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North  American 
Journal  of  *  ^ 
HomcBopathy 


January,  1917 

65th  Year 

No.  1 


DIAGNOSIS  OF  BILIARY  DISBASEi 

Critchlow 


APPENDICITIS: 


Spencer  Carletoh 


CURE  OF  DISEASES  WITH  MAT- 
ERIAL DOSES  OF  THE  HOMOEO- 
PATHIC REMEDY:         A.  R.  McMichael 


PvblMMd  BMrntUy  at 

Tockafaoe,  N.  Y. 

EditotMOtBc*: 

216  West  56th  Street 
New  Yoric 


Thre*  Dollars 
■  yftar. 

'  Kotarwd  at  th«  PoM 
Office  •tXackaho*, 
N.  ¥.  ■•  ••cood 


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Gcs"©^^- 


.  V  ..-Le^M 


North  American  Jounul  of  l^omceopttthy 
CONTENTS  FOR  JANUARY.   1917 
EDITORIAL 

Homoeopathy — Qualified  and  Unqualified. -^^ - 1 

The  Pas«ng  Shdw - ^ ,  2 

A  Clinical  Tsrpc  of  Tuberculosis  not  Generally  Recognized .«       4 

Calendula  Discoyei^d - - - - 7 


Cardiac  DiUitation  Lastingly  Benefitted  by  the  High-frequency 

Current , „ .^ - ^-. -^       7 

Neither  Esthetic  nor  Healthy-,. >.«« - ^^-„       8 

.  First  Elxamination  of  the  National  Board  of  Medical  Examiners 8 

Continued  on  page  ii 


IN  PLACE  OF  OTHEB  ALKALIES  X7SE 

Phillips'  Milk  of  Magnesia 

"THE    PERFECT    ANTACID" 

For'G>nect2n{f  Hyperacid  Conditions— Local  or  Systemic^  Vehicle.  "1 
for  Salicylates*  lodideir  Balsams,  Etc 

Of  AdTantage  in  Neutralizing;  the  Acid  of  Cows'  Milk 
FOR  INFANT  and  INVALID  FEEDING. 


Phillips*  Phospho-Muf late  of  Quinine 

Oomp. 
Noii*AlcohoUc  Tonic  and  Beconstructive 

With  Ma^ed  Beneficial  Action  Ujpon  the  Nervous  System.    To  he 
Relied  Upon  Where  a  Deficiency  of  the  Phosphates  is  Evident. 


M«w  YORK      THE  CHAS.  H.  PHttXl^  CHEMICAL  COBSPANY  London 


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North     American 

Journal  of  Homoeopathy 


EDITORIAL 


HOMGEOPATHY-OUALIFIED    AND   UNQUALIFIED 

Tk^UCH  writing  fluid  and  printer's  ink  and  many  reams  of  good 
-*'^'"-  white  paper  have  been  consumed  in  the  endeavor  to  state  "what 
is  homoeopathy?"  It  is  not  the  purpose  at  this  time  to  prolong  the  dis- 
cussion but  to  deprecate  the  complication  of  the  situation  by  the  use 
of  qualifying  terms  of  very  questionable  value.  If  we  find  it  difficult  to 
give  in  terms  accurate  and  understandable  a  definition  of  homoeopathy, 
how  are  we  going  to  define  "mongrel  homoeopathy,"  "pseudo-homoeo- 
pathy," and  **real  homoeopathy  ?" 

Against  the  use  of  such  qualifying  terms  lies  the  strong  objection 
that  it  gets  nowhere,  that  it  is  essentially  destructive  and  not  construc- 
tive. To  designate  a  professional  brother  as  a  "mongrel"  neither  encour- 
ages nor  points  the  way  to  improvement,  while  branding  ourselves  and 
those  of  like  mind  as  "real"  homoeopaths  is  certainly  an  assumption  of 
that  "holier-than-thou"  attitude  which  gets  nowhere  in  any  sphere  of  life. 

The  North  American  Journal  of  Homceopathy  has  set  before  it- 
self a  standard  of  constructive  helpfulness.  It  seeks  to  aid  all  its  read- 
ers in  the  application  of  remedies  homoeopathically  for  the  relief  and 
cure  of  disease.  While  it  has  a  mission  among  those  brought  up  in  tho 
fold  of  homoeopathy,  it  feels  that  the  greatest  field  for  its  endeavors  is 
to  encourage  those  who  know  little  or  nothing  about  homoeopathy  to  test 
its  practical  value. 

One  of  the  stumbling  blocks  to  the  inquirer  into  homoeopathy  is 
the  potency  question.  Accustomed  to  use  material  doses  of  drugs,  even 
the  so-called  low  potencies  seem  to  contain  an  insufficient  quantity  of 
drug  to  produce  any  effect  on  the  human  organism,  while  the  higher  and 
still  hic^ier  potencies  seem  like  so  much  moonshine.  In  this  issue  are 
printed  a  series  of  papers  presented  to  the  International  Hahnemannian 
Afleooittdoii  which  claim  results  which  it  is  not  fair,  it  is  not  scientific, 


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2  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  H0M(EOPATHY 

to  dismiss  with  a  supercilious  raising  of  the  eyebrow;  there  are  two  justi- 
fiable courses  open  to  the  reader:  he  can  test  the  use  of  these  high  po- 
tencies by  intelligent  application  of  them  in  his  practice  or  he  can  show 
that  he  gets  just  as  good  or  even  better  results  from  lower  potencies. 
Herein  lies  one  great  value  of  Dr.  A.  E.  McMichael's  article  dealing 
with  **The  Cure  of  Diseases  with  Material  Doses  of  the  Homoeopathic 
Remedy."  This  report  would  make  a  good  campaign  document  for 
propaganda  among  members  of  the  dominant  school  who  have  not  yet 
advanced  sufficiently  far  from  materialism  to  be  able  to  accept  even 
'^ow"  potencies  as  having  potential  value.  It  emphasizes  the  important 
point  that  the  application  of  the  rule  of  symptom-similarity  is  the  cor- 
ner stone  of  homoeopathy. 

Just  as  the  doctor  is  bom  and  not  made,  so  among  physicians  there 
are  specific  aptitudes  which  determine  the  conduct  of  medical  practice. 
Some  are  bom  surgeons,  some  find  the  natural  expression  of  their  pro- 
fessional abilities  in  diagnosis,  to  others  the  microscope  and  the  labora- 
tory make  a  compelling  api>eal,  a  few  are  bom-prescribers.  To  these 
latter  the  use  of  a  repertory  is  as  natural  and  easy  as  it  is  difficult  for 
other  types  of  mind,  and  this  other  type  is  probably  in  the  majority  at 
the  present  time.  To  such.  Dr.  McMichael's  '^Epitome  of  Oomparisons 
in  Homoeopathic  Materia  Medica  and  Therapeutics,"  to  appear  in  the 
journal  month  by  month,  will  prove  exceedingly  useful  The  drugs  most 
commonly  called  for  in  the  treatment  of  an  ailment  are  clearly  dif- 
ferentiated. 

Entering  its  sixty-fifth  year  of  its  publication,  the  North  American 
Journal  op  Homceopathy  asks  the  support  of  old  friends  and  new  in  the 
homoeopathic  profession  as  the  oldest  and  only  independent  national 
monthly. 


THE  PASSING  SHOW 

■j^  VERYBODY  seeks  the  metropolis.  So  the  allusion  will  be  clear 
•■"^  when  the  ideas  of  "Passing  Show"  and  *Tollies"  are  associated. 
IFuman  nature  seems  to  change  little.  As  at  Mars  Hill  in  Athens,  so 
here  and  to-day,  we  are  like  children  continually  seeking  some  new 
thing.  Shouts  acclaim  the  finding  of  the  new  toy  or  pastime,  but  cap- 
rice rejects  it  in  time.    The  faithful  ones  who  test  all  things,  retaining 


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EDITORUL  DEPARTMENT  3 

only  that  which  is  good,  have  even  been  called  unprogreesive  old  fogies, 
and  probably  will  have  to  be  so  characterized  for  all  time.  The  heart 
of  man  knows  that  in  such  reservation  of  judgment  until  we  know — ^i.e. 
•conservatism — ^lies  all  the  real  power  of  men  and  nations.  To  cast  off 
all  restraint  and  whoop  is  great  fun.  We  all  like  it.  But  lest  we  all  be 
ashamed  later — ^let's  not  shout  until  we  are  sure. 

Medicine,  though  supposedly  not  in  its  infancy,  has  its  childish 
amusements,  toys,  fads  and  particularly  its  diseases:  One  not  half 
recovered  from  before  another  sets  in.  Who  can  count  the  causes  and 
panaceas  for  cancer  set  forth  in  the  last  decade  I  We  still  toss  in  the 
fever  of  twilight  sleep.  Friedman's  turtle  serum  is  forgotten  though 
it  was  only  yesterday  we  wrangled  and  grew  hot  over  it.  Poliomyelitis 
has  just  left  us  with  its  host  of  pathetic  victims.  It  went  as  it  cam^ 
naturally.  High  authorities  argued  that  climate  mattered  and  altered 
not.  Mind  of  man  likes  to  argue  apparently.  But  both  idea  and  dis- 
ease were  fostered  at  last  But  oh,  the  wondrous  theories  and  preventa- 
tives proposed!  And  oh,  the  shouts  of  acclaim  accompanying  them! 
Truly  a  passing  show  of  follies! 

It  is  not  pleasant,  but  it  is  well  to  be  reminded  of  all  this,  for  to- 
morrow, in  a  new  fad,  we  shall  most  of  us  have  forgotten.  Fortunately 
for  the  race,  the  fads  soon  revealed  their  uselessness.  Meanwhile 
homoBopathists  working  strictly  symptomatically,  were  curing  their 
cases,  while  those  applying  homceopathy  less  strictly  showed  far  better 
statistics  than  fad  methods.  Sad  commentary,  however,  that  some  men 
of  r^ute,  enlisted  in  homceopathic  ranks,  in  the  desire  to  have  their 
shouts  heard,  rushed  into  print  with  proposals  of  which  they  and  we  are 
now  ashamed.  Let's  not  shout  till  we  are  sure.  There's  no  ill,  however^ 
without  some  compensating  good.  Apparently  this  epidemic  has  awak- 
ened a  popular  distrust  of  medical  faddism — and  shouting.  If  it  will 
only  last  and  if  the  people  will  only  stop  to  inquire  and  think  about  mat- 
ters medical  no  greater  blessing  can  befall  the  race  and  the  profiBSsion. 

The  fad  of  to-morrow  apparently  is  going  to  be  blood  pressure.  The 
murmurs  of  it  are  already  audible  and  we  may  soon  expect  shouts  in 
announcement  of  new  and  marvellous  discoveries.  Not  purposing  to 
be  guilty  of  the  follies  condemned,  assertion  or  disssertation  shall  not 
have  indulgence.  We  have  a  relatively  new  instrument  in  the  sphyg- 
momanometer. Observations  with  it  are  far  more  precise  than  those 
formerly  made  with  the  forefinger.  The  thermometer,  similarly,  has 
revealed  much  respecting  body  temperatures;  and  yet  temperature,  al- 


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4  MORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

though  the  crux  of  changes  in  the  world  of  physics,  has  not  proven  as 
predicted  the  essence  of  things  medical.  It  is  a  phenomenon,  possibly 
a  factor,  to  be  brought  into  tune.  There  are  those  who  will  dissent,  of 
course;  these  we  have  always  with  us.  Nevertheless  we  hear  far  less 
about  aconite,  antipyrin  or  typhoid  baths  to  reduce  temperature  than 
we  did  when  so  recently  that  was  the  fad  of  the  day. 

If  we  have  found  the  curative  medicament  it  is  often  astonishing, 
even  to  those  of  us  accustomed  to  it,  to  see  how  rapidly  temperatures 
become  normal.  In  these  cases  the  temperature  per  se  receives  no  at- 
tention in  the  selection  of  the  remedy.  And  this,  we  venture  to  believe, 
will  remain  the  case  just  the  same  after  we  know  all  about  temperature 
and  its  relations  to  the  other  factors  and  phenomena.  Does  it  not  seem 
likely  then  that  a  similar  result  may  obtain  for  blood  pressure?  This 
would  seem  to  be  also  a  compensating  phenomenon  or  factor. 

But  without  assuring  even  that  little,  we  have  agencies  which  will 
reduce  high  blood  pressure,  such  as  auto-condensation.  Careful  observ- 
ers already  have  noted,  however,  that  the  patient  and  his  disease  are  not 
benefitted  long  or  really  thereby.  The  underlying  condition,  be  it 
nephritis  or  what  not,  proceeds  just  the  same  or  even  worse.  Have  we 
palliated  the  result,  not  the  cause?  Have  we  upset  the  compensation^ 
It  is  too  early  to  say  yet.    Let's  not  shout  until  we  are  sure. 

Nevertheless  here  again  under  the  curative  remedy,  which 
homoeopathy  teaches  us  how  to  find  without  undue  difficulty  or  infre- 
quenqy — ^the  remedy  indicated  by  and  given  for  the  patients  whole  dis- 
eased condition,  not  for  altered  blood  pressure  or  any  other  isolated 
symptom — ^under  such  a  remedy  it  is  gratifying,  nay  rather  it  is  inspir- 
ing, to  see  the  prompt  and  beautiful  way  in  which  the  blood  pressure 
responds  and  seeks  its  normal.  Here  we  are  sure  and  so  may  shout  long 
and  loud. 

Spencer  Carleton 


A  CLINICAL  TY^E  OF  TUBERCULOSIS  NOT 
GENERALLY  RECOGNIZED 

'T^HE  reaction  of  an  organism  against  invasion  by  the  tubercle  bacil- 
-*"  lus  is  of  varying  degrees.  If  the  reaction  be  rapid  and  violent, 
marked  oymptoms  are  made  manifest  such  as, — ^fever,  chills,  sweats^ 
loss  in  weight,  cough,  usually  with  more  or  less  expectoration,  pain, 
etc.    In  some  organisms,  tubercle  bacilli  multiply  very  slowly,  often  tak- 


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EDITORUL  DEPARTMENT  5 

ing  years  to  establisli  themselyee  advantageously.  The  individual  whose 
organism  thus  combats  the  tubercle  bacillus>  expresses  his  reaction  as  a 
mild  toxemia  of  a  varied  symptomatology  which  includes  evidences  of 
physical  and  nervoys  exhaustion  which  may  extend  over  years.  He  ex- 
hibits no  localized  focal  evidence  of  tuberculosis  unless  a  specific  test  be 
resorted  to,  yet  a  specific  test  skilfully  made,  proves  that  he  is  infected 
with  the  tubercle  bacillus. 

Autopsies  reveal  a  high  percentage  of  concealed  active  tuberculosis 
as  a  common  pathological  state  manifested  in  the  mediastinal  or  post- 
peritoneal  lymph  glands,  lungs,  pleura,  peritoneum,  pericardium,  men- 
inges, other  membrances  and  other  areas  which  manifest  no  local  ob- 
jective signs,  or  as  are  healed  tubercular  lesions  in  cadavers  exhibiting 
other  pathological  lesions  which  were  responsible  for  the  death  of  the 
organism. 

The  following  case  of  concealed  tuberculosis,  cited  by  Dr.  G.  D. 
Head,  of  Minneapolis,  is  of  interest :  As  illustrating  in  detail  the  main 
points  to  which  reference  has  been  made. 

Female  aged  23  years,  living  at  home.  Symptoms, — ^backache, 
insomnia,  spells  of  depression,  attacks  of  indigestion.  History, — 
Family,  negative;  never  strong  as  a  child;  a  playmate  of  child-hood 
died  of  tul^rculosis  of  the  lungs;  illnesses  of  various  sorts,  extend- 
ing over  a  considerable  period  of  time;  curvature  of  the  spine  at 
five;  chorea  at  ten;  dysmenorrhea  at  fifteen  associated  with  fainting 
spc^  and  exhaustion ;  various  abdominal  operations ;  a  hysterectomy 
for  which  the  operating  surgeon  gave  no  cause,  save  that  the  oper- 
ation was  considered  b^t  for  the  patient's  general  welfare — ^no  path- 
ological lesion  was  found  at  this  operation.  Present  complaint*- 
For  years, — indigestion,  abdominal  pain,  backache,  insomnia,  con- 
stipation, mental  depression,  crying  spells,  dizziness,  aching  in  neck, 
headache,  eyeache;  appetite  poor,  daily  routine  of  life  exhausts  her; 
I>atient  lives  a  semi-invalid  existence;  a  slight  nervous  cough  at 
times  without  expectoration — consxiltants  had  found  lungs  nega- 
tive; loss  in  weight  during  the  last  year,  fifteen  pounds. 

Objectively  the  patient  was  tall,  angular,  cheek-bones  high, 
chest  and  abdomen  long. 

Physical  examination:  Throat  and  teeth  negative;  marked 
tremor  of  upper  ^e-lids  with  eyes  closed;  knee-je^  exaggerated; 
pupils  reacted  to  light  and  to  accommc-dation;  hands,  arms,  and  legs 
twitched  during  examination;  mental  condition, — ^melancholy  and 
depressed;  no  incoordination;  no  enlargement  of  the  thyroid;  no 
exophthahnoe;  no  evidence  of  organic  lisease;  moderate  gastroptosis; 
dislocated  kidney  on  right  side;  some  tenderness  over  abdominal 
aorta  and  along  lower  spine;  urine  and  gastric  examination  nega- 
tive; no  occult  blood  in  stools;  blood  negative  except  for  a  slight 
secondary  anemia;  hemoglobin  87%;  Wassermann  negative;  Yon 
Pirquet  test  positive. 

The  patient's  hospital  record  for  two  weeks  showed, — occasional 
rises  in  temperature  to  99.2®;  pulse  86-100;  frequent  crying  spells; 
much  menttd  depression;  occasional  attacks  of  indigestion;  insom- 


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$  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMOEOPATH  V 

nia»  cold  hands  and  feet,  backache,  headache,  clearing  of  throat  but 
no  aputum,  two  fainting  spells  while  going  to  bath-room;  Roentgen 
ray  examination  of  spinal  colunm  and  lungs,  negativa 

On  the  15th  day  after  admission  the  patient  was  given  1-20  cc 
of  a  Bureau  tuberculin  (6  mgms  of  Koch's  Old  Tuberculin).  With- 
in sixteen  hours  a  positive  reaction,  the  temperature  going  up  to 
102^. 

Diagnosis:  Tuberculosis  (concealed),  focus  not  determined^ 
with  chronic  tuberculous  toxemia,  exhibiting  symptoms  of  physical 
and  nervous  exhaustion. 

This  case  shows  a  tuberculosis  without  a  single  recognizable  phys- 
ical sign  of  the  disease  in  any  organ  or  tissue  of  the  body;  no  focal 
sign;  no  recognizable  symptoms  of  tuberculosis.  The  diagnosis  of  this 
case  depended  entirely  upon  the  specific  test.  The  location  of  the 
bacillus  was  unknown. 

This  patient  was  tuberculosis  and  negative  for  other  organic  dis- 
ease. Of  the  presence  of  the  tuberculous  process  in  this  patient,  there 
existed  a  proof  in  her  reaction  to  the  tuberculin  test,  and  since  she  was 
'negative  for  all  other  organic  disease,  it  is  reasonable  to  state  that  the 
symptoms  of  which  the  patient  complained  are  an  expression  of  the 
common  disease  tuberculosis,  which  in  it^  recognizable  forms  often  man- 
ifests itself  by  symptoms  of  nervous  and  physical  exhaustion. 

Pathological  proof  in  a  case  of  this  kind  is  impossible.  The  diag- 
nosis must  rest  upon  a  specific  test  which  is  the  best  possible  evidence 
to  prove  that  a  tuberculous  process  is  going  on  in  the  patient. 

A  careful  review  of  the  patient's  objective  and  subjective  symptoms 
and  of  the  records  upon  the  patient's  hospital  chart  for  two  weeks,  in 
such  a  case  as  just  cited,  will  prepare  the  intelligent  practitioner  to  meet 
and  intelligently  deal  with  this  clinical  type  of  tuberculosis,  not  gen- 
erally recognized;  the  clinical  picture  of  tuberculous  toxemia  without 
the  focal  evidence  of  the  disease;  tuberculosis  revealed  only  by  a  specific 
test. 

Every  physician  should  aim  to  determine  in  each  individual  case, 
whether  symptoms  of  physical  and  nervous  exhaustion  are  due  to  tuber- 
culous, syphilitic,  cardiac,  nephritic,  gastric,  thyroiditic,  hemic,  or  sep- 
tic lesions  and  should  intelligently  apply  the  specific  tests  necessary  to 
the  correct  diagnosis  that  the  correct  treatment  may  be  given. 


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f"  EDITOBUL  DEPARTMENT  7 

CALENDULA  DISCOVERED 

To  homiGBopathic  readers  the  recent  discovery  of  the  virtues  of  cal- 
endula in  the  treatment  of  wounds  will  be  amusing.  Gregory,  in  the 
New  York  Medical  Journal,  stated  that  about  fifteen  years  ago  he  read 
in  some  medical  journal  that  ^a  good  extract  of  calendula  will  absolutely 
prevent  the  formation  of  pus  in  all  contused  and  lacerated  wounds,  no 
matter  how  dirty,  unclean,  and  far  from  aseptic  they  may  be."  He 
**tried  the  remedy,  and  found  that  it  made  good  in  every  instance."  In 
extensive  bums,  Gregory  uses  calendula  and  saturated  solution  of  boric 
acid.  For  a  wrenched  knee-joint  or  a  badly  sprained  ankle  he  employs 
two  ounces  of  concentrated  extract  of  calendula,  six  drachms  of  lead 
acetate,'  to  one  pint  of  hot  water,  applied  as  a  compress  on  absorbent  cot- 
ton, the  lotion  being  applied  very  hot,  and  the  compresses  changed  before 
they  get  cold.  For  leucorrhea  he  uses  tampons,  of  non-alcoholic  calen- 
dula, non-alcoholic  hydrastis,  and  glycerin,  and  the  same  (substituting 
borio  acid  for  hydrastis  on  account  of  expense)  with  hot  water  as  a 
medicated  douche.  Gregory  is  very  emphatic  in  his  endorsement  of 
calendula:  he  does  ^'not  mean  that  it  has  sometimes,  or  occasionally,. 
prevented  pus  formation  in  dirty  wounds,  but  that  it  has  absolutely  in- 
hibited the  formation  of  pus  in  every  wound  that  he  has  ever  dressed  it 
with."  ''(General  knowledge  of  the  power  of  calendula  as  a  germicidev 
and  its  general  use  in  hospitals  and  surgeries,  would  prevent  thousands 
of  cases  of  infection  and  suppuration  every  year." 


CARDIAC  DILATATION  LASTINGLY  BENEFITTED 
BY  THE  HIGH-FREQUENCY  CURRENT 

T>  ROFESSOR  Ernest  Zu^lin,  of  the  University  of  Maryland,  has 
**■  submitted  a  preliminary  r^[>ort  upon  a  method  of  treatment  of 
acute  and  chronic  dilatation  of  the  heart  and  of  the  arch  of  the  aorta 
which  seems  to  be  very  promising,  especially  in  desperate  cases  which  find 
only  temporary  or  no  relief  from  the  present  pharmacodynamic,  physic- 
al and  dietetic  measures.  The  report  does  not  give  the  technique  nor 
deeoribe  the  apparatus,  but  the  basic  principle  of  the  treatment  is  to 
plaoe  the  patient  within  the  field  of  radiation  of  two  specially  construct- 
ed electrodes  which  receive  their  energy  from  the  secondary  current  of 
a  powerful  Rhumkorf  apparatus.  The  treatment  is  given  from  one  to 
five  minutes,  the  current  in  the  primary  coil  varying  "from  ^ve  to  ten 


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»  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OP  HOMCEOPATHY 

milliamperes."  A  few  minutes'  treatment  reduces  the  size  of  a  dilated 
heart,  affecting  chiefly  the  right  ventrile,  the  diminution  being  main- 
tained for  several  days,  even  being  found  to  exist  several  weeks  after 
the  treatment.  The  permanent  results  are  very  encouraging  where  the 
reserve  strength  is  not  too  much  exhausted;  for  old  and  worn-out  pa- 
tients with  little  reserve  power,  the  immediate  results  are  good.  Areas 
of  cardiac  dullness  in  cases  cited  were  reduced  from  29.8  square  inches 
to  6.08  sq.  in.,  from  16.8  to  3.9  eq.  in.,  from  28.6  to  6.92  sq.  in.,  and 
from  21.8  sq.  in.,  to  3.25  sq.  in. 


NEITHER  ESTHETIC  NOR  HEALTHY 

T^HAT  the  drinking  of  sewage  is  not  a  safe  practice  is  shown  by  the 
-*-  experience  of  a  number  of  communities  along  the  south  shore  of 
Lake  Michigan.  During  the  first  seven  months  of  1916,  the  town  of 
Whiting  showed  a  typhoid  fever  rate  of  1328.5  per  100,000;  East  Chicago, 
1,041.25;  Hammond,  404.57,  and  Gary,  35.6  per  100,000.  The  beet  of 
these  rates  is  twice  what  any  self-respecting  community  would  endure; 
the  worst  is  unspeakable.  One  of  the  ways  to  cure  this  evil  is  for  the 
families  in  which  typhoid  has  occurred  to  bring  damage  suits  against 
the  authority  responsible  for  furnishing  the  public  water  supply.  Fil- 
tration plants  installed  and  operated  at  a  very  reasonable  cost  would 
have  prevented  this  disgraceful  condition  of  affairs,  and,  going  still 
further  back,  no  raw  sewage  should  be  permitted  to  enter  any  body  of  wa- 
ter used  as  a  public  water  supply. 


FIRST  EXAMINATION  OF  THE  NATIONAL  BOARD 
OF  MEDICAL  EXAMINERS 

^  I  ^HIRTY-TWO  physicians  from  seventeen  states,  graduates  from 
■*•  twenty-four  medical  schools,  applied  to  take  the  first  examination 
of  the  "National  Board  of  Medical  Examiners."  Only  sixteen  were 
deemed  qualified  to  be  examined,  and  six  of  these  did  not  sit  for  exam- 
ination. Of  the  ten,  only  five  passed.  A  second  examination  is  an- 
nounced for  June,  1917.  This  is  very  slow  progress  for  a  national  (?) 
movement. 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES 


DIAGNOSIS  OF  BILIARY  DISEASE* 

By  GEORGE  R.  CRITCHLOW,  A.B.,  M.D.,  F.A.C.S. 

President  of  New  York  State  Homoeopathic  Medical  Society 

Buffalo.  N.  Y. 

ON  April  22, 1913,  there  died,  in  a  Bmall  town  in  Indiana,  an  old  lady 
of  77,  who  was  the  first  patient  to  be  operated  upon  for  gall-stones. 
Oholecystotomy  was  done  in  Indianapolis,  June  16, 1867,  by  Dr.  John  S. 
Hobbs,  who  died  a  few  years  later.  His  patient  survived  him  by  more 
than  forty  years,  and,  I  doubt  not,  long  continued  to  be  one  of  the  points 
of  interest  in  that  little  hoosier  town,  she  and  her  fifty-gall-stones.  Of 
more  interest  to  us  in  the  consideration  of  this  present  subject  would  be 
a  knowledge  of  the  diagnostic  points  which  led  the  brave  pioneer  to 
blaze  a  new  trail  in  surgery. 

Biliary  disease  would  seem  to  be  one  of  the  most  prevalent  of  all 
human  ills.  The  collective  statistics  of  nineteen  European  and  Ameri- 
can authors,  with  over  80,000  necropsies,  gave  about  six  per  cent,  fre- 
quency. Seven-eighths  of  these  were  in  women.  In  84%  of  the  cases 
the  gall-stones  had  given  no  signs  of  their  presence  during  life.  Of 
this,  more  later.  As  to  the  age  of  greatest  prevalence,  the  later  decades 
are  most  susceptible,  the  sixth  furnishing  the  most  cases.  All  varieties 
as  to  size  and  number  of  stones  are  on  record,  from  a  single  stone  meas- 
uring eight  inches  in  length  to  the  enormous  collection  of  14,000  calculi 
removed  from  a  single  gall-bladder  by  Schachner. 

If  it  be  true  that  one  in  ten  or  even  one  in  twenty  of  all  persons 
are  the  victims  of  biliary  disease,  as  shown  at  necropsy,  four-fifths  of 
whom  had  given  no  evidence  of  same  during  life,  only  two  conclusions 
are  possible.  Either  gall-bladder  disease  is  a  comparatively  innocent 
affection,  only  a  small  percentage  of  cases  ever  needing  medical  aid, 
or  else  the  diagnosis  of  these  conditions  has  been  sadly  defective.  Let 
us  consider  for  a  moment  the  first  alternative:  The  ''innocent''  gall- 
stone was  much  thought  of  a  few  years  ago,  owing  to  such  necropsy 
statistics  as  I  have  quoted  above,  84%  of  those  presenting  gall-stones  at 
necropsy  having  furnished  no  symptoms  of  the  disease  during  life.  Con- 
sider for  a  moment  an  analogous  situation  to  be  met  at  the  necropsy 
table  in  the  large  number  of  cases  presenting  healed  tubercular  lesions 
in  the  lung,  a  great  i>ercentage  of  whom  during  life  had  never  been 
suspected  to  be  tuberculous.  Would  the  internist  of  to-day  accept  the 
"innooenV'  theory  of  such  tubercular  foci,  or  would  he  shrug  his  shoul- 

*Bead  b^ore  the  Monroe  Oounty  and  Western  New  York  Homoeopathic 
Medical  Societies. 


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10  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

ders  and  deplore  the  lack  of  sufficient  diagnostic  skill  in  tlie  arerage 
physician  to  detect  incipient  or  slight  tubercular  processes  in  the  chest  f 
The  answer  to  the  question  appears  more  clear  when  we  consider  that 
in  the  early  years  of  experience  with  gall-bladder  disease  the  diagnosis 
was  reached  only  after  complications  and  end-infections  had  made  the 
picture  unmistakable.  That  vast  number  of  cases,  presenting  no  ser- 
ious complications  or  violent  infections,  went  to  the  dead-house  to  be 
classed  among  the  84%  who  had  given  no  evidence  of  the  disease  during 
life,  the  so-called  "innocent"  gall-stone.  To  quote  one  writer,  **we 
cannot  now  escape  the  conviction  that  the  stones  did  cause  symptoms, 
and  that  we  as  diagnosticians,  and  not  the  gall-stones,  were  "innocent.'^ 
The  symptoms  may  not  be  recognized  as  coming  from  gall-stones,  but 
if  gall-stones  are  accidentally  found  during  the  course  of  operation  for 
other  causes,  and  the  history  is  retaken  in  the  light  of  these  findings, 
it  will  usually  be  found  that  symptoms  were  present  but  not  diiferent- 
iated  from  the  symptoms  of  the  disease  for  which  the  original  operation 
was  undertaken."  (W.  J.  Mayo)  If  we  rely  upon  text-books  that  have 
lain  on  our  shelves  a  few  years  to  help  us  in  the  diagnosis  of  these  con- 
ditions we  are  basing  our  conclusions  on  a  pathology  that  is  terminal 
rather  than  early,  and  on  a  symptomatology  that  parallels  the  pathology. 
Mr.  Moynihan,  of  Leeds,  very  forcibly  calls  our  attention  to  this  subject 
in  his  essay  entitled  "The  Pathology  of  the  Living,"  in  which  he  shows 
how  surgery  has  been  able  to  demonstrate  a  pathology  of  a  much  earlier 
stage  in  the  course  of  disease  than  can  the  necropsy  table.  "The  knowl- 
edge gleaned  upon  the  operation  table  has  shown  that  at  least  no  smaB 
part  of  the  post-mortem  room  pathology  is  in  value  insignificant  as 
compared  with  the  pathology  of  the  living.  This  is,  indeed,  only  what 
might  reasonably  be  expected." 

If  a  patient  is  suffering  from  a  certain  disease,  say  of  the  stomach  or 
gall-bladder,  it  is  of  greater  import  and  of  greater  service  to  us  to  see  the 
exact  pathological  conditions  present  at  the  moment  of  his  iUness  than 
it  could  be  to  see  the  same  parts  months  or  years  afterwards,  when  un- 
alterable changes,  extensive  advances,  and  perhaps  a  terminal  infection, 
have  been  added  to  that  early  simple  condition  which  first  disturbed  the 
patient's  health.  It  is  more  important  for  us  to  know  the  pathological 
conditions  which  cause  a  patient's  present  sufferings — a  pathological 
change  which  is»  perhaps,  remediable — ^than  it  is  to  know  the  fullest 
particulars  of  that  unhindered  morbid  change  which  has  at  last  caused 
death.    Our  chief  purpose  is  to  heal  the  living." 

This  idea  is  well  exemplified  in  the  diagnosis  of  biliary  disease.  We 
all  doubtless  have  looked  upon  the  diagnosis  of  gall-stones  as  fairly  easy* 
and  so  it  is  if  we  are  dealing  with  a  case  of  common  duct  obstruction  with 
jaundice,  or  severe  cholangitis  and  chobemia,  or  with  a  gall-bladder  that 
gives  an  easily  palpable  tumor  below  the  rib  border.  But  these  cases 
are  only  a  small  percentage  of  the  total,  and  it  is  with  that  84%  that 
went  to  the  necropsy  table  undiagnosed,  dying  of  other  disease,  that  we  are 
particularly  concerned.    Most  text-books  have  nothing  whatever  to  saf 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  11 

about  the  early  symptoms  of  gall-stones,  describing  only  the  typical 
gall-atone  colic,  obstructed  duct  variety  and  dilated  gall-bladder.  Is  it 
then  impossible  to  detect  biliary  disease  at  a  stage  earlier  than  the  onset 
of  these  severe  symptoms  and  at  a  time  when  proper  remedial  measures 
might  forestall  them?  I  believe  that  this  is  not  only  possible,  but  that 
it  is  our  duty  to  seriously  consider  the  possibility  of  biliary  disease  when 
very  early  disturbances  begin.  We  do  not  wait  for  abscess  formation  to 
diagnoee  appendicitis,  nor  for  large  consolidation  and  excavation  before 
daring  to  pronounce  the  case  pulmonary  tuberculosis.  These  last  men- 
tioned diseases  are  now  recognized  by  their  initial  symptoms  and  fre- 
quently saved  from  the  typical  but  fatal  pathology  that  marks  their 
termination.  So,  then,  it  behooves  us,  as  surgeons  and  internists  both, 
to  give  careful  attention  to  those  symptoms  which  can  be  elicited  in  the 
patient's  anamnesis, — ^the  very  meaning  of  that  term  being  a  recalling 
to  memory  of  things  almost  forgotten. 

Once  a  suspicion  is  aroused  of  the  presence  of  biliary  disease  the 
physician  should  bend  every  effort  to  stimulating  the  patient's  memory 
of  the  very  early  or  inaugural  symptoms  of  his  complaint.  It  is  claimed 
by  some  that  such  a  history,  carefully  gleaned,  is  sufficient  foundation 
on  which  to  base  a  diagnosis,  not  only  in  biliary  disease  but  also  in  gas- 
tric and  duodenal  disease. 

What  then  are  the  very  early  symptoms  of  cholelithiasis?  I  can- 
not do  better  than  to  quote  from  Mr.  Moynihan  in  his  essay  on  'Inaug- 
ural Symptoms:''  '^t  is  of  the  greatest  importance  to  recognize  that 
the  inaugural  symptoms  due  to  gall-stones  are  referred  in  the  anamnesis, 
not  to  the  gall-bladder,  but  to  the  stomach.  The  patients  complain  of  a 
fullness,  weight,  distension,  or  oppression  in  the  epigastrium  coming 
soon  after  meals,  usually  within  half  or  three-quarters  of  an  hour,  re- 
lieved by  belching,  and  dismissed  almost  on  the  instant  by  vomiting, 
elicited  with  remarkable  constancy  by  certain  articles  of  diet  and  depend- 
ent rather  upon  the  quality  rather  than  the  quantity  of  the  food.  There 
is  a  sensation  of  great  tightness,  which,  if  unrelieved,  may  become 
acute  pain,  from  which  the  patient  obtains  ease  by  bending  the  body 
forwards,  hj  flexing  the  right  thigh  on  the  abdomen,  or  by  loosening  all 
garments  which  fit  tightly  to  the  waist.  There  is  frequently  great  com- 
plaint of  ''acidity"  or  heartburn,  and  in  the  act  of  belching  there  may 
be  sour  or  acid  regurgitation.  While  the  discomfort  lasts  the  patient 
may  noiic?e  a  ''catch"  in  his  breath,  and  he  finds,  perhaps,  that  it  is  im- 
possible to  breathe  deeply  without  feeling  an  acute  stabbing  pain  at 
the  right  costal  margin.  There  may  be  a  feeling  of  f aintness  and  nausea, 
and,  rarely,  vomiting  may  occur  spontaneously.  After  a  more  than  us- 
ually severe  attack  of  "indigestion"  the  body  and  side  may  feel  stiff 
for  several  days.  A  frequent  and  a  very  characteristic  early  symptom 
of  cholelithiasis  is  the  occurrence  during  an  attack  of  indigestion  of  a 
slight  a^isation  of  chilliness,  especially  in  the  evenings,  after  a  meaL 
The  patient  may  shiver  for  several  minutes,  and  may  hasten  from  the 
table  to  huddle  over  a  fire.    The  sensation  of  "goose-flesh"  is  often  ex- 


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12  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(BOPATHT 

perienoed»  and  several  medical  men  upon  whom  I  have  operated  have 
said  that  in  the  severer  phases  it  was  not  unlike  a  very  slight  rigor^  the 
chilly  stage  being  quickly  followed  by  one  in  which  the  body  feels  hot, 
and  the  skin  begins  to  act  freely." 

Where  our  first  introduction  to  the  case  is  upon  the  occasion  of  an 
attack  of  gall-stone  colic,  the  diagnosis  is  rather  easy.  The  symptoms 
are  dependent  upon  the  obstruction  of  the  cystic  duct  at  its  beginning 
by  a  stone  or  by  severe  swelling  from  acute  infection.  The  pain  is 
sudden  in  onset,  starts  in  the  mid-line  of  the  epigastrium,  radiates  to  the 
right  and  often  to  the  left,  goes  through  to  the  back  and  frequently  to 
the  shoulder.  It  increases  in  intensity  until  a  climax  is  reached  and 
then,  after  a  shorter  or  longer  time,  subsides,  often  suddenly,  usually 
accompanied  by  vomiting.  The  temperature  remains  normal,  as  does 
the  pulse  rate,  an.d  the  patient  is  soon  in  his  normal  condition.  Years 
may  elapse  before  another  attack  of  colic,  and  one  more  case  of  ''cured" 
gall-stones  is  scored  up  for  olive  oil  or  some  other  soverign  remedy 
which  may  have  been  prescribed  by  the  physician  or  loving  friends. 
Such  is  the  classic  picture  of  gall-stone  colic 

A  large  percentage  of  cases  of  cholelithiasis,  however,  never  have 
this  classic  picture.  These  are  the  patients  who  go  from  one  doctor's 
office  to  another,  trying  to  get  something  for  "stomach  trouble."  They 
complain  of  pain  in  their  stomach,  and  usually  hand  on  their  own  or 
some  one's  else  diagnosis  of  "gastralgia,"  "dyspepsia,"  "neuritis,"  "bil- 
iousness," "indigestion",  etc.  Pain  is  the  most  constant  of  the  symp- 
toms complainod  of  by  these  patients,  and  is  dependent  upon  the  in- 
fection present  in  the  gall-bladder  rather  than  upon  the  mere  presence 
of  gall-stones.  The  pain  is  confined  to  the  epigastrium  as  a  rule  and  is 
variously  described  by  the  sufferer  as  dull,  burning,  gnawing,  boring, 
grasping,  etc  It  may  occur  at  any  time  of  the  day  or  night  and  entirely 
independent  of  food.  The  pain  may  be  referred  in  this  stage  of  the  dis- 
ease, but  usually  not  until  complications  secondary  to  infection  in  and 
around  the  gall-bladder  have  developed. 

Next  in  importance  as  a  symptom  of  cholecystitis  and  cholelithiasis 
is  tenderness.  Many  cases  present  as  constant  a  point  of  tenderness  as 
is  the  McBum^  point  in  appendicitis.  This  is  known  as  "Robson's 
I>oint"  and  is  located  about  an  inch  above  the  umbilicus  on  a  line  between 
it  and  the  right  costal  margin. 

To  elicit  this  point  of  tenderness  Murphy's  method  is  most  valuable. 
The  patient  sits  and  leans  forward  while  the  examiner,  standing  back 
of  the  patient,  hooks  the  fingers  of  his  two  hands  under  the  costal  border 
on  each  side  The  patient  is  then  made  to  take  a  deep  inspiration.  As 
the  liver  and  gall-bladder  are  forced  down  by  the  diaphragm,  they  meet 
the  pressure  of  the  fingers.  Murphy  also  used  the  finger  percussion 
method.  With  the  patient  lying  down,  the  second  finger  of  the  left  hand 
is  flexed  at  a  right  angle,  the  tip  placed  just  below  the  costal  border, 
pointing  posteriorly.    As  the  patient  takes  a  deep  breath  a  sharp  blow 


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OONTRIBUTBD  ABTICLES  13 

with  the  edge  of  the  right  hand  is  delivered  on  the  flexed  finger,  driving 
it  suddenly  down  to  meet  the  descending  gall-bladder. 

In  connection  with  the  symptoms  of  pain  and  tenderness,  it  may  be 
of  yalue  to  recall  to  mind  a  few  of  the  conditions  which  must  be  differ- 
entiated from  biliary  disease.  Appendicitis  may  closely  resemble  biliary 
oolic  in  the  character  of  the  pain.  The  tenderness  is  usually  lower  and 
is  greatly  aggravated  by  elevation  of  the  extended  leg  while  pressure 
is  being  made.  Leucoqytosis  points  toward  the  appendix.  Qastric  and 
duodenal  ulcer  have  pain  which  is  directly  related  to  the  time  of  meals 
and  which  is  relieved  by  eating.  Renal  colic  has  associated  urinary  find- 
ings and  can  be  easily  demonstrated  by  the  X-ray.  Here,  too,  we  find 
of  great  value  Murphy's  fist  percussion.  The  patient  is  made  to  sit, 
leaning  forward.  The  examiner  places  the  palm  of  his  left  hand  over 
the  lumbar  region  of  the  affected  side  and  delivers  upon  the  back  of  the 
hand  a  quick  blow  with  his  right  fist.  A  sharp  pain  is  elicited  if  the  kid- 
ney contain  a  stone,  or  fluid  under  pressure.  Pleurisy  and  pneumonia 
have  been  known  to  confuse  the  diagnosis;  hence  the  chest  should  be 
thoroughly  examined. 

Enlargement  of  the  gall-bladder  is  a  valuable  sign,  when  present, 
but  severe  biliary  disease  may  exist  in  the  absence  of  a  palpable  gall- 
bladder. When  the  cystic  duct  has  been  obstructed  by  calculus  the  gall- 
bladder frequently  distends,  sometimes  to  enormous  proportions.  Oases 
are  recorded  in  which  the  gall-bladder  extended  into  the  pelvis,  and  in  one 
case  several  gallons  of  watery  fluid  were  removed  from  the  viscus.  A 
tense  low-lying  gall-bladder  may  be  mistaken  for  an  appendicitis.  Ref- 
erence will  be  made  later  to  the  significance  of  enlarged  gall-bladder 
associated  with  jaundice. 

Vomiting  in  biliary  disease  is  most  common  in  the  typical  attadc 
of  oolic  but  is  comparatively  infrequent  during  the  intervals.  In  ulcer 
of  the  stomach  it  is  a  persistent  symptom,  usually  acid,  frequently 
streaked  with  blood;  its  occurrence  often  gives  temporary  relief  to  the 
ulcer  pain.  In  duodenal  ulcer,  vomiting  is  apt  to  occur  at  the  time  of 
the  **hungerpain,'*  two  to  four  hours  after  food.  The  vomitus  of  gastric 
cancer  is  characteristic 

A  few  words  about  jaundice  as  a  symptom  of  biliary  disease.  It  is 
not  so  many  years  ago  that  jaundice  was  considered  a  sine  qua  non 
in  the  diagnosis  of  gall-stones.  The  truth  is  that  stones  remaining  with- 
in the  gall-bladder  produce  no  jaundice.  Passage  of  a  stone  into  the 
common  or  hepatic  ducts,  with  obstruction  of  same,  necessarily  produces 
jaundice.  A  stone  near  the  exit  of  the  cystic  duct  may  project  sufficient- 
ly into  the  common  duct  to  obstruct.  Pressure  from  the  head  of  an  in- 
flamed pancreas  not  infrequently  obstructs  the  common  duct  and  pro- 
duces jaundice.  Cancer  of  the  gall-bladder  ducts  or  pancreas,  likewise. 
In  this  connection  reference  should  be  made  to  Courvoisier's  Law.  'In 
cases  of  chronic  jaundice  due  to  obstruction  of  the  common  bile-duct,  a 
contraction  of  the  gall-bladder  signifies  that  the  obstruction  is  due  to 
stone;  a  dilation  of  the  gall-bladder,  that  the  obstruction  is  due  to  causes 


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14  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

other  than  stone."  Finally,  the  relation  of  jaundice  to  cholelithiasiB 
has  been  expressed  by  Murphy  thus  -  ''In  96  per  cent  of  cases  jaundice 
occurring  without  colic  is  not  due  to  cholelithiasis;  in  90  per  cent,  of 
cases  in  which  colic  precedes  jaundice,  the  case  is  one  of  cholelithiasis." 

What  shall  we  say  as  to  the  value  of  gastric  analysis  as  a  diagnostic 
method  in  biliary  disease?  Aldor  studied  the  effects  of  gall- 
stones on  gastric  chemistry  in  82  patients  to  whom  he  administered  re- 
peated test-meals.  His  results  were  as  follows :  18  per  cent  had  normal 
acidity;  39  per  cent  had  hyperacidity;  42.6  per  cent  had  hypo-  or  anacid- 
ity.  Ohly's  results  in  the  study  of  87  cases  were  practically  the  same, 
with  a  larger  percentage  of  hypo-acidity. 

The  value  of  Roentgenology  in  the  diagnosis  of  gall-stones  is  to  be 
treated  separately  in  this  symposium.  Case  and  Pfahler  both  claim 
IK)6itive  diagnoses  in  50  per  cent  of  cases.  The  surgeon  welcomes  the 
radiographer  in  all  fields  of  diagnosis  where  he  can  promise  help.  How- 
ever, the  saying  of  Murphy  must  still  remain  true,  ''Mechanically  made 
diagnoses  can  never  take  the  place  of  those  made  with  the  cortical  cells.^ 

In  conclusion,  let  me  summarize.  Necropsy  reports  would  indicate 
that  a  tremendous  number  of  patients  dying  of  other  diseases  show  evi- 
dences of  having  had  biliary  disease  without  any  history  of  same. 
This  well-known  fact  has  led  to  the  questionable  conclusion  that  a  large 
I>ercentage  of  gall-bladder  disease  cases  are  "innocent"  and  without 
symptoms.  A  more  reasonable  conclusion  is  that  the  diagnosis  was  at 
fault.  This  in  turn  has  been  due  to  two  things:  first,  the  effects  of 
teaching  terminal  pathology  rather  than  early  living  pathology;  second, 
failure  to  give  proper  attention  to  the  early  or  inaugural  symptoms  of 
the  disease,  these  usually  being  passed  over  without  notice  or  attributed 
to  the  vague  sphere  of  "stomach  trouble."  When  gall-bladder  disease 
has  become  well  established,  the  diagnosis  becomes  fairly  easy,  especially 
where  the  case  presents  the  classic  picture  of  gall-stone  colic  Certain 
definite  diagnostic  signs  have  been  established  as  reliable,  and  the  rela- 
tion of  jaundice  to  biliary  disease  is  now  clearly  determined.  Gastric 
analysis  is  of  very  little  value  in  deciding  the  question  and  X-rays  fail 
in  at  least  60  per  cent,  of  cases. 


TREATMENT  OF  ANTERIOR  POLIOMYELITIS* 

By  A.  L.  CARDOZO,  M.  D. 
Brooklyn,  New  York  City 

THE  subject  of  anterior  poliomyelitis  is  at  the  present  moment  oc- 
cupying the  center  of  the  stage  of  popular,  as  well  as  of  profess- 
ional, interest.  Much  has  been  said  about  different  means  of  the  posi- 
tive diagnosis  in  the  early  stage,  as  well  as  in  the  more  advanced  * 

*Read  before  the  Hom.  Med.  Soc,  County  of  Kings. 


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OONTRIBUTED  ARTIOLES  15 

but  wherever  these  statements  have  been  made  or  these  theories  ad- 
Tanced,  there  would  follow  a  discussion  to  the  effect  that  such  and  such 
methods  were  not  at  all  certain,  and  that  such  and  such  remedies  have 
been  tried  again  and  again  with  negative  results. 

It  is  not  my  intention,  in  this  paper,  to  speak  of  the  diagnosis  of 
this  disease,  but  I  do  want  to  call  attention  to  several  facts  as  conceded 
by  all  writers.  First,  that  the  period  of  incubation  is  uncertain.  Sec- 
ond, the  symptomatology  is  different  in  many  cases.  Third,  the  course 
of  the  disease  is  either  death  in  from  one  to  seven  days;  or  when  re- 
covery takes  place,  with  paralysis  in  one  of  its  various  forms. 

How  shall  we  treat  these  cases  to  best  advantage?  What  course  of 
medication  shall  we  follow  to  get  the  best  results?  If  there  were  one 
specific  remedy  which  could  be  used  in  all  cases  as  soon  as  the  diagnosis 
was  made,  it  would  be  an  easy  matter  to  treat  these  cases;  but  as  there 
is  no  such  remedy  that  we  know  of  up  to  the  present  time,  we  have  a 
more  serious  task  before  us.  Several  drugs  have  been  strongly  advocat- 
ed by  different  men,  but  all  these  have  their  drawbacks.  Dr.  Flexner 
of  the  Rockefeller  Institute  suggests  hexamethylinamin,  but  says  that  it 
has  been  tried  only  on  monkeys  and  that  it  should  be  very  cautiously 
used  on  human  beings.  The  serum-treatment,  which  was  also  tried  in 
this  institution,  can  hardly  be  called  little  more  than  a  failure.  The 
blood-serum  or  antitoxin  treatment,  as  made  from  the  patients  who 
have  had  this  disease,  has  not  brought  forth  the  results  exx)ected  of  it. 
The  danger  of  specific  taint  being  transferred  from  one  patient  to  the 
other,  has  not  been  eliminated  even  by  the  precaution  of  the  Wasserman 
test  Dr.  Browning,  who  holds  a  chair  as  Professor  of  Nerve  Diseases  at 
the  Long  Island  College  Hospital,  says  that  he  has  seen  several  such 
cases  where  the  specific  outbreak  in  the  child  was  directly  due  to  such 
injections. 

Working  on  the  theory  that  the  body  was  deficient  in  glandular 
substances  and  that  as  the  suprarenal  gland  controls  to  a  greater  or  less 
extent  the  spinal  nervous  system,  injections  of  adrenalin  were  used. 
It  is  questionable,  considering  the  poor  results  achieved  by  this  remedy, 
whether  it  is  advantageous  to  administer  this  drug  after  the  disease  is 
present.  Putting  ten  padlocks  on  the  stable-door  after  the  horse  has 
ran  away  will  not  bring  back  the  horse. 

Dr.  H.  B.  Sheffield,  writing  in  one  of  the  medical  journals,  gives  a 
detailed  account  of  his  method  which  is  in  part,  as  follows :  'The  treat- 
ment consists  of  cupping,  (six  to  ten  cups  on  each  side  of  the  spinal 
column,)  hot  (101  to  106  degrees  Fahrenheit)  mustard  baths  every  four 
to  six  hours;  sodium  or  ammonium  salicylate  (one  or  two  grains  for 
every  year  of  the  child's  age  every  two  to  six  hours,)  and  strychnine 
(small  doses)  internally;  occasionally  lumbar  puncture,  especially  where 
twitching  or  rigidity  is  pronounced,  and  camphorated  oil  hypodermically, 
whenever  respiratory  difficulty  presents  itself.    Immobilization  of  the 


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16  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMtEOPATHY 

paralyzed  limbs  and  light  massage  and  passive  motion  are  resorted  to 
immediately,  irrespective  of  acuteness  of  symptoms." 

He  tried  this  on  twenty-tliree  patients,  nine  of  whom  died  within 
forty-eight  hours.  Others  were  greatly  improved  but  it  was  too  early 
to  say  to  what  extent  the  improvement  existed.  The  question  naturally 
arises,  did  they  live  and  improve  because  of,  or  in  spite  of,  this  treatment  ? 

What  then  should  be  the  rational  method  in  handling  these  cases? 
In  the  acute  stages  the  number  of  cases  that  I  personally  have  had,  is 
not  so  great  that  I  can  give  statistics  upon  their  treatment;  but  from 
the  limited  number  of  cases  that  I  have  treated  in  the  early  stage,  the 
following  observations  seem  noteworthy  to  me. 

In  the  early  stages,  some  cases  present  a  general  coryza,  the  symp- 
toms being,  the  running  nose,  the  lacrimation  of  the  ^es,  headache, 
slight  fever,  rapidly  rising  to  high  temperature.  The  hot,  dry  skin, 
chilliness  of  the  patient,  the  pallor  with  underlying  fever-flush  surely 
present  to  your  mind  the  picture  of  aconite. 

Then  again  the  cough,  coryza,  dilated  pupils  and  widely-staring 
eyes,  the  full  flush  of  fever,  the  restless  tossing  about,  slight  tendenoy 
to  nausea  or  vomiting  will  call  the  picture  of  belladonna  or  gelsemium 
to  your  mind. 

Then  again,  you  are  called  a  trifle  later  and  that  dreaded  bulbar 
type  presents  its  symptoms  to  you :  that  spinal  irritation,  those  screams 
the  moment  the  patient  is  touched  or  knows  that  he  is  about  to  be  ex- 
amined, the  fear  of  pain,  the  paralysis  of  the  throat.  Those  children 
who  at  one  time  could  speak  fluently  can  now  hardly  be  understood;  de- 
glutition is  impeded  or  impossible.  When  their  limbs  will  not  hold  them 
up  nor  can  their  arms  be  held  on  high,  who  would  not  think  of  such 
remedies  as  causticum,  cuprum  met.,  lachesis,  mercurius  oor.f  These 
remedies  seem  to  me  to  be  called  for  according  to  the  homodopathic  find- 
ings of  careful  symptomatology.  Those  cases  that  I  have  seen  in  the 
early  stages  have  responded  to  these  remedies  to  the  extent  that  the  after- 
treatment  was  reduced  to  a  minimum  and  the  resulting  paralysis,  whether 
effecting  both  arms  or  both  legs,  cleared  up  very  quickly.  By  compari- 
son with  other  cases  that  I  have  seen,  I  am  forced  to  believe  that  the 
mildness  of  these  cases  as  compared  with  the  others,  was  directly  due 
to  the  careful  medication  during  their  early  stages. 

Now,  after  the  acute  stage  has  passed,  what  shall  be  the  proper  after- 
treatment  for  the  chronic  condition?  Here  again,  doctors  disagree.  It 
has  been  the  custom,  heretofore,  to  treat  these  cases  under  the  head  of 
nervous  diseases.  During  the  past  epidemic,  they  have  been  treated 
under  the  head  of  orthopedic  surgery.  This,  I  think,  is  a  mistake,  be- 
cause from  the  orthopedic  standpoint  and  from  what  I  have  seen  and 
what  I  know  is  being  done  throughout  the  city,  these  cases  are  immed- 
iately put  in  plaster  of  Paris  casts,  or  otherwise  expensive  braces  are  ad- 
justed in  order  either  to  mobilize  the  part  or  to  enforce  its  activity. 

Later  on,  massage  and  corrective  gymnastics  are  restorted  to.  Very 
few  orthopedists  advocate  the  use  of  electricity.    I  do  not  think  that 


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OONTBIBUTED  ARTICLES  17 

these  methods  are  all  wrongs  but  my  experience  of  over  twelve  years 
in  handling  these  cases  leads  me  to  believe  that  the  following  method 
is  the  most  rationaL 

Directly  following  the  acute  stage,  we  have  a  condition  of  an  inflam- 
ed nervous  system.  Gross  sections  of  the  cord  will  show  that  a  state  of 
degeneration  of  the  anterior  horns,  is  going  on ;  the  ganglion  cells  have 
lost  their  prolongations  and  are  undergoing  granular  disintegrations 
or  have  entirely  disapi>eared.  The  bloodvessels  are  dilated  or  changed. 
The  muscles  have  not  been  affected.  Atrophy  of  those  muscles  aliected 
by  the  lesion  does  not  take  place  until  later.  To  apply  electricity,  mass- 
age or  passive  movements  during  this  acute  excitability,  would  only 
be  adding  fuel  to  the  flames.  What  is  required  here,  is  absolute  rest. 
After  the  acute  inflammatory  stage  is  passed,  which  will  take  from  three 
to  four  wedcs  and  sometimes  longer,  then  we  may  begin  with  a  light 
massage,  which  must  be  given  in  a  very  careful  manner  and  not  the 
ordinary  work  of  a  masseur. 

We  And,  according  to  the  American  Text  Book  of  Physiology  as 
well  as  by  experiments  and  demonstrations  in  physiology,  that  the  nerve- 
trunk  responds  to  and  conducts  mild  faradic  currents;  therefore,  if  we 
use  electricity,  (if  I  may  use  the  term  in  its  potency,)  we  shall  stimulate 
the  nerve-trunk  in  regaining  its  former  tone. 

If,  however,  as  has  been  the  fault  of  the  majority  of  those  using 
electricity  as  a  means  of  cure,  they  used  too  strong  a  current  and  did  not 
tiq[>ly  electrodes  in  the  proper  manner,  they  got,  as  a  result,  irritation 
and  not  stimulation  of  the  nerve  functions.  Then  again,  the  mild  far- 
adic current  should  only  be  used  by  one  who  is  conversant  witk  it,  be- 
otnse  after  a  short  while,  the  nerve  has  been  stimulated  up  to  a  point 
that  is  equal  to  the  capability  of  the  muscle's  responding  to  this  impulse. 
At  this  point,  the  interrupted  galvanic  current  should  be  used,  which 
current  acts  directly  on  the  muscle-fibre,  causing  a  tonic  and  clonic  ac- 
tion. These  two  forms  should  be  used  interchangeably,  careful  mass- 
age following  each  treatment;  and  after  the  nerve  and  muscle  have  re- 
gained their  former  tone  to  such  an  extent  that  they  can  be  used,  then 
and  only  then  should  a  brace  be  applied. 

There  is  only  one  more  phase  to  this  treatment  and  that  is,  just  as 
Boon  as  nerve  function  commences  to  assert  itself,  such  exercises  known 
as  ^^ovements  of  intention''  should  be  given  and  insisted  upon  at  very 
frequent  intervals. 

The  exercises,  starting  from  the  simplest,  are  such  as  looking  at, 
and  willing,  to  move  a  designated  finger,  hand,  toe  or  foot  in  a  designat- 
ed manner  and  to  execute  that  movement  fully  and  completely  when  the 
patient  wills  it.  This  simple  exercise  will  complete  a  nerve-impulse 
from  the  brain  through  the  cord  to  the  peripheral  nerve-ending,  thereby 
either  reestablishing  the  old  path  or  traversing  through  newly-formed 
nonrones,  which  is  the  desired  resuU. 

These  movements  of  intention,  as  I  said  before,  will  vary  from  the 
simpleBt  to  the  more  complicated  gymnastic-work.    They  can  be  given 


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18  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OP  HOMCEOPATHY 

at  home  by  the  mother  or  nurse.  In  dispensariefi  or  class-rooms,  more 
novel  inventions  are  instituted,  the  patients  being  able  to  look  into  mir- 
rors and  see  themselves  doing  the  set  exercises.  There  are  specially  train- 
ed gymnasium  or  calisthenics  instructors  who  set  the  exercises  for  the 
class. 

There  is  one  thing  which  the  average  doctor  quite  overlooks,  and  that 
is  medication.  Outside  of  giving  some  ''Beef,  Iron  and  Wine*'  or  some 
such  mixture,  and  a  dose  of  salts  with  r^^larity,  little  medication  is 
thought  of  in  these  cases.  If,  however,  medication  held  as  important  a 
place  in  this  treatment  as  some  of  the  visual  appliances  do,  I  think  the 
course  of  this  disease  would  be  cut  down  considerably.  Cases  that  I 
have  treated  that  have  come  to  me  from  every  clinic  in  New  York  and 
'  Brooklyn  and  pronounced  hopeless  by  them,  cases  of  over  a  year's  stand- 
ing, thanks  to  these  methods,  plus  homoeopathy,  are  now  able  to  use 
their  arms  freely ;  and  can  run  about  without  the  use  of  a  brace  or  other 
means  of  support. 

Dividing  these  cases  into  their  various  forms,  we  find  paralysis  of 
the  deltoid  musde,  paralysis  of  groux>s  of  the  flexor  muscles,  or  the  ex- 
tensor muscles.  We  find  cases  where  the  right  arm  and  leg  or  left  arm 
and  leg  have  been  paralyzed,  while  the  opposite  side  remains  perfectly 
free;  or  both  arms  or  both  legs  are  paralyzed.  There  may  be  facial 
paralysis  from  merely  an  affected  eyelid  to  groups  of  muscles;  one  side 
or  both  sides  of  the  face  may  be  affected. 

If  you  will  study  your  case  carefully  and  then  compare  such  reme- 
dies as  arsenicum,  causticum  or  plumbum,  according  to  the  symptom- 
atology of  the  case,  the  results  of  your  external  applications  will  be 
greatly  assisted  and  apparently  wonderful  results  will  be  obtained.  Af- 
ter these  remedies  have  done  their  work,  it  may  be  well  to  reenforce  them 
by  such  well  tried  nerve  remedies  as  cuprum  met.,  niix  vomica,  phos- 
phorus, phosphoric  acid,  picric  acid,  rhus  tox.,  or  zincum. 

After  these  remedies  have  been  carefully  studied  and  applied  accord- 
ing to  the  symptomatology  of  the  cases,  and  after  careful  management 
and  diligent  work  (for  it  must  be  understood  that  these  cases  require 
from  several  weeks  to  several  years  to  cure,  or  in  those  long  protracted 
cases,  when  they  come  to  you  after  visiting  others  when  the  disease  has 
run  the  course  of  a  year  or  more,)  you  can  consider  the  converting  of  a 
paralyzed  limb  to  a  useful  one,  a  grand  success  without  its  necessarily 
being  a  perfect  limb. 

I  will  not  take  the  time  to  cite  statistics  or  records  of  individual 
cases — suffice  to  say  that  I  have  tried  these  methods  and  the  sucoees 
obtained  has  given  me  the  courage  of  my  convictions. 

In  summation,  I  would  say  that  after  the  acute  stage,  we  must  al- 
low a  period  of  rest;  following  that  very  mild  currents  of  electricity, 
scientifically  applied,  massaging  only  in  a  careful  and  skillful  manner, 
because  the  muscles  must  be  stimulated  by  the  masseur  and  not  crushed 
by  his  hands;  that  braces  should  not  be  applied  too  early;  and  last,  but 


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CX)NTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  19 

not  by  any  means  the  least  of  your  efforts  in  fighting  this  dread  dis- 
easey  your  medication. 


Department  of  Homoeopathic 
Materia  Medica  and  Therapeutics 

Conducted  by        -       -        A.  R.  AfcMichael,  A.M.,  M.D. 


AN  EPITOME  OF  COMPARISONS  IN  HOMOEO- 
PATHIC MATERIA  MEDICA  AND 
THERAPEUTICS 

By  A.  R.  MC  MICHAEL.  A.M.,  M.D., 

Fr<rfeMor  of  Clinical  Medicine  and  Applied  Materia  Medica  New  York 

Homoeopathic  Medical  College  and  Flower  Hospital 

New  York  City 

ONE  of  the  first  considerations  in  the  choice  of  a  remedy  for  any 
affection  is  the  selection  of  a  drag  from  two  or  more  haying  symp' 
toms  which  are  similar  to  the  symptoms  of  the  patient,  the  choice  de- 
poiding  not  on  the  greatest  number  of  symptoms  which  a  drug  may  haye 
and  which  may  be  found  in  the  patient  but  on  the  number  of  symptoms 
which  we  consider  fundamentals,  in  other  words,  symptoms  which  con- 
y^  a  drug  picture  similar  to  the  fimdamental  symptoms  of  the  patient. 
The  totality  of  symptoms  from  a  numerical  standpoint  while  it  may  giye 
you  the  right  remedy,  I  am  oonyinced  that  a  large  percentage  of  pre- 
scriptions haying  such  a  foundation  for  its  choice  will  fail. 

In  this  epitome  of  comparisons  I  haye  endeayored  to  giye  a  sufficient 
number  of  what  I  consider  essentials  of  each  drug  to  enable  any  one  to 
make  a  choice  without  losing  yaluable  time  in  the  ayerage  case  in  reper- 
toiy  reference. 

The  weakest  part  in  our  system  of  therapeutics  has  been  the  diffi- 
culty experienced  in  choosing  the  right  remedy.  Earnest  students  of 
materia  medica  who  are  constantly  studying  get  along  fairly  well  but 
the  ayerage  physician  finds  it  not  only  irksome  but  disappointing  in 
results  and  any  assistance  which  can  be  giyen  to  this  class  will  proye 
a  boon  to  the  busy  physician. 

It  will  be  noticed  that  in  some  of  these  comparisons  I  haye  made 
use  of  aymptoms  independent  of  the  disease  for  the  reason  that  often- 
times a  symptom  may  be  so  pronounced  that  no  matter  what  the  path- 
ological entity  may  be  we  are  comi>elled  to  consider  this  one  factor  in 
the  disease  of  first  importance  on  account  of  its  persisitence,  while  in 
other  comparisons  I  haye  confined  my  studies  to  a  selected  number  of 
drugs  often  called  for  in  a  giyen  disease,  in  each  case  the  differentiating 


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20  NORTH  AMERIOAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(BOPATHY 

characteristics  will  be  found  in  italic    following  the  resume  of  each 
drug. 

COLDS 
ALLIUM  CEPA 

Discharge  from  nose  is  profuse,  thin,  acrid,  excoriating  upper  lips 
and  wings  of  the  nose,  discharge  drips  from  the  tip  of  the  nose.  Eyes 
bum,  discharge  from  eyes  bland.  Colds  begin  on  left  side  of  nose  and 
extend  to  the  right  Cough,  laryngeal,  excited  by  tickling  in  Izrynx, 
throat.  All  conditions  <from  warmth  and  >from  cold.  Colds  from 
cold  damp  penetrating  winds. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 

Discharge  excoriating.  Colds  begin  on  left  aide  and  extend  to 
right  Cough  with  splitting  pain  in  larynx.  Colds  <in  warm  room  > 
in  cold  air.    Discharge  from  eyes  bland, 

AESENICUM  ALB. 

Discharge  thin,  watery,  burning,  excoriating  the  upper  lip.  Fre- 
quent sneezing  without  relief.  Stoppage  of  nose  in  spite  of  copious 
discharge  of  watery  mucus  and  burning  in  the  nose.  Patient  always 
freezing,  hovers  around  the  fire,  >in  warm  room,  <in  open  air.  Al- 
ways taking  cold  in  the  nose,  suffers  from  slightest  draft  and  cold  damp 
weather.  Cold  begins  in  the  nose  and  goes  down  to  the  throat,  larynx 
and  chest.  Hoarseness.  Hard,  dry,  tickling,  harsh,  rasping  cough  that 
does  not  seem  to  do  any  good.  Thirst  for  small  quantities  of  water. 
Pale^  waxy,  broken  down  constitutions. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 

Discharge  excoriating.  Stoppage  of  nose  in  spite  of  copious  dis- 
charge, Oreat  burning  in  air  passages.  Patient  always  freezing. 
Worse  in  cold  air  >  in  warm  room. 

OELSEMimC 

Coryza  with  sneezing  and  running  of  water  from  the  nose^  ex- 
coriating or  bland.  Sore  throat  with  redness.  Patient  yery  eensitire 
to  cold  damp  weather,  wants  to  remain  in  warm  room,  hugs  the  fire. 
Chills  run  up  and  down  the  back.  Headache  begins  in  the  occiput  and 
extends  over  whole  head  with  vertigo.  Aching  over  body,  soreness  of 
muscles.  No  thirst  the  rule.  Colds  from  warm  moist  relaxing  weather, 
summer  or  winter.  Prostration.  Sheet  anchor  in  grip.  Early  stages 
of  colds,  given  within  twelve  hours  after  contracting  a  cold,  twenty 
drops  of  tincture  to  four  ounces  of  water,  one  teaspoonful  every  fifteen 
minutes  for  three  hours  then  less  often  will  abort  whole  process. 
Differentiating  Characteristics 

Chills  up  and  down  bach.  Headache  with  vertigo.  Aching  oifer 
whole  body.    No  thirst.    Early  stage.    Sheet  anchor  in  grip. 

KALI  lOD. 

Discharge  copious,  watery,  excoriating,  acrid,  burning  in  the  nose. 
Constantly  taking  cold,  sneezing  continuously.    Bepeated  attacks  ci 


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OONTBIBUTED  ABTIOLES  21 

▼iolent  acrid  coiyza  from  the  least  exposure  to  cold.  Nose  red,  swollen 
with  tightness  at  root  involving  frontal  sinuses  and  pains  in  forehead, 
eyes  and  cheek-bones.  Ooryza  <in  the  open  but  all  the  rest  of  the  pa- 
tient is  >in  the  cold  air.  Ohilliness  alternating  with  feverishness. 
Every  change  of  weather  brings  on  catarrhal  state. 
Differentiating  Characteristics 
Discharge  excoriating.  Repeated  attache  of  violent  acrid  coryza 
from  every  change  of  weather,  Coryza  <vn  the  cold  air.  Nose  red, 
ewoUen.    Frontal  einusee  involved. 

NUX  VOM. 

Discharge  scanty,  thin,  watery  during  the  day.  Nasal  passages 
alternately  free  and  obstructed,  <in  a  warm  room,  >in  the  open  air. 
Nose  completely  filled  up  particularly  out  of  doors  but  fluent  indoors. 
Sneezing  and  stuffed  up  feeling  in  the  nose,  dry,  tickling,  very  little 
discharge.  Perspires  easily,  always  chilly,  oversensitive  to  the  open  air, 
always  taking  cold  and  it  settles  in  the  nose  and  extends  to  the  chest 
Ooryza  <in  the  house,  <in  the  night,  >in  warm  bed.  First  stage. 
Golds  brought  on  by  cold  damp  weather,  sitting  on  cold  damp  steps  or 
exposure  to  dry  cold  air. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 

Nasai  passages  alternately  free  and  obstructed.    Worse  in  a  warm 
room,  >m  the  cold  air.    Perspires  easily.    Nose  completely  stopped  up 
out  of  doors,  fluent  in  doors.    Discharge  scanty.    First  stage. 
SENSATION  OP  BUKNING 

ACONITE 

Burning  runs  all  through  the  remedy.    Head,  nerves,  stomach, 
liver,  lungs,  abdomen,  bladder,  ovaries,  uterus,  throat,  sometimes  bum- 
ning  as  if  covered  with  x>epper.    Burning  fever.    Complaints  develop 
suddenly.    Strong,  vigorous,  robust,  plethoric  people. 
Intense  fear,  anxiety  and  thirst 

PHOSPHORUS 

Burning  pains  everywhere,  head,  brain,  skin,  stomach,  chest,  be- 
tween scapula.  Burning  in  spots  along  spine.  Burning  palms,  in 
urethra  whether  urinating  or  not  Eyes  bum,  with  redness.  Burning 
in  throat  extending  to  esophagus,  in  stomach,  in  rectum  during  stooL 
Hemorrhoids  bum.    Burning  and  smarting  in  vagina. 

Hemorrhagic  constitution,  blood  bright  red.  Especially  adapted  to 
feeble,  emaciated  anemic  constitutions. 

ABSENIOUM  ALB. 

