DISEASES OF FEMALES

Suppression of the Menses, (Amenorrhœa.)

For sudden suppression from taking cold, as by wetting the feet, there being headache, more or less fever, the pulse frequent and variable, pains in the small of the back and cramp like pains in the pelvic region, give, in alternation, Aconite and Pulsatilla, as often as every fifteen or twenty minutes in a violent case, and at longer intervals as the patient begins to get easy. Putting the feet into hot water, or taking a hot Sitz bath is very useful. If the patient is sick at the stomach, as is often the case, give lukewarm water freely and let her vomit; after which let her drink freely of water as hot as it can be safely swallowed, adding milk and sugar to make it palatable. The good effects that are often attributed to and experienced from the use of various hot teas in this affection, are, in my opinion, attributable more to the hot fluid alone than to any specific medicinal virtue in the substance of which tea is made. At all events, very hot drink with nothing but water, milk and sugar, is equally efficacious, and my medicine (a few grains of sugar of milk) put into the hot water, seasoned as above, has often obtained great credit, when the hot water was alone worthy. Rubbing the loins and abdomen briskly downwards with the hands of a healthy and vigorous nurse, will often excite the menstrual flow after a sudden suppression. If the head is hot, the face full and red, and the arteries of the neck and temples beat violently, give Bell. with Pulsatilla, and if the lungs are oppressed, use also Bryonia, giving the three in rotation. If, after the menstrual flow begins, there is still much pain in the pelvic region, give Caulophyllin, which will immediately afford relief.

Apis mel. is very servicable in suppressed menses of several days, or even weeks duration, where there is fever, redness of the face, and pain in the head, and pains in the hips extending to the limbs, especially if there is any tendency to bloating of the abdomen and swelling of the limbs or feet. It acts promptly and efficiently.

If the suppression has been caused by sudden fright or any strong mental emotion, Veratrum should be given in connection with the two former medicines. Should there be great fullness of the vessels of the head, or bleeding at the nose, Bryonia with Pulsatilla are to be used. Bell. is also useful in this case if the pain in the head is throbbing, especially if any delirium is present.

For suppression in young females, of several months duration, I have used, with much success, Podophyllin and Macrotin, one at night, the other in the morning, giving them for two or three weeks before the proper time for a return, and a day or two prior to the time, give also Pulsatilla, and give the three in rotation, a dose every six hours.

This practice has been successful with me in cases of long standing and apparently obstinate character. Where there is other disease, as an affection of the liver, lungs or stomach, this must be treated and cured, or the menses will not probably return. Great care should be exercised to keep the patient's feet and limbs warm, as upon this may depend her future health.

Dysmenorrhœa.—Painful Menstruation.

For this disorder, I know of no one remedy so valuable as the Caulophyllin, but Pulsatilla in many cases is efficacious, and as they do not prevent each other's action, I prescribe them in alternation, giving a dose every half hour, for a short time during the paroxysm, or until the pain abates to some extent, then every hour.

If there is pain in the head, sickness at the stomach, a kind of sick headache, as is often the case, with painful menstruation, Macrotin should be used with the others; Ipecac is the Specific for an excessive flow of the menses with great pain, especially if the stomach is nauseated. It should be given as low as the first dilution, and the tincture, in water, in the proportion of thirty drops to half a pint, injected into the vagina quite warm.

The application of extract of Belladonna to the neck of the uterus will often produce immediate and perfect relief. After the patient is relieved from the painful paroxysm, she should be treated so as to prevent a return of the pains at the next monthly period. Pulsatilla, Caulophyllin and Podophyllin are the three medicines that are most certain to effect this object. They are to be given, one medicine each day, a dose at night for three weeks, then morning, noon and night, until the time for the return of the menses, when they should be used oftener if there is pain. If the patient is inclined to be costive, Nux should be given at night for a few days before the menstrual period, in place of Pulsatilla.

Menorrhagia—Profuse Menses—Flowing.

For this affection, Ipecac and Hamamelis are the specifics. They should be taken alternately, at intervals of from half an hour to two hours apart, according to the urgency of the symptoms, and the Hamamelis injected into the vagina. These will nearly always arrest the flooding immediately. Secale should be used either alone or with the above medicines, if there are bearing down pains like labor pains, and sickness at the stomach in spite of the Ipecac. Ipecac alone is often sufficient.

