New, Old and Forgotten Remedies. (continued 3)

10:30 o'clock, just came from stool; the first passed was watery, but the last was more solid in appearance; stool terribly offensive, like carrion. Heavy, all-gone sort of feeling low down in hypogastrium; color of stool was dark brown with pieces of undigested food in it.

11:30, just got home and feel very bad and weak. My head and back ache considerably, and I feel "played out" generally.

12 o'clock, forehead and cheeks very hot and dry, radial pulse 114, chilly sensation darting through body from front to back, causing a sort of shivering or involuntary jerking, forehead feels like a hot coal of fire to my hand; headache in forehead and over eyes relieved by pressing with my hand, but I cannot bear it long for my head seems to get hotter from it; am exceedingly nervous, cannot lie still, involuntary jerkings in different parts of the body. Roof of mouth and tongue feel very dry, although there seems to be the usual amount of saliva present. No thirst at all.

I went to sleep about 12:20 p.m., and was awakened at 2 o'clock for dinner. Couldn't eat anything; I tried but it nauseated me; could only drink a cup of coffee; headache worse after waking; pulse 88; head not quite so hot, body feels chilly, and I had a shawl thrown over me; went to sleep again about 3:30.

I was told that at 4:15 my face and head were covered with a profuse perspiration, and my carotid arteries pulsated very hard and rapidly; I got up at 5 o'clock and bathed my face in cold water and felt somewhat better, though my head and back still ache considerably and feel quite sore; eyeballs feel bruised.

6:30. Weak, empty feeling about stomach, which was relieved for awhile by eating some crackers and drinking a cup of coffee. Pulse still 88.

At 8:15 had an action from my bowels; during stool griping and cutting pains in abdomen, about and below umbilicus; stool thin, watery, blackish-brown color and very offensive. I retired at 9:30 and had to have an extra covering thrown upon me, I was so chilly, while my room-mate lay without any covering at all. My head feels sore and bruised all over, and the small of my back is exceedingly weak and feels, when I touch it with my hand, as though the skin were all off.

Thursday, July 13th. I was very nervous and restless last night after going to bed; didn't go to sleep till after 12 o'clock, and woke up several times before daylight with pains in my head, abdomen and back. Got up at 8 o'clock. My head feels sore and bruised; the bruised feeling seems to go into my brain now; every time I move, cough or laugh it seems as if my head would split open and fly in every direction; my back is not so painful this morning; I couldn't eat much breakfast; stool this morning was quite copious, watery, dark brown and not so offensive as yesterday.

9:30. Headache better; several times this morning I have had attacks of cutting or griping pains in my intestines, in and about the umbilical region; my tongue is very heavily coated in the centre with a thick yellowish fur; the tip is slightly red, and on each side of the tip there are several little places that look as though blood was about to ooze forth from them; my tongue feels drawn and shriveled up the centre.

4:30. The only symptom at 11 o'clock was a dull, sore, aching feeling in the umbilical and iliac regions, occasionally changing for just a minute or so to a severe griping, which was relieved some by emission of flatus. My face has a yellowish appearance; from the outer to the inner canthus there is a reddish-yellow streak, about one-quarter of an inch wide, in the whites of both eyes; the blood vessels of the sclerotic coat are very much enlarged and distinctly visible.

Friday, July 14th. I suffered considerably after 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon and last night with pains in my abdomen, and they are more severe this morning than yesterday; it feels just like a string tied in a "slip knot" around my intestines in the umbilical region, and every once in awhile it was suddenly drawn tight for a minute or so, and then gradually loosened; stool this morning was very thin, watery and rather flaky; the flaky portion was dark yellow, the fluid portion dark green, with a light green foam or froth on top, streaked with a white, mucus-looking substance; flatus and fæces passed together; some pain in my bowels during stool, and a hot, scalded sensation in anus, which lasted fifteen or twenty minutes after stool; during stool a cold perspiration broke out on my forehead and back of my hands; took quite a while to pass stool, and then only a small quantity passed; eyeballs feel bruised and the whites have a yellowish cast all over, though the "bands" are still very distinct; my skin is quite yellow to-day and I feel very much fatigued generally.

Saturday, July 15th. Stool about natural this morning; some feeling in my abdomen, though not so severe; no new symptoms.

Sunday, July 16th. The only thing unusual which I noticed to-day was the passage of considerable offensive flatus; a greater quantity after retiring than during the day.

I noticed no more symptoms after Sunday night.

(The following is from a letter of Dr. E. M. Hale):

Some time ago I received a letter from Dr. F. S. Smith, of Lock Haven, Pa., in which, referring to Chionanthus, he says:

"For the first time to-day I read your article on Chionanthus in the last edition of your Materia Medica of 'New Remedies.' I have been using this drug for over two years, as a specific for so-called sick headache. It has done wonders for me in that disease. I had been a victim from early childhood, and have suffered terribly. I have not had an attack for two years. If I am threatened, a few drops, timely taken, dissipates it at once.

"Dr. B., a dentist, aged 35, dark complexion, a victim to sick headache, had an attack on an average once in three weeks. Since taking Chionanthus, has not had more than two or three attacks in over two years, and then owing to a neglect to take the medicine. I have failed in but one case, and that was a menstrual sick headache.

"I prescribe it as follows: In cases of habitual sick headache, 5 gtts. of the 2x dil. three times a day for a week, then twice a day for a week, then once a day for a week, after which the patient only takes it when symptoms of the attack show themselves. I regard it almost a specific."

(Chionanthus is also, by some physicians, regarded as a specific in jaundice, either acute or chronic, and the proving seems to justify the belief.)

CORNUS ALTERNIFOLIA.

Nat. Ord., Cornaceæ. Common Name, Alternate-leaved Cornel or Dogwood. Swamp-walnut. Preparation.—The fresh bark and young twigs are pounded to a pulp and macerated in two parts by weight of alcohol.

(The following proving of this remedy was made under the supervision of Dr. F. H. Lutze, Brooklyn. The Cornus alternifolia, or "swamp walnut," has a reputation among the people in certain localities as being a "sure" remedy for "salt rheum.")

First Proving by R. E. Albertson.

Commence at bedtime Tuesday, May 12, 1896.

Wednesday, May 13, 1896.—Awoke this morning after a very refreshing night's sleep, feeling as well as usual; and did not notice anything out of the ordinary during the entire day. Had stool, but somewhat scanty. Appetite fair.

Thursday, May 14, 1896.—Did not rest very well during night. Had dream I was spending summer in country. Did not get into anything like a sound sleep until near morning; and then was very reluctant about getting up; would have preferred to have had a couple hours more of such sleep. I have noticed nothing in the course of the day worthy of mention excepting a pain across the small of the back, which lasted only a short time and then disappeared. Stool to-day little better than yesterday.

Friday, May 15, 1896.—Another restless night; would get into a light sleep off and on until near morning. Dreamed again; this time of an exciting fire drill. Up to to-day had been taking Cornus alternifolia thrice daily; 3 drops 30th, commencing with this morning every three hours. Stool to-day at first hard and difficult, then loose. Nothing further noticed to-day.

Saturday, May 16, 1896.—Passed a very restless and sleepless night; guess I was awake at the striking of every hour. Tongue has been coated a yellowish white for a couple of days. Stool to-day, but scanty. Feel as well as usual, but don't seem to have the ambition to do anything for any length of time.

Sunday, May 17, 1896.—Experienced another very restless and sleepless night. Felt an aching in left shoulder and dull pain across forehead, more particularly on right side. Stool to-day and appetite fair.

Monday, May 18, 1896.—While I passed another restless night, it was not as bad as nights previous. Seem to hear every little noise and sound. When once awake, mind becomes active and then it is difficult to get into a sleep again. Have dreamed something mostly every night; some of which I do not remember.

Tuesday, May 19, 1896.—Rested somewhat better last night; though was awake off and on. Last dose taken at bedtime.

Wednesday, May 20, 1896.—Experienced another restless night; was awake most of the night until about 3 a.m., when I dropped off into a sleep.

Friday, May 22, 1896.—Noticed a little sore inside of mouth (left side), which by Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday had become very annoying. When eating anything that came in contact with it, or even when moving the mouth in a certain direction would cause a sticking, pricking pain. I also want to mention a few eruptions, small pustules on face and neck, which appeared during this proving.

Second Proving of "Cornus Alternifolia."

By F. H. Lutze, M. D.

February 1, 1896.—Took 5 drops of θ three times daily.

February 6, 1896.—Took 5 drops of θ every two hours. On second day had two loose evacuations in quick succession in the afternoon.

February 9, 1896.—A cold feeling in chest as if it were filled with cold air or ice; this continued for two days and was very disagreeable, but seemed to have no influence on action of heart or respiration.

A second proving, commenced on April 1st, reproduced the same symptoms in same manner. Have made no proving of 30th yet.

Third Proving of "Cornus Alternifolia" 30th Dilution.

Commenced at bedtime Sunday, June 7, 1896.

Monday, June 8, 1896.—Awoke after being awake the greater part of the night feeling as usual. Felt dull pain in right side region of liver about 11 a.m.

Tuesday, June 9, 1896.—Slept very little; tossed and turned mostly all night; could not get into any comfortable position. Tongue this morning coated a yellowish white. No stool to-day and appetite fair.

Wednesday, June 10, 1896.—While I rested somewhat better than nights previous, yet was awake considerable part of the night. Had two dreams; one of dead rats mashed to a pulp; the other of coition, causing an emission. When I awoke this morning, felt a raw feeling in throat, which continued throughout the day; though not quite as bad as when I arose. Sneezed some, too, to-day; head partially stopped up toward night. About an hour or two after dinner, which I ate with a relish, a sick sensation came over me, a dull heavy feeling in forehead accompanied with a nauseous and dizzy feeling; could hardly pull one foot after the other on my way home from work; but after being a little while in the open air and walking, feeling subsided some, and when I reached home felt much better; and after supper had entirely left me; though when I retired that night I felt as though I had been doing a very hard day's work and was glad when my body touched the bed. Stool very scanty to-day; appears difficult to do anything; seems to be quite some gas.