Burning  in  stomach,  bladder,  vagina,  lungs.  Feels  as  if  coals  of 
fire  in  lungs,  especially  in  gangrene  and  pneumonia.  Throat  bums  and 
aD  mucous  membranes.  Skin  bums  with  itching;  scratches  until  raw 
then  it  bums  and  itching  ceases.  Secretions  are  acrid  and  cause  burn- 
ing, ulcers  bum.  Hemorrhage  from  all  mucous  membranes,  blood  dark 
red. 


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22  NORTH  AHERIOAK  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

Asthenic  conditions,  inflammations  and  low  fevers  with  destruction 
of  tissue.    Anxiety,  fear,  restlessness,  prostration, 

SULPHUK 

Wherever  you  find  a  sulphur  complaint  you  will  find  burning;  every 
part  bumsy  burning  where  there  is  congestion;  skin  bums  in  spots; 
burning  in  stomach,  glands,  bowels,  rectum,  hemorrhoids  bum,  urethra 
bums,  when  passing  urine.  Soles  of  feet  burn,  must  keep  feet  uncovered 
at  night;  palms  of  hands  bum,  top  of  head  bums,  ulcers  bum,  vagina 
and  eruptions  burn. 

All  discharges  acrid,  excoriating  and  offensive.  Redness  of  orifices 
of  body,  red  eyelids,  red  lips,  red  antis,  red  wlva,  also  red  eao'S  and  nose. 
Patients  who  are  lean,  stoop  shouldered,  hungry,  dirty  and  lazy, 

BELLADOKNA 

Burning  in  acute  complaints  which  develop  suddenly  with  intense 
heat  of  parts.  Burning  like  coals  of  fire  in  congestion  of  throat,  tonsils. 
Skin  bums  and  is  bright  red.  Burning  fever.  Congestion  of  brain 
and  head  bums.  Inflamed  organs  bum,  bladder,  stomach,  liver,  intes- 
tines. Intense  heat,  intense  redness  and  intense  burning.  Strong, 
vigorous,  brainy,  plethoric  people  with  acute  headache.  Complaints 
develop  suddenly. 

No  thirst,  anxiety  or  fear. 


APPENDICITIS* 

By  SP£NCER  CARLETON,  M.D., 
New  York,  N.  Y. 

THESE  are  the  days  of  high  tension.  Everybody  is  rushing  at  top 
speed  mentally  and  physically.  Especially  in  our  large  cities 
work,  so-called,  has  largely  become  a  combination  of  worry  and  competi- 
tion; rest  a  compromise  with  noise  and  confusion;  recreation  a  contin- 
uance of  excitement  in  altered  form;  dress  ridiculous  as  a  protection; 
food  a  matter  of  haste  and  stimulation.  Hurry,  flurry,  worry,  scurry 
and  gobble  seem  to  almost  displace  all  else.  These  seemingly  ard  the 
popular  conception  of  preparedness  for  the  battle  of  existence.  What  is 
the  outcome  on  the  delicate  human  mechanism  subjected  to  this  abuse? 
Two  diseases  preeminently : — ^Neurasthenia  and  appendicitis.  So  closely 
are  they  connected  with  American  life  and  conditions  that  they  are 
generally  known  as  the  American  diseases. 

To  call  a  halt;  to  point  out  the  danger;  to  urge  a  simpler,  saner, 
safer,  fuller  existence  is  just  as  much  the  daily  duty  of  the  physician  as 
to  repair  the  damage  done.  Volumes — in  fact  libraries  both  popular  and 
scientific  have  been  written  on  behalf  of  the  simple  life,  the  efficient  life, 
how  to  eat,  breathe,  sleep,  exercise  or  even  think  and  memorize.    Learned 

*Read  before  the  International  Hahnemannian  Association. 

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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  ^ 

iooieti€8» — ^the  medical  profession  and  the  daily  press  and  the  humorous 
magazinee  vie  in  telling  us  how  to  avoid  and  dispel  neurasthenia  and 
pqrohafitenia.  That  side  of  the  results  of  modem  ^'Ciyilization^'  is  so 
well  covered  as  to  have  become  a  matter  of  current  conversation. 

That  appendicitis,  even  if  a  trifle  less  direct,  is  just  as  clearly  an 
ontoome  of  the  conditions  mentioned  is  generally  conceded.  Just  bear 
in  mind  the  quick  lunch,  the  egg  and  milk  chocolate,  the  cabaret  and 
lobster  supper  taken  on  the  run  or'on  the  dance,  and  above  all  the  con- 
stant stimulants  taken  to  keep  up  the  pace.  But  popular  ideas  and  in- 
formation concerning  this  disease  are  as  brief  as  enormous.  They  sum 
up: — ^Hospital,  surgeon,  operation.  If  one  doesn't  die  immediately,  as 
soon  as  the  appendix  is  removed  and  the  surgeon's  bill  paid,  one  doesn't 
have  to  think  of  trouble  but  can  go  on  as  before.  Against  these  miscon- 
ceptions, this  modest  paper  is  directed. 

As  far  back  as  1904  Sir  Wm.  MacEwen,  the  eminent  surgeon  of 
Glasgow,  sounded  the  first  great  warning  against  the  rapidly  growing 
practice  of  indiscriminate  operation  of  all  appendix  cases.  After  a 
masterly  review  of  the  diagnosis,  cause,  treatment  and  surgical  results 
in  the  disease  he  concludes  with  a  most  instructive  research  in  physiology 
showing  that  the  appendix,  though  rudimentary  in  men,  probably  has  an 
important  function,  secreting  an  enzyme  for  the  digestion,  at  least  partial, 
of  cellulose.  Unfortunately  his  work  has  not  been  sufficiently  follow- 
ed. But  it  served  a  g^^eat  purpose  deterring  some  over-zealous  surgeons 
who  advocated  routine  appendectomy  in  early  infancy.  The  latter  was 
proposed  as  a  prophylactic  measure,  like  vaccination.  More  recently  I 
heard  the  late  Dr.  Wm.  T.  Bull,  well  known  as  a  surgeon  in  New  York 
advise  his  students  never  to  operate  a  case  of  appendicitis  until  satis- 
fied that  medical  means  had  been  exhausted;  simply  because  measures 
pordy  medical  and  non-surgical  were  ample  to  cope  with  the  great  major- 
ity of  cases.  Since  then,  from  time  to  time,  some  well  known  surgeon 
has  lent  his  voice  in  caution  until  fortunately  there  is  a  better  conser- 
vation among  surgeons  which  in  time  should  reach  the  laity. 

But  if  the  more  careful  of  our  esteemed  brethren  of  the  prevalent 
school  can  do  all  this  with  their  simple  medicaments,  what  shall  we 
hoouBopathists  accomplish  with  the  law  of  cure  and  proven  materia 
medica  to  aid  us?  Much  more,  naturally.  Yes,  much  more;  not  only 
logically  but  literally.  I  am  not  exceeding  the  bounds  of  truth,  and  I 
hope  not  of  propriety,  in  stating  that  I  have  known  men,  splendid  homooe- 
pathists,  who,  in  the  many  years  of  their  long  private  practice,  never 
dodged  a  case,  turned  over  to  another,  operated  or  lost  a  case  of  ap- 
pendicitis. That  is  exceptional.  But  at  the  same  time  I  submit  that 
the  overwhelming  majority  of  cases  can  be  and  are  cured  by  the  homodo- 
pathic  remedy.  Upon  reflection  I  am  impelled  to  omit  here  the  usual 
list  of  cases.  They  are  apt  to  be  a  bore  to  the  majority  and  time  is  short. 
They  are  unnecessary  as  evidence  and  to  those  who  are  interested,  they 
are  available  at  any  time.  What  will  be  more  interesting  and  practically 
valuable  is  that  a  large  proportion  of  the  simple  catarrhal  cases  of  ap- 


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24  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOIKEOPATHY 

pendicitisy  such  as  the  average  busy  general  practitioner  frequently 
meets,  three-fourths  or  four-fifths  of  these  I  should  estimate  may  be 
cured  promptly  with  bryonia,  belladonna^  nux  vomica  or  ignatia.  I  do 
not  want  to  be  misunderstood,  and  before  such  a  body  as  this  have  no  fear 
of  being,  I  do  not  use  or  advocate  routinism.  Appendicitis  is  a  serious  dis- 
ease. Its  real  cure  requires  homoeopathy.  That  not  only  implies  but  depends 
upon  prescribing  for  the  patient's  symptom-totality.  But  just  as  the 
simple  nasal  catarrh  will  usually  yield  to  aconite,  nux  vomica,  ferrum 
phoa.  or  camphor,  if  given  promptly,  so  likewise  will  the  appendicitis 
yield  to  the  remedies  mentioned. 

I  want  to  impress  upon  our  minds  that  we  have  most  potent  non- 
surgical weapons  against  this  common,  dreaded  and  often  dangerous 
condition.  At  the  same  time  I  must  ask  you  to  discriminate.  The  dis- 
pensary and  hospital  cases,  seen  late,  progressed  to  a  dangerous  degree 
with  necrosis,  gangrene  or  peritonitis,  may,  and  often  do,  need  prompt 
operation.  Such  patients  are  often,  if  not  usually,  insufGlciently  clad  and 
nourished,  worn  out  and  run  down  to  b^n  with.  Even  here  the  action 
of  the  remedy  is  sometimes  almost  magical.  But  if  you  cannot  find 
your  remedy  and  get  response  from  it  quickly,  don't  dally;  operate.  In 
private  practice,  however,  patients  are  generally  well  nourished  and  cared 
for,  the  family  physician  is  called  early  in  the  course  of  the  disease  and 
can  nearly  always  successfully  cope  with  it,  if  he  will  properly  administer 
the  homoeopathic  simile. 

Recurrence  seems  to  be  thq  chief  dread.  In  my  own  experience,  aft- 
er primary  cases  it  is  practically  niL  Many  patients,  who  have  had 
sharp  attacks,  have  gone  for  years  without  any  subsequent  signs  of 
trouble  or  discomfort;  in  some  instances  having  to  perform  arduous  daily 
labor  in  the  pursuit  of  their  vocations.  These  are  true  cures.  This  is 
in  sharp  contrast  with  an  unfortuQately  large  percentage  of  post-oper- 
ative cases.  Doubtless,  you  are  all  familiar  with  the  large  number  of 
patients  suffering  acutely,  frequently,  sometimes  long  and  almost  con- 
tinuously, after  removal  of  the  appendix.  From  the  patient's  point  of 
view,  the  suffering  is  not  infrequently  greater  than  before.  The  dis- 
comfort, danger  and  trouble  from  adhesions,  intestinal  obstructions, 
hernia,  ptosis,  or  the  need  for  abdominal  belts  is  far  from  inconsiderable. 
Please  remember  also  operative  treatment,  even  in  mild  cases,  is  NOT 
free  from  mortality.  As  one  of  my  father's  patients  remarked  to  a  suf- 
ferer after  the  operation : — *^our  doctor  has  cut  out  the  appendix.  Tell 
him  he  didn't  finish  the  operation.  Why  doesn't  he  cut  out  your  bad 
feelings?"  Even  in  selected  operations  during  quiescience  between  at- 
tacks, all  this  is  altogether  too  frequent  an  occurrence.  It  is  our  plain 
duty  to  call  attention  to  it  during  the  discussion  with  patient  and  family 
of  the  proper  management  of  the  appendix  cases. 

Real  homoeopathic  treatment  shines  all  the  more  brilliantly  l^  con- 
trast. I'll  grant  that  there  are  fulminating  and  gangrenous  casea.  Bat 
they  are  rare,  rarer  as  primary  conditions  and  rarer  still  in  private  prac- 


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OONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  26 

tica  Moet  of  the  so-called  gan^enous  eases  are  really  ulcerative.  These 
and  the  pus  cases  will,  I  maintain,  yield  to  the  similimum  in  potency. 

Of  mistaken  diagnoses,  there  are  quite  as  many  in  appendicitis  as 
in  any  condition.  For  surety's  sake  I  always  have  another,  preferably 
a  surgeon,  make  diagnosis  with  me.  And,  too,  the  errors  work  both 
ways,  probably  counterbalancing.  Not  long  ago  a  young  man  developed 
violent  and  suspicious  symptoms  during  my 'absence.  I  was  summoned, 
but  before  reaching  the  house  the  family  became  so  alarmed  they  called 
in  a  surgeon,  head  of  the  staff  of  a  hospital  On  my  arrival  the  room 
was  prepared  and  the  young  patient  just  about  to  receive  an  anesthetia 
As  he  was  writhing  with  pain,  all  concerned  were  skeptical  enough  when 
I  objected  to  operation  and  proposed  to  substitute  little  homoeopathic 
sugar  pills.  I  had  finally  to  agree  to  demonstrate  relief  within  an  hour 
or  let  the  operation  proceed.  Two  doses  of  colocynth,  fifteen  minutes 
apart,  dispelled  both  pain  and  operative  ideas.  It  may  have  been  ap- 
pendicitis, but  I  don't  count  it  among  my  cases  of  cures. 

Of  diet  and  regimen  we  need  say  little.  Give  nothing  but  water 
at  first  in  obstructive  cases,  and  fluids  only  until  the  bowels  are  dear. 
A  word  of  caution  about  milk.  The  curds  cause  trouble  in  many  cases. 
Olive  and  mineral  oils  are  often  useful. 

In  conclusion,  the  purpose  of  this  paper  is  clear  I  trust  Homoeo- 
pathy is  the  treatment  par  excellence  for  our  private  cases  of  appendicitis. 
The  similar  remedy  must  be  prescribed  upon  the  totality  of  the  patient's 
symptoms,  not  the  disease.  The  selection  of  the  remedy  is  not  unduly 
difficult  The  results  compare  moet  favorably  with  the  operative.  The 
disadvantages  of  operations  in  this  disease  should  be  made  clear  to  pa- 
tient and  family.  Indiscriminate  operations  for  appendicitis  should 
be  opposed.  Operative  measures  should  become  the  dernier  resort  for 
the  few  and  exceptional  cases.  Eight  homoeopathic  prescribing  should 
be  the  method  of  choice  in  the  management  of  appendicitis.  Under  it, 
the  disease  and  its  operation  should  cease  to  be  the  dread  of  civilization. 


CLINICAL    EXPERIENCES* 

By  ERASTUS  £.  GAS£,  M.D., 
Hartford,  Conn. 

I.— ECZEHA 

THIS  case  is  interesting  because  of  the  return  of  old  conditions  which 
cured  chronic  ailments  that  had  resulted  from  them. 
A  teacher,  aged  forty-two,  has  had  facial  eczema  several  years  under 
old  school  treatment 

Thick  crusts  cover  both  cheeks,  and  when  th^  are  removed  the  ex- 
posed surface  is  purple  and  moist  She  has  used  ointments  always  and 
steam  baths  to  remove  the  crusts. 

^Bead  before  Ae  International  Homoeopathic  Association. 

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26  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OP  HOM(EOPATHY 

Sensation  of  cobweb  on  the  face  is  ever  present. 

Heavy,  pressing  pain  in  the  occiput;  worse  from  bending  the  head 
badrward. 

Ringing  sounds  with  deafness  in  the  right  ear. 

Pharyngeal  catarrh;  mucus  thick,  albuminous,  sometimes  yellow. 

Stools  hard,  knotted,  so  large  that  the  anus  is  cracked. 

The  remedy  is  clearly  seen. 

1915,  Jun.  12.    One  powder  graphites  Im  B.  &  T. 

June  29.  The  face  is  already  better.  An  old  symptom — stiffness  in 
the  muscles  of  the  neck,  with  sensation  as  if  the  head  were  pulled  back- 
ward, came  and  is  passing  o£P,  and  the  occipital  pain  is  going  with  it. 

Saochamm  lactis. 

JuL  21.    Face  still  improving.The  pain  has  gone  from  head  and  neck. 

Saccharum  lactis. 

Aug.  21.    Lately  some  new  spots  of  crust  show  on  one  cheek. 

One  powder  graphites  9m  Fincke. 

Sep.  22.  The  face  is  much  better.  She  had  a  cold  after  the  last 
prescription  with  raw,  peppery  sensation  in  the  throat,  but  that  yielded 
to  the  usual  remedy  (placebo). 

This  was  the  same  type  of  colds  that  she  used  to  have  frequently. 

Saccharum  lactis. 

Oct  20.  The  deafness  and  ringing  of  the  ear,  also  the  pharyngeal 
catarrh  are  no  longer  present. 

She  sometimes  has  the  sensation  of  web  on  the  face,  but  very  little 
of  the  crusty  eruption. 

*  One  powder  graphites  23m  Fincke. 

Dec  16.  Improved  until  recently.  Not  much  scale  on  the  face, 
and  no  sensation  of  a  web. 

New  symptoms: 

Itching  of  the  face;  worse  from  warmth  and  from  bathing  it. 

Chilly  in  bed  at  night;  cannot  keep  warm. 

These  are  symptoms  of  the  remedy  complementary  to  graphites. 

One  powder  sulphur  Im  B.  &  T. 

Mch.  16.    Improved  until  recently. 

One  powder  sulphur  40m  Fincke. 

May  22.  In  answer  to  a  letter  of  inquiry  she  writes — ^**I  am  well, 
and  shall  probably  explode  with  satisfaction  and  vanity  over  the  appear- 
ance of  my  face,  which  is  free  from  blemish.  If  such  a  disaster  befalls 
me^  you  will  be  responsible  for  it.'' 

n. — ^NEURASTHENIA. 

A  tired  school  teacher,  twenty-nine  years  old. 

Loss  of  memory;  cannot  remember  what  she  reads. 

Worries  about  herself,  fearing  that  she  will  die. 

Objects  before  vision  look  red. 

Taste  in  the  mouth  like  carbolic  acid. 

No  appetite;  full  of  gas  in  both  stomach  and  abdomen. 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  Vl 

Mensee  oome  once  in  three  weeks,  very  profose. 

Feet  and  hands  cold  and  damp. 

Extremities  feel  hollow,  light  as  if  they  would  float  away. 

Whole  person  seems  light,  as  if  it  woiild  not  stay  upon  the  ground. 

Difficult  to  get  to  sleep,  then  soon  reawakens. 

No  energy  of  mind  or  body;  does  not  care  to  think  or  move  at  all. 

Boenninghausen's  repertory  is  consulted.  The  remedies  of  the  sec- 
ond»  third  and  fourth  degree  of  importance  are  compared,  and  dropped  as 
thfliy  cease  to  be  indicated  by  the  symptoms. 

Light  sensation  in  the  limbs:  Agar.  (2),  asar.  (3),  cannab.  i.  (2), 
ooff.  (8),  dig.  (2),  hyos.  (2),  op.  (3),  stram.  (3). 

Anxiety:  Agar.  (2),  cannab.  i.  (4),  coff.  (2),  dig.  (4),  hyos.  (8), 
op.  (2),  stram.  (8). 

Memory  weak:    Agar.  (2),  dig.  (1),  hyos.  (4),  op.  (2),  stram.  (8). 

Objects  before  vision  red:    Hyos.  (3),  stram.  (1). 

ICenses  early:    Hyos.  (1),  stram.  (1). 

ICenees  profuse:    Hyos.  (4),  stram.  (4). 

Hyoscyamus  and  stramonium  vie  with  each  other,  the  former  with 
seventeen  points,  the  latter  with  fifteen.  Of  these  hyoscyamus  can  not 
remember  what  she  reads.  A  study  of  the  materia  medica  leads  to  the 
conclusion  that  hyoscyamus  is  the  correct  remedy. 

1915,  May  7.    One  powder  hyoscyamus  Im  B.  &  T, 

May  26.  She  felt  much  better,  but  took  physic  because  the  bowek 
were  constipated. 

One  powder  hyoscyamus  40m  Fincke. 

Jun.  11.  Qreat  improvement.  Memory  better;  no  red  colors  be- 
fore vision;  light  sensation  gone;  taste  is  all  right;  sleeps  well. 

Saocharum  lactis. 

JuL  2.    Still  gaining. 

Saocharum  lactis. 

Jul.  16.  Not  sleeping  so  well.  Objects  again  look  red,  and  the  sen- 
sation of  lightness  is  sometimes  present. 

One  powder  hyoscyamus  cm  Fincke. 

Sep.  8.    Improved  until  recently. 

One  powder  hyoscyamus  cm  Fincke. 

1916,  Jan.  18.    Qained  until  this  month. 
One  powder  hyoscyamus  5cm  Fincke. 
Her  good  health  was  restored. 

m. 
A  tool  maker,  aged  twenty-eight  years,  has  had  for  several  months 
Heat  in  the  mouth  and  throat  by  day  and  by  night. 
Sensation  of  weight  in  stomach  after  eating. 
Stomach  is  sore  to  touch  even  of  clothing. 

Frequent  attacks  of  bilious  vomiting  from  no  known  exciting  cause. 
Abdomen  full  of  flatus  in  the  evening,  painful;  cannot  expel  it  in 
ettlier  direction. 

Oonstitpation  with  no  inclination  to  stool ;  takes  physic  daily. 


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28  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAI.  OF  HOMCEOPATUY 

During  urination  has  acute  pain  in  the  testicle.  \ 

The  last  symptom  is  very  peculiar.  Kent's  repertory  has  only  one 
remedy  under  that  rubric,  and  that  remedy  covered  all  his  symptoms. 
It  wa3  a  remedy  that  I  had  never  prescribed,  and  four  doses  of  it  were 
given  to  make  sure  that  it  made  an  impression,  and  it  did. 

1916,  Mch.  14.    Four  powders  polygonum  hydropiper  9c  Fincke,  one 
powder  every  three  hours. 

Mch.  21.  He  came  into  the  office  saying :  ''I  congratulate  you  upon 
curing  me,  but  I  thought  the  medicine  would  kill  me  at  first'' 

His  sufferings  were  thus  described :  He  soon  had  severe  colic  pains 
with  rumbling  in  the  abdomen.  This  was  followed  by  two  or  three 
stools  per  hour,  dark,  watery,  with  some  mucus,  great  tenesmus,  burning 
and  smarting  of  the  anus.  These  continued  for  about  twelve  hours. 
Then  the  former  troubles  were  gone  and  ho  is  welL 

All  the  symptoms  during  the  aggravation  are  found  under  the  same 
remedy  in  the  Guiding  Symptoms. 

IV. — ^A   DOUBTING   THOMAS  CONVINOED 

A  merchant,  aged  sixty-six,  a  man  with  deep  prejudices,  has  been 
sick  a  month  under  allopathic  treatment.  His  son,  who  had  seen  the 
good  results  of  homoeopathic  prescribing  in  his  family,  tried  to  have  him 
call  his  physician.  The  father  replied :  "I  have  no  faith  in  him.  He 
does  not  give  any  medicine."  '*Have  you  not  been  sick  a  month  f  **I 
have."  '^Have  you  not  taken  plenty  of  medicine?"  "Yes,  indeed  I  large 
doses  and  frequently."  "Are  you  any  better?"  "I  am  growing  worse." 
"Then  why  not  try  the  small  doses?"    "Weill  send  the  doctor  along." 

The  son  told  me  the  morning  conversation. 

The  call  was  made  at  7  o'clock  in  the  evening. 

The  patient  was  pacing  the  floor,  and  when  asked  why  he  did  not 
sit  down,  replied  that  he  "felt  worse  while  sitting,  and  much  worse  while 
Jying  in  bed,  he  was  so  restless. 

He  had  a  cough,  with  yellow,  sweetish  expectoration;  worse  while 
lying  down,  especially  if  lying  on  the  left  side.  He  could  only  lie 
upon  the  abdomen. 

He  was  anxious,  afraid  that  he  would  die. 

The  pulse  was  low,  tremulous  and  small,  skipping  irregularly  every 
second,  third,  or  fourth  beat 

While  symptoms  were  being  gathered  he  objected  saying  that  'Tie 
never  before  had  such  questions  asked  him  by  any  doctor."  '*It  is  neces- 
sary to  know  about  you,  for  if  successful  the  prescription  must  be  made 
for  your  condition." 

When  from  the  tail  of  his  eye  he  saw  the  appearance  of  Bconning- 
hausens'  repertory  the  expression  on  his  face  was  amusing,  but  nothing 
was  said. 

This  is  the  study,  comparing  the  remedies  of  third  anct  fpurth  de- 
gree of  importance  under  the  leading  symptom. 


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OONTBIBUTBD  ARTICLES  M 

Af^graration  from  lying  upon  the  left  side:  Aeon.  (8),  am.  c,  (3), 
bar.  c.  (8),  cact  (3),  eolch.  (3),  na.  c.,  (3),  na.  m.  (3),  na.  s.  (8),  par. 
(8),  pho.  (4),  pul.  (4),  Sep.  (3),  sul.  (3);  thu.  (3). 

Anxiety:  Aoon.  (4),  am.  e.,  (2),  bar.  c.  (2),  cact.  (2),  na.  c.  (2), 
pho.  (4),  puL  (4),  Sep.  (3),  sul.  (3). 

Restlessness:    Aeon.  (2),  pho.  (2),  puL  (4)»  sep.  (4)»  suL  (8). 

Exi)ectoration  yellow:  Aeon.  (3),  pho.  (4),  pul.  (4),  sep.  (8),  sul. 
(8). 

Expectoration  sweetish:    Aeon.  (2),  pho.  (4),  pul.  (2),  s^.  (2). 

Puke  slow:    Pho.  (1). 

Puls^  email:    Pho.  (8). 

Pulse  tremulous:    Pho.  (1),  s^.  (8). 

His  march  was  halted  and  a  powder  of  phosphorus  2c  B.  &  T.,  made 
with  a  purposely  small  amount  of  sugar,  was  placed  upon  his  tongue. 
There  is  nothing  in  that.  I  can  not  even  taste  it.''  'Did  you  taste, 
BmeD,  or  see  the  disease  force  that  made  you  sick?"  *1  do  not  know 
that  I  did."  ^Is  it  not  reasonable  that  a  small  amount  of  the  remedy 
that  is  exactly  adapted  to  you  might  c\\reT^  **It  may  be  eo."  'T[t  is 
most  certainly  so." 

Saccharum  lactis  was  left  in  water  for  the  following  day. 

The  next  evening  he  asked:  **What  did  you  do  to  me  last  night?" 
*1  gave  you  a  carefully  selected  homoeopathic  remedy."  **Welll  I  began 
to  feel  better  right  away.  I  went  to  bed,  did  not  cough  very  much,  and 
slept  all  night;  the  first  good  sleep  I  have  had  in  a  month.  This  morn- 
ing my  pulse  was  as  good  as  ever.  I  ate  a  good  breakfast,  enjoyed  sit- 
ting and  reading  the  morning  paper,  have  taken  two  hearty  meals  since, 
and  fed  well,  excepting  weakness  and  an  occasional  cough  with  easy 
expectoration." 

Two  weeks  later  the  heart  would  sometimes  give  a  strong  beat  after 
missing  one,  and  that  was  set  right  by  one  powder  phosphorus  Im  B.  &  T. 

He  went  to  Florida  for  his  winter  outing  in  good  health. 

Since  then  he  has  called  me  to  see  every  member  of  his  family 
that  is  living  at  home. 


THE  POWER  OF  THE  SIMILIMUM* 

By  G.  M.  BOGAR,  M.D. 
Parkersburg,  Va. 

THE  physician's  high^t  aim  should  be  to  cure  the  sick,  speedily, 
gently  and  with  precision.  In  order  to  do  this,  he  must  have 
some  idea  of  what  really  can  be  cured,  what  is  more  doubtful,  and  what 
remains  most  difficult  of  alL  Certainly  no  sharp  lines  can  be  drawn 
between  these  classes,  and  we  commonly  see  cases  pass  from  one  to  the 
ofther  by,  or  in  spite  of,  our  efforts,  as  the  case  may  be,  mainly  because 


^Read  before  the  International  Hahnemannian  Association. 

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30  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

human  judgment  is  not  capable  of  fully  gauging  the  power  of  th6  most 
Tariable  of  all  phenomena,  the  vital  force. 

Until  now  surgery  has  overcome  one  great  difficulty  after  another 
while  old  line  therapy  was  sleeping  or  actually  retrograding,  a  condi- 
tion which  has  spread  like  an  infection  in  the  general  homcBopathic 
camp,  also.  Here  its  effects  have  been  doubly  destructive  because 
homoeopathy  has  had  much  more  than  empirical  methods  to  lose.  De- 
cadence in  our  own  ranks  has  had  many  causes,  the  greatest  and  most 
fatal  of  which  has  been  the  glamor  which  material  findings  have  cast 
over  the  whole  medical  world.  The  parade  and  glitter  of  the  operating 
room,  the  power  of  tangible  disease  causes  and  the  boastfulness  of  our 
regular  brethren  have  all  made  their  appeal  to  the  poorly  equipped 
homoeopath.  The  wonder  is  not  that  so  many  have  fallen  and  followed 
devious  paths,  but  that  any  at  all  are  left  who  have  penetration  enough 
to  see  the  emptiness  of  what  are  exclusively  materialistic  pretensions. 

It  is  almost  axiomatic  to  say  that  the  broader  the  culture,  the  more 
ready  is  the  mind  to  grasp  homoeopathic  fundamentals,  and  the  narrower 
the  mind  and  the  more  thoroughly  it  is  drilled  in  mechanical  routine, 
the  easier  is  it  to  put  allopathic  goggles  on  its  eyes.  For  this  reason 
especially  I  am  inclined  to  look  askance  at  much  of  our  hospital  training. 

True  education  develops  and  upbuilds  inherent  qualities  and  talents. 
Above  all,  it  avoids  forcing  the  mind  into  grooves  and  hard  trodden 
paths,  where  hardly  a  green  blade  of  originality  can  grow.  Curiosity 
looms  large  in  our  mental  make  up,  and  if  it  can  be  so  aroused  as  to 
interest  the  student  in  the  continuous  unfoldment  of  nature's  ways,  we 
shall  have  opened  up  a  path  which  will  safely  lead  him  into  the  natural 
sciences,  of  which  homoeopathy  is  the  one  whose  ramifications  interlock 
with  all  of  the  Others  most  intimately.  The  laws  of  physics  and  our 
own  dynamics,  as  amplified  and  extended  by  modem  developments,  are 
all  of  a  piece.  Our  philosophy  is  thoroughly  Baconian,  while  our  rela- 
tion to  the  sciences  of  botany  and  chemistry  are  most  intimate. 

In  the  field  of  practical  therapeutics  we  draw  from,  as  well  as  are 
guided  by,  all  of  these  sources  of  knowledge;  so  that  when  the  preeoriber 
comes  to  choose  the  essentially  curative  agent,  he  is  first  governed  by  the 
general  aspect  of  the  disease  as  compared  with  the  general  outlines  shown 
by  drug  action,  which  said  outlines  of  necessity  include  the  minutiae 
upon  which  Hahnemann  said  the  final  choice  must  almost  entirely  de- 
pend. Obtaining  details  without  being  able  to  grasp  the  general  motive 
or  whole  color  scheme  only  makes  for  confusion  and  is  especially  to  be 
avoided  by  having  the  student  well  grounded  in  the  general  relationship 
of  morbid  action,  whether  arising  from  disease  or  induced  as  a  counter- 
part thereto  by  drugs. 

If  some  one  were  to  ask  me  to  name  the  drug  which  has  led  me 
furthest  afield  I  should  very  likely  recall  lycopodium.  Some  years 
ago  it  fell  to  my  lot  to  point  out  the  very  great  power  of  lachesis  in  a 
large  proportion  of  cases  of  laryngeal  diphtheria;  now  I  wish  to  speak 
a  like  word  for  lycopodium  in  tubercular  meningitis.    We  have  all  had 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  81 

doubt  cast  upon  the  diagnosis  of  every  suspicious  case  of  this  disease 
which  recovers,  and  per  contra,  the  true-to-name  seal  set  upon  every  one 
that  dies.  A  more  preposterous  kind  of  reasoning  is  hard  to  imagine^ 
especially  irora  the  truly  homceopathic  view  point,  which  takes  note  not 
only  of  all  the  available  life  forces  and  their  impedimenta,  and,  not  of 
the  time-frayed  opinions  of  what  calls  itself  scientific  medicine.  It  is  a 
practically  unanswerable  argument  when  I  say  that  in  the  early  days  of 
my  practice  these  cases  nearly  all  died,  while  now  more  than  two-thirds 
of  them  recover.    Even  a  homoeopath  may  learn. 

As  usual,  little  things  have  pointed  the  true  way  to  this  great  poly- 
chreet  From  the  very  inception  of  his  sickness  the  patient  inclines  to- 
ward irritability,  at  times  only  on  awaking.  Later,  when  rolling  of 
the  head  and  the  ''cri  encephalique"  ensues,  irritability  stiU  clings,  and 
the  scream  also  has  an  angry  tone  in  its  note.  When  the  wings  of  the 
nose  begin  to  quiver,  you  are  foolish  if  you  wait  for  them  to  frankly 
flap  in  and  out  and  the  cri  to  subside  into  a  low  moan  before  giving 
lycopodium.  Part  of  the  time  the  eyes  are  half  closed  and  gummy  mucus 
collects  on  the  ball  and  in  the  canthi.  The  urine  may  be  suppressed  for 
a  day  or  two,  but  do  not  despair;  stick  to  your  remedy  and  repeat  only 
when  improvements  halts,  then  take  a  step  higher  with  your  potency. 
The  interval  will  probably  be  four  to  six  days  between  doses.  At  beet, 
these  are  not  every  day  cases;  but  we  should  be  prepared  to  meet  them, 
and  have  the  courage  to  see  them  through  to  a  successful  end. 

When  o\ir  late  confrere,  Dr.  H.  C.  Allen,  pointed  to  the  nosodes  as 
the  most  important  of  remedies  in  arousing  re-action,  he  did  the  greatest 
thing  of  his  busy  life.  Carrying  the  idea  a  step  further,  and  coupling 
it  with  the  fact  that  tuberculosis  certainly  has  a  great  predilection  for 
the  hings,  has  led  me  to  give  bovine  tuberculine  as  a  clearing  up  remedy 
at  the  close  of  pneumonia.  We  know  that  these  patients  are  very  sus- 
ceptible to  tubercular  invasion,  hence  any  measure  capable  of  rapidly 
raising  vital  resistance  is  very  welcome  and  the  striking  results  often 
obtained  have  more  than  justified  the  prescription.  Hahnemann  said 
that  similar  diseases  mutually  extinguish  each  other.  For  this  reason 
and  the  one  that  similarly  acting  medicines  are  more  effectual  than 
isopathic  ones,  I  selected  a  potency  made  from  the  product  of  bovine 
tuberculosis. 

Some  months  ago  two  girls,  aged  ten,  were  brought  to  me.  Some- 
thing over  a  year  before  this  they  had  been  vaccinated,  whereupon  an 
ecsematous  eruption  appeared  all  over  both  hands  and  wrists.  Every 
allopathic  measure  had  failed,  and  I  confess  to  feeling  a  little  uncertain 
•8  to  the  outcome,  especially  as  thuja  in  several  potencies  did  nothing. 
I  now  reasoned  that  the  results  of  animal  vaccine,  which  being,  in  real- 
ity, a  modified  small  pox  product,  should  be  just  as  amenable  to  a  high 
potency  of  variolinum  as  small  pox  itself  is,  and  gave  each  of  the  little 
girls  a  powder  of  variolinum  dmm  of  Swan  and  repeated  it  in  ten  days. 
A  remarkable  thing  followed.  Many  large  typical  small  pox  pustules 
which  emitted  the  characteristic  variolous  odor  appeared  aU  over  the 


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32  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  O^  HOMCEOPATHY 

affected  areas,  and  as  they  dried  o£P,  the  whole  disease  process  disappear^ 
ed.  To  me  this  was  a  most  striking  exemplification  of  the  law  of  simi- 
lars. The  effects  of  vaccination  and  small  pox  are  similar  enough  to  be 
antidotal,  but  more  decisive  results  are  evidently  only  to  be  obtained 
by  using  the  highly  potentized  preparations. 

One  more  point,  owing  to  the  pressure  of  materialistic  ideas  the  use 
of  the  so-called  imponderabilia  has  almost  disappeared  from  homoeopathy. 
Only  an  occasional  cure  has  been  reported,  even  among  ourselves. 
Hence  the  following  may  be  of  interest 

Mrs.  W.,  8Bt  60. 

1.  Intention  tremor  <  right  arm  <  emotions. 

2.  Sleeps  >in  a  noise. 

3.  In  a  half  waking  state  as  when  she  tries  to  sleep;  visions  of  hor* 
rid  faces,  <on  closing  eyes,  keep  her  awake  or  she  actually 
dreams  of  her  work.    Eyes  heavy. 

4.  Fear  affects  her  greatly. 

6.    Frequent  scanty  urine;  must  go  at  once  or  gets  very  nervous. 

6.  Lack  of  interest  in  anything,  yet  worries  over  trifles. 

7.  Ohilly;  with  goosefiesh  if  she  sneezes. 

This  condition  has  gradually  increased  for  many  years.  She  receiv- 
ed a  single  dose  of  magnetis  pol.  aus.,  20m.,  because  only  this  remedy 
and  camphor  have  great  aggravation  during  the  half-waking  stat^  while 
several  other  of  her  symptoms  are  fore-shadowed  in  the  proving.  The 
improvement  has  been  going  on  for  ten  tve^s.  The  visions  and  goose- 
flesh  are  gone,  she  sleeps  well  and  the  intention  tremor  has  almost  dis- 
appeared.   Oreat  is  the  power  of  the  similimum. 

One  of  our  brothers  who  has  now  passed  over  the  great  divide,  said 
that  he  could  almost  always  cure,  provided  he  could  find  the  symptoms  of 
liie  case  in  the  ^'Ohronic  Diseases."  It  has  been  my  experience  that  no 
single  work  offers  as  many  hints  that  point  straight  to  the  curative  drug 
as  this  book  does.  Its  very  language  is  suggestive  of  what  W0  may  ex* 
pect  to  find  in  a  minute  examination  of  the  patient,  only  we  can  never 
make  that  examination  too  searching.  Unless  we  do  so,  every  little 
while  more  new  things,  which  should  have  been  uncovered  at  the  first 
examination,  will  crop  up  to  surprise  or  confound  us. 


THE  CURE  OF  DISEASES  WITH  MATERIAL  DOSES 
OF  THE  HOMOEOPATHIC  REMEDY 

By  A.  R.  MC  MICHAEL,  A.M.,  M.D., 
Prof,  of  Clinical  Medicine  and  Applied  Materia  Medica,  New  York 
Hom.  Med.  Coll.  and  Flower  Hospital. 
New  York  City 

IT  has  long  been  a  conviction  of  mine  that  if  we  could  prove  td  the 
medical  world  who  are  opposed  to  us  that  we  could  cure  disease  with 
diligs,  the  strength  of  which  was  not  in  doubts  we  might  hope  for  the 
oonvenuon  of  not  a  few  to  the  law  which  guides  us  in  the  seleetioii  of  our 


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CH)NTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  33 

rettUddiM.  I  am  a  firm  believer  in  the  power  of  potentized  drugs,  even 
in  bigh  potencies  and  no  one  can  establish  a  controversy  with  me  on 
the  <|uestion  of  their  dynamic  power.  But  since  Hahnemann's  time 
we  have  been  endeavoring  to  convince  our  opponents  of  a  princple  in 
the  field  of  therapeutics,  so  entirely  foreign  to  what  they  have  been 
taught  for  c^ituries,  that  it  is  not  surprising  so  few  have  been  impress- 
ed with  liie  marvelous  claims  of  the  new  school,  especially  so,  since  their 
conception  of  this  law  seems  to  depend  not  on  the  principle  which  guides 
U6  in  the  selection  or  choice  of  drugs,  but  on  the  amount  of  medicine 
prescribed  in  a  given  case.  Whether  this  understanding  of  the  law  of 
nmHia  siinilibus  curentur  be  ignorance  or  otherwise  on  their  part,  it 
matters  little,  the  fact  remains  that  the  question  of  infinitesimal  dose 
has  n^er  appealed  to  them. 

I  think  we  can  afford  to  be  generous  and  withold  severe  criticism 
towards  unbelievers  on  the  question  of  dose  when  we  consider  that  many 
of  our  own  adherents  have  experienced  difficulty  in  accepting  this  one 
feature  of  the  homiBopathic  school. 

The  law  of  similia,  if  true,  should  prove  in  the  majority  of  cases, 
with  the  dose  of  a  drug  which  to-day  is  recognized  by  many  of  the  allo- 
pathic school.  If  the  question  of  dose  were  a  fundamental  to  the  ac- 
ceptimc^  of  this  law,  I  would  be  the  last  one  to  advocate  any  sacrifice 
to  iiB  principles,  but,  since  its  interpretation  from  a  scientific  point 
of  View  does  not  take  cognizance  of  the  amount  of  drug  to  be  used  in  a 
giv^  OMe,  can  we  not  demonstrate  the  principle  of  similia  on  a  basis 
which  must  be  acceptable,  even  to  a  biased  mind. 

The  queetioti  of  aggravation  of  a  disease  or  symptoms  of  a  disease 
by  material  doses  of  most  of  our  drugs  I  think  has  been  a  trifle  over- 
doM  hf  ^me  of  .our  enthusiasts;  granting  that  occasionally  we  do 
find  a  patient  who  shows  a  hypersensitiveness  to  drug  action,  the  results 
as  a  fnle  are  not  serious  or  lasting  and  the  rare  exception  rather  than 
the  role.  During  thirty-five  years  of  prescribing,  I  cannot  recall  more 
than  half  a  dozeti  such  cases,  while  on  the  other  hand  the  most  rapid 
remedial  effects  in  acute  cases  have  been  from  the  use  of  tinctures  or 
low  tyotencies. 

It  is  a  weU  known  fact  that  in  acute  inflammatory  ailments,  pa- 
tiekM  are  much  more  tolerant  of  strong  niedicines  than  those  sufferitiig 
from  chronic  disease,  which  lacks  the  toxemia  and  active  circulation 
fbund  ill  acute  inflammatory  troubles. 

The  edtetic  school  of  medicine  has  always  prescribed  material 
dMd  tft  medicines,  many  of  which  are  well  known  and  Hded  by  the 
homflBopathic  school  and  yet  I  question  if  they  have  often  been  don- 
8^608  of  toxic  effects  of  drugs  in  theit  treatment  of  disease,  in  fact  the 
aitopiatluc  aohool  of  to-day  seldom  produce  a  drug  disease  in  comparison 
to  that  they  were  guilty  of  even  twenty-five  years  ago,  thanks,  we  think, 
tb  the  influcoice  of  homoeopathy.  At  the  same  time  While  this  influence 
htt  been  a  potent  factor  in  modifying  their  massive  doses,  it  has  made 
&W  oOttvftrte  to  the  principle  of  hom<Bopathy. 


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34  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHY 

Let  US  prove  to  the  mind  of  any  one  the  truth  of  this  law  in  languagt 
which  is  capable  of  being  understood  or  appreciated  and  we  have  ac- 
complished a  task  which  has  taken  a  century  of  comparatively  fruitlesf 
endeavor  to  realize. 

In  proof  of  my  contentions  in  the  foregoing,  I  will  submit  for  your 
consideration  a  few  cases,  so-called  surgical,  demonstrating  to  any  mind 
the  power  of  drugs,  the  strength  of  which  cannot  be  doubted,  but  pre- 
scribed according  to  a  scientific  law. 

APPENDICITIS 

Feb.  17th,  1916.  George  B.  8Bt  12,  school-boy.  Carried  into  surgic- 
al ward    4  p.m.  with  a  temperature  of  100.4,  pulse  100,  respiratipns  20. 

FAMHiY  HISTORY — Good. 

patient's  ANTECEDENT  HISTORY — ^Had  measlcs  when  one  year  old.  No 
other  diseases.    Drinks  tea  and  coffee. 

patient's  story  of  present  ILLNESS. — On  Thursday,  Feb.  17th,  while 
patient  was  in  school  he  was  seized  with  a  severe  headache  over  frontal 
region.  The  school  nurse  gave  the  boy  some  bicarbonate  of  soda  and 
soon  afterward  he  vomited  green  liquid.  A  short  time  later  he  vomited 
again.  During  the  afternoon  the  headache  continued  and  about  two 
o'clock  he  noticed  pain  throughout  the  abdomen,  accompanied  with 
nausea,  frontal  headache  and  pain  in  back  of  neck  which  rapidly  became 
worse,  vomiting  occurring  several  times  during  the  afternoon;  face  was 
flushed  and  the  entire  abdomen  extremely  tender  to  slightesft  touch. 
This  was  the  condition  when  he  was  admitted  to  the  hospital  late  in  the 
afternoon. 

House  physician  prescribed  belladonna  3x  every  two  hours,  ice  cap 
to  abdomen  and  S.S.E. 

Next  morning,  Feb.  18th.  Temperature  103.4,  pulse  120,  respir- 
ation 26;  delirious  during  night.  No  positive  diagnosis  having  been 
made  and  no  improvement  shown,  patient  was  transferred  to  the  med- 
ical side  and  examined  by  the  vnriter  during  his  hour  with  the  students. 

Patient  was  drowsy,  stupid,  did  not  care  to  answer  questions; 
mind  seemed  clouded,  face  flushed,  intense  thirst,  felt  better  lying  on 
the  right  side.  Examination  of  abdomen  showed  marked  tenderness 
over  McBumey's  point  with  considerable  rigidity.  The  pain  which  on 
the  previous  day  was  general  over  entire  abdomen  was  now  confined 
to  the  region  of  the  appendix. 

Eeport  on  urine  and  blood  examinations  ordered  yesterday  showed 
the  following:  Urine  S.S.,  reaction  acid,  spec  grav.  1010,  albumin 
trace,  glucose  and  acetone  negative,  indican  normal  Pus  corpusdes 
few.    No  caste  found. 

Blood:  Hemoglobin  70%,  leucocytes  34,800,  differential  count  in 
200  cells,  neutrophiles  91%,  large  lymphocytes  3.6%,  small  lympho- 
cytes 6%, 

A  diagnosis  of  appendicitis  was  made  and  bryonia  tinct  6  drops 
to  four  ounces  of  water  prescribed,  teaspoonful  given  every  15  minutes 
while  awake.    Hot  water  bag  applied  over  painful  area.    Diet»  chiofcea 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  SI 

broth  and  water.  4  p.m.  temperature  106.2,  pulse  120,  respiration 
20.  Patient  very  sleepy,  resting  quietly.  Medicine  and  diet  ordered 
continued  throughout  the  night 

Feb.  19th,  8  a.m.  Temp.  102.6,  pulse  92,  respirations  18.  Patient 
appears  brighter,  headache  and  pain  in  abdomen  less,  takes  large  quan- 
tities of  water  at  frequent  intervals;  very  talkative,  insists  on  knowing 
his  condition;  treatment  continued  as  before.  4  p.m.  Temp.  103.6, 
puke  92,  respiration  24.  Lies  on  right  side  most  of  the  time,  fairly 
comfortable  day.  Bryonia  tinot.  continued  every  15  minutes  while 
awake.    Hot  water  bag  kept  on  abdomen,  changed  frequently. 

Feb.  20th,  8  a.m.  Temp.  102.4,  pulse  92,  respiration  18.  Condition 
improved,  slightly  fretful  at  times,  wants  more  liquid  nourishment. 
Same  treatment  continued.  4  p.m.  Temp.  103.2,  pulse  99,  respirations 
24.    Patient  comfortable.    No  change  in  treatment  • 

Feb.  21st,  8  a.m.  Temp.  100.4.  pulse  72,  respirations  20.  Condi- 
tion seems  decidedly  improved,  no  pain  over  appendix  even  on  deep 
pressure.  No  complaints.  Thirst  less.  Blood,  second  examination. 
Leucocytes,  12,000,  differential  count  266  cells.  Neutrophiles  72.5%, 
large  lympocytes  22.5%,  small  Imph  4%. 

Feb.  22nd,  8  a.m.  Temp.  100.4,  pulse  92.  Condition  improved  in 
every  way.    Bryonia  tinct.  continued  every  hour. 

Feb.  23,  8  a.m.  Temp.  98.2,  pulse  90.  Slept  nearly  all  night  Con- 
dition markedly  improved;  medicine  and  heat  discontinued. 

Feb.  24th.  Temperature,  pulse  and  respiration  normal  Third 
Uood  examination,  leucocytes  11,500.  DifiFerential  count  in  200  ceUs. 
Neutrophiles  70%,   large  lymphocytes  23.5%,  small  lymph.  6%. 

Feb.  25th.  Patient  out  of  bed  and  discharged  on  the  following 
day.    Patient  was  in  the  hospital  nine  days. 

The  indication  for  biyonia  in  any  inflammatory  condition  is  when 
this  is  accompanied  by  frontal  headache  and  great  thirst,  and  cloudy  in- 
tellecty  a  desire  to  be  absolutely  quiet,  <from  motion,  either  mental 
or  physical;  in  this  case  these  symptoms  were  all  present  Additional 
«ymptoins  present  here  and  which  are  just  as  indicative  of  the  remedy 
as  those  mentioned,  but  apply  to  abdominal  affections  are  the  >from 
lying  on  the  painful  side  and  <from  pressure. 

PYELITIS 

Mrs.  HJL,  November  8,  ambulance  case,  carried  into  ward  suffer- 
ing from  sticking,  burning,  agonizing  pain  in  region  of  left  kidney 
extending  around  to  the  front  in  the  r^on  of  the  stomach  as  well  as 
down  ureter.  Patient  crying  and  moaning  from  intense  pain,  vomited 
a  small  amount  of  dark  green  fluid,  voided  four  ounces  of  urine,  intense 
burning  pain  in  urethra  during  urination,  urine  sent  to  laboratory* 
Temperature  102,  pulse  130,  respirations  30,  knees  flexed  to  relieve  pain. 
This  i>atient  on  arriving  at  hospital  was  considered  a  surgical  case; 
the  surgical  ward  being  full  she  was  placed  in  the  Women's  Medical  and 
came  under  my  observation  while  making  my  rounds.    Dr.  Helmuth 


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36  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

came  in  to  examine  patient  on  the  request  of  the  interne.  We  examined 
the  case  together  and  both  recognized  the  seriousness  of  her  complaint. 
I  advised  keeping  the  patient  under  observation  and  medical  treatment 
for  twenty-four  hours,  agreeing  that  should  no  improvement  show  at  the 
end  of  that  time  I  should  be  very  glad  to  turn  the  case  over  to  the  surg- 
ical side,  Dr.  Helmuth  agreeing.  Berberis  tinct  20  drops  in  four  ounces 
of  water,  teaspoonful  every  16  minutes  was  prescribed.  The  following 
day  temperature  at  8  a.m.  was  101  4-5,  pulse  104,  respirations  24;  pain 
in  the  side  while  still  severe  was  considerably  improved,  vomiting  still 
continued  of  the  same  greenish-yellow  substance,  patient  had  spent  a 
fair  night  being  quite  free  from  suffering  at  intervals.  The  examination 
of  urine  shows  specific  gravity  1026,  pus  corpuscles  profuse,  kidney 
epdthelia,  moderate  traces  of  albumin.  The  patient  feeling  better  in 
every  way  the  case  was  considered  a  medical  one  and  remained  under 
my  care  and  the  remedy  was  continued  as  before. 

Nov.  10th,  temperature  was  100  6-10,  pulse  100,  respirations  20. 
Pain  in  left  side  was  very  much  better,  burning  when  urinating  still 
continued,  patient  says  she  feels  ever  so  much  better;  twenty-four  hour 
specimen  of  urine  was  sent  to  laboratory,  remedy  continued. 

Nov.  11th,  temperature  was  99  5-10,  pulse  96,  respirations  20. 
Patient  has  no  complaints,  pain  in  the  side  entirely  relieved,  no  burning 
when  urinating,  slept  well  all  night.  Keport  on  examination  of  urine 
shows  pus  corpuscles  reduced  fully  50%.  The  case  from  this  time  on 
showed  steady  improvement  in  the  urine  as  well  as  symptomaticall/. 

Patient's  condition  on  November  21st,  was  practically  normal  in 
every  respect  with  the  exception  of  a  few  pus  corpusdee.    Discharged. 

In  prescribing  berberis  the  question  of  pus,  found  later  in  the  urine^ 
was  not  a  consideration,  although  in  the  proving  of  this  drug  one  of  the 
most  marised  effects  of  the  drug  is  the  slimy  gelatinous  mealy  sediment, 
grayish-white  or  reddish  sediment  found  in  the  urine;  but  the  intense 
burning,  sticking  pains  in  the  left  kidney  extending  forward  to  stom- 
ach also  down  ureter,  the  frequent  desire  to  urinate,  the  burning  during 
urination,  and  the  vomiting  of  greenish-yellow  fluid  were  the  chief 
indications  on  which  the  prescription  was  given. 

An  interesting  fact  in  relation  to  this  drug,  which  I  have  observed 
many  times,  is  the  rapidity  of  its  action  when  indicated.  .  I  invariably 
look  for  a  decided  remedial  effect  in  a  few  hours,  and  if  I  do  not  get 
it  a  change  in  the  prescription  is  generally  made. 

GASTRIC  ULOER  . 

Mary  T.  Entered  hospital  October  30.  Referred  to  surgical  i^fttd, 
that  being  full  was  placed  in  Women's  Medical  and  came  under  my  care. 

FAMILY  HiSTORT.  Father  died  age  48  years,  of  pneumonia.  Mother 
died  age  55  years,  result  of  haemorrhage  during  menopause.  Brotbeffs, 
two,  aliva    Sisters,  two,  alive  and  well. 

PERSONAL  HISTORT.  Age  27.  Occupation  chambermaid.  Married. 
Children,  one  living,  second  aborted  at  five  weeks  five  years  ago.    Weight 


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CX>NTRIBUTBD  ABTICLES  37 

usual,  145  lbs.  Preeent  130  lbs.  Had  measles  when  a  child^  no  oompli- 
oatioiis.  At  17  years  of  age  patient  began  to  have  stomach  trouble. 
First  severe  attack  came  on  suddenly  after  eating,  about  three  years 
ago,  lasting  two  or  three  days.  Yomitus  thick,  brown  and  green  with 
streaks  of  dark  red  blood.  Blood  dropped  from  mouth  in  large  lumps 
about  the  size  of  a  silver  dollar.  Vomited  about  IV^  cupfuls  of  blood  at 
one  time.  Six  months  later  patient  had  second  attack.  Yomitus  was  of 
a  coffee  color.  Third  attack  took  place  one  year  ago  accompanied  by 
Tomiting  of  blood.  Fourth  attack  a  few  months  iago  with  vomiting  of 
Uood.  Yomitus  always  sour  even  when  only  water  was  raised.  Yom- 
iting  was  accomimnied  each  time  by  grinding^  tearing  and  knife-like 
pains  through  epigastric  regions. 

Symptoms  aggravated  by  the  slightest  motion,  even  by  ohtLnfpnQ 
position  in  bed,  but  especially  by  stooping  over.  Belief  obtained  only 
after  stomach  had  been  entirely  emptied,  pains  >by  heat  and  by  lying 
perfectly  still  on  back.  Distress  in  epigastric  regions  always  more  pro- 
noimced  immediately  after  eating  or  drinking.  Attacks  accompanied 
by  knife-like  pains  in  cardiac  region  extending  through  to  scapula,  also 
a  fluttering  sensation  around  heart 

Has  never  had  a  great  desire  for  food,  but  thirst  has  always  been 
extreme.  Craves  coffee^  black  tea  and  even  water,  only  satisfied  by 
large  qunatities  of  liquids.  Has  taken  alcoholic  drinks  rather  excess- 
ively.   No  tobacco. 

Has  always  been  troubled  with  constipation,  taking  various  cathar- 
tics, salts  frequently.  At  times  patient  has  difSculty  in  expelling  feces, 
seems  to  patient  as  if  formed  in  hard  lumps  in  descending  colon.  At 
times  stools  will  be  watery  and  coffee  colored.  Considerable  flatulence, 
eructates  frequently,  has  difficulty  in  expelling  flatus.  Abdomen  dis- 
tended at  times  and  sore  to  the  touch.  After  previous  attacks  patient 
would  be  able  to  eat  fairly  well  for  two  or  three  weeks,  when  pain  aiul 
distress  in  epigastric  and  abdominal  regions  would  begin. 

Sense  of  constriction  in  throat.  Dyspnoea  after  exertion  with  pain 
in  chest  Sweating  excessive.  Heart  palpitation,  often  without  appar- 
ent cause  always  <  after  exertion.  Pain  in  cardiac  region  knife-like  in 
character,  off  and  on.  Appetite  poor.  Thirst  excessive.  Flatulent  dis- 
tention of  stomach  and  abdomen.  Nausea  mostly  in  the  ajn.  and  after 
eating.    Stools  irregular  and  contain  dark  red  blood.    Sleep  irregular. 

MENTAL  SYMPT0M&  Extremely  nervous,  especially  about  physical 
condition,  has  always  suffered  from  fear  of  death,  afraid  to  go  out  un- 
less accompanied  by  someone.  Sometimes  patient  feels  afraid  to  go  to 
sleqp,  fears  she  may  die  during  sleep.  Dislikes  to  be  alone.  Does  not 
like  to  be  in  a  dark  room.  Always  in  a  hurry,  can't  seem  to  accomplish 
things  fast  enough.  Fears  she  will  not  reach  destination  safely.  Has 
started  to  go  to  places  and  would  be  obliged  to  get  out  of  the  car  and 
turn  back.  When  crossing  the  street  if  a  car  or  wagon  is  very  near,  she 
has  a  horror  that  it  is  going  to  run  over  her.  If  looking  out  of  an  open 
window  or  loddng  down  from  height  the  fear  of  falling  is  presoit  and 


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S8  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHY 

patient  feds  as  if  something  really  forced  her  to  jump.  Fear  of  high 
places,  also  of  sharp  knives.  Patient  feels  she  cannot  lie  still,  relieyed 
by  getting  up  and  walking,  walks  very  fast,  cannot  seem  to  walk  fast 
enough,  almost  runs. 

PRESENT  ILLNESS.  Began  six  days  ago  with  Yomiting  and  intense 
pain  through  epigastric  region  3  inches  to  left  of  median  line.  Pain 
grindingi  tearing  and  knife-like  in  character,  coming  on  soon  after  eat- 
ing, at  times  while  eating.  Pains  radiating  upward  toward  heart,  re- 
lieved by  heat,  vomiting,  and  lying  perfectly  quiet  on  back.  Aggravated 
by  slightest  pressure  and  motion.  Yomited  matter  at  first  contained 
food  residue,  followed  by  profuse  vomiting  of  blood  with  blood  clots; 
blood  rather  a  dark  red.  Oomplains  of  a  fluttering  sensation  in  region 
of  heart.  Stomach  distended  with  gas,  great  difficulty  in  getting  it  up. 
Patient  extremely  nervous  and  great  palpitation  of  the  heart.  Argentum 
nit.,  crystals,  %  grain  to  four  ounces  of  water  was  prescribed,  one  tea- 
spoonful  given  eveiy  half  hour. 

DAiLT  NOTES.  Nov.  Ist,  8  a.m.  Slept  fairly  weU,  complains  of  severe 
epigastric  and  abdominal  pains.  Vomiting  of  coffee-ground  substance. 
Much  belching  of  gas.  Oontinued  argentum  nit.,  V^  gr.  to  four  ounces 
of  water,  one  teaspoonful  every  half  hour. 

Nov.  2nd,  8  a.m.  Fairly  good  night  Complains  of  great  weak- 
ness this  a.m.  Less  distention  of  stomach.  S.S.E.  given,  result,  fetid 
stool,  soft,  slightly  formed,  dark  blood.    Arg.  nit  continued  hourly. 

Nov.  drd,  8  a.m.  Less  pain,  not  as  sensitive  to  pressure  over  epigas- 
trium, but  complains  of  great  weakness.    Eemedy  continued. 

Nov.  4th.  S.S.E.  given,  result  soft  brown  stool,  gastric  contents 
taken  after  test  breakfast  had  been  given.    Comfortable  day. 

Nov.  5th,  8  a.m.  Slight  pain  in  epigastric  region.  Allowed  raw 
eggs  and  milk  every  three  hours.  8  p.m.  temperature  99-4,  pulse  84, 
re^irations  20. 

Nov.  6th,  8  a.m.  Patient  restless  at  night,  heart  palpitation  oom- 
ing  on  regardless  of  motion.  No  headache  this  a.in.  but  head  feels 
doudy  and  patient  is  nervous.  Abdomen  lees  distended.  Patient  com- 
fortable at  6  p.m. 

Nov.  7th,  8  a.m.  Patient  nervous  and  restless,  awake  all  night, 
slight  pain  through  abdomen,  slight  heart  palpitation  and  flatulence, 
no  nausea. 

Nov.  8th,  8  a.m.  Slept  at  short  intervals,  quite  restless,  pain  in 
/epigastric  region  continues  (m  deep  pressure. 

Nov.  9th,  6  p.m.  Comfortable  day,  slight  pain  and  soreness  at  inter- 
vals in  epigastric  region. 

Nov.  10th,  8  a.in.  Slept  fairly  well,  soreness  in  epigastric  region 
has  disappeared  except  on  very  deep  pressure. 

Nov.  11th,  8  a.m.    Slept  fairly  well,  slight  headache. 

Nov.  12th,  8  a.m.    Slept  but  little,  slight  headache;  eructations  of 


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OONTBmUTSD  ABTICLB8  3d 

Not.  13th,  8  a.m.  Oomfortable  this  a.m.,  pain  in  epigastric  region 
only  notioeable  on  deep  pressure,  less  severe  than  yesterday. 

From  Nov.  13th  to  25th,  no  new  symptoms  arose.  Patient's  con- 
dition improving  daily.  No  vomiting,  pain  in  epigastric  region  entirely 
gona  Diet  has  consisted  of  raw  eggs,  milk  and  broth.  S.S.E.  has  been 
given  daily  with  good  results. 

Argentum  nit.,  %  gr.  to  four  ounces  of  water,  one  teaspoonful  every 
three  hours  was  continued  one  month  after  being  discharged.  Temper- 
ature has  remained  normal  since  patient  entered  hospital  rising  but 
onoe  on  Nov.  6th,  8  p.m.,  when  it  was  99-4.  Pulse  has  averaged  from 
80  to  88. 

UBiNALTSis.    Urine  normaL 

EXAMINATION  OF  0A8TRI0  CX>NTENTS.      NoiT.  14. 

TEBT  SUPPER.     Meat,  raisins  and  rice  boiled  in  milk,  prunes. 

TEST  BREAKFAST.    Two  slices  of  bread.    Glass  of  water. 

MiOROSOOPio  EXAMINATION.  Time  elapsed  55  minutes.  Nothing  ab- 
normal found.  Hydrochloric  acid  normal.  Reaction  acid.  No  lactic 
add 

The  local  symptoms  sxiggeeting  argentum  nit.,  in  this  case  are  clear 
out  and  well  defined.  In  the  first  place  location  of  the  ulcer  below  left 
oostal  margin  at  the  cardiac  end  is  distinctly  characteristic.  Pain  com- 
ing on  immediately  after  eating  and  relieved  by  vomiting,  also  the  char- 
acter of  the  pain,  grinding,  sticking,  knife-like,  as  well  as  extreme  sore- 
ness to  slight  touch,  even  the  weight  of  the  bedclothes  aggravated. 

Another  important  symptom,  distention  of  the  stomach  with  gas, 
with  great  difficulty  in  raising  it,  causing  the  patient  great  discomfort. 
Ooffee-ground  vomit  was  pronounced  after  the  first  day,  while  the  first 
Uood  was  so  profuse  that  much  bright-red  was  observed.  But  the  in- 
dications for  arg.  nit  were  not  limited  to  the  symptoms  which  cure  so 
eharacteristic  of  gastric  ulcer  and  which  go  far  in  making  a  picture  on 
which  we  largely  base  our  diagnosis  but  equally  well  to  the  mental  pecul- 
iaritiee  so  interesting  in  this  subject. 

Rarely  do  we  find  the  mental  side  of  a  composite  study  stand  out 
80  strongly  and  at  the  same  time  its  local  symptoms  agreeing  to  the 
dioice  of  the  remedy. 

In  the  pathogenesis  of  this  drug  possibly  the  most  striking  effect 
is  the  ulceration  of  mucous  membrane  wherever  found,  the  throat,  eye- 
lids, cornea,  bladder,  uterus,  vagina,  as  well  as  the  stomach,  all  showing 
its  toxic  effect,  so  that  it  is  not  strange  that  curative  effects  have  follow- 
ed the  local  use  in  ulcers  so  often  observed  in  the  allopathic  school. 

The  various  preparations  of  argentum  nit.  used  by  the  homoBopathic 
sdiool,  especially  in  the  low  potencies,  I  believe  to  be  a  common  cause 
for  failure  in  many  cases.  Triturations  are  short  lived  unless  kept  in 
colored  glass  bottles,  light  decomposing  it  rapidly,  also  dilutions  in  wa- 
ter. It  is  my  custom  to  carry  the  crystals  in  a  dark  glass  vial,  and  us- 
ing about  %  to  y^  grain  to  four  ounces  of  water,  to  prepare  a  fresh 


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40  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM<EOPATHT 

supply  daily.    Since  adopting  this  method  my  success  has  given  me  great 
confidence  in  the  use  of  this  wonderful  remedy. 

This  patient  was  kept  under  observation  for  several  months  without 
any  return  of  her  gastric  trouble;  at  the  same  time  tea,  coffee,  alcohol 
and  foods  difficult  to  digest  were  not  allowed. 

CROUPOUS  PNEUMONU  AND  TYPHOID  FEVER 

Mrs.  A.  F.  Age  32,  admitted  to  hospital  Nov.  6,  with  a  temperature 
of  102  4-5,  gave  a  history  of  not  feeling  well  for  ten  days.  Complains 
of  headache,  dry,  hard  cough,  expectoration  streaked  with  blood,  tongue 
coated  white,  pulse  fuU  and  strong,  heart  regular  but  great  general  pros- 
tration. Physical  examination  showed  dullness  over  right  upper  lobe 
of  lung  and  a  few  crepitant  rales.  Urine  sent  to  laboratory  for  exam- 
ination, also  blood. 

Nov.  7th.  Writer  saw  patient  in  forenoon,  temperature  106  3-6, 
pulse  128,  respirations  32.  Physical  examination  at  this  time  shows 
marked  consolidation  of  the  right  upper  lobe,  tubular  breathing  and 
crepitant  rales  over  entire  lobe,  vocal  fremitus  increased.  Oough  dry, 
hard,  expectoration  bloody.  Report  on  urinary  examination  showed  hy- 
aline casts,  pus  corpuscles,  kidney  epithelia  and  a  large  amount  of  al- 
bumen. Blood  examination,  haemoglobin  85%,  red  corpuscles  6,132,000, 
white  13,640,  polynuclear  75%.  Iodine  tinct  30  drops  in  eight 
ounces  of  water  was  prescribed,  dose,  one  teaspoonful  every  15  minutes 
for  three  hours,  then  every  haK  hour  whether  asleep  or  awake.  At  8 
pjn.  temperature  105  4-10,  pulse  120,  respirations  36.  At  12  midnight, 
temperature  104  4-5,  pulse  110,  respirations  36.  Patient  complains  of 
pain  in  right  chest  with  intense  headache,  very  restless,  tossing  from 
side  to  side,  constant  delirium,  insists  she  is  going  to  die,  delirium  con- 
tinued entire  night,  looks  wild,  dazed,  jumps  up  in  bed,  bites  lips,  wants 
water  constantly.    At  4  a.m.  temperature  103,  pulse  112,  respirations  84. 

Nov.  8th,  8  a.m.  Temperature  103,  pulse  128,  respirations  28.  6 
p.m.,  temperature  102,  pulse  122,  respirations  32.  Kemedy  continued 
every  half  hour,  awake  or  asleep.  Patient  slept  very  little  during  the 
night,  cough  loose  most  of  the  day  and  night,  expectoration  still  bloody, 
rattling  in  chest  during  the  night.  Patient  was  in  a  wild  delirium, 
jumping  more  or  less  all  over  the  bed,  could  not  keep  her  covered,  pros- 
tration great.  At  4  a.m.  patient  jumped  out  of  bed  and  ran  to  the  hall 
and  complained  of  not  being  able  to  get  air,  delirium  wild. 

Nov.  9th,  6  a.m.  Temperature  101,  pulse  110,  respirations  42.  An 
examination  of  lungs  shows  percussion  note  practically  normal,  no  tub-, 
ular  breathing,  vocal  fremitus  normal.  Cough  very  little.  Although 
lungs  at  this  time  seem  to  be  rapidly  approaching  normal,  patient's 
general  condition  does  not  show  improvement,  tongue  is  coated  brown, 
dry  with  sordes  on  teeth  and  lips,  delirium  continues  with  a  rising  tem-> 
perature.  At  4  p.m.  temperature  104,  pulse  132,  respirations  28,  wild 
delirium,  desire  to  get  out  of  bed,  difficulty  in  keeping  patient  covered. 


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CONTRIBUTED  ABTICLB8  0. 

Hyoftcyamus  tinct  was  prescribed,  3  drops  in  4  oz.  of  water,  dose  every 
half  hoixr  for  twenty-four  hours,  temperature*  did  not  go  above  104. 

Nov.  10th,  8  a.m.  Temperature  104,  pulse  132,  respirations  28.  All 
evidence  of  lung  trouble  has  disappeared,  patient  seems  greatly  pros* 
trated.  4  p.m.  temperature  106,  pulse  132,  respirations  28.  Wild  delir* 
ium  still  continues,  talks  of  dying,  will  not  reply  to  questions,  patient 
so  violent  had  to  be  restrained,  tied  in  bed,  thinks  she  has  been  ill  six 
weeks.  In  delirium  sings  lullabies  and  talks  to  a  baby,  refuses  nourish'^ 
ment,  wild  look  in  eyes  and  says  she  will  do  as  she  likes,  constant  talk« 
ing,  cursing  and  swearing.  On  account  of  the  wild  delirium,  loquacious* 
ness,  restlessness,  cursing  and  swearing  and  desire-  to  jump  out  of  bed, 
the  prescription  was  changed  from  hyoseyamus  to  stramonium  tinct.^ 
five  drops  in  a  half  glass  of  water,  teaspoonf ul  every  15  minutes.  Af teY 
taking  a  few  doses  of  this  remedy  patient  became  more  quiet,  prostration 
became  more  pronounced,  respiration  rapid  and  labored,  patient  picks 
at  bedclothes,  constantly  mumbles,  sleeping  between  doses  of  medicines. 
During  the  night  did  not  use  any  profane  language. 

Nov.  11th,  4  a.m.  Temperature  was  102  4-5,  pulse  96,  respirations 
28;  patient  much  more  comfortable,  delirium  more  quiet,  says  she  has 
no  pains  but  cold  feet  and  too  weak  to  talk,  wants  something  to  eat, 
remedy  continued  every  half  hour.  At  4  p.m.  temperature  reached  the 
highest  for  the  day  104  4-5,  pulse  116,  respirations  26.  Widal  negative. 
During  the  night,  delirium  quiet,  picks  bedclothes  occasionally. 

Nov.  12th,  8  a.nL  Temperature  104  4-5,  pulse  113,  respirations  26l 
Patient  had  a  more  comfortable  night,  feels  better  in  every  way. 

Nov.  13th,  8  a.m.  Temperature  102  2-5,  pulse  108,  respirations  24, 
remedy  continued  hourly. 

Nov.  14th,  temperature  101  4-5,  pulse  95,  respirations  26. 

Nov.  16th,  t^nperature  was  normal  and  patient  made  a  rapid  con- 
valescence, being  discharged  on  November  20.  The  remedy  was  not 
changed  after  giving  stramonium  tinct.  Patient  admitted  Nov.  6,  and 
the  temperature  being  normal  on  November  16th,  shows  a  rapid  course 
for  two  of  the  most  serious  diseases  we  have  to  treat,  not  only  was  the 
pneumonia  aborted  but  also  the  typhoid. 

An  examination  of  the  urine  before  leaving  the  hospital  Kid- 
neys were  found  normal  in  every  respect.  The  diet  during  the  course 
of  illness  was  water,  milk  and  broths. 