Nursing Sore Mouth.

Sore mouth of nursing women, as the name of the disease indicates, is peculiar to women who are suckling children. It is an inflammation of the mouth, tongue and fauces, which sometimes comes on during pregnancy, several months or but a few days before the birth of the child. It generally, however, makes its first appearance when the child is a few weeks old, and sometimes not till after the lapse of several months. In some cases the tongue and inside of the mouth ulcerate, and the irritation extends to the stomach and bowels, producing distressing and dangerous inflammation of these parts, with severe and obstinate diarrhœa.

For the sore mouth, before diarrhœa begins, give Eupatorium Aro. and Hydrastin, in alternation, a dose once in three hours, and wash the mouth with the same, each time. After the diarrhœa occurs, use Podophyllin with the other medicines, giving them in rotation, three hours apart. It is best to give a dose of Podophyllin night and morning.

I have treated very bad cases of this disease that had been running for more than a year, and been treated with the ordinary remedies directed in the Homœopathic authorities without any permanent benefit, curing them perfectly in ten days with Podophyllin and Leptandrin, giving them in alternation at the 1st attenuation in half grain doses, at intervals of from four to eight hours according to the frequency of the evacuations. These two remedies are almost certain to arrest Chronic Dysentery where there is ulceration of the lower portion of the rectum, a peculiar distress felt at the stomach just before stool, with sudden rush of the evacuations and inability to control the inclination even for a few minutes, with a feeling of faintness after the stool.

Leptandrin is the specific for the Dysentery that often succeeds cholera, and these two, Pod. and Lept., are almost certain to relieve the "Mexican Diarrhœa," as well as that connected with the fevers along the Mississippi river.

Mammary Abscess,

(Ague in the breast—Inflamed breast.)

This is a disease peculiar to nursing women. The first symptom is a slight pain or soreness in some part of the "breast," which continues to increase for a day or two, when a chill, more or less severe, sets in, followed by high fever and quick pulse, headache and great restlessness. The gland swells and becomes very painful. This is generally a disease of rather slow progress, running eight or ten days and sometimes two or three weeks before abscess forms and "points" to the surface.

TREATMENT.

Phosphorus is to be taken internally, and the first dilution put in water, twenty drops to one gill, and applied to the surface by means of cloths wet in the mixture, as hot as it can be borne, and laid over the whole breast. If this is done and the medicine given internally every hour, as early as the first and frequently as late as the second or third day, it is quite sure to remove the disease and prevent an abscess. It is best to use it even much later. In fact it often succeeds as late as the fifth or sixth day, and if it does not prevent the abscess, it so far palliates the severe symptoms as to render the pain but slight and keep the patient comfortable.

An application of the Tincture of Cantharides diluted with water and applied to the breast by cloths wet in it, to the extent of producing considerable redness and even eruptions, and the second dilution of the same taken in drop doses every three hours, has proved successful in subduing the inflammation after Phos. had failed, and it was supposed an abscess would form in spite of any treatment.

I recently succeeded in giving perfect relief with Apis Mel. internally, applying it externally after the pain and swelling was very great. I am of opinion that the Apis is a valuable remedy.

After abscess forms as soon as the pus can be felt at any point, soft and fluctuating under the skin, puncture and let it out, then poultice it for a few days until it heals, giving Phosphorus and applying it to the sore. In puncturing, always be very particular to have the lancet or knife enter so that the edge will look towards the point of the nipple, so as not to cut across the milk ducts, which all run toward that point, and if cut off will close up so that the milk which may be secreted at any future time cannot get out, and swelling, pain and severe inflammation, abscess and ulceration will be the consequence; whereas, if the cut is made lengthwise of the ducts, very few, if any will be cut off, and all future danger will be avoided. Apply an elm poultice from the beginning to the end of treatment. For malignant ulcers of the breasts, the Cornus Sericea is a most potent remedy. It is to be taken internally at the first dilution, and applied in strong infusion or diluted Tr. of the bark to the sore.

Sore Nipples.

This affection of nursing women frequently comes on before the birth of the child, but generally does not make its appearance until after the suckling has continued for a week or more. It seems in some cases to be connected with the aphthæ (sore mouth) of the child, or at least to be aggravated by contact with the sore mouth; on the other hand it sometimes seems as though the sore nipples produced the sore mouth of the child.