Thursday, June 11, 1896.—Awoke very tired; sleep disturbed considerably; could not rest in any position. Raw feeling in throat still this morning, with a frequent desire to clear; a feeling as though something lodged there and should come out. Stool to-day, but scant. A dull ache in region of heart felt in afternoon. Feel tired and drowsy. All ambition seems to have left me. Appetite very good to-day.

Friday, June 12, 1896.—Feel very well this morning and slept fairly well during the night, though was awake a few times. To-day marks the first appearance of eruptions; one on the right wrist, the other on right side of chin; small pustules; in one case blind, all others forming pus.

Saturday, June 13, 1896.—Experienced another restless night. Another pustule has appeared on chin and also ringworm on forehead (right side); feel very well to-day.

Sunday, June 14, 1896.—Slept fairly well during night. Experienced nothing particular excepting toward night an awful uneasy feeling came over me; a feeling that something terrible was going to happen.

Monday, June 16, 1896.—Awoke very tired this morning; have a cough, with a feeling as though something heavy was lying upon my chest and throat.

Wednesday, June 17, 1896.—Slept pretty well during night; feel very languid and tired; a feeling as though my legs were unable to bear me up.

Sunday, June 28, 1896.—Toward evening felt very tired and drowsy with heavy sensation in head; about 9:30 lay down upon the lounge and dropped off into a doze; awoke a half hour afterwards with a feeling as though I wanted to vomit, and chills, which continued for an hour when I vomited, which seemed to relieve me some, after which fever took the place of the chill which abated some toward morning.

Monday, June 29, 1896.—Managed to get to my business, but was unable to do anything all day on account of the weak feeling and a violent pressing headache in forehead, which continued all day; worse on motion and on stooping felt as though everything would come out. About 5 p.m. diarrhœa set in which continued all night, every half hour to an hour, the same the day following and continued right up to Sunday night, July 5th. Lost in that time six pounds.

CRATÆGUS OXYACANTHA.

Nat. Ord., Pomaceæ. Common Name, White or May Thorn. English Hawthorn. Preparation.—The fresh berries are pounded to a pulp and macerated in two times their weight of alcohol.

(The The New York Medical Journal, October 10, 1896, published a communication from Dr. M. C. Jennings, under the heading "Cratægus Oxyacantha in the treatment of Heart Disease," of which the following is the substance):

Dr. Green, of Ennis, Ireland, for many years had a reputation for the cure of heart disease that caused patients to flock to him from all parts of the United Kingdom. He cured the most of them and amassed considerable wealth by means of his secret, for, contrary to the code, he, though a physician in good standing, refused to reveal the remedy to his professional brethren. After his death, about two years ago, his daughter, a Mrs. Graham, revealed the name of the remedy her father had used so successfully. It is Cratægus oxyacantha. So much for the history of the remedy. Dr. Jennings procured for himself some of the remedy, and his experience with it explains Dr. Green's national reputation. He writes:

"Case I was that of a Mr. B., aged seventy-three years. I found him gasping for breath when I entered the room, with a pulse-rate of 158 and very feeble; great œdema of lower limbs and abdomen. A more desperate case could hardly be found. I gave him fifteen drops of Cratægus in half a wineglass of water. In fifteen minutes the pulse beat was 126 and stronger, and breathing was not so labored. In twenty-five minutes pulse beat 110 and the force was still increasing, breathing much easier. He now got ten drops in same quantity of water, and in one hour from the time I entered the house he was, for the first time in ten days, able to lie horizontally on the bed. I made an examination of the heart and found mitral regurgitation from valvular deficiency, with great enlargement. For the œdema I prescribed Hydrargyrum cum creta, Squill and Digitalis. He received ten drops four times a day of the Cratægus and was permitted to use some light beer, to which he had become accustomed at meal time. He made a rapid and apparently full recovery until, in three months, he felt as well as any man of his age in Chicago. He occasionally, particularly in the change of weather, takes some of the Cratægus which, he says, quickly stops shortness of breath or pain in the heart. His father and a brother died of heart disease."

Another case was that of a young woman, who, when Dr. Jennings appeared in response to the summons, was said to be dead. "I went in and found that she was not quite dead, though apparently so. I put five or six drops of Nitrite of amyl to her nose, and alternately pressing and relaxing the chest, so as to imitate natural breathing, I soon had her able to open her eyes and speak. I gave her hypodermically ten drops, and in less than half an hour she was able to talk and describe her feelings. An examination revealed a painfully anæmic condition of the patient, but without any discoverable lesions of the heart, except functional." Under Cratægus she made a good recovery. "Her heart trouble, though very dangerous, was only functional, and resulted from want of proper assimilation of the food, due chiefly to the dyspeptic state and dysentery."

Another case was that of a woman who "was suffering from compensatory enlargement of the heart from mitral insufficiency," was taken with dyspnœa when Dr. Jennings was called and was nearly dead. Under Cratægus and some other indicated remedies she made an excellent recovery. "In a letter from her, three months afterward, she said she was feeling well, but that she would not feel fully secure without some of the Cratægus."

"The forty other cases ran courses somewhat similar to the three cited—all having been apparently cured. Yet I am not satisfied beyond a doubt, that any of those patients were completely cured except those whose trouble of the heart were functional, like the second case cited. And it is possible and even probable that in weather of a heavy atmosphere or when it is surcharged with electricity, or if the patient be subjected to great excitement or sudden or violent commotion or exercise he may suffer again therewith. That the medicine has a remarkable influence on the diseased heart must, I think, be admitted. From experiments on dogs and cats made by myself, it appears to influence the vagi and cardio inhibitory centres, and diminishes the pulse rate, increases the intraventricular pressure, and thus filling the heart with blood causes retardation of the beat and an equilibrium between the general blood pressure and force of the beat. Cardiac impulse, after a few days' use of the Cratægus, is greatly strengthened and yields that low, soft tone so characteristic of the first sound, as shown by the cardiograph. The entire central nervous system seems to be influenced favorably by its use; the appetite increases and assimilation and nutrition improve, showing an influence over the sympathetic and the solar plexus. Also a sense of quietude and well-being rests on the patient, and he who before its use was cross, melancholic and irritable, after a few days of its use shows marked signs of improvement in his mental state. I doubt if it is indicated in fatty enlargement. The dose which I have found to be the most available is from ten to fifteen drops after meals or food. If taken before food it may, in very susceptible patients, cause nausea. I find also that after its use for a month it may be well to discontinue for a week or two, when it should be renewed for another month or so. Usually three months seem to be the proper time for actual treatment, and after that only at such times as a warning pain of the heart or dyspnœa may point out.

(The Kansas City Medical Journal, 1898, contained a paper on the remedy, by Dr. Joseph Clements, from which the following pertinent extracts are taken):

About twelve years ago I was suddenly seized with terrible pain in the left breast; it extended over the entire region of the heart and down the brachial plexus of the left arm as far as the wrist. I pressed my hands over my heart and seemed unable to move. My lips blenched, my eyes rolled in a paroxysm of agony; the most fearful sense of impending calamity oppressed me and I seemed to expect death, or something worse, to fall upon and overwhelm me. The attack lasted a short time and then began to subside, and soon I was myself again, but feeling weak and excited. I consulted no one; took no medicine. I did not know what to make of it, but gradually it faded from my mind and I thought no more of it until two years afterwards, when I had another attack, and again nearly a year later. Each of these was very severe, like the first, and lasted about as long and left me in about the same condition. I remember no other seizure of importance until about three years ago, and again a year later. These were not so terrible in the suffering involved, but the fear, the apprehension, the awful sense of coming calamity, I think, grew upon me. From this time on, two years ago, the attacks came frequently, the time varying from two or three months to two or three weeks between.

I took some nitro-glycerine tablets and some pills of Cactus Mexicana, but with no benefit that I could perceive. This brings me down to about fifteen months ago. I was feeling very badly, having had several attacks within a few weeks. My pulse was at times very rapid and weak, and irregular and intermittent.

(About this time he got hold of Cratægus with the following result):

After getting my supply I began with six drops, increasing to ten before meals and at bedtime. The results were marvellous. In twenty-four hours my pulse showed marked improvement; in two or three weeks it became regular and smooth and forceful. Palpitation and dyspnœa soon entirely left me; I began to walk up and down hills without difficulty, and a more general and buoyant sense of security and well-being has come to stay. During the three months that I was taking the medicine, which I did with a week's intermission several times, I had several slight attacks, one rather hard seizure, but was relieved at once on taking ten drops of the medicine.

(He adds that hypodermic of Morphia does not give relief from these heart pains as quickly and as surely as does fifteen drops of Cratægus. He also says, "of course I consider it the most useful discovery of the Nineteenth century." He also names a number of "the most reputable and careful men in the profession," who are having good results with this remedy.)

(Dr. T. C. Duncan contributes the following illustrative cases):

Mrs. A., a printer, came to me complaining of some pain in the side as if it would take her life. She did not have it all the time, only at times, usually the last of the week, when tired. I prescribed Bryonia, then Belladonna, without prompt relief. One Saturday she came with a severe attack, locating the pain with her right hand above and to the left of the stomach. The pulse was strong and forcible. On careful examination I found the heart beat below the normal, indicating hypertrophy. I examined the spine, and to the left of the vertebra about two inches I found a very tender spot (spinal hyperæmia). She told me that when a girl she had several attacks, and that her own family physician (Dr. Patchen) gave her a remedy that relieved her at once. She had tried several physicians, among them an allopath, who gave hypodermic injections of morphia, without relief. Hot applications sometimes relieved.