The  eruption  while  slight,  only  four  spots  appearing,  came  out  on 
the  fourth  day  and  located  on  the  upper  abdomen  and  chest.  The  Widal 
reaction,  although  two  tests  were  made,  was  negative.  In  the  average 
case  it  should  show  about  the  12th  day  and  while  considered  i>ositive  in 
connection  with  the  characteristic  clinical  symptoms,  its  absence  does 
not  disprove  the  existence  of  typhoid,  likewise  the  rose-colored  spots, 
both  may  be  absent  in  positive  typhoid.  As  regards  the  treatment  of 
this  case,  in  the  pneumonia,  two  remedies  were  suggested  by  the  intense; 
diaracter  of  symptoms,  a  high  temperature  in  pneumonia  coming  on 
rapidly,  a  dioioe  is  generally  made  between  veratrum  vir.  and  iodine.    In 


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48.,  NORTH  AMERIOAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHT 

veratnun  yir.,  the  temperature  is  always  high,  pulse  is  hard,  strong, 
rapid  and  bounding,  incompressible,  while  the  respirations  are  difficult, 
slow  and  labored,  tongue  is  coated  and  shows  a  red  streak  through  the 
center.  In  deciding  on  iodine,  the  following  symptoms  made  clear  the 
choice  of  this  remedy :  high  temperature,  dry  hard  cough,  bloody  expec- . 
toration,  rapid  pulse,  intense  thirst,  and  location  of  inflammation, 
which  is  invariably  on  the  right  side.  I  believe  croupous  pneumonia 
of  the  above  type  is  more  often  aborted  with  this  remedy  than  any  other 
known,  as  I  have  verified  in  many  cases.  In  choosing  stramonium  for 
typhoid  conditions,  I  had  to  choose  between  that  remedy  and  baptisia. 
The  latter  remedy  is  especially  called  for  in  typhoid  when  the  disease . 
shows  a  rapid  development,  just  such  a  case  as  I  have  reported.  The 
onset  is  sudden,  temperature  reaches  a  high  degree  in  the  first  few  days, 
sordes  appear  early,  tympanitic  abdomen,  muttering  delirium,  diarrhea, 
the  besotted  expression,  confused  mind,  extremely  offensive  discharges, 
all  show  themselves  within  a  few  days  and  while  it  is  true  that  baptisia 
may  be  called  for  in  cases  of  slow  development,  the  best  results  from  this 
drug  is  observed  in  cases'  as  I  have  described  above. 

Why  I  gave  stramonium  in  this  case  I  have  already  stated,  the  lo- 
quaciousness, wild  delirium,  desire  to  get  out  of  bed,  cursing  and  swear- 
ing all  so  characteristic  of  this  remedy,  that  abortion  was  not  a  surprise. 

SEPTIC   CHOLANGITIS 

Mrs.  D.,  set  46.  Was  taken  sick  in  June,  1905  with  pain  in  region 
of  liver  and  confined  to  the  bed  for  four  weeks,  after  which  an  operation 
for  gall  stones  was  performed,  seventeen  stones  being  removed ;  remain- 
ed in  bed  seven  weeks  longer,  when  patient  was  apparently  welL 

Three  months  later  pain  returned  but  less  severe  than  the  original 
attack;  the  pains  would  last  about  twenty-four  hours  at  a  time,  but 
continued  coming  and  going  for  about  one  year  when  a  second  operation 
was  performed  with  negative  results,  so  far  as  gall  stone  was  concerned. 
After  this  operation  patient  was  confined  to  the  bed  for  ten  weeks,  short- 
ly after  the  wound  was  healed  pain  returned  as  before.  At  this  time 
patient  came  under  the  writer's  care. 

Physical  examination  did  not  show  any  enlargement  of  the  liver 
or  gall  bladder,  attacks  of  pain  coming  on  an  average  of  once  a  week, 
beginning  in  region  of  gall  bladder,  extending  backward  and  up  to  the 
right  shoulder.  Pain  was  sharp  sticking  in  character  and  extremely 
sore  to  touch  over  entire  region  of  liver;  aggravated  by  least  motion  and 
deep  inspiration.  Worse  when  lying  en  the  right  side;  slight  relief 
from  heat. 

Abdomen  distended  with  gas;  patient  had  suffered  more  or  less  from 
gastric  and  intestinal  flatulence  for  many  years ;  during  these  attacks  of 
colic  very  slight  jaundice  was  present 

Natrum  suL  3x  was  prescribed  every  hour  and  a  limited  diet,  no 
meat,  starch  or  sugar  being  allowed.  Under  this  treatment  improvement 
began  immediately,  attacks  coming  less  often  and  not  as  severe  as  for- 
merly; after  one  month's  treatment,  patient  suffered  but  one  attack. 


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OONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  48 

Medicine  was  continued  for  two  months  when  patient  was  discharged 

Two  years  later  during  the  summer  of  1908  while  living  in  the 
country,  patient  was  advised  to  eat  a  new  breakfast  food  containing 
about  60%  carbo-hydrate;  being  especially  recommended  for  constipa- 
tion. Up  to  this  time  no  change  had  been  made  in  the  diet  as  advised 
when  beginning  treatment  Not  thinking  that  a  breakfast  food  could 
do  any  harm,  patient  began  taking  it  three  mornings  a  week.  After 
one  month  of  this  new  diet  pains  returned  again  as  before.  Patient  re- 
turning to  the  city  in  October,  she  again  came  under  my  care.  The 
new  breakfast  food  was  discontinued  and  natrum  suL  3x  was  given,  and 
a  gradual  improvement  began.  At  the  end  of  one  month  no  further 
trouble  was  experienced  and  she  remained  well  for  three  months.  The 
remedy  being  continued  during  this  time,  two  doses  daily. 

On  February  13th,  patient  was  discharged  and  medicine  discontin- 
ued. The  same  evening,  the  patient  attended  the  theatre  and  while  there 
had  a  fainting  spell  and  was  taken  home.  The  writer  saw  the  patient 
at  11  p.m.,  found  her  suffering  from  a  violent  chill,  followed  by  fever 
and  sweat  and  pain  in  region  of  liver,  practically  the  same  character  as 
previous  attacks,  but  added  to  the  pain  chill,  fever  and  sweat  which  had 
never  been  present  before.  Belladonna  tinct.  two  drops  in  four  ounces 
of  water,  a  teaspoonful  every  fifteen  minutes  was  given  for  two  hours, 
then  every  hour.  The  following  morning,  temperature  was  normal  and 
pain  was  less  severe.  During  the  afternoon  another  chill  appeared  fol- 
lower by  fever  and  sweat  with  great  prostration.  At  1  a.m.  the  follow- 
ing morning  I  received  a  telephone  from  the  nurse  that  a  third  chill 
had  appeared  with  a  temperature  of  105  accompanied  with  explosive 
vomiting  of  blood  and  bile;  coffee-grounds  character.  Pulse  could  not  be 
found,  patient  unconscious.  A  hypodermic  of  nitro-glycerine  1-100  was 
ordered;  arriving  in  about  thirty  minutes  I  found  the  patient  in  the. 
same  condition.  A  hypodermic  of  strychnine  1-50  was  given.  The 
vomiting  of  blood  and  bile  continued  about  every  five  minutes,  temper- 
ature still  105  and  the  patient  in  a  cold  sweat  and  unconscious  with  a 
muttering  delirium.  I  informed  the  family  that  the  condition  was  evi- 
dently a  septic  one  and  considered  the  prognosis  grave. 

I  advised  a  consultation.  Dr.  St  Clair  Smith  arrived  at  5:80  a.m. 
Patient  at  this  time  had  not  changed  in  any  respect;  heart  had  not  re- 
sponded to  the  stimulation,  the  pulse  now  being  absent  five  hours. 

Dr.  Smith  concurred  in  the  diagnosis  and  stated  to  the  family  that 
the  patient  was  already  in  a  dying  condition  and  there  was  nothing  to 
be  accomplished  by  any  treatment,  to  which  I  partially  agreed;  but  in 
order  to  mitigate  somewhat  the  feelings  of  the  family  I  offered  a  faint 
hope  by  giving  a  medicine  which  seemed  to  me  to  cover  her  condition. 

The  paralyzed  heart,  vomiting  of  coffee  grounds  substance,  coma- 
tose condition,  muttering  delirium,  hemorrhage,  cold  sweat  and  extreme 
prostration,  as  well  as  the  knowledge  that  phosphorus  actually  produces 
inflammation  of  the  bile  passages  when  given  in  toxic  doses,  all  of  which 
gave  the  picture  of  phosphorus  more  perfect  than  I  had  ever  observed  it, 


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44  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHT 

Phosphorus  tinct,  four  drops  in  four  ounces  of  water,  one  teaspoonful 
was  given  every  ten  minutes,  this  was  given  at  6 :30  a.m.  Three  hours 
later  a  slight  flicker  in  the  pulse  was  found.  An  hour  later  I  was  able 
to  count  a  pulse  of  136,  the  temperature  still  remaining  at  105  and  the 
vomiting  and  cold  sweat  continued. 

At  12  o'clock,  temperature  was  104,  pulse  stronger  and  r^^lar  at 
136.  Patient  still  unconscious,  no  change  in  the  vomiting  which  occur- 
red about  every  four  or  five  minutes,  quantity  from  %  to  one  ounce. 
Phosphorus  tinct.  continued  during  the  afternoon. 

At  the  request  of  the  family.  Dr.  Erdmann  was  called  in  consulta- 
tion and  arrived  at  5:30  p.m.  Temperature  at  this  time  was  108^4, 
pulse  still  136  but  feeble.  Dr.  Erdmann  concurred  fully  in  the  diagnosis 
and  stated  to  the  family  that  although  the  treatment  had  brought  one 
foot  out  of  the  grave,  there  was  not  the  slightest  hope  from  either  medi- 
cine or.  surgery.    He  had  never  known  a  case  to  recover. 

My  hopes  at  this  time  had  materially  increased.  Although  the 
prognosis  was  still  grave,  the  phosphorus  was  continued  every  fifteen 
minutes.  At  midnight  the  vomiting  had  ceased,  temperature  was  103, 
pulse  still  weak  and  running  at  136,  cold  sweat,  patient  still  unconscious 
with  a  muttering  delirium. 

Betuming  at  8 :30  next  morning  my  greeting  from  the  patient  was, 
"I  am  better."  Temperature  registered  100,  pulse  120  and  stronger.  No 
vomiting  since  midnight  but  nausea  continued.  Sweat  instead  of  cold, 
was  warm  and  much  less,  delirium  had  ceased  and  patient  recognized 
every  one.  Phosphorus  tinot  was  continued  every  half  hour  during  the 
day  and  night  while  awake. 

The  following  morning  temperature  was  normal,  pulse  110,  much 
better  quality,  intense  thirst.    Phos.  tinct.  continued  every  hour. 

In  addition  to  the  internal  medication,  one  pint  of  salt  solution, 
was  given  per  rectum  every  half  hour  and  continued  three  days.  No 
food  or  water  was  given  for  seven  days.  After  salt  solution  was  discon- 
tinued, water  and  cracked  ice  was  given  ad  libitum. 

An  examination  of  the  urine  showed  hyaline,  granular  and  fatty 
casts,  albumen  and  kidney  epithelia,  the  nephritis  continued,  diminishing 
gradually  for  three  months  during  which  time  phosphorus  3x  was  given. 

Patient  has  not  had  any  trouble  in  any  way  since,  now  six  years. 

In  the  foregoing  I  have  avoided  reports  of  cases  which  might  be 
considered  self-limited  or  mild  affections  which  might  under  favorable 
eircumstances  have  recovered  without  any  treatment,  as  well  as  cases 
which  might  have  lingered  a  long  time,  finally  recovering  under  medical 
care.  If  we  can  cure  diseases  of  this  character  with  material  doses  of 
drugs,  why  should  there  arise  any  doubt  in  the  mind  of  anyone  as  to 
the  power  of  medicine  prescribed  according  to  a  law  which  we  believe 
has  a  foundation  for  its  truth. 


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OOmitlBUTBD  ARTICLES  45 

WHEN  THE  DOCTOR  WAS  SURPRISED* 

By  S.  L.  GUILD-LEGGETT,  M4>, 
Syracuse,  N.  Y. 

CASE  I.  Har.  22,  1916.  Hiss  Mc  Ir-38  years  of  age,  taken  in  the 
night  with  suffocation,  inability  to  die  down,  etc,  called  a  near- 
ly physician,  who  injected  morphia,  gave  a  '^eart  tablet"  to  be  taken 
each  hour,  and  ordered  them  to  send  for  her  own  physician  early  in  the 
morning. 

I  found  stertor,  rattling  and  cog-wheel  respiration,  lividity  about 
the  mouth,  rasping  systole,  and  almost  obliterated  diastole  of  the  heart, 
which  caused  me  to  fear  death  before  the  coming  night. 

Indications  for  prescription  were  few.  The  nurse  who  had  been 
with  her  for  a  long  time,  said  that  the  previous  morning  the  patient  had 
told  them  they  would  better  "watch  out,"  as  she  "would  go  out  before 
night"  I  took  from  my  case  aconite  cm  (F.)  made  a  solution  in  three 
teaspoonfuls  of  water,  gave  at  intervals  of  fifteen  minutes,  left  a  powder 
to  be  given  if  the  suffocation  should  return,  and,  then,  seeing  the  deep 
blueness  about  the  mouth,  left  a  i>owder  of  arnica  cm.  to  be  given,  in 
solution,  two  doses,  one  hour  apart,  in  the  afternoon. 

Five  weeks  later  she  was  as  well  as  before,  having  slowly  recovered 
by  careful  feeding  and  nursing.  I  think  aconite  was  given  once,  within 
a  day  or  two  of  the  attack.  That  was  the  only  medication  she  had  ex- 
cept the  "next  best".  On  May  9th,  I  saw  her  in  excellent  condition,  and 
in  spite  of  watchfulness,  she  had  climbed  the  stairs  that  morning,  a 
thing  she  had  been  altogether  too  prone  to  do  before  her  sickness.  This 
day  she  complained  of  seeing  "snakes"  about  her  feet.  I  sent  a  dose  of 
calcarea  200.  as  the  simplest  of  the  group  containing  that  symptom,  and 
the  most  similar  to  her  condition.  The  heart  is  all  right,  beating  as 
normally  as  you  could  expect  at  88  years.  I  neglected  to  state  that  the 
doctor  first  called,  when  told  of  the  improvement,  said,  "Miss  McL — ^was 
a  remarkable  woman." 

Case  II.  Hiss  S.  Mclr«-,  blind  since  8,  now  83  years  of  age,  adopt- 
ed sister  of  former  patient,  had  been  growing  deaf  during  the  past  few 
years;  her  aurist,  a  friend,  had  diagnosed  a  "hardened  tymi>anum."  So, 
when,  during  the  attendant  anxieties  of  the  sister's  sickness,  the  deafnesi 
increased  rapidly,  until  she  had  almost  lost  her  hearing,  I  looked  upon 
it  as  irretrievable,  and  paid  little  attention,  when  taking  symptoms  for 
a  prescription  at  this  time.  I  had  to  prescribe  occasionally,  she  was  very 
frail  and  had  had  attacks  of  palpitation  which  would  cause  her  to  sit  up 
in  bed  unable  to  sleep.  She  would  be  relieved  for  a  time,  but  the  condi- 
tions would  arise  again.  This  time  I  saw  something  more  in  the  indica- 
tions than  usual,  returned  home  and  made  a  re-study. 

*Bead  before  the  International  Hahnemannian  Association. 

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46  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHT 

''Choking;  difficult  deglutition;  considerable  pause  between  each  act; 
catarrh;  must  eat  every  few  hours;  < after  eating;  losing  flesh;  weakness; 
palpitation;  < exertion;  melancholy;  disposition  to  weep,  etc." 

I  sent  iodine  68m.  F.  with  plenty  of  our  "next  best". 

A  very  few  days  later  I  was  called  on  the  **phone"  and  some  one  joy- 
fully exclaimed  '"Do  you  see  I  hear  again?"  **I  had  lost  my  hearing  en- 
tirely; having  knelt  in  front  of  Mary  and  put  my  ear  close  to  hear,  could 
not  hear  a  word." 

A  few  days  later  I  saw  and  talked  with  her,  the  happiest  woman 
"ever."  She  could  hear  as  well  as  before  the  late  attack.  Covering  a 
period  of  two  or  three  months.  I  turned  to  iodine  in  Guiding  Symptoms, 
and  saw,  'T)eafness  due  to  morbid  condition  of  the  eustachian  mucous 
membrane;  catarrhal  deafness,  etc.;  but  had  never  thought  of  prescribing 
iodine  for  deafness  of  any  kind. 

Case  HI.  Mar.  24,  1916.  Mrs.  J.B.,  age  35  years,  5  ft.  6  in.  tall, 
weight  154,  robust  looking,  full  of  neuritic  pains,  appearing  first  in  one 
place,  then  another,  especially  head  and  face;  pains  constricting,  sore» 
agonizing,  lasting  hours.  Previous  night  had  been  right  face,  neck  and 
upper  arm  when  too  bad>  with  caffein.  Sore  spots  vertebrae  and  coccyx. 
Pains  like  bands,  arms,  wrists,  ankles.  Pain  in  right  abdomen  extends 
to  knee>  by  drawing  up  the  leg,  and  followed  by  large,  dark,  earthy 
stool,  <of  pains  by  slightest  jar,  by  anger;  if  irritated  could  strike,  throw 
things,  but  of  course  does  not;  feels  like  it,  cross  for  the  first  in  life; 
dark,  dry  stool,  daily.  Sleep;  many  dreams,  frequently  of  hurt  animal 
for  which  she  is  to  blame,  because  of  neglect;  offensive  flatus  and  breath. 
Sleepy. 

This  is  sufficient  to  recount  the  -painful  symptoms  for  which  she 
demanded  relief,  as  she  had  endured  all  she  felt  was  i>ossible.  Further 
examination,  from  head  to  foot,  pointed  to  some  cause,  other  than  her 
daily  bread  and  habit  of  life,  and  the  entire  condition  suggested  mer- 
curialization.  I  asked  that  she  open  her  mouth,  let  me  see  her  teeth, 
etc.  The  mouth  did  not  look  badly  to  me,  but  there  were  amalgams,  and 
I  told  her  that  although  I  might  relieve,  I  was  sure  she  would  never  be 
cured  while  they  remained  in  her  mouth.  She  owned  that  she  had  very 
sensitive  teeth,  that  dental  work  almost  drove  her  distracted,  and  that 
her  dentist  would  not  remove  the  fillings.  I  told  her  to  go  to  another 
dentist,  starting  her  off  with  a  dose  of  belladonna  which  seemed  to  cover 
her  general  state  of  irritability. 

For  the  next  month  by  work  of  an  hour  a  day,  the  dentist  cleared  her 
teeth  of  amalgams,  extracting  the  two  upper  wisdom  teeth  in  which  were 
large  amalgams.  The3*eby  hangs  a  tale.  I  had  been  able  to  relieve  her  of 
the  pains  caused  during  the  work  by  an  occasional  dose  of  staphisagria 
200.  which  is  peculiarly  indicated  for  sensitive  teeth  in  dental  work. 
First  the  pains  from  jaw  up  over  the  bridge  of  the  nose,  disappeared; 
then  others,  gradually;  the  jerking  when  falling  to  sleep,  the  soreness  of 
the  body,  all  leaving  until  it  only  remained  that  the  legs  ached  if  she  sat 


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BOOK  HEViEwa    :  *  47 


too  loBg;  liad  even  to  rise  from  dinner  table  and  walk  up  and  down  for 
relief. 

A  ''phone"  from  the  dentist  to  call  and  see  the  teeth  extracted,  sent 
me  to  his  office  in  haste.  The  left  wisdom^  had  been  filled  down  upon  the 
nerve  and  one  prong  of  the  root  was  almost  at  right  angles  with  body  of 
tooth.  The  other  tooth  had  been  filled  upon  the  nerve,  without  having 
been  "killed"  although  it  had  been  professedly  treated,  and  that  nerve 
was  sclerosed  to  the  end  of  the  root,  and  no  one  knows  how  much  further  ^ 
into  the  jaw.  A  piece  of  the  jaw  had  come  with  it,  which  was  not  ex- 
actly necrosed,  but  waa  flaky  and  friable. 

The  patient  had  not  feared  anesthesia,  had  never  suffered  from  it 
when  t>efore  used,  so  had  gone  without  dread.  The  first  or  left  wisdom 
had  been  removed  in  about  15  minutes.  The  teeth  were  crowded  close 
in  the  jaw,  with  hardly  room  to  work,  and  the  peculiar  formation  of  the 
root  prevented  quick  work.  But,  if  that  was  bad,  the  second  was  worse, 
and  the  patient  was  under  the  anesthetic  more  than  an  hour,  with  sur- 
i^eon,  assistant  and  nurse. 

Three  days  later,  April  28th,  she  came  to  my  office,  still  nauseated, 
shaking,  weak,  unable  to  retain,  any  food.  Questions  did  not  bring  the 
indications  of  phosphorus  so  frequently  found  after  anesthesia.  So, 
looking  further  I  found  glonoine  low  potency  recommended.  Beading 
up  in  Guiding  Symptoms,  I  found  it  fitted  the  present  conditions,  and 
gave  glonoine  cm.  (H.S.).  with  immediate  elimination  of  disagreeable 
conditions,  and  much  to  the  delight  of  the  patient. 


BOOK  REVIEWS 

Homoeopathic  Therapeutics  in  Ophthalmology 

By  John  L.  Moffat,  B.S.,  M:D.,  O.  et  A.  Chir.  166  pages,  cloth.  $1.25 
net  Postpaid.  Philadelphia:  Boericke  &  TafeL  1916. 
In  coiQpiling  this  little  book  Dr.  Moffat  would  appear  to  have 
phiefly  in  mind,  as  his  reader,  an  ophthalmologist  who  has  not  studied 
homoeopathy.  These  he  bids:  'Tlay  fair,  please.  Do  not  condemn 
homoeopathy  if  your  experiments  in  empiricism  fail.  Choosing  a  rem- 
edy from  the  repertory  for  a  disease  or  a  symptom  is  empiricism,  not 
homoeopathy !"  Dr.  Moffat's  first  chapter  gives  a  brief  sketch  of  Hahne- 
mann and  his  work,  and  the'  second  explains  what  homoeopathy  is. 
'homoeopathy,"  the  author  says,  ''is  a  system  of  medicine  limited,  strict- 
ly speaking,  to  medicinal  therapeutics,  but  extending  throughout  the 
practice  of  medicine  and  surgery  wherever  and  whenever  internal  medi- 
cation is  applicable.  Based  ui>on  cure  by  symptom-similarity  and  upon 
individualization  of  patient,  case  and  remedy,  it  involves  the  single 
remedy,  small  dose,  potentization,  provings,  verifications,  materia  medica, 
pharmacology  and  a  complete  organization  of  societies,  colleges,  hospitals, 
etc.,  books  and  periodicals  peculiar  to  but  not  necessarily  limited  to  it- 
sdf."  Btt&ring  in  mind  the  stumbling  block  Hahnemann's  psora  theory 
is  to  80  many  non-homoeopathic  physicians.  Dr.  Moffat  explains  it  by 


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48  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCBOPATHT 

saying:  '^7  the  psora  miasm  Hahnemann  meant  a  dyscrasia  which  is 
typified  by  that  condition  of  the  body  in  which  the  sarcoptes  scabiei 
thrives.  We  all  know  that  one  individual  is  contaminated  by  the  touch 
of  a  person  or  article  carrying  the  itch  insect  while  another  escapes  as  if 
he  or  she  were  repugnant  to  the  insect."  Chapter  III  gives  the  symp* 
toms  of  the  drugs  as  applied  to  ophthalmology,  arranged  under  the 
headings:  objective,  subjective,  vision,  characteristics,  and  clinical. 
The  concluding  chapter  is  a  repertory,  divided  into  a  clinical  index,  ob- 
jective symptoms,  subjective  symptoms,  vision,  aggravations,  amelior- 
ations, conditions  and  characteristics.  Considering  that  the  book  seems 
to  be  written  mainly  for  the  non-homoeopath,  it  is  marked  by  the  omis* 
sion  of  certain  explanations  which  seem  to  us  to  be  necessary  for  a 
reader  unfamiliar  with  homoeopathic  terminology  and  usage.  Every 
homoeopathic  physician  knows  what  is  meant  by  the  expression  "an 
aconite  patient,"  but  we  doubt  whether  the  names  of  drugs  are  used 
in  such  an  adjectival  sense  by  other  physicians;  for  these  also  the  term 
"potency^'  needs  definition,  and  the  signification  of  the  signs  <and  >, 
and  also  the  comparative  value  of  drugs  whose  names  appear  in  a  reper- 
tory in  roman  lower  case  (small  letters),  in  roman  small  capitals,  and 
in  italic.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  present  edition  will  be  quickly  sold 
out,  so  that  Dr.  Moffat  will  have  the  opportunity  to  supply  these  omis- 
sions and  mak^  other  improvements  to  this  valuable  compilation. 

Diseases  of  the  Nervous  System 

By  John  Eastman  Wilson,  A.B.,  M.D.  Second  Edition.  682  pages, 
large  8vo.    Cloth  $6.00  net.    Philadelphia :    Boericke  &  Tafel,  1916. 

In  the  preparation  of  the  second  edition  of  this  work,  the  first 
edition,  valued  by  student  and  practitioner,  has  been  reviewed,  revised, 
and  brought  in  its  entirety  thoroughly  up  to  date. 

The  thoughtful  reader  cannot  fail  to  be  impressed  with  the  fol- 
lowing points: — The  clearness  with  which  the  neurological  facts  are 
stated;  that  the  exposition  of  the  nervous  diseases  is  lucid;  that  the 
elucidation  of  the  pathological  basis  of  symptoms  of  diseases  of  the 
nervous  system  is  made  clear  whenever  the  actual  basis  of  the  neurological 
phenomenon  is  known;  that  from  a  therapeutic  point  of  view  the  value 
of  the  symptomological  prescription  of  the  indicated  remedy  is  set  forth 
in  such  a  way  as  to  make  the  reader  realize  that  a  great  mass  of  homoeo- 
pathic literature  has  been  searched  and  the  findings  skilfully  applied; 
that  the  author  has  a  broad  outlook  therapeutically  since  he  brings  to 
the  reader  not  only  homoeopathic  remedies  but  also  remedies  having 
some  clinical  basis  for  their  use  as  well  as  the  adjuvant  and  palliative 
agents  from  various  sources;  and  finally, — ^that  the  author  has  given  to 
his  readers  the  very  last  word  from  the  most  reliable  research  workers 
on  epidemic  cerebro-spinal  meningitis,  anterior  poliomyelitis  acuta  and 
the  so-called  parasyphilitic  diseases. 

ProgreMive  Medicine 

A  Quarterly  Digest  Edited  by  Hobart  Amory  Hare,  M.D.,  assisted  by 
Leighton  F.  Appleman,  M.D.  December  1, 1916.  Owners  and  pub- 
lishers. Lea  and  Febiger,  Six  Dollars  a  year. 

This  fourth  volume  of  the  1916  issue  deals  with  'diseases  of  the 
Digestive  Tract  and  Allied  Organs,  the  Liver,  Pancreas,  and  Periton- 
eum; Diseases  of  the  Kidneys;  Genito-TJrinary  Diseases;  Surgery  of 
the  Extremities,  Shock,  Anesthesia,  Infections,  Fractures  and  Dislo- 
cations, and  Tumors;  Practical  Therapeutic  Beferendum. 


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INTERNATIONAL  HOMOEOPATHIC  REVIEW 


MODERN  HOMCEOPATHT 

BY  W.  0.  B.  VOIOHT 

» 

(The  University  Homoeopathic  Observer) 

Homoeopathy  has  been  an  art  of  healing  for  over  a  hundred  yeaiB, 
and  in  all  this  time  has  proven  a  method  of  therapeutics  which  has 
yielded  satisfactory  and  often  astonishingly  good  results,  which  com- 
pare very  favorably  indeed  with  those  of  all  the  other  schools  of  medicine. 
It  has  also  to  its  merit  the  fact  that  it  is  based  on  an  axiom  which,  after 
it  was  once  adopted  by  Hahnemann,  has  defied  the  test  of  the  times,  and 
has  never  been  changed;  while  the  hypotheses  of  the  allopathic  school  had 
to  be  altered  and  improved  upon  ever  so  often. 

Furthermore,  in  spite  of  all  the  adverse  comment  and  persecution 
which  Hahnemann's  theory  had  to  endure  ever  since  it  was  put  forth, 
homoeopathy  is  still  a  recognized  art  of  healing  and  still  has  numerous 
followers  in  all  parts  of  the  globe,  large  institutions  and  schools  work- 
ing under  its  banner.  It  can  also  be  noted  that  our  colleagues  from 
the  other  school  have,  in  the  course  of  time,  adopted  many  of  our  drugs 
and,  what  is  more  important,  even  our  methods  of  applying  these  drugs. 

Why,  then,  in  spite  of  all  these  favorable  indications,  are  the  ranks 
•of  Hahnemann's  followers  so  light  as  compared  with  the  others?  Why 
are  we  still  looked  upon  with  ridicule  by  part  of  the  profession  and  laity, 
and  why  do  so  many  of  our  graduates  turn  deserters  to  our  teachings 
and  become  a  curious  mixture  which  does  not  do  honor  to  either  school! 
Why  are  our  students  so  often  dissatisfied  with  the  manner  in  which  our 
materia  medica  is  presented  to  them? 

There  must  be  an  answer  to  these  queries?  If  homoeopathy  is  a 
science  and  if  its  fundamental  axiom  is  right,  and  we  all  firmly  believe 
that  it  is,  then  there  should  be  no  occasion  for  the  above-mentioned 
•difficulties  to  arise,  and  t^e  very  fact  that  they  do  arise,  goes  to  show 
that  we  do  not  come  up  to  the  requirements  of  our  time. 

Since  the  days  of  Hahnemann  and  his  similia  aimilihus  curentur, 
natural  science,  and  with  it  medical  knowledge,  have  developed  and 
grown  at  an  unforeseen  and  tremendous  rate.  The  old  sciences  remodel- 
idi  their  doctrines  and  axioms  in  the  light  of  new  philosophy  and  specu- 
lation, and  with  the  advent  of  the  microscope  and  its  pei^ection,  new 
sciences  sprang  up  almost  over  night,  new  worlds  were  laid  open,  crowd- 
ed with  heretofore  unheard  of  things  which  surpassed  even  the  wildest 
dreams  of  the  ablest  of  older  clairvoyants.  With  all  this  reform,  and 
necessitated  by  it,  there  came  a  new  language,  new  names,  new  form- 
ulas. The  terminology  of  the  18th  century,  legible  as  it  was  at  that 
time,  is  no  longer  so  for  the  20th  century  student,  and  this  is  one  in- 
stance where  we  fail  We  pride  ourselves  that  we  print  and  lecture  our 
materia  medica  in  the  form  in  which  it  was  printed  and  lectured  a 
century  ago,  and  thus  give  our  own  students  and  our  adversaries  room 
to  assume  that  we  are  behind  the  times. 

The  question  can,  of  course,  be  justly  raised  whether  or  not  it  is 
necessary  to  omit  old  names  and  dispose  of  old  theories  merely  for  the 
sake  of  being  modem.  Progress  along  any  lines  of  human  activity  is 
-only  possible  when  there  is  a  means  of  comparison  and  of  comparatiTe 


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60 

valuation.  As  long  as  the  central  European  states  coined  their  own 
money  and  were  separated  by  toll-houses,  and  had  their  own  little  meas- 
ures  and  yardsticks,  commerce  could  not  prosper,  and  indeed  did  not  de- 
velop until  Napoleon  put  an  end  to  this  ^otistic  individualism.  Thus 
in  more  recent  times  we  have  found  it  necessary  in  science  to  uniformly 
adapt  the  metric  system  not  only  in  order  to  attain  the  desired  mathe- 
matical results  in  a  quick  and  efficient  manner,  but  also  to  compare  these 
results  with  those  of  the  rest  of  the  civilized  world  and  to  profit  by  this 
comparison  of  values.  Or,  in  other  words,  if  we  live  in  the  20th  cen- 
tury, we  must  speak  and  argue  in  the  language  of  the  20th  century, 
and  not  in  that  of  previous  centuries;  else  we  shall  not  be  understood, 
and  as  long  as  this  condition  prevails,  we  cannot  hope  to  be  appreciated. 

Again,  in  the  first  two  years  of  his  medical  education  the  homoBop- 
athic  student  sits  side  by  side  with  those  of  the  regular  school  and  is  giv- 
en the  compulsory  privilege  of  imbibing  all  the  knowledge  of  chemistry, 
physiology,  bacteriology,  pathology  and  allied  sciences  furnish,  only  to 
come  badk  to  our  own  materia  medica  to  find  that  our  teachings  of  drug 
therapy  are  not  linked  in  a  comprehensible  manner  to  those  sciences. 
The  fact  that  we  consider  the  law  of  similars  as  a  fundamental  axiom 
which  has  an  empirical  basis  extending  over  a  long  period  of  years  does 
not  deliver  us  from  the  necessity  of  adapting  this  axiom  to  the  demands 
of  the  20th  century,  and  of  presenting  it  in  a  form  that  can  be  accepted 
as  a  working  basis  by  the  student  of  this  time. 

Therefore,  in  speaking  of  a  drug  and  its  symptomatology,  we  should 
strive  to  explain  its  action  in  terms  of  modem  physiology  and  pathology, 
and  in  speaking  of  diseases  we  should  not  take  the  stand  that  the  char- 
acter of  the  affliction  does  not  matter  in  the  least  as  long  as  we  can  be 
guided  by  the  symptoms,  for  it  seems  logical  enough  that  the  treatment 
of  a  case  of  a  simple  toxsemia  by  a  lifeless  chemical  body  will  be  differ- 
ent from  one  in  which  a  living  organism  is  the  aggressor.  In  the  first 
case,  the  defenses  of  the  body  are  exerted  only  in  an  effort  to  neutralize 
and  eliminate  the  dead  substance,  while  in  the  second  case  the  body  has 
to  put  up  all  these  defenses  and  more;  it  also  has  to  find  means  to  check 
the  growth  of  the  living  invader  and  to  kill  and  to  eliminate  its  sub- 
stance. As  said  above,  it  seems  only  logical  to  assume  that  in  the  latter 
case  the  line  of  defenses  is  considerably  more  complicated  than  in  the 
first,  be  it  the  body's  own  defenses  or  those  carried  forth  by  the  medical 
attendant  to  help  the  body;  and  yet  the  symptoms  may  be  exactly  the 
same  in  either  case.  This  is  especially  well  illustrated  by  the  various 
manifestations  of  disease  which  we  are  to  collectively  call  rheumatism. 
We  know  that  there  exists  a  group  of  such  manifestations  with  forma- 
tion of  tophi  in  the  joints  which  is  aparently  due  to  a  faulty  uric  acid 
metabolism;  and  we  also  know  now  that  there  exists  another  group 
of  such  manifestations  with  exactly  the  same  subjective  symptoms,  and 
most,  if  not  all,  of  the  objective  symptoms  which  are  infective  in  nature 
and  due  to  the  streptococcus.  We  cannot  logically  assume  that  one  and 
the  same  drug,  by  power  of  its  stimulating  action  upon  the  resources  of 
the  body  will  direct  these  defensive  resources  in  both  ways;  i.e.,  correct 
the  uric  acid  metabolism  in  the  one  case,  and  destroy  the  cocci  and  their 
products  in  the  other.  We  must  use  a  drug  in  the  first  case  which  we 
found  to  cause  a  disturbance  of  the  uric  acid  metabolism  in  physiological 
doses,  and  in  the  second  case,  we  must  choose  a  drug  which  we  know 
directs  the  resources  of  the  body  towards  destruction  of  the  living  invad- 
er. Therefore,  we  see  it  matters  a  little  after  all  whether  we  deal  with 
a  so-called  uric  acid  rheumatism  or  a  streptococcic  rheumatism,  and  I 
think  it  is  due  to  our  indifference  to  this  point  that  so  many  of  our. 


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reoognued  **good  preecribers"  fail  eyer  so  often  in  the  treatmmit  of  this 
popular  affliction. 

This  leads  us  directly  to  the  most  important  question  of  drug  prov- 
ing, and  of  symptomatology  in  general. 

To  b^n  with — what  are  symptoms  ?  Are  symptoms  expressions  of 
a  special  morbid  condition?  It  always  seemed  to  me  that  symptoms  are 
not  manifestations  of  the  m6rbid  condition  proper,  but  rather  of  the  de- 
fenses  of  the  body  in  the  effort  to  overcome  this  morbid  process.  The 
hypersemia,  swelling,  heat  and  pain  of  an  infected  wound  are  not  mani- 
festations of  the  staphs  or  streps  present,  but  are  due  to  the  dilatation  of 
the  capillaries  of  the  part,  the  migration  and  accumulation  of  leuco- 
cytes, etc.,  all  of  which  are  the  defenses  of  the  body  against  those  germs. 
With  this  in  view,  it  seems  quite  plausible  that  a  disease  calling  forth 
a  certain  set  of  body  defenses  as  expressed  by  a  certain  set  of  symptoms 
should  be  cured  by  a  "stimulating"  dose  of  a  drug  which  in  physiological 
doses  calls  forth  the  same  set  of  defenses  as  expressed  by  the  same  set 
of  symptoms.  All  we  have  is  an  accumulative  effect,  and  we  can  readily 
see  how  necessary  it  is  that  the  ''curative"  dose  of  the  drug  be  only  a 
''stimulating^' — ^that  is,  a  very  minute  one — as  a  larger  dose,  one  that 
can  overcome  the  resistance  of  the  body,  would  use  up  that  particular 
set  of  body  defenses  to  overcome  its  own  toxic  action,  and  there  be  noth- 
ing left  to  counteract  the  disease.  Even  the  most  minute  dose  must, 
for  a  short  time,  aggravate  the  situation  until  its  toxic  power,  infinitely 
small  as  it  may  be,  has  been  overcome,  and  this  we  know  to  be  true,  and 
have  called  it  "the  negative  phase." 

Seen  in  this  light  the  study  of  symptoms  is  at  once  linked  to  that  of 
"immunity",  or  the  study  of  the  resources  of  the  body  and  their  mode 
of  action  in  the  combat  to  retain  the  equilibrium,  and  as  drugs  cannot  be 
separated  from  the  symptoms  they  create,  we  must  enter  the  study  of 
drug  proving  through  the  gates  that  have  recently  been  flung  open  to  the 
vast  and  still  dark  fields  of  inununity.  The  pathfinders  in  this  new 
territory  must  be  pathology,  bacteriology,  biochemistry  and  allied  sciences 
in  the  hands  of  the  trained  and  unprejudiced  worker.  It  is  my  firm  belief 
that  if  the  axiom  of  Hahnemann  should  ever  be  proven  to  be  a  law  of 
nature^  it  will  be  through  the  study  of  immunity,  which  will  incidentally 
abo  teach  us  what  disease  really  is. 

Of  course  from  a  mere  practical,  i.e.,  mercenary  point  of  view,  it 
matters  little  whether  or  not  such  a  proof  ever  could  be  conducted,  and 
frcHn  the  same  point  of  view,  it  would  not  matter  at  all  whether  or  not 
we,  as  homoeopaths,  know  the  pathology  and,  as  it  were,  the  biology  of 
our  therapeutic  tools  as  long  as  we  are  guided  by  the  symptoms,  and 
come  close  enough  to  do  no  harm,  and  often  to  do  real  good.  However, 
such  an  attitude  cannot  but  cut  short  the  progress  of  our  school ;  we  shall 
always  be  where  we  are  now,  and  where  we  were  one  hundred  years  ago, 
tiq[>ping  about  in  the  semi-dark  with  a  formula  in  our  hands,  very  sim- 
ilar to  the  rest  of  our  medical  confreres  to  whom  we  think  ourselves  so 
much  superior,  and  with  the  only  difference  that  we  seem  to  have  the 
better  recipe,  although  we  are  at  a  loss  to  tell  the  world  why  it  is  the  bet- 
ter one.  Therefore,  if  homoeopathy  is  to  be  put  on  a  basis  acceptable 
to  the  scientific  world  of  our  age,  it  will  be  placed  there  by  the  efforts  of 
the  homoeopathic  laboratory,  working  hand  in  hand  with  the  clinician. 

And  now  the  new  question  arises,  how  is  the  laboratory  going  to 
serve  homoeopathy  so  as  to  interpret  its  drug  therapy  in  the  light  of 
modem  science,  and  to  add  to  this  therapy  the  revelation  and  forthcom- 
ing knowledge  of  this  science  and  others  to  be  created? 

I  am  perfectly  aware  of  the  fact  that  it  is  an  easy  task  to  criticise 
tiie  established  order  of  things,  and  to  doubt  its  value^  and  that  on  Uie 


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other  hand  it  is  a  very  difficult  task  to  build  up  a  new  order  and  point 
out  new  and  better  methods.  But  you  all  will  agree  with  me  that  each. 
criticism  has  some  value  and  a  direct  bearing  upon  progress  in  general 
I  also  realize  fully  that  the  methods  which  we  would  like  to  substitute 
for  thiB  old  ones  in  drug  proving,  though  superior  to  these  old  ones,  are 
as  yet  far  from  being  perfect  Laboratories  for  scientific  drug-proving 
have  been  rather  recently  installed  in  various  institutions  of  this  coun- 
try and  the  homoeopathic  world  at  large  is  waiting  impatiently  for  the 
great  things  that  should  come  forth  from  these  places,  while  as  a  matter 
of  fact  the  directors  of  these  laboratories  are  greatly  puzzled  as  to  how 
and  where  to  begin.  Our  materia  medica,  as  it  stands,  comprises  al- 
ready over  four  hundred  drugs,  some  of  them  proven  and  reproven  well 
as  to  their  symptomatology,  others  not  so  well,  and  still  others  not  at  alL 
Is  it  the  duty  of  the  homoeopathic  laboratory  to  increase  this  number 
and  do  it  in  the  same  fashion  as  it  has  been  done  heretofore,  or  to  hunt 
up  new  drugs  and  detect  their  influence  on  the  body  metabolism  by 
means  of  the  newer  methods  given  us  by  pathology,  bacteriology  and  the 
serum  reactions  of  immunity.  Before  widening  Uie  scope  of  our  drug 
therapy  I  think  we  should  strive  to  well  understand  the  most  important 
drugs  of  our  present  materia  medica,  especially  the  ones  which  we  know 
from  other  sources  to  have  a  marked  influence  on  the  body  fluids  and  on 
specid  organs  like  the  heart,  kidney,  etc.  Of  late  we  have  heard  a  good 
deal  about  phosphorus  in  tuberculosis  and  some  of  our  prescribers,  fol- 
lowing the  methods  of  the  other  school,  give  it  routinely  in  all  cases  of 
T.B.  that  come  their  way.  The  subject  of  T.B.  being  of  such  tremendous 
medical  and  social  importance,  I  shall  here  briefly  repeat  what  facts 
recent  investigations  have  revealed  concerning  phosphorus  and  its  ac- 
tion upon  the  lipolytic  activity  of  the  body,  as  expressed  in  the  destruc^ 
tion  of  T.B.  bacilli  by  lymphocytes. 

Biochemistry  teaches  us  that  phytin,  i.e.,  pure  plant  phosphorus, 
when  introduced  into  the  living  body,  undergoes  certain  change  in 
the  course  of  which  lecithin  is  formed,  which  in  its  turn  serves  as  an 
activator  to  a  lipolytic  preferment  in  the  lymphadenoid  tissues  of  the  body. 
The  lipolytic  activity  of  these  cells  is  immensely  increased  and  the  fer- 
ment devastates  the  T.B.  bacilli  of  their  waxy  protection  and  thus  pre- 
pares them  for  the  body  fluids  to  be  acted  upon  and  destroyed.  If  this 
is  true  of  plant  phosphorus,  why  not  of  our  phosphorus?  I  think  it 
would  be  worth  our  time  to  investigate  this  matter. 

I  had  the  opportunity  last  year  to  examine  a  great  number  of  tuber- 
cular sputa  of  patients,  all  but  two  of  whom  received  phos.  6  to  30x. 
I  was  not  told  the  name  of  the  patient  until  after  the  examination  was 
made,  and,  therefore,  could  not  be  influenced  in  my  prognosis  by  my 
knowledge  of  the  clinical  picture  presented  by  the  patient  I  found  that 
in  the  course  of  a  half  to  three-quarters  of  a  year  the  prognosis  as  taken 
by  the  phagocytic  action  of  the  lymphocytes  and  the  apearance  of  the 
bacteria  became  more  and  more  favorable  in  nearly  all  the  samples  that 
were  submitted  to  the  test,  and  I  had  the  gratification  to  find  out  that 
the  clinical  picture  was  a  mirror-image  of  my  prognosis.  These  cases 
did  receive  phosphorus,  and  the  phos.  seemed  to  act  here  exactly  in  the 
same  manner  as  the  phytin  did.  It  would  be  worth  while  to  confirm  this 
assumption  by  a  systematic  investigation,  and  it  also  would  be  of  value 
to  see  whether  or  not  phos.  will  raise  the  general  body  resistance  towards 
the  T.B.  germ,  as  would  be  indicated  by  a  fixation  reaction;  and  if  it 
does  what  is  its  mode  of  action.    We  know  that  it  influences  greatly  the 


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diaracter  of  the  blood  in  general,  but  we  know  very  little  of  its  special 
blood  biology  when  given  in  non-tozic  doses. 

Then  there  is  a  long  list  of  Na-H-la  baryta  salts  which  play  so  im- 
portant a  role  in  our  circulation,  and  in  the  upbuilding  of  our  body.  A 
reproving  of  any  member  of  this  group  of  drugs  paying  special  atten- 
tion to  the  biochemistry  and  blood  pathology  involved  would  certainly  in- 
crease our  knowledge  of  infantile  marasmus,  rickets  and  other  afflctions 
due  to  faulty  assimilation  or  inadequate  nutrition,  and  might  also  throw 
some  light  on  the  etiology  of  the  so-called  primary  ansemias  and  leuk»m- 
ias  and  conditions  due  to  a  perverted  activity  of  the  glands  of  internal 
secretion. 

If  we  are  to  put  forth  a  program  for  the  new  homoeopathic  labora- 
torieSy  I  diink  that  we  can  consider  the  work  under  three  main  heads. 
1.  Investigations  of  the  influence  of  our  drugs  on  the  body-metabolism 
as  shown  by  examination  of  the  body  fluids  and  the  clinical  findings,  and 
where  available,  pathological  findings.  2.  Investigations  of  the  In- 
fluence of  our  drugs  on  the  body  defenses  against  a  living  invader  as 
^own  by  serum  reactions,  examination  of  the  body  fluids  and  the  clinical 
findings.  3.  Investigation  of  the  action  of  vaccines  and  similar  ther- 
apeutic agents  on  the  defenses  of  the  body  as  shown  mainly  by  serum 
reactionB. 

As  to  point  three,  there  are  still  many  of  Hahnemann's  followers, 
and  especially  the  older  generation,  who  do  not  deem  vaccines  true 
bomcBopathic  remedies,  or  who  think  that  the  preservative  used  in  all 
such  preparations  is  the  real  curative  agent,  and  the  vaccine  only  a 
placebo.  The  latter  objection  is,  of  course,  unfounded  and  can  be  eas- 
ily disproved  by  the  fact  that  a  staphylococcus  aureus  boil  cannot  be  im- 
proved or  cured  by  a  colon  vaccine,  nor  a  colon  nephritis  by  a  staph, 
aureus  vaccine,  although  both  contain  the  preservative.  I  feil  to  un- 
derstand why  anybody  who  approaches  the  matter  with  an  unprejudiced 
mind  can  consider  vaccines  as  anything  but  homoeopathic^  and  even  so 
prominent  a  member  of  the  old  school  as  Wright,  London,  as  well  as 
many  others,  have  freely  admitted  the  homoeopathicity  of  this  therapy; 
An  introduction  of  dead  typhoid  germs  into  the  body  in  a  sufficiently 
large  quantity  causes  an  ulceration  of  Pyers'  patches.  We  only  follow 
the  axiom  of  Hahnemann  if  we  employ  such  an  emulsion  in  minute  doses 
to  combat  any  morbid  conditions  that  causes  an  inflaromation  of  Pyers' 
patches. 

It  is  of  importance  to  the  homoepathic  school  of  medicine,  and  espe&- 
isUy  for  its  laboratories,  to  accept  this  mode  of  therapy  and  to  do  every- 
thing in  its  power  to  perfect  it  for  more  reasons  than  this  one.  No  mat- 
ter whether  or  not  vaccines  and  sera  are  homoeopathic,  the  study  of  these 
therapeutic  agents  constitutes  the  stepladder  which  will  finally  lead  us 
up  to  a  thorough  knowledge  of  drugs  and  their  action.  For  reasons 
which  only  the  laboratory  man  can  fully  appreciate  it  is  far  easier  to 
work  with  living  or  dead  germs  and  their  antibodies  than  with  drugs. 
To  illustrate  this:  I  can  inject  strains  of  streptocci  into  rabbits  and, 
without  difficulty,  trace  their  steps  as  it  were,  in  all  parts  of  the  body.  I 
can  tell  exactly  just  where  they  produced  lesions,  and  what  kind  of  les- 
ioDfly  and  can  always  prove  that  these  lesions  are  really  due  to  the  strep, 
l^  regaining  the  organism  from  that  lesion.  Now,  if  I  were  to  take  a 
drog^  you  can  easily  see  that  it  is  a  far  more  difficult  problem  to  follow  it 
through  the  entire  body  and  prove  that  a  certain  lesion  is  due  to  the  ao- 


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tion  of  that  particular  drug.  It  will  require  a  good  deal  more  knowledge 
of  protein  chemistry  than  we  now  have  to  make  correct  deductions  in 
the  latter  case.  Should  we  sit  idle  and  wait  until  such  greater  knowledge 
of  hiological  chemistry  is  bestowed  upon  us?  Certainly  not.  We  can 
follow  up  the  above  mentioned  strep,  and  study  the  way  in  which  nature 
tries  to  fight  that  invader,  what  defenses  are  called  forth  in  the  partic- 
ular case,  under  what  circumstances  and  in  what  manner  they  overcome 
the  enemy  or  are  subdued  by  it,  and  what  therapeutic  agents  will  assist 
these  body  defenses,  and  what  is  their  modification.  Thus  we  will  by 
and  by  acquire  at  least  a  partial  understanding  of  the  methods  applied 
in  the  workshop  of  old  mother  Nature,  which  methods  in  all  likelihood 
follow  the  same  principle,  be  the  disturbing  agent  a  strep,  or  be  it  a  drug. 

It  is  especially  in  connection  with  the  infective  diseases  that  we  can 
raise  the  scientific  standard  of  our  drug  therapy,  as  here  we  meet  a  hap- 
py combination  of  drug  and  bacteria  and  we  are  thus  enabled  to  follow 
up  the  action  of  our  drug  at  least  along  one  line,  namely,  its  action  upon 
the  bacteria  and  how  much  and  in  what  particular  manner  it  will  aUy 
itself  to  the  defenses  of  the  body  towards  the  destruction  of  the  germ 
and  its  products.  A  wonderful  field  of  research  along  these  lines  should 
be  the  study  of  all  the  various  affections  of  the  kidney,  commonly  and 
collectively,  called  Bright's  disease.  We  know  that  at  least  a  consider- 
able percentage  of  nephritis  is  infective  in  nature,  and  again  due  to  the 
strep,  and  similar  organisms.  We  had  the  gratification  to  isolate  in  our 
laboratory  from  three  cases  of  nephritis  the  organisms  either  from  the 
urine  or  from  the  tonsillar  crypts,  and  in  one  case  from  the  blood,  and 
afterwards  treat  the  patients  successfully  with  autogenous  vaccines.  All 
of  these  cases  had  been  diagnosed  by  some  of  our  leading  men  as  hoi>ele88, 
and  as  probably  terminating  fatally  within  one  year  and  less.  They 
were  simply  delivered  to  the  mercy  of  the  laboratory  in  the  assumption 
that  nothing,  not  even  a  laboratory  experiment,  could  make  their  con- 
dition worse  than  it  was.  However,  all  of  these  patients  improved  re- 
markably and  are  still  very  much  alive,  and  two  of  them  apparently 
cured.  These  results  were  obtained  with  vaccines,  but  I  have  no  doubt 
that  some  of  our  drugs  will  also  stimulate  the  body  defenses  so  as  to 
direct  them  towards  the  destruction  of  the  organism,  as  the  phytin  did 
in  the  case  of  the  T.B.  bacillus.  If  we  are  able  to  establish  the  fact 
that  the  drugs  which  we  usually  find  indicated  in  the  various  forms  of 
nephritis  have  a  direct  or  indirect  influence  upon  the  causative  agent 
of  the  disease,  then  we  shall  have  placed  the  proving  of  these  drugs  with 
reference  to  nephritis  or  its  s3rmptom8  on  a  basis  that  is  acceptable  to 
the  entire  scientific  world  of  our  time.  It  is  true  we  shall  have  gained 
nothing  as  far  as  the  homoeopathic  choice  of  the  remedy  is  concerned, 
but  we  shall  have  the  satisfaction  of  knowing  that  this  our  choice  is  justi- 
fied by  all  these  methods  of  research  and  testing  which  are  employed 
by  modem  scientists,  and  consequently  must  be  recognized  by  them. 

With  the  recently  acquired  technique  of  cultivating  neoplastic  tis- 
sue and  transplanting  it  successfully  to  experiment  on  animals  another 
field  has  been  opened  for  homoeopathic  drug  proving.  We  claim  that 
quite  a  few  of  our  drugs  have  a  decidedly  beneficial,  if  not  curative, 
action  on  tumors.  If  that  is  true  why  should  it  not  be  possible  to  prove 
such  claims  by  systematic  laboratory  experiments? 

I  have  touched  upon  three  agents  powerful  in  the  destruction  of 
human  life,  which  we  encounter  almost  every  day  of  our  medical  activ- 
ity, and  it  is  apparent  that  each  of  them  affords  a  rich  material  for 
the  homoeopathic  drug  prover.  There  are  other  fields  just  as  important 
and  just  as  promising.  We  really  should  not  be  at  a  loss  where  and  hovr 
to  begin. 


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It  is  a  mistake  made  by  tlie  profession  and  laboratories  alike  to 
think  that  it  is  the  duty  of  our  laboratories  to  set  out  to  prove  the  law 
of  Hahnemann.  How  can  we  expect  to  prove  as  a  law  an  axiom  the 
nature  of  which  we  do  not  as  yet  understand  ?  But  if  we  honestly  try  to 
investigate  our  therapeutic  agents  in  the  light  of  modem  research,  we 
cannot  help  but  acquire  some  insight  into  the  working  order  of  our 
fundamental  axiom,  and  incidentally  gain  the  approval  and  recognition 
of  the  medical  profession  and  scientific  world  at  larga 


MERCURIUS  OYANATUS 

BY  J.  F.  BLINN^  MJ). 

(The  University  Homoeopathic  Observer) 

Literature  in  recent  years  has  contained  numerous  accounts  of 
the  marvelous  cures  of  diphtheria  with  mercurius  cyanatus.  Its  use 
is  more  or  less  empirical  in  these  cases,  based  on  a  few  recorded  symp- 
toms of  poisoning  by  the  drug,  and  its  wonderful  results  clinically,  rather 
than  on  scientific  proving. 

The  Homoeopathic  Times,  of  October,  1877,  contains  an  article  on 
TThe  Treatment  of  Diphtheria,"  by  Wm.  A.  Allen,  in  which  he  states 
that  a  partial  proving  of  mercurius  cyanatus  produced  a  great  weak- 
ness and  prostration,  a  low  febrile  condition,  a  whitish-gray  deposit 
upon  the  tonsils  and  uvula,  extending  along  the  right  side  of  the  tongue. 
The  prostration  was  so  ^vere  that  the  patient  ceased  taking  the  drug. 
Allen  also  states  he  has  noticed  ''that  in  addition  to  the  above  symptoms 
it  is  indicated  when  the  throat  has  a  scarlet  velvety  appearance,  but  the 
membrane  is  diin  and  semi-transparent." 

Dr.  Burt,  of  Chicago,  injected  some  mercurius  cyanatus  under 
the  skin  of  a  dog  which  caused  ''great  prostration,  with  feebleness  of 
circulation  and  respiration  .  .  .  and  on  post-mortem  examination 
the  larynx  was  found  inflamed,  with  its  mucoUs  membrane  and  that  of 
the  posterior  nares  loaded  with  mucus,  and  the  right  ventricle  contained 
a  white  fibrin  dot." 

In  a  pamphlet  published  by  Boericke  &  Tafel,  in  1877,  entitled 
^Therapeutics  of  Diphtheria,"  a  compilation  and  critical  review  of  G^er- 
man  and  American  literature,  by  F.  G.  Oehme,  he  says  in  his  resume  of 
the  use  of  mercurius  cyanatus,  that  it  was  recommended  by  Beck  to 
Yillers  when  the  latter's  son  was  hopelessly  ill  with  diphtheria.  It  was 
recommended  because,  in  five  cases  of  poisoning  with  this  drug,  it  had 
produced  gangrene  of  the  palatinum  and  fauces.  The  results  here,  and 
in  cases  later  treated  with  it,  were  most  grati^ng.  He  concludes  by 
saying,  'Sre  have  no  provings  of  this  drug,  can,  therefore,  not  give  any 
indications  for  its  selection." 

The  dahnemannian  Monthly,  for  December,  1911,  contains  a  most 
csoellent  article  by  Wm.  A.  Siebert  on  the  comparison  of  the  symptom- 
atolofi^  of  mercurius  cyanatus  and  diphtheria,  but  here,  again,  we  hear 
^'mercurius  cyanatus  does  have  quite  a  reputation  in  this  disease,  and 
considering  ^is  fact  it  is  singular  that  its  symptomatology  has  not 
beoi  perfected  by  careful  proving." 

Probably  one  of  the  greatest  boosts  homoeopathy  has  received  in 
leeent  years,  as  well  as  a  confirmation  of  our  use  of  mercurius  cyanatus 
it  the  recent  monograph,  "The  Treatment  of  Diphtheria  with  cyanide  of 


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mercury,'*  by  Prof.  Hugo  Schulz,  Director  of  the  Pharmacological  In- 
stitute of  the  University  of  Griefswald,  in  Germany.  This  work  is  one 
of  the  most  able  and  scientific  arguments  in  favor  of  homoeopathic  prac- 
tice that  has  been  written  by  any  medical  man  of  either  sdiool  during 
recent  years.  In  this  monograph  Prof.  Schulz  reviews  the  use  of  mer- 
curius  cyanatus  in  diphtheria,  giving  Beck  and  Von  Villers,  two  homoeo- 
pathic physicians,  full  credit  for  Qieir  introduction  into  medicine  of 
the  remedy  for  the  treatment  of  this  disease,  and  he  acknowledges  the 
probable  dSciency  of  their  doses,  which  were  of  the  sixth  centesimal 
dynamization.  He  cites  no  less  than  554  cases  in  which  the  drug  was 
used  with  satisfactory  results  and  most  of  these  cases  were  collected 
from  old  school  literature. 

With  these  facts  confronting  us  we  decided  to  do  some  work  with 
this  drug  in  the  laboratory  of  Experimental  Drug  Pathogenesy,  which 
has  recently  been  established  in  the  Homoeopathic  School  of  Medicine 
at  the  University  of  Michigan.  This  work  was  done  to  confirm,  if  we 
could,  by  provings  on  animals  what  we  already  know  of  the  drug,  and  at 
the  same  time,  if  possible,  to  add  to  our  knowledge  more  facts  regarding 
the  drug  and  give  more  symptomatology  in  order  that  we  might  have  a 
better  understanding  of  its  indications  and  uses. 

Up  to  the  present  time  our  work  has  been  done  entirely  with  rab- 
bits. The  experiments  were  begun  with  three  animals  each  getting 
different  strengths  of  the  drug.  Boericke  &  Tafel's  first,  second  and 
diird  decimal  triturates  were  used,  but  after  a  month's  use  of  these 
drugs  the  two  highest  triturates  were  discontinued,  as  the  symptoms 
produced  by  them  were  not  suflficiently  pronounced  to  warrant  the  ex- 
penditure of  the  time  awaiting  the  appearance  of  the  symptoms. 

Because  no  objective  symptoms  were  produced  in  ihe  relatively  short 
time  we  allowed  on  the  rabbits,  with  the  2x  and  3x,  it  must  not  be- 
supposed  that  these  triturates  would  produce  no  symptoms  in  man. 
If  careful  provings  were  made  on  a  healthy  himian  being,  he  could 
doubtless  relate  subjective  symptoms  which  we  have  no  means  of  de- 
tecting in  the  animals. 

The  rabbits  which  had  been  getting  the  2x  and  8x  were,  therefore^ 
put  on  the  Ix,  or  on  a  solution  made  from  the  pure  crystals  of  the 
drug  dissolved  in  distilled  water,  in  which  one  drop  of  the  solution 
contained  0.05  or  two  drops  contained  0.1  grain.  The  symptoms  then 
produced  were  the  same  in  all  the  animals,  and  are  as  follows : 

Immediately  after  the  dose  is  given  there  is  a  period  of  excitement; 
the  animals  becomes  restless  and  uneasy,  and  the  senses  seem  to  become 
more  acute,  a  slight  noise  or  touch  causing  a  very  noticeable  start  This 
I>eriod  is  then  followed,  providing  the  dose  is  not  too  large  by  one  of 
dppression  and  fatigue.  The  animal  becomes  drowsy  and  will  lie  down 
or  crouch  in  a  semi-stupid  condition,  eyes  partly  closed  and  the  breath- 
ing is  somewhat  labored  and  deep.  From  this  condition  he  will  sud- 
denly start,  move  around  a  little  and  return  to  the  drowsy  stata  During 
all  this  time  the  heart's  action  is  increased  and  the  superficial  blood  ves- 
sels are  much  congested. 

The  next  sized  dose  produces  marked  symptoms,  coming  on  almost 
immediately.  The  stage  of  excitement  and  restlessness  is  markedly 
shortened,  and  the  animal  soon  becomes  greatly  prostrated.  He  will  lit- 
erally flop  down  onto  his  belly  or  side,  extremities  extended,  breathing 
increased  in  rapidity  and  depth,  and  sides  heaving.  The  head  is  slight- 
ly thrown  back  to  facilitate  respiration,  the  heart's  action  is  less  rapid* 
and  the  peripheral  vessels  are  congested  with  a  dark,  almost  purplish 
blood.  If  the  animal  be  light  colored,  the  tip  of  the  nose  api>ear8  cyan- 
osed,  as  well  as  the  ears.    At  this  time  there  is  little  that  seems  to  dis- 


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57 

turb  him,  his  whole  att^itioli  seemingly  to  be  centered  in  gettin^^  suf- 
ficient air.  If  moved  he  will  again  iSirow  his  head  back  sufficiently  to 
straighten  the  trachea;  if  put  onto  his  feet  he  will  remain  in  that  posi- 
tion until  his  legs  gradually  slide  from  under  him  and  he  lies  in  a  pros- 
trated condition  on  the  table.  The  condition  will  last  from  one-half  to 
an  hour  when  his  strength  gradually  returns  and  his  breathing  and 
heart  action  becomes  more  normal.  If  doses  of  this  size  are  continued 
for  a  time  (a  week  or  so)  there  develops  a  condition  in  which  the  animal 
is  easily  thrown  into  a  series  of  tremors.  The  first  announcement  of 
these  appears  when  lifting  the  rabbit  from  the  cage  to  give  him  the 
drugy  and  manifests  itself  in  a  tremblings  giving  the  observer  the  im- 
pression he  receives  by  laying  his  hand  on  a  purring  cat.  These  be- 
come more  violent  until  tiiere  are  clonic  contractions  over  the  whole 
body.  These  are  most  pronounced  in  the  muscles  of  the  jaw,  neck, 
shcmlders  and  front  legs.  There  is  a  spasmodic  twitching  of  the 
muscles  of  the  jaw  resembling  a  person  whose  teeth  are  chattering  with 
the  cold.  •  The  head  is  jerked  convulsively  from  side  to  side,  while  the 
fore  legs  jerk  to  a  certain  extent,  but  more  noticeable  still  is  the  stiffen- 
ing or  tonic-like  convulsion  and  a  flexion  of  the  toes. 

When  given  a  lethal  dose  the  symptoms  produced  are  very  much  the 
sanle^  but  more  violent.  The  excitement  stage  is  very  short,  if  at  aU. 
The  prostration  comes  on  very  rapidly  and  is  extreme.  If  the  animal  is 
moved  or  attempts  to  move  he  is  thrown  into  an  epileptiform  con- 
Tidsion  so  violent  that  he  is  flung  to  his  side,  the  extremities  extended, 
the  toes  flexed,  the  head  back  and  body  bowed,  bringing  the  legs  close 
together.  The  eyes  are  open  and  have  a  wild,  glassy  stare.  Occasionally 
these  convulsions  take  the  form  of  opisthotonos.  This  soon  passes  off 
and  the  animal  lies  in  a  prostrated  condition.  If  he  makes  an  attempt 
to  regain  his  feet  he  is  so  weak  he  can  scarcely  do  so,  or  he  may  be 
thrown  into  another  convulsion.  After  two  or  three  attempts  to  rise 
he  finally  ceases.  During  all  this  time  the  heart's  action  is  so  violent  it 
cannot  be  counted  by  ordinary  means,  while  the  breathing  is  very  rapid, 
violent  and  deep,  the  sides  are  heaving,  and  there  is  a  rattling  of  mucus 
in  the  trachea  and  bronchi.  As  the  animal  ceases  to  attempt  to  rise  the 
respiration  becomes  slower  and  slower,  and  more  shallow  until  it  is 
hardly  perceptible,  theii  stops  for  a  few  seconds  or  completely  but  in 
some  cases  begins  again  only  to  stop  a  little  later.  The  hearths  notion 
begins  to  lessen  sooner  than  does  the  breathing,  but  continues  a  short 
time  after  the  respiration  has  ceased. 

In  one  instance  a  dose  of  0.6  grain  produced  death  in  about  twenty 
minutes,  after  the  rabbit  had  been  receiving  amounts  near  the  lethal 
dose,  and  was  much  emaciated.  The  convulsions  before  death  were  very 
serere,  and  following  one  of  these  there  was  hemorrhage  from  the  nos- 
trils. Later  it  was  found  that  the  blood  came  from  the  trachea  near 
its  bifurcation  into  the  larger  bronchi.  Here  there  was  extreme  con- 
gestion of  the  vesseb  and  considerable  extravasation  of  blood  into  the 
trachea. 

Several  of  the  rabbits  had  softening  of  the  stool,  not  to  the  extent 
of  a  diarrhoea,  but  sufficiently  soft  for  the  feces  to  adhere,  and 
be  passed  in  soft  masses  instead  of  the  natural  hard  feces  of  rabbits. 
These  stools  were  very  dark  and  almost  coffee  ground  in  appearance. 

At  autopsy,  during  the  removal  of  the  skin  to  facilitate  the  work, 
the  subcutaneous  vessels  were  found  greatly  dilated  and  filled  with  a  very 
daik»  purplish  blood,  which  was  thin  and  coagulated  slowly.  The  ven- 
.OQS  system  of  the  abdominal  viscera  was  found  in  a  similar  condition. 
The  heart  was  fully  dilated  and  filled  with  the  same  kind  of  blood. 


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08 

The  stomach  was  full  of  undigested  food,  and  during  the  remoYtl 
of  its  contents  a  thi(^,  mucoid  suhstance  adhered  to  the  dehris.  There 
was  Tory  little  material  in  the  small  intestine  down  to  the  cecum.  In 
the  large  intestine  tJie  contents  were  soft  and  had  a  very  dark  appearance, 
almost  tarry.  Here  iJie  walls  were  full  of  spots,  street  and  folds  dark 
in  color  and  having  the  hlack  and  hlue  appearance  of  bruises.  They 
could  be  seen  distinctly  from  the  outside  of  the  boweL  When  cleared 
and  held  to  the  light  these  spots  were  still  more  pronounced.  From  the 
inside  of  the  intestine  they  had  the  appearance  of  numerous  submucous 
haemorrhages,  some  being  smooth  over  the  surface,  others  slightly  raised 
and  noduhited  like  a  mulberry,  and  varying  in  size  from  a  pin  head 
or  smaller  to  the  size  of  a  grain  of  wheat  On  the  bowel  contents  lying 
in  contact  with  some  of  these  hsemorrhagic  areas  was  a  dark  blood.  The 
perinephral  fat  was  almost  entirely  wanting  in  some  cases,  while  the 
kidneys  had  a  mottled  appearance  resembling  the  magnified  ^e  of  a 
common  house  fiy.  When  cut  into  there  were  dark  red  streaks  radiating 
from  the  periphery  to  the  pelvis  of  the  kidney. 

The  urine  collected  from  the  bladder  showed  a  decided  amount 
of  albumin.  In  one  female  the  ovaries  showed  numerous  pin-point  hem- 
orrhagic areas. 

In  the  pharynx  and  larynx  of  several  was  found  a  clear  stringy 
viscous  fluid,  almost  gelatinous.  One  animal  had  a  thick,  yellowisli- 
white  exudate  in  the  trachea,  larynx  and  around  the  epiglottis.  The 
trachea  in  all  cases  was  greatly  congested,  the  vessels  standing  out  de- 
cisively, and  in  one  instance  there  was  an  extravasation  of  blood  into 
the  trachea,  as  mentioned  above,  and  blood  had  been  drawn  into  the 
lungs,  filling  the  bronchi. 

The  lungs  were  collapsed  and  firm.  The  liver  was  only  very  slightly 
enlarged  and  congested,  and  the  brain  was  also  found  in  a  slightly  con- 
gested condition. 

The  various  organs  were  removed  from  the  body  and  slides  were 
made  from  these  for  pathological  examination.  Of  these  the  kidneys, 
intestines  and  lungs  showed  the  most  marked  changes. 

The  kidneys  showed  varying  stages  of  acute  parenchymatous  de- 
generation, according  to  the  length  of  time  the  animal  had  been  getting 
the  drug.  Some  kidney  sections  showed  the  changes  of  acute  nephritis 
with  no  bodily  reaction,  while  other  sections  showed  the  bodily  reaction 
accompanying  the  lesion.  Cloudy  swelling,  simple  necrosis  and  fatty 
degeneration  were  seen  in  all  stages.  In  some  areas  the  parenchyma 
of  the  tubules  was  all  destroyed.  Casts  could  be  detected  in  some  of  the 
tubules,  hyalin,  granular  and  bloody.  There  was  hemorrhage  between 
and  into  the  tubules  and  in  areas  there  was  a  marked  haemorrhage  into 
the  glomeruli,  and  a  glomerulo-nephritis. 

In  The  Homoeopathic  World,  of  September,  1909,  in  Materia  Medica 
Keynotes,  Frederick  Kapp  gives  indications  for  mercurius  cyanatus  in 
urinary  complaints.  He  says,  '*It  is  useful  in  suppression  of  urine 
even  in  cases  in  which  the  urine  has  been  retained  four  or  five  days. 
Also  in  cases  where  the  urine  is  of  amber  color  and  urination  is  painful; 
or  where  the  urine  is  scanty  and  clear,  or  scanty  and  dark.  The  urine 
contained  in  the  bladder  is  generally  albuminous.  There  is  usually 
great  debility  present  and  marked  sensation  of  chilliness.  Mercurius 
cyanatus  has  proved  a  valuable  remedy  in  nephritis  where  the  above  men- 
tioned symptoms  are  present.  The  urine  contains  many  cylinders,  both 
whole  and  broken  down."  Our  work  would  tend  to  confirm  this,  as  all 
samples  of  urine  obtained  from  the  bladders  of  animals  taking  this  drag 
was  light  colored  and  decidely  albuminous.  The  animals  were  alwayf 
greatly  debilitated  and  the  examination  of  the  slides  of  the  kidnc^ 


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akowed  many  casts.    I  would  like  to  add  that  the  drug  should  be  bene- 
ficial in  the  above  cases  where  there  was  also  hematuria. 

