate Bones. These are placed at the back part of the roof of the mouth, between the superior maxillary and sphenoid bones, and extend from thence to the floor of the orbit. Palpitatio Cordis. Palpitation of the heart. Panaris. "Whitlow ; panaritium ; parenychia. Pancreas. A gland situated trans- versely behind the stomach. Paralysis. Palsy. Paralysis Paraplegica. Paralysis affecting one-half of the body transversely. Parenchyma. The connecting me- dium of the substance of the lungs. Parotitis. Inflammation of the parotid gland ; the mumps. Paroxysm. A periodical fit of a disease. Parturition. The act of bringing forth. Pathogenetic. The producing or creating of abnormal pheno- mena. Pathognomic Characteristic of, and peculiar to, any disease. Pathology. The investigation of the nature of disease. Pectoral. Appertaining to the chest. Pectus. The chest. Pelvis. The basin-shaped cavity below the abdomen, containing 704 GLOSSARY OF MEDICAL TERMS. the bladder and rectum, and womb in woman. Percussion. The act of striking upon the chest, etc., in order to elicit sounds to ascertain the state of the subjacent parts. Pericarditis. Inflammation of the Pericardium (sac containing the heart). Perineum. The space between the anus and the external sexual or- gans. Periosteum. The membrane which envelops the bones. Peritonaeum. The serous mem- brane which lines the cavity of the abdomen, and envelops the viscera contained therein. Peritonitis. Inflammation of the peritoneum. Petechia. Spots of a red or pur- ple hue, resembling a flea-bite. Phagedenic A term applied to any sores which eat away the parts, as it were. Pharynx. The throat, or upper part of the gullet. Phase. Appearance, or change ex- hibited by any body, or by dis- ease. Phlebitis. Inflammation of the veins. Phlegmatic Vide, Leuco-Phleg- matie. Phlegmon. An inflammation of that nature which is otherwise termed healthy inflammation. Phrenitis. Inflammation of the brain. Phthisis (Pulmonalis). Consump- tion, abscess of the lungs. Physiology. The branch of medi cine which treats of the func- tions of the human body. Plethora. An excessive fullness of the blood-vessels. Pleura. The serous membrane which lines the cavity of the thorax or chest. Pleuritis or Pleurisy. Inflamma- tion of the pleura. Pleurodynia. Pain or stitch iu the side Pneumonia, Pneumonitis, Peri pneumonia. Inflammation of the parenchyma of the lung. Polypus. A tumor most frequent- ly met with in the nose, uterus, or vagina. Porrigo Scutulata. Ring-worm of the scalp. Precordial Region. The fore- part of the chest. Prognosis. The act of predicting of what will take place in dis- eases. Prolapsus Ani. Protrusion of the intestines. Prosopalgia. Face-ache. Prurigo. Itching of the skin. Psoas Muscles. The name of two muscles situated in the loins. Psoitis. Inflammation of the psoas muscles. Pubis. The pubic or share-bone. Puerperal Fever. Appertaining to childbed. Puriform. Pus-like, resembling pus. Purulent. Of the character of pus. Pus. Matter. A whitish, bland, cream-like fluid, found in ab- scesses, or on the surface of sores. Pustule. An elevation of the scari- skin, containing pus or lymph, and having an inflamed base. Pyrosis. Heart-burn; water-brash. Quinsy. Inflammatory sore throat. Quotidian. Intermittent, about twenty-four hours intervening between the attacks. Rabies. Madness arising from the bite of a rabid animal, generally applied to the disease showing itself in the brute creation. Rachitis. The rickets. Raucitas. Hoarseness. Rectum. The last of the large in- testines, terminating in the anus. Remittent. A term applied to fe- vers with marked remissions and generally subsequent exa cerbation. Repercussed. Driven in. Resolution. A termination of in 4 \ GLOSSARY OF MEDICAL T£RMS. 70i flammatory affections without abscess, mortification, etc. The term is also applied to the dis- persion of swellings, indura- tions, etc. Rheumatic Ophthalmia. Inflam- mation of the tunica albuginea, and of the sclerotica. Rose. A term applied to erysipe- las, from its color. Rubeola. Measles. Sacrum. The bone which forms the base of the vertebral column. Saliva. The fluid secreted by the salivary glands into the cavity of the mouth. Sanguineous. Consisting of blood. Sanies. A thin, greenish discharge of fetid matter, from sores, fis- tulse, etc., adj. sanious. Scabies. Psora. Itch. Scapula. The shoulder blade. Sciatica. A rheumatic affection of the hip-joint. Sciatic Nerve. A branch of a nerve of the lower extremity. Scirrhus. Indolent, glandular tu- mor, generally preceding cancer in an ulcerated form. Sclerotica. The hard membrane of the eye; it is situated im- mediately under the conjunc- tiva. Scorbiculus. Pit of the stomach. Scorbutus. Scurvy. Scrofulous Ophthalmia. Inflam- mation of the conjunctiva, with slight redness, but great intoler- ance of light, and the formation of pimples, or small pustules. Secretory Vessels, or Organs. Parts of the animal economy, which separate or secrete the various fluids of the body. Semi-lateral. Limited to one side. Sims. A cavity or depression. Solidification. " Vide Hepatization. Somnolence. Disposition to sleep. Specific. A remedy possessing a peculiar curative action in certain diseases. Spleef. A spongy, viscous organ, of a livid color, placed on the posterior part of the left hypo chondrium. Splenitis. Inflammation of spleen Splints. Long, thin pieces of wood, tin, or strong pasteboard, used for preventing the extremities of fractured bones from moving so as to interrupt the process by which they are united. Sputa. Expectoration of difteren kinds. St. Anthony's Fire. Erysipelas. Stertorous. Snoring. Stomacace. Canker or scurvy of the mouth. Strabismus. Squinting. Strangury. Painful discharge of urine. Sternum. The breast-bone. Stethoscope. An instrument to assist the ear, in examining the morbid