I now recognized that I had a case of angina pectoris, and that her early attacks were due, I thought, to carrying her heavy brother. Now the attacks come when she becomes tired holding her composing stick; at the same time she became very much flurried, so much so that she had to stop work because she was so confused.

I now gave her a prescription for Cactus, but told her I would like to try first a new remedy, giving her Cratægus, saturating some disks with the tincture (B. & T.). I directed her to take two disks every hour until relieved, and then less often. If not relieved to take the Cactus.

She returned in a week reporting that she was relieved after the first dose of Cratægus. More, that hurried, flurried feeling had not troubled her this week. Her face has a parchment skin, and the expression of anxiety so significant of heart disease was certainly relieved. I have not seen her since.

In my proving of this drug it produced a flurried feeling due, I thought, to the rapid action of the stimulated heart. One prover, a nervous lady medical student, gives to-day in her report "a feeling of quiet and calmness, mentally." This is a secondary effect, for it was preceded by "an unusual rush of blood to the head with a confused feeling."

"One swallow does not make a summer," neither does one case establish a remedy; but I think that as Cactus has a clearly defined therapeutic range, so it seems that Cratægus may prove a valuable addition to our meagre array of heart remedies.

CUPHEA VISCOSISSIMA.

Nat. Ord., Lythraceæ. Common Names, Clammy cuphea. Tar-weed. Preparation.—The fresh plant is pounded to a pulp and macerated in two parts by weight of alcohol.

(In 1888 Dr. A. A. Roth contributed the following concerning Cuphea vis. to the Homœopathic Recorder):

Two years ago, whilst battling manfully for the life of a child ill to death from cholera infantum, I was persuaded by a lady friend to use red pennyroyal tea, and to my delight I had the pleasure of seeing a marvellous change in less than twenty-four hours. The vomiting ceased promptly and the bowels gradually became normal. Impressed by this fact, and also the fact that it was used very extensively in home treatment by country people, I procured the fresh plant, and prepared a tincture as directed in the American Homœopathic Pharmacopœia under article "Hedeoma." This made a beautiful dark-green tincture, having an aromatic odor and slightly astringent taste. Of this I gave from five to ten drops, according to age, every hour until relieved, and then as often as needed, and found it act promptly and effectively. Feeling loath to add another remedy to our already over-burdened Materia Medica, I deferred any mention of the fact; but now after a fair trial for two seasons I feel justified in believing that the Cuphea viscosissima will prove a treasure in the treatment of cholera infantum. Out of a large number of cases treated I had but three square failures, and they were complicated with marasmus to an alarming extent before I began the Cuphea; one died and two finally recovered. Cuphea does not act with equal promptness in all forms of cholera infantum. Two classes of cases stand out prominently; and first, those arising from acidity of milk or food; vomiting of undigested food or curdled milk, with frequent green, watery, acid stools, varying in number from five to thirty per day; child fretful and feverish; can retain nothing on the stomach; food seems to pass right through the child. I have frequently had the mother say after twenty-four hours' use of Cuphea: "Doctor, the baby is all right," and a very pleasant greeting it is, as we all know. A second class is composed of cases in which the stools are decidedly dysenteric, small, frequent, bloody, with tenesmus and great pain; high fever, restlessness and sleeplessness. In these two classes Cuphea acts promptly and generally permanently. It contains a large percentage of tannic acid, and seems to possess decidedly tonic properties, as children rally rapidly under its use. It utterly failed me in ordinary forms of diarrhœa, especially in diarrhœas from colds, etc.; but in the classes mentioned I have frequently had it produce obstinate constipation after several days' use.

ECHINACEA ANGUSTIFOLIA.

Nat. Ord., Compositæ. Common Name, Pale Purple Cone-flower. Preparation.—The whole plant including the root is pounded to a pulp and macerated in two parts by weight of alcohol.

(This rather famous drug first came to notice as "Meyers' Blood Purifier;" the proprietor did not know the name of the drug used and sent a whole plant to Professors King and Lloyd, of Cincinnati, who identified it as Echinacea angustifolia, commonly known as "cone flower," "black Sampson," "nigger head," etc. If we may believe all that has been printed about it the remedy is a veritable cure-all. The following, however, is a safe guide; it is taken from the paper by Dr. J. Willis Candee in Transactions, 1898, of the Homœopathic Medical Society of the State of New York, and credited by Dr. Candee to Dr. J. C. Fahnstock):

He (Dr. Fahnstock) refers to the clinical application of Echinacea, from personal experience, substantially as follows: Cases of shifting pains in rheumatism, for which Puls. had been unsuccessfully prescribed, rapidly disappeared under Echin. Several cases of acne resembling that caused by Bromide of Potassium, cured. "A great remedy." When boils progress to the stage where they appear about to "point" then stop and do not suppurate, Echinacea is the remedy. "In carbuncles with similar symptoms, a bluish-red color and intense pain, it will in a few hours make your patient grateful to you." It is of great value in very fetid ozæna. Beneficial in some cases of leucorrhœa with discharge bright yellow, as from a suppurating surface. Very serviceable in gangrene, where it may be classed with Rhus and Arsenicum, perhaps ranking between them. Has attributed to it unusually good results in a case of tuberculous disease of hip and in an old, well-dosed case of destructive syphilis of throat. "In suppurative processes Echin. is to be thought of."

In typhoid fever, diphtheria and appendicitis he has failed to substantiate the claims of other admirers of this remedy.

These clinical hints have been given place as naturally following report of the proving and also because of their coming from a closely observant homœopathist. It is unnecessary at this time to review in detail the alleged field of usefulness of Echinacea. All are familiar with the published testimonials and indications, some of which would lead one to think that little else is to be desired with which to combat degenerative processes in mankind.

On the other hand are those, who, having tried the drug without satisfactory results, are willing to cast it aside as worthless. To such it may be well to make these suggestions: 1, to ascertain whether they have used a reliable preparation, and 2, to refrain from hasty judgment until guides for prescribing, more accurate than perchance the label on a bottle, shall have been found and consulted.

My own limited experience would throw no particular light on the subject. It has, however, served to impress me with confidence in the remedy and its future. The gist of trustworthy clinical findings may be stated in two words, antiseptic and alterative.

(From an article by Dr. H. W. Feller, in the Eclectic Medical Journal, we quote the following generalities concerning this remedy):

If any single statement were to be made concerning the virtues of Echinacea it would read something like this: "A corrector of the deprivation of the body fluids;" and even this does not sufficiently cover the ground. Its extraordinary powers—combining essentially that formerly included under the terms antiseptic, antifermentative, and antizymotic—are well shown in its power over changes produced in the fluids of the body, whether from internal causes or from external introductions. The changes may be manifested in a disturbed balance of the fluids resulting in such tissue alterations as are exhibited in boils, carbuncles, abscesses, or cellular glandular inflammations. They may be from the introduction of serpent or insect venom, or they may be due to such fearful poisons as give rise to malignant diphtheria, cerebro-spinal meningitis, or puerperal and other forms of septicæmia. Such changes, whether they be septic or of devitalized morbid accumulations, or alterations in the fluids themselves, appear to have met their Richmond in Echinacea. "Bad blood" so called, asthenia and adynamia, and particularly a tendency to malignancy in acute and sub-acute disorders, seem to be special indicators for the use of Echinacea.

(The North American Journal of Homœopathy, December, 1896, contains a paper on the drug by Dr. Charles F. Otis, from which we quote the following):

I doubt if there are many physicians here assembled, who are general practitioners, who have not, at some period of their professional lives, come in contact with one or both of these diseases either in an epidemic form or isolated cases, and in instances, have met more than their match; have seen their patients with tongue so swollen that it protruded from the mouth; with membrane gradually extending from the throat into the posterior nares, possibly protruding from the nostrils, with the awful odor so characteristic; with a respiratory sound that told you too plainly that membrane was extending into the air passages and that the misery of your patient would soon cease, not because of your ability to afford relief, but because death would close the scene.

I need not complete the picture by mentioning the enormously high temperature, the thread-like pulse, the cessation of the action of the kidneys, the awful agonizing expression of the face, and, perhaps, in your efforts, intubation had been practiced without good results. It is in just this class of cases that Echinacea is king. So reliable has been its action in my hands that I am inclined to give a favorable prognosis, and if I am so fortunate as to be called early the application of the drug in question does not permit of the symptoms just enumerated. The whole case will usually be changed to one of a mild form followed by a quick recovery.

(This from a paper by Dr. W. H. Ramey in Medical Gleaner):

It is a specific, I think, for the condition of the system which sets up the boil habit. I never have found a case so bad, and I've had some very severe ones, that an ounce and a half of Echinacea, taken in ten-drop doses four times a day, would not cure. Try it in your cases of stomatitis with depraved conditions of the system, both internally and locally. It has done me valuable service in cases of old ulcers and unhealthy sores, both as local and internal treatment. Then in your typhoid cases, with the characteristic indication, it is simply a wonderful remedy. I have seen it step in and restore normal conditions when it seemed impossible for remedies to act quick enough to prevent a fatal termination.

(Dr. S. J. Hogan in Chicago Medical Times):

One other thing I would like to tell about it: I had a case I was treating. Among other things, the patient had on the scalp and at the margin of the hair on the back of the head a number of wen-like tumors; since taking Echinacea they have been entirely absorbed.

(Dr. Joseph Adolphus in Medical Gleaner):

I have seen its very beneficial action in two epidemics of smallpox. The remedy did certainly modify the severity of the disease, restrain suppuration, check the severity of the symptoms, and promote convalescence. I knew of several very desperate cases, which I think would have terminated fatally but for the timely use of Echinacea. I frequently saw cases of severe confluent type, wherein the symptoms were of a very serious kind, high fever, delirium; some with coma, abominably offensive odor of body and breath, urine nearly suppressed, eruption confluent, exceedingly abundant pus, steadily improve under Echinacea tea taken internally and used locally over the entire body. One of the very striking effects of the Echinacea was to abate the dreadfully offensive odor of the body and breath and modify the acute severity of the eruption.