TREATMENT.

I treat both the nipple and the child's mouth with the same remedy Eupatorium aro., applied at the strength of 6 drops of the tincture, to a teaspoonful of water, the application being made by a soft cloth, wet and laid over the nipple; give drop doses of the same strength internally every three hours, which will, in nearly all cases effect a cure in one or two days. The child's mouth should be wet with the same each time just before nursing. The oil from the pit of the butter nut, (Juglan's Cinerea,) obtained by heating the pit and pressing out the oil, applied to the nipple, will generally cure it after 3 or 4 applications about six hours apart. The child may take hold when the oil is on, without danger. This remedy is sufficient in nearly all cases.

Leucorrhœa and Prolapsus Uteri—Whites, Female Weakness.

The disease depends in all cases upon inflammation of the uterus, or vagina, or both.

The inflammation may be simply in the neck of the uterus extending to the posterior surface of the vagina, or the latter may not be affected; or it may extend to the whole internal surface of the uterus, producing swelling of that organ, both the fundus and neck.

The swelling may be confined mostly to the fundus, causing it to be too large for the space it ordinarily fills, hence there will be more or less displacement of the womb, and crowding upon other parts, as the bladder or rectum. In some cases, the swelling is more on one side than on the other, so that it will be crowded over to the opposite side. These displacements are often called prolapsus uteri, or "falling of the womb," carrying the idea that the difficulty depends upon a morbid relaxation of the ligaments that support the organ. Not one case in a hundred is of this latter character, but nearly, if not all, depend upon the inflammation and swelling above mentioned. How futile then, not to say hurtful, must be all instruments for, and all attempts at replacing and supporting it by force! All such mechanical meddling is injurious, and should, with all the "supporters," be condemned and discarded.

They may afford temporary relief, but this is at the expense of future health. Cure the disease, relieve the inflammation, and nature will replace the organ. Leucorrhœa is always present where there is ulceration of the neck of the womb, and this ulcerated condition exists to a greater or less extent, in many cases where it is not suspected by the patient. It is vastly more prevalent than is generally supposed. The symptoms are numerous. Among the more prominent are a sense of weight and bearing down in the pelvis, pains extending down the limbs, aching and weakness of the small of the back, headache, more or less gastric disturbance, dyspepsia, the food souring on the stomach. There is often, especially when there are ulcers on the parts, a distressing sense of heat or a smarting sensation. The menstrual function is frequently deranged, the bowels costive, the urethra, by being pressed, becomes irritable and burns and smarts whenever the urine is evacuated. The sleep is disturbed and unrefreshing, and the whole nervous system is unstrung.

The discharge from the diseased surfaces, in an ordinary case without ulceration, is of a mucous or muco-purulent character, not unlike an ordinary catarrhal secretion. When ulceration exists it is dark, fetid or bloody, or sanious and purulent, sometimes it is acrid, excoriating the parts.

TREATMENT.

Inflammation or ulceration, either acute or chronic, in these parts does not differ essentially in its characteristics from the same affection in other mucous surfaces.

The proper treatment for a catarrh of other mucous surfaces will be applicable to these, though there is no doubt but that some medicines are more specifically adapted to these than to other organs.

In the early stage of the complaint, while the inflammation is acute, or sub-acute, the discharge thin or white, Copaiva and Macrotin are to be given once in 6 hours alternately. During the same time let injections into the vagina of warm soap and water be used twice a day, to cleanse the parts of the secretion, followed in half an hour by a wash of warm water, into which tr. of Macrotys has been put in proportion of 40 drops to half a pint. The application should be made with an 8 ounce or at least 6 ounce curved pipe syringe, so as to throw it with considerable force. If there is a burning sensation, use the washes quite warm, until the heat of the parts is allayed. Avoid the use of cold injections as long as any inflammation exists. If the bearing down is present with burning in the parts, Bell. is to be used in rotation with the two former remedies. If the sensation is that of smarting, Cantharis is to be used in place of Bell.

Where the disease comes on soon after child-birth, Podophyllin is the Specific. It is to be given at the first attenuation three times daily in half gr. doses of the trituration. In this case let the parts be freely washed daily with a solution of borax, quite warm. In the chronic form of the disease, especially where barrenness exists, Macrotin, Podophyllin and Hydrastin, given morning, noon and night, in the order named, will, in nearly all cases, afford relief.