sounds of the chest. Stricture. A constriction of a tube or duct of some part of the body. Struma. Scrofula. The king's evil; adj. Strumous. Sty. An inflammatory small tu- mor on the eyelid. Sub-maxillary. Under the jaw. Sub-maxillary Glands. Glands on the inner side of the lower jaw. Sub-mucous Tissue. Placed under the mucous membrane. Sudorifics. Medicines which pro- duce sweating. Sugillation. A bruise, or extra- vasated blood. Suppuration. The morbid action by which pus is deposited, in inflammatory tumor, etc. Syncope. Fainting or swooning. Synocha. Continued inflammatory fever. Synovia. A peculiar, unctuous fluid secreted within the joints, which it lubricates, and thereby serves to facilitate their motions. Synovial Membrane. The mem- brane which lines the cavities of the joints, and secretes the syno via. i 0(5 GLOSSARY OF MEDICAL TERMS. Taenia. Tape-worm. Tartar. A concretion incrustiDg the teeth. Temporal. Appertaining to tem- ples. Tendon. The white and shining extremity of a muscle. Tenesmus. Painful and constant urging to alvine evacuations, without a discharge. Tetanus, adj. Tetanic. A spasmodic rigidity of the parts affected. Therapeutics. That branch of medicine describing the action of the different means employed for the curing of diseases and of the application of those means. Thorax. The chest, or that part of the body situated between' the neck and the abdomen. Thrush. Numerous small, white vesicles in the mouth. Sec Thrush. Tic Douloureux. Face-ache. Tinea Annularis. Tinea Capitis. Ringworm of the scalp. Tinea Faciei. Milk-crust; rrnlk- scab. Titillation. Tickling. Tonic Medicines which are said to increase the tone of the mus- cular fibre when debilitated and relaxed. Tonsils. The oblong, sub-oval glands placed between the arches of the palate. Tonsilitis. Inflammation of the tonsils. Trachea. The windpipe. Tracheotomy. An operation by opening the windpipe. Traumatic. Appertaining to wounds; arising from wounds. Tremor. Trembling. Trismus. Lock-jaw. Trituration. The reduction of a substance to minute division, by means of long-continued rubbing. Tubercle. A small, round, erup- tive swelling, anatomically speaking. In pathology, the name is applied to a peculiar morbid product occurring in various organs or textures, in the form of small, round, isolated masses of a dull whitish yellow, or yellowish gray color, opaque unorganized, and varying .. shape and consistence according to their stage of development and the texture of the part iu which they are engendered. Typhoid. Applied to diseases of a low character. Umbilical Cord. The navel-string. Umbilicus. The navel. Union by the first intention. The healiDg of wounds by ad- hesion ; the growing together of the opposite surfaces of a wound, when brought into close approx- imation, without suppuration or granulation. The latter process of healing is sometimes desig- nated the second intention. Urethra. The urinary canal. Urticaria. Nettle-rash. Uterus. The womb. Varicella. Pimples, quickly form- ingpustules, seldom passing into suppuration, but bursting at the point and drying into scabs. Chicken-pock. Variola. Small-pox. Variola. Spuria. (Varicella.) Chicken-pock. Varix, plur. Varices. Swelling or enlargement of the veins. Venesection. The abstraction of blood by opening a vein. Vertigo. Giddiness, with a sen- sation as if falling. Vesicle. A small, bladder-like eruption ; an elevation of the cu- ticle containing a transparent, watery fluid. Vicarious. Acting as a substitute. Virus. Contagion or poison. Viscid. Glutinous and gelatinous. Visous, plur. Viscera. Any organ of the system. A bowl. Vomica. An abscess of the lungs. Zygomatic Process. A thin, nar- row projection of bone, defining the squamous portion of the temporal bone at its base. IISTDEX. PAGE Abdomen, dropsy of the......... 415 " external injuries of the................. 416 Abdominal inflammation...... 359 Ablutions.......................... 032 Abortion............................ 477 Abscesses............................ 137 Abscess in the gums............ 256 Accidents............................ 591 Acute dropsy...................... 319 Adherence of the After-birth.. 492 A ffections of the ears............ 215 " " eyes............ 203 " " face, lips and jaws......... 236 head............ 178 " " mind........... 171 from fright and fear... 171 excessive joy.............. 171 grief.......................... 171 home sickness___........ 171 unhappy love............. 171 jealousy.................... 171 mortification, insult.... 171 contradiction and cha- grin......................... 171 violent anger............. 171 " of the nose............ 225 " " penis.......... 427 " " stomach and bowels...... 322 " " teeth, gums, « «« mouth..... 242 " " testicles...... 428 " " throat......... 261 " " windpipe and chest.......... 271 " " urinary and genital or- gans......... 418 After-birth, Adherence of the. 492 After-pains........................ 495 Agrypnia............................ 63 Ague in the breast............... 607 Air and exercise.................. 622 fags Alimentary organs, Anatomy of.................................. 56S Allopecia........................... 201 Amaurosis.......................... 212 Amblyopia......................... 212 Amenorrhea........................ 437 Amygdalitis........................ 269 Anatomy and Physiology 549, 551 Anatomy of the bones......'..... 554 Anger................................ 171 Angina faucium................. 201 " gangrenosa.............. 267 " membranacea........... 274 Ankle, dislocation at the....... 607 Anorexia........................... 322 Anthrax............................ 13$ Anury.........................,..... 421 '• during pregnancy......... 470 Anus, itching of the............. 413 Aphonia............................. 271 Aphthas............