The  sections  of  the  intestines,  especially  the  colon  and  cecum, 
showed  submucous  hsemorrhages  which  go  up  into  the  mucosa.  In  some 
places  they  have  extended  into  the  muscular  coat.  In  other  places  they 
nave  passed  through  the  mucosa  into  the  intestinal  cavity.  The  ves- 
sel walls  of  the  intestines  show  some  thickening,  and  there  is  some  small 
cell  infiltration. 

The  stomach  showed  a  small  area  of  necrosis.  There  was  a  diph- 
Critic  necrosis  which  was  very  superficial  and  which  was  probably  due 
to  autolysis  during  autopsy. 

In  the  liver  we  found  some  cloudy  swelling  and  a  little  fatly  de- 
feneration throughout,  but  most  marked  around  the  islands  of  Glisson. 
There  was  some  oddema  and  dissociation  of  cdls,  with  here  and  there 
some  simple  necrosis.  Bile  pigment  was  present  around  the  trinity. 
The  centnd  veins  were  enlarged  and  there  was  some  portal  congestion. 
There  was  a  slight  increase  in  the  polymorpho-nuclears,  but  not  yet  to 
the  stage  of  a  hepatitis.  The  condition  of  the  liver  was  such  as  might 
be  expected  in  cases  of  poisoning  or  infectious  intoxication.  None  of 
the  changes  were  very  pronounced. 

The  spleen  presented  the  picture  of  lymphoid  exhaustion  and  haem- 
orrhage into  the  spaces,  which,  also,  might  be  found  in  cases  of  chronic 
poisoning  or  chronic  infection.    We  found  no  areas  of  necrosis. 

The  lungs  showed  very  marked  changes.  There  was  a  true  pneu- 
monia in  the  stage  of  red  hapatization.  Great  engorgement  of  the  lung 
tissue  was  found  everywhere.  The  vessels  were  thickened  and  there  was 
hemorrhage  into  the  bronchi. 

Other  organs  and  parts  of  the  viscera  were  examined  but  showed 
no  characteristic  lesions  which  could  be  said  to  have  been  produced  by 
the  drug. 

In  summing  up  this  work,  mercurius  cyanatus  should  be  useful  not 
only  in  diphtheria,  as  is  already  known,  and  nephritis,  as  mentioned 
above,  but  in  other  acute  infections,  as  pneumonia.  We  have  seen  that 
it  produces  a  perfect  picture  of  the  disease  in  the  lungs.  When  we 
have  this  condition  present,  accompanied  by  great  prostration,  albumin- 
uria, rapid  heart  action,  dark  blood  and  cyanosis,  we  should  think  of 
mercurius  cyanatus. 

Again,  it  should  be  thought  of  in  cases  of  typhoid  fever  or  other 
gastro-intestinal  troubles  when  there  is  a  soft  stool,  with  hsemorrhage 
into  the  bowels,  great  prostration  and  particularly  pulmonary  involve- 
ment, as  typhoid  pneumonia,  with  rapid  respiration  and  pulse  rate,  and 
•ubsultus  taidinum. 

In  tetanus  this  drug  might  be  of  great  use,  for  when  given  in  large 
doees  the  convulsions  product  at  times  greatly  resmble  those  of  tetanus, 
and  the  muscles  of  the  jaws  are  particularly  affected. 

In  other  infectious  diseases  this  remedy  should  be  of  great  valuer 
for  its  action  on  many  of  the  organs  is  similar  to  that  of  the  toxins  of 
the  infectious  diseases.  The  guiding  symptoms  for  the  use  of  the  drug, 
however,  should  be  great  and  rapid  prostration,  a  tendency  toward 
hnmorrhage  from  the  different  orifices  of  a  dark  fiuid  blood,  cyanosis, 
rapid  respiration  and  heart  action,  albuminuria  and  a  tendency  of  the 
muscles  to  twitch  and  jerk,  especially  in  the  jaw,  neck  and  upper  ez- 
tr^mitiesL 


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<0 

We  started  to  make  provlngs  with  the  drug  on  two  of  our  students^ 
but  it  being  so  near  the  end  of  the  school  year,  we  got  little  results. 
Both  students  were  taking  the  6x  trituration.  One  recorded  no  symp- 
toms at  all;  the  other  noticed  ''a  rawness  of  the  tongue''  on  the  second 
day.  The  third  day  he  had  a  ''tired  pain  over  the  right  kidney"  in  the 
afternoon.  On  the  fourth  and  fifth  days  he  had  a  'f reeness  of  the 
bowels."  On  the  sixth  day  he  felt  well  until  about  four-thirty  p.m. 
when,  during  a  baseball  game,  he  had  an  attack  of  headache.  His  face 
was  flushed,  he  felt  feyerish  and  was  so  weak  he  had  to  stop  playing.  He 
then  discontinued  taking  the  drug. 

The  work  represented  in  this  paper  is  far  from  being  perfect  and 
complete,  as  I  have  stated  previously.  It  is  not  given  as  an  exhaustive 
study  of  the  drug  but  to  account  for  some  of  the  results  we  have  obtained 
from  its  use,  and  give  an  idea  of  the  nature  of  the  work  we  are  doing^ 
in  endeavoring  to  connect  up  our  materia  medica  with  the  closely  allied 
science  through  the  laboratory. 


TONSILITIS— THERAPEUTIC  HINTS 
(Pacific  Coast  Journal  of  Homoeopathy) 

ACONITE — ^Redness  of.  soft  palate,  tonsils  and  uvula  and  posterior 
nares.  Burning,  sense  of  constriction,  with  scratching  causing  hawking 
and  spitting.  Acute  inflammation  of  various  portions  of  the  throaty 
with  swelling,  dryness  and  sticking  pain  after  exposure  to  cold  winds. 
Indicated  before  stage  of  infiltration,  exudation  or  ulceration. 

AE8CULUS  HIPPIOASTANUM — A  Valuable  remedy  for  follicular  inflam- 
mations of  the  posterior  wall  of  the  pharynx,  with  sense  of  constriction^ 
dryness  and  raw  feeling.  Difficult  swallowing,  pain  in  tonsils  and  f auoes^ 
(compare  Phytolacca.) 

AILANTHUS — ^Parotid  and  thyroid  glands  enlarged  and  sore.  Spread- 
ing ulcers,  feeling  as  if  nitrate  of  silver  had  been  applied.  Inflammation 
of  fauces  and  tonsils  with  spots  of  incipient  ulceration.  Thick  oddemat-' 
ous  and  dry  choky  feeling.  Astringent  feeling.  Soreness  on  swallow- 
ing extending  to  ears.  Diphtheritic  scarlitina  with  ichorous  discharge 
from  the  nose. 

APIS  MELUFicu — ^Throat  swollen,  difficulty  in  breathing  and  on  S¥^- 
lowing.  Parts  red,  dry  and  shining.  Rawness  with  inclination  to 
hawk,  with  viscid  saliva.  Feels  as  if  he  must  raise  something,  which 
sensation  is  generally  due  to  oddema,  choking  sensation  and  feeling  of 
constriction  and  a  sense  of  a  foreign  body  in  the  throat  Deep  seated 
stinging  and  itching.  Severe  inflammation  of  throat,  with  general  stupor 
and  prostration,  even  in  diphtheria  apis  is  a  valuable  remedy.  Swell- 
ing, oedema,  stinging  pains,  sense  of  constriction,  difficult  swallowing^ 
absence  of  thirst,  deep  red  appearance,  are  leading  symptoms. 

ABOENTUM  NiTRiouM — ^Redness  of  velum  palati,  posterior  nares  and 
isthmus.  Uvula  and  fauces  dark  red.  Mucus  in  posterior  n,ares  form- 
ing lumps  causing  much  hawking.  Sensation  of  splinter  in  throat  when 
swallowing.  Cauterized  feeling  of  uvula.  Sensation  of  burning  and 
dryness.  Tickling  causing  cough.  Styptic  sensation.  Acute  and 
ohronic  sore  throat  with  much  mucus.    Sticking  sensation  in  throat. 


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(Nil  acid),  catarrh  of  smokers  with  sensation  of  hair  causin^^  cough- 
ing.   Better  again  hy  smoking. 

ARUM  TRIPHTLLUM — Swelling  of  left  suhmaxillary  glands.  (Bar. 
carh.  mere,  bin.)  Internal  swelling  in  region  of  larynx,  worse  on  right 
sida  Tenacious-mucus  compelling  cough  and  hawking,  constant  scratch- 
ing with  burning  and  desire  to  swallow.  Soreness  at  5  a.m.  and  4  pjn. 
Swollen  ieeling  in  soft  palate  in  morning  when  swallowing.  Stitches  in 
throat,  throat  painful  to  pressure.  Swallowing  difficult.  Amelioration 
after  breakfast  continuing  until  after  dinner.  C'Clergyman's  sore 
throat'O     Violent  coiyza  and  hoarseness. 

BAPTisiA — ^Redness  of  tonsils  and  soft  palate.  Frequent  inclination 
to  swallow,  which  causes  pain  at  root  of  tongue.  (Phyto.)  Throat 
feek  swollen  or  full  with  oppressed  respiration,  and  sharp  pains  in 
chest  on  deep  inspiration.  Bawness  wilJi  much  viscid  mucus.  Con- 
ktriction  causing  frequent  efforts  to  swallow  (apis,  lye.)  Dryness  ex- 
tending to  nares  with  roughness  and  astringent  sensation,  then  increas- 
ed secretion^  especially  from  larynx.  Diphtheria,  the  patient  comatose 
or  delirious,  able  to  swallow  only  liquids,  face  dark  red  and  horrible  odor 
from  mouth.  Contraction  of  esophagus  causing  great  difficulty  in  get- 
ting food  into  stomach.    Profound  depression. 

BARYTA  OARBONiOA — Submaxillary  glands  swollen.  (Calc.  mere  bin.) 
Takes  cold  easily  and  has  inflammation  of  tonsils  in  consequence. 
Tonsils  may  suppurate  (mere,  cor.)  and  prevent  opening  of  jaws. 
Swelling  of  left  tonsiL  Throat  woriae  during  empty  swallowing.  Con- 
striction worse  in  afternoon.  Sensation  as  of  a  plug  in  larynx.  Chok- 
ing attacks  after  meals  as  if  thyroid  gland  were  pressing  inward  im- 
peding respiration.  Constriction  during  dinner  with  arrest  of  breath- 
ing, so  tiiat  patient  must  open  clothing  around  throat.  A  valuable 
remedy  in  quinsy  seems  to  remove  the  predisposition.  Valuable  in  sup- 
purating tonsils  whidb  occur  following  every  cold.  Indicated  when  ton- 
sils are  inflammed  with  swollen  veins.  The  baryta  patient  has  habitual 
sweating  of  feet  Tonsilitis  accompanying  nialnutrition  of  children* 
scrofuhis  glandular  indurations. 

BARYTA  MURIATIOA — Chronlc  hypertrophy  of  tonsils.  Loss  of  power, 
paresis  of  pharynx  and  Eustachian  tube,  with  clacking  sounds  on  swal- 
lowing or  sneezing. 

BBLLADONNA — ^Psin  in  the  region  of  tonsils.  Difficult  to  swallow  wa- 
ter; returns  through  nose.  Indicated  in  scarlatina  sore  throat  with 
redness  and  dryness  of  fauces.  Adapted  to  earlier  stages  of  inflamma- 
tory disease  of  throat,  which  are  characterized  by  dryness  and  a  ten- 
dency to  spasmodic  constriction  of  the  pharyngeal  muscles.  A  high 
fever  and  often  delirium  accompanies  the  throat  symptoms. 

CALGARBA  CARBONICA — Swelling  of  Submaxillary  glands  (baryta  carb.) 
as  large  as  hen's  eggs  and  hard  with  painful  tension  when  chewing 
and  stidcing  when  touched.  Swelling  of  tonsils  with  elongation  of 
uvula  and  sense  of  constriction  in  throat  when  swallowing.  White  yel- 
low vlcesn  on  right  tonsiL  Mucus  tastes  like  iron.  Much  hawking 
in  the  mornings.  Sensation  as  if  something  had  stuck  in  throat  as  in 
l^bus  hystericus.  Patient  takes  cold  easily,  accompanied  by  dear 
watery  coryza.  Children  who  are  fat  and  fair.  Chronic  eczema  is 
often  an  accompanying  symptom,  as  is  also  corneal  ulcers.  Closure  of 
lachrymal  ducts.  Sweaty  and  cold  feet — ^Dean  W.  H^ers,  1C.D., 
Jgor.  of  O.  O.  ft  L.,  July,  1915. 


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EXPERIMENTAL  STUDY  OF  LACHESIS 

(Medical  Century) 

Dr.  Sidorenko,  of  St.  Petersburg^  has  made  some  interesting  ex- 
periments upon  dogs  and  rabbits,  wbicb  have  materially  proved  the  aotion 
of  our  infinitesimal  doses. 

The  animals  experimented  upon  received  an  injection  of  five  drops 
of  lachesis  6  mixed  with  a  cubic  centimeter  of  distilled  water,  while  the 
experiment  was  controlled  by  other  animals  as  being  given  a  like  dose  of 
70  per  cent  alcohoL  The  white  corpuscles  of  the  blood  were  counted  in 
both  before  the  injection  and  after  the  injection  at  periods  of  two  (2) 
minutes,  five  (5)  minutes,  fifteen  (15)  minutes,  a  half  hour,  an  hour, 
twenty-four  hours  and  lastly  two  (2)  days. 

The  reaction,  almost  the  same  in  both  dogs  and  rabbits,  furnishes 
the  following  conclusions: 

First  The  hyi>oleucocytosis  due  to  lachesis  6,  manifests  itsdf 
within  two  (2)  to  five  (5)  minutes;  it  is  four  (4)  times  more  intense 
than  with  the  control  animals. 

Second.  After  fifteen  (15)  minutes  this  hypoleucocytosis  is  re^ 
placed  by  a  distinct  hyperleucocytosis. 

Third.  (Generally,  the  diminution  of  the  quantity  of  leucocytes 
caused  by  lachesis  6,  occurs  at  first  very  rapidly;  at  the  end  of  fifteen 
(15)  minutes,  it  becomes  slower,  and  attains  its  maximum  at  the  end  of 
twenty-four  (24)  hours,  being  very  manifest  the  second  day. 

In  the  control  experiments  the  hypoleucocytosis  is  almost  nil  at  the 
oommencement;  at  the  end  of  fifteen  (15)  minutes  hyperleucocytosis  is 
produced,  the  second  day  it  is  absent 

Fourth.  Lachesis  6  produces  at  once  a  hypoleucocytosis  n^id  and 
intense  with  a  consecutive  remarkable  and  very  prolonged  hyper- 
leucocytosis. 

The  control  animals,  on  the  contrary,  showed  an  insignificant  hy- 
poleucocytosis, but,  on  the  other  hand,  a  sharp  and  very  short  hyper- 
leucocytosis. 

The  blood,  then,  may  be  considered  as  giving  a  most  sensitive  re- 
action to  infinitesimal  irritation.  In  fact,  five  (5)  trillionths  of  a  drop 
of  lachesis  in  five  (5)  drops  of  70  per  cent  alcohol,  produced  an  e£Fect 
altogether  different  from  that  obtained  in  the  control  animals. 


ACTION  OF  THE  SALTS  OF  BARIUM  ON 

ARTERIOSCLEROSIS 

(Pacific  Coast  Journal  of  Homoeopathy) 

Dr.  Francois  Cartier,  in  an  article  on  the  action  of  the  salts  of 
barium  on  arterio-sclerosis,  draws  attention  to  its  use  in  cerebral  affec- 
tions due  to  this  condition.    He  recommends  it  for  headaches  more  or 


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less  severe^  but  without  acute  crisis,  occurring  in  old  people,  and  whe^ 
cymptoms  are  often  heaviness  of  the  head  rather  than  pain.  Also  for 
Tertigo  due  to  cerebral  ansemia  caused  by  sclerosed  arteries,  and  for 
noises  in  the  ears  in  similar  conditions. 

He  does  not  think  baryta  suitable  as  an  immediate  remedy  for 
^>oplexy,  but  regards  it  as  most  useful  for  its  remoter  consequences, 
such  as  paralysis  following  apoplexy,  headache  and  childishness,  and 
difficulties  in  speech— the  result  of  old  hemiplegias. 

He  confirms  the  observation  of  others  as  to  its  power  to  influence 
favorably  aortic  sclerosis  and  aneurism,  and  recommends  in  these  cases 
its  use  in  the  3rd,  6th,  or  30tii  alternation  in  alternate  weeks  with  iodide 
of^  sodium  in  allopathic  doses. 

Finally,  he  commends  its  employment  in  arterio  sclerosis  of  the 
lung,  that  is  to  say  in  senile  asthma,  a  complaint  in  which,  judging  from 
his  own  experience,  he  would  say  baryta  developed  its  greatest 
energy. 


MAGNESIA  PHOSPHORICA 

BY  A.  P.  WILLUMSON,  A.M.,  MJ). 

(Pacific  Coast  Jour,  of  Homoeopathy) 

This  is  one  of  the  most  valuable  of  the  newer  remedies  of  the  homoBo- 
pathic  Materia  Medici% 

Our  knowledge  of  its  medical  virtues  did  not  come  to  us  through 
the  usual  channel  of  a  proving,  but  was  first  brought  to  our  attention 
bj  Dr.  Bchusler. 

Some  of  the  indications  for  its  use  presented  by  him  have  been  so 
tepetLtedlj  verified  that  it  was  finally  adopted  and  now  holds  an  undis- 
puted position  in  our  Materia  Medica. 

The  especially  characteristic  symptoms  of  the  remedy  which  anchor 
it  to  our  affections  are,  first:  Cramping  of  muscles,  that  is  prolonged 
spasmodic  contraction  of  muscles;  second,  pain,  which  is  paroxysmal 
in  character  and  appears  to  have  a  centre  of  intensity  from  which  it 
radiates  and,  third,  the  exceedingly  characteristic  indication  of  relief, 
following  a  warm  application. 

Manjr  other  indications  for  its  use  appear  in  the  Materia  Medica, 
but  to  my  mind  the  three  we  have  mentioned  are  the  most  reliable  and 
when  they  are  combined,  the  use  of  magnesia  phosphorica  is  immediately 
followed  by  relief. 

Recently  it  has  rendered  g^reat  service  to  me  in  three  exceedingly 
distressing  cases,  which  I  will  briefly  discuss. 

There  are  few  nervous  diseases  so  rebellious  to  remedies  generally 
as  paralysis  agitans.  Unfortunately  this  is  a  somewhat  common  malady 
and  a  medicine  that  can  give  any  relief  to  those  afflicted  by  it  should  be 
hailed  with  delight 

One  symptom  which  gives  its  victims  great  suffering  is  the  cramp- 
ing of  the  muscles  of  the  neck  and  arms.  When  these  cramps  are  ac- 
companied by  severe  pain  and  relieved  temporarily  by  hot  compresses, 
magnesia  phoq^horica  will  promptly  stop  the  agony.    One  of  my  patients 


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64 

who  suffers  in  this  way  keeps  the  remedy  at  hand  ana  it  has  iiei?er 
failed  to  relieve. 

Another  form  of  chronic  nervous  trouhle  which  is  difficult  to  relieve 
and  impossble  to  cure  is  the  pain  of  the  secondary  contractions  in 
hemiplegic  limhs.  When  there  is  cramp  with  radiating  pain  rdieved  by 
heat,  remember  this  medicine. 

I  have  an  elderly  bed-ridden  lady  whose  left  side  is  useless^  that 
owes  much  of  her  comfort  to  iMs  drug.  It  sometimes  seems  to  me  that 
some  of  us  ask  and  expect  too  much  from  magnesia  phosphorica  in  neu- 
ralgia. It  is  certainly  a  grand  remedy  for  that  painful  disorder,  but  it 
is  only  useful  when  the  indications  to  which  we  have  referral  prominent- 
ly exiet    Remember  too  that  it  is  most  active  when  given  in  hot  water. 

A  recent  case  of  convulsions  ^ay  still  further  illustrate  the  sphere 
of  usefulness  of  magnesia  phosphorica. 

The  patient  is  a  young  woman,  the  mother  of  a  strong  healthy  child 
of  five  years  of  age.  She  has  always  enjoyed  good  health.  Her  func- 
tions all  seem  normally  performed.  Her  appetite  is  good,  bowels  are 
regular,  she  sleeps  well,  menses  regular  and  painless,  urine  is  normal  in 
quantity  and  quality;  in  fact  with  the  exception  of  the  symptoms  we 
shall  relate,  she  is  a  happy,  normal  young  woman  of  twenty-two. 

Upon  one  occasion  she  suddenly  became  unconscious  and  fell  from 
her  chair.  She  recovered  consciousness  in  a  few  seconds.  A  week  or 
two  later  she  had  another  attack.  I  was  called  during  this  one  and  it 
was  the  most  severe  she  has  had,  with  the  exception  of  the  first  The 
attacks,  as  she  calls  them,  always  come  early  in  the  morning,  twice  while 
in  the  bath.  She  has  now  had  five  attacks.  She  says  these  attacks  have 
all  commenced  in  the  same  way,  first  by  a  jerk^r  jump  in  her  arms, 
which  is  immediately  followed  by  complete  relaxation  of  the  whole  body 
and  a  feeling  as  if  she  were  falling  asleep.  The  unconsciousness  is  com- 
plete, but  only  lasts  a  fraction  of  a  minute.  There  is  a  little  confusion 
following  it,  but  no  sleepy  period.  She  has  never  bitten  her  tongue  and 
there  has  been  no  enuresis.  Since  she  began  to  take  magnesia  phos- 
phorica five  weeks  ago,  there  has  been,  but  one  slight  return  of  the  at- 
tach and  she  says  she  is  feeling  brighter  than  when  the  first  one  appear- 
ed. 

Magnesia  phosphorica  is  a  glorius  remedy  when  properly  selected, 
but  is  not  a  panacea  for  human  ills  nor  is  it  endowed  with  any  remaik- 
able  powers  over  diseased  conditions.  It  will  do  good  woi^  within  ita 
own  restricted  circle  and  that  is  all  we  should  expect  of  any  drug. 


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/ 

The 

North  American 

Journal  of  ^    ^ 

HomcEOpathy 


February,  1917 

65th  Year 

No.  2 


PATHOGENIC  EFFECTS  OF  FOOD 

Woodbury 

PATHOLOGICAL     CONDITIONS    . 
PRODUCED  BY  HOMCEOPATHIC 
kEMEDIES  .        .  Hinsdale 

COMPARISONS  IN  HOMCEpPATHIC 
MATERIA  MEDIC  A  AND  THERA- 
PEUTICS .       .        .  McMichael 


V 


Pvbliabed  mootMy  it 

Tuckahoe^  N.  Y. 

216  West  56th  Street 
New  York 


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Thre«  Dollars 
a  yettr. 

£at«r«d  at  the  Post 
Offic«  •tTuckahoc. 
N.  Y.  a*  second 
cImb  BurOar. 


Jr 


North  American  Journal  of  Homoeopathy 
CONTENTS  FOR  FEBRUARY,   1917 

EDITORIAL 

Proposed  Amendment  to  New  York  Public  Health  Law  m  Re- 
lation to  the  Practice  of  Medicine ^-w- 65 

The  Medical  Profession  and  Public  Health  Departments -^     67 

Hereditary  S^hilis  -J ] -^ ^^ - -     68 

Geriatrics \ ^ 71 

Notification  of  Pregnancy  to  Healtfi  Authorities  Made  Gnnpulsory 

in  Elach  G>mmunity? 72 

Continued  on  page  ii 


"i   ■  '  f 


IN  PLACE  07  OTEEB  AT.gAT.TRS  USE 

Phillips'  Milk  of  Magnesia 

••THE    PERFECT    ANTACID  •» 

For  Gsrrectingr  Hyper^id  Cmdhions— Local  or  Systemic*  Vehicle 
for  Salicyiatcst  Iodides^  Balsams^  Etc* 

Of  AdvantagfC  in  Ntutt^Uzinz  the  Acid  of  Cows*  BSilk 
FOR  INFANT  and  INVALID  FEEDING. 


Phillips*  Phospho-Muriate  of  Quinine 

Oomp. 
Non^ Alcoholic  Tonic  and  Reconstructive 

With  Marked  Beneficial  Action  Upon  the  Nenrous  System.    To  be 
Relied  Upon  Where  a  Deficiency  of  the  Phosphates  h  Evident 


NBW  YORK       THE  CHAS.  H.  PHILLIPS  CHEMICAL  COMPANY  London 


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North     American 

Journal  of  Homoeopathy 


EDITORIAL 


PROPOSED  AMENDMENT  TO  NEW  YORK 

PUBLIC  HEALTH  LAW  IN  RELATION 

TO  THE  PRACTICE  OF 

MEDICINE 

WE  are  now  in  the  season  of  the  year,  when  the  Legislature  is  in 
session  and  the  publicist  feels  called  upon  to  advocate  changes 
in  the  accepted  order  of  things.  For  a  great  many  years  the  State  of 
New  York  has  taken  front  rank  in  the  quality  of  its  medical  legisla- 
tion. While  criticism  has  been  passed  upon  some  of  the  measures  ad- 
vocated, on  the  whole  the  laws  actually  enacted  have  made  for  the  ad- 
vano^ueut  of  the  profession  and  for  the  protection  of  the  public.  Those 
physicians  who  were  fortunate  enough  to  enter  upon  the  practice  of 
medieine  in  the  old  days  of  easy  requirements  were  fortunate  indeed. 
The  present  day  candidate  for  licensure  faces  a  formidable  hazard  when 
he  goes  up  for  his  examination  for  the  right  to  practice  medicine.  Rigid 
as  are  the  requirements  in  the  State  of  New  York,  it  is  felt  that  the 
present  law  is  lacking  in  several  respects.  Medicine  is  no  longer  taught 
by  didactic  instruction.  The  laboratory  idea  is  rife,  and,  even  in  the 
teaching  of  the  practice  of  medicine,  bedside  instruction  is  much  more 
in  demand  than  the  old  time  clinical  or  didactic  lecture.  With  the 
present  methods  of  medical  teaching,  the  written  examination  cannot 
reveal  the  real  fitness  and  preparedness  of  the  candidate  for  license. 
In  England  and  nioet  Continental  countries,  the  practical  examination 
is  conaidered  quite  as  important  as  the  written  examination.  It  does 
seem  eminently  proper  that  the  candidate  should  demonstrate  in  some 
way  his  familiarity  with  applied  medicine  as  well  as  with  didactic 
medicmA. 


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66  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHY 

A  bill  now  pending  before  the  Legislature  makes  xyrovision  for  a 
change  in  the  present  law»  permitting  the  Brents  to  supplement  the 
written  examination  by  oral,  laboratory,  and  dinical  bedside  examina- 
tions. This  feature  of  the  examination  would  doubtless  be  conducted 
in  some  hospital,  by  an  examiner  who  shall  ndt  be  one  of  the  medical 
examiners,  but  who  shall  be  an  expert  in  that  particular  form  of  medical 
knowledge.  By  this  admirable  addition  to  the  requirements,  the  public 
will  be  insured  against  poorly  prepared  practitioners. 

Perhaps  the  feature  of  the  pending  bill  that  is  of  greatest  inter^ 
est  to  the  practitioner  already  licensed,  is  the  proposal  to  provide  an 
annual  registration  of  physicians.  At  a  recent  conference  held  in  Al- 
bany, the  surprising  fact  was  brought  forth  that  in  the  State  of  New 
York  it  is  probable  that  there  are  a  thousand  physicians  practicing  medi- 
cine who  are  not  qimlified  under  the  law.  At  the  same  time  there  is 
no  way  of  checking  up  and  finding  out  whether  a  man  is  or  is  not  en- 
titled to  practice  medicina  Many  instances  are  known  where  a  man, 
not  entitled  to  register,  has  been  recorded  and  is  illegally  practicing 
medicine.  The  plan  proposed  is  probably  the  only  accurate  way  of 
checking  up  physicians  in  the  State.  The  first  registration  under  this 
act  will  be  more  or  less  difficult  of  accomplishment.  That  is  to  say,  it 
will  be  difficult  to  include  every  practitioner,  but  when  the  list  is  once 
provided  it  will  be  a  very  simple  matter  to  fill  in  the  blank  each  year, 
and  obtain  the  certificate  as  it  is  now  done  under  the  Harrison  Law 
to  obtain  the  narcotic  privilege.  Such  a  law  was  enacted  last  year  with 
reference  to  dentistry  and  the  dental  practitioners  find  that  the  law 
has  worked  out  well  in  practice. 

Ample  provision  is  made  for  one  who  is  out  of  the  State  at  the 
time  of  registry,  or  who  for  one  reason  or  another,  is  taking  a  vacation 
from  the  practice  of  medicina  No  hardship  will  occur  to  any  man  law- 
fully registered  under  the  present  laws.  It  is  not  intended  to  disturb 
the  lawful  practitioner,  but  the  aim  of  the  measure  is  to  search  out 
the  unlawful  practitioner. 

The  fee  for  the  intial  re^stration  and  for  each  subsequent  annual 
ros^istration  is  a  small  one,  one  dollar  per  year.  There  are  said  to  be 
13,000  practicing  physicians  in  the  State  of  New  York;  the  aggregate 
sum  from  these  physicians  will  provide  the  pay  for  inepeotors  and  accum- 
ulation of  evidence  against  illegal  practitioners. 

What  appears  to  be  a  very  happy  change  in  the  present  bill  is  the 
provision  that  the  responsibility  for  the  enforcements  of  the  law  shall 


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EDITORIAL  DEPARTMENT  67 

be  taken  from  the  county  soolety  where  it  now  residee  and  shall  be  plaoed 
upon  the  Attorney  OeneraL  It  is  expected  that  the  Attorney  General 
will  assign  an  assistant  for  this  particular  work,  and  prosecution  will 
be  made  by  the  Attorney  G^eral  in  the  name  of  the  people  of  the 
State.  No  medical  man  need  have  any  fear  of  the  operation  of  the  law, 
beoause  it  provides  that  all  charges  shall  be  heard  first  by  the  Board  of 
Medical  Examiners,  at  a  public  hearing,  with  due  notice  to  the  accused 
person,  before  any  legal  steps  are  taken  in  conformity  with  the  pro- 
visions  of  the  law. 

.  Taken  all  in  all,  this  proposed  act  is  one  that  should  appeal  to  the 
medical  profession,  and  be  warmly  endorsed  by  every  practitioner.  It 
makes  for  the  protection  of  the  public  against  poorly  prepared  and  unfit 
practitioners  and  elevates  the  profession  by  giving  every  practitioner 
•each  year  a  certificate  vouching  for  his  fitness  and  legal  right  to  prac- 
tice medidna  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  homcsopathic  practitioners  will 
HxyrdiaDy  support  the  measura 

R  S.  0. 


THE  MEDICAL  PROFESSION  AND  PUBLIC 
HEALTH  DEPARTMENTS 

"nr^HE  advisability  of  a  getting^together  of  the  medical  profession 
-*•  and  public  health  authorities  is  well  illustrated  by  the  work  of 
the  Advisory  Coxincil  of  the  New  York  City  Department  of  Health. 
At  a  recent  meeting  of  one  of  its  committees  representatives  of  the  De- 
partment submitted  for  its  consideration  four  policies  the  adoption  of 
whidi  was  suggested.  The  first  suggestion  relating  to  the  reporting  of 
industrial  diseases  by  physicians  was  disapproved  as  submitted  because 
it  duplicated  a  requirement  of  a  State  Law  and  because  the  list  of  dis- 
eases was  not  up  to  the  present  standards  of  knowledge  of  industrial 
diseases.  The  second  policy  was  that  the  Department  accept  a  diag- 
nosis of  diphtheria  only  when  a  culture  showed  the  presence  of  Elebs- 
Loeffler  bacilli.  The  committee  of  the  Advisory  Council  regarded  this 
suggestion  as  unwise  and  reommiended  instead  that  the  Health  De- 
partment reguire  a  culture  in  all  cases  reported  as  diphtheria  within  24 
houn  after  reporting  the  case.  The  Department  asked  the  committee 
to  icpprcfve  a  rule  requiring  the  proprietors  of  all  drug  stores  to  give  the 
name  and  address  of  patients  for  whom  diphtheria  antitoxin,  salvarsan, 
lyphoid  or  pertussis  vaccine  is  purchased,  with  a  view  to  securing  a 
<lieck  on  the  cases  reported  by  physicians  or  householders.    The  com- 


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68  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOHCEOPATHY 

mittee  voted  adversely  on  the  pTOi>ositio]i.  A  proposed  amendment  ta 
the  sanitary  code  providing  for  a  more  stringent  enforcement  of  posi- 
tive sputum,  "at  home"  cased  of  puhnonary  tuberculosis  and  more  ex- 
tended removal  to  hospital  by  force,  if  necessary,  was  referred  back  ta 
the  Department  for  revision,  but  the  committee  voted  to  recommend  to 
the  Department  of  Health  that  there  be  a  routine  inspection  of  the 
premises  of  all  reported  cases  of  tuberculosis. 

The  point  to  be  noted  is  that  the  object  of  the  Department  was 
the  very  laudable  one  of  improving  the  efficiency  of  its  work,  but  it 
needed  to  harmonize  this  object  with  the  rights,  duties  and  privileges 
of  the  medical  profession,  and  in  order  to  bring  this  about,  it  required 
the  presentation  of  the  view-point  of  the  practising  physician.  If  all 
local  boards  of  health  consulted  similar  advisory  committees,  it  would 
preserve  that  harmony  between  the  health  authorities  and  the  medical 
profession  which  is  necessary  for  the  beet  work  of  each. 


HEREDITARY  SYPHILIS 

TNTENSIVE  study  of  hereditary  syphilis  has  been  rendered  important 
•^  and  interesting  during  the  past  decade  by  the  increase  in  the  num- 
ber of  pathological  conditions  which  have  been  shown  to  be  the  result 
of  "tardy"  syphilis,  by  Schaudinn's  work,  by  the  discovery  of  the  trep- 
onema  pallida,  and  by  the  discovery  of  the  sero-diagnostic  methods, 
especially  that  of  the  Wassermann  reaction. 

Can  oyphilis  in  the  father  be  transmitted  to  the  child  in  utero, 
without  the  mother  at  the  same  time  becoming  infected!  A  true  germ- 
inal transmission  means,  essentially,  that  the  treponema  pallide  b& 
carried  in  the  spermatozoon.  The  only  portion  of  the  spermatozoon  cap- 
able of  carrying  an  organism  within  it,  is  the  head  which  measures  8-5 
microns  in  length.  The  treponema  pallida  is  6-15  microns  in  length 
with  10-26  indulations.  Unless,  therefore,  the  treponema  undergoes 
tome  morphological  change  in  its  life  history  of  which  we  do  not  know,^ 
germinal  transmission  appears  to  be  impossible. 

Women  who  themselves  show  no  signs  of  syphilis,  bear  syphilitie 
children.  Either  these  women  are  not  syphilitic  or  they  have  syphilis  in 
an  inactive  or  latent  form. 

In  a  recent  study  of  familial  syphilis,  made  at  the  St.  Louis  Chil- 
dren's Hospital,  the  blood  of  85  mothers  of  syphilitic  children  was 
tested;  73  of  the  85  gave  a  positive  Wassermann,  although  each  of  the- 


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EDITORUL    DEPARTMENT  69 

*iS  denied  all  knowledge  of  infection  and  gave  no  history  that  would  in- 
dicate a  syphilitic  infection  save  a  history  of  frequent  ahortions.  Of 
the  remaining  12,  the  test  was  given  to  one  four  years  after  the  birth 
of  the  last  syphilitic  child;  the  test  was  given  to  11  ten  years  after  the 
birth  of  the  last  syphilitic  child.  A  healthy  child  had  been  born  to 
some  of  these  mothers  during  this  interval. 

Commenting  on  these  findings,  Dr.  Borden  S.  Veeder  says: 
^Tn  the  light  of  present  day  knowledge,  a  positive  Wassermann  in- 
dicates tissue  response  against  superinfection  due  to  the  presence  of 
the  spirochetes  rather  than  a  true  reaction  of  immunity.  As  long  as  the 
reaction  remains  positive,  a  superinfection  never  occurs, — ^but  when 
treatment  has  been  pushed  to  a  point  where  the  Wassermann  reaction  is 
persistently  negative,  a  second  primary  infection  has  occurred  in  many 
cases.  Thus  we  do  not  have  an  immunity  in  syphilis  in  the  true  sense 
of  the  term." 

According  to  the  evidence  thus  presented  and  the  present  state  of 
our  knowledge^  he  concludes^ — 1.  Germinal  infection  does  not  occur. 
8.    The  mother  is  always  infected  although  the  infection  may  be  latent. 

The  appalling  importance  of  syphilis  from  a  social  stand-point  may 
be  gained  from  statistics  resulting  from  the  study  of  pregnancies  in  100 
syphilitic  families  in  which  both  parents  were  syphilitic 

Of  331  pregnancies,  40%  died  before  term,  15%  died  after  birtih, 
making  a  total  of  55%  dead;  35%  lived  but  were  qyphilitic; 
10%  lived  and  were  free  from  syphilis. 

The  waste  (total  deaths  to  total  pregnancies)  in  3  groups  of  100 
families  each,  one  group  of  which  was  syphilitic,  proved  the  increase  in 
the  waste  to  be  100%  for  the  syphilitic  group.  Even  this  is  not  the  total 
waste  as  probably  three-fourths  of  the  living  children  are  syphilitic  and 
many  of  them  defective. 

Foumier  has  written  upon  the  transmission  of  hereditary  syphilis 
to  the  third  generation,  based  upon  clinical  observation.  To  prove  the 
transmission  of  a  syphilitic  infection  to  the  third  generation  to-day, 
science  demands  a  positive  Wassermann  test  in  the  child,  its  mother, 
its  maternal  grandmother  and  in  the  brothers  and  sisters  of  the  mother. 
Even  cases  fulfilling  these  conditions  must  be  adduced  before  we  can 
state  definitely  that  transmission  to  the  third  generation  has  occurred. 
A  division  of  cases  into  groups  for  a  study  of  the  clinical  manifestations 
of  hereditary  syphilis  reveals  the  following: 


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70  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHY 

Group  1.  Fetal  syphilis, — Manifest  signs  of  syphilis  develop  in 
intero.  The  infant  is  still-bom;  of  those  bom  alive*  the  death-rate  is 
extremely  high. 

Group  2,  Infantile  syphilis. — The  clinical  lesions  occur  after  birth 
and  during  the  first  year  of  life;  the  first  clinical  symptoms  develop  in 
the  first  two  months  of  life  (81%)  while  the  majority  of  these  symp- 
toms develop  during  the  first  month.  Infection  varies  quantitatively, — 
few  organisms  or  many  may  gain  entrance.  Infection  varies  quali- 
tatively,— ^the  organisms  may' vary  considerably  in  their  virulence.  In- 
fantile oyphilis  exerts  a  much  more  harmful  influence  upon  nutrition 
of  the  infant  than  that  which  accompanies  any  type  of  acute  or  chronic 
infection,  doubtless  because  of  the  wide-spread  distribution  of  patholog- 
ical lesions  throughout  all  the  viscera. 

Some  of  the  symptoms  of  infantile  syphilis  are, — ^wasting;  a  rash; 
a  desquamative  dermatitis  particularly  of  the  palms  of  the  hands  and 
soles  of  the  feet;  rhinitis;  palpable  spleen;  an  epiphysitis  which  has  been 
demonstrated  in  many  still-bom  infants  by  incision  through  the  lower 
end  of  the  femur.    Parrot's  pseudo-paralysis;  iritis;  choroiditis. 

In  spite  of  intensive  treatment  40%  or  more  of  the  cases  of  infan- 
tile syphilis  die  the  first  year.  Of  those  who  do  not  die,  a  few  develop 
lesions  which  lead  to  permanent  symptoms.  In  about  one-half  the  cases 
all  signs  of  infection  disappear. 

Group  3.  Late  syphilis. — The  symptoms  develop  after  the  first 
year  whether  or  not  there  have  been  previous  symptoms  during  infancy 
The  lesions  of  this  group  are  "varied  and  bizarre." 

Group  4.  Latent  syphilis. — Apparently  normal  children  but  their 
blood  gives  a  positive  Wassermann  reaction. 

As  to  the  value  of  the  Wassermann  test  in  the  laboratory  of  to-day, 
the  simplicity  of  this  test  renders  it  practical  but  its  delicacy  renders  it 
of  value  only  when  carefully  controlled  and  made  by  a  skilled  technician. 
If  this  reaction  be  considered  as  a  symptom  or  as  an  indication  of  in- 
fection rather  than  of  immunity,  it  becomes  comparable  with  the  tuber- 
culin reaction.  As  long  as  the  Wassermann  test  remains  positive,  a 
super-infection  has  not  been  known  to  occur.  The  reaction  becomes 
negative  when  a  case  is  cured  but  the  patient  again  becomes  susceptible 
to  infection.  The  percentage  of  positive  reactions  is  high  in  tertiary 
syphilis,  parasyphilis  and  in  inherited  syphilis.  Work  done  with  this 
test  has  shown  pretty  clearly  that  there  is  probably  no.  relationship 
more  than  a  chance  association,  between  congenital  malformations  and 


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EDITORUL    DEPARTMENT  71 

hereditary  syphilis.    Positive  reactions  in  non-syphilitic  patients   are 
eztremely  rare. 


GERIATRICS 

Hg^^  ERIATRIOS''  was  coined  by  Dr.  L  L.  Naacher  known  as  "Fath- 
VJ  er  of  G^eriatrics  in  America"  to  cover  that  branch  of  medicine 
which  deals  with  the  aged  and  their  ailments, — ^the  study  of  senile 
conditions;  the  causes  of  ageing;  diseases  of  advanced  life;  care  of  the 
aged. 

The  Medical  Review  of  Reviews  in  its  introduction  to  Dr.  Nascher's 
first  article  in  the  department  of  Qeriairice,  January  nineteen  hundred 
seventeen,  states. — 'The  diseases  of  the  aged  are  worthy  of  the  most 
careful  study;  an  old  man  may  be  of  more  value  to  the  community  than 
a  hundred  infants.  Let  us  not  dismiss  his  ailments  with  the  facile 
diagnosis :    Vou  are  old.' " 

In  his  salutatory.  Dr.  Nascher  makes  appeal  for  geriatrics,  1.  To 
the  physician  imbued  with  the  underlying  principles  of  the  medical 
profession, — sympathy,  to  relieve  distress  wherever  he  may  find  it; 
science^  to  study  life  and  how  to  prolong  it  2.  To  those  physicians 
who  are  beginning  to  notice  in  themselves  the  little  aches  and  discom- 
forts of  advancing  years.  8.  To  the  young  practitioner  whom  he  urges 
to  study  old  age  as  a  physiological  entity.  4.  To  the  superintendent 
c£  the  home  for  the  aged,  to  secure  such  information  concerning  the 
aged  people  in  his  chargQ,  that  it  will  lie  within  his  powers  to  make 
them  healthier,  more  contented,  and  more  appreciative  of  efforts  made 
in  their  behalf.  5.  To  editors  of  medical  journals,  for  continuance 
of  good  will  and  support 

Old  age  and  its  diseases  were  discussed  by  Hippocrates  but  the 
history  of  geriatrics  as  a  scientific  study  begins  with  the  18th  century. 
In  the  United  States  however,  very  little  interest  has  been  taken  in 
senile  conditions  until  a  few  years  ago.  In  Jime  1915,  the  first  geriatric 
society  was  formed  in  New  Yoric.  At  its  first  meeting,  more  than  a 
hundred  members  and  guests  were  present  and  were  addressed  by  r^re- 
sentatives  of  the  State  Commissioner  of  Health,  the  Health  Department 
of  the  City*  the  Charity  Organization  Society  and  prominent  physicians 
interested  in  the  movement  to  arouse  medical  interest  in  the  aged  and 
their  ailments.  Within  a  year  the  movement  spread  to  six  states  from 
which  health  oficOTS,  physicians  connected  with  homes  for  the  aged  and 
others  joined  the  geriatric  society. 


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4  2  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMOJOPATHY 

NOTIFICATION  OF  PREGNANCY  TO  HEALTH 

AUTHORITIES  MADE  COMPULSORY 

IN  EACH  COMMUNITY? 

I  ^K.  Arthur  B.  Emmons  of  Boston,  in  a  paper  read  by  him  at  the 
-■■^  annual  meeting  of  the  American  Association  for  the  Study  and 
Prevention  of  Infant  Mortality  held  at  Milwaukee  in  the  fall  of  nine- 
teen hundred  sixteen,  suggested  the  compulsory  notification  of  preg- 
nancy to  the  health  authorities  of  every  oommunily. 

Under  such  a  law,  the  task  Dr.  Enmions  proposes  to  impose  upon 
tlie  health  authorities  is, — 1.  to  treat  each  notification  confidentially. 
2.  To  make  necessary  examination  of  each  reported  case  of  pregnancy. 
«S.  To  determine  the  special  prenatal  and  obstetrical  care  noeessary  to 
each  individual  case.  4.  To  give  to  each  prospective  mother  the  med- 
ical care  essential  to  the  welfare  of  her  and  of  her  offspring. 

Such  legrislation  may  seem  to  the  average  layman,  to  savor  too 
strongly  of  coercion  to  be  progressive,  but  what  better  have  the  critics 
of  this  suggestion  to  offer,  to  solve  the  problems  presented  annually  by 
statistics?  40%  of  the  infant  mortality  of  this  country  is  said  to  be 
due  to  inadequate  care  at  the  time  of  parturition.  Thousands  of  pros- 
pective mothers  inoculated  with  the  spirochete  pallida  and  the  gono- 
-coccus  do  not  receive  proper  medical  attention. 

Since  humanily  has  not  yet  sufficiently  progressed  to  voluntarily 
sacrifice  at  all  times  individual  desires  and  interests  to  the  general  wel- 
fare, in  order  to  secure  the  greatest  good  to  the  greatest  number  of 
prospective  mothers  and  their  offspring  and  to  decrease  to  the  maximum 
maternal  and  infant  mortality,  it  would  doubtless  be  necessary,  should 
the  notification  scheme  be  adopted,  to  make  the  notification  of  each 
pregnancy  compulsory,  at  least  until  such  time  as  the  public  shall  be  so 
educated  as  to  comprehend  the  advantages  to  be  gained  by  the  volun- 
tary reporting  to  the  health  authorities  of  each  community,  each  case 
of  pregnancy. 


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THE  PATHOGENIC  EFFECTS  OF  FOODS* 

By  BENJAMIN  C.  WOODBURY,  M.D., 
Portsmouth,  N.  H. 

THEBE  18  probably  no  subject  at  the  present  time  that  is  attracting 
the  attention  of  the  medical  profession  as  jnuch  as  that  of  dietet- 
ics. It  is  of  interest  alike  to  the  physician,  the  laboratory  expert,  and 
to  the  intelligent  layman. 

At  the  outset  of  his  career  the  physician  is  confronted  with  the 
problem  of  the  proper  feeding  of  his  patients.  Without  careful  instruc- 
tion in  the  underlying  principles  of  physiology  and  hygiene,  he  will  find 
himself  inadequately  prepared  to  undertake  this  most  important  branch 
of  therai>eutics.  Unless  he  has  paid  very  dose  heed  to  the  instructions 
of  his  professors  of  physiology  and  clinical  medicine,  he  finds  himself 
either  open  to  the  criticism  of  his  patients,  or  he  must  make  the  sub- 
ject of  dietetics  one  of  his  chief  concerns. 

It  will  be  well  for  him  to  study  this  subject  from  its  broadest 
aspects,  and  in  its  relationship  to  the  great  principle  of  individualiza- 
tion, which  is  one  of  the  first  requisites  in  homceopathic  practice.  In 
this  connection  he  can  be  given  no  better  coimsel  than  that  found  in 
the  writings  of  Hahnemann.  In  his  'dietetic  Conversations  with  his 
Brother,"  Hahnemann  thus  remands  us  that  the  voice  of  nature  (in- 
stinct) ''is  only  audible  to  persons  who  live  upon  very  simple  articles 
ef  food,  and  that  th^  come  at  last  to  understand  it  in  a  very  remarkable 
manner  .  .  .  ''The  sense,  which  we  term  hunger,  ihirst,  and  satiety, 
is  in  the  case  of  healthy  persons  who  have  not  much  choice  of  food,  al- 
most the  only  guardian  of  their  health.  .  .  It  is,  however,  very  good 
and  laudable  ...  to  have  some  knowledge  of  the  various  articles 
of  food,  their  nature  and  properties  .  .  .  But  I  should  like  if  our 
•dietists  were  more  careful  and  exact  in  regard  to  the  particular  consti- 
tution of  the  body  in  which  this  or  that  article  of  food  makes  this  or  that 
I>articular  impression  .  .  .  but  this  is  a  'Herculean  task,  and  a  use- 
ful system  of  diet  of  this  kind  will  long  remain  ideal  only." 

Is  there  not  in  these  observations  at  least  a  suggestion  as  to  the 
proper  method  for  determining  the  positive  effects  of  foods,  and  should 
we  not  as  the  distinctive  school  of  Hahnemann,  set  to  ourselves  the  task 
of  recording  the  definite  effects  of  foods  upon  this  individualistic  basis  t 

Since  medicine  itself  is  not  yet  an  exact  science,  it  would  certainly 
seem  b^ond  the  dictates  of  sound  judgment  to  postulate  as  much  of 
the  science  of  dietetics.    In  fact  in  this  branch  of  hygiene  the  custom 


'^Read  before  the  International  Hahnemannian  Association. 

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74  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(BOPATHT 

has  been  for  the  most  part  to  follow  the  deductive  rather  than  the  in- 
duotive  method  in  obtaining  practical  knowledga  Until  comparatively 
recently  there  has  been  little  trend  in  the  direction  of  ascertaining  the 
pure  and  individual  effects  of  foods.  Individualization  has  ever  been 
the  method  of  election  in  homoeopathy.  Following  along  the  line  of 
Hahnemann's  investigation  into  the  pathogenic  effects  of  drugs,  would 
it  not  seem  to  be  the  part  of  wisdom  to  pursue  a  similar  method  in  the 
investigation  of  the  pathogenic  effects  of  foods?  Is  not  such  investiga- 
tion one  of  the  chief  problems  for  our  present  day  homoeopathy  to  solve  I 

Until  comparatively  recently  the  study  of  foods  has  been  almost 
entirely  deductive:  that  is  to  say,  food  values  based  upon  the  older 
high  protein  i>ero6ntages,  have  been  compiled  and  the  daily  intake  of 
food  calculated  in  accordance  with  the  regulation  mixed  diet  It  is  at 
once  obvious  that  a  diet  based  upon  the  older  standards  of  proteids,  faU 
and  carhohydrates,  while  proving  of  service  for  the  man  ^  of  brawn* 
might  not  apply  equally  to  the  man  of  brain.  In  other  words,  occupa- 
tion, dimate^  hygiene,  personal  habits  et.  aL  altogether  conspire  to  make 
the  feeding  of  the  individual  one  of  greatest  difficulty. 

The  experiments  of  Chitt^iden  in  the  establishment  of  the  low 
proteid  standard,  and  the  observation  of  Dr.  Wil^  with  his  ''poison 
squad,"  have  largely  modified  the  older  interpretation  of  relative  food 
values. 

The  basis  of  the  experiments  of  Dr.  Haig  was  for  the  most  part  in- 
ductive in  his  preliminary  experiments  for  ascertaining  the  relation  of 
uric  acid  to  disease,  with  a  final  determination  of  the  proper  individual 
diet.  Thus  we  see  that  the  inductive  method  should  go  hand  in  hand 
with  the  deductive.  Formally,  however,  the  latter  method  was  the  only 
one  that  was  considered  of  value;  the  sick-making  effects  of  foods 
being  catalogued  from  the  records  of  accidental  food  poisoning.  The 
experimental  method  of  food  analysis  was  not  then  in  vogue.  Among 
the  first  to  investigate  the  value  of  foods  from  the  pathogenic  standpoint 
was  Salisbury.  The  immediate  value  of  his  work  lies  not  so  much 
in  advocacy  of  the  so-called  ''Salisbury  Diet",  which  consisted  in  the 
use  of  muscle  pulp  and  hot  water,  particularly  popular  at  one  time  in 
the  treatment  of  nephritic  conditions,  but  from  the  fact  that  he  laid 
especial  emphasis  jon  the  therapeutic  value  of  this  inductive  method 
of  food  study,  by  which  he  was  able  to  show  the  harmful  effects  of  many 
foods,  afterward  given  but  scant  space  by  him  in  his  dietetic  category. 

Briefly  his  experiments,  according  to  his  own  evidence  originated 
about  as  follows:  "In  1854,  he  writes  (The  Belation  of  Alimentation 
and  Disease — ^Preface),  "the  idea  came  to  me,  in  one  of  my  solitary 
hours  to  try  the  effects  of  living  exclusively  upon  one  food  at  a  time. 
This  experiment  I  began  upon  myself  alone  at  first  Fortunately,  in  our 
works  on  physiology,  beans  are  placed  at  the  head  of  foods  as  regards 
their  nutrient  qualities.  On  this  account  I  opened  this  line  of  exper- 
iments. I  had  not  lived  upon  this  food  over  three  days  before  light 
began  to  break.    I  became  very  flatulent  and  constipated,  head  diuqr* 


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OONTRIBUTBD  ARTICLES  75 

6US  ringing,  Umbe  prickly,  and  was  wholly  unfitted  for  mentol  work. 
Tlie  miaroeoopio  examination  of  passages  showed  that  the  bean  food 
did  not  digest;  that  it  fermented  and  filled  the  digestive  organs  with 
jeoet,  carbon  dioxide,  alcohol  and  acetic  add;  that  the  sacs  of  legiimen 
containing  starch  granules  were  insoluble  in  the  digestive  fluids,  and 
consequently  these  fluids  could  not  reach  the  starch  until  it  had  fer- 
mented,  and  liberated  sufficient  gas  to  explode  the  sacs.  By  this  time 
the  starch  was  too  far  changed  into  gas,  alcohol  and  vinegar  to  afFord 
mndtk  nourishment  to  the  body. 

From  this  date  until  September,  1856, 1  subjected  myself  to  testing 
upon,  my  own  person  the  effects  of  exclusive  feeding  upon  several  foods 
in  torn*  as  often  as  I  could  find  time  to  do  so.  My  eyes  opened  to  the 
vast  reach  of  the  field  before  men.  I  had  found  a  door  standing  ajar, 
throui^  which  I  began  to  get  glimmerings  of  light  in  the  right  direction. 

^^  September,  1856,  I  hired  six  well  and  hearty  men  to  come  and 
live  with  me^  as  I  myself  would  live»  on  baked  beans.  .  .  In  1857  I 
engaged  other  well  men  to  live  with  me  upon  oatmeal  porridge  solely  for 
thirty  days.'' 

These  experiments  are  given  in  detail  in  the  body  of  the  woric. 
This  method  is  alluded  to  here  for  the  purpose  of  showing  that  this  is 
the  identical  method  pursued  by  Hahnemann  in  his  investigation  of 
the  pathogenetic  effects  of  drugs.  Note  that  the  author  insists  that 
his  experiments  be  carried  out  on  ''well  men,"  Hahnemann's  idea  in  the 
testing  of  drugs.  Similarly  the  foods  tested  were  to  be  taken  not  in 
combination,  but  each  was  to  be  examined  individually. 

In  the  Hahnemannic  drug  experiments,  however,  the  minutest  ef- 
fect of  the  medicine  was  recorded  in  the  journals  of  the  provers.  No 
sooh  detailed  accounts  are  available  of  the  Salisbury  experiments,  yet  as 
far  as  they  were  carried  out  the  records  were  carefully  compiled,  and 
note  taken  of  the  general  symptomatic  effects  of  the  individual  foods 
tested.  Again  it  is  well  to  note  that  these  experiments  were  carried 
out  with  single  foods;  and  it  is  interesting  to  find  at  the  present  time 
that  dietitians  are  frequently  recommending  the  monodiet  in  disease. 
Just  here  it  may  be  recalled  that  certain  other  experiments  of  Salisbury 
in  the  investigation  of  the  causes  of  measles  and  other  infectious  dis- 
eases, lead  him  to  recommend  in  their  treatment  immunizing  doses  of 
the  very  agents  which  to  him  represented  the  active  factors  in  their 
production;  truly  as  nearly  a  crude  application  of  the  homoeopathic 
principle  as  the  modem  methods  of  vaccino-immuno-therapy. 

Let  us  consider  his  origrinal  exx>eriments  with  the  ''baked  bean" 
diet  A  careful  analysis  was  first  made  as  to  the  physical  condition  of 
his  ^rovers."  The  diet  was  to  consist  at  first  of  baked  beans  and  cof- 
fee; meals  at  7  a.m.,  12  noon;  and  6  p.m. ;  exercise  to  be  a  two  mile  walk 
morning  and  evening.    This  regime  to  continue  for  one  month. 

The  experimenters  were  designated  as  A.,  B.,  0.,  D.,  E.,  F.,  all  b^ 
ing  free  from  disease  and  having  one  regular  movement  of  the  bowels 
4aay. 


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76  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

The  first  day  he  tells  ue  that  ''all  felt  well  and  ^oyed  themselveB 
greatly."  Towards  evening^  they  began  to  bloat,  but  had  no  special  feel- 
ing of  discomfort.  Slept  well.  Entered  upon  the  second  day  feeling 
about  as  well  as  on  the  first,  except  that  all  were  flatulent  and  constipat- 
ed. Yet  all  had  a  scanty,  hard  movement  of  the  bowels  before  evening. 
In  the  after  part  of  the  day  they  were  uncomfortable  from  the  bloating. 
Took  them  on  a  brisk  walk  of  two  miles,  which  was  something  of  a  relief. 
He  then  gives  a  table  of  the  condition  of  his  provers  from  the  third 
to  the  eighteenth  day.  Let  us  take  the  record  of  A  for  example:  From 
the  third  to  the  eleventh  day,  this  man  was  very  constipated,  with  bloat- 
ed feeling,  colic,  passing  wind  freely,  dizzy,  with  ringing  in  the  ears, 
confused,  uneasy,  prickling  of  the  hands  and  feet.  From  the  eleventh 
to  the  eighteenth  days,  he  passed  from  one  or  two  up  to  as  many  as  ten 
yeasty  stools,  daily.    His  subjective  symptoms  were  as  follows: 

''Dizzy,  much  bewildered.  Ears  ring.  Feet  prickle.  Hands  numb. 
Feels  strangdy.  Head  vacant.  Eyes  staring.  Walks  with  difficulty. 
Feels  drunk  and  lost  Head  feels  empty,  tired  and  strange.  Walks  un- 
steady, bewildered;  strange;  heart  palpitates  on  exertion.  Very  un- 
steady in  gait    Feet  and  legs  numb." 

By  comparing  and  corroborating  all  the  symptoms  of  the  six  ex- 
perimenters" the  totality  of  symptoms"  produced  might  be  tabulated. 
Suffice  it  to  eay  that  according  to  the  author,  symptoms — "of  Progress- 
ive Paralysis  or  Locomotor  Ataxy  began  to  show  themselves  in  all  six 
cases  on  tenth  day,  these  paralytic  and  peculiar  symptoms  increased  each 
day  after  the  tenth.  On  the  sixteenth  day  the  disease  was  so  mariced, 
that  not  one  of  the  six  could  walk  straight  without  support  All  wob- 
bled and  dragged  their  legs,  not  being  able  to  lift  them  dear  of  the 
floor." 

On  the  19th  day  the  diet  was  changed  to  meats,  and  by  the  morn- 
ing of  the  22nd  day  of  the  experiment  all  had  so  far  recovered  as  to  have 
but  one  normal  healthy  stool,  and  felt  well  and  clear  headed. 

It  will  be  observed  that  the  Author  states  that  "symptoms  of  Pro- 
gressive Paralysis  or  Locomotor  Ataxy  began  to  show  themselves  in  all 
cases  on  the  tenth  day."  Now  it  will  be  recalled  that  Hahnemann,  in 
his  experiments  with  cinchona  called  attention  to  the  fact  that  while 
bark  produced  in  the  healthy  a  peculiar  kind  of  fever  that  resembled 
ague,  he  did  not  say  that  it  actually  produced  ague,  but  only  a  condition 
closely  resembling  it;  therefore  we  feel  that  the  author  of  this  test  would 
better  have  characterized  the  effects  of  this  or  any  other  single  article  of 
diet  exx>erimented  with,  as  having  produced  a  kind  of  paralysis  re- 
sembling locomotor  ataxia.  In  other  words,  he  was  producing  a  similar 
condition  by  food  experiment  but  not  necessarily  the  identical  condi- 
tion found  in  the  disease.  This  is  owing  to  the  fact  that  in  disease 
manifestations  there  is  found  a  multiplicity  of  combinatious  of  symp- 
toms, owing  to  the  effects  of  not  single  articles  of  food,  but  more  often 
of  foods  in  combination.     (Granting  of  course  that  there  is  a  constant 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES)  .  » 

diooaflo  producing  power  in  improper  articles  of  diet,  and  exceesee  or  im* 
proper  combinationB). 

The  effects  produced  by  an  exclusive  oatmeal  diet  were  in  brief  as 
follows:  From  the  first  to  the  eighth  day,  constipation,  bloated,  un- 
comfortable feelings  in  the  bowels,  with  occasional  colicky  pains;  men- 
tally all  were  dull  and  stupid.  From  the  8th  to  the  30th  day,  the  fol- 
lowing characteristic  symptoms  were  exhibited:     (From  A's  Table) — 

''Very  flatulent;  wandering  pains  in  bowels;  head  dull  and  achy; 
constipated;  appetite  fair  but  not  ravenous;"  constipation  till  about  the 
25th  or  26th,  when  large,  full  yeasty  movements  began  to  show  them- 
selves, until  on  the  last  day  of  the  experiment  A  had  9  thin  yeasty 
discharges.  Among  the  developed  pathogenesis  were  to  be  found: 
**Bowel8  feel  lame  as  if  bruised;  feet  prickle,  ears  ring,  lumbar  i>ains, 
boweb  very  much  bloated,  neuralgic  pains  in  heart,  feverish,  thirsty, 
forgetful,  languid,  and  disi>06ed  to  lie  down.  Feet  cold,  nightmare 
during  night,  forgetful,  stomach  and  bowels  distended  with  gas,  colic 
pains.  Breathing  oppressed  when  exercising  much.  Thinks  he  is  los- 
ing his  mind.  Sleep  heavy  with  bad  dreams,  feet  and  hands  prickle, 
heart  palpitates,  eyes  blur  in  reading,  limbs  pridcle  much  and  drag  in 
walking.  At  times  a  choking  in  swallowing.  Submaxillary  glands 
tender  and  somewhat  swollen.  Feels  'as  if  his  mind  was  giving  away.'  ^ 
''Memory  poor,  quite  deaf  at  times,  voice  weak  and  husky;  eyes  look 
a  little  wild." 

Among  additional  symptoms  (produced  in  other  provers)  were: 
''Swelling  of  the  feet  towards  evening;  sometimes  sees  double,  and  im- 
agines he  sees  snakes,  devils,  etc.  Urine  scanty,  high  colored,  and  de- 
posits heavy;  sediment  of  urates  on  cooling.  Neuralgic  pains  in  left 
arm,  side  and  leg,  with  numbness  in  extremities." 

"Experiments  connected  with  producing  (what  the  author  called) 
consumption  of  the  bowels,  or  chronic  diarrhoea  of  armies,  by  feeding 
upon  army  biscuit"  developed  in  the  main  the  following  charaoter- 
istios : — Oonetipation  preceded  or  associated  with  yeast  fermentation  in 
the  stools,  which  conditions  were  '^always  worse  towards  evening  and 
during  the  night,  and  go  on  increasing  from  day  to  day,"  until  disten- 
sion and  paralysis  of  intestinal  walls  develops.  With  this  condition 
there  were  sensations  of  prickling  of  the  legs,  ringing  in  the  ears,  a 
numby  confused  feeling  in  the  head.  A  cough  with  much  hoarseness, 
espedally  during  the  night  and  on  rising  in  the  morning;  expectoration 
thick,  cream  colored,  and  of  sweetish  taste.  Constriction  of  breathing 
with  jmlpitation  of  the  heart  on  exertion,  with  later  development  of  the 
characteristic  diarrhooa. 

In  the  discussion  of  this  kind  of  diet,  the  author  writes  that  the  first 
abnoraml  condition  produced  was  a  lessening  of  peristaltic  action,  this 
intnn  griving  way  to  a  fermentative  diarrhoea.  Just  previous  to  the 
loose  discharges,  the  intestines  seemed  to  be  generally  paralysed,  with 
involuntary  passing  of  &eces..    About  the  time  of  the  diarrhoea,  there 

\  noticed  huskineta  of  the  voice,  dry  constricted  feeling  in  the  throaty 


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78  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOHCEOPATBT 

aooompanied  by  a  scalded,  smarting  sorenees,  ae  if  inflamed.  This 
aooompanied  by  the  characteristic  sputa  above  described,  oppreasioii  and 
tightneBs  of  the  chest  Thbre  were  also  palpitation  and  oppression  of 
the  breathing.    And  Anally,  he  writes: 

'^On  the  tenth  day  of  the  feeding,  all  the  men  began  to  show  quite 
evident  signs  of  semi-paralysis  of  the  nerves  of  the  extremities.  This 
gradually  increased  until  the  army-biscuit  was  discontinued.  During 
the  last  few  days  of  the  feeding  the  symptoms  of  locomotor  ataxy  were 
strongly  marked,  and  the  disease  was  progressing  with  alarming  rapid- 
ity. The  eyes  were  growing  more  dim  and  the  deafness  and  ringing  in 
the  ears  were  becoming  strongly  manifested.'' 

This  will  suffice  for  detailed  accounts  of  these  experiments.  The 
essential  point  to  be  emphasized  by  them  is  the  fact  that  herein  we  find 
definite  exi>eriments  with  individual  food  products,  given  to  healthy 
persons  by  way  of  experiment  Is  not  this  in  a  large  measure  the 
proper  basis  of  inductive  food  experiment?  Would  not  this  study  be 
of  profit  in  our  houMBopathic  medical  schools  as  supplementing  our 
pharmacological  studies,  and  in  corroborating  the  manifestations  of 
dietetic  indiscretions  found  in  the  case  of  records  of  actual  patients  t 
The  objection  may  be  raised  to  our  using  the  Salisbury  method  from 
the  fact  that  the  deductions  made  by  this  experimenter  led  him  to  the 
conclusion  that  of  all  available  foods  for  human  consumption  the  red 
meat  of  healthy  animals  is  par  excellence  the  one  most  suitable  for 
general  use.  The  results  of  such  a  method  of  feeding  dinically  undoubt- 
edly do  not  substantiate  the  theories  ux>on  which  and  for  which  the  ex- 
periments were  carried  out,  namely  that  of  gaining  information  as  to 
the  proper  balance  of  foods  in  the  dietary  of  the  healthy  person,  and  the 
corresponding  therapeutic  values  of  food. 

In  view  of  the  extended  use  made  of  meat  by  Salisbury  and  his 
followers,  it  is  interesting  to  note  that  the  author  did  recognize  (and 
what  others  have  noted  likewise)  what  he  chose  to  term  '%eat  dyspepsia." 
Its  symptoms  he  described  as  follows:  ^^In  meat  dyspepsia  there  is 
more  or  lees  distress,  oppression  and  load  about  the  stomach,  with 
usually  a  ball  in  the  throat,  and  the  '^gulping  of  wind"  that  tastes  like 
'*rotten  eggs"  (Sulphuretted  Hydrogen).  With  these  symptoms  there 
is  frequently  much  sickness  and  weakness,  with  loss  of  appetite  and 
great  heat  and  bewilderment  in  the  head."  Apropos  to  the  above  refer- 
ence may  x>erhaps  be  made  to  the  experiment  carried  out  several  years 
ago  by  Dr.  H.  W.  Taylor,  and  reported  to  the  American  Institute  of 
Homoeopathy  (Trans.  1881).  This  psi-per  may  be  cited  as  having  a  more 
definite  bearing  upon  the  subject  from  the  standpoint  of  pure  symptom- 
atology; it  was  entitled  "The  Hygiene  of  Foods."  In  this  article  the 
author  suggests  the  term  'proving"  for  his  experiment,  and  consequently 
we  have  applied  the  term  **Food  Proving"  to  the  general  method  of  ex- 
perimenting with  the  effects  of  foods  upon  the  body  for  the  puipoee  of 
obtaining  their  pure  and  iinadulterated  pathogenic  actions.  The  method 
employed  in  this  experiment  was  that  of  exduding  all  articles  from  the 


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OOIVTRIBUTED  ARTICILeS  79 

dietaxy  eare  eeven  and  one-half  ounces  of  bread*  and  making  up  the 
deficiency  in  quantity  %y  the  addition  of  a  large  portion  of  animal 
flesh,  amounting  to  first  three  and  one-half  poxinds  daily,  afterwards  to 
four  ixmndsy  and  finally  to  five  i>ound8  per  diem.  This  consisted  main- 
ly of  lean  beef,  fresh,  and  selected  carefully.  Occasionally  this  was 
Taried  with  wild  game,  such  as  young  hares,  young  squirrels  (fully 
grown),  prairie  chickens  and  fresh  fish.'^ 

Careful  observations  were  made  for  one  month  preceding  the  ex- 
periment, upon  the  pulse,  temperature,  respiration  and  urine,  and  the 
urine  was  oarefuUy  examined  throughout  the  experiment  The  meat 
'^▼ing^  was  conducted  from  May  10th,  1877  to  September  10th  of 
the  same  year,  during  which  time  the  prover  lost  88  pounds,  and  urine 
increased  in  quantity  from  36  ounces  to  56  ounces;  sp.  gr.  from  1019 
to  1026.  The  conclusions  drawn  by  the  experimenter  were  to  the  effect 
that  ^^  whole  of  the  meat  eaten  had  been  excreted  by  the  Icidneffs, 
inydving  these  organs  in  an  amount  of  extra  woric  as  proven  by  the 
enormous  increase  of  the  daily  flow  of  urine."  The  test  was  discontinue 
ed  owing  to  the  advent  of  'frequent  severe  attacks  of  acute  laryngitis, 
doeely  resembling  'catarrhal  croup'  in  a  child.  This  with  an  obstinate 
constipation  and  a  threatened  loss  of  voice,  the  author  writes,  ''deter- 
mined me  to  suspend  the  'proving.' " 

Hie  conclusion  was  that  the  animal  food  is  not  assimilated  in  the 
body>  As  there  was,  judging  from  the  frequent  urinary  examinations 
no  albumen  or  sugar  in  the  xirine,  the  excessive  sp.  gr.  must  undoubtedly 
have  been  the  result  of  uric  acid.  While  he  contends  that  the  meat 
passed  out  of  the  kidney  in  the  exact  amount  ingested,  we  should,  how- 
ever, rather  think  that  it  was  metamorphosed  into  uirc  acid  within  the 
body,  and  the  excessive  urinary  excretion  and  hightened  sp.  gr.  were 
its  cumulative  effects.  Among  the  most  characteristic  symptoms  pro- 
duced were  the  following:  Primarily  bilious  diarrhoea,  which  gave 
way  to  obstinate  constipation ;  (the  writer  has  seen  meat  produce  a  most 
violent  bilious  diarrhoea  in  a  patient  who  had  been  subsisting  for  some 
months  on  a  vegetable  and  cereal  diet) ;  actute  laryngeal  symptoms  re- 
sembling oroup;  somnolency  after  meals,  with  wakefulness  in  after  part 
of  the  night;  dull  headache,  great  irascibility,  anxiety  and  melancholia. 
"A  species  of  narcosis,  characterized  by  flushing  of  the  face,  somnolency 
with  deep  sle^  and  stertorous  breathing.  As  a  secondary  effect,  in- 
somnia and  night  vigril  occuring  in  the  after  part  of  the  night  An 
unhealthy  condition  of  the  skin;  pimples,  boils,  and  dai^  discolorations, 
especially  of  hands,  and  face."  This  is  the  most  detailed  experiment 
we  have  ever  had  the  pleasure  of  analyzing.  Undoubtedly  these  symp- 
toms are  genuine,  and  in  fact  correspond  in  a  measure  with  Salisbuiy's 
definition  of  "meat  dyspepsia." 