For females who have never borne children, give Phos. acid, 2d and Eryrgium Aquaticum 1, night and morning for a week, and then give them at the 3d dilution until the symptoms subside. If there are headache and derangement of the stomach, Macrotin and Podophyllin should be used, each once a day, between the latter remedies. When the discharge is colored and the pains darting, cutting or smarting, indicating ulceration, or if ulceration is discovered by examination, use Macrotin and Hydrastin internally, injecting the latter upon the affected parts freely. The ulcerated surfaces should be well washed off every day with soap and water, or a solution of borax, and the medicine (Hydrastin) in form of infusion, used half an hour after the other wash. If the neck of the womb looks dark, and is ulcerated, or is hard and painful to the touch, especially on probing the cavity, Cornus Sericea must be used both as a wash to the parts, and at the first dilution internally, using them twice a day. This remedy will often cure malignant cases.

It takes a long time in some instances to cure a chronic case, but if persevered in, these remedies will not be likely to fail.[2]

Morning Sickness of Pregnant Females.

The most efficient and certain remedy for this symptom is Macrotin. It should be taken at the first attenuation, a dose before rising in the morning, and one every six hours during the day, as long as the sickness is troublesome. It will generally relieve in a few days. If the stomach is sour use Pulsatilla with the Macrotin.

As a preparation for labor, a dose (one grain) of Macrotin at the first attenuation given in the morning, and the same of Caulophyllin at evening, is of great service.

Whatever others may think or say in relation to any preparatory treatment for labor, I have reason to know as well as anything in medicine be known, that patients treated as here directed, pass through labor much quicker, frequently in one-fourth the usual time. Their sufferings are comparatively trifling, and the length of time for recovery to ordinary health after labor is abridged from three-fourths to nine-tenths that of former labors. I am quite confident that the medicines produced this difference.

For irregularity of labor pains, and for distressing after pains, the Caulophyllin is specific.

During labor it should be given at the 2d attentuation in about half grain doses, every half hour, until the pains are regular. Two or three doses at most, and generally one will suffice.

For the after pains it may be given in alternation with Ipecac or Aconite if there is flooding, or with Pulsatilla when the flooding is not troublesome, a dose once in half an hour, until the pains are checked.

For Rigidity of the soft parts and severe, retarded and long protracted labor, where the pains are strong and irregular, and great pain and exhaustion is experienced on account of the unyielding condition of the parts, Lobelia Inflata given in drop doses of the tr. in water, once in twenty minutes, in alternation with Caulophyllin as above directed, will in a short time produce the proper condition of the parts, while they render the pains stronger, regular and progressive.

In urgent cases I have given the medicines every 5 or 10 minutes, with decided benefit.

A Useful Hint to Mothers.

Children push beans, peas, corn, &c., into the nose and ear, causing much alarm. To remove such a body take a syringe that works tightly, put the end of the pipe against the bean, shot, or other substance, draw back the piston so as to suck up the article firmly as the pipe is withdrawn from the cavity.

LOCAL APPLICATIONS.

That medicines act locally, that is, manifest their symptoms by peculiar derangement or disturbance of some particular part of the system, more prominently than of any other part, for the time, no one will deny. That each one has some particular locality or tissue upon which its action is more perceptible than anywhere else, is equally undeniable, and that the prominent symptoms are often external and local, is also true. Yet, with these truths clearly demonstrated, there are those of our school who discard the external or local application of all remedies except Arnica.

Why this is done, is difficult to determine, unless we can believe that such physicians suppose it to be heresy to make use of any remedy in a different manner from what was recommended by the "Father of Homœopathy," and abjure all possibility of improvement in our practice.

That nearly if not all medicines, may be applied externally with advantage, when there are local manifestations similar to those produced by the drugs, there can be no doubt in the mind of any sensible man. That they will act favorably when so used is reasonable, as a matter of theory, and that they do, as a matter of fact, has been proven to my mind, by abundant experience in their use. Therefore, I hesitate not to recommend the practice to others. Medicines must act either by combination with the affected part, or by Catalysis, changing the molecular action of the living tissues. In either case, they must come directly in contact with the part to be affected. This must be done through the circulation, when taken internally, or it may be done by direct application of the remedy to the diseased tissue, when that is so situated as to be reached. The difference is greatly in favor of the latter mode when that is practicable, from the greater certainty of its results. This assertion is based, not upon vague hypothesis, but upon actual practice.