<................ 524 Apoplexy............................ 185 Apparent death from hunger.. 70 " from drowning....... 77 " from freezing........ 78 " from lightning...... 78 " from hanging, chok- ing, or suffocating by burdens and pressure.............. 79 " from noxious vapors 79 " from a fall or blow.. 79 " of a new-born infant 520 " from violent mental emotion............... SO Appetite, morbid.................. 323 " want of.................. 322 " derangement of, du- ring pregnancy...... 465 Arachnoiditis...................... 187 Arthritis............................ 53 Ascaris lumbricoides............ 370 Ascaris vermicularis............ 370 Ascites.............................. 415 Asiatic cholera.................... 398 C707) 708 INDEX. PAGE Asphyxia............................ 620 Asthma.......................... ... 313 " Millari...............319, 638 " ofMillar............319, 538 " ofchildren............... 638 " during pregnancy...... 472 Back-ache........................... 65 Bad taste in the mouth......... 252 Bandages........................... 589 Bedridden.......................... 128 Bedsore.............................. 128 Bees, stingsof..................... 88 Biliousness......................... 337 Bilious colic........................ 348 Bilious remittent fever......... 159 Bilious fever........................ 159 Bilious rheumatic fever......... 150 Birth, premature............477, 481 " regular...................... 482 " dry.......................... 490 Bites and stings of insects..... 88 Bites of serpents.................. 88 Black vomit..................153, 340 Bladder, inflammation of the.. 420 " piles of the............... 425 Bleeding of the nose............. 227 Blindness............................ 212 " incipient................ 212 sudden.................. 212 by night................ 212 by day.................. 212 Bloody flux......................... 390 Boils................................. 138 Bowels, affections of the...... 322 " inflammation of the... 362 looseness of the......... 384 Brain, inflammation of the.... 186 " " " in children.................. 189 Breast............................... 507 " ague in the................. 507 " gathered..................... 608 Breath, offensive.................. 251 Bronchitis.......................... 274 Bulimy............................... 323 Burns and scalds................. 86 Buzzing in the ears.............. 220 Calculus............................ 426 Cancer.............................. 139 " of the face................ 240 Cancer of the nose................ 234 PAOB Canker of the mouth............ 254 Carbuncles......................... 138 Cardialgia.......................... 342 Carditis.............................. 303 Caries of the teeth............... 251 Carious teeth...................... 251 Casual diseases................... 81 Cataract............................ 211 Catarrhal cough................... 279 " dry..................... 280 " loose.................... 280 Catarrh..................231, 232, 233 Cessation of the menses......... 442 Chafing of bedridden patients 128 Chagrin............................. 171 Change of life...................... 442 Chancre............................. 430 Chapped hands from working in water......................... 128 Chest, affections of............... 271 " congestion of the......... 307 " contusion of the........... 321 " dropsy in the............... 319 " rheumatic pain, colds in 63 Chicken-pox......................... 119 Chilblains........................... 127 Child's water...................... 490 Childbed fever..................... 510 " mania in............... 512 Children, treatment of.......... 620 Chills and fever.................. 164 Chlorosis............................. 434 Choking fits........................ 538 Cholera Asiatica.................. 398 " infantum................. 540 " morbus.................... 395 Cholerina............................ 411 Chorea.............................. 67 Chronic Angina................... 267 " dropsy of the chest... 319 " dyspepsia................ 324 14 eruptions................. 125 " hoarseness................ 273 " inflammation of the eyes..................... 206 Circulation of the blood.......... 678 Clap.................................. 430 Clavi pedis......................... 133 Clothing and occupation........ 624 Cold in the head.................. 229 " in the chest.................. 53 INDEX. 709 PAGE. Cold in the stomach............. 53 " in the limbs.................. 53 " swelling...................... 137 Colica............................... 347 Colio, bilious.............,......... 348 " flatulent or windy........ 348 " painter's or lead.......... 348 ' with obstinate constipa- tion......................... 349 " caused by pileB or hemor- rhoids...................... 349 " inflammatory.............. 349 " from worms......... 349, 376 " indigestion................. 349 " from indignation, rage.. 349 " from a chill................ 349 " from cold damp weather 349 " from bathing............... 349 " from external injuries.. 349 " in children.................. 349 " in pregnant or lying-in women...................... 349 " in hysterical women... 350 " at time of menses 350, 439 " from low spirits........... 350 " during pregnancy......... 469 " during confinement...... 618 " griping...................... 347 " ofinfants................... 521 Common or ephemeral fever... 143 " sore throat............ 261 Concussions........................ 85 Confinement, duration of...... 496 " management of.. 496 " diet during....... 497 " state of the bow- els during..... 509 " general com- plaints during 518 Congestio ad caput............... 178 Congestion and stagnation of blood in the abdomen......... 