According  to  Salisbury  the  symptoms  of  the  yarious  types  of  fer- 
mentative processes  are  due  not  so  much  to  the  direct  action  of  the  of- 
fending substance,  as  to  its  by-products.  Thus  he  contended  that  in  the 
iermentaiive  changes  set  up  in  the  system  from  the  imperfect  digestion 


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so  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOHCEOPATHT 

of  the  oarfoobydrates,  alcohol  and  vinegar  as  well  as  carbon  dioxide 
were  liberated,  and  acted  in  a  similar  manner  to  these  active  chemical 
compounds  themselves.  And  singularly  enough  his  experiment  with 
vinegar,  for  example,  only  goes  to  corroborate  the  homoeopathic  prov- 
ings  of  acetic  acid.  This  experiment  was  carried  out  somewhat  as  fol- 
lows: Three  men  whose  diet  consisted  of  ''boiled  and  roasted  meats, 
vegetables  and  bread  for  dinner  and  supper,  and  hash,  potates  and  bread 
for  breakfast,"  the  meats  making  up  one  twelfth  of  the  vegetables  and 
bread,  were  given  as  an  exclusive  drink"  three  ounces  of  strong  cider 
vinegar  in  half  a  pint  of  sweetened  water  at  each  meal,  and  the  same 
amount  from  two  to  three  hours  after  breakfast 

'Tirst  night  all  slept  soundly  and  well.  On  the  afternoon  of  the 
second  day,  all  began  to  feel  more  or  less  uncomfortable,  with  flashes 
of  heat  and  watery  condition  of  eyes.  Pulse  accelerated:  sour  eructa- 
tions with  considerable  flatulence,  and  constant  movement  of  wind 
in  the  bowels." 

From  the  third  to  the  ninth  day  the  following  were  among  the 
prominent  and  characteristic  symptoms  induced  by  this  ferment: 
8d  day.  Considerable  colic  and  very  flatulent.  Flashes  of  heat  to- 
wards latter  part  of  day.  Bowels  moved  once.  Urine  flowed 
freely.  (Jood  appetite. 
4th  day.  Bowels  bloated,  causing  much  discomfort,  with  increased 
heart's  action  on  exertion.  Appetite  good.  Eyes  and  fauces 
congested  and  watery.  No  movement,  sleep  somewhat  dis- 
turbed, blood  getting  ropy  and  sticky,  urine  free. 
6th  day.  Very  flatulent  wi^h  colic;  flashes  of  heat,  pulse  80  to  84; 
easily  excited.  Bheumatic  pains  in  knees  and  shoulders. 
Pain  in  region  of  heart.  Eyes  and  fauces  watery,  breathing 
oppressed,  constipated.  Blood  ropy,  stidsy,  stringy.  Vinegar 
yeast  appearing  in  blood.  Head  mixed.  Languid  and  feels 
tired  on  exertion.  Stomach  acid,  appetite  only  moderate. 
Sleep  disturbed  with  dreams.  Urine  free  but  contains  bile. 
Eyes  and  fauces  congested  and  watery.  Sneezing  oocasion- 
ally,  feverish,  perspiration  sour. 
9th  day.  Bowels  distended  with  flatus,  colic  pains,  sour  eructationa. 
Head  mixed,  ears  ring,  eyes  and  fauces  congested  and  watery. 
Hacking  cough  at  times.  Blood  very  ropy,  stringy  and  sticky. 
Pains  in  knees  and  feet,  hands  and  shoulders.  Shooting 
heart  pains,  breathing  oppressed,  perspiration  sour.  At 
times  feverish.  Urine  high-colored,  and  moderate  in  quan- 
tity; density  1,026.  Breath  sour,  vinegar  yeast  increasing  in 
blood,  hard  small,  light-colored  movement,  with  much  wind. 
Sleep  disturbed.  Pulse  86  to  88. 
Yth  day.  Bowels  much  distended  with  wind,  severe  colic  pains.  Acid 
stomach;  sour  eructations.  Head  confused.  Ringing  in  ears. 
eyes,  nose  and  throat  congested  and  watery;  throat  has  a 
scalded  feeling,    doughs  and  expectorates  a  tough  maeua; 


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OONTRIBUTED  ABTICLES  tl 

blood  very  ropy»  stringy  and  sticky.  Pains  in  knees,  feet, 
ankles,  ehoulders  and  wrists.  Shooting  heart  pains,  oppress- 
ed breathing,  limbs  prickle  and  get  numb  at  times,  perspir- 
ation sour.  Alternate  fever  and  chills,  urine  high-colored, 
floanty;  density  1,030.  Breath  sour,  vinegar  yeast  increasing 
in  blood,  a  small  constipated  passage,  followed  soon  after  by 
2  loose  movements.  Sleep  uneasy,  pulse  87  to  90,  neck  glands 
swelling. 
9th  day.  Bowels  very  flatulent  and  full  of  pains,  stomach  acid  with 
sour  eructations.  Head  confused  and  aching,  ringing  in  ears, 
staggers  in  walking.  Eyes,  nose  and  throat  congested,  as 
with  a  cold.  Throat  has  a  scalded  feeling,  with  some  dif- 
ficulty in  swallowing.  Cough  quite  severe  at  times.  Expec- 
torates a  tough  mucus.  Blood  ropy  and  sticky,  but  less  ten- 
acious. Vinegar  yeast  increasing  in  blood.  Pains  in  upper 
and  lower  extremities,  with  prickling  and  numbness;  head 
feek  numb.  Darting  pains  in  heart  Oppressed  breathing 
^  on  exertion.    Perspiration  sour,  alternate  fever  and  chills, 

urine  high-colored  and  scanty;  density  1,032.    Two  profuse, 
loose,  yeasty  movements.    Sleep  disturbed.    Pulse  88  to  92. 
Olands  of  neck  considerably  swollen  and  tender.    Trip-ham- 
mer pulsations   beginning  to   show   themselves,    indicating 
fibrous  deposits  in  and  near  the  heart"     (We  have  given  A's 
record  in  full — ^urine  and  blood  examinations  were  carefully 
recorded  throughout  the  experiment). 
"On  the  morning  of  the  ninth  day,  all  were  in  such  a  forlorn,  used 
up,  miserable  condition,  that  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  bring  these 
eiqperimentB  to  an  end,  for  fear  of  some  serious  result    AU  had  a  pro- 
fuse diarrhoBa,  having  two  or  three  large,  yeasty  movements  each,  before 
time  for  rising.    In  all  the  cases  the  heart-beat  was  becoming  more  or 
less  intermittant  and  spasmodic,  with  trip-hammer  pulsations,  and  the 
numb  and  diz^   feelings  were   increasing.     I   accordingly  ordered   a 
breakfast  of  broiled  beefsteak." 

Oareful  comparison  of  these  tables  with  the  provings  of  acetic  acid 
will  show  a  dose  correspondence.  The  especial  interest  that  aU  such 
eiperiments  have  for  us  is  the  fact  that  such  tests  to  ascertain  the  path- 
ogenic effects  of  foods  more  universally  carried  out,  especially  under  the 
guidance  of  experimenters  schooled  in  homceopathic  methods  would 
tend  to  develop  the  finer  actions  of  such  substances,  that  through  proper 
tabulation  might  be  excluded  from  the  dietary  of  persons  manifestly 
affected  1^  them. 

Such  general  indications  as  furnished  us  by  experiments  of  the 
Salisbury  type  might  well  be  supplemented  by  the  more  extended  and 
earefaUy  conducted  tests  known  to  homoBopathy.  Whereas,  ordinary 
experimentation  relative  to  metaboHc  and  caloric  values  are  of  distinct 
Tahie^  such  data  need  to  be  supplemented  or  corroborated  by  investiga- 
IKHMI  elonti  the  lines  suggested  by  drug  provings. 


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82  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OP  HOMODOPATHY 

While  the  majority  of  modem  dietitianB  depreciate  the 
ingestion  of  pro^ns,  eepecially  red  meate^  and  adhere  to  the  low-proteid 
standards  set  by  Prof.  Ohittendon^  there  are  very  few  who  do  not  still 
advocate  a  certain  amount  of  meat  or  animal  food  in  the  dietaiy. 

On  the  other  hand,  following  in  the  line  of  Haig  and  his  teachings 
regarding  the  lacto-vegetarian  regime,  there  are  but  few  who  still  ad- 
vocate the  strict  vegetarian  regime;,  but  instead  we  find  that  most  veg^ 
table  dietSy  eo-called,  allow  a  certain  amount  of  animal  products  in  the 
form  of  milk,  sweet  or  fermented,  eggs,  butter,  nuts  and  cheese  in  mod- 
erate amounts.  Thus  we  avoid  the  difficulties  that  were  found  to  ac- 
crue ae  the  result  of  the  total  depravity  of  the  vital  stimulus  furnished 
by  animal  products. 

Dr.  Wiley  in  his  dietetic  studies  still  adheres  to  the  fiesh  foods. 
Ihr.  Woods  Hutchinson  openly  def^ids  and  advocates  them.  Mr.  Al- 
fred McOann  in  his  popular  and  much  talked  of  book,  "Starving  Amer- 
ica,''  and  in  his  various  published  essays  advocates  the  use  of  chicken 
and  certain  forms  of  fish*  in  small  proportions. 

Prof.  AUyn  of  the  Westfield  Book  of  Pure  Foods  fame^  while  no4 
strictly  an  advocate  of  the  meatless  diet,  lays  special  stress  upon  the 
careful  chemical  examination  of  foods,  and  insists  upon  the  asserted 
purity  of  all  food  products,  induding  condiments,  spices  et  cetera. 

S.  Lepel,  and  other  dietists  of  the  popular  (unprofessional)  type  are 
loud  in  their  praises  of  meat  and  other  flesh  foods  in  the  production  of 
the  so-called  '^brainy  diet*' 

McFadden,  Otto  Oarque;,  Eugene  Christian  and  many  others  are 
strict  advocates  of  vegetables,  fruits,  cereals  and  nuts;  and  among  a  cer- 
tain class  of  food  specialists,  the  use  of  unfired  or  uncodced  foods  haa 
gained  great  popularity. 

Among  miany  physicians,  there  exists  the  great  uncertainty  regard- 
ing this  question  of  diet  Few  have  the  facilities  for  individual  food 
testing;  few  have  the  inclination  for  the  pursuit  of  such  study,  yet  of 
all  subjects  pertaining  to  the  practice  of  medicine;,  none  is  so  important^ 
and  so  deserving  of  careful,  impartial,  and  sane  judgment. 

In  a  modest,  but  convincing  book  upon  the  subject  of  diet,  l^  Dr. 
Bichburg  of  Chicago,  entitled  'Tat,  Drink  and  Live  Long,''  the  author 
states  her  exi>erience  upon  the  subject  of  meat  eating  as  follows: 

'QOuring  her  no-meat  eating  season  the  writer  has  realiised  a  bright- 
ening of  the  mental  faculties,  an  elasticity  of  bearing,  with  comparative 
freedom  from  her  (inherited)  melancholia  and  other  disturbing  exper- 
iences; but  also  a  slight  decline  of  physical  force,  a  lowering  of  body 
temperature  and  increased  irritability  as  to  external  impres^ons,  noise^ 
light,  uncongenial  associations  and  to  weather  changes.  With  a  retnni 
to  occasional  meat  came  restoration  of  the  general  powers  of  resistance^ 
a  sense  of  renewed  vigor  to  the  muscular  eystem,  less  easy  chilling;  bat 
also  the  less  favorable  manifestations  of  mineral  deposits  in  the  l^- 
ways — causing  lame  joints,  tired  spine;,  blurred  eyes  and  unsteady  hands 
and  head.    She  has  never  given  the  no-meat  diet  sufficient  time  for  IIm 


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OONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  86 

bwl  pesQlts — that  is,  to  avercoine  the  natural  but  neoeesarily  objection- 
abk^  distuibance  wbich  any  radical  change  of  body-habit  arousee. 

OonditionB  not  under  control  have  prevented  this  and  the  tempor- 
aiy  efforts  have  been  each  time  abandoned  with  the  intention  of  fully 
testing  the  matter  at  some  future  time.'' 

This  experience  coincides  in  a  large  measure  with  what  the  present 
writer  has  experienced  in  these  investigations;  finding  it  i>ossible  to 
dlumge  or  alter  the  dietetic  status  abnost  at  will,  under  proper  conditions 
for  investigation.  There  is  certainly  a  marked  degree  of  mental  freedom 
in  finding  oneself  able  to  break  away  from  the  hard  and  fast  rules  of 
orthodox  dietetics,  and  to  wander  in  the  fascinating  by-paths  of  natural 
living,  under  the  improved  conditions  of  life  which  it  engenders. 

Dr.  Edward  Markham,  in  his  monograph  on  twentieth  oenttuy 
living,  entitled,  ^A  Message  of  Health,''  openly  advocates  the  meatless 
menu  for  the  child  up  to  the  age  of  eight  years,  in  accordance  with 
the  latest  word  upon  this  subject,  as  coming  from  the  Beport  of  the  . 
Child  Welfare  Exhibit  of  Columbia  University.  He  advocates  the  use 
of  fiesh  foods  for  the  adult,  but  in  relatively  small  quantities. 

Dr.  John  P.  Sutherland  in  a  recent  paper  published  in  the  North 
Akerioan  Journal  of  Homceopatht  (Nov.  1914)  is  able  to  adduce  veiy 
cogent  reason  why,  to  his  mind,  the  use  of  bolted  flour,  refined  or 
granulated  sugar,  and  flesh  foods  are  distinctly  'pathogenic." 

Certainly  the  opinions  of  educators  of  this  type  who  have  not  only 
made  oareful  investigation,  but  wide  clinical  applications  of  such  data 
can  but  bear  great  weight  in  the  formulating  of  our  opinions  ui>on  the 
subject,  and  at  all  events  stimulate  us  to  renewed  investigation. 

You  are  all  familiar  with  the  advanced  papers  that  have  been  pre- 
sented before  this  Association  during  the  past  two  or  three  years,  by 
Dr.  Hutchinson  and  Dr.  Powell;  also  the  careful  analsrsis  of  food  chem- 
istiy  and  physiology  of  Dr.  Carleton  and  Dr.  McManus.  Such  cred- 
itable achievements  are  but  convincing  evidence  of  the  scientific  trend 
in  the  homoBopathy  of  to-day  toward  a  better  knowledge  of  this  subject, 
based  upon  the  proper  relationship  between  food  ingrediente  and  the 
individual  patients,  for  whom  such  study  is  intended. 

It  is  not  the  desire  of  the  writer  to  consume  valuable  time  in  the 
furth^  consideration  of  this  subject,  but  it  suffices  to  say  that  he  has 
kmg  been  interested  in  the  subject  of  food  provings;  and  it  has  been  his 
personal  good  fortune  to  apply  this  method  in  a  simple  way  for  the  ao- 
qoisition  of  direct  and  definite  knowledge  of  the  imthogenic  action  of  a 
variety  of  different  foods;  knowledge  which  any  person  may  readily 
ascertain  and  apply  in  the  study  of  the  individual  dietetic  problems 
which  preseDft  themselves  to  be  solved.  Nothing  remains  for  us  but  to 
take  active  st^»  in  this  study;  in  our  homes;  in  our  medical  colleges; 
and  finally  at  the  bedside  of  the  sick. 

No  better  preparation  can  be  given  the  student  for  the  future  prob- 
lems that  await  him  in  the  care  and  feeding  of  the  sick,  than  such  study 
of  food  paihogenesy  as  we  have  outlined.    Only  brief  and  simple  tests 


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84  KORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHT 

are  neoeeeary,  proyided  we  get  the  proper  angle  from  which  to  yiew  the 
subject  We  do  not  need  to  extend  our  researches  to  the  point  of  pro- 
ducing pathological  conditions,  any  more  than  we  need  to  push  our  drug 
provings  to  the  point  of  toxic  or  even  strictly  physiological  actions. 
All  we  require  is  to  get  started  along  the  proper  channels;  the  fully  de- 
veloped pictures  of  food  symptomatology  will  readily  appear  in  the 
Tariety  of  acute  and  chronic  cases  furnished  us  in  our  clinical  material. 

In  addition  to  the  articles  previously  mentioned  as  investigated  in 
the  Salisbury  experiments,  the  list  included  observations  upon  beef, 
mutton,  eggs,  fish,  pork,  chickens,  tui^eys  and  game;  and  a  great  variety 
of  the  grain  preparations  and  most  garden  vegetables. 

Our  developed  materia  medica  contains  already  the  provings  of 
almost  the  entire  list  of  condiments,  adulteratives,  and  special  '^rare  and 
peculiar"  articles  of  diet,  which,  while  for  the  most  part  inert  when 
properly  prepared,  occasionally,  owing  to  the  peculiar  idyosyncrasy  of 
some  sensitive  patient,  readily  elicit  provings. 

The  toxic  effects  of  mushrooms,  alkaloidal  substances  found  in  cer- 
tain of  the  vegetables,  ptomains  developed  through  the  decomposition  of 
animal  food  furnish  us  a  readily  accessible  toxicology  of  foods;  the 
records  in  our  materia  medica  contain  the  more  fully  developed  patho- 
geneses, and  finer  symptoms;  and  finally,  further  researches  along  the 
lines  of  systematic  food  proving  will  furnish  us  a  ready  index  of  the 
totality  of  pathogenic  food  effects.  We  shall  thus  the  better  be  prepared 
to  approach  the  problem  of  the  proper  management  of  acute  and  chronic 
diseases.  In  this  light  the  intricate  and  complex  portraits  of  the  chronic 
miasms  may  be  shown  to  better  advantage,  and  finally  we  shall  be  bet- 
ter able  to  meet  the  qualifications  of  the  true  healer  of  the  side. 


RECOLLECTIONS  OF  DR.  BERING  AND 
fflS  TEACHINGS* 

By  B.  C.  WOODBURY  SR.,  M.D., 
Late  of  St.  Petersburg,  Fla. 

IT  was  my  good  fortune  to  attend  lectures  at  the  old  Medical  College 
of  Pennsylvania,  during  the  years,  1864-5  and  1865-6.  I  had  prev- 
iously spent  two  years  of  study  in  the  office  of  Dr.  J.  H.  P.  Frost,  who 
was  at  that  time  located  in  Bangor,  Maina  Dr.  Frost  later  removed  to 
Philadelphia,  and  was  elected  Professor  of  Physiology,  a  chair  which  he 
filled  for  several  years,  imtil  the  college  was  reorganized  under  the  name 
of  the  Hahnemann  Medical  College  of  Philadelphia. 

I  felt  myself  fortunate  in  attending  college  at  this  particular  time^ 
as  we  had  as  instructors  men  widely  known  and  honored  wherever  tnie 
homoeopathy  was  practiced. 


*Read  before  the  New  Hampshire  HomcBopathic  Medical  Soci^. 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTI0LB8  B5 

The  &cul1y  wae  at  that  time  oomi>oeed  as  follows:  Insti- 
taies  and  Practice  of  Medicine,  Dr.  Constantino  Hering;  Ob- 
stetrics and  Diseases  of  Women  and  Children,  Dr.  Henry  N.  Guernsey; 
Materia  Medica  and  Therapeutics,  Dr.  Adolph  Lippe;  Special  Path- 
ology and  Diagnosis,  Dr.  Charles  G.  Raue;  Surgery,  (Jeorge  R  Starkcy; 
Anatomy,  Dr.  Puscy  Wilson;  Physiology,  Dr.  Charles  Heerman;  Chem- 
istry and  Toxicology,  Dr.  Lemuel  Stephens. 

The  following  year  Dr.  Frost  was  made  Professor  of  Physiology, 
and  Dr.  Wilson  was  elected  to  the  Chair  of  Surgery,  Dr.  John  0.  Mor- 
gan succeeding  him  as  Professor  of  Anatomy. 

Dr.  Hering  was  at  this  time  64  years  of  age,  active  and  very  mcvQi 
interested  in  homoeopathy,  as  his  Condensed  Materia  Medica  and  Chuid- 
ing  Symptoms,  which  were  published  soon  after  this  amply  prove.  He 
was  highly  respected  and  venerated  by  his  classes  and  his  lectures  were 
well  attended. 

Dr.  lippe^  though  considerably  advanced  in  years  was  still  active 
and  very  enthusiastic  in  his  beloved  ^^omoBoimthie,"  as  he  liked  to  call 
it  His  lectures  were  likewise  well  attended  and  appreciated  by  the 
students.  Of  Dr.  Guernsey,  I  will  say  that  in  all  the  faculty  no  one 
was  more  beloved  and  respected,  and  his  teaching  of  the  materia  medica 
by  the  method  of  '*K^  Notes,*'  which  he  originated,  will  be  long  re- 
membered. Of  Dr.  Baue,  I  need  only  say  that  his  work  was  well  and 
ably  done  and  he  was  generally  liked  and  respected  by  the  student  body. 
Of  the  remaining  members  of  the  faculty  I  need  only  remaric  that  they 
wore  all  true  homoBopathists  and  able  teachers.  With  this  brief  review 
of  the  personnel  of  the  faculty,  I  will  return  to  my  subject 

While  in  Dr.  Frost's  office  I  had  read  Dudgeon's  Lectures  on 
HomiBopathy,  and  was  particularly  interested  in  the  explanation  of  the 
modus  operandi  ot  homcsopathic  medicine!,  as  given  by  Hahnemann 
and  some  of  his  disciples.  Dr.  Dudgeon  states  that  Hahnemann  orig- 
inally called  his  system,  '^e  doctrine  of  specifics.'.  This  name^  how- 
ever»  he  used  from  1796  up  to  1808,  after  which  time,  he  made  use  of 
the  term  "homoeopathic/'  or  '^specific-homoeopathic/'  or  ''homoeopathic^ 
specific/' 

But  Hahnemann's  conception  of  the  term  ^'specific"  was  not  that  in 
common  use,  for  there  could  not  be,  to  his  mind,  any  such  thing  as  a 
specific  remedy  for  any  disease,  but  there  could  be  remedies  specific  to 
certain  definite  groups  of  symptoms,  characterizing  certain  diseases  as 
expressed  in  the  symptoms  of  the  patient 

His  explanation  of  the  action  of  the  similar  remedy  in  disease  was 
based  upon  ^the  maxim  that  in  order  to  cure  disease  in  the  best  possible 
manner  we  must  select  agents  that  possess  an  inherent  power  to  excite 
in  the  healthy  economy  morbid  states  similar  to  those  produced  by  the 
diseases  we  have  to  cure."  Hahnemann's  theory  of  the  substitution  of  a 
similar  but  stronger  (dynamic)  disease  in  the  organism  was  based  upon 
the  law  of  primary  and  secondary  actions  of  medicines  and  dependent 
for  its  immediate  proof  upon  what  he  chose  to  call  the  homoeopathic 


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86  VOBLtn  AMEBIOAN  JOUBNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

€ffgraviUion,  In  order  to  avoid  this  aggravation,  his  judgment  dictated 
to  bim  the  logic  of  the  reduction  of  the  doee.  Hence  his  deductions  of 
ihe  single  remedy  and  the  minimum  doee,  from  what  seemed  to  him  to 
be  an  unfailing  natural  phenomenon — the  law  of  stmUare.  Whether 
the  addition  of  this  similar,  artificial  (dynamic)  disorder  to  the  exist- 
ing symptoms^  with  the  subsequent  overcoming  of  the  former  by  the 
secondary  reaction  of  the  vital  force  is  a  true  explanation  it  is  difficult 
to  answer.  Whether  we  accept  this  substitutive  theory  of  the  action  of 
the  remedy,  or  any  of  the  various  other  explanations  offered  by  his  im- 
mediate disciples,  we  cannot  gainsay  the  action  of  the  remedy,  or  any  of 
the  various  other  explanations  offered  by  his  immediate  disciples,  we 
cannot  gainsay  the  .action  of  the  similar  remedy  prescribed  in  accordance 
with  the  logic  of  his  deductions. 

It  would  seem  that  none  of  these  explanations  has  proven  entirely 
satisfactory  to  the  honuBOi>athic  profession,  and  so  far  as  I  know  the 
question  has  remained  a  mooted  one. 

In  his  lectures  to  us,  Dr.  Hering  gSLve  the  following  explanation  of 
the  action  of  the  properly  chosen  remedy,  which  to  me  is  the  most  rea- 
sonable and  satisfactory  answer  to  the  question  that  I  have  ever  heard; 
it  was  as  follows: 

The  medicine  when  administered  to  the  side,  acts  as  a  similar  force 
applied  in  an  opposite  direction.  This  he  illustrated  by  the  suppositioD 
that  a  tree  bent  over  by  some  force  till  it  nearly  touched  the  ground 
could  only  be  restored  to  its  upright  position,  by  a  similar  force  of  equal 
intensity,  applied  in  the  opposite  direction. 

The  remedy  in  order  to  be  effective,  must  correspond  to  the  ^mp- 
toms  to  be  treated ;  but  must  act  in  a  direction  opposite  to  that  of  the 
disease.  It  is  well  known  that  the  vital  force  is  constantly  exerting  it- 
self to  throw  off  the  disease  and  repair  the  injury  which  in  simple  af- 
fections it  is  able  to  do  unaided,  but  which  in  more  serious  cases  it  is 
unable  to  accomplish  without  the  assistance  of  the  similar  remedy. 
Thus  the  remedy  acting  as  an  auxiliary  to  the  vital  force,  and  acting  in 
the  same  direction  is  able  to  accomplish  a  cure  in  all  curable  cases. 

Dr.  Hering  also  gave  us  some  directions  regarding  the  treatment  of 
chronic  diseases  which  I  think  are  too  seldom  taught  or  emphasized  at 
the  present  tima    These  directions  are  the  following : 

First  we  are  to  obtain  as  perfect  a  picture  as  possible  of  all  the  mor- 
bid flymptoms,  as  directed  by  Hahnemann;  we  are  then  to  select  a 
remedy  which  covers  those  symptoms  which  appeared  last,  or  the 
'Youngest  sympitoms,"  as  he  called  them.  After  the  remedy  has  acted  a 
sufficient  time  and  removed  as  many  of  the  symptoms  as  it  is  capable  of 
doing,  a  fresh  survey  of  the  case  is  to  be  made  and  we  are  to  prescribe 
for  the  remaining  symptoms  in  the  inverse  order  in  which  they  appear- 
ed, giving  each  succeeding  remedy  time  to  exhaust  its  action  before  pre- 
scribing another.  In  this  way  the  morbid  symptoms  are  removed  in 
detail,  as  Napoleon  defeated  his  enemies. 


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OONTHIBUTBD  ARTICLES  87 

£▼617  phyaioian  is  awaze  that  in  most  oases  of  curable  chronic  dis- 

•eFeral  remedies  may  need  to  be  used.  In  the  majority  of  chronic 
dineanoo  aereral  remedies  will  be  required.  Cases,  for  example,  with  ap- 
parently but  a  single  lesion,  where  the  patient  is  otherwise  healthy  can 
often  be  cured  with  but  one  remedy,  if  g^Yosa  hig'h  and  its  action  not 
interfered  with  1^  repeated  doses. 

Among  others  of  Heiing's  tea<diiiig8  may  be  mentioned,  his  ''rule 
of  aides,''  his  'Hhree  points  of  rest,"  as  applied  to  the  characteristics 
necessary  for  a  cure;  and  finally  his  ''cycles  in  disease  and  drugs.'' 

Truly  Dr.  Hering  and  his  immediate  colleagues  form  almost  as 
unique  a  coterie  of  inrestigators,  as  that  notable  group  which  surround- 
ed Hahnemann^  Doubly  fortunate  were  those  who  were  priyileged  to 
be  numbered  among  his  pupils.  Hering  was  looked  upon  by  Hahnemann 
aa  one  of  his  most  promising  disciples,  and  he  well  deserves  the  name 
of  the  'Tather  of  Homodopathy  in  America." 

Of  his  immediate  students  few  remain  a^  the  present  time.  To  his 
antiring  energy,  perseverance  and  loyalty  in  the  cause  of  homcBopathy 
many  ctai  testi^.  As  to  the  value  of  his  contributions  to  the  progress 
of  the  hcmoM^Mtthic  school  of  medicinei,  all  are  agreed. 

Of  an  the  followers  of  Hahnemann,  no  one  has  achieved  greater 
fame^  has  rendered  more  signal  service  to  humanity,  or  more  devout- 
ly kepi  the  &ith  than  Oonstantine  Hering.    Long  live  his  memory  t 


Department  of  Homoeopathic 
Materia  Medica  and  Therapeutics 

Conducted  by        -  A.  R.  McMichael,  A.Mm  M.D. 


AN  EPITOME  OF  COMPARISONS  IN  HOM(EO- 

PATHIC  MATERIA  MEDICA  AND 

THERAPEUTICS 

By  A.  R.  MC  MICHAEL.  A.M.,  M.D., 
of  Clinical  Medicine  and  Applied  Materia  Medica  NewgYoHc 
Homcsopathic  Medical  College  and  Flower  Hospital 
New  York  City 


TYPHOID  FEVER 
ABSENIOUM  ALB. 

Suited  to  adranoed  Btagee,  nerer  given  in  first  stage.  Faoe  pale, 
ifamnken*  hippocratia  Cold  sweait  on  forehead.  Great  anxiety,  fear 
ef  death,  extreme  restlessness,  extreme  prostration.  Last  stages  no 
fear,  anxiety  or  restlessness  on  aooount  of  the  excessive  prostration. 
Piddng  at  beddothes.    Ooma  or  low  muttering  deliriiun  and  trembling 


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88  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMOBOPATBT 

of  limbs.  Tongue  dry,  shriveled,  bluieh  or  bla(&  with  inability  to  pro- 
trude it.  Also  red  and  cradled.  Black  sordee  on  lipe,  gums  and  teeth. 
Diarrhoea,  stools  scanly,  brownish,  blad:,  watery  and  foul  <  after  food 
or  drink.  Cadaveric  odors.  Pulse  weak,  thready,  intermittent.  Worse 
after  midnight. 

Differentiating  Oharaoteristics 
For  late  stage  only.    Face  pale,  hippocratic.    Cold  sweat.    Fear, 
anxiety,  restlessness.     Extreme  prostration.     Cadaveric  odors, 

BAPTISIA 

Rapid  development  High  temperature.  Face  flushed,  dusky-red, 
bloated,  purple,  mottled.  Besotted  expression.  Mind  confused,  does  not 
know  what  he  is  talking  about.  Tossing  about  in  bed  with  the  illusion 
tha;t  he  is  double  or  parts  of  body  is  scattered  about,  one  limb  talking  to 
another  limb^  Head  feels  large.  Stupor,  falls  asleep  while  answering 
questions.  Unconscious  except  when  aroused.  Tongue  swollen,  cover- 
ed with  black  blood,  raw,  denuded,  ulcerated.  Tongue  dry,  brown  down 
center,  cracked.  Blood  oozes  from  mouth.  Sordes  on  lips  and  teeth. 
All  exhalations  and  discharges  exceedingly  offensive;,  odors  from  body 
penetrate  whole  housa  Diarrhoea,  stools  thin,  feoal,  watery,  yellow 
oom-meal  mush  stool.  Black,  brown,  horribly  putrid,  more  common. 
Involuntary  stools  and  urina  Extreme  prostration  comes  on  early. 
Tongue  tremulous,  jaw  drops,  mouth  open,  slides  down  to  foot  of 
bed.  Soreness  all  over  body.  Tenderness  in  ileoKsaecal  region.  Al- 
ways use  fresh  preparation. 

Differentiating  Oharacteristics 

Rapid  development.  All  discharges  horribly  offensive.  Mind  con- 
fused.   Besotted  expression, 

BRYONIA 

Slow  development.  Constii>ation  is  the  rula  Oreat  irritability. 
Face  bloated,  purplish,  venous  stasis,  besotted  expression.  Headache 
frontal,  bursting,  splitting  congestion.  <a.m.  >from  cold  air  or  cold 
application-  Delirium  low  type,  thinks  he  is  away  from  home,  wants 
to  get  out  of  bed  and  go  home.  Worse  9  p.m.  Keeping  up  all  night. 
Fear  of  death,  despair  of  recovery.  Stupefaction  of  intellect  Mental 
state  >from  cold  air.  Do  not  cross  a  bry.  i>atient  it  makes  him  worse. 
All  conditions  <from  motion,  conversatioij.  Lips  dry,  jmrched,  bleed- 
ing. Tongue  at  first  white,  later  dry,  brown,  cradled,  bleeding.  Sordes 
on  the  teeth.  No  thirst  with  dry  brown  cracked  tongua 
Differentiating  Characteristics 

Slow  developm^ent,  Oreat  irritahility.  Delirium  low  type,  desire 
to  get  out  of  bed  and  go  home.  Aversion  to  motion  and  conversation. 
Constipation. 

HYOSCYAMUS 

Suited  to  advanced  stages.  High  fever  with  cool  face  and  cold 
extremities.  Eyes  red,  staring,  stupid  expression.  Profound  stupor, 
but  when  aroused  answers  correctly.    Full  of  delusions  and-  hallucina- 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  89 

tions.  Subsultus  tendinum.  Picking  at  beddotihes,  pidcing  in  the 
air.  Delirium  furious  or  low  muttering,  continues  while  awake.  Jump- 
ing out  of  bed,  desires  to  escape.  Suspicious  of  everybody,  refuses  to 
take  medicine,  thinks  it  is  poisoned.  Tongue  red,  brown,  cracked, 
bleeds.  Sordee  on  teeth,  lips  and  tongue,  foul  breath.  Tongue  so  dry, 
catches  on  teeth,  cannot  get  it  out.  Chronic  motions,  all  muscles  tremble 
and  quiver,  trembling  and  convulsive  movements.  Great  prostration 
with  twitching.  Diarrhoea,  stools  watery,  bloody,  corn-meal  mush  stools, 
yellow.  Involuntaiy  stools  and  urine.  Stools  horribly  offensive.' 
Sleeplessness  or  constant  sleep  with  muttering.  Prostration,  slipping 
down  in  bed,  jaw  drops.  Boseola  spots  on  chest  and  abdomen.  Patient 
will  not  remain  covered. 

Differentiating  Oharacteristics 
Advanced  stages.    Profound  stupor.    Delusions  and  hallucinations, 
Suhsultus  tendinum.    Delirium  even  while  awake.    Suspicious,  refuses 
to  take  medicine.    All  muscles  tremble  and  twitch, 

BHUS  TOX. 

Mild  temperament.  Diarrhoea  is  the  rule.  Slow  and  difficult  men- 
tal operations,  answers  correctly  but  slowly.  Hopeless  and  despondent. 
Mild  delirium,  talks  much  to  himself  incoherently.  Picking  at  bed- 
clothes. Prostrate  and  stupid.  Epistaxis  especially  after  midnight, 
relieves  dull  feeling  in  head.  Tongue  brown  with  rod  triangular  tip 
or  dry  and  red  all  over.  lips  dry  and  covered  with  brown  crusts. 
DiarrhoBa  <at  nig^t,  > during  day,  involuntary  during  sleep  with 
great  exhaustion.  Distention  of  abdomen  with  offensive  flatus.  Boseola, 
miliary  eruption. 

Beedeesness  from  muscular  soreness  and  pain  in  limbs  >from 
motion.  Dischargee  offensive  but  less  so  than  under  baptisia.  Dullness 
of  hearing  <at  night.  Oases  adapted  to  rhus  never  run  a  speedy 
-course,  crieis  generally  during  third  week. 

Differentiating  Oharacteristics 

Slow  and  difficult  mental  operation.  Mild  delirium,  Epistaxis  at 
night.  Brown  tongue  with  red  triangular  tip.  Restlessness  from  pains 
in  body  >from  motion. 


TEARFUL,  SAD  AND  DESPONDENT 

PULSATILLA 

Tearful,  ead,  despondent,  mild,  gentle  disposition,  easily  persuaded, 
yet  she  is  always  irritable,  extremely  touchy,  always  feels  slighted  or 
fears  she  will  be  slighted,  looking  for  insults. 

Differentiating  Oharacteristics 

Seeks  consolation,  wants  company.  General  and  mental  conditions 
'> walking  in  the  cool  air,  <in  warm  room. 


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90  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHT 

IGNATIA 

Tearful,  sad  despondent;  hysteria,  weeping  altemaiting  with 
laughing,  not  a  true  hysteria  where  a  woman  delights  in  doing  cra^ 
and  foolish  things,  but  instead  does  things  she  regrets,  from  l&ck  of 
balance  or  control  Emotional,  over^wrought  natures.  Tearful  from  sup- 
pressed or  deep  grief  from  loss  of  friends. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 

Desires  to  he  alone,  hides  her  grief  from  others.  Oenerally  >from 
heat,  <from  cold, 

NATRUM  MUR 

Tearful,  sad,  despondent,  hysterical,  weeping  alternating  with 
laughing.  Extremely  emotional  <from  excitement,  <  noise,  <  musics 
eta,  orersensitiya 

Differentiating  Oharacteristics 

Desires  to  he  alone.  Consolation  aggravates  the  melancholy  and 
tearfulness.  Mental  complaints  are  <in  warm  room,  >hp  moderate 
exertion  in  the  cool  air. 


OTITIS  MEDIA 

PULSATILLA 

Inffammation  of  middle  ear,  abscess  forms.    Drum  ruptures,  dis- 
charges copious,  thick,  bloody,  yellowish-green,  offensive.    Ear  troubles 
following  eruptiye  diseases.    Measles,  scarlet  fever. 
Differentiating  Oharacteristics 

Mental  state,  mild,  tearful.  Better  from  cold  applications  and  in 
the  open  air. 

HEPAR  SULPH. 

Inflammation  of  middle  ear,  abscess  forms,  stinging,  tearing  pains, 
sensitive  to  slightest  touch  and  cold  air.    Drums  ruptured,  discharge 
bloody,  yellow,  purulent,  Ihick,  fostid,  smelling  like  old  cheese. 
Differentiating  Oharacteristics 

Scrofulous  suhjects.  Better  from  heat,  <from  cold.  Stiching 
pains.    Discharge  hloody,  yellow,  smMing  like  old  cheese. 

MERCURIUS 

Inflammation  of  middle  ear,  abscess  forms,  stinging  pains.  Drum 
ruptured.  Discharge  thick,  green,  acrid  pus,  horribly  offensive,  <at 
night,   <heat.    Parotid  find  cervical  glands,  often  enlarged  with  ear 


Differentiating  Oharacteristics 
Mercurius   is    <from   extremes   of   temperature,   heat   and   cold. 
Pains  stinging.    Discharge  green,  horrihly  offensive. 


ACUTE  INFLAMMATORY  RHEUMATISM 

BRYONIA 

Pains   <from  slightest  motion,    <from  pressure,    < after  eating. 
Better  from  keeping  absolutely  quiet,  >from  heat.    Slow  development, 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  91 

inoreaaeB  into  violence,  pains  move  around  for  a  day  or  two  then  be- 
come localized  after  which  they  do  not  shift.  Joint  red,  swollen^  shin- 
ing, hot,  dark  or  pale  red.  Pain  stitching,  worse  from  least  motion, 
touch,  pressure.  Patient  does  not  want  to  move  but  is  compelled  to 
do  so  by  an  overwhelming  unrest  notwithstanding  the  pain.  Great  ir- 
ritability and  bad  temper.  Headache  frontal,  <in  morning  on  waking. 
Constipation.  Fever  not  violent.  Tongue  thickly  coated  white.  Thirst 
great  or  none. 

Differentiating  Oharacteristios 
Inflammation  confined  to  one  joint.     Worse  from  least  motion  or 
touch.    Slow  development.    Joints  red,  hot  and  swollen.    Frontal  head- 
ache.   Bad  temper. 

FERRUM  PHOS. 

Worse  from  slightest  motion,  touch,  jar  and  at  night.  Better  from 
rest 

Eheumatism  attacking  one  joint  after  another,  several  joints  in- 
volved at  same  time.  Pain  going  from  joint  to  joint  not  leaving  any 
one.  Joints  swollen,  pufify,  but  little  red.  High  fever.  Right  ehoulder 
preferred.  The  most  valuable  drug  we  possess  in  acute  inflammatory 
riieumatiam.  The  Iz  trituration  preferred,  given  in  water.  Teaspoon- 
ful  given  every  half  hour. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 

Several  joints  involved  at  a  time.  Joints  puffy,  not  red.  Bight 
side  especially.    Altvays  use  in  first  decimal  trituration  in  water. 

(To  be  continued) 


PATHOLOGICAL  CONDITIONS  PRODUCED  BY 
HOM(£OPATHIC  REMEDIES 

By  A.  £.  HINSDALB,  A.B.,  M.D. 

Professor  Materia  Medica  and  Clinical  Therapeutics.  R.  V.  Hadley  and 

J.  G.  Whitacre,  Laboratory  Assistants,  College  of  Homoeopathic 

Medicine  of  Ohio  State  University 

THE  effects  of  many  of  our  homcdopathic  remedies  upon  their  dif- 
ferent tissue  proclivities  have  recently  been  woriced  out  in  the  ma-' 
teria  fliedica  kboratoiy  of  this  college.  These  etudies  were  conducted  with 
the  idea  of  furnishing  an  explanation  for  the  symptomatology  of  the 
particular  drug  in  question,  as  it  applies  to  the  organ  involved.  The 
supposition  is,  that  the  drugs  experimented  with,  would  produce  like 
changes  in  the  corresponding  human  organ.  This  inference  is  drawn 
from  the  fact  that  the  pathogenesis  of  the  various  drugs  could  exist  only 
with  a  i>athological  basis  as  here  reported. 

The  first  section  shows  the  action  of  iris  versicolor  upon  the  stomach 
of  a  raUnt  In  this  section  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  stomach  is 
coated  with  a  thidc  mucous  secretion.    Portions  of  the  membrane  are 


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92  NORTH  AMEHICAN  JOURNAL  OF  H0M(EOPATHY 

eroded  and  disintegrated  epithelial  cells  can  be  seen  in  the  exudate. 
The  submucosa  and  mnscularis  mucosa  are  normal.  The  animal  was 
given  the  tincture  of  iris  versicolor,  five  drops  twice  a  day,  for  thirty- 
eight  days  when  it  died  from  the  effects  of  the  drug.  The  thick  mucous 
secretion  which  is  so  noticeable  in  this  slide  accounts  for  the  symptom 
of  copious  vomiting  which  is  clinically  one  of  the  indications  for  iris 
versicolor  in  gastric  complaints. 

The  second  section  shows  the  action  of  spongia  upon  the  bronchus 
of  a  rabbit.  The  rabbit  was  given  five  drops  of  tincture  of  spongia  three 
times  a  day  for  nine  days;  ten  drops  for  nineteen  days  when  the  animal 
died.  In  this  section,  there  is  great  congestion  around  the  bronchus; 
the  blood  vessels  large  and  small  are  distended  and  packed  with  blood 
elements :  Some  exudate  covers  the  lining  epithelium.  There  is  round- 
celled  infiltration  in  some  portions  of  the  mucosa  and  muscular  layer. 
Some  congestion  and  exudation  is  apparent  in  the  surrounding  lung 
tissue. 

If  it  were  possible  to  examine  microscopically  the  tissues  involved 
in  a  patient  for  whom  spongia  is  given  as  a  remedy  in  acute  congestive 
condition  of  the  respiratory  tract  it  is  quite  i>06sible  that  a  finding  simi- 
lar to  the  above  would  be  present.  The  intense  bronchial  congestion 
16  accountable  for  the  suffocative  symptom  indicating  spongia  and  also 
for  the  harsh  barking  cough  of  this  remedy. 

The  third  section  shows  the  action  of  apis  upon  the  spleen  of  a  rab- 
bit Five  drops  of  the  tincture  of  apis  meL  was  given  twice  a  day  for 
nine  days  when  the  animal  died  from  its  effects.  The  whole  organ  is 
much  swollen;  the  spleen  pulp  itself  is  infiltrated  with  fluid  and  does 
not  take  the  stain  as  well  as  usual.  The  trabecular  net  work  in  the 
meshes  of  wbich  the  lymphatic  tissue  lies  is  forced  apart  by  the  edema 
leaving  open  spaces  in  the  spleen  pulp.  The  Malpighian  corpuscles  are 
effected  in  much  the  same  way  as  the  remainder  of  the  structure,  being 
swollen,  larger  than  normal,  and  permeated  with  fluid.  Their  is  no  hy- 
perplasia of  the  trabeculae  or  increase  in  cells  in  the  pulp. 

Apis  is  not  ordinarily  considered  as  a  remedy  for  diseases  of  the 
spleen,  yet  it  is  quite  possible  that  if  the  remedy  were  pushed  to  its  full- 
est extent  in  provings  upon  the  human  that  splenic  symptoms  would 
make  their  appearanoa  As  we  might  infer  from  our  knowledge  of  the 
remedy,  we  find  swelling,  and  edema  'prominent  in  the  pathologioal 
findings.  The  absence  of  hyx>erplasia,  or  changes  in  cell  structure  con- 
firm our  belief  that  apis  is  indicated  in  conditions  which  are  more  de- 
pendent upon  a  functional  than  upon  a  real  xmthological  disturbance. 

The  fourth  section  shows  the  action  of  croton  tiglium  upon  the 
colon  of  a  rabbit.  Three  drops  of  croton  oil  was  given  twice  a  day  for 
four  days;  ten  drops  were  given  twice  a  day  for  ^ve  days,  when  the 
anim-al  died  from  its  effects.  This  section  presents  a  picture  of  ca- 
tarrhal enteritis.  The  mucosa  is  swollen  and  edematous  and  covered  with 
a  thin  mucous  exudate  consisting  of  emigrated  leucocytes  desquamated 
and  degenerated  epithelial  cells.     The  epithelium  is  pushed  ajmrt  by  the 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  93 

prevailing  edematous  condition.  There  is  a  iround  celled  infiltration 
of  the  submucosa.  In  tb^  muecular  mucosa^  the  blood  yeseek  are  dis- 
tended and  packed  with  blood  elements  while  small  petechial  hemor- 
rhages can  be  seen.  The  preceding  description  is  accountable  for  the 
well  known  symptoms  indicating  this  remedy  in  acute  diarrhcBio  con- 
ditions. It  shoiild  be  noted  in  particular  that  the  profuse  discharges 
calling  for  croton  tiglium^  are  but  the  outward  manifestation  and  ap- 
pearance of  the  thin  mucous  exudate  so  clearly  seen  in  the  section. 

The  fifth  section  shows  the  action  of  veratrum  viride  upon  the 
spleen  of  a  rabbit.  Five  drops  of  the  tincture  was  given  twice  a  day 
for  fifteen  days  when  the  animal  died  from  its  effects.  This  drug  pro- 
duces a  well  defined  inflammation  of  the  spleen.  The  capsule  is  wrink- 
led indicating  a  contraction  of  the  organ  during  the  ch€uige  from  con- 
gestion to  inflammation;  large  pigment  masses  due  to  the  degeneration 
of  red  blood  coipuscles  are  scattered  profusely  throughout  the  spleen 
imlp.  The  reticular  network,  trabecule  and  blood  vessels  show  a  be- 
ginning hyperplasia.  The  Malpighian  bodies  are  less  prominent  than 
normally.  It  will  thus  be  seen  that  the  clinician  has  some  grounds  for 
the  employment  of  veratrum  viride  in  acute  spleenitis. 

The  sixth  section  shows  the  action  of  antimonium  tart,  upon  the 
limg  of  a  rabbit.  Ten  drops  of  a  saturated  aqueous  solution  of  anti- 
monium tartaricum  was  given  twice  a  day  for  four  dayei,  then  twenty 
drops  twice  a  day  when  the  animal  died  from  the  effects  of  the  drug. 
The  findings  are  as  follows.  The  deeper  portions  of  the  lung  around  the 
bronchi  and  large  blood  vessels  are  consolidated  while  the  superficial 
portions  of  the  lobe  show  no  exudate  in  the  alveoli.  The 
preponderance  of  leuoo(^rtes  in  the  exudaite  is  diagnostic  of  gr^  hepatiz- 
ation. Shadows  of  red  blood  cells  and  fibrin  are  also  present.  Des- 
quamated epithelium  is  found  in  the  bronchial  exudate.  The  micro- 
scopical view  of  the  lung,  when  mounted  in  formalin-gelatin  medium 
shows  a  tissue  far  from  one  of  normal  appearance. 

The  consolidation  above  reported  is  accountable  for  the  dyspnoBa 
which  is  such  a  characteristic  6ympix>m  indicating  antimonium  tar- 
taricum in  pneumonia.  Several  more  of  the  well  pronounced  symptoms 
found  imder  the  imthogenesis  of  this  drug  may  find  their  explanation  in 
the  study  of  the  pathological  condition  here  reported. 

The  seventh  section  shows  the  action  of  methyl  alcohol  upon  the 
optic  nerve  of  a  rabbit.  Ten  drops  of  methyl  alcohol  was  given  to  a 
rabbit  twice  a  day  for  seven  days  when  the  animal  died  from  the  effects 
of  the  drug.  A  section  of  the  optic  nerve  was  prepared  by  Marchi 
method  to  demonstrate  fatty  degeneration  and  counteretained  with 
lithium  carmine.    No  fatty  degeneration  was  demonstrated. 


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94  NORTH  AMEWOAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMOSOPATHY 

CLINICAL  OBSERVATIONS  AND  VERIFICATIONS 
OF  THE  EFFECTS  OF  SOME  OF  THE  METALS* 

By  E.  A.  TAYLOR,  M.D,, 
ChlcagOt  Illinois 

ABOUT  a  third  of  a  century  ago  the  old  homoeopathic  doctor  of  my 
native  town  was  having  a  sign  made.  As  the  redundant  parts 
of  the  gold  leaf  from  which  the  letters  were  made  fell  to  the  floor,  the 
good  doctor  picked  up  some  of  the  fragments  and  triturated  them  with 
sugar  of  milk  up  to  the  fourth  decimal  potency.  Some  time  later  Bur- 
nett's work  on  "Gold  as  a  Remedy  in  Disease"  api)eared,  and  the  old 
doctor  perused  its  pages  with  that  diligence  bom  of  a  desire  for  knowl- 
edge and  proficiency.  Having  prepared  the  medicine  and  acquired  a 
knowledge  of  its  effects,  he  required  but  one  more  factor  to  complete  the 
evolution  of  his  purpose,  namely,  a  patient  whose  symptom-complex 
most  nearly  corresponded  with  the  morbid  perspective  presented  in  the 
pathogenesis  of  the  remedy.  Fortunately  for  both  doctor  and  patient 
this  final  factor  was  forthcoming.  Mr.  H.,  formerly-  a  patient  of  the 
doctor's,  but  for  some  years  past  a  resident  of  a  neighboring  city,  wrote 
a  letter  stating  his  condition  as  follows: 

The  right  testicle  was  greatly  enlarged  and  indurated.  It  meas- 
ured seven  inches  in  length  and  ten  inches  in  circumference,  and  was 
''as  hard  as  a  board."  It  had  a  smooth,  even  surface,  and,  aside  from 
the  sense  of  weight,  which  the  increased  size  would  necessarily  entail, 
was  practically  painless.  With  the  exception  of  a  history  of  syphilis  in 
former  years,  the  previous  record  was  unimportant.  He  had  consulted 
several  of  the  most  prominent  old  school  doctors  and  surgeons  in  the 
State,  and  their  unanimous  verdict  that  the  only  help  was  in  operation 
and  removal  of  the  testicle.  In  this  dilemma  he  wrote  to  the  old  homoeo- 
pathic doctor,  who  had  formerly  been  his  physician,  asking  for  his 
opinion.  The  doctor  did  not  offer  any  opinion,  but  sent  him  a  few  pow- 
ders of  that  aurum  metallicum  4x,  prepared  with  his  own  hands,  and 
asked  to  see  him  soon.  In  two  we^s  he  presented  himself  at  the  doc- 
tor's office,  and  the  testicle  was  then  beginning  to  soften  in  one  placa 
This  continued  and  after  several  weeks  it  regained  its  normal  size  and 
function,  the  entire  transformation  being  accomplished  with  less  than  a 
dozen  powders  of  aurum  metallicum  4x.  I  knew  the  doctor  and  the  pa- 
tient, and  can  vouch  for  the  correctness  of  all  that  is  herein  stated. 

Mrs.  M.,  aged  30,  married,  consulted  me  about  an  ovarian  tumor 
which  three  doctors  had  told  her  required  immediate  operation.  The 
left  ovary  was  the  size  of  a  large  orange,  and  was  painful  much  of  the 
time.  The  pain  was  worse  before  the  menstrual  period,  but  relieved 
when  the  flow  was  well  established.  In  answer  to  my  question  whether 
she  drank  any  beer  or  wine,  she  replied  with  great  earnestness  that  she 
did  not  dare  to  drink  any  wine  for  it  caused  great  distress  in  the  ovary. 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTIOLES  95 

Zincam  metaUicum  cured  her.  She  remained  well  after  many  years. 
The  relief  during  the  menstrual  flow  and  the  aggravation  from  drink- 
ing wine  were  the  salient  features  of  this  case. 

Just  here  let  me  refer  briefly  to  a  case  cured  by  Dr.  Lippe  in  this 
city  (Philadelphia).  The  patient,  a  woman,  was  caught  in  a  drenching 
rain,  after  which  the  menses  were  supxnressed,  and  there  was  a  general  and 
persistent  decHne  imtil  she  was  bedridden.  Many  good  homoeopathic 
prescribers  had  tried  and  failed.  They  gaye  her  rhus  toz.,  pukatiUa, 
and  calcarea  carb.,  etc.,  led  to  these  remedies  because  of  her  getting 
wet  Th^  were  treating  the  rainstorm  instead  of  the  patient  and  fail- 
ed. JAppe  found  twitching  and  jerking  of  muscles,  burning  pain  along 
the  spine,  and  these  two  symptoms  added  to  the  ill-effects  of  suppressed 
discharges  make  a  symptomatic  teii>od  upon  which  zincum  metallicum 
may  rest  secure.  This  remedy  was  given  in  a  high  potency^  and  the 
patient  was  permanently  cured.  It  is  a  mistake  to  attempt  to  base  a 
prescription  on  external  influences  or  etiological  factors.  Not  what 
happened  to  the  i>atient,  but  the  effects  of  what  happened  are  the  indi- 
cations for  the  remedy.  The  etiology,  like  the  temperament,  may  be 
suggestive^  but  never  indicative.  The  symptomatic  expression  of  the 
patient's  deviation  from  his  normal  condition  must  ever  be  the  basis 
of  all  correct  prescribing. 

Mr.  J.,  aged  70,  had  for  a  long  time  suffered  with  frequent  attacks 
0^  cardiac  asthma.  He  would  wake  after  midnight  with  much  heat  in 
the  chest  and  upper  part  of  the  body,  violent  palpitation  of  the  heart 
and  great  dyspnea.  After  uncovering  the  chest  he  would  feel  better,  and 
the  paroxysms  would  subside.  There  was  a  pronounced  aortic  regurg- 
itation, with  its  attending  consequences;  a  chronic  rheumatic  state, 
characterized  by  twitching,  jerking  pains,  stiffness  of  affected  parts,  and 
a  general  aggravation  in  damp  weather.  Many  years  before  he  had  tak- 
en large  quantities  of  quinine,  which  left  him  with  an  enlarged  spleen, 
ringing  in  the  ears,  and  partial  deafness.  Several  remedies  were  tried, 
with  unsatisfactory  results.  Finally,  in  going  over  his  case  again,  he 
remarked  that  the  ''slightest  exertion  seemed  to  ameliorate  the  condi- 
tion.**  Just  the  motion  of  putting  off  the  covers  would  often  afford  re- 
lief, and  he  could  go  to  sleep  again.  Here  was  the  key  to  the  situation. 
I  now  gave  him  ferrum  metallicum,  with  marked  relief  and  permanent 
improvement  of  the  asthmatic  condition,  and  he  lived  in  comparative 
comfort  for  many  years.  When  you  have  asthmatic  conditions  to  treat, 
that  are  better  from  the  slightest  exercise,  do  not  forget  ferrum  metal- 
licum. 

In  this  connection,  it  is  well  to  recall  a  cure  made  by  that  match- 
less master  of  the  healing  art,  Br.  Adolpb  Lippe.  The  patient  was  a 
woman  residing  in  Illinois,  and  after  taking  a  great  deal  of  quinine  for 
diilk  and  fever  die  came  into  the  hands  of  the  homoeopathic  physician 
of  her  town  for  treatment.  After  trying  a  number  of  remedies  without 
relief,  the  doctor  was  in  Philadelphia  and,  calling  on  Dr.  lippe^  sought 
his  advice.    lippe  suggested  ferrum,  which  was  given  in  a  high  potency. 


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96  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OP  HOMOEOPATHY 

and  the  woman  never  had  another  chill.  Upon  being  aeked  for  his  rea- 
sons for  prescribing  ferrum>  he  selected  from  among  the  numerous 
symptoms  presented  t^iree  salient  features :  First,  the  time  of  the  chill — 
it  came  always  at  4  a.m.,  and  Lippe  said  ferrum  metallicum  is  the  only 
remedy  having  this  symptom.  Second,  she  had  long  been  troubled  with 
prolapsus  of  the  vagina.  (Lippe's  repertory  gives  only  six  remedies  for 
this  symptom.)  Third,  she  had  taken  much  quinine,  and  ferrum  is  one 
of  the  prominent  antidotes  for  the  ill-effects  of  this  drug. 

The  following  case  is  from  one  of  the  most  scientific  writers  that 
our  school  ever  owned,  and  is  too  valuable  to  lie  dormant  and  inaccesible, 
in  a  book  long  since  out  of  print  and  difficult  to  obtain.  It  is  taken  from 
Grauvogl's  Textbook  of  Homoeopathy.  He  says:  ^T.  was  asked  to  ex- 
amine a  boy,  eleven  years  old,  because  I  was  told  he  always  acted  like 
an  imbecile;  now  laughed,  now  cried,  without  being  able  to  give  any  rea- 
sons for  it.  As  soon  as  he  is  not  observed,  he  se^  to  rub  the  genitalia 
against  tables  or  chairs,  or  in  any  way,  even  against  the  thighs.  This 
he  pursues  with  such  a  passion,  that  he  gets  angry  and  cries  whenever 
he  is  prevented  from  so  doing;  hence,  he  has  to  be  kept  constantly  under 
the  eye.  He  was  no  child  like  other  children;  he  never  played  or  took 
any  interest  in  those  of  his  age,  was  always  absent-minded  and  forget- 
ful, did  not  hear  what  was  said ;  was  seldom  induced  to  speak,  and  when 
compelled,  only  answered  a  word  or  two,  whereupon  he  forgot,  right 
away,  what  the  question  was.  He  also  made  all  sorts  of  grimaces,  dis- 
torted his  eyes  and  mouth;  suddenly  raced  about  the  room,  with  all 
sorts  of  gesticulations,  then  sat  down  again,  relapsed  into  a  stupid  mood, 
or  whistled  or  sang  to  himsdf . 

'irritable  and  very  easily  aroused,  he  was  most  quiet  in  the  open 
air.  Whatever  was  taught  him,  had  to  be  taught  mechanically,  but 
above  all  things,  of  whatever  he  read,  he  could  relate  nothing.  At  the 
same  time,  he  had  no  confidence  in  anybody.  Everyone  was  indifferent 
to  him,  he  showed  an  inclination  for  no  one,  and  was  in  the  highest  de- 
gree timorous  and  distrustful  His  hunger  could  hardly  be  appeased 
and  he  slept,  if  not  disturbed,  unusually  long.  At  the  same  time,  I 
observed,  after  watching  him  a  long  time,  that  he  was  always  more  in- 
dolent and  acted  more  peevishly  and  ugly  one  day,  than  the  other,  on 
which  account  I  forbade  that  he  should  be  punished  on  his  bad  day. 

"To  this  child  I  gave,  according  to  the  law  of  similarity,  platina  30, 
four  or  five  drops  night  and  morning.  In  a  few  days,  everything  im- 
proved for  the  better,  and  the  platina  was  discontinued  after  having  been 
given  in  this  way  for  eight  days,  in  order  to  let  it  produce  its  entire 
effect.  Hereupon,  however,  the  old  vices  made  their  appearance  again 
in  a  few  days.  Nevertheless,  I  continued  in  this  same  way,  and  gave 
platina  80  for  eight  days,  and  then  discontinued  its  use  for  eight  days, 
and  afterwards  for  a  longer  time,  and  then  had  the  saitisfaction  of  cur- 
ing this  child  so  completely  in  the  course  of  four  months  that  he  was 
freed  from  his  unnatural  sexual  passion,  even.  Just  in  proportion  as 
this  declined,  all  his  intellectual  functions  were  brought  up  to  their 


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CONTRTODTED  ARTICLES  97 

nonnal  state.    This  eveiy  skeptic  can  iinita:te,  and  the  result  will  re- 
lease him  from  his  subjectivity/' 

I  now  wish  to  speak  briefly  of  the  most  desperate  case  that  I  ever 
saw  recover.  It  occurred  in  my  own  practice  and  has  been  reported, 
but  there  are  some  important  features  that  have  not  been  fully  portray- 
ed or  properly  emphasized.  The  patient,  a  man  in  the  fourth  week  of 
typhoid*  had  not  slept  for  seventy-two  hours,  and  was  in  a  state  of  coma 
when  first  seen  by  me.  He  was  lying  on  his  back,  the  lower  jaw  drop- 
ped, the  eyes  partly  open,  the  eyeballs  turned  up,  showing  only  the  whites 
of  the  eyes.  The  puke  was  150  and  flickering,  the  head  rolling  from 
side  to  side  occasionally,  and  the  hands,  held  a  little  above  the  body, 
were  constantly  trembling.  A  consultation  decided  that  he  could  live 
but  a  few  hours.  I  gave  him  zincum  metallicum  30;  in  fifteen  minutes 
he  closed  his  eyes  and  mouth,  and  his  hands  quit  trembling,  he  slept 
most  of  the  night  and  awoke  in  the  morning  conscious  of  his  surround- 
ings and  made  an  uneventful  recovery.  I  have  sadd  that  he  rolled  his 
head»  and  that  his  hands  trembled  constantly.  These  are  the  two  points 
I  wish  especially  to  call  attention  to.  On  taking  hold  of  his  arms  and 
bending  them  tt  was  found  that  there  was  considerable  rigidity.  Muscu- 
lar rigidity  with  trembling  is  the  thing  to  be  remembered.  The  rolling 
of  the  head  from  side  to  side  had  its  own  individuality,  its  own  dis- 
tinctive delineation.  It  occurred  only  occasionally,  as  he  was  too  near 
dead  to  display  much  activity,  but  when  it  did  occur  it  was  done  quick- 
ly; it  was  rolled  with  a  quick  jedking  movement.  Earlier  this  move- 
ment was  more  frequent,  but  it  was  always  a  jerking  motion,  never  the 
steady  continuous  movement  found  in  other  remedies. 


CLINICAL  CASES* 

By  MARGARET  BURGESS-WEBSTER,  M.D. 
Phila..  Pa. 

MISS  K.  aged  70,  consulted  me  in  September  1914  on  account  of 
neuralgia  with  which  she  had  suffered  for  twenty  years.  She  had 
been  under  the  care  of  many  prominent  physicians  and  had  received 
treartan^it  at  most  of  the  well  known  sanitariimis  without  the  slightest 
relief,  except  from  the  use  of  various  ^^eadache  tablets."  Because  of 
her  poor  health  she  spent  her  winters  in  Florida  and  her  summers  in  the 
mountains.  She  had  little  hope  of  ever  being  any  better  and  presented 
herself  to  me  for  inspection  only  because  a  friend  had  urged  her  to  try 
the  "sugar  pills"  and  **my  doctor."  She  would  come  under  my  care 
only  on  condition  that  I  would  permit  her  to  continue  the  use  of 
'Megrim  capsules," — at  least  until  my  treatment  had  produced  eome 
relief.    She  had  on  the  very  morning  of  her  consultation  taken  two  cap- 


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98  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

sules,  and  as  a  result  would  feel  well  tlie  rest  of  tlie  day.  Her  lipe  were 
blue,  however,  and  tlie  heart  muscle  greatly  weakened,  which  was,  I 
explained  to  her,  the  effect  of  the  drug, — ^but  the  drug  she  would  have. 
I  finally  consented  to  see  what  could  be  done  and  she  recited  the  fol- 
lowing symptoms :  "The  first  atta<^  some  twenty  years  ago,  was  caused 
by  a  long  drive  against  a  high  wind.  The  pain  extends  from  the  occiput 
over  the  head  to  the  ^es  and  is  relieved  by  wrapping  lihe  head  in  a  wool- 
en scarf — a  hot-wiaiter  bag  aggravates.  Using  the  eyes  for  a  few  mo- 
ments in  reading  or  writing  will  produce  an  attads,  as  will  sleeping  in 
a  room  which  is  not  dark.  The  pain  is  difficult  to  describe  but  when  I 
waken  at  4  or  5  a.nL  I  feel  as  though  a  band  were  being  drawn  tighter 
and  tighter  around  my  forehead.  I  am  extremely  sensitive  to  cold  or 
even  cool  weather,  cool  dampness  is  especially  trying.  I  suffer  from 
more  or  lees  pain  daily  unless  I  take  the  megrim.  On  these  symptoms 
peorinuin  200  was  given.  In  three  weeks  she  went  to  Florida.  Im- 
provement was  noticed  within  a  couple  of  weeks  and  continued  with 
occasional  relapses,  the  remedy  being  repeated  in  gradually  higher  i>o- 
tencies  as  needed.  In  December  she  wrote  from  Palm  Bach,  "You  have 
accomplished  what  I  even  feared  to  hope  for — broken  up  my  daily  neur- 
algia habit!"  The  latter  part  of  April  1916  she  came  into  my  office 
jubilant.  "I  am  cured — ^I  have  not  had  neuralgia  for  over  two  months. 
I  have  never  been  free  before  for  fifteen  years.  I  have  even  forgotten 
where  I  packed  my  megrim."  Her  summer  was  spent  at  Wemereville 
and  toward  the  end  of  August  reports  came  which  were  not  as  favorable — 
but  the  pains  were  different  I  then  learned  that  four  years  ago  she 
had  had  some  kind  of  a  rectal  operation  and  now  small  hard  gritty 
balls  accumulate  in  a  little  pod^et  just  within  the  anus  and  must  be  re- 
moved mechanically — the  headaches  are  then  generally  relieved — ^but 
sometime  she  resorted  to  megrim.  Psorinum  failed  entirely  as  did  sev- 
eral other  remedies  given  during  the  winter  of  1916-16.  In  April,  on 
her  return  trip  from  Florida,  she  was  seized  on  the  train  with  an  acute 
intestinal  attack  and  taken  to  the  nearest  hotel.  Eeports  state  that  she 
recovered  from  this  attack  but  she  died  in  four  days  from  heart  failure. 
Query — ^What  should  have  been  her  second  prescription? 

In  September  1912  Mrs.  S.  consulted  me  for  increasing  loss  of 
power  in  her  hands, — ^her  hands  ached  and  were  so  heavy  she  could  hard- 
ly lift  them  and  the  tips  of  the  fingers  felt  as  though  bldsteied  and 
were  painful  to  touch.  She  had  had  a  great  deal  of  grief,  worry,  over- 
work and  financial  strain  and  she  was  the  picture  of  distress  as  she  tried 
to  tell  me  in  her  broken  German  way  how  badly  she  felt  She  complain- 
ed, in  addition  to  the  weakness,  of  loose  morning  stools,  burning  x>alms, 
hot  vertex,  hot  flashes,  and  general  aggravation  from  bathing.  I  jump- 
ed at  my  prescription  and  gave  sulphur.  I  did  not  see  her  again  for 
four  months.  A  few  of  the  sulphur  symptoms  had  been  removed  but 
the  patient  was  worse, — ^the  loss  of  power  in  the  hands  was  continued 
and  progressive,  the  tips  of  the  fingers  being  exquositely  sensitiYe,  ihe 
least  touch  causing  pain  to  streak  up  the  arms  to  the  shoulders.    She 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  99 

was  sad  and  tearful;  loud  talking  caused  a  general  aggravation  and  she 
jiimi>ed  at  voices.  The  case  reminded  me  of  one  reported  by  Dr.  H.  0. 
Allen.  Hie  patient  had  extreme  sensitiveness  of  the  tips  of  the  fingers 
touching  anything  produced  a  sharp  painful  thrill  compelling  her  to 
wear  gloves  constantly  in  order  to  protect  this  sensitiveness.  She  was 
cured  by  tarentula  cubensis.  I,  therefore,  gave  Mrs.  S.  tarentula  200. 
In  one  weA  she  reported  *1  feel  more  like  having  fun"  her  fmger  tips 
were  less  seneitive  and  she  was  less  sensitive  to  noisa  In  two  weeks  she 
had  gained  five  i>ounds>  had  more  i>ower  in  hands>  better  sleep  and  better 
spirits.    In  four  we^  she  reported  herself  well. 

Mr.  E.  aged  23^  had  a  very  severe  attack  of  scarlet  fever  eight  years 
ago, — since  which  time  he  has  had  twitching  and  jerking  of  the  lower 
left  face^  left  nostril,  left  neick  with  violent  jerking  of  the  left  shoulder. 
He  presented  no  other  symptoms  and  was  apparently  in  excellent  health. 
Mygale  200  produced  an  immediate  improvement, — in  two  weeks  he  said 
"I  can  wear  a  high  collar  now  all  day,  before  I  could  not  keep  one  on  for 
longer  than  two  hours.''  In  four  weeks  all  jerking  had  disappeared.  It 
is  now  too  soon  to  say  yet  if  a  permanent  cure  has  been  effected. 

Miss  F.  aged  21,  of  Montreal,  Canada,  consulted  me  during  a  brief 
visit  in  Philadelphia  relative  to  a  menstrual  disturbance.  Her  menses 
were  established  at  12  years  of  age  and  were  regular  until  she  was  16, 
vfben  she  went  to  school  in  Switzerland  and  later  in  Germany,  and  for 
two  years  the  flow  was  entirely  absent, — ^then  it  would  appear  once  in 
four  or  six  months — the  last  period  occurring  eight  months  ago,  the  flow 
being  very  scant,  very  black  and  drying  into  hard  crusts.  She  is  a  tall 
fair,  fine  looking  young  woman,  perfectly  developed  in  every  way,  and 
presented  a  dearth  of  symptoms  past  and  present,  except  a  feeling  of 
nervous  tension,  no  sleep  for  hours  on  first  retiring  and  troubled  dreams. 
She  was  returning  to  Montreal  within  a  few  days,  but  return  to  her  own 
climate  had  never  produced  any  good  effect  as  far  as  her  amenorrhea 
was  concerned.  One  ix>wder  of  natrum  mur.  1500  was  given  on  her  tongue 
on  Feb.  28th  and  she  was  furnished  with  a  good  supply  of  placebo.  On 
April  12th  I  received  the  following  letter.  'Tou  will  be  interested  to 
hear  that  on  the  30th  of  March  I  became  unwell  and  had  three  days  of 
real  flow,  proper  color  and  quantity,  the  best  I  have  had  since  I  was  16 
years  old.  To  me  it  is  unaccountable  but  most  satisfactory.  The  odd 
part  of  it  is — ^I  had  not  yet  started  on  the  pills  which  you  had  given 


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100  NORTH  AMERIOAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHT 

SURGICAL  SHOCK* 

By  HENRY  L.  HOUGHTON*  M.  D. 
Boston,  Mas*. 

THESE  two  cases  are  reported  to  illustrate  extreme  conditions  o£ 
surgical  shock;  the  first  case  showing  a  very  immediate  acute 
profound  condition  and  the  second  giving  no  evidence  of  disturbance 
until  a  month  after  the  injury.  The  first  case  is  reported  by  Dr.  F.  S. 
Keith  and  the  second  by  Dr.  F.  W.  Patch. 