(The following proving of Echinacea, conducted by Dr. J. C. Fahnestock, of Piqua, Ohio, was read before the American Institute of Homœopathy, at Atlantic City, 1899):

It becomes my pleasant duty to place before the American Institute of Homœopathy a collection of provings of Echinacea angustifolia.

Four species of this genus are recognized. Two of them, E. Dicksoni and E. dubia, are native in Mexico.

There are two native in this country, E. purpurea, Mœnch. Leaves rough, often serrate; the lowest ovate, five nerved, veiny, long petioled; the other ovate-lanceolate; involucre imbricated in three to five rows; stem smooth, or in one form rough, bristly, as well as the leaves. Prairies and banks, from western Pennsylvania and Virginia to Iowa, and southward; occasionally advancing eastward. July—Rays fifteen to twenty, dull purple (rarely whitish), one to two feet long or more. Root thick, black, very pungent to the taste, used in popular medicine under the name of Black Sampson. Very variable, and probably connects with E. angustifolia, described as follows: Leaves, as well as the slender, simple stem, bristly, hairy, lanceolate and linear lanceolate, attenuate at base, three nerved, entire; involucre less imbricated and heads often smaller; rays twelve to fifteen inches, (2) long, rose color or red. Plains from Illinois and Wisconsin southward—June to August. This is a brief description of the botany of the plant under consideration.

Your chairman, T. L. Hazard, in his usual characteristic manner, went vigorously to work and secured all the provers possible. I was also fortunate enough to secure a number of provers, besides proving and reproving it myself. The results of all these provings were handed over to me to present to you in such form as seemed best.

I must tarry just long enough to preface this collection and tell you that explicit printed directions were sent to all the superintendents of these provings. This being of too great length, I will give you the most important points in these directions, viz.: Let each prover be furnished with a small blank book, in which shall be written date, name, sex, residence, height, weight, temperament, color of eyes, color of hair, complexion; describe former ailments and present physical condition. In concluding give pulse in different positions, respiration, temperature, function of digestion, analysis of excretions, especially the urine; analysis of the blood, family history, habits, idiosyncrasy, etc.

The different colleges and universities were called upon to assist on these provings. The following institutions responded to the call: Cleveland, St. Louis, Minneapolis, the Chicago, Iowa City, and Ann Arbor. None of the eastern institutions responded; don't know whether dead or just hibernating.

I wish to publicly express my thanks to all who have taken part in these provings. I think it but just to state that the University of Michigan furnished the best provings. Thanks also are extended to Boericke & Tafel for remedy furnished in the θ, 3x, 30x, which were also used in the provings. One lady, who commenced the proving and had begun to develop valuable provings, contracted a severe cold and stopped, for which I am very sorry. All the rest of the provers were males; medical students or physicians. Only a very few symptoms were produced by the use of the 30x attenuation, a greater number of provers not recording any at all.

The symptoms here compiled were produced by the 3x attenuation and the tincture, using from one drop to thirty drops at a dose. In proving and then compiling the symptoms produced by this drug, I am fully aware of the many difficulties to be met on every side.

The one great trouble that I find is that those who are unaccustomed to proving do not observe what really is going on while attempting to make a proving, and are not capable of expressing the conditions so produced. I find that there are few who can take drugs and accurately define their effects. In selecting and discriminating the effects of drugs there must exist a mental superiority, and no man had this genius so highly developed as Hahnemann.

After making three different provings upon myself, I have undertaken to select those symptoms which to the best of my ability were found in all of these different provings.

I have taken special care not to omit any symptoms, even though it may have been noticed by but one prover; but in the majority of cases you will notice the symptoms occurred two or more times in different individuals, thus confirming the genuineness of the symptoms.

Not giving you the day-book records of these provers, a few remarks, showing its general action, may not be out of place. As stated before, only two recorded symptoms after the use of the 30x attenuation.

After taking the tincture, there is soon produced a biting, tingling sensation of the tongue, lips and fauces, not very much unlike the sensation produced by Aconite. In these provers there soon followed a sense of fear, with pain about the heart, and accelerated pulse. In a short time there was noticed a dull pain in both temples, a pressing pain; then shooting pains, which followed the fifth pair of nerves.

The next symptom produced was an accumulation of sticky mucus in mouth and fauces. Then a general languor and weakness followed, always worse in the afternoon. All the limbs felt weak and indisposed to make any motion, and this was accompanied by sharp, shooting, shifting pains. In quite a number of cases the appetite was not affected.

Those using sufficient quantity of the tincture had loss of appetite, with belching of tasteless gas, weakness in the stomach, pain in the right hypochondriac region, accompanied with gas in the bowels; griping pains followed by passing offensive flatus, or a loose, yellowish stool, which always produced great exhaustion. After using the drug several days the face becomes pale, the pulse very much lessened in frequency, and a general exhaustion follows like after a severe and long spell of sickness.

The tongue will then indicate slow digestion, accompanied with belching of tasteless gas. In most of the provers, however, there was a passing of very offensive gas and offensive stools.

You will observe that the remedy exerts quite an effect on the kidneys and bladder, but I am very sorry to say that the urinary analysis made did not show anything but the variations generally observed in ordinary health.

I must say that the provers did not go into the details as much as was desirable. Likewise, I may say the same of the blood tests made, but what was given is very valuable.

I could give you an expression of its special action, but will merely give you the symptoms collected and then you can make your own deductions.

Echinacea Angustifolia.

A collection of symptoms from twenty-five different provers, anatomically arranged:

MIND.

3 Dullness in head, with cross, irritable feeling.

2 So nervous could not study.

3 Confused feeling of the brain.

2 Felt depressed and much out of sorts.

3 Felt a mental depression in afternoons.

1 Senses seem to be numbed.

5 Drowsy, could not read, drowsiness.

2 Vertigo when changing position of head.

3 Drowsy condition with yawning.

2 Becomes angry when corrected, does not wish to be contradicted.

SENSORIUM.

5 General depression, with weakness.

8 General dullness and drowsiness.

4 General dullness, unable to apply the mind.

5 Does not wish to think or study.

3 Restless, wakes often in the night.

2 Dull headache, felt as if brain was too large, with every beat of heart.

5 Sleep full of dreams.

INNER HEAD.

5 Dull pain in brain, full feeling.

5 Dull frontal headache, especially over left eye, which was relieved in open air.

2 Severe headache in vertex, better by rest in bed.

5 Dull headache above eyes.

4 Dull throbbing headache, worse through temples.

3 Head feels too large.

1 Dull headache, worse in evening.

2 Dull headache, worse in right temple, with sharp pain.

3 Dull pain in occiput.

3 Dull headache, with dizziness.

OUTER HEAD.

3 Constant dull pressing pain in both temples.

2 Shooting pains through temples.

2 Dull occipital headache.

3 Constant dull pain in temples, better at rest and pressure.

2 Head feels as big as a windmill, with mental depression.

EYES.

2 Eyes ache when reading.

1 Tires me dreadfully to hold a book and read.

1 Eyes pain on looking at an object and will fill with tears, closing them relieves.

1 Sleepy sensation in eyes, but cannot sleep.

1 Pains back of right eye.

1 Sense of heat in eyes when closing them.

2 Dull pain in both eyes.

1 Lachrymation from cold air.

2 Sharp pains in eyes and temples.

EAR.

2 Shooting pain in right ear.

NOSE.

2 Stuffiness of nostrils, with mucus in nares and pharynx.

4 Full feeling in nose as if it would close up.

2 Full feeling of nose, obliged to blow nose, but does not relieve.

2 Nostrils sore.

2 Mucus discharge from right nostril.

2 Rawness of right nostril, sensitive to cold, which cause a flow of mucus.

1 Bleeding from right nostril.

1 Right nostril sore, when picking causes hæmorrhage.

1 Headache over eyes, with sneezing.

FACE.

2 Paleness of face when head aches.

1 Fine eruptions on forehead and cheeks.

2 Vomiting with pale face.

TEETH.

2 Darting pains in the teeth, worse on right side.

3 Neuralgic pains in superior and inferior maxilla.

2 Dull aching of the teeth.

TONGUE.

2 White coating of tongue in the mornings, with white frothy mucus in mouth.

2 Slight burning of tongue.

2 Whitish coat of tongue, with red edges.

MOUTH.

2 Accumulation of sticky, white mucus.

3 Eructation of tasteless gas.

2 Burning of the tongue, with increased saliva.

1 Dry sensation in back part of mouth.

2 Burning peppery taste when taking remedy.

3 Bad taste in the mouth in the morning.

3 A metallic taste.

3 Belching of gas which tastes of the food eaten.

2 Dryness of the mouth.

3 Sour eructation.

1 Sour eructation, which caused burning of throat.

THROAT.

3 Accumulation of mucus in throat.

1 Mucus in throat, with raw sensation.

1 After vomiting of sour mucus, throat burns.

2 Soreness of throat, worse on left side.

DESIRE.

5 Loss of appetite.

2 Desire for cold water.

EATING.

3 Nausea, could not eat.

5 Loss of appetite.

NAUSEA AND VOMITING.

2 Nausea before going to bed, which was always better lying down.

2 After eating stomach and abdomen fill with gas.

3 After eating belching, which tastes of food eaten.

2 Nausea, with eructation of gas.

STOMACH.

1 Stomach distended with gas, not relieved by belching.

4 Belching of tasteless gas.

2 Sense of something large and hard in stomach.

2 Belching of gas and at same time passing flatus.

3 Sour stomach, "heart burn," with belching of gas.

1 Relaxed feeling of the stomach.

1 Pain in stomach, going down through bowels, followed by diarrhœa.

3 Dull pain in stomach.

HYPOCHONDRIA.