356 Congestion of blood to the head................. 178 " of the chest......... 307 14 or determination of blood to the head............... 178 Congestion from great joy..... 179 " fright or fear...... 17!) " anger, violent...... 179 PAGE Congestion, anger, suppressed 179 " a fall or blow...... 179 " loss of blood........ 179 " a cold................. 179 " constipation......... 179 " drinking liquors... 179 " sedentary habits... 179 " critical periods of girls............... 179 " stoppage of men- struation........... 179 " dentition in chil- dren............... 179 " during pregnancy 460 Congestive fever.................. 150 Constipation....................... 378 " of infants......... 535 " during pregnancy 407 Consumption, galloping......... 320 " pulmonary...... 320 " scrofulous........ 321 Contagious typhus............... 150 Contradiction....................... 171 Contusion of the chest by a fall or blow.................... 321 Convulsions or spasms of in- fants.............. 528 in labor............. 489 " during pregnancy 455 " puerperal........... 475 Corns................................ 133 Coryza.......................... ..... 229 Coryza of infants............... 522 Costiveness......................... 378 Cough ............................. 279 " croupy............... 274, 277 " whooping.................. 286 Coughing up of blood........... 308 Courses.............................. 431 Coxagra............................. 57 Coxalgia........................... 57 Coxalgia infantilis............... 5$ Cracked skin from cold......... 128 Crick in the neck................. 55 Critical period..................... 442 Cramp in the legs............... 61 Cramps in labor.................. 489 Croup........................ 274, 276 Croupy cough ............. 274, 277 Crustea lactea.........,......... 131 Crying of infants................ 52] 10 INDEX. PAGE Crying, spasmodic............... 475 Cutaneous diseases............. 98 Cystitis............................. 420 Deafness ........................... 220 Debility during confinement... 518 Deficiency of milk.........,..... 606 Delirium tremens ............... 66 Delivery........................... 491 " treatment after...... 492 Dentition........................... 634 Determination of blood to the head......... 178 " of blood to the abdomen .... 356 Deviation of menses............ 448 Diabetes .......................... 424 Diaphragm, anatomy and phy- siology of the.... 565 14 inflammation of the................. 357 Diaphragmitis.................... 367 Diarrhea........................... 384 " chronic.................. 386 " during pregnancy... 467 " in lying-in females... 386 " of infants.............. 535 " from worms.......... 375 Dietetic rules ..................... 39 Diet in acute diseases........... 39 44 in chronic diseases........ 39 " during confinement....... 497 " nursing ...................... 517 " of new-born infants...... 621 Different forms of typhus...... 146 Different modes of applying cold water...................... 632 Difficulty of speech ............. 259 " of swallowing dur- ing pregnancy .... 468 Diptheria.......................... iii Its treatment..................... iv Diseases caused by the pres- ence of worms................. 373 Diseases consequent upon scar- let fever and scarlet rash... 117 Diseases during pregnancy... 455 Diseases of females ............. 431 " of the heart......... 303 Dislocations of joints... 83, 601 Dislocation of the neck......... 603 " shoulder-joint...... 604 Dislocation, wrist, joints of the hand.............. 605 " ankle................ 607 " separate at the wrist .............. 608 Disposition to fester............ 128 Disorders consequent upon measles......................... 110 Dizziness........................... 182 Domestic surgery............... 5s7 Douche.............................. 643 Drop-bath.......................... 642 Dropsy of the chest............ 319 14 of the abdomen......... 415 " of the brain...... 190, 530 " of the scrotum......... 428 Duration of confinement...... 496 Dysentery......................... 39(1 Dysmenorrhea.................... 439 Dyspepsia.......................... 323 " during pregnancy... 408 " recent ................. 324 Dysury............................. 421 41 during pregnancy..... 409 Ear-ache............................ 218 Ears, affections of the......... 215 Ears, running of the............ 222 Eclampsia gravidarum......... 475 Elements of the human organ- ism ............................... 551 Elongation of the head of in- fants ............................. 522 Encephalitis....................... 187 Enlarged glands.................. 138 Enteralgia........................ 347 Enteritis.......................... 362 Enteropyra........................ 169 Enuresis........................... 423 " nocturna................ 424 44 spastica............... 423 Epilepsia........................... 66 Epilepsy........................... 66 Epistaxis.......................... 227 Eruptions and swelling of the external ear...... 215 Eruptions, chronic............... 125 " of the face.......... 236 44 of the genital or- " gans ............... 429 " on the nose......... 226 Eruptive fevers.................. 98 INDEX. 711 PAGE Erysipelas bullosum............ 101 " erraticum........... 102 " cedematodes........ 104 " of face and lips... 236 of infants........... 528 " of the nose.......... 225 " of the throat...... 266 " on the scrotum... 429 " or St. Anthony's fire 101 " wandering.......... 102 Excoriations...................... 128 " of infants......... 627 Exercise ........................... 622 External injuries.............. 81 " of the abdomen 416 Eyes, affections of............... 203 Face-ache........................... 237 Face, affections of............... 236 Fainting.......................... 