Entertaining these views, however heretical they may be pronounced, I shall proceed to mention some of the remedies I have learned to use thus, and the cases for which they are prescribed. I would remark that, in selecting a remedy, it must be done with as much certainty of its homœopathic relation to the local or general symptoms for external as for internal use. I have found, however, that much lower attenuations are requisite and admissible.

Arnica is highly applicable to bruises, and is valuable also when applied to lacerated or mangled surfaces, to the surface of the limb where a bone is fractured, also about the joint when it has been dislocated. It is to be used in the form of Arnicated water, by putting one or two drops to a gill of water for application where the skin is ruptured or the surface raw, and ten to twenty drops to the gill, upon parts where the skin is sound. It is useful also, for boils, and carbuncles in the early stage, the strong tincture to be applied when the surface is sound, and (to boils) when the surface is open, one drop to a gill of water.

Aconite

Is applicable to inflamed eyes, in the early stage, where the disease is in the conjunctiva, (that portion which lines the lids and covers the front of the ball), especially if there is a sense of scratching, as though some foreign substance is in the eye, great intolerance of light, chilly sensations, with more or less fever, and quick pulse. Put three or four drops to a gill of warm water, and apply it freely.

It is also very valuable for Neuralgia, applied strong and warm, along the course, or at the origin of the affected nerve. In neuralgia of the face, apply it upon the side of the face, also just behind and below the ear of the affected side.

It is of much value as a remedy for neuralgic affections of the womb. I have relieved the most distressing symptoms of neuralgia of the womb, in a few minutes, by injecting warm water containing twenty to forty drops of tr. Aconite to the pint. By repeating this application at every paroxysm, patients recover rapidly, each succeeding attack being lighter, and the interval between being longer, until they cease entirely. It may be used with much benefit in the same manner, for Hysteritis, as well as recent cases of Leucorrhœa. It is the most valuable remedy applied to the Eye for a wound of that organ.

In Gonorrhœa, it is more valuable as a local remedy, than most of those now in use. It will frequently cure alone. In this case, it is to be used with an equal part of the tr. and warm water.

Belladonna

has great power as a local remedy in Erysipelas, to be applied with water in proportion of ten drops of the tr. to a gill of warm water. It is also of much value applied to the surface of inflamed breasts; also injected when there is inflammation of the uterus, with pressing pains as though the bowels would be pressed out. Very valuable in parturition where there is rigidity of the os uteri, with fullness of the head and throbbing of the temples. It has the specific power to relax circular fibres without affecting the longitudinal.

Calendula,

is applied to wounds, incised and lacerated, promoting healing by the first intention. It is a valuable application for wounds in scrofulous persons, which tend to suppurate rather than heal by the first intention. It is also useful in old sores.

The Calendula Cerate is one of the best of dressings for any abraded surface.

Conium

is valuable as a palliative upon cancerous tumors. As a curative remedy it is useful in chronic ophthalmia, especially the purulent of children; useful also for indurated swellings.

Thuya

is a specific when locally used for Sycosis, also for fungoid cancerous tumors. I have cured well-marked cases of Fungus Hæmatodes with the tinct. Thuya applied to the surface of the tumor.

The Thuja Cerate is a valuable application for malignant ulcers.

Cornus Sericea

will often cure malignant ulcers both of the breast and uterus, used as a wash.

Arsenicum

acts favorably on cancers, and is a specific when applied to the surface of carbuncle.

Ipecac

acts very beneficially when applied to the surface where there is high fever, with nausea and vomiting. Half an ounce of tr. Ipecac to two quarts of tepid water, applied with a sponge to the whole surface, acts like magic in yellow fever, allaying the nausea, producing free and health-restoring perspiration.

Rhus Tox,

applied, with water at the strength of thirty drops of the tr. to a gill, to parts affected with Rheumatism, acts very beneficially. It is also a most valuable application at half the above strength upon parts affected with Erysipelas, when the surface is swollen, and there are vessicles filled with fluid like a blister in burns.