5 Pain in right hypochondria.

ABDOMEN.

5 Full feeling in abdomen, with borborygmus.

2 Pain about umbilicus, relieved by bending double.

2 Pain in abdomen, sharp cutting, coming and going suddenly.

1 Pain in left illiac fossa.

URINE.

6 Desire for frequent urination.

4 Urine increased.

1 Involuntary urination "in spite of myself."

2 Sense of heat while passing urine.

3 Urine pale and copious.

1 Urine scanty and dark in color.

2 Pain and burning on urination.

MALE SEX ORGAN.

1 Soreness in perineum.

2 Testicles drawn up and sore.

1 Pain in meatus while urinating.

2 Pain across perineum.

2 Perineum seems stretched.

1 Pain in right spermatic cord.

FEMALE SEX ORGAN.

1 Mucus from vagina in evening.

1 Pain in right illiac region, which seems deep, lasting but a short time.

LARYNX.

2 Irritation of larynx.

1 Voice husky.

COUGH.

2 Constant clearing of mucus from throat.

2 Mucus comes in throat while in bed, must cough to clear throat.

LUNGS.

2 Full feeling in upper part of lungs.

2 Pain in region of diaphragm.

1 Pain in right lung.

HEART AND PULSE.

2 Slight pain over heart.

1 Rapid beating of heart.

4 Heart's action increased.

2 Heart's action decreased.

2 Anxiety about the heart.

CHEST.

2 Pain in pectoral muscles.

1 Sore feeling in the chest.

1 Feels like lump in chest.

2 Feeling of a lump under sternum.

NECK AND BACK.

3 Pain in small of back over kidneys.

6 Dull pain in small of back.

3 Pain in back of neck.

4 Pain in lumbar region, worse from stooping.

UPPER LIMBS.

3 Pain in right thumb.

2 Sharp pain in left elbow.

2 Pain in right shoulder, going down to fingers.

2 Sharp pain in left arm, going down to fingers, with loss of muscular power.

2 Cold hands.

4 Pain in wrists and fingers.

2 Pain in left shoulder, better by rest and warmth.

LOWER LIMBS.

2 Cold feet.

2 Pain back of left knee.

2 Sharp shooting pain in legs.

1 Extremities cold.

3 Left hip and knee pains.

2 Pain in right thigh.

2 Pain in right leg.

LIMBS IN GENERAL.

7 General weakness of limbs.

1 Pain between shoulders, which extend to axilla and down the arms.

POSITION.

Pains and sickness of stomach better by lying down.

NERVES.

7 Exhausted, tired feeling.

5 Muscular weakness.

2 Felt as if I had been sick for a long time.

6 General aching all over, with exhaustion.

SLEEP.

2 General languor, sleepy.

3 Sleep disturbed, wakes often.

5 Sleep full of dreams.

1 Dreams about exciting things all night.

2 Dreams of dead relations.

TIME.

Worse after eating.

Worse in evenings.

Worse after physical or mental labor.

Better at rest.

CHILLS.

1 Chills up the back.

1 Cold flashes all over the back.

2 General chilliness with nausea.

SKIN.

3 Intense itching and burning of skin on neck.

1 Little papules on skin, with redness, feeling like nettles; this occurred on the fifth day of the proving.

1 Skin dry.

2 Small red pimples on neck and face.

BLOOD.

2 After proving found a diminution of red corpuscles.

EPIGEA REPENS.

Nat. Ord., Ericaceæ. Common Names, Trailing Arbutus. Ground Laurel. Gravel Root. Preparation.—The fresh leaves are pounded to a pulp and macerated in two parts by weight of alcohol.

(In the subjoined paper by Dr. E. M. Hale, North American Journal of Homœopathy, 1869, the old doctrine of signatures seems to crop out again.)

The Gravel Root has long had some reputation in urinary difficulties, and even in calculous affections. The common appellation of "Gravel root" shows that the popular belief points in the direction of its use.

I have never tested its virtues but in one instance, and its effects seemed to be so decided and curative that I deem the case worthy of publication.

A young man, aged twenty-three, applied for treatment of a long array of symptoms, some of which seemed to indicate enlargement of the prostate, and others a vesical catarrh.

The quantity of urine was nearly normal.

The quality was decidedly abnormal. It contained a large amount of mucus, the phosphates, some blood, and a little pus. It was dark red, colored blue litmus paper red (showing its acid condition).

The pain was similar to a vesical tenesmus, a pain in the region of the neck of the bladder and prostate gland. Pressure in the perineum was painful.

He had been under the most atrocious allopathic treatment; had been drugged with copaiva, spts. nitric.-dulc., turpentine, tincture muriate of iron, and other diuretics in enormous doses.

I commenced the treatment with Sulphur 30th, three doses a day for a week.

By this time he had eliminated the drug-poisons from his system, and the real symptoms of the malady began to appear uncomplicated. The blood and pus disappeared from the urine, there was less mucus, and the urine was of a lighter color.

A red, sandy sediment, however, remained. This sediment was not "gritty" under the finger, at least no such sensation was perceptible.

Second prescription: Lycopodium 30th and 6th, the former in the morning, the latter in evening, for a week. No improvement except a slight diminution of the sediment.

No medicine was given for four days, at which time there appeared dysuria, pain in the region of the prostate, mucous sediment, and itching at the orifice of the urethra.

While undecided as to the next prescription, I happened to take up a vial of tincture Epigea repens, which I had prepared from the fresh plant, while on a visit to Mackinaw six months before. Knowing the high estimate placed on this plant, by the people, in the treatment of gravel I resolved to test its virtues. Ten drops of the mother tincture were prescribed, to be taken every four hours.

Two days afterwards my patient brought me several small brownish particles, having the appearance of fine sand. When crushed and pressed between the fingers they had a decidedly gritty feel. Under the microscope they had the appearance of rough coarse sand. The discharge of calculi kept up for nearly a week, under the use of the Epigea, and then ceased, and with it all the symptoms of irritation of the bladder.

It is just possible that the discharge of gravel may have been a coincidence. It is equally possible that the Lycopodium acted curatively; but I am inclined to believe their disintegration and expulsion was caused or aided by the use of the last medicine.

Further observations are needed to place the curative powers of this plant on a certain basis.

ERYNGIUM AQUATICUM.

Nat. Ord., Umbeliferæ. Common Names, Button Snakeroot. Water Eryngo. Preparation.—The fresh root is pounded to a pulp and macerated in two parts by weight of alcohol.

(Although a well-known remedy, the following concerning its early history may not be out of place here. It is from Thomas' Additions.)

"For spermatorrhœa properly so called, or emission of semen without erections, there is no remedy which has yet received the sanction of experience."—Repertory.

"We have one, however, to propose for trial—it is the Eryngium aquaticum, which has two remarkable cures, reported by Dr. Parks (Pharmacentist, Cin.), to recommend it.

"Case I.—A married man injured his testicles by jumping upon a horse; this was followed by a discharge of what was considered semen for fifteen years, during which time he was treated allopathically and homœopathically. Dr. Parks exhibited a number of the usual remedies without permanent benefit. He then gave a half-grain dose, three times a day, of the third decimal trituration of the 'Eryngium aquaticum.' In five days the emissions were entirely suppressed, and have not returned to this time (over two years ago). The emissions were without erections day or night, and followed by great lassitude.

"Case II.—A married man, not conscious of having sustained any injury, was troubled for eight or ten years with emissions at night—with erections. The semen also passed by day with the urine. The loss of semen was followed by great lassitude and depression, continuing from twelve to forty-eight hours. There was also partial impotence. Had been treated allopathically. Dr. Parks gave him Phos. acid for two weeks, without material benefit. He then exhibited the Eryngium aquaticum, as above, with the like excellent and prompt result."[I]

I used this remedy with a patient who was quite broken down from spermatorrhœa; the emissions left him, but he suffered from vertigo and dim-sightedness whenever he took a dose of the medicine. He is now well through the use of other medicines. Our English Eryngo—the E. maritimum, is noted as an aphrodisiac, and is very similar in appearance to the Eryngium aquaticum.

FOOTNOTES:

EUPHORBIA COROLLATA.

Nat. Ord., Euphorbiaceæ. Common Names, Milk Weed. Wild Ipecac. Blooming or Flowering Spurge. Preparation.—The fresh root is pounded to a pulp and macerated in two parts by weight of alcohol.

(In North American Journal of Homœopathy, Dr. E. M. Hale has, among other things, the following to say of this drug):

Its action on the system is intense and peculiar. It is called by the country people by the expressive name of Go-quick, referring to its quick and prompt action. I am indebted to Dr. A. R. Brown, of Litchfield, Mich., for many interesting facts relating to its action. It is considered, by those who use it, as the most powerful "revulsive agent" in their Materia Medica, in all cases of local congestion, especially of the lungs and head; also in inflammation of the pleura, lungs, and liver, and is used as a substitute for bleeding and Calomel. Its admirers allege that it will certainly arrest the progress of the above affections in a few hours, and break up all simple fevers. This is of course erroneous, but it reminds one of the Helleborine of the ancients, so graphically described by Hahnemann. In fact no drug with which I am acquainted so much resembles the Veratrum album.

FAGOPYRUM.

Nat. Ord., Polygonaceæ. Common Name, Buckwheat. Preparation.—The fresh mature plant is pounded to a pulp and macerated in two parts by weight of alcohol.

(The following paper was published in the Transactions of the Homœopathic Society of Maine in 1895. It is by Dr. D. C. Perkins, of Rockland, Me.)