75 Falling off of the hair......... 201 during confinement... 518 billing of the body............... 413 of the eyelids............. 213 of the palate............ 270 of the womb............ 443 False labor pains............... 485 False pleurisy..................... 300 Far-sightedness.................. 213 Fatigue............................ 74 Fear................................. 171 Febris intermittens........-.. 164 " remittens ............... 159 " simplex.................. 143 Felons.............................. 134 Females, diseases of............ 431 Festering........................... 128 Fever and ague ................ 164 Fever-cake......................... 370 Fever and chills.................. 164 " bilious ..................... 159 " bilious remittent........ 159 ■• child-bed ................. 510 " congestive................. 150 ephemeral or common... 143 '• gastric.................... 159 " inflammatory............ 144 " intermittent.............. 164 " irritative, inflammato- ry, torpid............... 142 " milk........................ 500 Fever, puerperal.................. 510 PAGE Fever, remittent of infants.... 538 14 bilious rheumatic........ 150 " during pregnancy...... 460 " wound...................... 85 Fevers.............................. HO " eruptive.................... 93 " " with infectious, epidemic character.. 105 14 of infants.................. 536 " typhoid or nervous...... 145 " yellow....................... 151 Flatulency......................... oSo Flatulent or windy colic...... 34$ Fomentations..................... 589 Flooding........................... 440 " after delivery......... 493 Fluor albus........................ 417 Food and drink.................. 610 Foot-baths......................... 641 Foreign substances in the eye.. 214 14 " in the ear.. 224 " " in the nose 234 Fractures of bones......... 81, 592 14 " compound.. 601 Fracture of the nose............ 592 " lower jaw.............. 592 " collar-bone ............ 593 " ribs ..................... 595 " arm above elbow (humerus)........... 595 44 fore-arm............... 596 " fingers................ 597 44 of thigh................. 597 " leg below the knee... 699 14 tibia and fibula....... 599 " tibia only.............. 600 14 fibula only............. 600 " foot and toes........... 600 French measles.................... Ill Frenzy.............................. 177 Fright.............................. 171 Frozen limbs....................... 91 Full-baths........................... 636 Galloping consumption........ 320 Gastralgia.......................... 342 Gastric affections................. 337 " bilious affections....... 337 " colic....................... 349 " derangement............ 33 " fever..................... 159 Gastritis............................ 359 712 INDEX. PAGE PAOB 648 Headache, from overheating... 196 337 196 337 196 508 " gastric derangement 196 General complaints during 199 518 41 from rheumatism..... 194 General inflammatory fever... 144 197 637 Head, affections of.............. 178 Genital organs,affections of the 418 " " eruptions of the 429 638 . 335 " during pregnancy... 4 OS 211 430 303 " inflammation of the.... : 03 698 304 253 305 62 60 430 308 53 " during pregnancy 461 426 493 434 Hemorrhage with the urine... 427 Grief...............................„ 171 347 " during pregnancy 410 462 256 425 242 365 Hahnemann, tribute to the 414 409 129 340 129 308 57 427 99 427 271 241 271 220 273 190 171 " from abuse of tobacco 196 286 " excess of bodily or 220 196 215 44 grief..................... 196 627 197 428 44 changeable weather... 197 536 197 415 " suppressed eruption 197 90 14 mechanical injuries.. 197 319 on 193 609 14 from congestion of blood to the head... 191 174 " from constipation..... 195 174 44 from drinking coffee 196 368 «* from drinking ardent 470 196 363 INDEX. 713 PAGE Impotence........................... 429 Incontinence of urine.-....... 423 " during pregnancy 470 Incontinentia urinaa............. 423 Incubus............................. 64 Indigestion....................... 335 Indurated glands................. 138 Induration of the skin,....133, 134 Inflammation, abdominal....... 369 " in the abdomen after delivery............ 610 44 of the bladder........ 420 " of the bowels......... 362 " of the brain.......... 186 ,4 in children............ 189 " of the diaphragm... 357 " of the ear.............. 217 " chronic of the eyes.... 207 " of the margins of the lids.............. 205 " of the eyelid and the margins....... 204 " of the eyelid.......... 204 14 of the eyes from abuse of mercury 210 " oftheeyeball......... 206 44 of the eyes from the gout or rheuma- tism.................. 208 " of the eyes from scrofula............ 208 " of the eyes from syphilis or vene- real disease........ 209 " of the eyes of infants 523 44 of the face..............236 " of the heart........... 303 " of the kidneys....... 418 14 of the knee joint.... 60 of the liver............ 365 " of the lungs.......... 293 " of the lungs in chil- dren.................. 297 44 of the nose............ 225 " of the palate........ 250 " of the penis.......... 427 14 of the psoas muscle 66 44 of the spine and spinal marrow__ 56 " of the spleen......... 369 M of the stomach...... 359 PAGE Inflammation of the testicles 428 14 of the tongue........ 253 44 of the tonsils......... 269 Inflammatory colic............... 349 Influenza........................... 277 InBult............................... 17] Intermittent fever............... 164 Internal ear........................ 217 Intertrigo........................... 123 Introduction........................ 18 Irritation of the skin............ 125 Ischias.............................. 68 Ischury............................. 421 *' during pregnancy...... 