It is also useful for sores that exist as the chronic effects of burns when the proper treatment had not been used in the beginning, and the healing process was never perfected.

Rhus Cerate is a very useful application to irritable ulcers.

Hepar Sulphur

is a specific for Itch and Scald Head, applied in form of a wash with twenty to thirty drops of tr. Hepar Sul. to a gill of water. Also for ill-conditioned scrofulous ulcers, generally.

Cuprum Aceticum.

(Acetate of Copper Verdigris) applied to Cancerous ulcers of the face, Lupus or Noli-me-tangere, in the early stage, will in most cases effect a perfect cure, especially if for a week previously the part has been wet daily with tr. Thuja. The best mode of applying the acetate is to mix the impalpable powder, as prepared for paint, with some substance to form a cerate, as equal parts of bees-wax and mutton suet, with 1-50 to 1-100 part of the pure acetate as found in the bottom of the can, when prepared in oil for paint; heat all together and stir until cool. This forms a good plaster for covering and shielding the sore while its medicinal property is in the Cuprum Aceticum diluted as above. It is quite useful for any ill conditioned ulcer.

Acetic Acid

is a most efficient remedy applied to old irritable varicose ulcers on the limbs of females who have suffered from Phlegmasia Dolens, (milk leg.)

It may be applied as a wash to the part once or twice a day at the strength of 1-20th of the acid with water, or in the form of good cider vinegar.

The manufactured vinegar of the cities does not usually contain acetic acid.

Arum Triphyllum is a specific to allay the inflammation and excessive pain in scrofulous swellings of the neck, (Kings Evil.) The pure drug in powder, wet with warm water, or the green root bruised so as to form a poultice, is to be applied over the swelling. It soon discusses the swelling, or if pus has already formed, allays the the pain, and brings the pus to the surface, and if continued, disposes it to heal rapidly.

Baptisia Tinctoria applied as a poultice either in the powdered drug, or with some other substance wet with the infusion or tr., arrests gangrene in a short time. It is especially useful for threatened or actual gangrene arising from lacerated wounds or scalds with wounds, as in accidents connected with the explosion of steam boilers; when we often have scalds and lacerations in the same wound.

Hydrastus Canadensis used as a gargler in a putrid state of the throat in malignant Scarlet fever, arrests the destructive process at once.

It is also a most excellent application for inflamed eyes in the second or sub-acute stage.

PROPHYLACTICS.

(Preventives of Disease.)

TO PREVENT SCARLET FEVER

Give Belladonna at the 3d attenuation, three to six pellets, according to the age of the child, every morning, during the prevalence of the epidemic. This is for the common or mild form of the disease. If the prevailing epidemic is of the malignant kind, producing fatal ulcerations of the throat, give Bell. once in two days and Mercurius Corrosivus at the 3d attenuation on the alternate day.

While Bell. is a very certain preventive of the common eruptive Scarlatina, it is not as certain to prevent the malignant form. Though it renders the latter much more mild, the Merc. Cor. is necessary to ward it off entirely, or so modify as to divest it of the dangerous features.

TO PREVENT YELLOW FEVER

Take Aconite, Belladonna and Macrotin, 1st in rotation one dose a day. If there is any headache, or pains occur in other parts of the body, or a languid feeling, take a dose twice or three times a day in rotation.

TO PREVENT BILIOUS FEVER OR AGUE

Take Podophyllin, Baptisia and Gelseminum 1st in rotation, one dose at night, and if symptoms of fever, as headache and loss of appetite, or bad taste in the mouth in the morning appear, take a dose three times a day, and refrain entirely from food for one or two days.

TO PREVENT TYPHOID FEVER

When exposed, as in nursing the sick, take Baptisia 2d, and Macrotin 2d, a dose three times a day.

TO PREVENT SMALL-POX

Use Macrotin 1st night and morning, and if nursing or exposed frequently, use it every four hours.

TO PREVENT CHOLERA.

Camphor (pellets medicated with the pure tincture) Veratrum 3d, and Arsenicum 3d, should be taken in rotation—a dose morning, noon and night, in the order named; so as to take a dose of each every twenty-four hours. If any sense of weakness or trembling comes on, use the Camphor oftener; if pain or uneasiness in the bowels threatening diarrhœa, use the Veratrum, and for increased thirst with uneasiness at the stomach Arsenicum more frequently.