There is, perhaps, no well proven remedy in the Materia Medica, of equal value to that of which I present a brief study, that has been so wholly overlooked by the homœopathic profession. There certainly is none which possesses a more marked individuality, and which more fully fills a place by itself. It is safe to say that not one in ten of those who practice the healing art has ever used it or is familiar with its pathogenesis. Having not unfrequently cured cases with it, which had refused to yield to other remedies apparently well indicated, I have come to regard it as among the important drugs in our super-abundant Materia Medica. Its effects upon mental conditions are marked by depression of spirits, irritability, inability to study, or to remember what has been read, bringing to our minds Aconite, Bryonia, Chamomilla, Coffea, Colocynth, Ignatia, Lachesis, Mercury, Nux vomica, Staphisagria, Stramonium, and Veratrum. Its effects upon the head are deep-seated and persistent. There is vertigo, confusion, severe pain in many parts of head, with upward pressure described as of a bursting character. The pain may be in forehead, back of eyes, through temporal region on either side, but always of a pressive or bursting nature. For congestive headaches it is as valuable as Belladonna, Glonoine, Nux vomica, or Sepia.

In and about the eyes there is itching, smarting, swelling, heat and soreness; the itching being especially marked and usually regarded as characteristic. The last named symptom is no less prominent in affections of the ears, as has often been shown in the efficacy of buckwheat flour in frost-bites, or erysipelas of those useful organs, from time immemorial. Here the similarity to Agaricus will readily be recognized. The nose does not escape. It is swollen, red, inflamed and sore. There is at first fluent coryza with sneezing, followed by fulness, dryness and the formation of crusts. Nor is the burning absent which has been elsewhere noted. There is much soreness and somewhat persistent pain from even gentle pressure.

The face is pale or unevenly flushed, with dark semi-circles below the eyes. Later, the face becomes swollen, hot and dry, as though severely sunburnt, and the lips are cracked and sore. The mouth feels dry and hot, and yet saliva is not wanting. There is soreness and swelling of roof of mouth, and the tongue is red and fissured along its edges. The bad taste in the morning reminds us of Pulsatilla.

In the throat, there is soreness with pain just back of the isthmus of the fauces, a feeling of excoriation and soreness extending deep down in the pharynx. The uvula is elongated, the tonsils are swollen and red, there is a sensation of rawness in the throat strikingly reminding us of Phytolacca. Externally, there is scarlet redness of the neck below the mastoid process, throbbing of the carotids, the neck feels tired, the head heavy and the parotid glands are swollen and painful. It is unnecessary to name the remedy having similar symptoms.

While the symptoms produced on the digestive tract are not characterized by that intensity noted elsewhere, they are still valuable. There is persistent morning nausea which should lead us to study this remedy in the vomiting of pregnancy. Contrary to Lycopodium and Nux moschata the appetite is improved by eating. The empty or "all-gone" feeling at the stomach is like that of Sepia.

In the abdomen there is fulness and pain but no rumbling. Discharges of flatus are frequent and annoying. The region of the liver is painful, tender and there is aggravation from pressure, compelling the patient to lie on the left side. The stools are pappy, or watery, profuse, offensive and followed by tenesmus.

On the male genital organs there is profuse perspiration of an offensive odor. The urine is scalding, and pain extends from testicles to abdomen. In females the drug acts with force upon the right ovary, producing pain of a bruised or burning character, noted particularly when walking. There is pruritus with slight yellow leucorrhœa, the discharge being more noticed when at rest than when exercising. So far as known this latter symptom does not occur under the action of any other remedy.

In the chest we find a heavy, pulsating pain extending to all its parts. This is persistent, and is worse from a deep inspiration. Around the heart there are dull pains with oppression and occasional sharp pains passing through the heart. Pressure with the hand increases the oppression. The pulse is increased but is extremely variable. There is reason to believe that Cactus grandiflora, or Spigelia are often given in affections of the heart, where Fagopyrum, if given, would accomplish better results.

On the muscular system the action of the remedy stands out in bold relief. There is stiffness and soreness of all the muscles of the neck, with pain, and a feeling as if the neck would hardly support the head. Pains extend from occiput to back of neck and are relieved by bending the head backward. There are dull pains in small of back, with stitching pains in the region of the kidneys. Pains with occasional sharp stitches extend from the arms to muscles of both sides of chest. Rheumatic pains in the shoulders of a dull aching character. Stinging and burning pains extend the whole length of fingers, aggravated by motion. Streaking pains pass through arms and legs with sharp pains extending to feet. Pains extend from hips to small of back, and these also frequently run down to the feet. In the knees there is dull pain and weakness, while deep in the limbs there is burning and stinging. There is numbness in the limbs, with dragging in the joints, especially right knee, hip and elbow. Stooping to write causes constant severe pain through chest and in region of liver. This group of symptoms gives Fagopyrum a striking individuality and establishes it in an uncontested position among the long list of remedies prescribed for rheumatic complaints.

Scarcely less important are the symptoms of the skin. There is intense itching of the arms and legs, becoming worse toward evening. Blotches like flea-bites appear in many localities, sometimes all over the body, are sore to the touch and are multiplied by scratching. These eruptions are persistent and the itching is intense. Blind boils may be developed and attain a large size. The itching of the face is especially marked about the roots of the whiskers. Itching of the hands which is "deep in" is persistent and annoying, this condition being supposed to be the result of irritation of the coats of the arteries.

The sleepiness is unlike that of Belladonna, Nux vomica, Sepia or Sulphur, occurring early in the evening and characterized by stretching and yawning. It is not profound, and when the mind is diverted the patient gets wide awake, but soon relapses unless conversation is continued. In bed, sleep is disturbed by troublesome dreams and frequent waking. Aggravations occur after retiring, ascending stairs, from deep inspiration, walking in bright sunlight, lying on right side, riding in cars, and when stooping or writing. Ameliorations occur after taking coffee, from cold applications, from motion in cold air, and from sitting still in warm room.

FAGUS SYLVATICUS.

Nat. Ord., Cupuliferæ. Common Name, European Beech. Preparation.—The Beech Nuts are pounded to a pulp and macerated in five parts by weight of alcohol.

(In volume XIII of the American Observer, Dr. E. W. Berridge, contributes the following concerning the action of Fagus sylvaticus or Beech nuts):

Beech Nuts. (From Medical Museum—London, 1781—vol. ii., pp. 97, 294.) From a dissertation on hydrophobia, by Christian Frederick Seleg, M. D., of Enbenstoff, in Saxony, printed in Eslong, in 1762.

A boy aged 13 had eaten four days ago a large quantity of beech nuts. I found him in great pain, languid, and terrified with apprehensions of present death. Pulse very unequal, sometimes extremely quick, sometimes languid and intermittent; skin burning violently; mouth flowing with froth and saliva, intolerable thirst, entreating for drink, but as soon as any liquid was brought he seemed to shudder with equal horror, as if he had been eating unripe grapes. Soon after eating the nuts he had been seized with torpor, gloominess and dread of liquids. He had not been bitten by any rabid animal.

Next (5th) day, early in the morning, he was the same, but seemed to talk more in his wildness and perturbation of mind, and his mouth flowed with foam more abundantly; the urine he had voided by night was red and firey, depositing a copious turbid white sediment, resembling an emulsion of beech nuts, subsiding as deep as the breadth of the finger at the bottom of the vessel. A few hours before he died he vomited a porraceous bile, after which he died quietly.

The author in the original work gives a number of fatal cases of spontaneous hydrophobia. This work should be examined.

John Bauhin (Hist. Plants, vol. i, pp. 2, 121) says that the nuts will disorder the head like darnel; hogs grow stupid and drowsy by feeding on them.

Ray (Hist. of Plants, tom. ii, p. 1382) and Mangetus (Biblioth. Pharm., vol. i, p. 910) says the same.

FRAXINUS EXCELSIOR.

Nat. Ord., Oleaceæ. Common Name, European Ash. Preparation.—The fresh leaves are pounded to a pulp and macerated with two parts by weight of alcohol.

(In the Union Médicale, November, 1852, two French physicians detailed several cases of gout and rheumatism treated with Fraxinus excelsior, or ash leaves, one of Rademacher's favorite remedies. Of the two physicians, one of them, Dr. Peyraud, was himself relieved of the gout by this treatment.)

Ash-leaves were highly recommended by Rademacher, and have been quite extensively used in Germany on his suggestion. In the Union Médicale for Nov. 27, 1852, two French physicians, Drs. Pouget and Peyraud, detailed several cases of gout and rheumatism cured by an infusion of ash-leaves in boiling water. Dr. Peyraud himself was one of those relieved.

"In 1842, Dr. Peyraud had his first attack of gout, which was severe, and lasted for twenty-five days. During the three following years the attacks increased in frequency and severity. Having derived little benefit from the remedial means which he had resorted to, he listened to the suggestion of one of his patients, an inhabitant of the department of Dordogne, in France, who advised him to try an infusion of ash-leaves, informing him, at the same time, that his forefathers had been cured by this prescription, and that many of the country people got rid of 'their pains' by employing it. Dr. Peyraud took the infusion of ash-leaves and from 1845 to 1849 had no fit of gout. He then had an attack, which yielded in five days to the infusion of ash-leaves, used under the observation of Dr. Pouget. These circumstances recalled to the recollection of Dr. Pouget a fact which he might otherwise never again have considered. It was this: that when he was a physician at Soréze, in 1824, the peasants of that place had spoken to him of the great power which an infusion of ash-leaves had in driving away pains. He afterwards discovered that it had been used forty years ago as a gout-specific by the peasants of Auvergne.

"A commercial traveller, who had been gouty for twenty years, and had saturated himself with the syrup of Boubée and other vaunted specifics, consulted Dr. Pouget. At this time he was an almost constant prisoner in his room with successive attacks. After eleven days' use of the infusion, he was able to walk two kilomètres (one and a quarter English miles); in fifteen days he resumed his journeys, and was able to travel without suffering, by diligence, from Bordeaux to Quimper.