401 Itch................................... 130 Itching.............................. 125 " of the anus.............. 413 " in the ear................ 215 " of the nose........220, 227 " of the private parts... 458 Jaundice............................ 308 " of infants............... 527 " during pregnancy.... 470 Jaw-bone, swelling of............ 256 Jaws, affections of............... 230 Jealousy............................. 171 Joy, excessive...................... 171 Kidneys, inflammation of the 418 Kink in the neck................. 55 Knee, inflammation of........... 60 Labor............................... 433 " excessively painful....... 486 14 protracted................... 486 " too sudden termination of 483 " cramps, convulsions, and spasmodic pains during 4*9 Labor-pains........................ 483 " Bpurious or false.......485 '• absence of............. 4s8 " cessation of........... 4s$ Laryngitis catarrhalis.......... 274 Laughter, spasmodic............ 475 Lead-colic........................... 348 Lethargy............................ 73 Leucorrnea......................... 447 Lienteria........................... 389 Limbs, rheumatic pains or colds in the.................... 53 Limping, spontaneous........... 58 Lips, affections of................. 236 Liver complaint................... 366 714 INDEX. PAGE Liver, grown,..................... 358 41 inflammation of the....... 365 Local applications................ 645 Local baths........................ 638 Lochia............................... 498 " suppression of............ 499 " excessive.................. 600 " protracted................. 600 11 offensive................... 500 Lockjaw.........................68, 241 Loin-ache........................... 65 Looseness of the bowels.......... 384 Love, unhappy..................... 171 Low spirits during pregnancy, 466 Lumbago............................ 65 Lungs, hemorrhage of the...... 308 " congestion of the during pregnancy................ 472 Luxation........................... 601 Malignant boils................... 138 Malignant quinsy................. 267 Management of confinement.... 496 Mania................................ 176 " a potu...................... 66 " in childbed............... 612 Materia Medica................... 653 Maw-worms........................ 370 Measles.............................. 106 Medicinal diseases............... 96 Medicine, science of-............ 22 Megrim.............................. 199 Mehena.............................. 340 Melancholia......................... 176 41 during pregnancy 456 Memory, weaknessof............ 184 Meningitis.......................... 186 Menorrhagia.............. ....... 440 Menses, cessation of the......... 442 14 first obstructed......... 432 " deviation of.............. 448 14 suppression of the...... 437 Menstrual colic...............350, 439 Menstruation...................... 431 tardy............... 432 " of too long dura- tion.............. 442 " painful............. 439 " too early.......... 439 14 too late and too scanty.......... 440 " too copious........ 440 PAGE Mental exhaustion............... 74 Metritis.............................. 610 Mictus crnentus.................. 427 Milk bad, too thin, or repug- nant to the child-.............. 501 Milk-crust.......................... 131 Milk, deficiency of............... 606 14 deterioration of............ 601 " excessive secretion of..... 505 " fever.......................... 600 " leg............................. 612 " secretion of.................. 500 " suppressed secretion of... 504 Mind, affections of the.......... 171 Miscarriage........................ 477 Morbid appetite................... 323 Morbilli...*......................... 106 Morbus Coxarius................. 57 Morning sickness................. 456 Mortification and insult......... 171 Mouth, affections of.............. 242 " canker of.................. 254 " ulceration of............. 254 Mumps.............................. 216 Muscles.............................. 564 Myelitis-........................... 56 Myopia.............................. 213 Nausea.............................. 338 Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy........................ 456 Neck, pains in the............... 55 Nephritis........................... 418 Nervous and spasmodic cough 280 " colicof women.......... 350 " headache................ 199 " or typhoid fever....... 145 14 system, anatomy of " the..................... 581 Nettle-rash......................... 99 Neuralgia in the face............ 237 14 in the head............ 199 " in the stomach...... 342 41 duringpregnancy... 474 44 of the womb.......... 518 Nightmare.......................... 64 Nipples............................. 507 44 sore........................ 506 Nose, affections of................. 225 44 swelling of.................. 225 Notalgia............................. 55 Nursing............................. 613 INDEX. 715 PAGE PAGE 517 236 Nursing women, sore mouth of 517 370 616 Placenta, adherence of the..... 492 Obstruction of the menses...... 437 589 " of the nose in infants 622 589 624 " during pregnancy.... 307 460 242 251 429 299 ?99 206 300 218 299 Otitis................................ 217 222 74 '"19 299 293 233 41 in infants and chil- 232 297 Pain in the abdomen after de- 298 610 298 57 299 342 308 63 65 " in the right side during " in the small of the back 471 Poisoned wounds.................. 88 92 475 95 95 and loins............... 65 348 95 429 Palate, elongation, swelling of 270 426 " falling of the............ 270 304 *>?$ 234 Palsy................................. 65 587 304 44 of slippery elm and 134 588 65 " of mustard and yeast 588 " of the eylids........... 213 449 " of the face and jaw... 240 449 259 451 Partial or half-baths............ 635 462 216 453 Part first........................... 