TO PREVENT DIARRHŒA

Where it is prevailing as an epidemic, Ipecac at night, and Veratrum in the morning will often suffice. For teething children give Ipecac and Chamomilla in the same manner.

TO PREVENT DYSENTERY

In hot weather when bilious diseases prevail, use Mercurius 3d, Podophyllin 2d, and Leptandrin 1st in rotation, giving one dose a day.

In the winter, or when Typhoid fevers prevail, use Mercurius and Rhus tox. alternately a dose every day.

TO PREVENT ITCH.

A dose of Sulphur, or rubbing a little flour of sulphur on the hands, will generally suffice.

TO PREVENT COLDS

Keep the arms, hands and chest well clothed and warm. Affecting the head as catarrh, or the pelvic regions keep the feet and ancles warm and dry. Affecting joints and muscles as Rheumatism—protect the Spine (back) from colds and currents of air.

After an accidental exposure as by getting the feet wet, or being caught in a shower, drink bountifully of cold water, and take a dose of Nux; followed in an hour by Aconite, if any chilliness is felt, or Copaiva if the head is "stuffed up."

In winter and spring when the weather is mild, but there is snow, or the ground is damp, more clothes are necessary than when it is freezing hard and the air is dry.

PREPARATION OF MEDICINE.

As it often becomes necessary for the practitioner to make more or less of his own dilutions and attenuations, some brief instructions especially to new beginners, may not come amiss.

Medicine is prepared by mixing it with distilled water, or purified 98 per cent. Alcohol; or if solid and dry, by reducing it to powder and triturating (rubbing) it in a mortar with pure sugar or Sugar of Milk. The liquid is called dilution, the powder trituration. The attenuations are mostly made at the decimal (1-10,) or centecimal (1-100) ratio and numbered 1, 2, 3, &c., by putting ten drops of the liquid with ninety drops of Alcohol, or ten grains of the powder with ninety grains of Sugar for the 1st, and ten grains or drops of the 1st with ninety more of Alcohol or Sugar, as the case may be, for the 2nd, and so on to any desirable extent.

If the centecimal attenuation is adopted, one grain or drop is used instead of ten, as in the decimal.

I prefer the decimal to the centecimal ratio. Not that there can possibly be any difference in the action of the medicines, at the same attenuation, whether it was brought to that state through a series of 1-10, or 1-100; the 3d at the 1-100 ratio of dilution being precisely the same as the 6th at 1-10. My preference for the decimal ratio is based upon the greater convenience and accuracy of measuring larger quantities.

Accuracy is very desirable, but the practice of guessing at the amount as pursued by some, is anything but accurate. When one makes his dilutions by putting the fluid into a vial and "pouring it all out," guessing that he has a drop left which is to medicate the ninety-nine drops of Alcohol or water, he may put in by guess, I am inclined to guess that he knows nothing, accurately as to what dilution he is making. (See Hull's Laura, introduction, also Jahr & Possart's Pharmacopœia and Posology.) For if the vial is small and quite smooth there may not be a drop left, or if it is rough, there may be several drops.

Yet some physicians make their dilutions thus, and insist upon the superiority of the centecimal over the decimal attenuations.

Whatever ratio is adopted, should be accurately followed. Have true scales for weighing solids, and a graduated measure marked from ten drops up to one hundred for liquids; then always weigh or measure accurately the medicine, as well as the substance with which it is to be attenuated.

The measure and mortar, after using them for one medicine, can be cleaned preparatory for another, with scalding water, rinsing them with purified Alcohol, then drying.

Never smoke or chew Tobacco in any place, but if you are such a slave to habit, that you must do it despite your good sense and better judgment, never do either, or have tobacco or any other odoriferous substance about your person when you are preparing medicines, or they are exposed to the air. Keep the medicines excluded from the light and air as far as practicable.

Triturate the powders thoroughly for an hour or more upon each, and shake the dilution from fifty to one hundred times, more for the higher attenuations.

It is better to medicate pellets in large bottles, filling them half or two-thirds full, put in just liquid enough to wet every one, but not so as to dissolve any. Shake them until all are equally wet, and let them stand for four or five days, if practicable, shaking them up two or three times a day until all are dry.