"Several other cases are detailed, some of them acute, and others chronic. Articular rheumatism, in numerous instances, was also benefited by the infusion of ash-leaves."

FUCUS VESICULOSIS.

Nat. Ord., Algæ. Common Names, Sea-wrack. Bladder-wrack. Sea-kelp. Preparation.—The fresh alga gathered in May or June are pounded to a pulp and macerated in two parts by weight of alcohol.

(The following letter, by Dr. J. Herbert Knapp to the Homœopathic Recorder, was published in 1896):

After treating many cases of exophthalmic goitre, I have come to the conclusion that I have found a specific for that disease in Fucus vesiculosis (sea-wrack). I might record one case. Mrs. Mary B., æt. 24 years, German, came into my clinic at the Brooklyn E. D. Homœopathic Dispensary to be treated for swelling of the neck of several years' duration. I gave her the tincture of Fucus ves., thirty drops three times a day. The treatment began December 1, 1895, and patient was discharged cured, on October 2, 1896. Would be pleased to hear from any others who have had any experience with Fucus vesiculosis.

(The foregoing brought out this by Dr. R. N. Foster, of Chicago):

It gives me great pleasure to be able to say a word confirmatory of the remarks made in your December issue by J. Herbert Knapp, M. D., respecting the above named drug.

Twenty years ago, while turning over the pages of that very useful book, "The American Eclectic Dispensatory," by John King, M. D., I chanced to notice the following sentences: "Fucus vesiculosis, sea-wrack, or bladder-wrack,... has a peculiar odor, and a nauseous saline taste.... The charcoal of this plant has long had the reputation of a deobstruent, and been given in goitre and scrofulous swelling."

So far as I now remember, this is the only hint I ever received which led me to try the drug in goitre. At the same time, I do not feel sure of this. Perhaps I had met in some medical journal a statement respecting the relation of this drug to goitre, which fact led me to look it up in the "Eclectic Dispensatory." But if so, I cannot recall the authority. At all events, I was led to try the remedy in a pronounced case of goitre, with such good results that I have never since given any other remedy for that disease, either in the exophthalmic or in the uncomplicated form. And what is more, I have never known it to fail to cure when the patient was under thirty years of age. After that time of life, or about that period, it seems to be no longer efficacious.

I have now used it on more than twenty-four cases, with the same unvarying result, and never with any other result—that is, no unpleasant consequences have ever accompanied or followed its use.

I published this fact in the Medical Investigator after I had used it in a few cases, and again announced it in the Chicago Homœopathic Medical Society still later; and again have frequently repeated it with growing confidence and of greater numbers of cases in medical societies, in colleges, and in private conversation with physicians.

And yet the fact is so utterly unknown that your journal publishes Dr. Knapp's inquiry respecting it, which shows how easily a good thing may be forgotten, and how readily a genuine specific may be superseded by a host of abortive procedures right under the eyes of the profession. It is most probable that more real good things have been forgotten or cast aside in medicine than it now, or at any one time, possesses.

Respecting this Fucus vesiculosis and its use in goitre, I would like to add a few words. The drug is of variable quality. If one specimen fails to give satisfaction it ought to be discarded and another tried. The pharmacist must be importuned to make special efforts to give us an article that is not inert, but contains all the activity that belongs to the drug.

Time is required for effecting a cure. This varies according to the age and size of the goitre. Three months may suffice for a small goitre of one year's growth. Six months may be required for one twice as large and of longer standing. A year and a half is the longest period during which I have had to continue the medicine. But during all that time the goitre was manifestly diminishing.

The dose is a teaspoonful of the tincture twice or three times daily, in a well-developed case. Half a teaspoonful twice a day will answer in recent cases.

Smaller doses seem not to produce any effect.

The medicine is very unpleasant to the taste, but causes no disturbance after it has been taken. It ought to be taken, each dose in about two ounces of water, and preferably between meals.

GAULTHERIA.

Nat. Ord., Ericaceæ. Common Name, Wintergreen. Preparation.—The distilled oil from the leaves of Gaultheria procumbens is used and dispensed in one or two drop tablets.

(These two papers were contributed to the Homœopathic Recorder, 1894, by Dr. Benj. F. Lang, York, Nebraska, on the action of Gaultheria.)

My attention was first called to its use about ten years ago in southern Ohio, where I received most pleasing results in the treatment of inflammatory rheumatism. Afterwards to a somewhat more disagreeable class of complaints in form of neuralgia. While I am not a champion of any specific, I want to say that this drug has given me the quickest and most satisfactory results of any remedy in the Materia Medica. If there is anything that a man wants relief from quick and "now," it is from these excruciating pains. Often was I called to treat some obstinate cases of ciliary neuralgia, or facial, or in fact nearly every form of neuralgia, and found my skill taxed to its utmost to bring out the balm. Did I find it in the homœopathic indicated remedy? I trust so, but not in any Materia Medica. I don't say but what I got some results from them, but I found it in this a "helper;" it came to my relief immediately and to the great comfort of the patient. In severest cases of neuralgias of the head and face it would do its work quick and well. Equally well has it served me in very severe cases of neuralgia of stomach and bowels, while for the past few years it has done faithful work in ovarian and uterine neuralgias following or preceding difficult menstruation. I have many a dear friend to-day whose relief from suffering was found in this remedy.

I am satisfied that it should be given a prominent place in our Materia Medica. Lest this article should become tedious, I will cite a few cases.

Mr. A., travelling man from Chicago, a few years ago called on me for temporary relief of a severe case of ciliary neuralgia; said he had suffered for many years with it, every spring especially, and that he had consulted great numbers of physicians of Chicago, Milwaukee and Cincinnati, and, as he said, "had taken bushels of drugs, both old and new school," with only temporary relief. So he expected nothing more, as he was told he must wear it out. I told him I thought I could give him relief. I furnished him one-half ounce of Gaultheria, with directions to take; did not see him again for two years, when he came into my office one day and greeted me by saying I was the only man that could ever give him any permanent relief from his sufferings; that he never had any return after first day taking medicine, and unlike most patrons wanted to make me a present of a $5 (five dollar bill), which of course no doctor refuses. I cite this first, as it was of long standing and had tested the ability of a number of prominent men.

Miss B., dressmaker, came to me suffering terribly with facial neuralgia and greeted me similar to No. 1; that she expected nothing but temporary relief, as she had been afflicted for a long time. Gave her two (2) drachms of oil W.; told her to take one dose immediately and another in two hours if the pain did not quiet down. She was careful to ask if it was an opiate, as she objected to that. I assured her it was not; saw her next day, said that pain disappeared and had not returned. I was acquainted with the lady for three and one-half years, and she only had one return of the disease, which the same remedy relieved immediately. Many cases more could I cite in which it never has failed me.

Mrs. G., No. 3. I was called to relieve a severe case of neuralgia of stomach and bowels this last summer, who had been under the care of two of my worthy competitors. They had exhausted their pill case, and for about three weeks the poor woman had suffered everything but death itself. After diagnosing the case I put her on this remedy, and in two hours she was relieved and after two days was able to be about, and was cured shortly by no other remedy than it. I want to say you will find a true friend in this remedy in all forms of neuralgia, and only give a few suggestions now; but if it should be necessary could give scores to prove its value.

I mentioned in the beginning that it had been of great value in inflammatory rheumatism. So it has, and will give later many cases of immediate and permanent relief if it would be of any value to the profession. A word as to the best way of giving the drug. I have found that the dose should never be less than five drops, and if pain is severe fifteen drops repeated in half hour; afterward two hours apart. For adult it may be necessary to give twenty drops at first. It always should be dropped on sugar and taken.

One suggestion: I would like to have it put in a tablet of about two to five drops pure oil, as I think it could be taken more satisfactorily. While the crude oil is very pleasant to take at first, yet, on account of its strong odor, will nauseate after awhile if not removed from room. I am confident that if you make this into a tablet and place it among your remedies you would have a weapon that you could place into the hands of doctors of untold value in these troubles.

(The latter part of the foregoing communication was addressed to Messrs. Boericke & Tafel, homœopathic pharmacists. This was followed by a second communication reading as follows):

Since the few lines written for the last issue of Recorder on Gaultheria in treatment of neuralgia, I have been asked to write my experience with it in inflammatory rheumatism.

It has never failed me in this terrible disease to give relief. My experience with it dates back to the fall of 1884, in Ross county, Ohio, where I was called to treat a very stubborn case, then under the treatment of one of my old school friends. The patient, a lady about fifty years old, had suffered with two previous attacks, lasting about three months each time. At the time I was called to treat her she had been confined to bed about four weeks. She was suffering intensely, the joints of upper and lower limbs being swollen and extremely tender; in fact, so sensitive that one could scarcely walk about the bed without causing great suffering; temperature, 103; pulse weak and intermittent. At my first visit, 2:30 p.m., I ordered all of the joints to be wrapped with cotton, to exclude all air. I then gave her Bry. On my return, next day, I did not find much improvement, excepting the nausea, which was due to heroic drugging she had been subjected to. Continued Bry. The next day the appetite some better, but joints still very tender; temperature and pulse about the same; some difficulty in respiration. I then resolved to try Gaultheria. I left one drachm vial of the remedy and ordered the same to be divided into two equal doses, one-half at one o'clock p.m., the balance at five o'clock p.m.

At about 7:30 of the same evening a messenger came into town in great haste, saying my patient was failing very fast, and requested me to come out as soon as possible. On my arrival at the home I found the patient sitting by the fire. The husband informed me that he thought she was losing her mind. I asked her why she was out of bed; she said she saw no reason for staying in bed after a patient was well, and further said that about one hour after taking the first dose she began to move easily, and after taking second dose all of the soreness and swelling left the joints. She also said she was all right; that we need not feel alarmed about her. I made only one visit after; continued the same remedy; there were no relapses.