Case  I. — Miss  Mack.  Age  37.  Jan.  16,  1911.  Hysterectomy  with 
following  surgical  shock.  Ether  on  at  10 :30  a.m. ;  off  at  12 :50.  Opera- 
tion uneventful.  Pulse  before  and  during  operation  90,  good  strength. 
Patient  returned  to  room  at  1 :40  p.m.  2 :15  p.m.  pulse  very  weak  not 
to  be  felt  at  wrists;  extremities  cold;  patient  cyanotic.  No  sweat  or 
thirst..  Ordered  by  phone  one  hypodermic  of  brandy  and  fresh  air.  No 
response  from  stimulant.  Saline  by  rectum  ordered  2:30  p.m.  Only 
slight  response:  pulse  still  not  to  be  felt  at  the  wrist;  patient  fuUy  con- 
scious, absolute  pallor,  no  restlessness  or  nausea.  No  signs  of  hemorrhage. 

5:30  p.m.  strontian  carb.  200. 

Night  nurse  reports : — ^Pulse  gradually  improved  through  the  night, 
could  be  felt  and  counted,  color  gradually  returned.  6  a.m.  pulse  strong, 
regular.    99.6°  temp.,  patient  comfortable  in  every  way. 

Further  recovery  uneventful,  no  complications  or  remedies. 

Oase  n.— Mrs.  H.W.B.— Dec.  12,  1908.  Age  62.  Father  died 
'paralysis"  at  65;  mother  of  heart  disease  complicated  with  asthma  at  71. 
Patient  was  sixth  child  in  family  of  ten.  Of  a  nervous  temperament 
but  usually  had  been  strong  and  welL  An  attack  of  grippe  two  years 
before;  had  suffered  from  urticaria;  three  years  ago  had  'Neuritis''  in 
right  arm.  Four  months  ago  was  in  a  railroad  wreick.  She  was  not 
physically  injured  but  saw  much  suffering  and  assisted  in  caring  for  the 
wounded. 

Present  illness  began  one  month  after  this  experience  as  an  attack 
of  insomnia.  The  etiology  may  have  been  influenced  somewhat  also  by 
more  or  less  anxiety  over  her  husband's  business  affairs.  On  admission 
she  was  tearful,  loquacious  and  anxious.  The  insomnia  with  which  the 
attack  began  had  been  somewhat  relieved.  Appetite  and  digestion  norm- 
al. Bowels  constipated.  Menstruation  ceased  one  or  more  years  ago. 
cEasy  perspiration  from  emotional  causes  or  exercise.  Sense  of  suffoca- 
tion. Craving  for  fresh  air.  Aggravated  by  talking  or  any  weight  on 
the  chest.  Cannot  lie  on  the  left  side.  Awakens  from  sleep  in  great 
fatigue. 

At  beginnings  of  attacks  there  were  several  paroxysms  of  pain  in  the 
hips  as  if  pulled  apart,  especially  after  any  exertion,  walking  or  standing. 
She  has  sat  up  very  little  in  the  past  four  weeks  and  has  not  sufficient 
strength  for  walking. 

*Read  before  the  International  Hahnentannian  Association. 

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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  101 

Great  nenrous  ezhaustion  varying  from  day  to  day  and  at  times  great 
restlesanese,  aggravated  from  weight  of  dothes.  Palpitation;  frequent 
aleeplees  nights  with  consciousness  of  throbbing  of  heart;  throbbing  all 
oyer  the  body.  Frequent,  frontal  headaches  with  great  sensitiveness  to 
light.  During  several  weeks  following  admission  she  was  subject  to 
frequent  and  severe  licadaches  and  constant  photophobia,  so  intense  that 
'  it  became  necessary  to  keep  the  room  totally  dark  for  several  we^; 
great  sensitiveness  to  external  impressions  from  any  source,  either  noise 
or  an  uncongenial  nurse,  or  any  disturbing  element.  Her  strength  was 
such  that  it  was  impossible  for  her  to  sit  up  and  she  was  kept  constantly 
in  bed.  After  the  period  of  perfect  rest  and  isolation  in  the  dark  room  she 
began  to  improve,  and  her  recovery  was  gradual  and  uninterrupted  ex- 
cept 1^  the  ordinary  ups  and  downs  of  convalescence  from  attacks  of 
nervous  exhaustion  of  this  nature. 

She  was  a  highly  intellectual  woman  and  very  easily  affected  by 
mental  ixiq^^ressions. 

AH  these  symptoms  cleared  up  gradually  until  June  30,  when  she  was 
able  to  go  into  the  country  by  herself. 

Spigelia,  silica,  rhus  and  rhododendron  were  the  remedies  used,  al- 
though there  was  no  one  that  produced  a  marked  and  immediate  change. 
The  improvement  was  due  probably  as  much  to  the  isolation  and  care  as 
to  the  effect  of  remedies. 


PROMPT  ACTION  OF  THE  REMEDY* 

By  HERBERT  BEALS,  M.D., 
Buftelo,  N.  Y. 

CASE  L  3  ajn.  ''Oome  at  once  acroes  the  way;  woman  crazy,"  the 
messenger  said, — On  entering  her  room  I  found  a  young  woman 
of  refined  aiq;>earanoe  aged  about  32,  sitting  on  her  bed  facing  the  head 
board,  and  being  held  firmly  1^  two  attendants.  I  noticed  the  foot 
board  of  the  bed  was  well  covered  with  pillows  to  protect  her  from 
hanging  her  head  when  she  had  spells  of  thrashing  about  The  patient 
looked  sHghtly  dazed  but  aside  from  this  I  oouM  notice  nothing  ab- 
normaL  Soon  she  was  seized  with  one  of  her  speiQs  of  struggling  to 
free  bar  aims  and  throwing  heieelf  baokwaide  with  great  force  and  cry- 
ing out  in  a  dear  voice — "Oh  take  your  hands  from  my  throat  you  are 
choking  me."  Without  waiting  for  further  study  of  her  symptoms,  I 
at  once  gave  her  hyoscyamus  tincture,  a  few  drops  in  water.  In  a  very 
few  minutes  after  the  first  dose  we  had  her  turned  about  in  bed  and  fast 
asleep.  She  did  not  awaken  for  ten  hours.  I  called  at  4  p.m.  and  found 
her  up  and  about  with  no  recollection  of  the  night  before.  It  seems  that 
she  with  friends  of  her  sister,  whose  guest  she  was,  were  out  that  even- 


*Eead  before  the  International  Hahnemannian  Association. 


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102  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OP  HOMCEOPATHY 

ing  to  flome  entertainment  where  refreshments  were  served,  she  drank  a 
glass  of  beer  and  during  the  rest  of  the  evening  seemed  perfectly  normal^ 
until  suddenly  during  the  hour  before  retiring  she  was  seized  with  these 
attacks;  after  trying  for  two  hours  to  qxiiet  her  the  sister  sent  for  me. 

Oasell.  Woman  aged  35.  Severe  colic;  pains  in  umbilical  region; 
in  great  distress  ,  and  had  been  so  for  some  hours.  The  only  relief  was 
in  lying  flat  on  her  back  with  no  pillow  under  her  head;  these  were  all 
the  symptoms  I  could  get  from  her.  I  gave  her  dioscorea  3x  with  almost 
instant  relief. 

Case  m.  Young  man  22  years  old,  married,  subject  to  convulsions 
since  a  child,  said  his  mother  had  been  subject  to  the  same,  liable  to  come 
on  at  any  tima  After  some  hours  of  convulsions  at  intervals  of  15  to 
80  minutes  I  was  called  to  his  room  in  a  hotel  near  my  office  at  about 
1  a.m;.  After  seeing  him  through  one  convulsion  I  gave  him  one  dose 
of  cicuta  30  and  waited  for  results.  The  next  attack  was  a  feeble  one 
and  then  no  more;  in  30  minutes  I  left  him  fast  asleep.  The  next  day 
he  called  to  report  and  thank  me  for  having  quickly  relieved  him,  and 
promised  to  settle  his  bill  from  New  Yojk.  I  am  still  waiting  for  the 
settlement  of  this  bill  contracted  ^ght  years  ago. 

Case  rV.  Aug.  1914,  Mrs.  L.  aged  75,  small  build,  active  temper- 
ament. I  was  called  in  early  morning  and  found  the  patient  had  been 
suffering  all  night  with  intense  pain  in  imibilical  region.  This  pain 
she  referred  to  one  spot  seeming  to  pass  through  to  her  back.  I  recall- 
ed seeing  this  symptom  in  Nash's  Begional  Leaders  only  a  short  time  be- 
fore under  bismuth.  This  I  gave  in  the  30x  and  in  five  minutes  or  leas 
she  was  greatly  relieved;  she  took  three  doses  in  alL 


A  SARSAPARILLA  CASE* 

By  £.  W.  BERRIDGE,  M.  D., 
London,  England 

*Bead  before  the  International  Hahnemannian  Association. 

1915  July  7th.  Miss  Alice  S.,  aged  15.  A  child  of  seven  piished  a 
small  shell  in  the  patient's  right  ear:  shell  was  removed  under  chloro- 
form. In  about  a  year  deafness  commenced  in  right  ear,  worse  for  last 
six  or  seven  months.  Now  both  ears  deaf.  Tuberculosis  was  diagnosed 
4  years  ago. 

Present  symptoms.  Noises  in  ear,  like  banging  on  a  tin  bath;  oc- 
curring often,  lasting  some  time,  coming  and  going  suddenly. 

Sharp  rotating  pains  from  right  ear  to  right  temple,  and  especially 
to  bridge  of  nose;  only  by  day;  more  frequently  lately. 

Very  nervous  lately;  everything  worries  her. 

Cough  on  rising  in  morning ;  thick  yellow  sputa ;  auscultation  normal. 

Diagnosis  of  remedy.    (Kent's  Repertory) 

Noise  Hke  a  gong.    Sarsaparilla. 

Pains  from  ear  to  nosa    Silicea. 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  103 

Pain  from  ear  to  temple.  Eupion,  form.,  indig.,  lach.,  lact.  ac,  nux 
Y.,  puls.9  sarsap. 

Stitching  in  right  ear.  Sarsap.^  and  many  others;  but  the  direc- 
tions not  recorded. 

I  gave  one  dose  of  sarsaparilla  cm  (Fincke)  July  21.  Pain  in  ear 
ceased  in  2  or  3  days.  Cough  better.  Deafness  and  nervousness  un- 
changed. 

July  28th.  No  return  of  pains.  Sounds  less  frequent  and  shorter. 
Soon  afterwards  r^>orted  the  ear  normal  except  to  deafness.  Have  not 
heard  from  her  since. 


THE  INTERNATIONAL  HAHNEMANNIAN  ASSOCI- 
ATION-ITS HISTORY,  ITS  SCOPE  AND 
rrS  PRESENT  OPPORTUNITY* 

By  HENRY  BECKER,  M.D., 
TorontOt  Canada 

THIRTY-SIX  years  ago  in  Milwaukee  sixteen  hundred  names  con- 
stituted the  membership  of  the  newly  organized  International 
HcamBopathic  Association  with  P.  P.  Wells  and  H.  C.  Allen  as  Presi- 
dent and  Secretary-Treasurer,  respectively,  and  the  following  year  saw 
Iddrty-six  new  members  added  and  since  then  the  growth  has  been  slow 
and  steady,  a  healthy  development  of  good  material,  not  the  streak  of  a 
season's  growth,  but  the  oak,  firm  of  texture  and  well  rooted,  not  swayed 
by  passing  storms  of  prejudice  or  the  jibes  of  envious  criticism  but  gain- 
ing in  the  bulk  and  dignity  of  its  contributions,  year  by  year,  to  the  lit- 
erature of  the  pure  practice  of  hamceopathy  and  now  ready  for  further 
progi^ess  on  the  good  foundation  of  a  third  of  a  century's  steady  adher- 
ence to  the  immutable  law  which,  enunciated  by  Samuel  Hahnemann^ 
will  constitute  for  all  time  the  only  principle  of  cura 

In  these  thirty-six  years  what  kaleidoscopic  changes  we  have  wit- 
nessed in  old  school  methods  and  every  change  more  pemicdous  in  its 
effects  than  what  preceded  it.  We  must  be  charitable  but  we  cannot  be 
Uind  to  the  obvious.  When  we  see  Milton's  lazar-house  become  a 
sanitarium  in  comparison  with  modem  conditions  generally  and  observre 
the  quality  of  health  deteriorating  rapidly  in  spite  of  the  advancement 
in  improved  living,  hygienic  and  sanitary  measures,  and  malignant  dis- 
eases attaining  a  virulence  which  is  appalling,  we  cannot  fail  to  make 
logical  deductions  and  eo  place  the  blame  where  it  properly  belongs. 

We  may  be  just  and  tolerant  and  patieixt  with  those  in  error  but  we 
must  in  all  honesty  discountenance  and,  with  all  our  power,  oppose  prac- 
tices which  are  undermining  the  physical  welfare  of  the  whole  human 
race.  Crude  drugging  has  always  been  more  or  less  mischievous.  The 
use  of  the  active  principles  is  much  more  so  but  fully  surpasses  itself 
when  diseased  conditions  are  induced  in  the  lower  animals  and  the  pro- 
ducts of  these  are  implanted  in  the  human  blood  to  vitiate,  for  genera- 
*Read  before  the  International  Hahnemannian  Association. 


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104  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHT 

tions  to  come,  the  current  of  life.  Well  may  we  ask, — '^j^at  will  tlie 
harvest  be?"  Truly  may  we  answer, — *^e  cannot  even  imagine  it" — 
though  we  know  well  what  the  harvest  has  been  and  is  in  the  rapidly  ac- 
cumulating mass  of  pneumonda,  tuberculosis,  locomotor  ataxia,  sarcoma 
and  carcinoma  and  with  this  experience  in  view  we  may  well  be  appall- 
ed with  the  prospect  for  the  future. 

Eternal  vigilance  is  the  price  of  safety  and  the  best  def^ise  against 
such  a  terrible  danger  is  a  most  vigorous  offensiva  Never  has  threat- 
ened usurpation  of  inherent  individual  rights  been  more  serious  than  now. 
With  a  fair  field  and  no  favor,  our  task  against  the  enemy  would  be  an 
easy  one  aa  thfi  active  agents  are  comp«jatively  few  and  veiy  timid  in 
facing  opposition  in  the  open  but  they  are  cunnii^  enough  to  endeavor 
to  gain  their  end  by  means  of  legislative  enactments  through  persistent 
lobbying  and  thus  putting  the  power  of  the  state  behind  most  nefarious 
laws  whose  makers  never  suspect  that  they  are  being  made  the  dupes 
of  the  most  unscrupulous  combine  against  the  common  weal  that  has 
existed  since  the  strangle  hold  of  the  hierachy  was  broken. 

Thi^  old  world  of  ours  evidently  likes  to  be  ridden,  booted  and  spur- 
red and  the  number  of  those  willing  to  oblige  it  seems  never  to  fail  while 
the  ridden  ones  are  always  giving  the  riders  a  leg  into  the  saddle.  But 
there  is  always  an  alert,  if  numerically  small^  opposition  to  ill-gotten 
privil^es  and  powers  and  in  time  saddles  are  empty  and  ready  for  a 
new  set  of  occupants  and  so  history  is  made  in  recording  the  struggles 
of  succeeding  generations  in  recti^ng  their  wrongs.  And  now  comes 
to  us  the  call  to  buckle  on  our  armor  and  fare  fort^  in  the  war  against 
the  latest  marauder,  forgetting  our  hopes  of  ease  and  comfort  and  giv- 
ing of  the  best  in  us  to  leave  conditions  better,  than  were  we  to  idly 
acquiesce  in  the  wrong  accomplished  or  contemplated.  This  is  of  course 
what  our  organization  stands  for.  It  came  out  in  protest  from  a  large 
body  which  was  not  holding  fast  to  the  truth  bequeathed  it  but  was 
being  seduced  by  the  plausible  pretensions  of  the  old  school  into  prac- 
tices at  variance  with  the  principles  which  it  was  its  duty  to  cherish 
and  now  must  endeavor  to  conserve  what  has  been  so  strenuoxisly  won 
and  prepare  for  its  extension  and  to  gain  additional  strength  for  the 
accomplishment  of  our  purpose  we  must  unite  to  ourselves  those  who 
are  for  us.  Though  not  yet  with  us  and  then  with  added  numbers  and 
increased  activity  we  shall  have  a  return  of  the  days  when  homoeopathy 
loomed  large  as  a  benign  power  in  the  land. 

This  association  fails  to  grasp  its  present  opportunity  if.  it  does  not 
succeed  in  registering  on  its  membership  roll  the  great  majority  of  the 
names  of  those  practitioners  who  are  endeavoring  to  demonstrate  in 
practice  their  belief  in  the  Law.  We  do  not  expect  the  impossible  and 
liberal  latitude  is  accorded  to  individual  judgment  in  peculiar  and 
protracted  obstinate  cases  and  so  long  as  there  is  adherence  to  the  law 
wo  are  ready  to  welcome  with  open  airms  every  one  willing  to  continue 
along  the  lines  indicated  by  Hahnemann.  This  question  of  reaching 
the  faithful  practitioners  uot  yet  affiliated  with  us  is  what  I  wish  to 


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OOXTRIBUTRD  ARTICLBS  105 

have  yoiir  thoughtful  attention  in  considering  and  your  best  judgment 
in  helping  to  devise  the  most  effective  measures  to  accomplish  so  laud- 
able an  object  Eveiy  state  in  the  Union  has  many  men  eligible  for 
membership.  Concerted  action  will  result  in  bringing  them  into  the 
association  much  to  our  mutual  benefit 

Our  present  condition  indicates  clear  head  work  for  every  member 
and  the  services  of  every  one  must  be  enlisted  in  the  different  spheres 
of  duty  incidental  to  our  organization.  Study  and  investigation  and 
the  presentation  of  the  results  of  these  at  our  annual  meetings  are  done 
so  thoroughly  that  we  are  kept  well  to  the  front  in  our  acquaintance 
with  every  detail  of  real  progress  in  all  departments  of  the  various 
branches  of  medicine  and  we  appropriate  to  our  own  use  what  is  valuable, 
rejecting  the  rest 

In  gaining  recruits  for  our  ranks  we  must  realize  by  this  time  that 
team  play  is  essential  as  no  one  individual,  officer  or  otherwise  can  in- 
fluence more  than  a  very  few  outside  the  circle  of  his  personal  acquaint- 
ance and  it  is  through  personal  solicitation  only,  that  we  shall  get  the 
best  results.  There  are  enough  men  in  the  various  states  measuring  up 
to  our  standard  who  could,  if  persistently  canvassed,  be  persuaded  in 
one  year  to  join  us  to  the  extent  of  our  present  membership  and  to  ob- 
tain them  we  must  perfect  an  efficient  organization  including  every 
member.  In  our  Hahnemannian  directory  we  find  the  non-members 
outnumbering  in  many  states  our  numbers  and  we  have  many  good 
men  and  true  who  are  not  in  our  directory — and  to  reach  all  these  I 
beg  to  outlitie  a  plan  which  with  thorough  and  active  co-operation 
should  with  a  minimum  of  effort  yield  a  maximum  of  results. 

I  recommend  that  a  chairman  be  appointed  in  every  state,  province 
and  country,  where  we  have  members  or  those  eligible  for  membership 
and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  chairman  to  appoint  deputies  in  the 
proportion  of  one  deputy  to  every  five  members  and  the  duty  of  6ach 
deputy  shall  be  to  advise  every  one  of  the  ^ve  members  allotted  to  his 
jurisdiction  to  write  to  as  many  prospective  members  as  he  knows  or 
can  hear  of  requesting  him  to  become  a  member  and  to  persist  in  re- 
peated requests  until  a  positive  refusal  shows  that  the  matter  should 
be  left  in  abeyance  for  another  year.  Every  member  should  report  to 
the  deputy  and  he  in  turn  to  the  state  chairman  and  he  again  to  the 
secretary  of  the  association  every  three  months.  Many  men  need  only 
to  be  shown  the  benefit  of  membership  tip  become  actively  allied  with 
ns  and'  it  is  not  fair  that  they  should  be  allowed  to  walk  in  the  lonely 
furrow  when  they  could  do  so  m'jch  better  work  and  be  much  happier 
if  associated  with  us.  I  have  no  doubt  you  will  see  that  the  scheme  is 
a  feasible  one  and  very  easily  applied.  A  committee  of  three  may  be 
appointed  to  nominate  state  chairmen,^  such  nomination  to  be  ratified 
by  this  coiiv«ntion  after  any  necessary  amendments. 


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106  NORTH   AMERICAN   JOURNAL   OF   HOMCEOPATHY 

POLIOMYELITIS* 

BY  DANIEL  ELLIOTT,  M.D. 

Newark,  N.  J. 

Infantile  spinal  paralysis  is  a  misnomer.  Poliomyelitis  is  i)erliap8 
better  though  Heine-Medins  Disease  is  preferred  by  some.  The  autopsy 
findings  at  the  Newark  City  Hospital  would  perhaps  show  that  the  dis- 
ease is  a  diffuse  interstitial  inflammation  of  the  central  nervous  system 
and  that  at  the  present  time  no  adequate  name  yet  devised  is  appropriate. 

It  is  a  disease  that  has  caused  unusual  interest  both  to  the  laity  and 
the  profession  and  owing  to  the  fool  antics  of  most  of  our  health  offic- 
ers produced  a  state  of  hysteria  and  worked  untold  hardships  to  citizens 
of  many  communities. 

In  the  580  oases  that  came  under  my  care  and  the  care  of  Dr.  Whit- 
enack,  I  was  unable  to  find  a  single  evidence  of  its  frightful  contagious- 
ness, although  in  the  series  of  cases  to  be  mentioned,  in  three  families 
only,  there  seemed  to  be  a  slight  ground  for  such  an  idea. 

My  belief  in  its  non-contagiousness  is  based,  however,  on  these  ob- 
servations: From  an  orphan  asylum  containing  over  200  children  we 
had  only  two  cases  and  these  at  the  same  time;  from  another  asylum 
of  100  children  one  case  only;  in  the  day  nursery  of  over  10  children 
one  case;  from  a  boarding-school  of  over  35  children  two  cases  and  these 
simultaneously.  A  single  observation  of  a  child  sent  to  the  hospital 
with  the  diagnosis  of  poliomyelitis,  who  was  kept  in  the  acute  ward  for 
three  days  and  found  not  to  have  the  disease,  was  discharged  and  has 
not  as  yet  developed  it.  In  addition  we  were  forced  to  employ  about 
80  extra  help,  nurses,  ward-maids,  etc.  the  nurses  numbering  over  40; 
this  help  was  permitted  to  go  where  they  pleased  in  their  time  out,  and 
visited  where  they  desired  and  from  no  place  where  they  did  visit  was 
a  case  reported.  In  the  usual  children's  ward  three  cases  were  admitted. 
I  think  the  diagnosis  was  gastro-enteritis.  After  a  day  or  two  these  children 
were  found  to  be  suffering  from  this  disease;  no  cases  developed  in  these 
wards,  in  fact  only  one  case  developed  in  the  hospital  and  that  of  an 
infant,  in  another  part  of  the  building,  who  was  syphilitic  and  had  been 
there  for  some  time  with  its  mother  and  in  whom  I  think  the  diagnosis 
was  questionable.  Twins,  nursing  at  same  breast,  one.  was  affected  and 
died,  the  other  unaffected.  None  of  the  attendants  contracted  the  dis- 
ease. 

I  shall  not  burden  you  with  any  attiempt  at  a  complete  symptom- 
atology nor  any  theory  as  to  cause  of  the  disease  but  I  do  feel  that  i)r. 
Flexner  should  have  told  the  whole  truth  and  let  us  know  that  healthy 
monkeys  when  put  in  cages  with  poUo-infected  monkeys  did  not  contract 
the  disease.  To  me  it  is  strange. that  he  is  the  only  one  who  has  found 
:  the  bug  even  though  it  is  tod  small  for  him  to  see.  Rosenow  gives  us 
some  lucnibrations,  but  I  imagine  the  comments  of  Drs.  MacCrae  and 
Kl.otz  in  the  November  number  of  the  Journal  of  American  Sciences 
•fixes  the  value  of  them. 

Wickman  of  Stockholm  gives  us  an  exhaustive  description  of 
this  disease  as  also  does  Roemer  who  will  tell  you  much  better  Uian  I 
all  there  seems  to  be  known  at  the  present  time  about  the  symptomatol- 
ogy of  the  disease.  They  have  given  a  classical  description  of  every 
typo  of  the  disease  yet  known. 

In  ray  cases  the  onset  was  often  determined  by  the  type  of  the  dis- 
ease. We  had  spinal  types  and  forms  resembling  Landry's  paralysis^ 
bulbar  with  its  ghastly  respirations,  encephalitic  and  meningitic.    In 

•Reprinted  from  the  Jour,  of  the  Med.  Society  of  New  Jersey. 


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NORTH   AMERICAN   JOURNAL   OF   HOMCEOPATHT  107 

only  a  small  portion  of  cases,  and  these  in  the  first  two  weeks,  were  there 
gastro-intestinal  disturbances  of  any  severity.  Neither  were  there  many 
cases  with  throat  symptoms.  I  can  only  remember  6  cases  that  had 
any  rashes,  these  looked  like  severe  measles  and  disappeared  in  a  couple 
of  days.  The  suddenness  of  the  onset  in  many  cases  was  remarkable  and 
I  recall  a  case  of  K.,  age  20,  who  retired  as  well  as  usual  and  was  awak- 
ened with  a  severe  pain  in  his  back,  he  had  to  b^  assisted  out  of  his 
bed  and  then  fell  on  the  floor  with  both  legs  paralyzed,  for  ten  days  he 
had  bladder  paralysis  which  cleared  up,  though  after  three  months  his 
legs  are  still  useless. 

The  case  of  the  child  L.,  age  three,  playing  with  a  new  top  in  his 
father's  presence  called  "daddy  my  heads  hurts"  and  when  picked  up 
was  unconscious. 

Another  case  of  a  child  age  3  years,  was  brought  to  the  hospital  in 
the  night  by  a  physician  on  account  of  supposed  ptomaine  poisoning, 
the  next  morning  the  child  was  paralyzed  in  one  arm.  I  should  also 
have  mentioned  that  "sweating"  occurred  but  in  a  very  small  number 
of  cases. 

My  diagnosis  was  made  upon  clinical  signs  and  symptoms  alone. 
In  no  case  was  the  spinal  fluid  findings  of  the  laboratory  considered  a 
factor.  Although  Dr.  Casilli  examined  the  fluid  from  over  320  cases 
cases,  the  results  were  not  deemed  sufficiently  characteristic  in  them- 
selves to  warrant  a  diagnosis  of  poliomyelitis  without  the  support  of  the 
clinical  picture  of  the  disease. 

Our  results  with  the  examination  of  the  spinal  fluid  have  been 
summed  up  by  Dr.  Casilli  as  follows : 

Spinal  fluids  from  320  cases  were  examined.  They  show  the  fol- 
lowing picture:  Clear  watery  fluid,  transparent;  increased  pressure, 
though  not  marked;  no  globulin,  in  the  majority  of  cases  (this  is  not 
in  accord  with  the  majority  of  reports) ;  little  globulin  in  a  minority  of 
oases;  Fehlings,  reduced  in  all;  fluid,  sterile;  no  nebula  formation  in 
the  majority  of  cases. 

Cell  Count:  Lowest  cells,  8  per  cu.  mm.  (this  case  died);  highest, 
181  cells;  average,  20  to  60  cells  practically  all  mononuclears. 

Three  striking  symptoms  noticed  by  me  in  almost  all  of  the  cases 
were:  rapid  respiration,  loss  of  knee  jerks,  polyuria.  The  polyuria  neces- 
sitated an  average  of  500  sheets  a  day  in  a  ward  of  70  beds. 

The  diagnosis  was  made  from  the  following  symptoms : 

Fever:  Increased  pulse;  respirations,  ranging  from  40  to  90;  head 
retraction;  stiff  neck;  tender  spine;  Kemig's  sign,  loss  of  knee  jerks 
and  paralysis  or  marked  weakness  of  some  portion  of  the  body.  A  few 
eases  showed  paresthesia. 

In  most  of  the  cases  that  showed  paralysis,  the  paralysis  was  pres- 
ent from  the  start  in  some  cases  it  was  delayed  for  a  few  days.  I  be- 
lieve my  diagnosis  was  correct  in  over  95  per  cent,  of  all  cases. 

Probably  a  clearer  conception  of  the  disease  under  discussion  can  be 
obtained  if  we  analyze  the  autopsy  findings  of  Dr.  Martland  who  was 
able  to  get  over  30  autopsies  at  the  hospital. 

I  will  now  read  for  you  Dr.  Martland's  summary  of  his  findings : 

GROSS   PATHOLOGY   OP   POLIOMYELITIS 

Oeneral  Appearance — ^Usually  child  1  to  5  years  of  age.  Body  well 
nourished,  very  few  are  emaciated.    Peculiar  pallor  to  boc^. 

LESIONS   SHOWING  THE  BRUNT  OF  THE  ATTACK  18  ON  THE  CENTRAL  NERVOUS 

SYSTEM 

Brain — Intense  acute  encephalitis,  the  grey  matter  having  a  char- 
acteristic color  ranging  from  a  pinkish  gray  to  a  scarlet,  copper  pur- 


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108  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMGCOPATHT 

plisb  hue.  This  color  I  have  not  seen  in  any  other  conditions  with  the 
possible  exception  of  tetanus,  rabies,  some  cases  of  acute  traumatic 
encephalitis.  It  never  occurs  in  most  of  the  common  meningitides. 
The  color  does  not  seem  to  be  mentioned  in  literature,  although  I  know 
that  several  well-known  pathologists  have  observed  it.  I  have  been  able 
to  diagnose  polio  cases  from  this  color,  having  substantiated  it  by  other 
findings.  The  meninges  are  quite  free  and  clear  with  naked  eye,  and 
even  in  the  meningitic  type  of  case  nothing  is  seen  with  the  naked  eye, 
although  the  sections  may  show  a  considerable  lymphocytic  infiltration  of 
the  pia-arachnoid. 

In  over  30  autopsies  I  have  only  seen  internal  hydrocephalus  once, 
and  then  it  was  very  moderate  in  extent. 

Cord — The  cord  shows  very  little  from  the  meningeal  surface,  ex- 
cept active  hyperemia.  On  cut  section,  the  characteristic  lesions  shown 
on  chart  are  to  be  seen. 

The  medulla  and  pons  show  very  little  but  active  hyperemia  but 
under  the  microscope  there  is  extensive  lymphocytic  foci,  perivascular 
and  diffuse  through  the  vital  centers  with  edema  and  chromatolysis  in 
the  neurones. 

The  nervous  system  hears  the  brunt  of  the  attach.  The  individuals 
always  die  of  medullary  involvement,  with  respiratory  paralysis.  The 
process  is  a  duffuse  interstitial  inflammation  of  the  central  nervous  sys- 
tem, which  can  be  localized  more  severely  in  certain  patches  through- 
out the  nervous  system,  thus  giving  rise  to  any  symptom  occurring  in 
nervous  diseases,  similar  in  some  respect  to  multiple  sclerosis.  For  the 
present  the  name  of  Heine-Medins  Disease  is  perhaps  preferable  as  it 
is  impracticable  to  give  it  any  anatomical  name. 

LESIONS  CAUSED  BT  MODE  OF  DEATH 

As  death  occurs  from  respiratory  paralysis  in  over  99%  of  cases 
and  this  is  due  to  the  inflammatory  process  invading  the  medulla  and 
respiratory  centers  the  following  lesions  as  seen  in  oases  of  asphyxia 
are  more  or  less  present : 

Lungs''  Pleural  ecchymoses;  parietal  and  visceral.  Acute  inter- 
stitial emphysema,  with  blebs  under  the  visceral  pleura. 

Heart:  Right  heart  dilatation  with  dark  blood.  Pericardial 
ecchymoses  and  sometimes  endocardial. 

LESIONS  DUE  TO  BACTERIAL  NATURE  OF  DISEASE — TOXIC 

Heart:    Cloudy  swelling. 
Liver:    Cloudy  swelling. 

Kidneys  I  Cloudy  swelling  to  a  toxic  and  degenerative  tubular 
nephritis. 

LESIONS  WHICH  WOULD  SUGGEST  PORTALS  OF  ENTRY  OF-  GERMS 

Intestines:  Small:  Pinkish  hyperplasia  of  Peyer's  patches  and 
solitary  follicle  with  pinkish  hyperplasia  of  mesenteric  glands. 

Colon:    Follicular  colitis  with  hyperplasia  of  solitary  follicles. 

Mucosa :  Nasal  and  tonsils  in  cases  examined  were  quite  free  and 
dear,  also  throat  mucosa. 

The  following  is  a  statistical  summary  of  our  cases  as  compiled 
by  Dr.  Dowd  for  me: 

Cases  Admitted  to  City  Hospital:  July  4th  to  24th,  5;  July  24th 
to  September  2,  570;  September  2  to  18th,  5;  total,  580  cases;  largest 
number  in  hospital  at  one  time,  435. 

Mortality:  Total  number  of  cases  observed,  580;  discharged,  438; 
died,  142,  mortality  percentage,  24.47%. 

Age:  Largest  number  of  cases  in  second  and  third  years;  young- 
est, 3  months;  oldest,  40  years. 


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KOSTH   AMERICAN    JOURNAL   OF   HOMCEOPATHT  109 

Number  of  adults,  13;  died,  5;  recovered,  8  (seven  with  extensive 
paralysis  probably  permanent) ;  nursing  babies,  35. 

HesuLts  in  Discharge:  Percentage  of  cases  not  paralyzed  on  dis- 
charge, 44%;  paralyzed  on  discharge,  46%. 

This  includes  mild  paralysis  Lke  squint,  facial,  torticollis,  etc.,  and 
severe  forms,  with  one  or  both  arms,  one  or  both  legs  or  all  four  extrem- 
ities; ten  cases  were  unable  to  move  at  all  when  discharged;  30%  of 
those  paralyzed  were  improving  at  time  of  discharge,  some  manifested 
only  sLght  muscular  weakness ;  30%  of  those  paralyzed  were  in  the  lower 
extremities ;  16%  were  in  the  upper  extremities. 

Relapses:    Kelapse  cases,  12;  died,  6. 

Etiology :  Sequence  of  cases  in  one  family  oocur  in  three  families, 
all  the  other  cases  were  single  cases  from  a  family. 

Kelapses:  These  occurred  after  some  three  weeks  and  were  gener- 
ally ushered  in  with  a  rapid  rise  of  temperature  and  respirations.  Some 
of  the  older  cases  complained  of  intense  headache.  In  all  these  cases 
a  strict  search  was  made  for  any  other  factor  to  explain  the  occurrence. 
The  relapses  occurred  in  the  paralyzed  and  non-paralyzed  cases,  the  re- 
lapse was  of  short  duration  in  those  dying  from  three  to  24  hours,  while 
in  those  that  recovered  it  was  about  three  weeks,  it  was  in  these  cases 
that  the  second  lumbar  puncture  relieved  the  headache. 

TREATMENT 

The  various  methods  of  treatment  used  were: 

Urotropin:  Administered  by  mouth  every  two  hours  in  doses  of 
from  1  to  5  grains.  In  some  few  cases  on  account  of  bladder  or  kidney 
irritation,  it  had  to  be  stopped.  I  consider  urotropin  in  the  treatment 
of  acute  poliomyelitis  worthless. 

Quinine  was  used  in  both  adults  and  children,  administered  by 
mouth  in  ordinary  doses.  It  had  no  apparent  effect  on  the  symptoms 
or  course  of  the  disease. 

Salvarsan  and  neosalvarsan  was  used  intravenously  in  a  few  of  the 
very  severe  cases,  all  of  them  died.  Its  use  was  discontinued  on  account 
of  no  beneficial  result 

Adrenalin,  so  much  vaunted,  was  given  intraspinously  according  to 
technique  of  Meltzer  and  others,  without  any  beneficial  results,  in  fact 
I  believe  with  distinct  harm  in  many.  If  I  tried  it  again,  I  believe  I 
should  be  indicted. 

Sodium  salicylate  and  potass,  iodide  were  given  by  mouth.  No  ap- 
parent benefit 

lodeol  given  intramuscularly  in  a  series  of  cases.  No  apparent 
good  results.    Probably  no  harm  done. 

Immune  and  healthy  blood  serum;  human;  given  by  intraspinous 
route.    All  with  no  apparent  result 

Horse  serum  in  form  of  diphtheria  antitoxin ;  no  apimrent  result. 

Lumbar  puncture:  This  was  a  routine  method  of  procedure  to 
check  up  with  the  clinical  findings  and  for  treatment 

In  my  opinion,  one  or  more  lumbar  punctures  was  the  only  thera- 
peutic method  observed  which  produced  any  amelioration  in  the  symp- 
toms, this  certainly  would  relieve  in  many  cases  the  headache  and  irrit- 
ability. 

Morphine  and  bromides :  Only  a  few  cases  required  these  to  quiet 
the  patient 

In  one  case  of  relapse,  anti-menincritis  serum  was  used  with  ap- 
parently an  increase  in  the  severity  of  the  symptoms. 

I  recall  two  cases  that  seemed  so  certain  to  die,  that  in  one  I  only 
allowed  lumbar  puncture,  in  the  other  no  treatment  at  all,  both  recoy^ 
ed. 


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110  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHT 

Summary''    The  general  routine  followed  by  me  was  as  follows: 

Lumbar  puncture;  a  warm  bath;  calomel  1  to  5  grains  followed 
by  a  saline;  absolute  rest  as  far  as  could  be  obtained;  fluid  diet;  naso- 
pharyngeal toilet  consisting  of  albolene  and  menthol  dropped  in  nose. 
In  all  cases  where  the  temperature  was  103  or  over  an  alcohol  spray  was 
freely  used. 

Conclusion :  During  my  night  visits  to  the  wards  I  was  often  quite 
astonished  to  find  the  children  all  sleeping  soundly  or  quiet.  In  my 
opinion  the  percentage  of  recoveries  were  larger  among  the  patients 
who  received  the  simpler  form  of  treatment. 

As  for  the  after  treatment  I  cannot  say.  I  had  no  hand  in  it,  as 
I  was  practically  ordered  to  discharge  all  cases  at  the  end  of  eight  weeks 
because  of  the  desire  of  parents  to  have  their  children  returned  to  their 
homes.  In  the  after  treatment  however,  there  seems  to  be  an  acute 
dispute  as  to  whether  it  is  neurological  or  orthopedic. 


PHENOL  IN  THE  TREATMENT  OF  ACUTE  POLIOMYELITIS* 

BY  WM.  F.  BAKER,  A.M.,  M.D. 

Philadelphia 

The  classification  of  this  disease  into  the  class  of  the  infectious  dis- 
eases is  a  decided  advance  in  medicine,  and  it  will  incidentally  reduce 
the  toll  of  cholera  infantum,  a  generic  term  used  to  cover  up  all  deaths 
among  children  under  two  years,  for  notwithstanding  the  hottest  sum- 
mer in  twenty-two  years,  the  percentage  of  infant  mortality  from  gastro 
enteric  disturbances  received  but  little  attention.  This  classification 
will  be  a  boon  to  children  owing  to  the  fact  that  more  scientific  diag- 
noses will  be  made  and  their  symptoms  more  accurately  studied. 

After  a  study  of  the  epidemic  in  the  city  of  New  York  for  a  long 
period  of  time,  four  striking  facts  were  apparent : 

1.  The  undoubted  value  of  the  quarantine. 

2.  The  value  of  cleaning  up  the  food  supply. 

3.  High  percentage  suffering  from  permanent  paralysis. 

4.  High  mortality  rate  as  to  life. 

I  believe  the  mistake  has  been  made  in  the  time  lost  awaiting  a 
pathological  entity  before  therapy.  This  I  believe  to  be  the  common 
error  in  modern  medicine  and  leads  to  chaos  on  therapy  and  a  loss  in 
public  opinion,  whereas  the  observations  of  a  clinician  are  very  often 
set  aside  when  the  public  service  rendered  by  that  clinician  has  been 
of  undoubted  value. 

Therapy  must  be  founded  on  public  service,  as  it  is  not  compulsory. 
A  combination  of  the  two  would  be  ideal  therapy.  From  a  neurological 
^  standpoint,  four  types  of  the  disease  have  been  presented  in  this  epi- 
demic : 

1.  Abortive,  perhaps  the  most  dangerous  because  it  is  so  liable  to 
be  overlooked. 

2.  Bulbo  spinal  type. 

3.  Cerebral  and  menigeal  type. 

4.  Bulbo  pontine  type,  characterizing  this  epidemic  with  a  decided 
fattening  of  the  face  and  no  other  muscular  paralysis. 

The  mortality  rate  standing  as  it  does  at  29%  to  30%  does  not  alarm 
us  as  much  as  our  inability  to  treat  convalescents,  for  with  a  resultant 

.  ^Beprinted  from  The  Hahnemannian  Monthly. 


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paralysis  in  83%  of  cases,  we  will  have  our  hands  full  from  this  epidemic 
on,  perhaps  30,000  cases,  and  not  2%  of  our  hospitals  able  to  take  care 
of  convalescents,  because  of  lack  of  physical  departments,  which  must 
do  the  greater  part  of  the  work  on  these  unfortunates. 

As  a  conservative  policy,  it  is  better  to  permit  therapy  to  remain 
in  the  hands  of  the  experienced  clinician  until  a  pathological  entity  is 
discovered  in  the  laboratory,  then  to  be  given  to  the  clinician  who  is 
broad  enough  to  accept  entireties  in  investigation.  A  brief  view  of  the 
conditions  that  have  been  observed  during  this  recent  epidemic  will 
give  you  a  comprehensive  knowledge  of  the  condition.  Contrary  to 
most  ideas,  the  onset  is  insidious  in  the  majority  of  oases,  and  varies 
from  a  slight  fever  and  malaise  to  severe  convulsions.  A  valuable  sign 
early  is  the  **muscular  rigidity  which  can  be  classed  as  a  hypertonicity" 
rather  than  a  "spasticity"  associated  with  irritable  reflexes. 

Usually,  within  48  hours,  or  even  less — 24  hours — and  in  one  case 
six  hours,  a  certain  definite  paralysis  makes  its  appearance  in  the  hy- 
pertended  muscle.  The  paralysis  is  not  progressive,  usually  of  a  mono- 
plegic  type  or  paraplegic. 

It  is  to  regretted  that  very  often  the  first  inclination  towards  a 
diagnosis  must  come  from  the  parent,  who  notices  "that  the  child  can- 
not use  an  extremity." 

The  most  common  seat  of  lesion  is  in  lumbar,  then  dorsal  cord,  and 
in  severe  oases,  especially  in  adults,  in  bulbar  nuclei,  and  in  one  case 
reported,  evidently  in  the  medulla  and  pons. 

At  this  stage  the  reflexes  are  lost,  and  this  will  suflBce  at  times  to 
di£Ferentiate  cortical  brain  lesions  or  basilar  meningeal  lesions  not  of 
the  true  specific  type.  In  the  early  history  of  the  present  epidemic  it 
was  my  misfortune  to  observe  an  abscess  of  the  middle  ear  confused 
with  acute  poliomyelitis,  and  death  resulting  from  lack  of  attention  to 
thib  detail  of  examination,  or  at  least  the  attending  physician  would 
have  felt  relieved  had  a  mastoid  operation  been  performed  instead  of 
transmitting  the  child  to  the  municipal  institution. 

Early,  also,  we  have  the  reaction  of  degeneration  showing  itself,  and 
given  an  increased  galvanic  reaction  with  a  corresponding  diminution 
in  the  faradic  reaction  in  any  cose  of  suspicious  nature,  one  has  gone  a 
long  way  in  the  solution  of  the  diagnosis.  The  electrical  reaction  plays 
a  most  important  role  in  the  diagnosis  of  this  condition  and  one  cannot 
well  progn^osticate  concerning  these  conditions  without  a  thorough 
knowledge  of  electricity.  The  stages,  if  you  please,  then  are  the  elec- 
irically  given— 

1.  Onset   (diminished  faradic)    (increased  galvanic  reactions.) 

2.  Complete  first  stage :  reaction  of  degeneration  complete,  climax 
paralytic. 

3.  Disarrangement  of  these  reactions  either  way:  atrophy  or  re- 
covery. The  prognosis  depending  solely,  in  my  experience  on  the  dis- 
arrangement of  .these  reactions,  for  if  the  rejection  of  degeneration  be 
complete  and  lasts  for  a  period  of  four  weeks,  personally  I  would  hold 
out  little  hope  of  recovery  from  the  atrophy  by  gradual  developm«it 
changes  which  are  necessarily  slow.  The  rapid  disappearance  of  the  gal- 
vanic irritability  is  a  favorable  sigh. 

As  to  etiology,  1  believe  that  materially  different  views  will  be  held 
after  this  epidemic  than  now  exist,  for  it  has  been  recognized  that 
infection  of  the  cord  may  show  different  forms  with  and  without  atrophy, 
contractures  and  paralysis. 

•  True  it  is  that  many  of  these  cases  give  a  history  of  coli  bacillus 
infection  and  also  history  of  chilling  the  body  after  a  period  of  heat. 
This  has  been  especially^  true  of  jthei^di^te  liere  in  the  Eastern  States. 


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The  preponderance  of  a  low  temperature  in  the  direction  of  the  wind 
when  the  diurnal  t^nperature  has  been  over  87%.  It  is  reasonable  to 
asdume  that  such  climatic  conditions  influence  the  disease. 

In  1888  Bacelli  read  a  paper  before  Uie  Congress  of  Medicine  in 
Rome  setting  forth  the  value  of  phenol  in  tetanus.  Prior  to  this  time 
he  had  used  the  drug  on  600  cases  of  neuraglia  and  noted  what  appears 
to  be  the  best  unintentional  homoeopathic  proving  of  the  drug  to  my 
knowledge,  and  the  Librarian  at  the  Cojlege  of  Physicians  in  Washing- 
ton is  unable  to  find  any  literature  bearing  on  the  treatment  of  infan- 
tile paralysis  where  this  drug  has  been  used. 

After  some  difficulty  I  was  able  to  have  translated  several  of  the 
leeeer  writings  of  this  investigator  on  phenol  and  verified  from  the 
translations  what  seemed  to  me  to  be  a  homoeopathic  proving  of  the  drug 
and  suggestions  for  its  use  in  an  attenuated  form  in  case  of  neural  irri- 
tion,  bofii  peripheral  and  spinal.  The  results  from  the  study  of  the  cere- 
bral symptoms  do  not  as  yet  give  us  much  information.  It  was  found 
that  after  the  administration  of  the  drug  for  certain  painful  affections 
of  the  nerve  and  for  certain  spinal  infections,  symptoms  were  observed 
with  such  regularity  that  they  at  least  from  the  homoeopathic  standpoint 
ought  to  bear  inspection.  Dr.  Clarence  Bartlett  has  given  us  the  b^t 
monograph  in  the  English  tongue  on  the  subject  of  the  crude  drug  in 
solution.  These  observations  differ  somewhat  in  that  the  druor  is  tritu- 
rated thoroucrhly  with  pure  glycerine  before  the  diluent  distilled  wnter 
is  added.  Baoelli's  success  in  the  treatment  of  neuralgia  was  brilliant 
for  his  time,  and  the  first  cardinal  symptom  observed  was  the  property 
of  the  drug  for  diminishing  reflex  spinal  activity.  He  further  declares 
its  value  as  a  sedative  to  spinal  lesions  of  the  irritative  variety,  and 
further  exploited  it  as  an  antiseptic,  removing  many  of  the  toxines  that 
were  responsible  for  these  neuralgic  affections.  Shortly  after  its  nse  in 
large  doses  (60  gr.)  he  noticed  marked  albuminuria,  claimed  that  it 
coagulated  albumen,  was  slow  of  absorption,  but  was  rapidly  eliminated 
and  had  developed  marked  symptoms  of  motor  type  of  spinal  irritation 
associated  with  albuminuria  and  gastro  enteric  sjrmptoms. 

He  then  concluded  to  try  the  drug  well  diluted  with  water  and  no- 
ticed that  diluted  solutions  were  incapable  of  coagulating  albimen,  were 
readily  absc^bed,  as  readily  eliminated  and  were  without  cimuktive  ac- 
tion. Likewise  he  observed  marked  antidotal  power  of  the  dil  ite  acrd 
on, tetanus  toxin.  This  was  perhaps  the  greatest  good  that  his  experi- 
ments did. 

Personally  I  have  used  241  grains  in  the  dilute  solution  in  24  honts 
without  the  slightest  trace  of  albuminuria  in  a  case  of  tetanus  tmder 
observation  in  the  wards  of  the  Hahnemann  Hospital  of  Philadelphia. 

•'  The  symptoms  resulting  from  the  overdose  of  the  drug  during  Bi- 

oelli's  experimentation  were  markedly  spinal  and  gastric  and  the  ab- 
sence of  these  symptoms  in  doses  as  lar^e  as  241  grains  clearly  proves 
that  in  an  attenuated  state,  the  acid  is  liberated  and  eliminated  rapidly. 
That  the  trituration  of  the  crystals  favors  their  tolerance  can  also  be 
argued. 

It  was  then  upon  these  terse  facts  that  the  drug  was  siargested  in 
its  homoeopathic  use  in  an  attenuated  form  where  "spinal  depression" 
was  the  cardinal  symptom,  as  it  is  in  infantile  diseases.  Accordms:  to 
symptoms  the  drug  must  anticipate  the  paralysis  when  "muscular  hyper- 
tonicity  rul^''  as  is  found  in  some  cases  of  infantile  paralyses.  In  some 
cases  the  symptoms  resemble  early  tetanus.  This  homoeopathic  principle 
of  action  would  permit  us  to  anticipate  a  spinal  infection  and  I  bdieve 
save  valuable  time. 

.       ..       .  ^    .,  (Poii^tt«ed  6n,i>agje  ix)  ..*.:::.'' 

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INTERNATIONAL  HOMCEOPATHIC  REVIEW 


THE  REPERTORY 

DR.   MCDONOUGH,   WHAT  CHEER,  IOWA 

(Iowa  HonuBopatliic  Journal) 

''The  physician's  high  and  only  mission  is  to  restore  the  sick  to  < 
healthy  to  cure,  as  it  is  termed."  These  words  written  by  Hahnemann 
after  he  had  become  disgusted  with  ''Old  School  Medicine"  and  had  dis^ 
ooTered  the  *law  of  similars."  There  is  not  and  never  shall  be  any 
way  of  curing  sick  folks  except  by  similia.  Great  and  mighty  is  the 
doctor  who  can  ob^y  this  natural  law  to  the  letter. 

No  mind  is  great  enough  to  memorize  or  retain  the  Homcsopathio 
Materia  Mediea.  All  who  start  out  with  the  memorizing  idea  must 
meet  with  failura  Materia  mediea  must  be  understood,  not  memor- 
ized.   Hence  the  repertory. 

The  repertory  is  the  natural  outcome  of  the  materia  mediea.  It 
is  the  orderly,  systematic,  arrangement  of  provings  so  that  one  can  find 
what  he  wants  when  he  needs  it. 

The  profession  today  knows  but  little  of  the  repertory.  Yet  no 
man  in  the  profession,  however  great,  can  practice  homcsopathy  without 
constant  use  of  the  repertory.  The  profession  is  not  to  blame  for  this 
ignorance.  The  blame  lies  at  the  doors  of  our  homcDopathic  colleges. 
The  teaching  of  the  repertory  should  be  compulsory  in  every  homoBo- 
pathic  college?  Why?  Because  one  cannot  know  the  repertory  without 
knowing  homoBopathic  philosophy.  If  these  two  subjects  are  mastered 
curing  the  sick  is  sure  to  follow. 

But  woe  unto  the  man  who  does  know  and  will  not  do.  There  are 
those  who  know,  who  have  had  the  teac^ng,  but  for  laziness  or  love 
of  self,  or  a  lack  of  the  moral  fibre,  they  will  not  practice  what  they 
know. 

Had  the  Organon  and  repertory  been  taught  from  the  beginning 
the  world  today  would  be  converted  to  the  law  of  similars.  We  as 
homoeopaths  must  get  down  to  business  and  master  our  system.  We 
must  learn  the  rq[>ertory.  The  world  is  crying  for  homcDopathy.  Think 
of  the  thousands  dying  even  in  our  own  ranks  that  just  a  little  system- 
atic study  would  save.    Homoeopathy  works  miracles  in  the  sick  room. 

Thii^  how  the  old  school  is  trying  to  cure  disease  in  a  scientific 
way!  By  gouging  out  adenoids,  by  cutting  out  tonsils,  by  feeding 
thyroid,  by  filling  eveiy  patient  with  some  unknown  serum  or  untried 
vaccine.  Today  suffering  humanity  is  being  sacrificed  on  the  altar  of 
scientific  ignoranca 

Now  is  the  time  to  study  the  repertory.  The  adenoids  will  be  cured 
with  the  remedy,  not  gouged  out,  only  to  return*  The  serums  and 
vaccines  will  be  manufactured  only  to  bum. 

There  are  several  kinds  of  repertories.  All  are  good.  The  one 
with  which  you  are  familiar  will  probably  serve  you  best. 

Personally  I  like  Kent's  Repertory  better  than  the  others,  because: 

1.  It  is  the  most  recent. 

2.  It  is  the  only  unabridged  repertory. 

3.  It  conforms  to  Hahnemann's  idea  of  the  patient  in  arrangement 
of  ifymptoms  from  generals  to  i>articulars. 


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114  NORTH   AMERICAN   JOURNAL    OF   HOMCEOPATHT 

4.  It  is  self -indexed  and  anyone  of  ordiikary  intelligence  can  learn 
to  use  it 

At  the  beginning  is  placed  the  section  of  the  mind.  In  this  section 
is  placed  every  reliable  mental  symptom.  Under  each  symptom  are  plac- 
ed the  remedies  that  have  produced  it»  also  the  values  of  each  remedy 
is  expressed  by  the  lype. 

The  heavy  black  type  records  the  remedies  that  brought  oui;  the 
symptoms  in  many  provers,  and  has  been  verified  by  many  cures. 

The  italics  are  a  grade  lower;  these  have  been  noted  by  fewer 
proveiB,  yet  axe  reliable,  having  been  verified  by  many  cures. 

The  remedies  in  c(Hnmon  type  have  been  observed  to  cause  the 
symptoms  in  few  provers,  or  have  good  clinical  observation.  They  are 
of  the  lowest  valu& 

For  each  part  of  the  body  there  is  a  section  in  the  repertory.  In 
each  section  may  be  found  all  reliable  symptoms  pertaining  to  that  part 
and  ike  value  of  each  remedy  to  the  symptom.  There  is  a  section  on 
vertigo,  a  section  on  fever,  and  a  section  on  generalities. 

What  is  a  general  symptom?  A  genei^  symptom  is  one  that  is 
predicated  of  the  patient  as  a  whole,  e.g.,  Pm  so  weak ;  I'm  always  cold. 

What  is  a  particular  symptom  ?  A  particular  symptom  is  one  that 
is  predicated  of  a  part  of  the  body,  e.g.,  "I  have  such  a  pain  in  my  ear," 
''my  leg  is  numb."  General  refers  to  the  patient  ss  a  whole;  particular 
to  his  parts. 

In  repertory  woiicing  general  symptoms  are  more  important  than 
paiidcular  symptoms.  They  must  always  be  considered  first.  A  few 
workers  of  the  repertory,  or  rather  workers  of  inquity,  say,  '*You  oan 
either  begin  the  dase  with  generals  or  particulars."There  is  just  one 
successful  way  and  that  is  to  work  from  generals  to  particulars.  All 
who  reverse  the  order  must  fail. 

What  are  common  symptoms?  They  are  symptoms  common  to  the 
proving  of  many  remedies,  also  common  to  many  diseases,  e.g.,  nausea, 
fever,  inflammation,  weakness,  and  thirst.  These  are  the  ones  that 
make  all  provings  look  alike  and  all  sickness  look  alike.  Common 
symptoms  make  the  student  say,  '*I  can't  see  any  difference  betwe^i 
aeon.,  belL,  bry.,  and  puis.  They  all  look  alike  to  me."  But  my 
iriend,  right  here  is  where  the  dear  old  sought-after  repertory  will  drive 
the  clouds  away,  bring  order  out  of  chaos  and  show  which  remedy  to 
give  and  which  one  to  leave  in  your  case. 

The  common  symptoms  should  be  considered  last  in  every  case  of 
repertory  study. 

What  is  an  uncommon  or  strange,  rare  and  peculiar  ^rmptom?  A 
strange,  rare  and  peculiar  symptom  is  one  not  usually  explainable,  e.g., 
absence  of  thirst  during  fever.  That  is  not  common,  but  who  oan  ex- 
plain it? 

Strange,  rare,  and  peculiar  symptoms  help  to  make  repertory  work 
shorter  and  easier,  but  should  not  be  used  by  lie  beginner. 

The  following  case  will  illustrate  the  repertory  work  better  than  a 
description  in  words. 

Mr.  S.,  age  31. 

Asthma. 

Had  this  disease  all  of  life;  very  bad  for  last  two  years;  worse 
from  midnight  to  morning  and  in  the  afternoon. 
Worse  in  damp  weather. 
Worse  in  cold  weather. 
Patient  is  very  sensitive  to  cold. 
Pain  through  sacral  region. 
Pain  worse  morning. 


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INTERNATIONAL  HOMCEOPATHIO  REVIEW  115 

Pain  worse  after  having  taken  cold. 
Very  weak  all  the  time. 
Severe  coughing  spells. 

For  last  six  years  has  had  cramps  in  stomach  at  intervals ; 
last  from  5  to  12  hours;  draw  him  douhle. 
Appetite  good. 
Desires  sweets  and  sours. 
Aversion  to  fats  and  rich  food. 
Tea  causes  nausea. 

Becomes  very  thirsty  before  an  attadc  of  asthma. 
Frequent  urination. 
Pain  ears  during  an  attack  of  asthma. 
Eyes  weak. 
Ladiryma^ion. 
Feet  cold. 

Patient  worse  from  cold  drinks,  beer,  whiskey. 
Feels  worse  when  alona 
Feels  better  in  the  open  air. 
Family  history: 

Mother  healthy  except  for  cramps  in  abdomen  at  intervals. 
Father  has  always  had  asthma. 

Has  tried  all  the  patent  asthmta  cures  on  the  market  and 
many  doctors  without  relief. 
Had  nose  operated  on  but  without  effect 
Patient  is  thin  and  looks  like  one  in  the  last  stages  of 
tuberculosis. 
Skin  sallow. 
Always  start  the  case  with  a  general  symptom  if  you  have  ona 
There  is  one  reliable  mental  symptom  in  the  case.    Mental  symp- 
toms are  always  general 
Desires  company. 

Write  out  ail  the  remedies  in  that  rubric    Then  proceed  with  the 
other  general  symptoms:    agg.  from  cold;  agg.  motion;  agg.  after  mid- 
night; agg.  from  cold  drinks;  agg.  from  fat  and  rich  food;  allowing 
them  to  eliminate  the  remedies. 
Desires  company. 

Apis;  argen.  nit.;  bismuth;  camph.;  dem.;  con.;  elape.;  gels.; 
hyos.;  tdgn.;  kali  ars.;  kali  carb.;  kali  phos.;  liL  tig.;  lya; 
mez.;  paL;  phos.;  puis.;  s^.;  stram. 
Aggravation  from  cold. 

Ars.;  con.;  hyos.;  ign.;  kali  ars.;  kali  carb.;  lye;  mez.;  phos.; 
puis.;  sepia. 
Agg.  after  midnight. 

Ars.;  con.;  phos.;  sep. 
Amelioration  open  air. 

Ars..;  con.;  phos.;  sep. 
Agg.  cold  drinks. 

ArB4 
Agg.  beer. 
Aversion  to  fats  and  rich  food. 

Ars..;  sep. 
OoMfeet 

Ars.;  sep. 
Cramping  pain  in  abdomen. 

Ars.;  sep. 
Difficult  respiration. 


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116  NORTH   AMERICAN   JOURNAL  OF   HOMCEOPATHY 

Are.;  Sep. 

Afithniatio  breathdng. 
Are.;  sep. 

Ars.  alb.  and  sepia  run  through  the  general  symptoms. 

Now  work  through  the  particular  symptoms:  cramping  pain  ab- 
domen, oold  feet,  difficult  breathing,  asthmatic  breathing.  Both  reme- 
dies run  through  the  particulars.  Sepia  drops  out  in  one  general  symp- 
tom and  does  not  carry  as  high  values  in  the  whole  ease  as  does  are.  So, 
according  to  the  repertory  ars.  alb.  is  of  all  remedies  the  most  similar. 
According  to  the  law  of  similars,  ars.  alb.  should  cure  this  case  of  asthma. 
Allow  me  to  assure  ytui  that  it  did  cure  him  and  he  will  stay  cured. 


OUR  VICTORIES 

I  BY  N.  BERGMAN^  A.B.^  M.D.^  CHIOAQO 

Man  is  bom  on  the  battlefield;  his  whole  life  is  spent  in  a  oeeseleaB 
struggle  against  seen  and  unseen  foes,  known  and  unknown,  who  con- 
stantly are  at  work  on  his  destruction- 
It  seems  appropriate,  therefore,  that  we,  who  by  choicei,  have  entered 
the  ranks  of  the  grand  army  for  humanity  in  its  battle  against  disease, 
suffering  and  death,  make  warfare  our  topic  on  this  occasion.  Dis- 
couraged and  defeated,  perhaps,  at  times  we  are  more  strongly  than 
ever  resolved  to  bring  forth  our  very  noblest  efforts,  to  give  out  the  veiy 
best  within  us  to  those  who  weary  in  the  unequal  struggle  against  this 
archenemy  of  humanity,— disease. 

I  am  aware  that  I  bring  no  tidings  but  what  you  have  received 
before,  but  is  it  not  refreshing  to  quaff  from  the  fountain  of  sweet  mem- 
ones  of  battles  hard  fought  and  won?  The  truth  about  our  victories 
will  make  the  poor  eufFerere  confide  and  trust  in  us;  will  unite  and 
strengthen  us,  fortify  us  against  prejudice  and  ridicule  and  give  us  the 
only  happiness  worth  possessing,  that  of  doing  for  others.  A  few  in- 
stances may  therefore  be  recalled,  which  may  serve  to  in^ire  us  wit^ 
new  confidence  and  give  us  increased  strength  in  the  practice  of  our 
glorious  healing  art 

A  OEDRON  CASE 

In  the  fall  of  1898,  while  practicing  in  middle  Illinois  in  a  district 
where  malarial  disordere  are  very  prevalent,  I  was  called  one  morning  to 
attend  Mrs.  H.  S.,  who  was  suffering  from  a  very  severe  faxdal  n^iralgia. 
The  paiji  was  of  the  severest  character,  entirely  incapacitating  her  dur- 
ing its  duration.  It  was  of  a  i>aroxy8mal  nature,  involving  not  only 
the  right  side  of  the  head,  the  attack  coming  on  exactly  at  7  :dO  a.nL  and 
lasting  till  5:30  p.m.,  on  the  minute,  when  she  would  get  up,  prepare 
dinner  and  eat,  go  to  bed  and  sleep  wdl  all  night,  arise  for  breakfast  and 
then  submit  again  to  the  misery  at  exactly  7:30.  This  had  now  been 
going  on  for  about  ten  days,  during  which  time  she  had  exhausted  the 
resources  of  three  physicians,  in  line  of  opiates,  analgesics  and  other 
sedatives. 

I  looked  into  the  case  carefully  and  my  choice  of  remedy  fell  finally 
upon  cedron,  because  of  the  suspected  nature  of  the  complaint  and  Uie 
remarkable  clock-like  regularity  of  the  appearance  and  disappearance 
of  the  symptoms.  Ten  drops  of  the  tincture  were  mixed  in  one-third 
glass  of  water,  and  a  teaspoonful  given  at  once.  Iii^itlc  ouo  hoar  the 
patient  was  asleep,  awoke  in  time  for  a  good  dinner  and  enjoyed  a  good 
night's  rest  In  the  morning  the  fatal  hour  struck  without  its  dreaded 
accompaniment,  and  she  spent  the  firet  day  in  a  week  and  a  half  in  the 


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enjoyment  oi  full  bealtlL  Tbie  one  doee  cured.  I  watched  my  ^tient 
for  several  years  after  tliis,  and  there  was  not  again  the  slightest  return 
of  the  troi^le.  This  oase  was  plainly  one  of  ''dumbague^'  of  the 
quotidian  intermittent  type. 

CHILLS   AND   FEVER— ARSENICUM 

Another  case  of  a  more  active  form  of  the  same  type  of  fever  is 
worthy  of  mention,  as  it  sets  forth  the  difference  in  results  between  our 
and  the  allopathic  treatment  of  such  disorders.  Mrs.  N.  presented  her- 
self with  a  clinical  history  of  chills  and  fever  coming  on  every  third 
day  at  about  noon  or  a  little  after.  The  di£Ferent  stages  with  their 
amelioration  by  heat,  peculiar  thirst,  time  of  appearance  and  other  symp- 
toms pointed  dearly  to  arsenicum,  which  was  given  in  the  30th  potency. 
She  came  to  me  on  her  weU  day,  and  began  at  once  to  take  the  remedy. 
The  next  day  passed  without  the  slightest  symptom  of  fever,  and  the 
paroxysm  etopped  then  and  there. 

The  previous  year,  at  the  same  time,  she  had  suffered  for  sixteen 
weeks  under  alloiMthic  treatment,  and  as  this  had  proven  a  ^itter'^ 
disappointment,  she  now  sought  homoeopathy  for  relief. 

This  patient  lived  in  my  own  town,  and  I  was. able  to  watch  her 
for  several  years  afterwards,  and  there  was  no  repetition  of  the  attacks. 

I  believe  you  will  agree  with  me  that  the  malarial  fevers  offer  one 
of  the  most  gn^teful  fields  for  the  action  of  our  homoeopathic  remedies, 
especially  in  the  quinine-suppressed  and  otherwise  maltreated  cases, 
and  I  am  sure  we  all  live  in  happy  memories  of  what  homoeopathy  did 
for  our  boys  of  the  Spianish- American  war,  who  returned  so  saturated 
with  the  poison  from  the  islands  in  the  Pacific  and  the  Caribbean  sea. 
Considering  now  i>articularly  the  periodicity,  which  is  perhaps  the  most 
prominent  feature  of  malarial  disorders,  we  will  find  other  conditions, 
which  we  cannot  possibly  trace  to  any  malarial  origin  and  which  still 
show  a  marked  periodic  return  of  fever  and  other  symptoms.  Puzzling 
and  Annoying  as  these  may  be,  we  shall  find  that  our  medication  applies 
here  as  favorably,  in  elucidation  of  which  point  the  two  following 
oases  may  be  of  interest: 

TWO  CASES — ^PERIODICITY 

On  September  13th,  last  year,  was  called  to  the  bedside  of  Mrs. 
J.  C,  let  20,  primipara,  whom  I  found  in  labor.  A  hasty  removal  to 
the  hospital  was  undertaken  and  after  a  short  and  normal  labor  a  fine 
baby  girl  was  bom.  The  patient  rallied  well  and  showed,  for  several  days, 
only  a  slight  elevation  of  temperature,  such  as  may  be  expected  from 
strain  uid  exertion.  But  suddenly  a  suspicious  looking  fever  came  up 
quite  high  one  day,  and  thinking  the  same  perhaps  due  to  a  remnant  of 
secundioMes  I  curetted  carefully  and  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  the 
uterus  contract  nicely  the  next  few  days,  but  the  fever  remained  as 
high  as  ever.  The  lungs  and  blood  were  examined  for  fear  of  tubercu- 
losis and  malaria,  but  with  perfectly  negative  results.  The  fever  rec- 
ord was  studied  methodically  and  I  found  the  rise  began  at  about  12 :30 
pan.,  gradually  going  up  to  102-103  and  even  higher  the  next  few  hours 
to  return  to  almost  normal  at  about.  5  p.m.  There  was  no  rise  again 
until  about  noon  the  next  day  and  patient  was  feeling  welL  generally. 
Arsenioum  suggested  itself  and  one  dose  of  the  Im  potency  was  given 
on  the  tonjgne,  and  placebo  every  hour.  The  next  day  no  fever  and  not 
the  fdlowing,  and  my  patient  made  a  rapid  and  uneventful  recovery. 
The  suddffli  disappearance  of  the  fever  was  much  commented  on  by  the 
internes  of  the  hospital,  and  when  informed  that  arsenic  had  aocom- 
pliahed  this,  they  inquired  very  interested  and  astonished  how  much  of 
m  gndn  I  had  dared  to  g^ve.    An  equally  perceptible  and  inoompre- 


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118  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  UOMOSOPATHY 

hensible  cooInieBS  arose  between  them  and  me  and  when  I  told  them 
that  it  was  one  dose  of  the  1,1000th  homcBopathic  potency  of  aroemoom 
I  had  given  my  paitient.  What,  in  this  case,  caused  this  peculiar  fever 
I  have  never  been  able  to  explain. 

The  next  case  is  equally  interesting  and  quite  similar  and,  aooord- 
iug  to  symptoms^  arsenicum  seemed  indicated,  but  why  it  did  not  cure 
I  was  unable  to  discover,  unless  it  was  due  to  the  fact  that  this  latter 
ease  was  more  peoric  and  therefore  in  need  of  a  deeper  acting  antipsoric 
than  arsenicum. 

The  XMttient  was  a  young  married  woman,  Mrs.  J.  G.  C,  mothor 
of  a  boy  about  two  years  of  age>  who,  in  the  beginning  of  December^ 
1907,  was  seized  widi  daily  fever  attacks  in  early  afternoon,  lasting 
Bometiihes  until  evening,  leaving  her  inx)strated  and  weak,  but  free 
from  temperature  after  the  night's  rest,  only  to  come  on  after  luncheon 
the  next  day.  There  were  no  chill  and  no  pains,  except  headache  at 
times,  but  tiiirst  and  high  fever.  Considering  the  case  one  of  latent 
malaria  I  gave  ars.,  china  ars.,  nux  v.,  natrum  mur.  and  other  remedies 
during  the  course  of  three  or  four  weeks,  but  without  the  slightest 
impression  on  the  condition.  Finally  tuberculinum  was  given  on  the 
strength  of  the  dinical  note  "when  the  indicated  remedy  fails  to  relieve 
or  i>ermanently  improve."  and  it  produced  an  immediate  and  bidlliamt 
cura  I  should  have  thought  of  this  remedy  earlier,  I  confess,  for, 
no  doubt,  tuberculintim  was  the  indicated  remedy.  This  became  dear 
to  me  afterwards,  as  I  recollected  that  I  had  brought  her  through  an 
ai;tack  of  scarlet  fever  about  ten  months  before,  and  her  mother  through 
pneumonia  about  one  year  previously,  so  there  was  evidently  here  a 
marked  state  of  psora,  which  could  not  yield  to  any  other  remedy.  I 
never  forgot  this  lesscm,  and  its  application  in  numerous  oases  since 
has  saved  me  much  embarrassment  and  worry. 

CACHECTIC 

In  the  following  case  particularly  it  served  me  well  and,  I  believe, 
a  life  was  saved  here  by  the  timely  achninistration  of  this  grand  remedy. 

About  three  years  ago,  in  the  early  winter,  I  was  called  to  see  Mrs. 
E.  A.  R.,  a  young  married  woman,  whom  I  found  suffering  from  severe 
attack  of  influenza  with  morbid  intestinal  involvement.  The  catarrhal 
and  nervous  rheumatic  symptoms  yielded  soon,  but  a  xxrofuse  and  ex- 
hausting diarrhoea  persisted  in  spite  of  my  remedies,  proper  diet  and 
other  accessories.  The  patient  was  extremely  weak  and  cachectic  and 
seemed  to  go  rapidly  to  her  dissolution,  when  I  concluded  to  try  tuber- 
culinum, which  was  given  in  the  l,000t}i  potency.  The  result  was  most 
gratifying;  the  patient  recovered  quidcly,  and  there  has  never  since 
been  a  repetition  of  this  ailment  Though  the  family  history  is  negative 
in  this  case,  I  suspect  a  tubercular  taint,  which  possibly  will  explain  the 
wonderful  action  of  the  remedy. 

PYiEMIA 

The  study  of  these  two  last  cases  will  open  a  very  interesting  field 
of  consideration  and  discussion  about  how  far,  in  very  severe  oases, 
we  may  go  on  symptoms  purely,  and  when  and  to  what  extent  our 
clinical  exi>erienoe  should  determine  the  choice  of  remedy.  In  both 
these  cases,  as  far  as  I  can  see,  tuberculin  was  the  true  simillimum,  but 
on  what  symptoms  ?  Many  remedies  have  a  similar  diarrhoea  and  febrile 
manifestations,  but  every  one  failed  except  just  this  one. 