44 454 549 455 482 427 41 convulsions during.. 14 melancholy during 455 456 " inflammation of the..... 427 4-V 512 44 spots on the face 274 460 320 " plethora,congestion, 563 4WI Piles................................. 412 " hemorrhages during 461 462 " hemorrhoids—piles 4'>b 462 L. 716 INDEX. PAGE Pregnancy,swelling of the feet and lower limbs during............... 463 '• toothache during.... 464 14 salivation during... 465 44 derangement of ap- petite during...... 465 44 diarrhea during..... 467 44 constipation during 467 •4 dyspepsia, heart- burn, acid stom- ach during......... 468 44 difficulty of swallow- ing during......... 468 44 spasmodic pains and cramps during... 469 14 colic pains during.... 469 44 dysury,stranguary, ischury during... 469 14 incontinence of urine during............... 470 " jaundice, (icterus) during............... 470 « pain in the right side during......... 471 " asthma—congestion of the lungs dur- ing................... 472 14 palpitation of the heart during...... 473 " spitting of blood during............... 473 44 pleurisy during......473 » hacking cough dur- ing................... 473 •• vertigo—congestion of the head during 473 •4 fainting, depression of spirits during.. 474 '• headache, sleepless- ness during........ 474 " neuralgic pains dur'g 474 Premature birth.............477, 481 Prolapsus ani...................... 413 Prolapsus uteri................... 443 Prosopalgia........................ 237 Prurigo.............................. 127 " on the scrotum......... 429 Pruritus........................125, 468 Pseudo-typhus, or bilious- rheumatic fever................ 150 PAGB Psoitis............................... 60 Ptyalism........................... 258 Puerperal fever................... 510 " convulsions.......... 475 Pulmonary consumption........ 320 Pyrosis.............................. 335 Putrid sore throat............... 267 Quickening......................... 451 Quinsy.............................. 261 " malignant................ 267 Rage................................. 177 Ranula............................. 260 Rash.................................. 98 Raucitas............................ 271 Rawness of the skin in in- fants.............................. 527 Real pleurisy...................... 299 Red gum............................ 527 Red spots on the nose............ 226 Regular birth..................... 482 Remarks on General Diseases 45 14 on Pneumonia......... 299 Remittent fever................... 161 Remittent fevers of infants... 538 Respiratory and Circulatory organs, anatomy of the...... 574 Restlessness of infants.......... 522 Retention of urine during con- finement.......................... 518 Rhagades........................... 128 Rheumatic pains.................. 53 Rheumatic pleurisy.............. 46 Rheumatism.....................46, 51 14 acute................ 47 14 inflammatory...... 47 " chronic.............. 51 14 shifting or wan- dering............ 48 14 of the heart...... 305 44 of the stomach... 342 " of the womb...... 518 Ringworm........................... 129 Ringworm of the scalp.......... 132 Rollers.............................. 689 Running of the ears............. 222 Rupture............................ 414 Salivation........................... 258 " during pregnancy... 465 Scabies.............................. 130 Scald-head........................... 132 Scalds................................ 86 INDEX. 717 Scarlatina........................... jio Scarlet-fever-...................... ]X3 44 malignant......... 115 Scarlet-rash........................ U2 Sciatica.............................. 57 Science of Medicine-.*!........... 22 Scirrhus............................. 139 Scorbutus........................... 266 Scrofulous consumption........ 321 Scrofulous sore eyes.............. 208 Scrotum, dropsy of the.......... 428 Scrotum, erysipelas on the... 429 prurigo on the...... 429 " tetter on the......... 429 Scurvy............................. 256 Sea-sickness....................... 341 Secretion of milk............... 500 Seminal weakness............... 429 Ship fever.......................... 150 Short-sightedness ............... 213 Shower-baths ..................... G34 Sickheadache.................... 197 Signs of pregnancy............ 449 Sitting baths..................... 639 Sitz baths.......................... 639 Skin, anatomy of the-............ 585 s'eep.............................. 620 Sleeplessness ..................... 63 Sleeplessness during confine- ment ............................ 518 Sleeplessness of infants...... 622 Small-pox........................... 120 Snake-bitten....................... 88 Sneezing, spasmodic............ 475 Snuffles............................. 522 Softening of the stomach...... 548 Somnolency................ ......... 73 Sore mouth of infants......... 524 * " " of nursing women 617 " nipples....................... 507 " throat........................ 261 " throat, chronic............ 267 Spasms in the stomach......... 342 " of infants................ 528 41 during pregnancy...... 455 Spasmodic pains in labor...... 489 " during confinement 618 " during pregnancy 469 " laughter.............. 475 " crying................ 475 44 sneezing............. 475 Spasmodic yawning............. 475 Specks on the eyes............... 209 Spinal marrow, inflammation of................................. 50 Spine, inflammation of........ 56 Spitting of blood................. ;;o-i Spleen, enlargement of the.... 370 " indurated................ 370 " inflammation of the... 369 Splenitis............................ 3(39 Splints............................." .-,91 Spontaneous limping.............->$ Spots on the face............... 240 " " during preg nancy..... 461 Spots on the nose, black, red... 220 Sprains and concussions........ s5 Squinting.......................... L>1.'; Stagnation of blood in the ab- domen ........................... .;.',(; Stammering........................ wj St. Anthony's fire............... 101 State of the bowels during con- finement ........................ 5on Stings of insects.................. a.8 Stitch in the side.............. 300 Stomacace........................... 25 1 Stomach-ache..................... J47 Stomach, affections of the...... 322 " cold in the............ 5'i " inflammation of the 359 " neuralgia of the...... 342 14 sour..................... ;;35 " softening of the.......548 14 spasms and pains in the.................... 342 " weak..................... 323 44 rheumatism of......... 342 Stone in the bladder............ 42R Strabismus......................... 213 Strangury......................... 421 " during pregnancy.. 469 Structure of the human or- ganism........................ tv,-j Struma............................. 02 Stuttering......................... 259 St. Vitus' dance.................. 67 Sty on the eyelid............... 210 Stymatosis ........................ 42" Summer complaint.............. 541 Sunstroke........................... 190 718 INDEX. PAGE PVOB Suppression of the catarrh, or 254 231 Tonsils, inflammation of...... 269 Suppression of the menses... 437 ','6') 504 •'4-' 587 44 during pregnancy- 464 587 492 648 6->0 62 Tribute to the Memory of Swelling of the breasts in in 409 622 Trismus..................... 68 241 236 320 204 137 215 137 Tussis convulsiva.............. 280 Typhoid pneumonia............ 295 256 145 225 147 270 147 269 147 253 160 14 of the feet during Ulcerated sore throat......... 207 " lower limbs during 463 Ulceration in the nose......... ',3° " of the windpipe... 274 '• under the tongue..... 463 Ulcers on the ear............... 215 260 135 75 Ulcers on the eyeballs ......... 209 75 645 144 Urinary organs, affections of. 418 430 " system, anatomy of... 573 370 427 370 " incontinence of the... 423 252 470 252 618 242 99 567 Uterus, falling of the......... 443 534 . PULTE'S DOMESTIC PHYSICIAN. Pulte's (J. H., M.J}.,) Bomeopathic Domestic Physician; Containing tlit Treatment of Diseases, a Treatise on Domestic Surgery, popular explanations of Anatomy, Physiology, Hygiene and Hydropathy, and an abridged Materia Medica. Seventh Edition. Enlarged and revised throughout, with important additions, especially in Surgery and tlu Diseases of Women and Children. Illustrated in Anatomy and Surgery. Twenty-fourth thousand. 1 vol. royal \2mo. 700 pages. Price, $2 00. For home practice this work is recommended as superior to all others, by Dr. Van- derburgh, of New York, Dr. Hull and Dr. Rossman. of Brooklyn, Dr. Granger, of St. Louis, and others of equal celebrity in different portions of the country. It is very comprehensive and very explicit.—N. Y. Evangelist. A very lucid and useful hand-book. Its popular language and exclusion of difficult terminology, are decided recommendations. Its success is good evidence of the value of the work.—N. Y. Times. This appears to be a very successful publication. It bas now reached Its seventh edition, which is a revised and enlarged one; and we learn from the title page, that twenty-four thousand copies have been published. Various additions have been made to the Homeopathic directions, and the anatomical part of the work has been illustrated with engravings. The work has received the approbation of several of our most eminent practitioners.—Evening Post. PULTE'S WOMAN'S MEDICAL GUIDE. Woman's Medical Guide; containing Essays on the Physical, Moral, and Educational developments of Females, and the Homeopathic Treatment of their Diseases in all periods of Life, together with directions for the remedial use of Water and Gym- nastics. By J. H. Pulte, Professor of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children, Emeritus Professor of Clinical Medicine in the Western College of Homeo- pathy, author of "Homeopathic Domestic Physician," etc. One volume \2mo., muslin. Price, $1 25. From Dr. Joslin, one of the most distinguished Homeopathic physicians in the country: New Yoek. May 26, 1856. Gentlemen :—"Woman's Guide, by Dr. Pulte, beautifully and correctly depicts her physical and moral development in the different stages and relations of life, and is replete with excellent directions for the management of herself and offspring. The book is highly creditable to its author, as a scholar, a philosopher and a Christian, and is better calculated than any other, on the same subjects and within the same compass, to remove many false notions and pernicious practices which prevail In society. Respectfully yours, B. F. JOSLIN. ——— r3* The style is beautiful and simple, the language appropriate, and the subject. Intri- cate and delicate though it is, made clear to the comprehension, carrying conviction to the reader or the truthfulness of the author's remarks, and the necessity of living according to his advice. AVe have never met with any thing of the kind so com- plete, and so admirably arranged.—Daily Times. ^ As a contribution to popular hygiene, it may be ranked among the most judicious and instructive works on the subject that have yet been given to the public. The delicate topics of which it treats are discussed with great propriety of sentiment and language, while the copious information with which it abounds is adapted to lead to the formation of correct and salutary habits.—N. Y. Tribune. It Is a careful and judicious work, worthy of explicit attention, and mothers, whether of the Homeopathic faith or not, will Hnd It to their advanugo to acquaint themselves with Dr. Pulte's hints.—Columbian. :'*• ,jv ^ .« • •» e/L> / s NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE NLM DEDEEETT T ■>.'.■'» v.*, &&&& NLM020222999