No. 2. A prominent woman in Nebraska had been under treatment for ten days with free old-line medication, Dover's powders and Morphia as palliatives. Husband consulted me to know whether anything could be given to relieve her suffering. I called and found her with temperature 102, pulse 105, left (hand) fingers and elbow joints swollen, very sensitive to touch or movement. I at once assured her that I thought she would get relief without any more Morphia. Gave her one-half drachm Gaultheria and requested her to take twenty drops in two hours if pain and soreness was not relieved. This was about 4 p.m. I met her husband next morning on street on my way to visit her again and he said "that he hardly thought it necessary, as his wife was relieved in about one hour after taking first dose and felt no pain after second, and that she was up dressing her hair when he left home." She had a slight return on account of overwork, but remedy always gave relief and made firm patrons of one of our best families for me. I always advise patients to wrap the joints with cotton to exclude air and advise them to keep quiet.

No. 3. Young man, twenty-eight; had two attacks before, one lasting three months, the second ten weeks. This was the worst case that I have ever treated. As the heart was very weak, pulse intermittent, I put him on the remedy, Gaultheria, with almost immediate relief, but second day there was relapse, which again responded immediately to treatment by same remedy; with this, or in connection with this remedy, I used some Bry. 3 and Rhus tox. 3. I dismissed him in ten days, more than pleased, as we were always able to control the pain immediately without any other remedy than Gaultheria.

I cite these cases among the many that I have had, and have never failed to get good results in any; will say that I give any other remedy after soreness and swelling are removed that may be indicated, always taking the necessary precaution to exclude all air from parts affected and to keep them warm. About three hours apart is as often as I give remedy, and always careful to give it on sugar and remove it from room, with spoon used.

No. 4. Since my article on neuralgia I had a quite severe case of sciatica that had taxed the skill of one of my worthy competitors for nearly two months without any good results; he was about to go to Hot Springs for some relief. Meeting me on the street, wanted to know if I thought any of my "little pills or drops would give any relief." I assured him that I was quite positive that I could. He could hardly move about, and suffered very much if he did; he came and got a prescription and found relief to his great astonishment almost immediately; has had it refilled twice and has worked every day; he takes the remedy morning and night; there is no pain or soreness, nor has there been any after first day, only if he sneezes or gets the leg cramped there seems to be slight contraction of nerve, but the remedy has done most satisfactory work in this case and gained a valuable family.

I hope these few cases may be of some benefit to the readers of the Recorder: 1. Be careful to observe the rule that if remedy should nauseate cease giving for twelve or twenty-four hours. 2. Always give on sugar or in tablets. 3. Remove it immediately from room after administering. 4. Cover joints to exclude air and keep them warm. 5. Give any other indicated remedy.

HELODERMA HORRIDUS.

Preparation.—The virus, obtained by irritating the animal and allowing it to bite on glass, is triturated in the usual way.

(Dr. T. L. Bradford furnishes us with the following classification of this reptile):

The heloderma is classed as follows: Order: Saurii. Lacertilia. Lizards. Sub order: 5. Fissilinguia. Family: Lacratidæ. Heloderma horridum of Mexico; the crust lizard; the Mexican Caltetopen. Called heloderma from its skin being studded with nail or tubercle-like heads. The Gila monster is a native of Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. It is smaller than the Mexican variety, and is called, by Cope, Heloderma Suspectum. It is the only lizard whose character is not above reproach, hence the name. Zoology says: An esquamate-tongued lizard with clavicles not dilated proximally, a postorbital arch, no postfront-osquamosal arch, the pre and post frontals in contact, separating the frontal from the orbit, and furrowed teeth receiving the different ducts of highly developed salivary glands.

(There has been considerable difference of opinion as to whether the Heloderma is poisonous or not; but the following abstract from a paper on the subject read before the College of Physicians, Philadelphia, 1883, by S. Wier Mitchell, together with the provings made later, ought to very effectually settle all dispute on this point; the conclusions are the result of experiments on animals):

The poison of heloderma causes no local injury. It arrests the heart in diastole, the organ afterwards contracts slowly—possibly in rapid rigor mortis.

The cardiac muscle loses its irritability to stimuli at the time it ceases to beat. The other muscles and nerves respond to irritants.

The spinal cord has its power annihilated abruptly, and refuses to respond to the most powerful electrical currents.

This virulent heart poison contrasts strongly with serpent venom, since they give rise to local hæmorrhages, causing death chiefly through failure of respiration and not by the heart unless given in overwhelming doses. They lower muscle and nerve reactions, especially those of the respiratory apparatus, but do not cause extreme and abrupt loss of spinal power. They also produce secondary pathological appearances absent in heloderma poisoning.

The briefest examination of the lizard's anatomy makes it clear why it has been with reason suspected to be poisonous, and why it poisons with so much difficulty. Unless the teeth are entire, the poison abundant, and the teeth buried in the bitten flesh so as to force it down into contact with the ducts where they open at the crown of the teeth, it is hard to see how even a drop of poison could be forced into the wounds. Yet it is certain that small animals may die from the bite, and this may be due to the extraordinary activity of the poison, and to the lizard's habit of holding tenaciously to what it bites, so as to allow time for a certain amount of absorption.

(The provings and the clinical cases that follow were from the virus of the Gila monster obtained by Dr. Charles D. Belden, of Phœnix, Arizona, in 1890, who suggested it as a possible remedy for paralysis agitans and locomotor ataxia. He obtained the virus from a captive monster by irritating it and then letting it strike, or bite, a piece of heavy glass; by this means he obtained a few drops of a pasty yellowish fluid. In his letters Dr. Belden quotes Sir John Lubbock as follows):

This animal does not bite frequently, but when it does it is understood that the result is a benumbing paralysis like to paralysis agitans or to locomotor attaxia. There is no tetanic phase, being, as I apprehend, a condition almost reverse in objective symptoms to hydrocyanic acid or strychnia.

(Dr. Belden also writes):

It seems to me that it (the poison) differs in so many points from all present known venoms that it is worth our having. In the first place it is alkaline, and all other poisons of reptiles are acid. Second, its effect is not always sudden but is lasting—causing sickness for months and death even after a year. Again, although it does not produce paralysis it is not the tonic spasm, but rather the slow creeping death from extremities. It does not seem to excite but to depress.

(A supply of this poison was sent to Dr. Robert Boocock at his request for proving, and he made three different trials of it, the results of which were published in the Homœopathic Recorder for March and April, 1893; but as Dr. James E. Lilienthal has arranged the matter in schema form we will here only give fragmentary quotations from Dr. Boocock's papers, which are quite long, covering nearly thirty pages. The following is from Dr. Boocock's paper):

I am in my sixtieth year, sanguine, bilious temperament, fair complexion and weigh 160 pounds; height, 5 feet 6 inches. My normal pulse rate is 72, full, round and regular. I am in very good health. I do not drink alcoholic beverages of any kind, neither do I smoke nor drink strong coffee, or tea, or cocoa. My usual and favorite beverage is hot water with a little milk and sugar in it. If much sugar or salt is used my stomach gets very sour, and water-brash is the result. I therefore use very little of either, though I am very fond of sweetmeats.

When I received the first bottle of Heloderma horridus, I took a one drachm vial and filled it with the 6x trit., and dissolved it in four ounces of diluted alcohol, of which I took a few drops, dried my fingers on my tongue, and a severe feeling of internal coldness, so intense as to cause me to fear being frozen to death, ensued. I had some twitches about my heart, as if the blood was hard to get in or out. I was somewhat alarmed, but as I had no trembling I sat over the register and tried to get warm. The day was a very cold one, but my office was comfortably warm, and I had no consciousness of having taken cold.

I was not surprised at feeling this so soon after taking the few drops, for I know that I am very sensitive to any medicine and have a bad habit of tasting medicine, but never without being conscious of its effects, sometimes very unpleasantly so.

Now, to-day is warm and damp, thunderstorm this morning, although it is December 9th. The storm lasted three or more hours; lightning very vivid. I had already taken one drop of the 30th, with a very severe nervous headache, but I forgot that when I took the medicine. I have medicated 2 oz. No. 35 globules with 30th dilution, and having taken six globules as a dose before they were dry.

A feeling of heat in head and face, some headache over the right eyebrow. Cold feeling in my legs; after two hours a numb feeling around and down my left thigh; feeling very drowsy, so took a short nap in my chair. Was awakened suddenly with a jerking in my head. Central part of frontal bone so queer as to awaken me.

When my office bell rang it threw me into a startled and trembling condition, something new to me. At 5:30 took four globules more.

8 p.m. The pressure at my heart and in my head and scalp is very great. A feeling of great heat and some pressure. Not so much burning in my face, but a feeling on my left cheek as if being pricked with points of ice. A very severe and tired feeling, with coldness of legs and feet. A slight dryness of my lips, with a tingling feeling and great dryness in my throat. Gurgling in the region of the spleen.

9:30 p.m. The pressure and heat on the top of my head appears like an inflammation of the meninges. It does not affect my mind; that remains clear, and I can think and read as well and as long as ever. No more medicine. * * *

December 29, 1892. No medicine. Some trembling, but not so great or so extensive; it does not now extend along the whole limb. Parts of right arm and left thigh hemiplegial; no acute feeling. But some muscles will twitch and tremble for a few seconds. Just enough to arrest my attention and amuse me, and feel like saying, "Hello, Heloderma hor! have you not done with me yet?" For it is a great surprise to me how these feelings will come on and creep over me. And I am inclined to ask myself, can it be that all these strange and to me new feelings can be the effects following the taking of these few doses? And yet, if it were necessary, I could swear they were. I have my fears if I will ever be free from these nervous trembling spells, and the feeling in my head and heart.