I  do  not  think  that  I  have  ever  felt  such  an  overwhelming  gratitude 
for  being  a  homoeopath,  or  taken  such  a  keen  ddigbt  in  ^e  cure  of 
case  as  the  following,  in  which  homoeopathy  was  pitted  against  not  only 
one  of  the  gravest  diseases,  but  also  against  the  most  abject  porerty 


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INTERNATIONAL    HOM(EOPATHIC   REVIEW  119 

inth  its  squalor  and  moeft  unsanitary  conditions,  and  still  coming  off 
idctorious.  It  stands  out  to  me  as  one  of  the  most  brilliant  exhibitionB 
of  the  truth  of  our  teaching  and  the  most  successful  application  of  the 
same.  On  March  81,  1912,  I  was  summoned  ot  attend  little  Sarah  M., 
6  years  old,  who  was  reported  to  me  to  be  critically  ilL  With  some 
difficulty  I  located  the  house  in  one  of  the  poorer  districts  of  the  Northwest 
side^  in  the  rear  of  a  saloon  back  in  an  alley,  ankle  deep  in  mud,  ashes 
and  Infuse.  The  big  room,  its  floor  on  the  level  with  the  alley,  served 
as  kitdien,  laundry,  store  room,  dining  room  and  hospital  (while  the 
bed  chamber  was  one  foot  below  this  room),  and  here  on  a  table,  wrap- 
ped in  a  blanket,  I  found  my  little  patient  She  had  been  taken  with 
goeumonia  about  eig^  days  previously,  removed  to  a  hospital  on  the 
West  side,  and  while  there  pysemia  set  in,  necessitating  surgical  inter- 
ference for  vent  and  drain.  But  as  the  case  failed  to  improve  and  in 
the  <^inion  of  the  hospital  staff  became  hopeless,  she  was  allowed  to 
be  taken  home  to  dia  Her*  temperature  now  was  105^,  puke  160,  and 
re^iiation  50  a  minute^  and  she  certainly  did  not  seem  able  to  survive 
the  night.  The  wound  was  dressed,  a  new  drainage  tube  inserted,  and 
pyrogen  600  was  given  every  two  hours  until  midnight  The  next  morn- 
ing I  found  my  little  patient  not  only  alive,  but  decidedly  better,  the 
temi)erature  one  degree  lower,  piilse  and  respiration  considerably  slow- 
er and  no  delirium.  The  medicine  and  general  treatment  was  continued 
88  before  for  the  next  four  days,  when  the  temperature  was  down  to 
102.5^,  with  corresponding  pulse  and  respiration.  Hepar  sulph.  Im  was 
now  given  in  single  doses  for  the  next  five  days,  and  at  the  end  of  the 
second  we^  the  wound  had  healed  considerably,  and  my  patient  was 
on  the  high  road  to  recovery.  Silica  and  chamomilla  in  occasioned 
doses  completed  the  cure,  and  when  in  the  middle  of  May  the  spring  ar-  • 
rived  with  its  green  lawns  and  flowers,  little  Sarah  was  out  in  the  park 
trying  to  restore  the  rose  on  her  own  little  pallid  cheeks.  Pyrogen  was 
here  the  remedy  that  turned  the  tide,  and  may  we  not  weU  say  here, 
"whether  derived  from  purest  gold  or  purest  filth,  our  gratitude  for  its 
excellent  services  forbids  us  to  inquire  or  care? 

I  cannot  refrain  from  including  in  this  paper  also  a  case  which,  by 
its  distinct  character  and  rapid  cure,  will  stand  out  as  a  powerful  proof 
of  the  wonderful  possibilities  and  remarkable  depth  of  action  of  our 
medicines  and  the  vast  superiority  of  our  methods  over  those  of  the  old 
schooL  The  case  was  prosaic  enough — ^to  the  outsider — though  quite 
formidable  indeed  to  the  poor  sufferer,  and  though  she  gave  her  money 
and  undying  gratitude  without  stint,  I  believe  I  was  more  pleased  about 
the  quid^  action  of  the  grand  old  polychrest  than  about  my  ronunera- 
tion. 

In  the  early  summer  of  1913  Mrs.  A.  sought  my  advice  for  the 
enre  of  a  great  wart  on  her  nose.  A  week  previously  she  had  con- 
sulted an  old  school  physician,  who  had  declared  the  excrescence  to  be 
of  a  cancerous  nature,  that  a  surgical  operation  was  necessary,  and, 
as  a  preliminary,  had  applied  a  sort  of  a  plaster  to  soften  the  wart  and 
facilitate  its  excision.  But  by  the  end  of  the  week  the  growth  had 
assumed  such  proportions  and  such  an  ugly  appearance  that  she  be- 
came frightened  and  rushed  over  to  me  for  my  opinion.  I  assured  her 
of  the  true  nature  of  her  ailment  and  of  the  possibility  of  a  cure.  From 
all  symptoms  taken  together  the  choice  fell  on  causticum,  which  was 
given  in  the  30th  potency,  two  doses  a  day.  In  just  eight  days  she 
returned,  the  wart  entirely  gone  and  her  nose  as  clear  of  growths  as 
anybocbr's.  I  believe  that  my  astonishment  was  much  greater  than  her 
pJeasure  over  this  cure,  and  to  make  it  certain,  I  raised  the  potency 
of  the  drug  and  gave  a  few  doses  to  be  taken  at  longer  intervals.    This 


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120  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

took  place  over  two  years  ago,  and  there  has  been  so  far  no  recurrence 
of  the  lesion^  so  I  feel  it  was  a  permanent  cure,  and  my  respect  for  our 
great  i>o]ychrest  has  been  on  the  increase  ever  since. 

A  LEO  ULCER  CASE 

Only  one  more  ca.s<s  which  is  of  special  interest  and  which  I  wish 
to  mention  because  of  its  specific  nature. 

Mrs.  W.  R.  P.  presented  herself  at  my  office  on  August  19,  1908, 
with  the  following  history:  Three  years  previously  had  observe  a  red 
spot  just  below  the  patella  of  her  left  limb,  which  grew  in  size  and 
depth,  until  a  very  angy  looking  ulcer  had  formed.  The  same  had  been 
treated  with  both  local  and  constitutional  means,  even  including  Chris- 
tian Science  (if  it  can  be  classed  among  constitutional  treatments),  bu't 
so  far  without  any  improvement;  on  Uie  contrary  it  had  incree^ed  in 
virulence  and  size  constantly.  It  now  measured  4^  inches  in  length 
across  the  leg  and  2  inches  in  width,  and  was  surrounded  by  an  areola 
of  hot,  flaming  red  skin,  very  tender  and  sensitive.  The  ulcer  itself 
was  of  the  **punched  out"  character,  its  edges  sharp  and  well  defined  and 
intensely  red  and  its  surface  of  a  mottled  scarlet  and  bluish  red,  covered 
by  a  thin  acrid  pus.  The  lady's  husband  had  previously  informed  me  of 
a  syphilitic  infection  he  had  suffered  from  before  his  marriage,  and 
which  he — although  he  was  assured  of  being  cured — suspected  as  the 
cause  of  the  trouble.  All  local  treatment  was  discontinued,  except 
sterile  linen  applications  and  olive  oil  to  keep  the  surface  softened,  and 
internally  I  gave  mere.  sol.  30x,  a  dose  twice  daily,  and  later  once  a  di^, 
and  instructed  the  patient  to  report  in  about  ten  days.  On  August  81st 
I  saw  her  again,  and  as  there  was  very  little  change  the  same  remedy 
was  repeated  again  once  a  day.  On  September  19&  the  medicine  was 
chang^  to  mere  corr.  200,  a  dose  every  two  or  three  days,  and  this  was 
followed  by  quite  an  improvement  in  tiie  general  looks  of  the  ulcer  and 
a  diminution  in  its  size.  On  October  12th  nit  acid  SOx  was  given,  be- 
cause of  the  continued  angry  apx>earance  of  the  edges  and  bleeding  sur- 
face of  the  ulcer.  This  remec^  brought  about  quite  an  improvement 
locally,  but  was  changed  on  October  25th  to  syplulinimi  cm.,  one  dose, 
because  of  the  severe  nightly  unrest  and  pain.  On  November  12Ui 
placebo,  as  the  previous  dose  appeared  to  still  assert  its  infiuenca  By 
November  30th  the  ulcer  had  healed  considerably,  the  sharp  edges  hav- 
ing disappeared  and  a  healthy  looking  granulating  tissue  extending  be- 
tween the  same.  I  now  thought  of  radium  bromide  to  finish  the  cure, 
which  was  given  in  a  single  dose  of  the  30th.  December  15th  found 
the  patient  holding  her  own  very  well,  and  the  ulcer  repairing  rapidly. 
On  January  5,  1909,  the  potency  was  raised  to  the  1,000th,  one  dose  on 
the  tongue.  When  I  again  saw  my  patient  February  1,  1909,  she  was 
not  doing  so  well,  so  interpolated  a  dose  of  syphilinum  cc.  which  brought 
her  again  a  long  step  forward  towards  recovery.  Between  March  2d  and 
September  22,  1909,  she  had  only  three  doses  of  radium  Im,  which  com- 
plt^ted  the  cure,  the  ulcer  now  being  perfectly  healed  and  covered  by  a 
pink,  smooth  and  nautral  skin. 

This  was  indeed  a  long  battle,  but  a  glorious  victory,  and  to  all 
appearances  a  lasting  one,  as  I  have  very  recently  heard  from  my  pa- 
tient the  gratifying  news  that  her  knee  has  remained  perfectly  weU. 

In  the  analysis  of  this  case,  I  think  we  are  obliged  to  say  that  all 
the  remedies  did  their  share  in  the  cure,  but  that  the  chief  honor  belongs 
to  radium  and  especially  syphilinum,  which  latter  remedy  gave  the  wdl 
needed  lift  when  other  medicines  seemed  to  lag  in  l^eir  attention.  In 
Qy|)hilitic  patients  remedies  are  often  of  a  short  lived  action,  and  have 
to  be  dianged;  this  condition  always  calk  for  the  interpolation  of  this 


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INTBBNATIONAL   HOM(EOPATHIO   REVIEW  121 

powerful  noeode  which  never  dlBappointSy  if  given  high  enough  and  at 
long  enough  intervals. 

My  friends,  what  is  there  in  our  medication  that  enables  us  to  g^in 
tiiese  victories,  to  cut  such  laurels  for  our  beloved  homceopathy  ?  Simply 
that  we  have  the  truth;  let  us,  therefore,  tell  the  world  and  show  the 
world  that  we  i>06ses8  i1^  let  us  as  never  before  rally  around  our  stand- 
aid,  dose  up  our  ranks  and  march  forward  to  new  victories ! 

4872  Winthrop  Ave. 


RETROSPECT 

(The  Hahnemannian  Monthly) 

Aooyrrs. — ^Aoonitum  belongs  to  the  natural  order  of  Ranunculaceae, 
which  embraces  a  large  numb^  of  genera  and  species  of  plants,  most  of 
which  are  characterized  by  irritant  properties,  due  to  some  free  organic 
add;  though  many  members  of  the  order  have  no  acid.  ^  These  are  the 
unoombined  members  owing  tiieir  re8i)ective  properties  to  one  or 
more  alkaloids  or  glucosides.  Some  again,  occupy  an  intermediate  posi- 
tion, i>osses8ing  both  free  acid  and  alkaloid.  The  extreme  ''acid'  end 
of  the  series  may  be  represented  by  ranunculus,  paenonia,  hydrastis, 
anemone  (Pulsatilla)  and  dematis;  the  extreme  ''alkaloid"  division  by 
delphinium,  aoondtum,  helleborus,  coptis,  nigella  and  etc 

The  genus  aconitum  embraces  about  twenty  species,  which  differ  al- 
most as  much  fronn  each  other  as  do  the  various  members  of  the  whole 
order.  Some  epedes  are  very  rich  in  aconitic  add,  especially  those 
spedes  allied  botanically  to  A.  napellus  (A.  ferox,  A.  chinense,  A. 
neomontanum.)  Others  have  little  or  no  add,  though  considerable  al- 
kaloid (A.  anthers  and  A.  lycoctonum.)  The  tuberous  roots  of  the  lat- 
ter are  eaten  by  the  Laplanders,  in  ^ite  of  the  large  amount  of  alkaloid 
oontained  in  them.  All  the  above  mentioned  species  contain  aconitine, 
or  an  allied  alkaloid,  and  are  poisonous;  their  x>oisonous  property  seem- 
ing to  vary  directly  with  the  percentage  of  alkaloid. 

A.  heterophyllum  contains  no  alkaloid,  and  no  free  aconitic  add. 
It  has,  however,  a  bitter  principle,  and  is  used  in  India  as  a  tonic  and 
fd>rifuge^  in  doses  of  20  to  30  grains  of  the  powdered  root,  reptwted 
every  three  or  four  hours. 

The  Q)edes  containing  the  largest  amount  of  alkaloid  are,  in  order : 
A.  wildenowii,  A.  tauricum,  A.  bemhardianum,  A.  ferox,  A.  chinense, 
A.  napdlus  and  the  A«  etoereanum  and  eta  These  are  all  blue  flowered. 
They  are  more  or  less  related  to  the  napellus,  and  more  poisonous  than 
the  spedes  allied  to  the  A.  variegatum — ^namely,  A.  paniculatum,  A. 
heterophyllum  and  etc  In  North  America  we  find  A.  undnarum  and 
A.  redinatum  in  the  middle  and  southern  states;  A.  fisoheri  in  the 
Bcdkj  mountains;  A«  kamtschaticum  and  A.  napellus  in  British  Amer- 
ica. The  A.  undnatum  which  grows  in  Virginia  contains  an  alkaloid 
dmHar  to  aoonitine,  and  produces  effects  similar  to  those  caused  by  A. 
napelhn. 

Very  little*  really,  is  known  about  aconitic  add.  It  has  caused  rest- 
leasnooo  in  animals,  and  blisters  on  mucus  membranes.  It  is  found  not 
only  in  some  spedes  oi  aconitum,  but  also  in  ddphinium,  colsolida,  helle- 
hoTUB,  adonis,  equisetum  fluviatile,  and  achillea  millefoliimi.  It  differs, 
both  chemically  and  phymdogically,  from  anemonic  acid.  The  latter  is 
the  motive  prindple  and  anemone  (pukatilla)  pratensis  and  nemorosa» 
ranimcalas  bulbosus,  scderatus  and  flammula. 


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122  KORTH  AHEBICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOHCEOPATHY 

The  alkaloids  of  the  yariaus  species  of  aoonitum  have  been  studied 
by  numerous  chemists  with'  varying  results.  It  Beeaam  certain  that  there 
are  two  distinct  alkaloids — aconttine  and  peeudo-aoonitine.  In  A.  feroz, 
the  alkaloids  are  as60*ciated  in  a  proportion  of  about  94  per  cent,  of 
pseudo-aconitine,  to  0.6  of  aconitine.  In  A.  napellus  and  steoj^ianunit 
aeonitine  largely  predominates,  with  but  a  trace  of  pseudo-aoonitina 
In  A.  lyootonum  there  seems  to  be  less  dii^roportion  between  them. 
The  action  of  the  two  alkaloids  seems  identical^  except  that  pseudo- 
aoonitine  is  much  more  violent  and  Y.  ScluK>£f  asserts  that  it  produces 
no  facial  neuralgia.  Pseudo-aoonitine  is  supposed  to  be  the  most  pois- 
onous substance  known. 

The  following  effects  <are  characteristic  of  aconitine^  and  must  be 
present  in  a  greater  or  less  degree  in  the  provings  of  all  substances 
which  contain  it. 

(1)  Tingling  and  numbness,  commencing  at  the  lips  and  tip  of 
the  tongue,  and  spreading  over  the  whole  body. 

(2)  From  larger  doses,  heart's  action  is  slow  and  feeble;  from 
smaller  doses,  heart's  action  first  rapid,  then  slow. 

(3)  Anxiety,  sometimes  distressing. 

(4)  General  exhaustion,  amounting  almost  to  paralysis. 

(5)  Temperature  lowered  by  large  doses,  elevated  by  smalL 

(6) ,  Lancinating  or  drawing  tense  pains,  especially  in  the  nervous 
trigeminus     This  is  not  noticed  in  the  A.  ferox. 

These  effects,  given  in  the  order  of  ai^>earance,  are  of  neoeeity 
general,  but  the  anxiety,  is  most  prominent  and  imiform;  sometimes 
the  prover  suffers  from  excessive  prostration,  but  is  still  anxious,  even 
if  not  restless,  restlessness  seems  not  to  be  caused  by  the  alkaloid,  nor 
by  A.  lycoetonum.  The  tingling  is  such  a  uniform  primary  effect,  that 
pharmaceutists  are  in  the  habit  of  judging  of  the  value  of  a  tincture  hy^ 
its  severity  of  prompt  appearance  after  tasting.  Having  now  a  general 
idea  of  the  effects  of  the  alkaloid,  let  us  turn  to  a  consideration  of  the 
provings  of  the  different  species  of  aoonitum. 

Aconitum  anthora.  Here,  we  find  a  proving  by  one  of  von  SchrofPs 
pupils,  without  doubt  genuine.  Note  the  i)eculiar  ^rmptom  ^'sleep^iness 
and  deep  sleep  through  the  whole  body."  By  comparing  this  filnding 
with  Petroz's  provings  of  A.  lycoetonum,  in  which  also  we  fijid  ^'drowai- 
ness"  and  "sleeps  too  long,"  we  realize  that  these  two  species  contain 
no  free  aconitic  acid,  which  seems  to  cause  restlessness. 

A.  cammarum.  Here  we  find  "sleepiness,"  but  "such  restlessness 
that  he  wandered  about  the  room  as  if  crazy.''  Did  we  not  know  the 
difference  in  the  constituents  of  the  species  of  aconitimi  we  might  con- 
clude that,  if  the  prover  of  A.  anthora  or  lycoetonum  went  soundly  to 
sleep  and  slept  off  the  proving,  there  must  be  some  mistake  about  it. 
The  full  account  of  Schroff's  provings  of  A.  cammarum  is  exceedingly 
interesting.    Let  us  note  particularly: — 

(1)  The  pulse  became  rapid  within  a  few  minutes,  then  it  fell  to 
40  (in  four  hours).  In  Professor  Schroff  it  became  very  weak  and  ir- 
regular. In  both  provers  the  weak  pulse  was  associated  with  great 
prostration,  great  dyspnea,  catching  for  breath,  vertigo  on  attempting 
to  rise  or  move. 

(2)  Facial  neuralgia. 

(3)  Anxiety. 

(4)  Formication,  spreading  from  lips  and  tongue. 

(6)  Restlessness. 

(6)  Increased  secretion  of  urina 

(7)  In  one  case,  blisters  on  the  leg,  and  desquamation. 


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INTERNATIONAL   HOHCEOPATHIO   REVIEW  123 

A.  oammamm  is  the  same  as  A.  stoerkianum,  used  by  Hahnemflim 
in  oampilinff  his  aconite. 

A.  ferox.  Our  knowledge  of  this  wonderfully  i)owerful  plant  is 
derived  frcHn  SchrofiP's  heroic  and  indefatigable  daas  of  provers. 

(1)  Anxiety,  more  distreseing  than  any  other  aconite. 

(2)  Violent  bumii^  in  mouth,  pharynx  and  etc. 

(3)  Exceeeive  dyspnea;  "could  not  lie  down;  he  feared  paralysis 
of  the  lungs." 

(4)  Exceesive  prostration. 

(5)  Constant  restJesenese ;  "he  coidd  not  i>o68ibly  lie  more  than  a 
few  moments." 

(6)  Numbness  «md  formication;  'Hongue  insensible;"  '%e  seemed 
to  walk  on  woolen  carpets"  and  etc. 

(7)  I<^  ccddnese  of  the  body;  at  first,  skin  cold  and  dry,  then  "color 
mordax,"  with  copious  sweat 

(8)  Profuse  diuresis. 

THE  SINGLE  REMEDY. — From  Dr.  Edwin  J.  Eraser. — One  of  the 
sweeping  reforms  of  Hahnemann  was  his  advocacy  of  the  Single  Bem- 
edy.  In  his  day  and  generation  polypharmacy  was  rampart  Fifty, 
sixty,  seventy,  and  even  more  ingredients  were  compounded  into  one  pre- 
scription, and,  when  one  realizes  the  wholesale  bloodletting  of  that 
lamentable  era,  there  can  be  little  doubt  in  the  mind  of  anyone  now- 
adays, that  those  faraway  medical  times  were  decidedly  out  of  joint 

The  single  remedy  was  first  used  by  Hahnemann  in  centra-distinc- 
tion to  the  heterogenous  mixtures  of  all  kinds  of  incomi>atible  drugs  and 
chemicals,  as  employed  by  the  old  school,  instead  of  those  which  have  a 
chemical  affinity  for  each  other  and  for  the  diseases  sought  to  be  cured, 
and  that  unite  together  in  true  atomic  proportions.  It  is  evident  that 
Hahnemann  had  this  distinction  in  view,  for  many  of  the  remedies  which 
he  proved  and  used  were  comx>oeed  of  one  or  more  distinct  elements, 
to  wit:    calcarea  carbonica,  a  diemical  union  of  lime  with  carbon. 

The  haloids,  also  together  with  hydrogen,  oxygen,  nitrogen  and  car- 
bon were  capable  of  uniting  chemically  with  almost  all  the  metals,  and 
thereby  making  a  larger  number  of  distinct  chemical  combinations. 
Mereurius  vivus  or  crude  quicksilver  differed  from  mercurius  dulcis, 
the  mild  chloride,  and  this  in  turn  differed  from  the  more  caustic  chlor- 
ide, the  socalled  mercurius  corrosivus  sublimatus. 

In  running  over  Hull's  Jahr,  we  find  about  seventy  chemical  com- 
binations, consisting  of  one  or  more  elements,  that  are  classed  as  single 
remedies.  Since  the  publication  of  that  work,  a  large  number  of  new 
remedies  have  been  found,  which  increase  immensely  the  number  of 
cinnbinations  that  act  as  single  elements  in  the  way  of  a  definite  path- 
ogenesis. But  the  greatest  and  most  remarkable  list  of  substances  of 
definite  comx>osition  are  made  up  of  the  four  elements— hydrogen,  oxy- 
gen^ nitrogen  and  carbon.  In  fact,  almost  all  x>oisonous  alkaloids 
are  composed  of  them  in  differing  proportions,  and  although  they  are 
singly,  comparatively  harmless,  in  combination  they  form  the  greatest 
variety  of  useful  and  destructive  compounds.  Of  such,  are  l£e  well 
known  alkaloids,  such  as  aconitine,  morphine  and  cocaine.  Their  pois- 
onous qualities  are  all  well  known  by  the  profession. 

Water,  the  most  common  and  useful,  is  simply  a  combination  of 
two  gases,  oxygen  and  hydrogen.  Put  them  into  a  receiver  in  a  cold 
state,  and  they  will  remain  separate  indefinitely.  Send  a  spark  through 
ibem,  and  they  will  immediately  unite  with  a  bang.  Hydrogen  is  tibe 
mo6t  inflammable  of  all  substances,  while  oxygen  is  the  best  supporter 
of  oombustion,  but  chemically  imited  they  form  water,  the  most  suitably 
available  common  substance  to  extinguish  fira    Thus  it  may  be  seen# 


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124  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

how  tremendously  different  and  bow  tremendously  important  eftch  sub- 
stance by  itself  must  be.  Each  substance  has  a  d^nite  bein^  both 
as  regards  its  substance  and  its  sphere  of  affecting  bodily  function  and 
structure,  and  the  latter  will  always  be  apparent  in  the  dynamized  state^ 
even  despite  the  fact  of  inertness  in  the  crude,  which  sometimes  does 
exist 

It  is  really  astonishing  to  witness  the  prompt  and  certain  effects 
produced  by  a  single  dose  of  ipecac,  3x  to  6x,  in  diarrheas  associated 
with  nauesa  and  vomiting;  also  of  mercurius  corrosivus  in  bloody  dysen- 
teries with  severe  tenesmus.  Cuprum  30th  will  stop  cramps  in  the  legs 
dmoet  immediately,  and  in  the  case  of  sleeplessness  with  a  desire  to 
keep  moving  ignatia  is  splendid.  Colocynth,  from  the  3rd  to  the  6ih 
will  almost  invariably  cure  a  case  of  colic  in  man  or  beast,  where  the 
tendency  is  to  bend  forward  and  draw  up  the  legs.  Aurum  is  wonder- 
fully efficient  in  cases  that  desire  to  commit  suicide.  Taken  internally 
in  the  dynamized  state  it  does  more  good  than  when  the  crude  article 
is  put  into  the  patient's  pocket;  although  the  latter  helps  wonderfully 
sometimes. 

THE    RELATION   OF    DRUG    TO    BLOOD   CHANGE. — Aconitum    napellufi. — ^It 

exhibits  no  blood  change;  not  indicated  in  diseases  characterized  by 
blood  change. 

Antimonium  tartaricum. — Oxygenating  powers  lost;  in  turn  de- 
stroys the  fibrin  factors.  Corresponds  to  capillary  bronchitis,  small- 
pox and  pneumonia. 

Arsenicum  album. — ^Alters  the  red  and  white  corpuscles  and  de- 
stroys the  fibrin  factors.  Corre^E>oii<^  ^  general  tissue  decomposition^ 
anenia,  and  anasarcous  effecting  vaso-motor  paralyzant  of  either  cir- 
culation. 

Baptisia  tinctoria. — ^Destroys  the  red  corpuscles  and  fibrin.  Corre- 
sponds to  the  toxemia  of  typhoid  fever. 

Bryonia  alba. — ^Degeneration  of  the  red  and  white  corpuscle.  Cor- 
responds to  the  infiltrations  of  typhoid,  remittents  and  intermittents, 
and  some  of  the  eruptive  fevers. 

Carbo  vegetablis. — Disorganizes  the  red  corpuscle,  causing  sepsis 
identical  with  that  of  low  grade  ulcerations  and  putrescent  inflanmia- 
tions.  Often  of  signal  service  to  the  old  Hahnemannians  in  clearing 
up  chronic  disease  after-effects. 

Cinchona  officinalis. — Destroys  the  white  blood  cell;  decreases  the 
size  and  number  of  erythrocytes  and  increases  the  fibrin.  Peruvian  or 
Jesuit  bark  has  its  analogue  in  the  anemia  of  malaria  and  hemorrhages. 
The  wine  of  the  bark  was  at  one  time  used  by  Hahnemann  himself  as 
a  pr<^hylactic  agent  against  the  acquisition  of  contagious  disease,  after 
exposure  from  the  same.  Like  vegetable  charcoal  also  of  service  in 
clearing  up  after-effects  of  a  long  drawn  out  chronic  disease. 

Colchicum  autumnale. — ^Degenerates  both  the  red  and  white  oor- 
puscles,  the  vital  fluid  becoming  the  medium  for  the  non-eliinination 
of  the  urates. 

Oxford.  November  11th,  1863. — Doctor  A.  von  Lippe — ^Dear  Doc- 
tor, 

Your  letter  was  received  last  evening.  On  the  day  I  received  the 
first  dost  of,  Idchnanthes  I  went  to  see  my  typhoid  pneumonia  patient.  I 
found  her  with  very  red  face  and  her  other  symptoms  very  little  abated 
from  my  visit  the  day  before.  I  dissolved  the  lachnanthes  in  water  and 
gave  it  to  her  immediately.  On  visiting  her  the  r^ext  day,  I  found  her 
doing  very  well.  The  redness  had  left  the  face  very  soon  after  the 
medicine  was  given  and  all  the  rest  of  her  pneumonia  symptoms  much 
better,  indeed  almost  entirely  removed.    She  has  continued  to  improve 


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INTKBNATIONAL   HOMGBOPATHIO   RBVIBW  125 

e?er  sinoa  I  saw  her  to-day  again.  Her  face  got  very  red  whUe  I  was 
(here  but  as  I  could  not  be  certain  that  it  was  not  from  excitement  I 
thought  best  to  let  this  day  x>a88  over  without  giving  another  dose  of 
lachnanthes.  She  had  a  hard,  dry  cough  which  app^red  to  proceed 
altogether  from  the  larynx  and  as  the  little  expectoration  was  white  I 
gave  ptdsatiUa  and  left  directions  with  her  sister  that  if  the  redness  of 
the  face  continued  there  tomorrow,  to  give  the  other  dose  of  lachnanthes. 

Her  case  was  a  had  typhoid  fever  before  pneumonia  set  in  and  her 
fatiier .  ( Dr.  Thomas-Homcsopathist  from  Wilmington)  considered  her 
case  altogether  hopeless  and  left  her  uncles  the  impression  he  would 
never  see  her  again  aliva  She  is  now  in  a  fair  way  of  recovery.  Her 
case  has  occasioned  much  talk  in  the  village  and  neighborhood  where 
she  resides  (7  miles  from  here).  A  number  of  cases  in  the  same  place 
have  died  under  allopathic  treatment  I  handed  the  medicine  over  to 
Mr.  Panhale  last  night 

Excuse  haste 
Yours  truly 
H.  Duffield. 

I  am  glad  to  hear  you  have  recovered  from  your  attack.  What  was 
itt  I  have  had  a  number  of  fever  cases  which  under  aUoiMthic  treat- 
ment would  have  had  typhoid,  but  it  was  cut  short 

(The  italicised  lines  were  made  by  von  Lippe  himself,  von  Lippe 
manuscripts. 


GETTTSBUBG  WATER 
(The  Critique) 

Br.  8.  Swan  prepared  this  remedy  by  evaporating  the  water  to 
diyness  and  tincturating  the  residum.  We  have  a  proving  made  with 
the  tineture^  and  the  potencies  up  to  the  40th»  which  were  prepared  by 
Fincke. 

In  the  mental  q^nptoms  we  have  great  depression  of  spiritSy  with 
an  aversion  for  study  or  any  mental  work  whatever  (picric  acid).  There 
was  a  pulsating  pain  on  the  vertex  for  hours  after  taking  the  medicina 
The  flow  of  saliva  was  increased,  the  tongue  became  gummy  and  coated 
very  white.  Much  frothy  stringy  mucus  forms  in  the  throat,  which 
is  tough  and  transparent  It  comes  more  from  the  posterior  nares.  It 
could  be  drawn  out  in  strings  like  the  kali's.  The  whole  surface  of  the 
throat,  fauces,  uvula  and  pharynx  was  raw,  sore  and  inflamed.  Desires 
only  milk  or  water.  The  urine  is  highly  colored,  depositing  a  red  sandy 
sediment  All  sexual  sensation  is  greatly  depressed  and  organs  of  the 
male  relaxed. 

A  rigidity  of  the  muscles  of  the  neck  was  noticed  all  throughout 
^  proving.  Rigidity  in  the  left  arm>  also  in  the  lumbar  region  of  the 
^ina  It  was  also  noticed  in  the  right  shoulder  and  thumb  of  the  right 
hand.  This  rigidity  was  peculiar,  as  it  occurred  only  at  the  insertion 
of  the  muscles;  though  it  sometimes  extended  down  the  arm  or  limb, 
it  was  more  painful  at  the  point  of  insertion.  The  arms  and  hands  are 
helpless;  can  be  moved  only  with  pain  and  difficulty. 

A  puffineas  was  noticed  about  the  joints,  especially  the  wrists  and 
knuddtf.  The  symptoms  in  general  show  a  well  defined  sub-acute 
gouty  state  of  the  whole  system.  The  joints  are  weak,  more  noticeable 
,XQ,  JJie  wrists  and  fingers.  The  i>ower  to  lift  things  is  so  weakened  that 
it  is  not  only  impossible  to  lift  light  weights,  but  is  unable  to  grasp  or 


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126  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

bold  on  to  things.  This  stifPneas  was  noticed  more  in  the  morning  and 
when  attempting  to  exercise  or  use  the  muades. 

CASE. — Great  stiffness  and  constriction  in  right  shoulder;  lifting  a 
book  or  turning  the  door  knob  was  painfuL  The  hands  and  wrists  were 
puffy,  swollen  with  loss  of  power  to  lift  anything.  There  was  rigidity 
of  the  ligaments  and  muscular  insertions  about  the  hips,  knees,  feet  and 
fingers. 

This  almost  unknown  remedy  will  prove  very  useful  in  the  gouty 
stage  of  sycosis,  especially  that  form  coming  on  after  the  climacteric 
I>eriod  in  women. 

In  one  prover  the  left  foot  became  greatly  swollen,  hot  and  sensitive. 
This  during  the  night  extended  to  the  great  toe,  and  was  accompanied 
with  a  sensation  as  if  dislocated.  This  latter  group  of  symptoms  came 
on  about  the  25th  day  after  the  proving.  Uneasy  feeling  all  over  the 
body  due  to  a  sense  of  discomfort;  worse  after  1  a.m.  ^stless  during 
the  latter  part  of  the  night  on  account  of  not  being  able  to  find  an 
easy  comfortable  position  (rhus). 

SKIN  SYMPTOMS. — Buming  spot  the  size  of  a  dollar  in  the  palm  of 
the  right  hand.  Puffy  appearance  of  the  joints;  inflamed  spots  on  the 
tibia,  knee  and  great  toe  joint ;  better  lying  quiet ;  worse  moving,  stooping 
or  rising  from  bed;  worse  thinking  of  symptoms. 


MYOSOTIS  PALUSTRIS 
(Pacific  Coast  Journal  of  Homoeopathy) 

This  remedy  has  not  been  proven,  so  far  as  I  can  leam«  up  to  date. 
Thirty  years  ago  (see  Hering's  Guiding  Symptoms,  VoL  VIII)  it  se^ns 
to  have  been  used  dinioally  and  results  published.  I  transcribe  the 
record: 

"Chronic  bronchitus:  Patient  nearly  dying;  cqpious  sputa,  puru- 
lent; most  profuse  in  morning,  but  present  night  and  day;  profuse 
sweats,  especially  at  night;  emaciation  (great  prostration;  cannot  get 
out  of  bed). 

"Obstinate  old  coughs,  with  gagging  or  even  vomiting  during  cough, 
while  or  immediately  after  eating  (vomiting  of  all  food  with  cough); 
expectoration  very  profuse,  stringy,  thick,  purulent;  difficult  or  at 
times  easy;  left  lung  worse,  painful  while  coughing  and  sensitive  to 
percussion." 

This  is  a  wonderfully  accurate  counterpart  of  a  i>atient  73  years 
old,  woman,  organic  valvular  heart  obstruction  for  years,  unable  to  make 
more  than  the  most  moderate  exertion.  For  four  weeks  she  had  been 
steadily  growing  worse  and  the  end  seemed  not  far  off.  Myosotis  2x, 
one-qiiarter  drachm  in  one-half  glass  water  was  given  as  the  last  re- 
sort; two  teaspoonfuls  every  one  or  two  hours.  In  three  weeks  she  was 
well  from  the  cough,  no  expectoration,  no  fever,  good  appetite,  and  able 
to  be  about  her  room  again.  That  was  three  years  ago  and  there  has 
been  no  return  of  the  cough. — ^Dr.  M.  D.  Van  Denburg. 


QENTIANA  CRUCIATA 

(proving  from  lower  potencies) 

(The  Critique) 

Whirling  vertigo  with  headache  as  if  the  brain  were  constricted; 

with  the  headache  there  is  more  or  lees  confusion  of  the  mind  and  an^ 

inclination  to  talk. 


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INTERNATIONAL    HOMOEOPATHIC   REVIEW  127 

BTE& — ^A  pressing  in^vard  sensation,  and  as  if  covered  with  a  veil 
whan  reading.  The  ^iroat  seems  constricted  and  there  is  a  constantt  de- 
sire to  hawk  up  a  tenacious  tightly  adherent  mucus.  Swallowing  is 
difficult  and  accompanied  with  the  sensation  of  constriction,  and  stitch- 
ing pains  in  the  tonsils.  The  eructations  are  sour  and  taste  of  the  drug. 
There  is  great  nausea  with  the  sensation  of  constriction,  and  a  desire 
to  lie  down  with  the  nausea  and  vomiting.  Sensation  of  pressure  in 
the  stomach  or  of  a  stone  thera  Great  distention,  fullness  and  tightness 
in  the  abdomen.  The  constriction  that  runs  throughout  the  proving 
was  also  present  in  the  abdomen.  Constant  desire  to  stool,  violent  urg- 
ing at  rectum  with  frequent  passages  of  yellow  water.  Stool  pasty; 
menses  three  days,  with  the  headache  and  oonstriction  about  the  head. 


TRILLIUM 
(Pacific  Coast  Journal  of  HomoBopathj') 

Trillium  is  patholog^ically  indicated  in  profuse  bleeding  from  al- 
most any  i>art.  The  hemorrhage  is  arterial  and  ^^accompanied  with 
greater  faintness  than  the  loss  of  blood  would  necessarily  account  for.'' 
Farrington  and  Clarke  suggest  its  local  use  in  epistaxis  and  lacerations 
of  the  gums,  etc.,  but  above  all,  its  principal  region  of  action  is  various 
forma  of  uterine  hsemorrhage  both  menstrual  and  parturient.  The  key- 
note symptoms  are  very  definite  and  frequently  verified.  Faintness  and 
dizziness  accompanying  the  bleeding.  In  a  sensation  of  internal  gone- 
ness, and  in  the  pelvic  region  the  faUing  apart*'  feeling  a/nd  the  desire 
to  have  something  tightly  hound  around  the  pelvis. 


GENTIANA  LUTEA 
(The  Critique) 

HEAD. — ^Head  feeb  duU,  heavy  as  if  enlaiiged  with  much  confusion  of 
the  mind  and  pressure  in  iJie  temples  and  forehead.  The  rawness  and 
oonstriction  in  the  throat  is  quite  as  marised  as  in  gentiana  cruciata. 
There  was  more  swelling  and  constriction  in  the  throat  perhaps  than 
in  this  remedy  just  mentioned. 

The  stomach  and  bowel  symptoms  do  not  vary  much.  They  have 
the  same  fullness;  tension  and  constriction  vnth  much  flatulence;  cut- 
ting oolic  and  i>assages  of  offensive  flatus  (lye.). 


SABINA 

(Pacific  Coast  Journal  of  Homoeopathy) 

Sabina  appears  from  the  descriptions  to  be  almost  entirely  a  remedy 
for  uterine  hinnorrhage,  including  post-partum  hsomorrhage  and  "threat- 
ened abortion  at  the  third  month  especially,"  although  both  Clarke  and 
Kent  refer  to  its  curative  action  in  rheumatism,  and  certain  diseases  of 
kidnQT  and  rectum.  The  keynote  symptoms,  which  have  proved  in 
practice  invariably  accurate  are:  Cramping,  labor-like  pains  cwnmenc- 
ing  in  the  sacrum  and  running  forward  to  the  pubes,  accompanied  by 
oopiooa  paroxysmal  bleeding. 


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128  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMOCOPATHT 

OHRONIO  HEADACHE 

Mrs.  V.  d.  P.  suffered  for  fifteen  years  with  periodioal  headachee»  re- 
curring every  three  or  four  weeks;  later  more  frequently;  recently, 
every  eight  days.  Her  first  prescription  was  quinine  pills,  which  check- 
ed the  pain,  but  she  was  obliged  to  increase  the  dose,  repeatedly.  These 
were  discontinued,  then  morphine  and  various  "headache-cures"  gave 
relief  for  awhile,  and  later,  none.  The  patient,  meanwhile^  begone 
weaker  and  more  nervous. 

Head-pains  commenced,  usually  in  night  or  early  morning. 

Occiput,  neck,  and  r.  shoulder,  extending  to  forehead,  r.  side, 

above  the  eye; 
Continued  all  day,  or  into  night. 
< touch  or  pressure; 
>heat;  obliged  to  lie  down. 

Nausea,  vomiting  bile  and  mucus,  during  headache. 
Eating  impossible. 

Photophobia,  remained  in  dark  room. 
Palpitation,  with  headacha 
Perspiration  copious  when  headache  relieved. 
Nervous,  excitable;  < excitement. 
Face  pale,  sunken  appearance,  during  headache. 
Averse  to  talking,  during  headacha 
Sleep  heavy  at  dose  of  headache.    Sang.  6, 
Three  days  later: 

Paroxysm  with  above  symptoms  more  intense  than  any  previous 
ona 

With  difficulty  I  persuaded  the  patient  to  continue  the  remedy. 
Headaches  were  reported  cured  within  a  month,  and  did  not  return. 
At  the  same  time,  the  patient  was  lees  nervous,  and  could  enjoy  dinner 
and  evening  party  without  ill  effects,  as  she  had  not  done  for  years. — 
Hom.  Monadblad. 


CAULOPHYLLUM 

(Pacific  Coast  Journal  of  Homoeoiwithy) 

Caulophyllum,  besides  its  use  in  muscular  rheumatism,  is  wonder- 
fully successful  in  cases  of  uterine  inertia,  controlling  hsemorrhagey  es- 
I)ecially  when  due  to  atony  of  the  uterine  muscle.  Its  helpfulness  in 
labor  is  closely  allied  to  cham.  and  pulsat,  being  indicated  by  the  er- 
ratic and  changeable  symptoms,  great  exhaustion,  and  internal  tremb- 
ling. It  has  frequently  controlled,  or  aided  to  check,  post-ptMrium 
haemorrhage  and  prevents  the  probability  of  this  occurring  if  e^diibited 
during  labor  upon  the  signs  of  inertia  being  observed. — ^B.  J.  of  H. 


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KOBTH  AMERIOAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOHCEOPATHY  IX 

(Coivtinued  from  page  112). 

Baoelli  also  observed  a  variation  in  the  electrical  reactione  in  jwi- 
tientB  taking  large  doees  of  phenol. 

This  marked  hyx>ersensitivenes8  of  all  nerves  of  special  sense  also 
was  observed  by  BaceLli. 

The  gastric  symptoms  were  those  of  nausea,  vomiting  and  marked 
constipation. 

A  complete  review  of  the  translations  of  BaceUi's  writings  will  re- 
veal perfect  pictures  of  the  cases  as  we  find  them  early  in  this  epidemic 
of  course  before  paralysis  has  set  in. 

Bacelli  used  mostly  hypodermic  injections  but  the  paralytic  phen- 
•mena  are  being  studied  after  the  experiments  of  Porter,  who,  after 
the  lesions  had  been  localized,  injected  carbolic  acid  at  or  near  the 
point  of  localization  into  the  spinal  canal. 

The  intravenous  injection  and  the  injections  above  the  diseased 
cord  into  healthy  spinal  tissue;,  also  Uie  cerebral  injections  of  brain 
emulsion  directly  into  the  brain  substance,  offers  us  further  grounds  for 
study  that  we  cannot  take  up  in  this  short  i>aper,  but  gathering  from  all, 
we  have  a  most  complete  symptom  complex  such  as  has  been  presented 
in  our  recent  epidemic,  and  in  lieu  of  a  better  drug— and  here  I  ought 
to  mention  belladonna  in  8,  i)henol  covers  in  its  totality  from  an  unin- 
tentional proving  a  complete  case  of  acute  spinal  infection  resulting 
in  paralysis. 

Of  course  where  the  reaction  of  degeneration  is  complete  and  deli- 
cate nerve  tissue  has  been  replaced  with  connective  tissue,  and  the  nerve 
ceased  functionating  the  paralysis  must  be  permanent  The  symptoms 
of  phenol  call  for  its  early  use.  It  is  fair  to  assume  that  Baoelli  proved 
unintentionally  phenol  and  gave  us  valuable  data  as  to  its  therapy  when 
applied  in  an  attenuated  form. 

He  says  there  are  three  indications  to  be  met  in  acute  spinal  in- 
fection : 

1.  To  encourage  free  elimination  and  thus  favor  the  withdrawal 
of  toxin  from  the  already  infected  areas. 

2.  To  prevent  further  infection. 

3.  To  counteract  the  efiPect  on  the  cells  already  infected. 

The  first  indication  is  met  by  sweating  and  diaphoresis  which  usual- 
fy  is  present,  and  the  whole  picture  of  the  provings  of  phenol  so  closely 
resemble  the  epidemic  in  its  present  form  that  one  has  a  totality  of 
symptoms  corresponding  to  the  pathological  picture  of  infantile  disease 
when  the  toxine  acts  on  the  cord  and  meduUiu 

Owing  to  the  sjrmptom  similarity,  more  as  an  experiment,  phenol 
was  tried  by  mouth  with  gratifying  results  in  the  control  of  fever  and 
the  early  muscular  tonicity.  There  was  a  quick  response  in  the  reduc- 
tion of  fever  within  24  hours,  and  in  many  cases  complete  cessation 
of  the  vomiting. 

Within  48  hours  many  of  the  cases  had  lost  their  virulence,  although 
paralysis  began  to  show  hit  where  at  the  beginning  there  was  an  ex- 
tensive hypwrtonicity,  indicating  an  extensive  i>araJysis,  perhaps  only 
an  extremity  would  eventually  suffer. 

At  times  it  was  hard  to  distinguish  between  this  remedy  and  bella- 
donna, for  belladonna  was  the  simillimum  for  many  of  the  cases,  and 
on  more  than  one  occasion  the  surprise  of  the  medical  inspector  of  the 
Health  Bureau  was  evident  on  his  second  visit  to  note  the  improve- 
ment in  the  case. 

That  phenol  is  a  positive  aid  to  elimination  when  given  in  an  at- 
tenuated form  cannot  be  denied,  and  it  is  because  of  its  rapid  elimination 
thai  even  children  can  stand  large  doses. 


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Z  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  UOMCEOPATHY 

During  our  obsenration  through  the  greater  part  of  the  summer* 
the  results  have  satisfied  me  bejyond  any  claims  made  by  the  serum. 

METHOD  OF   USE 

Preparation. — ^Pure  crystals  of  phenol  (Merk's)  were  weighed  off 
to  make  the  required  solution.  These  were  placed  in  a  wedgewood  mor- 
tar and  a  large  pestle  used  for  triturating.  The  volume  of  the  diluent 
was  made  up  of  1-3  glycerine  and  2-3  distilled  water  in  separate  contain- 
ers. Add  the  glycerine  drop  at  a  time,  while  triturating,  and  then  add 
water,  giving  you  a  perfectly  clear  solution  equivalent  to  our  centesimal 
trituration  of  the  drug.  Dr.  Bomeman  advises  me  that  thia  is  a  trit- 
uration and  not  a  dilution.  This  is  administered  to  the  patient  well 
diluted  with  distilled  water,  beginning  with  five  drops  hourly  during 
the  active  stage  of  the  disease,  increasing  the  amount  daily  up  to  the 
fifth  day,  watching  carefully  the  urine  twice  daily  for  quantity  and  al- 
bumen. Continuing  the  increase  until  symptoms  are  controlled,  then 
reducing  the  dose  down  to  1-2  of  the  original  high  dose  and  continuing 
for  a  period  of  ten  days,  the  criterion  being  the  fever  and  gastric  symp- 
toms. The  solution  should  be  made  fresh  daily  and  tested  as  to  its  re- 
flection and  refraction  of  light,  discarding  any  specimen  that  does  not 
remain  dear. 


BOOK  REVIEWS 

Infantile  Liver 

By  D.  N.  Ray,  M.D.,  L.S.A.,  (London).    Published  by  King  and  Co., 

83  Harrison  Road,  Calcutta,  India.    Pp.  180. 

During  Dr.  Ray's  thirty  years  of  active  practice,  he  has  had  op- 
portunity not  only  to  treat  "innumerable"  oases  of  "infantile  liver"  for 
which  he  gives  the  synonyms, — "infantile  cirrhosis  of  the  liver ;  infantile 
hypertrophic  cirrhosis  of  the  liver;  the  enlargement  of  the  liver  in  in- 
fants followed  by  cirrhosis  or  atrophy,"  but  also  to  observe  innumerable 
cases  at  various  stages  of  development. 

Dr.  Ray  says, — "This  particular  disorder  of  the  liver  in  infants  is 
mostly  confined  to  the  Bengal  Presidency,  where  it  has  been  known 
only  for  the  last  half  century."  Cases  formerly  few  in  number  are  to- 
day very  numerous  especially  more  so  in  cities  than  in  villages. 

Cases  of  this  special  type  of  malady  do  not  come  under  the  obser- 
vation of  English  and  American  doctors,  therefore  we  cannot  learn 
much  from  standard  works  on  diseases  of  liie  liver  by  English  or  Am^^ 
ican  authors. 

The  literature  on  this  particular  disease  must  be  dependent  then 
upon  the  efforts  of  those  physicians  who,  for  years>  have  been  treating 
and  observing  these  cases  of  enlargement  of  the  liver  in  children,  with 
concomitant  symptoms  which  if  not  checked,  result  in  one  and  a  ha^ 
to  two  years  in  hypecrtr(H)hy  followed  by  cirrhosis  and  dea^. 

Dr.  Ray  is  anticipating  the  valuable  work  which  he  believes  will 
be  done  in  "infantile  liver"  by  the  tropical  school  of  medicine  soon  to 
be  started  in  a  large  and  niagnificent  building  in  the  center  of  Cal- 
cutta. The  head  of  this  institution  Dr.  Ray  tdls  us  is  to  be  an  expert 
who  has  spent  much  time  in  Bengal  in  pathological  reseai^ch. 

Dr.  Ray  treats  of  the  etiology,  the  varieties,  the  symptoms,  the 
diagnosis,  and  the  prognosis  of  infantile  liver,  the  feeding  of  the  heiedtfay 
infant,  and  the  hyBrienio  measures  to  be  observed  in  the  tieatment  of 


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^\]l  ir  192C 

The 

North  American 
Journal  of  >•  ^ 
Hornceopathy 


March,  1917 

65th  Year 

No.  3 


GENERAL   PRACTITIONER  —  OB- 
STETRICS .  Hardy 


RADHJM 


Alliaume 


COMPARISONS  IN  HOMCEOPATHIC 
MATERIA  MEDIC  A  AND  THERA- 
PEUTICS .        .  McMichael 


PttbUBlkAd  monthly  It     ' 

Tockahoe,  N.  Y. 

Edtcorisl  Oflica: 

216  West  56th  Street 
New  York 


Tlirec  Dollars 
«  year. 

Entered  «t  the  Poet 
Officii  etTuduhoo^ 
N,  Y.  ee  ee^ -• 


2- 

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North  American  Journal  of  Homoeopathy 
CONTENTS  FOR  MARCH,   1917 

EDITORIiVL 

The  Prophylactic  Value  of  Vaccininiun.. 129 

Progressive  Medicine  .— „.^ ^ -- 131 

The  Expectancy  of  Life  Among  Prostitutes «•... —   135 

Government  Te^d  Grape  Fruit , —   I3f6 

ContiiiQied  on  page  ii 


e  e 

m  PLACE  OF  OTHER  ALKALIES  USE 

Phillips'  Milk  of  Magnesia 

"  THE    PERFECT    ANTACID  ** 

For  CocKctinf  Hyperadd  Conditions— Local  or  Systemic,  Vehicle 
,■  {or  Salicylates^  Iodides,  Balsams^  Etc* 

Of  AdvanU8:e  in  Neatrali2lnf  the  Acid  of  Cows' Milk 
FOR  INFANT  and  IMVALII>  FEEDING. 


Phillips*  Phospho-Muriate  of  Quinine 

Oomp. 
Non- Alcoholic  Tonie  and  Reconstructive 

With  Marked  Beneficial  Action  Upon  the  Nervous  System.    To  be 
Relied  Upon  Where  a  Deficiency  of  the  Phosphates  is  Evident. 


NBWYORK      THE  CHAS.H.  PHILLIPS  CHEMICAL  COMPANY  londoh 


^© 


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North     American 

Journal  of  Homoeopathy 


EDITORIAL 


THE  PROPHYLACTIC  VALUE  OF 
VACCININUM 

Ij^OR  some  time  past  there  has  been  in  existence  a  committee  of  the 
-*•  American  Institute  of  Homoeopathy  whose  function  it  is  to  endeav- 
or to  induce  the  American  Medical  Association  to  conduct,  or  to  co- 
operate with  the  Institute  in  conducting,  tests  of  the  claims  for  homoeop- 
athy made  with  all  the  scientific  precision  that  the  present  state  of  the 
art  of  medicine  affords.  Unfortunately,  this  committee  has  not  yet  been 
able  to  accomplish  its  purpose,  but  its  existence  and  the  record  of  its 
endeavors  are  a  witness  to  the  fact  that  the  homoeopathic  wing  of  the 
profession  has  courted  the  fullest  investigation  of  the  claims  for  homoeop- 
athy along  the  most  rigid  lines  and  stands  prepared  to  abide  by  the  re- 
sults.   As  has  been  said :    "if  we  are  being  fooled,  we  want  to  know  it." 

In  some  of  the  Middle  Western  States  of  this  country  there  has 
been  considerable  friction  between  homoeopathic  practitioners  and  the 
several  state  health  departments  or  boards  over  the  efficacy  of  oral  admin- 
istration of  variolinum  or  vaccininum  as  a  prophylactic  against  smallpox. 
In  Iowa,  we  believe,  homoeopathic  sentiment,  backed  up  by  the  showing 
made  by  the  homoeopathic  physicians,  has  been  so  strong  as  to  cause  the 
state  legislature  or  the  courts  to  rule  that  the  oral  administration  of 
one  of  the  above  potentized  remedies  complies  with  the  law  requiring 
compulsory  vaccination. 

Health  authorities,  however,  are  not  yet  convinced  of  the  efficacy 
of  this  procedure  and  are,  in  every  way  open  to  them,  combatting  its 
spread.  As  far  as  we  know,  this  is  not  a  question  of  "school  of  practice," 
the  opposition  does  not  arise  out  of  the  fact  that  the  oral  method  is  pro- 
posed by  homoeopaths,  but  because  the  authorities  hold  that  the  oral 
method  has  not  been  properly  tested  out  and  its  efficacy  established.    In 


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130  NORTH  AHE^CAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHT 

view  of  the  widespread  opposition  to  yaccination  by  scarification  and 
the  complications  that  sometimes  follow  it»  many  health  officeiB  have 
said  they  would  welcome  the  oral  method  if  it  could  be  shown  to  be  as 
efficacious  as  the  other. 

There  has  recently  come  to  the  editorial  desk  a  report  on  a  test  of 
the  prophylactic  properties  of  vaccininum  made  at  a  State  Hospital  for 
the  Insane  at  Iowa,  and  we  print  it  here  just  as  it  was  transmitted: 

"Twenty-five  patients  given  vaccininum  under  the  direction  of 
Dr.  Scott  C.  Runnels,  homoeopath,  at  the  State  Hospital,  beginning, 
November  16th,  1916,  as  follows: 

"One  tablet  vaccininum  on  each  the  16th,  17th,  18th,  19th, 
20th,  2l8t  and  22nd. 

"These  persons  were  selected  because  they  showed  no  evidence 
of  former  vaccination.  On  the  23rd  of  November,  the  eighth  day 
after  the  vaccininum  was  begun  to  be  administered,  scarification 
vaccination,  with  Mulford's  vaccine,  was  made  and  the  following 
technique  was  carried  out  in  the  scarification  vaccination : 
"The  arm  was  scrubbed  with  green  soap  and  water  and  cleansed 
with  sterile  water.  Scarification  just  sufficient  to  produce  serous 
exudate. 

"Following  are  the  results : 
Mrs.  Dora  S.  IK>sitive 

Edna  Pearl  W.  positive  ' 

Myrtle  B.  negative 

Clara  D.  negative 

Mary  S.  positive 

Fannie  M.  positive 

Mrs.  Frank  T.  positive 

Nellie  F.  positive 

Mattie  C.  positive 

Estelle  G.  positive 

Lula  G.  positive 

Mary  M.  positive 

Grace  O'S.  positive 

Annie  P.  negative 

Florence  B.  positive 

Berdie  N.  positive 

Eliza  L.  positive 

Adie  H.,  developed  smallpox  before  all  vaccininum 

tablets  had  been  administered. 
Mary  J.  P.  positive 

Nannie  C.  positive 

EfRe  C.  negative 

Nettie  S.  positive 

May  S.  positive 

Mattie  C  positive 

Fay  M.  positive 

C.  W.  Garrison^ 
State  Health  Officer." 
On  the  face  of  it  the  above  report  would  indicate  that  in  a  series 
of  twenty-five  cases,  the  daily  administration  of  a  tablet  of  vaocininnm 
over  a  period  of  seven  days  did  not  render  eighty-four  per  cent  of  the 


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EDITORIAL  DEPARTMENT  131 

immune  to  the  modified  form  of  smallpox  imparted  by  scarification 
Tacoination  with  standard  vaccine. 

The  report  as  it  stands  would  indicate  that  Dr.  Scott  C.  Runnels 
cooperated  in  the  making  of  the  test  and,  presumably,  concurred  in  the 
findings.  We  felt»  however,  that  a  separate  report  from  Dr.  Runnels 
would  be  advisable,  and  a  copy  of  Dr.  (Jarrison's  report  was  sent  to  hiiA 
with  an  invitation  to  comment  upon  it  in  any  way  he  saw  fit  The 
response  was  a  letter  reading  as  follows : 

'*Your  letter  of  inquiry  with  regard  to  vaccininum  test  at  the 
State  Hospital  received.  So  far  as  I  know,  the  test  was  carried  out 
as  reported  by  Dr.  Qharrison,  but  the  test  was  not  done  under  my 
direction  so  tiat  I  can  not  state  from  personal  observation  whether 
or  not  it  actually  occurred.  The  circumstances  were  these:  Dr. 
Garrison  the  state  health  officer,  a  man  who  is  very  rabid  against 
homoeopathy,  but  whom  I  believe  to  be  absolutely  honest,  called  me 
and  a^ed  me  if  I  would  furnish  the  vaccininum  for  a  test  to  be 
conducted  at  the  insane  hospital.  I  consented,  took  the  vaccininum 
(Boeridce  &  Tafel)  to  the  superintendent  and  left  it  with  directions: 
the  wards  at  the  time  were  quarantined.  Conditions  at  the  hospital 
were  very  disturbed  at  the  time,  the  sui)erintendent  and  several  of 
the  staff  resigning  very  shortly  thereafter  and  discipline  at  the 
time  being  badly  demoralized.  Altogether  I  feel  this  way  about 
the  report  of  the  test:  I  should  not  care  to  say  that  the  results  were 
not  as  reported,  and  yet  I  should  not  care  to  take  the  test  as  final. 

Scott  C.  Runnels.*' 
In  view  of  Dr.  Runnels  report  of  the  condition  under  which  the 
test  was  made,  we  feel  that  his  conclusion  is  quite  warranted:  this  test 
should  not  be  accepted  as  finaL  Certain  features  of  control  which  would 
seem  to  be  required  were  evidently  omitted,  and  we  submit  that  Dr. 
Ckmrison  owes  it  to  his  professional  confreres  to  conduct  at  the  first 
opportunity  a  test  of  the  prophylactic  value  of  vaccininum  which  will 
be  above  criticism.  In  saying  this  we  are  not  arguing  for  or  against 
the  oral  method  of  vaccination,  we  only  have  in  mind  two  scriptural  in- 
junctions :  ''prove  all  things,  hold  fast  to  that  which  is  good,''  and  ''the 
troth  shall  make  you  free." 


PROGRESSIVE  MEDICINE 

TODAY'S  page  of  the  early  twentieth  century  history  of  medicine 
impresses  one  with  the  fact  that  in  the  interest  of  the  laity  and 
of  the  medical  profession,  cooperation  of  the  various  so-called  "schools 
of  medicine,''  as  the  keynote  to  efficiency  of  service  and  financial  secur- 
ity ie  l^  far  a  greater  necessity  today  than  ever  before. 


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132  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHY 

Not  until,  however,  there  have  been  aroused  a  wholesome  spirit  of 
inquiry  on  the  part  of  our  school  of  medicine  into  the  theoretical,  experi- 
mental, and  practical  workings  of  the  other  schools,  and  the  willingness  to 
adopt  and  utilize,  by  each  school  of  medicine,  the  good  found  in  the 
theory  and  practice  of  the  other  schools,  yes  and  even  the  true  good  in 
the  fads,  theories,  and  "isms"  of  the  so-called  "systems  of  cure,"  may  we 
hope  to  gain  true  co-operation. 

Humanity  in  its  complexity  can  find  today  in  the  medical  and  surg- 
ical world  satisfaction  from  its  every  point  of  view.  Those  to  whom 
operative  procedures  are  attractive  turn  to  the  surgeon  who  ignores 
presurgical  conditions  either  local  or  general;  those  to  whom  operative 
procedures  are  attended  by  horror  and  revulsion,  turn  to  the  conservative 
surgeon  or  to  the  practitioner  who  believes  in  surgery  only  as  a  last 
resort;  those  fair-minded  logical,  eamestly-seeking-for-truth  individuals 
turn  to  the  surgeon  who  has  what  is  comparatively  rarely  found, — the 
medico-surgical  poise  which  recognizes  and  correlates  the  unity  of  the 
organism,  the  difference  between  cause  and  effect,  and  the  inter-depend- 
ence of  all  bodily  functions  and  structures ;  those  who  prefer  to  be  treat- 
ed without  drugs  or  surgery  turn  to  the  practitioner  of  a  mechanical  or 
psychic  method  or  system;  those  who  believe  in  the  homoeopathic  law 
turn  to  the  so-called  **homoeopathic  physician." 

To  be  a  member  of  the  medical  profession  and  yet  to  be  a  believer  in 
the  homoeopathic  law,  and  to  practice  the  art  of  healing  according  to  that 
law,  has  meant  and  does  mean  today,  to  a  great  extent,  to  be  called  a 
"homoeopathic  physician"  and  to  be  considered  by  a  majority  of  the 
members  of  the  so-called  "regular"  medical  school  to  be  a  follower  of  an 
"ism,"  to  be  unworthy  of  fellowship,  to  be  one  whose  therapeutic  accom- 
plishments must  be  considered  unreliable  and  unrecognizable  from  a 
scientific  iK>int  of  view. 

Tinder  these  conditions  it  is  well  for  us  to  bear  in  mind  that  the 
broadly  educated  liberal  physicians  of  today  are,  as  compared  with  their 
contemporaries,  not  different  from  Samuel  Hahnemann  the  so-called 
theorist  and  dreamer,  the  highly  educated  physician  of  acknowledged 
ability,  culture,  and  scientific  attainment  as  compared  with  his  con- 
temporaries. The  history  of  medicine  tells  us  that  in  Samuel  Hahne- 
mann's time,  the  "regular"  school  of  medicine,  by  the  practice  of  its 
healing  art,  killed  more  than  it  cured.  It  was  from  this  school  of 
medicine  that  Samuel  Hahnemann  was  graduated  and  it  was  this 
profession  of  which  he  was  a  member  in  good  and  regular  standing. 


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EDITOBIAL  DEPARTMENT  133 

It  was  in  1790  that  Samuel  Hahnemaiin  made  bis  first  proving, 
using  cinchona  bark,  which  proving  formed  the  basis  of  the  homoeopath- 
ic law.  The  subsequent  provings  of  drugs  upon  healthy  human  beings 
constitute  the  homosopathic  materia  of  today.  Homoeopathy  is  thus 
a  young  science  but  its  advocates  have  diligently  kept  pace  with  scien- 
tific progress;  the  modem  and  thoroughly  up  to  date  diagnostic  and 
experimental  methods,  have  been  and  are  being  diligently  applied  to  the 
proving  of  the  homocoi)!^thic  law  and  diligent  investigation  is  being  car- 
ried on  along  the  line  of  essential  or  advisable  revision  of  homoeopathic 
literature. 

The  hypothesis  that  the  homoeopathic  law  is  a  general  fact,  a  law 
of  nature,  a  principle,  is  not  the  only  hypothesis  which  has  been  denied 
or  has  been  deemed  improbable,  as  the  history  of  bacteriology,  as  a 
science,  of  the  communicability  of  disease  from  one  human  being  to 
another,  and  of  the  theory  that  each  malady  has  its  own  specific,  proves. 

A  most  interesting,  logical,  and  convincing  discussion  on  the 
homoeopathic  law  of  cure  in  the  light  of  recent  advances  in  scientific  in- 
vestigation may  be  found  in  the  "Foreword"  of  Clinical  Oynecology  by 
James  0.  Wood,  A.M.,  M.D.,  F.A.O.S.,  just  from  the  press  of  Boeric^e 
&TafeL 

The  '^regular"  school  teaches  and  has  taught  for  the  last  ten  years, 
that  drugs  are  not  a  factor  in  the  curing  of  disease;  so  thoroughly  has 
this  thought  been  advanced,  that  some  colleges  of  the  ''regular"  school 
have  abolished  the  chair  of  drug  therai>eutics. 

Samuel  Hahnemann  emphasized  the  necessity  of  removing  the 
cause  of  disease,  recognized  the  limitation  of  drug  action  in  curing  dis- 
ease, believed  in  the  efficacy  of  the  proper  drug  properly  administered  to 
prevent,  cure,  and  control  disease,  clearly  distinguished  between  medic- 
al and  surgical  cases,  was  a  firm  advocate  of  p^cho-pathology  and 
poycho-therapeuticsy  taught  that  in  disease  there  are  no  two  cases  alike, 
that  deductions  cannot  be  made  because  of  constitutional  bias,  race,  and 
enviromnent. 

The  single-r^nedy-advantage  first  insisted  upon  by  Samuel  Hahne- 
mann and  an  essential  corollary  of  the  homoeopathic  law,  is  now  recog- 
nized by  physicians  of  all  schools.  Dr.  Hoyt  a  distinguished  member 
of  the  **regular"  profession  in  his  Practical  Therapeutics  (1914)  says, — 
^^The  modem  tendency  in  scientific  medicine  is  to  simplify  in  pre- 
scribing *  *  *  *  gQ  \j^iQ  nuy  up  to  date  medical  ward  of  a  hos- 
pital and  study  the  treatment  charts.    In  most  instances  it  will  be  ap- 


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134  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

parent  that  the  patients  are  receiving  very  few  mixtures  but  rather 
single  drugs." 

The  biological  Ikw,  ^1l£  strong  irritants  destroy  vital  processes, 
minute  ones  favor  and  arouse  them  to  highest  activity"  recently  form- 
ulated by  Professor  Rudolph  Amdt  of  the  University  of  Griefswald 
ought,  if  true,  to  influence  the  relation  of  the  size  of  the  dose  to  the 
specific  need.  Can  it  be  true  that  Samuel  Hahnemann  in  teaching  the 
advantage  of  the  smallest  possible  curative  dose  of  the  indicated  remedy 
taught  truly  and  that  the  members  of  the  medical  profession  who  use 
drop  or  fractional  grain  doses  of  drugs  administered  for  specific  effect 
will  have  to  admit  that  the  effect  gained  by  such  dosage  is  a  reaction 
greater  than  necessary  ?  Doubtless  it  will  be  proved  ere  long,  that  in  vac- 
cine therapy  the  decimal  or  centesimal  system  of  dilution  is  safer  and 
more  accurate  than  that  now  used  by  the  ''regular"  school. 

That  we  may  gain  a  clearer  comprehension  of  the  scope  of  the 
homoeopathic  law,  we  may  note  that  Dr.  Wood  in  his  *Toreword"  to  which 
reference  has  been  made,  says  that  it  relates  to  no  agents  intended  to 
affect  the  organism  in  the  following  ways, — chemically;  for  mechanical 
effect  simply;  for  the  development  or  support  of  the  organism  when  in 
health;  for  the  purpose  of  removing  or  destroying  i>arasites;  for  the 
purpose  of  diminating  poisons  from  the  system ;  in  a  purely  physiological 
way,  as  the  taking  of  food;  and  lastly  to  produce  a  purely  stimulative 


In  the  concluding  paragraphs  of  his  'Toreword"  Dr.  Wood,  says 
of  the  physician, — 'Tersonally,  I  believe  it  the  duty  of  the  physician, 
first  to  prevent  disease,  if  possible,  secondly,  to  cure  disease  which  he 
cannot  prevent,  by  the  safest,  surest  and  easiest  method  at  his  command ; 
and  thirdly,  to  bring  comfort  and  relief  to  the  incurable  by  those 
means  which  are  most  available  and  most  satisfactory,  whether  homoeop- 
athic or  otherwise.  This  course  leaves  a  wide  scope  for  the  application 
of  the  homoeopathic  law  while  it  broadens  our  conception  of  the  heal- 
ing art    We  are  physicians  first  and  homoeopaths  secondly." 


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BDITOBIAL  DEPARTMENT  135 

THE  EXPECTANCY  OF  LIFE  AMONG 
PROSTITUTES 

ONE  dominant  feature  of  the  "sex  hygiene"  campaign  that  has 
been  carried  on  with  more  or  less  vigor  the  past  few  years  has 
been  the  emphasis  laid  upon  the  life  of  the  prostitute  as  a  dangerous 
occupation;  in  other  words,  it  has  been  affirmed  that  every  prostitute 
sooner  or  later  became  a  victim  of  one,  if  not  both,  of  the  two  serious 
venereal  diseases  and  that  her  life  in  the  brothel  was  a  short  but  not 
merry  one,  that  the  average  life  in  prostitution  did  not  exceed  from  five 
to  ten  years.  So  far  as  known,  no  statistics  have  been  advanced  to  es- 
tablish this  point,  but  it  has  been  quoted  from  writer  to  writer  and 
from  speaker  to  speaker.  On  the  principle  of — "tell  the  truth  and 
skame  the  devil/'  these  lecturers,  essayists  and  reformers  generally  will 
have  to  revise  their  story  in  the  light  of  certain  facts  recently  establish- 
ed by  two  members  of  the  United  States  Public  Health  Service  who 
have  conducted  an  investigation  of  the  prostitutes  in  Cincinnati  to  deter- 
mine the  degree  of  prevalence  of  tuberculosis  amongst  them. 

Cincinnati  "regulates"  its  traffic  in  women's  bodies  and  its  prosti- 
tutes are  under  police  supervision.  The  Public  Health  surgeons  exam- 
ined two  hundred  and  seventy-five  white  inmates  of  houses  of  prostitu- 
tion and  also  took  cognizance  of  forty  of  their  colored  sisters.  Of  these 
315  women,  a  group  of  115  had  spent  less  than  five  years  as 
proetitutee;  the  largest  group,  numbering  126,  had  been  in  prostitution 
between  five  and  ten  years;  forty-five  had  to  their  credit  (or  perhaps  we 
should  aay  "discredit")  ten  to  fifteen  years  of  this  life;  seventeen  had 
been  in  it  for  from  fifteen  to  twenty  years  and  twelve  for  twenty  years 
or  more.    One  of  the  women  had  been  a  prostitute  for  forty  years. 

This  investigation  not  only  established  a  greater  longevity  for  the 
prostitute  than  that  currently  accorded  to  her,  but  it  also  upset  some 
theories  as  to  the  health  of  this  class  of  women.  The  investigators 
dassified  147  of  the  prostitutes  (nearly  fifty  per  cent)  as  being  "ro- 
bust;^ eighty  were  recorded  aa  "good",  and  thirty-eight  as  "fair."  And 
it  is  to  be  noted<that  the  "robust"  included  a  goodly  proportion  of  those 
who  bad  been  inmates  of  houses  of  prostitution  for  many  years.  There 
were  fourteen  women  who  had  become  prostitutes  when  less  than  six- 
teen years  of  age,  and  had  followed  this  life  for  from  five  to  twenty-nine 
ymiB,  the  average  being  fourteen  and  a  half  years.  Of  these  fourteen, 
only  three  failed  to  be  classed  as  "robust"  by  the  investigators. 


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136  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM<EOPATHY 

It  is  evident  from  the  above  figures  that  an  appeal  to  fear  as  a 
deterrent  from  entering  a  life  of  prostitution  is  not  warranted,  or,  at 
least,  that  less  emphasis  must  be  put  upon  it  than  has  hitherto  been  the 
practice.  The  appeal  must  be  to  the  best  that  is  in  a  girl,  her  moral 
nature,  her  will  to  do  right;  and  we  must  labor  unceasingly  to  break 
down  those  social  and  economic  standards  that  play  no  small  part  in 
determining  a  career  of  prostitution. 

As  to  tuberculosis  among  prostitutes,  the  reason  for  the  investiga- 
tion, it  was  found  that  6.9  per  cent,  of  the  women  were  tuberculous. 
This  is  a  higher  percentage  than  obtains  among  a  number  of  groups  of 
female  industrial  workers  in  Cincinnati,  but  this  is  what  is  known  in 
statistics  as  ^'erude"  and  needs  to  be  corrected  so  as  to  make  the  age 
groups  the  same.  It  is  also  to  be  noted  that  five  prostitutes  had  recover- 
ed from  tuberculosis  while  living  in  houses  of  prostitution,  the  im- 
provement in  their  condition  starting  while  there.  In  this  connection 
one  has  to  bear  in  mind  that,  as  far  as  tuberculosis  is  concerned,  the  en- 
vironment in  a  house  of  prostitution  may  be  better  than  that  in  the 
home  from  which  the  prostitute  came.  This  is  well  stated  in  the  re- 
X)ort,  as  follows: 

^'Most  of  the  girls  were  from  very  humble  stations  in  life  where 
their  previous  hygienic  surroundings  had  probably  been  worse  than  those 
prevailing  in  their  present  dwdling  places.  Gk>od  and  plentiful  food 
was  the  universal  rule  in  all  the  houses  in  which  these  prostitutes  lived 
an4  the  stringent  police  regulations  kept  alcoholic  dissipation  within 
reasonable  bounds." 


GOVERNMENT  TESTED  GRAPE  FRUIT 

GRAPE  fruit  are  still  rather  more  of  a  luxury  than  a  necessity, 
especially  in  these  times  of  the  **high  cost  of  living,"  and  public 
expenditures  for  the  absolute  necessities  of  government  are  so  large 
that  it  seems  almost  like  misdirected  energy  and  an  extravagant  use  of 
funds  to  institute  tests  for  the  edibility  of  these  adornments  of  the 
breakfast  table.  The  New  Hampshire  State  Board  of  Hecdth  is  credited 
with  endeavoring  to  determine  whether  the  grapefruit  sold  throughout 
the  State  show  an  acid-ratio  of  one  part  of  add  to  seven  of  sugar.  Such 
activity  on  the  part  of  a  Board  of  Health  does  not  appear  to  us  to  be 
either  practical  or  advisable. 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES 


THE  GENERAL  PRACTITIONER  AND 
OBSTETRICS* 

By  £.  A.  P.  HARDY,  M.D. 
Toronto,  Canadm 

THE  general  practitioner  is  probably  not  tbe  most  reliable  authority 
on  any  special  branch  of  our  professional  work  and  it  must  be  on 
this  account  and  on  account  of  the  inherent  modesty  of  our  members 
that  I  received  so  few  favorable  answers  to  the  letters  I  sent  out  to  most 
of  the  members  of  the  International  Hahnemannian  Association. 
The  active  attending  membership  is  small  and  that  is  another  reason, 
as  we  can  hardly  expect  each  member  to  write  a  paper  for  every  bureau. 
One  thing  struck  me  forcibly  in  the  replies  that  I  did  receive  and  that 
was  the  number  who  informed  me  that  they  had  given  up  the  practice 
of  obstetrics.  Some  of  these  writers  are  amongst  our  older  members, 
but  a  good  many  were  amongst  our  younger  ones.  Now  why  is  thist 
Several  reasons  may  be  advanced  some  of  which  may  be  that  the  practise 
18  uncongenial;  the  remuneration  insufficient;  the  work  too  hard;  the 
responsibility  too  great;  and  so  another  so-called  specialty  is  added  to 
those  already  recognized.  To  the  'first  reason  no  answer  is  possible. 
If  a  branch  of  our  work  is  uncongenial  then  that  work  should  be  sent 
to  some  one  who  will  find  duty  and  pleasure  combined  in  doing  the  beet 
that  can  be  done.  Under  the  headings  of  my  other  reasons  I  do  not  find 
the  answer  so  very  difficult  Charge  more;  charge  in  full  for  all  the  time 
spent  and  the  work  done;  as  for  the  responsibility — ^knowledge  will  as- 
sume most  of  that.  Study  more  on  the  subject;  learn  to  be  automatically 
aseptic;  above  all  interfere  with  nature's  processes  as  little  as  possible. 

To  my  own  mind  one  of  the  most  needed  and  useful  branches  of  the 
homodopathic  profession  is  the  careful  and  successful  guiding  of  our 
women  through  pregnancy  and  labor,  so  that  after  their  period  on  bed, 
they  may  once  more  return  to  their  usual  duties,  in  better  health  and 
spirits  than  before  their  confinement.  This,  I  firmly  believe,  can  be 
accomplished  more  successfully  by  the  careful  homoeopath  than  by  any 
member  of  any  other  system  of  practise. 

I  am  sure  all  will  kgree  with  me  when  I  say  that  the  opinion  of  a 
general  practitioner  would  not  be  considered  of  much  weight  in  the 
discussions  at  a  meeting  of  obstetricians  yet  as  most  of  us  are  general 
practitioners  one  may  rightly  come  to  the  conclusion  that  what  has 
been  of  interest  to  one  of  us  may  also  be  of  some  interest  and  instruction 
to  some  of  the  others.  As  others  will  record  some  of  their  experiences 
in  detail  as  to  treatment  and  remedies,  it  occurred  to  me  that  it  would 


*Bead  before  the  International  Hahnemannian  Association. 

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188  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOIKEOPATHT 

not  be  ala)gether  out  of  place  if  I  spoke  principally  of  normal  preg- 
nancy and  labor  and  of  the  methods  I  follow  as  being  easy  to  carry  out 
and  so  far  with  fairly  good  results.  No  claim  is  made  to  axiy  originality 
in  any  way;  simply  the  boiled  down  results  of  some  reading  and  experi- 
ence and  with  the  usual  result  you  all  have  had,  some  grateful  patients 
who  have  gone  through  labor  under  members  of  other  schools  and  who 
have  tried  homoeopathy  and  who  still  prefer  the  homoeopathist  Special- 
ists in  obstetrics  are  increasing  in  number  and  influence  but  I  still  think 
the  practitioner  of  homoeopathy  can  do  more  good  and  prevent  more 
trouble  to  mother  and  child  than  can  any  man  who  takes  care  of  the 
patient  only  during  labor. 

Accidents  may  be  minimized  by  the 

(1)  Proper  care  of  the  woman  during  pregnancy  and  labor. 

(2)  Precautions  taken  by  the  physician  during  labor  and  after. 
Care    of    the    woman     during    pregnancy, — ^First    of    all    you 

must  know  the  woman  as  well  as  possible  and  so  her  past 
history  of  health  and  sickness  must  be  known  in  all  details.  The 
length  of  all  sicknesses,  with  special  reference  to  all  disorders  of  the 
sexual  organs.  With  thorough  questioning  many  cases  of  fibroids,  gon- 
orrhoea, with  ovarian  involvement,  etc.,  can  be  diagnosed  before  a  phys- 
ical examination  is  made.  Inquiry  as  to  past  labors  will  often  suggest 
treatment  that  will  prevent  former  troubles  recurring.  Detailed  inves- 
tigation as  to  habits  and  diet,  should  be  undertaken.  A  thorough 
physical  examination  of  every  organ  should  be  made^  for  often  unknown 
heart,  or  lung,  or  kidney  lesions  may  be  discovered  and  a  prognosis  ar- 
rived at  Visits  and  examination  of  urine  at  least  once  a  month  should 
be  insisted  on.  These  visits  in  normal  cases  take  up  little  time  and 
make  very  little  trouble  and  enable  one  to  direct  and  correct  the  patient's 
method  of  living,  if  necessary. 

So-called  physiological  symptoms — ^nausea,  vomiting,  sleeplessness, 
changed  affections,  nervousness,  and  especially  any  mental  change  should 
be  carefully  investigrated  and  the  diagnosis  of  their  meaning  made,  if 
at  all  possibla  On  the  other  hand  there  is  the  woman  who  says  she  al- 
ways feels  much  better  during  pregnancy  than  at  any  other  time,  both 
physically  and  mentally.  These  cases  I  nearly  always  expect  trouble 
from  during  or  after  labor.  No  reason  I  have  heard  has  appealed  to 
me  as  the  true  one,  but  I  remember  that  H.  C.  Allen  told  me  he  usually 
gave  either  tuberculinum  or  psorinum  in  such  cases,  in  absence  of  the 
indication  of  a  well  defined  remedy  I  have  followed  this  line  more  than 
once  and  invariably  after  receiving  the  remedy,  the  patient  has  com- 
plained that  she  did  not  feel  as  well  as  with  other  pregnancies. 

Examinations  of  the  abdomen  I  usually  make  more  than  once  and 
always  a  couple  of  wedcs  before  the  expected  time  of  delivery.  A  fairly 
accurate  diagnosis  of  size  and  position  of  child  can  then  be  made. 
Vaginal  and  rectal  examinations  I  make  in  special  cases  when  some  phy- 
sical signs  call  for  them;  such  as  a  deformed  pelvis,  abnormal  position, 
impacted  uterus,  and  growths  of  various  kinds:  I  always  make  a  mi- 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  139 

scroBOopic  slide  in  every  case  of  very  profuse  or  acrid  leucorrhoea.  The 
object  of  all  the  examinations  being  to  discover,  as  well  as  may  be,  the 
condition  of  the  patient,  th^  should  be  made  carefully  and  methodically 
and  liefver  hurriedly  or  with  show  to  impress  the  patient  When  once 
we  have  undertaken  to  conduct  the  woman  through  her  pregnancy 
whether  she  be  rich  or  poor  we  should  spare  no  pains  to  do  the  best 
possible. 

I  usually  instruct  my  pregnant  patients  to  follow  their  regular 
mode  of  living,  unless  I  find  that  that  mode  will  not  be  conducive  to 
health  of  either  mother  or  child.  Society  women,  women  working  at 
sedentary  occui>ations,  typists,  machine  operators,  these  can  usually 
be  lead  to  turn  .to  a  more  normal  woman's  lifa  With  the  usual  excep- 
tion»  active  exercise  may  be  indulged  in,  golf,  swimming,  walking;  in 
undeveloped  or  lazy  women  exercises  should  be  instituted  and  attention 
given  to  see  that  th^  are  properly  carried  out  Exercises  that  tend  to 
strengthen  particular  sets  of  muscles  are  easily  learned  and  a  few  min- 
utes eadi  day  will  often  work  wonders  in  such  women.  The  so-called 
leeittanoe  exercises  I  find  particularly  efFectual  in  many  cases,  but  per- 
hMpB  after  all,  walking  in  the  open  air,  in  woods  and  parks  is  the  best 
exerdse  any  one  can  taka 

As  to  diet  little  need  be  said.  Plain  nourishing  food  is  the  rule 
as  every  one  knows.  Alcohol  and  coffee  I  stop,  and  meat  almost  always 
after  the  fourth  month.  The  number  of  eggs  is  limited.  Vegetables, 
fruity  cereals  and  carbohydrates  form  the  staple  diet  and  since  adopting 
this  I  feel  sure  that  the  labors  are  easier  to  bear  and  are  shorter. 
Several  multipara  have  assured  me  that  they  had  ^ier  pregnancies  and 
labors  and  more  rapid  return  to  strength  after  the  confinement  In 
multipara  who  have  had  large  babies,  ten  pounds  and  over,  with  dif- 
ficult labor  I  limit  the  amount  of  starchy  food  and  fluids  and  I  find  that 
more  nearly  normal  labors  and  sized  babies  are  the  rula  By  this  diet, 
extreme  nausea  and  vomiting,  intestinal  indigestion  and  constipation, 
will  usually  disappear  along  with  the  usual  nervous  symptoms  accmpany- 
ing  these  conditions;  many  women  who  have  been  taught  that  these 
disagreeable  states  are  normal  to  all  pregnant  women  have  learned  their 
mistake — and  been  grateful. 

During  Labor,  and  After  Labor, — ^When  the  first  stage  of  labor 
has  been  arrived  at,  one  should  be  in  a  position  to  decide^  fairly  accu- 
ratdy,  what  is  about  to  happen,  i.  e.,  whether  the  woman  will  probably 
have  a  normal  labor  or  whether  she  will  have  to  be  assisted  to  give 
birth  to  a  living  child. 

Before  going  farther  let  me  call  your  attention  to  some  late  figures 
on  puerperal  sepeis  which  were  most  startling  to  me  when  I  first  read 
them.  In  the  United  States  the  records  show  that  there  are  only  two 
and  a  half  times  as  many  women  of  child  bearing  age^  who  die  from 
taberculosis  as  die  each  year  from  puerperal  sepsis;  not  more  than  one 
woman  in  fifteen  of  the  female  peculation  between  15  and  45  is  delivered 
at  full  term  and  it  leaves  at  least  ten  times  that  number  of  incurable 


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140  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHY 

invalidB.  In  1913  over  26,000  women  between  the  ages  of  15  and  45 
died  of  tuberculosis;  over  5,050  died  from  cancer  and  during  the  same 
time  4,542  died  from  sepsis  and  5,468  from  other  obstetrical  accidents. 
To  these  numbers  must  be  added  all  those  who  contracted  sepsis  and  did 
not  die,  but  who  are  still  invalids,  partial  and  complete^  who  are  now, 
as  a  direct  result  of  this  sepsis,  incapable  of  bearing  more  children  and 
of  attending  to  the  duties  they  undertook  before  their  confinement. 
1913  again  shows  that  per  100,000  of  population,  78  died  from  cancer, 
127  from  pulmonary  tuberculosis,  8  from  scarlet  fever,  18  from  diph- 
theria, 15  from  puerperal  sepsis  and  accidents. 

The  other  side  is  shown  by  the  reports  that  in  well  regulated  mater- 
nity hospitals  puerperal  sepsis  has  been  reduced  to  almost  nil;  in  these 
cases,  of  course  there  was  little  if  any  .care  given  during  pregnancy. 
The  causes  of  this  difference  of  results  as  applied  to  hospital  and  family 
houses  are  probably  the  careless  asepticism  and  the  misuse  and  abuse 
of  anaesthetics. 

All  these  figures  are  practically  repeated  in  the  reports  from  the 
Boards  of  Health  of  England,  Scotland,  and  Canada.  These  figures 
should  make  us  pause  and  ask  ourselves  if  we  are  doing  all  we  can  to 
prevent  our  patients  from  contracting  this  infection  with  all  its  terrible 
results.  Only  by  the  greatest  care,  by  the  strictest  attention  to  all  de- 
tails can  such  happenings  or  accidents,  if  you  will,  be  prevented  and  the 
physician  who  carelessly  neglects  such  care  becomes  i>otential]y  a  crim- 
inaL 

To  prevent  any  such  accidents  in  our  own  personal  practise  we 
must  take  personal  care  in  all  details.  Whenever  at  all  practicable,  our 
clothes  should  be  fresh  from  without  inwards;  xinderdothes  as  well  as 
outer  clothes,  which  should  be  fresh  from  the  press.  With  this  atten- 
tion to  our  dothes,  and  with  fresh  gown  and  boiled  rubber  gloves  we 
should  feel  competent  to  attend  any  labor  case,  even  directly  after  seeing 
a  contagious  patient  and  fear  no  bad  results. 

In  normal  cases  I  usually  examine  per  rectum  but  when  necessary 
I  never  hesitate  to  examine  by  vagina,  making  the  examination  as  care- 
fully as  possible  and  taking  all  the  time  that  is  needed. 

I  have  had  no  experience  in  country  practise,  but  in  my  own  work 
I  send  practically  every  case  to  a  hospital  rich  and  poor  alika  I  have 
attended  patients  in  their  own  homes  where  the  only  nearly  clean  thing 
in  the  house  was  the  paper  I  had  bought  on  the  street  I  had  good 
results  in  these  cases,  but  the  risks  are  more  than  any  one  should  have 
to  taka  Even  in  the  houses  of  the  rich  it  is  much  more  difficult  to  ob- 
tain and  continue  asepsis  than  in  a  hospital,  even  moderatdy  well  run. 

The  hands  and  arms  cannot  be  washed  too  often  or  too  carefully. 
Personally  I  use  a  liquid  soap  and  follow  this  with  alcohol,  before  put- 
ting on  gloves.  I  have  all  dressings  and  pads  handled  only  with  metal 
instruments.  When  the  head  appears  on  the  perineum  I  have  it  covered 
with  a  dressing  which  is  frequently  renewed,  and  after  the  birth  a  fresh 
wash  up  is  made  before  examining  for  lacerations,  etc. 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  141 

The  mother's  legs  are  well  washed  and  then  coTered  with  long  stock- 
ings* the  puhic  hair  clipped, — not  shaved;  during  labor  a  pad  kept  as 
dry  as  possible  is  applied  to  the  vulva.  I  give  no  douches  or  antiseptic 
washes  except  in  cases  of  gonorrhceay  when  I  have  used  a  soda  douche 
given  during  her  ante  labor  toilet 

A  few  words  about  anaesthetics.  Ether  is  probably  the  safest,  es- 
pecially if  there  is  to  be  a  long  continued  anaesthetic  given.  With 
ether,  there  is  less  liability  to  post  partum  hemorrhage,  but  owing  to 
its  disagreeable  qualities  and  its  bulk  I  usually  use  chloroform.  When 
chloroform  is  given  in  moderate  doses,  with  periods  between  adminis- 
trations,  by  the  drop  method  and  open  mesh  mask,  the  only  one  that 
should  be  used,  I  have  had  little  trouble.  In  normal  cases  a  few  drops 
given  just  as  the  pains  begin  will  cause  the  pain  to  be  bearable  and  will 
not  afFect  the  expulsive  efforts.  The  degree  of  anaesthesia  may  be  de- 
cidedly increased  if  pituitary  extract  has  been  given  and  the  labor  will 
not  be  delayed.  When  the  head  appears  at  the  vulva  surgical  anaesthesia 
is  often  called  for  to  prevent  the  too  sudden  expulsion  with  the  con- 
sequent laceration. 

Twilight  sleep  I  have  had  little  experience  with,  but  from  what 
I  have  heard  the  technique  will  have  to  be  modified  a  great  deal  before 
it  comes  into  universal  usa  At  present  the  dangers,  especially  to  the 
child,  are  too  uncertain  and  great  for  it  to  be  used  on  all  cases  without 
a  most  careful  selection. 

Ghis  has  its  supporters  but  as  the  apparatus  is  both  very  bulky  and 
heavy  and  the  gas  expensive — somewhere  about  $10  in  a  normal  case — 
it  can  be  used  only  in  hospitals  and  few  hospitals  have  the  proper  ap- 
paratus for  confinement  work.  Its  popularity  will  increase  just  ^s  soon 
as  a  simple  apparatus  is  designed  and  also  when  the  attendant  has 
lots  of  time  at  his  disposal. 

Usually  my  patients  are  allowed  to  sit  up  about  the  5th  day,  to 
get  out  of  bed  the  6th  day,  and  walk  about  on  the  10th  day.  If  they 
fed  well  enough  I  allow  the  Fowler  position  on  the  2nd  day  for  half  an 
hour  or  so. 


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142  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

Department  of   Homoeopathic 
Materia  Medica  and  Tlierapeutics 

Conducted  by        -       -        A.  R.  McMichael,  A.M.,  M.D. 


AN  EPITOME  OF  COMPARISONS  IN  HOMCEO- 

PATHIC  MATERIA  MEDICA  AND 

THERAPEUTICS 

By  A.  R.  MG  MICHAEL.  A.M.,  M.D., 

ProfeMor  of  Clinical  Medicine  mnd  Applied  Mmteria  Med(ca  New  York 
Homceopmthic  Medical  College  and  Flower  Hospital 

New  York  City 

CROUPOUS  PNEUMONIA 

BRYONIA 

Preference  for  right  lung.  Slow  development.  Cough  dry,  hard, 
painful,  shakes  whole  body.  Cough  with  splitting  frontal  headaohe. 
Cough  excited  by  a  tickling  in  throat  or  pit  of  stomach.  Cough  so  pain- 
ful must  hold  head  and  chest  with  hands.  Cough  <from  least  motion, 
>  evening  and  night,  cough  and  headache  <in  morning.  Cough  >in 
cold  room  or  cold  air.  Expectoration,  pure  blood,  streaked  with  blood  or 
rust  colored,  viscid,  tenacious,  brick-dust.  Pressure  in  chest  as  from  a 
weight,  burning.  Breathing  short,  rapid,  wants  to  breathe  deeply,  but 
cannot,  it  hurts  him  so.  Irritable,  dislikes  conversation,  wants  to  lie 
perfectly  still.  Apparently  plethoric  constitutions  but  venous,  vascular 
stasis,  bloated  face.  Sluggish  heart  Intense  thirst  for  large  quanti- 
ties.   White  coated  tongue. 

DifFerentiating  Characteristics 

Pain  in  chest  when  lying  on  painful  side.  Slow  development  Ir- 
ritable, Cough,  headache  and  pain  from  least  motion.  Cough  in 
cold  air  or  cold  room, 

IODINE 

Bight  lung  only  involved  or  beginning  on  right  side  and  involving 
both.  Bapid  development.  High  temperature.  Cough  violent,  dry, 
hard,  excited  by  tickling  all  over  chest.  Cough  with  pains  in  chest  Ex- 
pectoration bloody  or  blood  streaked.  Difficult  respiration,  rapid.  Great 
dyspncea,  oppression  of  chest.  Tuberculous  or  scropfulous  constitutions. 
Wants  cool  fresh  air,  always  <  in  warm  room,  suffers  from  heat  Great 
anxiety,  must  do  something  constantly,  always  in  a  hurry.  Anxiety  > 
by  constantly  doing  something.  Great  thirst,  great  hunger.  Bapid 
convalescence  is  common,  due  to  the  power  iodine  has  over  absorption. 
DifFerentiating  Characteristics 

Right  lung  only.  High  temperature.  Desire  for  cold  air.  Tuber- 
cular or  scrofulous  constitutions. 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  143 

PHOSPHORUS 

Preference  for  right  lower  lobe.  Low  temperature*  although  large 
area  may  be  involyed.  Cough  with  weight  on  chest,  burning,  constrio- 
tion,  Borenees,  pain  in  chest,  must  hold  chest  with  hands.  Oough  with 
splitting  headache.  Cough  <  lying  on  left  side.  >from  eating,  talk- 
ing, laughing,  cold  air.  <  evening  till  midnight  Better  lying  on  right 
side  or  back.  >in  warm  room.  Expectoration  of  bright  red  blood, 
blood  streaked  or  rust  colored,  later  stages  thic^,  yellow,  sweetish. 
Feeble  constitutions.  Emaciated.  Ansmic.  Scrofulous.  Tubercular. 
Prostration  with  short  difficult  breathing,  not  from  pain  but  weakness. 
Heart  muscle  weak,  feeble  pulse.  Cold  clammy  sweat  Great  thirst 
for  ice-cold  drinks. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 

Right  lower  lobe.    Low  temperature.    Cough  worse  lying  on  left 
eide.    Weak  heart    Cough      from  cold  air,      warm  room, 
VERATRUM  VIR. 

High  temperature  with  great  arterial  excitement,  flushed  face. 
Rapid  development  Cough  short,  dry,  tickling,  hac^ng,  spasmodic 
Expectoration  contains  masses  of  blood.  Constriction  and  oppression 
of  chest  Congestion  with  nausea  and  vomiting,  one  of  its  most  impor- 
tant key  notes.  Difficult  rapid  breathing.  Sensation  of  load  on  chest 
Pulse  incompressible,  hard,  quick,  bouncing  or  slow,  soft,  weak,  inter- 
mitting. Heart  beat  loud,  strong,  at  same  time  respiration  difficult, 
slow,  labored,  threatening  cardiac  paralysis  from  overexertion  of  heart 
Slow  heart  action  due  to  its  action  on  heart  muscle  and  cardiac  ganglia. 
(Digitalis  heart  slow  due  to  action  on  pneumogastric)  Tongue  coated, 
with  red  streak  down  center. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 

Suited  to  full-blooded,  plethoric  persons.  High  temperature,  fuU 
hard  hounding  pulse  or  secondary  action  slow  weak,  soft  and  intermtt" 
ting.    Tongue  coated,  with  red  streak  down  center. 


LOOSE  RATTLING  COUGH 

OARBO  VEQ. 

Rattling  oough  with  retching  and  vomiting,  <  morning.  Expec- 
toration tough,  purulent,  yellow,  thick,  copious,  difficult  to  get  up, 
coughs  and  struggles,  doe&  not  seem  to  do  any  good,  becomes  exhausted, 
sweats.  Dry,  hac^ng  cough,  yet  rattling  in  chest  Great  weight  on 
chest    Bronchitis  and  weakness  in  chest 

Differentiating  Characteristics 

Cough  Kentering  cold  air  from  warm  room.    Colds  begin  in  nose 
and  extend  to  chest.    Burning  in  chest. 
BARYTA  CARB. 

Coarse  rattling  in  trachea  and  chest,  catarrhal  state  especially  in 
old  people,  <from  every  cold  change.  Suffocating  cough,  chest  full  of 
moeiia,  but  unaUe  to  expectorate,  cough  <evening  till  midnight,  <ly- 
ing  on  left  side^  < thinking  of  it,  cough  >lying  on  abdomen. 


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144  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHT 

Differentiating  Characteristics 

EspeciaUy  adapted  to  people  who  are  prematurely  old,  a  feeble  ment- 
al state,  which  gradually  travels  towards  imbecility, 
ANTIMONIUM  TART. 

Coarse  rattling  in  trachea  and  chest  Broken  down  constitutions 
of  old  people  and  feeble  children.  Suffocating  cough,  chest  full  of 
mucus»  but  unable  to  expectorate,  no  expulsive  power.  Face  pale  and 
sickly,  nose  drawn,  eyes  sunken,  dark  rings,  cold  sweat  Dyspnoea,  can- 
not lie  down.  Every  spell  of  cold  wet  weather  brings  on  this  catarrhal 
stata    Never  called  for  in  first  stage. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 

Difficulty  in  raising  the  mucus  is  due  to  great  prostration,  lungs 
seem  paralyzed. 
SENEGA 

Chest  full  of  coarse  rales,  rattling  in  chest,  profuse  secretion  of 
mucus  especially  in  old  peopla  Expectoration  clear,  albuminous  mucus^ 
difficult  to  expel,  cannot  get  it  up,  grey,  tenacious,  gluey,  stringy,  tough. 
Cough  with  vomiting  and  involuntary  urination.  Short  breathing  and 
oppression  of  chest  <  going  u^  stairs.  Great  soreness  of  chest  walls 
and  stitching  pains  in  chest.  <  lying  on  the  right  side. 
Differentiating  Characteristics 

Difficulty  in  raising  the  mucus  is  dus  to  its  tenacio^is,  tough, 
stringy  character. 


THE  LARYNGITIS  OF  ALUUM  CEPA  AND  PHOS. 

ALLIUM  CEPA 

Bawness  in  the  larynx,  <in  warm  room.    Hoarse  cough  with  feel- 
ing as  if  it  would  split  and  tear  the  larynx. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 

Cough  <  going  into  cold  air, 
PHOSPHORUS 

Inflammation  of  larynx  with  hoarseness,  <a.nL    Rawness  in  trachea 
extending  to  chest,  burning.    Violent  tickling  while  talking,  constant 
irritation  to  cough.    Raw  sensation  under  sternum  as  if  something  were 
torn  loose.    Dryness  of  larynx  with  dry,  hard  rasping  cough. 
Differentiating  Characteristics 

Cough  <  going  into  cold  air. 


PLEURISY 

APIS 

Serous  inflammations  with  effusions.  Pleurisy  with  exudation* 
Dyspnoea,  especially  difficult  inspiration.  Worse  lying  down,  >8itting. 
Worse  in  warm  room  wants  doors  and  windows  open,  >in  cold  air. 
Wants  cold  things.  Stinging,  burning  in  chest  Cough  <at  night 
Urine  scanty.  No  thirst  Moderate  fever.  Apis  is  slow  in  action  and 
must  not  be  changed  too  soon,  increased  flow  of  urine  shows  favorable 
effect 


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OONTBIBUTBD  ABTIOLES  145 

Differentiatiiig  CharacteristiGs 

PUwrisy  with  exudation.    Worse  in  warm  room,  >from  cold.  Urine 
scanty.    No  thirst    Moderate  fever. 
BBYONIA 

D17  cougH  with  sharp  sticking  pains,  must  hold  chest  with  hands. 
Fains  <from  least  motion,  >ffom  lying  on  painful  side.  Worse  from 
deep  breathing,  frequent  desire  to  take  long  breath,  must  expand  the 
lungs  even  though  it  hurts.  Breathing  short  rapid.  Cough  dry,  'hard, 
excited  by  tickling  in  throat  and  pit  of  stomach,  must  hold  chest  with 
hands  when  coughing. 

Pleurisy  coming  on  a  day  or  so  after  taking  cold.  Frontal  head- 
ache^ bursting,  pressing  pain,  >from  pressure  of  hands,  <in  morning 
on  awaking.  £xtreme  irritability,  wants  to  be  let  alone,  no  desire  to 
talk.  Worse  in  warm  room,  <too  much  clothing,  <  warmth  of  bed. 
Better  in  fresh  cool  air,  wants  windows  open.  Tongue  white.  Great 
thirst  for  large  quantities  of  cold  water.  Constipation,  stool  large,  hard 
and  dry. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 

Stitching  pains.    Worse  from  least  motion,  <from  lying  on  pain- 
ful side  and  holding  chest  with  hand.    Desire  for  and  must  breathe  deep- 
ly  though  it  hurts.    Frontal  headache.    Irritable.    Worse  in  warm  room, 
>m  cold  air.    Thirst  for  large  quantities  of  cold  water. 
OANTHAEIS 

Pleurisy  with  sero-fibrinous  exudation.    Excessive  dyspnoea.    Burn- 
ing in  chest,  stitdies,  shooting  pains,  >from  warm  applications.    Palpi- 
tation.   Profuse  sweats.    Weakness  with  tendency  to  syncope.    Scanty 
and  albuminous  urine.    Dry  hacking  cough.    Febrile  state  not  marked. 
Differentiating  Characteristics 

Pleurisy  with  exudation.  Burning  stitches,  shooting  pains,  > 
from  warm  applications.  Profuse  sweats.  Weakness.  Febrile  state 
not  marked. 


APPENDICITIS 
BELLADONNA 

Pain  intense,  sharp,  stabbing,  shooting,  throbbing,  tearing,  burning, 
stinging.  Pains  come  and  go  suddenly.  Worse  from  slightest  touch, 
pressure,  cannot  bear  even  weight  of  bedclothes,  jar,  motion.  Worse 
lying  on  the  right  sida  When  lying  must  draw  limbs  up  to  relax  ab- 
dominal muscles.  Worse  from  cold  >heat  Heat  intense,  skin  red  and 
buming.  Face  red,  hot  High  fever.  Nausea  and  vomiting.  Delir- 
ium aetive.  Plethoric,  vigorous,  intellectual  people.  Sudden  develop- 
ment Especially  in  catarrhal  and  recurring  cases. 
Differentiating  Characteristics 

Pain  kUense.  High  fever.  Sudden  development.  Worse  from 
cM  >from  hoat.  Worse  lying  on  painful  side.  Strong  vigorous  people. 
BBYONIA 

Pain  sharp,  stitching,  throbbing,  stinging,  buming,  great  soreness. 
Pain  confined  to  a  limited  spot    Worse  from  slightest  motion,  to  touch. 


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146  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OP  HOMCEOPATHT 

deep  breathing,  pressure.  Better  from  lying  on  painful  side,  >wlien  ab- 
solutely quiet,  >from  heat  although  head  and  mental  conditions  >in 
cool  air,  wants  windows  open.  Pain  in  abdomen  >  lying  with  legs  drawn 
lip  to  relax  abdominal  muscles.  Slow  development,  sometimes  several 
days  before  intense  inflammation  develops.  Headache  frontal,  <  morn- 
ing >from  cold.  Sluggish  mind.  Delirium  low  type.  Irritable,  eas- 
ily angered,  does  not  want  to  talk.  Intense  thirst  for  cold  and  acid 
drinks  at  long  intervals.  Tongue  white.  Constipation,  stools  larger 
hard,  dry,  no  desire. 

DifFerentiating  Characteristics 
Pain  >when  lying  on  painful  side,  >from  heat,  though  pdUeni 
wants  to  he  in  cool  room.      Irritable,      Slow  development.      IntefMe 
thirst.    Constipation.    Frontal  headache.    Worse  from  least  motion. 

EHUS  TOX. 

Extreme  soreness  of  right  side  of  abdomen,  cannot  bear  least  press- 
ure, sensitive  to  clothing,  violent  colic.  Extensive  swelling  over  the 
ilio-sacral  region  with  great  pain,  large  hard  painful  swelling  <  sitting 
or  when  stretching  right  leg.  Cannot  lie  on  left  side,  >when  lying  on 
back  with  knees  drawn  up,  >  pressing  the  swelling  from  below  upwards. 
Better  from  hot  applications,  <from  warmth  of  bed,  <damp  cold 
weather,  patient  sensitive  to  cold,  <at  night  Pain  causing  an  incessant 
restlessness.  Pale  anxious  face,  burning  of  palms  of  hands.  Profuse 
sweat  at  night  Small  frequent  pulse.  Great  thirst  for  cold  drinks. 
Tongue  coated  dark  with  triangular  red  tip. 

DifFerentiating  Characteristics 

Extensive  swelling  over  the  Uio-caecci  region.  Worse  sitting  or 
when  stretching  right  leg.  Better  when  lying  on  hack  with  knees  drawn 
up.  Better  from  hot  applications.  Oreat  restlessness  from  pain.  Pro- 
fuse  sweiU  at  night.  Tongue  coated  with  triangtdar  red  tip.  Worse 
at  night. 


VERIFICATIONS  AND  CURED  SYMPTOMS* 

By  ROYAL  E.  S.  HAYES,  M.D. 
Waterbury*  Conn. 

CHRONIC  effects  of  puerpural  sepsis:    Cachexia;  weakness;  uterine 
tenderness  and  subinvolution;  purulent  white  acrid  leukorrhea; 
daily  headdche,  sensation  of  motion  in  abdomen;  dizsiness  wlien 
rising  in  morning :    carbo  animalis,  Im. 

Effects  of  grief:  Woman  sleepless;  restlessness  after  first  nap 
from  dwelling  on  her  loss;  mental  apathy,  horrible  dreams;  rectal  bleed- 
ing at  stool;  dull  frontal  headache;  cerebral  congestion;  h^hteiiedl 
color;  heat  waves  night  and  day  without  perspiration:  amyl  nitroeomt 
Im. 


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OONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  147 

Traumatic  shoc^:  Weakness;  weeping;  trembling;  sensation  of 
^general  quivering  (after  effects)  lecithin,  2c. 

Bemnant  of  chancre:  After  mere  sol.  had  ceased  to  improve; 
intense  burning  appearing  ten  minutes  after  urinating;  local  symptoms 
relieved  after  bathing;  a  warm-blooded  patient:  calcarea  sulphurica» 
'9m;  four  doses  about  4  months  apart;  no  secondary  symptoms. 

Oankers:  Appearing  and  increasing  rapidly  on  lips  and  gums; 
^hite  base,  large  bright-red  areolse :      kali  chloricum,  2c. 

Cholelithiasis:  Intense  aching  and  beating  in  ^igastrium  <aftef 
•eating  and  while  lying :    bellis  perennis,  2c. 

Interstitial  renal  insufficiency:  Occipital  and  vertical  headache 
when  awaking  in  the  morning  >  while  lying  <  attempting  to  do  eaqr 
housework;  lying  awake  night  to  think;  dyspnoea  as  from  excitement; 
<end  of  nose  red;  confused  when  in  a  crowd  or  with  i)eople  talking: 
ambra  grisea,  Im. 

Uremic  convulsioins :  begin  in  face;  thumbs  turned  in;  conscious; 
jaws  back;  muscular  soreness;  face,  neck  and  chest  flushed;  flushes  to 
head;  headache  >cold  applications;  numbness  of  fingers;  face  intensely 
red;  pupils  dilated;    kali  bromatum,  cm.    . 

Whooping  cough:  <late  afternoon  except  worse  spell  at  5  a.m.; 
> outdoors;  eructations  during  paroxysm;  > lying  ;  desire  to  shriek 
when  waking;  clear  stringy  exx)ectoration;  sensation  in  stomach  as  of 
fright;  restless;  raw  sensation  in  throat:    euphrasia»  10m. 

Colds:  Appearing  before  menstruation  periods;  hoarseness  < even- 
ings; < talking;  hoarse  cough;  tight  sensation  throat  and  larynx;  in- 
•cipient  abscess  in  left  breast;  pain  in  epigastrium  as  if  patient  had  re- 
•oeived  a  blow;  sour  eructations;  lac  caninum,  10m. 

Eczema:    Dry  eruption;  a  persistent  family  trait;  warm-blooded; 
uncovering  at  night;  sleeping  quietly  only  when  cool;  uncovering  feet 
•especially;  damp  feet  in  evening:    calcarea  sulphurica,  2c-45m  at  long 
.  intervals  for  two  years  cured  two  brothers. 

Chronic  diarrhoea:  Diarrhoea  every  two  we^s;  stools  soon  after 
•eating;  excessive  flatus  < after  dinner  and  supper;  flatus  causing  urg- 
ing as  to  stooL    Kali  phosphoricum,  Im. 

Kenal  colic:  Dull  forcing-down  pain,  centering  at  tirst  in  right 
iliac  region  then  intense  and  shooting  into  penis;  tenderness  of  right 
kidney;  constant  sensation  as  though  bladder  was  full  but  not  > after 
urinating.  Violent  attacks;  intelligence  and  speech  at  times  oblated 
by  shodc  from  the  pain.    Equisetum,  lOm,  then  2a 

Late  effects  of  arterio-sderosis :  Flushes  of  blood  to  head,  dark  red» 
■even  bluish  countenance;  extreme  dyspnoea,  dilated  pupils;  bulging 
•CQreballs;  < lying;  thirstless;  violent  shaking:    opium,  Im. 

Confused  delirium:  Wants  Tale  dear  phoned  about  the  medicine 
then  soon  forgot  it;  thinks  his  symptoms  are  new;  answers  foolishly; 
doesn't  know  where  he  is;  scrutinizes  dose  to  nose;  suspicious;  flush  of 
Idood  to  head,  when  lying,  with  bursting  sensation  in  neck  and  about 
•ears:  amyl  nitrosum,  Im. 


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148  NORTH  AMEBIOAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHT 

Varioose  yeins:  Left  leg;  smarting;  stinging;  swellings  > after 
hot  bathing;  preventing  sleep  at  night;  head  sweats  easily;  calearea 
fluorica,  2a 

High  tension  of  pregnancy:  Spells  of  fullness  in  head;  sensation 
as  if  blood  would  burst  from  ^es,  ears  and  nose;  pressure  in  epigastrium 
with  dyspnoea.    Glonoine,  cm. 

Poisoning  £rom  suppressed  boil:  He  'Idlled"  an  incipient  boil  on 
wrist  by  opening  and  applying  some  chemicaL  After  three  wedcs  thQ 
site  of  the  boil  remained  sore  and  an  axillary  gland  was  swollen,  smart- 
ing and  stinging  <at  night,  after  sleeping;  then  burning  and  aching 
on  left  arm  <when  moving  it;  tendons  taut;  general  stiffness;  lameness 
of  all  joints  except  in  back;  vibrating  surging  sensation  all  through  tho 
body;  pains  in  various  places  as  if  pounded,  crushed,  cut  in  pieces; 
shooting  in  chest,  shooting  upward  in  hips,  sawed-off  sensation  of  ex- 
tremities <  right  and  as  if  the  partially  amputated  part  was  hanging 
with  throbbing  pain;  < motion;  > changing  position;  hysterical  agony; 
aversion  to  answering;  stifled  sensation  in  warm  air;  <11  p.m.  to  3-4 
a.m.;  swearing;  repeating  sentences  over  and  over;  threatening  suicide; 
arose  in  bed,  gasped,  had  clonic  convulsion,  then  lay  down  saying :  ^ack 
in  this  hellish  place"  over  and  over,  fainter  and  fainter;  slept  three 
minutes,  awoke  with  a  start,  told  of  dream,  then  convulsion  again; 
craved  cold  drinks;  repeated  over  and  over:  "S-o-t,  sot"  Jerking  of 
right  leg,  then  head,  so  forcibly  and  quickly  as  to  be  a  snapping;  spas- 
modic breathing;  twitching  mouth;  convulsive  sobbing,  (not  weeping); 
pounding-throbbing  in  body  like  short  waves  rising  to  throat;  seeing 
**wriggles;"  > closing  eyes;  twisting,  wrenching,  bruised,  frostbitten^ 
pounding  pains;  crushing  agony  in  epigastrium  < thinking  of  it,  > 
changing  position;  nausea  at  thought  of  food.  Lacheeis  palliated;  other 
remedies  failed;  oxalicum  acid,  Im,  4m,  then  3c  cured. 

Dyspeptic  diarrhoea:  3-5  daily  green,  slimy,  painless  stools;  fre- 
quent urination  alternating  with  retention;  gums  irritated  by  rubbing 
them;  uncovers  at  night;  sweating  of  head;  emaciation,  <in  legs: 
calcarea  fluorica,  Sc. 

Quincke's  Edema:  Forearms  red  and  swollen  mornings;  first  day 
right;  later  the  left;  forearms  appear  like  bags  of  water,  with  blotched 
redness:    lac  deficata,  Im. 

Subacute  catarrh :  Stitching  in  throat  while  indoors;  >warm  food; 
deep  redness  of  throat;  choking  sensation;  adherent  white  mucus  m 
posterior  nares;  dribbling  of  urine  evenings;  young  man  of  18;  hy- 
drastis,  6m. 

Stage  fright:  Violinist;  nervous,  trembling  and  holding  breath; 
mental  lethargy;  says  his  mind  is  prostrated  by  lack  of  confidence: 
kali  phosphoricum,  Im. 

Lumbago:  Stitching  when  breathing;  spasmodic  rigidity  arresting^ 
respiration;  compeUed  to  sit  bent  far  backward;  could  not  turn:  gel* 
semium,  Im. 


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OONTBIBUTED  ARTI0LB8  149 

Gastric  tetany:  Hands  and  feet  affected;  gnashing  teeth;  sighing^ 
screaming  during  deep;  throws  himself  backward;  swaUowing  during 
sleep;  shridcs  unless  held.    Oina»  Im. 

Tetany:  Infant,  age  11  months;  ill  two  months;  dosing,  waking 
with  a  start;  frets;  must  be  held  standing;  cries  when  holder  sits; 
alternate  constipation  and  diarrhoea;  diarrhoeic  stools,  yellow  water, 
mostly  in  the  morning;  loss  of  weight;  sweating  of  scalp;  fever:  mag- 
nesia muriatica,  D. 

Tumors:  Probably  adeno-sarcomata;  lump  in  center  of  each  cheek 
the  largest  about  an  inch  in  diameter;  strong,  hard,  tender;  appeared 
first  in  right,  then  in  left;  skin  over  the  larger  tumor  bluish;  appeared 
about  to  ulcerate;  cervical  glands  hard  and  round;  size  of  marbles. 

Sleepiness :  Aversion  to  being  disturbed;  aversion  to  touch  or  being 
lifted;  would  not  lie  on  left  side;  large  ill-shaped  head;  bony  prom- 
inences exaggerated;  scalp  perspiring  fredy :  calc.  fluorica  2c.  Improved 
three  weeks  then  left  cheek  became  worse,  sluggishly  inflamed,  very 
sensitive  to  touch  and  painful  in  cold  air.  Lachesis,  Im.  In  a  few 
weeks  the  child  appeared  normal 

Metrorrhagia:  Climacteric;  soreness  of  lumbar  sacral  and  abdom- 
inal regions;  bearing  down  pains;  feels  uterus  push  up  in  act  of  sitting 
down:    natrum  hypochloridum,  Im. 

Anemia:  After  hemorrhage;  dizziness;  feels  heart  beat  hard; 
dyspnoea;  exhausted  after  walking;  numbness  and  tingling  of  finger- 
tips:   cocoa,  2c 

Bladder  irritation:  After  removal  of  uterine  fibroid;  roused  every 
two  hours  at  night;  constant  urging  in  daytime;  sensation  as  if  bladder 
was  full  even  after  urinating.    Equisetum,  8Qz. 

After  grippe:  Weakness;  empty  sensation  without  appetitie;  slight 
jaundice;  mucous  rattling  in  bronchi:    hydrastis,  cm. 

Neuritis:  After  carrying  a  weight  with  forearm  extended  with 
the  arm  and  shoulder  relaxed  (stretching  the  nerve>;  numbness  and 
tingling  of  hand  and  forearm  while  extended;  prickling  sensation  pre- 
vents grasping :  strontia,  2c. 

Oar  sidmees:  Turning  sensation  when  seeing  vehicles  in  motion; 
tranulous^  appearance  of  atmosphere;  always  with  headacha  Ohloro- 
f orm  8Qx  1  dose  when  travelling. 

Stirred  sensation  in  head;  >fre8h  air;  haiy  vision;  <closing  eyes; 
plethoric  woman;  weight  208  pounds.  Arnica,  2c;  in  five  weeks  arnica, 
Im. 

Neuralgia:  Patient  a  spinal  sclerotic;  after  a  fit  of  anger;  in- 
tense burning  pains  shooting  downward;  appearing  suddenly;  wild,  de- 
lirious, writhing  and  tossing:    tarentula  hispania,  2c. 

Dysmenorrhoea:  Scanty  flow  first  day  with  throbbing,  streaking 
pains.    BeQis  perennis,  2c 

Muscular  Bheumatism:  Pain  in  lower  extremities;  extends  to 
back,  <right;  <first  motion;  weakness  felt  in  morning  until  after  mov- 
ing awhile;  >after  dinner  siesta;  >warmth;  sensitive  to  cdd  weather; 


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160  NORTH  AMEBICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHY 

history  of  several  years;  old  lady;  calcarea  fluorica,  2c;  one  dose  eight 
weeks  apart 

Chorea  with  cough:  Boy  of  9;  recurrent  cough  since  emphysema 
6  years  previous;  < indoors;  <when  confined  to  school;  dry,  hacking 
cough;  sounds  as  if  coughing  in  an  empty  harrel;  cough  caused  by 
sensation  as  of  something  rubbing  in  larynx;  twitching;  constant  mo* 
tion;  stammering;  < attending  school;  irritable;  physical  examinati<» 
negative;  kali  phosphoricum,  Im  two  doses,  two  and  one-half  months 
apart 

Ohronic  catarrh:  Nasal  passages  dry  in  the  morning;  blowing  clot- 
ted blood;  raw  sensation  when  inhaling  cool  air;  difficult  swallowing; 
hawking  of  crusts  from  throat;  secretions  viscid,  stringy,  yellow,  blood 
streaked;  chronic  bronchitis;  fullness  after  eating  a  little,  much  belch- 
ing, ancient  constipation.    Many  similar  cases :  hydrastis,  6m. 

Dental  abscess:  Hard  lump  on  lower  jaw;  stitching  pain  < lying; 
>oold  applications;  < nights;  occipital  throbbing  and  aching;  saliva- 
tion:     ferrum  phosphoricum,  2c. 

Foot  sweat:  OfFensive  odor;  tender  feet;  swollen  in  evening; 
numbness  and  prickling  of  arms  at  night;  <in  front  of  elbows:  kali 
phosphoricum,  60z. 

Acute  pharyngitis:  Eight  side  then  left;  dark  redness;  intense 
soreness;  < moving  tongue;  pain  extending  to  left  ear;  lumbar  back- 
ache; frontal  headache;  dizziness  when  rising  and  after  sitting  awhile; 
bitter  taste;  sensation  of  lump  left  side  of  larynx;  craving  fresh  air;  fol- 
lowing wet  feet.    Many  similar  cases:    kali  iodatum,  Im. 

Hemorrhoids  and  hematuria:  Hard,  dry,  sore,  purple  hemorrhoids; 
large  dry  stools;  heavy  pain  in  bladder  and  urethra;  < after  urinating; 
stinging  like  a  bee,  then  burning;  history  of  nephroliththiasis;  probable 
calculi  in  bladder;  calcarea  fluorica,  2c. 

Hematuria:  Old  case  of  n^hrolithiasis;  sharp-aching  pains  in 
bladder.  The  hemorrhage  is  from  the  bladder ;  no  other  symptoms.  Oil 
of  erigeron  in  2-3  drop  doses  is  the  old  eclectic  specific  for  old  hematur« 
ias.  Erigeron,  2c;  one  dose  did  finely;  better  than  all  previous  anti- 
psoric  and  other  remedies. 

After  pains:  Genito-crural  pain,  appearing  suddenly  and  shooting 
downward;  urine  retained;  xanthoxylum,  50m;  one  dose. 

Hypoadrenia:  Tachycardia,  weak  spells;  dyspnoea  lying  with  head 
high;  prostrated  feeling;  lies  down  all  day;  perspiration;  backache: 
kali  phosphoricum,  2c;  one  dosel 

Delayed  resolution  in  pneumonia:  Hacking  cough;  < coming  in- 
doors; > outdoors;  < lying  on  left  side;  easy  pen^ration;  tired  con- 
stantly; iodum  Im;  one  dose. 

Indurated  liver:  Aching  in  epigastrium  which  had  been  a  dis- 
tressing symptom  for  many  years  and  had  been  relieved  by  many  reme- 
dies; this  attack  lasted  many  days  resisting  all  ordinary  remedies;  the 
aching  was  relieved  with  heat;  there  was  a  sensation  of  bruised  sore* 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  151 

in  the  left  hypochondrium;  history  of  cholelithiasis;  gallstones  30x, 
one  doee  relieved  effectivdy. 

Oastralgia:  Intense  smarting  in  epigastrium,  shooting  up  chest  to 
head  and  down  arms;  >heat,  everything  taken  into  stomach  increases 
the  distress.    Bismuthum,  3m;  one  dose. 

Becunent  colds'*  4  months;  obstructed  nostrils  with  raw  sensation; 
vateiy  discharge;  soreness  of  scalp  and  eyelids;  cough  while  talking  or 
while  nnder  any  excitement.    Justicia  adhatoda,  2c;  one  dose; 

Gastric  neurosis:  Old  lady;  after  sleeping  2-3  hours  at  night 
jumping  suddenly  out  of  bed  with  violent  hawking  attempts  to  eructate 
mucous  from  stomach;  sensation  of  mucous  in  stomach  which  must  be 
brought  up;  tickling  in  abdomen  and  stomach  causing  cough:  hydrastis 
3Qz  every  2  hours  averted  the  paroxysms  for  a  tima 

Nasal  catarrh:  Orange  colored  discharge;  aching  and  tenderness 
in  scalp;  also  several  cases  of  antrum  disease.  Kali  phosphorium  2c; 
one  dose. 

Dysmenorrhoea :  Dull  pain  in  uterus;  sharp  pains  in  ovaries;  sen- 
sation of  something  tight  across  sacral  region;  restless  tossing;  discon- 
tented with  everything  and  everybody;  irritable;  cold  as  if  blood  was 
diilled;  cutis  anserina;  sleepless  until  late;  restless;  fidgety:  kali  phos- 
pfaoricum,  2c;  one  dose. 

Wounded  finger:  Two  we^  after  end  of  finger  was  accidentally 
amputated  and  treated  with  balsam  of  peru,  a  spur  of  homy  tissue  was 
projecting  and  growing  out  from  the  end  about  a  half  inch.  It  was  cov- 
ered with  black  crusts  from  the  cracks  of  which  exuded  thick  white 
bk)ody  pus;  spells  of  sudden  aching  and  pricking;  < mornings  i.e.  first 
moving  about;  <heat:  kali  muriaticum,  12x,  ti.d.  cured  in  10  days. 

Effects  of  surgical  operation:  Exhausted  sensation;  physical  weak- 
ness; apparently  from  constant  anxious  dread  of  disease;  lecithin,  2c;: 
one  doee.  ^ 

Acute  sinusitis:  Shifting  of  scalp;  < occiput;  > pressure  at  first 
then  much  <;  < awaking  in  morning;  dizziness  with  blinded  visiom 
from  any  quick  motion  of  head;  bright  orange  colored  glutinous  dis*- 
diarge  from  nostrils  with  scales;  stringy,  elastic  discharge  from  pos- 
terior nares;  kali  phosphoricum,  Im;  one  dose. 

Bronchitis:  Continuing  six  weeks  after  wet  feet;  loose  cough  < 
morning  and  after  supper;  < outdoors;  <when  tired  from  exercise;  cold 
feet;  wakens  in  the  morning  with  headache;  full  sensation  in  trachea; 
fainting  in  the  morning ;  generally  >  out  of  doors.  Kali  nitricum  5m,  caus- 
ed a  flashy  improvement,  followed  by  paroxysmal  spasmodic  cough  morn- 
ing and  evening;  > after  thorough  expectoration  of  thick,  yellowish, 
hunpy  sputum;  <warm  days:  kali  sulphuricum,  Im. 

Effects  of  alcoholism:  Headache;  dull  heavy  drawing  from  fore- 
head and  temples  to  back  of  the  head;  dizzy  spells.  Paris  quadrifolia, 
SOz;  one  dose. 

Tachycardia:  Woman  of  30;  apparently  the  effects  of  diphtheria 
poisoning  when  a  child;  dyspnoea  when  first  retiring  at  night;  > after 


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152  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMOEOPATHY 

lying  a  short  time;  distentionB  of  etomach  with  gas  causing  dyspncM 
and  a  full  sensation  in  the  throat;  pallidium,  2c  and  45m  at  long  intervals. 

Acne  Tulgaris:  Papules  sore  and  sensitive;  serous  discharge  form- 
ing small  crusts;  <by  shaving;  lazy  sensation;  sleepy  spells;  carbo  ani- 
malijB,  8m;  one  dose;  an  attach  lasting  five  years  cured  in  two  weeks. 

Headaches:  An  overworked  contractor;  waking  with  dull  heavy 
headache  in  morning  or  at  night;  > after  rising;  throbbing  with  quick 
motion;  pressure  across  forehead  and  nose;  sometimes  sharp  and  shoot- 
ing pain;  mental  activity  preventing  sleep:  kali  phosphoricum,  Im; 
one  dose. 

Effects  of  worry:  Worrying  about  ill  husband;  chilly  shaking 
spells  with  real  coldness  coming  when  warm  in  bed;  >warm  drinks  and 
a  little  attention;  sensitive,  fretful  and  worried;  kali  phosphoricumy  Im; 
one  dose. 

Quinsy :  Right  side;  sensation  of  dry  spot;  regurgitation  of  fluids; 
pain  in  ear  when  swallowing;  tongue  covered  with  dirty  yellow  coating; 
saliva  increased,  thick  and  stringy:    lycopersicum  30x;  one  dose. 

(General  exhaustion:  A  pale  thin  woman  with  feeble  vitality 
many  years;  prostrated  by  least  exertion;  constant  weariness;  attacks 
like  hepatic  colic,  preceeded  by  arthritic  lameness  and  stiffness;  gall- 
stones had  been  removed;  backache  compelled  lying  much  of  the  time. 
Cascarilla,  Im ;  one  dose  produced  a  wonderful  and  lasting  change. 


A  PLEA  FOR  A  MORE  SCIENTIFIC  PRESENTATION 

OF  CASE  REPORTS,  AS  AN  AID  IN  THE  AD- 

VANGEMENT  OF  THE  INTERESTS  OF  HOM- 

OEOPATHY,   WITH  AN  ILLUSTRATIVE 

CASE  IN  DEMONSTRATION 

By  R.  F.  RAB£,  M.D., 
New  York  City 

FOR  many  years  homoeopathy  gained  adherents,  both  lay  and  pro- 
fessional, through  the  numerous  case  reports  of  the  frequently 
remarkable  cures  it  is  capable  of  making.  The  many  failures  of  old 
school  therapy  were  cited  and  the  brilliant  successes  of  the  law  of  sim- 
ilars extolled  in  medical  journals,  and  by  word  of  mouth  in  medical 
gatherings  far  and  wide.  Although  it  is  true  that  the  majority  of 
these  reports  were  convincing  to  the  initiated,  it  must  be  conceded  that 
many  could  not  bear  the  light  of  modem  scientific  investigation  and 
analysis. 

To-day  men  of  science  seek  facts  and  build  up  theories  afterwards, 
and  where  theories  do  not  harmonize  with  the  facts,  so  much  the  worse 
for  the  theories.    To  such  men  it  matters  not  at  all  whether  the  law 


^Read  before  the  International  Hahnemannian  Association. 

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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  153 

of  homoeopathy  be  involved  in  a  therapeutic  measure  or  whether  the 
latter  is  based  on  some  other  law,  or  none  at  all,  provided  that  such 
measure  is  in  accord  with  facts  proved  to  be  true  and  is  log^ical  in  char- 
acter. 

In  the  homoeopathic  school  of  medicine,  case  reports  commonly 
take  on  one  of  two  forms;  either  they  assume  the  character  of  do^rmatic 
assertion  unsupported  by  convincing  proof,  or  they  lay  stress,  intention- 
ally or  not,  upon  symptom  verification.  Where  the  latter  is  emphasized, 
such  reports  are  not  only  interesting,  but  of  great  value  to  those  who 
may  listen  to  them,  since  they  confirm  the  exx)erience  of  others  with 
the  remedies  employed  and  strengthen  confidence  and  faith  in  their  use. 
Under  such  circumstances,  the  question  of  diagnosis  of  the  conditions 
reported  cured,  is  of  secondary  importance,  since  to  the  Hahnemannian 
the  main  poi)it  is  not  which  particular  disease  entity  was  cured,  but 
the  fact  that  a  patient  was  cured,  in  whom  certain  symptoms,  the 
counterpart  of  those  known  to  be  produced  by  a  certain  drug,  were 
caused  to  disapear. 

This  attitude  is  good  as  far  as  it  goes,  but  is  of  little  value  to  men 
who  are  trying  to  place  homoeopathy  upon  a  sound  scfentific  basis.  Br. 
A.,  for  example,  may  report  a  most  interesting  and  valuable  verification 
of  arsenicum  album  say,  in  a  case  of  septicemia,  but  unless  he  can  give 
scientific  evidence  as  proof  of  his  asserted  diagnosis,  such  as  the  iden- 
tification of  the  particular  micro-organisms  responsible  for  the  infec- 
tion, his  cure  will  not  be  accepted  at  its  rightful  value  and  homoeopathy 
has  to  this  extent  at  least,  been  deprived  of  an  opportunity  to  advance 
its  claims. 

Again  Dr.  B.  may  report  an  instructive  case  of  anurism  of  the 
thoracic  aorta,  apparently  cured  by  baryta  carbonica.  He  may,  in  his 
presentation  of  the  case,  detail  good  baryta  carbonica  symptoms  wnich 
no  one  can  dispute,  but  if  his  dogmatic  ability  is  such  as  to  fail  to  com- 
mand the  confidence  of  others,  no  one  will  place  any  credence  in  his 
statements,  or  any  value  upon  the  supposed  cure. 

Yet  these  asserted  demonstrations  of  the  alleged  superiority  of 
homoeopathic  therapy,  have  cluttered  our  literature  for  years  and  in 
reality  have  absolutely  no  value  as  scientific  evidence.  One  swallow 
does  not  make  a  summer,  and  similarly,  one  case  proves  nothing.  Pa- 
tients get  well  without  medicine,  or  often  in  spite  of  it.  Medicine  is 
far  from  being  an  exact  science,  although  homoeopathy  in  its  rightful 
sphere,  approaches  more  nearly  this  condition,  than  any  other  therapeu- 
tic method.  If  we  are  to  advance,  nay  more,  if  we  are  to  survive^  we 
must  depart  from  time-worn  methods  and  among  the  numerous  things 
which  we  must  do,  is  the  necessity  for  scientific  demonstration  of  hom- 
oeopathy in  our  clinical  reports  and  these  furthermore,  must  be  pre- 
sented in  series  of  hundreds  and  not  as  isolated  scattered  examples  here 
and  there.  This  means  that,  for  the  most  part  at  least,  tiie  work 
must  be  done  by  our  homoeopathic  hospitals,  especially  by  those  in  the 
large  medical  centers,  such  as  New  York,  Boston,  Philadelphia,  Chicago, 


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154  NORTH  AMEBICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMOBOPATHT 

eta,  where  trained  men,  clinical  facilities  and  laboratories  of  diagnosiflt 
pathology,  bacteriology,  radiology,  chemistry,  etc,  are  ayailable. 

If  we  can  do  this,  it  is  certain  that  within  a  few  years  we  shall 
haye  gone  a  long  way  toward  compelling  the  universal  acceptance  on  the 
part  of  scientific  men,  of  our  fundamental  principles.  Such  men  are 
already  acknowledging  the  truth  of  our  philosophy  and  are  reaching 
out  for  confirmation;  it  is  for  us  to  meet  them  more  than  half  way 
and  convince  them  of  the  truth  and  justice  of  our  claims. 

As  an  example  of  the  kind  of  case  reports  the  essayist  has  in  mind, 
the  following  is  in  all  modesty  presented,  although  not  by  any  means 
urged  as  a  finished  modeL 

On  November  23rd,  1915,  the  writer  was  called  to  see  a  nineteen- 
year-old  college  student  from  Ithaca  who,  as  a  result  of  failing  health, 
had  been  compelled  to  give  up  his  studies  and  enter  the  college  in- 
firmary. While  under  the  treatment  of  one  of  the  infirmary  or  college 
physicians,  a  diagnosis  of  ^'intestinal  toxemia"  and  ''decided  chronic 
colitis"  was  made.  After  each  meal,  a  small  pasty  stool  was  reported 
and  the  patient's  temperature  ranged  from  06  to  98,  but  never  became 
normaL  The  opinion  was  expressed  by  the  physician,  in  a  letter  to 
the  boy's  foster-mother,  this  letter  being  now  in  the  essajrist's  possession, 
that  it  would  be  some  two  weeks  before  the  boy  could  be  cleared  of  in- 
testinal toxins  and  that  it  would  'take  quite  a  month"  for  the  patient  to 
get  at  all  in  reasonably  good  condition,  with  care. 

So  far  as  can  be  learned  the  treatment  was  supportive,  together 
with  the  use  of  intestinal  antiseptics;  but  the  boy  not  only  failed  to 
improve,  but  became  actually  worse.  It  was  then  that  he  was  sent  home 
and  came  under  the  writer's  care.  A  careful  physical  examination 
showed  the  area  of  cardiac  dullness  to  extend  to  the  left  mamillary  line 
with  the  cardiac  impulse  in  the  same  line  and  fifth  intercostal  space. 
No  adventitious  sounds  were  present.  The  pulse  was  weak  and  rapid, 
varying  considerably  on  any  slight  physical  effort  The  lungs  were 
apparently  normal  and  there  was  no  enlargement  of  either  the  liver 
or  the  spleen.  No  swelling  of  any  of  the  lymphatic  glands  could  be 
detected.  The  pupils  were  dilated,  but  reacted  to  light  and  accommo- 
dation. The  patellar  reflexes  were  exaggerated.  The  early  history  of 
the  patient  was  negative,  except  for  malarial  fever  some  four  years  ago, 
controlled  by  quinine,  and  one  or  two  recurrences  of  this,  again  checked 
by  the  same  drug.  The  boy's  mother  was  r^orted  to  have  died  of 
nephritis,  following  an  attach  of  typhoid  fever.  The  symptoms  elicited 
were  the  following:  Feels  very  weak,  is  very  forgetful,  mind  seems 
hazy,  mental  concentration  difficult  so  that  he  studies  with  great  dif- 
ficulty. Bull  pain  in  the  forehead,  especially  on  the  left  side.  Vertigo 
after  sitting  in  one  position,  or  after  reading  and  then  directing  his 
gaze  at  some  other  object.  Dull  pain  in  the  abdomen,  more  on  the 
right  side,  coming  on  about  thirty  minutes  after  eating  and  lasting 
about  an  hour.  Qood  appetite;  bowels  moving  two  or  three  times  a  day, 
but  has  been  taking  sodium  phosphate.    Temperature,  by  mouth,  con- 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  155 

stantly  and  persistently  subnormal;  has  been  as  low  as  95  but  is  never 
aboYS  98.  Sweats  from  the  least  exertion  on  hands,  feet  and  m  the 
axiUn.  The  sweat  feels  cold.  He  feels  cold  constantly,  particularly  his 
hands  and  feet;  has  to  wear  a  heavy  woolen  sweater  in  the  house.  Is 
losing  strength  and  has  lost  twenty  pounds  in  weight  in  about  three 
weeks.  Is  short  of  breath  from  the  least  exertion  and  when  surprised. 
Even  while  sitting  still  his  breathing  is  labored.  Stools  were  consti- 
pated before  using  the  laxative  and  contained  mucus.  Has  not  felt 
wdl  since  the  latter  part  of  August,  1915. 

An  examination  of  the  blood  was  now  made  and  the  report,  dated 
November  24th,  1915,  among  other  things  showed  a  color  index  of  0.80; 
hemoglobin  78%;  niunber  of  red  cells,  4,428,000;  number  of  white  cells, 
8,200.  In  the  differential  luecocyte  count,  the  polynudears  showed 
70.5%;  small  mononuclears,  23.8%;  large  mononuclears,  4.1%;  eoein- 
ophiles,  1.6%.  The  Widal  reaction  for  typhoid  was  negative.  A  small 
number  of  Plasmodia  malaris  was  found. 

An  analysis  of  the  urine  showed  nothing  but  a  high  specific  grav- 
ity, 1080,  and  a  moderate  number  of  calcium  oxalate  crystals. 

The  examination  of  the  fsBces  showed  a  large  amount  of  indol,  a 
gas  Tolume  of  105%,  a  small  amount  of  skatol,  a  trace  of  phenol,  no  ova 
or  parasites  and  a  moderately  high  number  of  colon  bacilli. 

The  diagnosis  was  secondary  anaemia,  due  to  chronic  malarial  poi- 
soning. 

With  tlie  symptoms  detailed  above,  no  one  of  our  well-proved  rem- 
edies seemed  to  agree,  so  that  by  a  process  of  exclusion,  rather  than 
1^  direct  choice  on  oymtomatic  grounds,  malaria  officinalis,  a  product 
of  decaying  vegetable  matter  in  water,  was  given  in  the  200th  potency, 
four  times  each  day  and  continued  for  three  days.  An  immediate  im- 
provement was  manifested.  At  the  end  of  eight  days,  the  morning 
temperature  being  97.2  one  dose  only,  of  malaria  officinalis  in  the  6000th 
potency,  was  given.  Five  days  later  decided  improvement  was  noted, 
with  a  temperature  mostly  normal,  but  never  lower  than  98.  Strength 
and  vigor  were  rapidly  returning.  Two  weeks  later  the  patient  pre- 
sented practically  no  sjrmptoms.  One  dose  of  the  same  remedy  in  the 
50,000th  potency  was  given  and  was  the  last  that  was  required. 

On  January  19,  1916,  less  than  two  months  after  the  previous  ex- 
amination of  the  blood,  another  was  made  and  showed  a  general  im- 
provement in  its  omdition.  The  color  index  had  improved  from  0.80 
to  0.86;  the  hsmoglobin,  from  78%  to  84%;  the  number  of  red  ceDs 
from  4,428,000  to  4,586,400;  the  number  of  white  cells  had  decreased 
from  8,200  to  7,252.  In  the  differential  count,  the  polynudears  had 
improved  from  70.5%  to  78.2%  and  furthermore  no  malarial  plasomdia 
were  to  be  found.  Moreover,  the  patient  looked  well  and  felt  well,  com- 
plaining of  nothing,  was  able  to  return  to  college  and  has  remained  well 
sinoa 

Surely  this  interesting  case  is  of  value  as  a  Concrete  demonstration 
of  the  truth  of  the  law  of  similars  and  of  the  curative  power  of  the 


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166  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHY 

high  and  highest  potencies.  The  evidence,  it  seems  to  the  writer,  is 
conclusive  and  cannot  be  disputed  or  cast  aside.  The  remedy  used, 
malaria  officinalis,  is  to  be  sure,  not  a  polychrest  and  needs  reproving, 
development  and  further  verification.  So  far  as  its  evident  power  to 
cause  the  disappearance  of  the  Plasmodium  of  malaria  is  concerned, 
the  same  power  undoubtedly  belongs  to  any  remedy  which  is  homoeo- 
pathic to  the  symptoms  presented  by  any  other  malarial  case.  In  the 
writer's  own  experience,  natrum  muriaticum  has  done  the  same  thing, 
when  chosen  according  to  the  law  of  similars.  Certainly  these  facts 
have  an  important  place  in  any  demonstration  of  the  really  scientific 
nature  of  homoeopathy  and  must  be  of  aid  in  its  advancement. 


IMPROPERLY  TREATED  MEASLES  FOLLOWED  BY 
AN  ERUPTION  ON  THE  SCALP  WHICH  WAS 
SUPPRESSED  BY  OINTMENTS  AND 
FOLLOWED  BY  BLINDNESS 

By  F.  H.  LUTZE,  M.D. 
Brooklyn,  New  York 

GUSSIE  M.,  set.  2V^  years,  when  about  six  months  old,  had  an  at- 
tack of  measles.  An  old  school  doctor  was  called,  who  treated  the 
child  for  several  weeks  and  then  pronounced  her  cured.  When  the 
mother  called  his  attention  to  the  fact  that  the  child's  eyes  were  still 
infiamed,  the  doctor  said  nothing  could  be  done  for  them,  that  they 
would  get  well  of  themselves  in  time.  The  conjunctiva  of  the  ball  of 
the  eyes  was  red,  there  were  profuse  lachrymation  and  agglutination  of 
the  lids  every  morning  on  waking. 

After  several  weeks  an  eruption  appeared  on  the  scalp,  forming 
thick,  yellowish-green,  dirty  looking  crusts.  The  mother  fearing  the 
girl's  hair  would  be  ruined,  called  in  another  old  school  doctor,  who 
gave  her  a  prescription  for  an  ointment,  which  she  must  spread  thickly 
on  a  cloth  and  apply  to  the  girl's  scalp  several  times  daily  after  washing 
the  scalp  with  hot  water  and  castile  soap. 

Under  this  treatment  the  eruption  disappeared,  but  the  eyes  became 
much  worse  and  for  more  than  two  years  thereafter  she  could  not  or 
would  not  open  them,  spending  her  life  in  a  dark  room  with  a  thick 
bandage  over  her  eyes  to  which  an  eye  shade  had  to  be  added  if  she  left 
the  dark  room  for  even  a  short  time,  on  account  of  the  great  photophobia. 
Several  old  school  doctors  had  attended  her  since  without  any  benefit, 
when  she  was  finally  brought  to  me.  Having  heard  the  history  of  the 
case  and  having  seen  the  condition  of  the  eyes,  I  advised  the  mother  to 
take  her  little  girl  to  an  oculist  as  he  would  be  much  better  able  to  treat 
her  than  I.  The  mother  said  she  could  not  afPord  to  pay  the  charges  of 
Jm  oculist;  she  had  heard  that  I  was  a  good  doctor  and  I  must  treat  her. 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  157 

When  I  attempted  to  open  the  eyelids  forcibly,  the  cnild  screamed 
and  resisted  so  much  that  I  gave  up  the  attempt.  The  lids  seemed 
Wealthy,  but  I  could  not  see  the  conjunctiva  of  the  lids  nor  of  the  eye- 
ball and  therefore  I  again  advised  the  mother  to  take  the  child  to  an 
oculist,  as  I  could  not  treat  her,  but  the  mother  insisted  that  I  take 
charge  of  the  patient,  and  promised  in  writing  that  she  would  not  hold 
me  responsible,  if  the  girl  remained  blind. 

On  account  of  the  history  of  the  case  and  some  symptoms  I  ob- 
tained, I  gave  her :  bryonia,  Pulsatilla  and  euphrasia  in  the  order  named, 
and  at  the  end  of  three  months'  treatment,  a  single  dose  of  sulphur; 
there  seemed  to  be  no  apparent  change. 

The  mother  then  told  me  she  would  take  the  child  to  a  very  cele- 
brated oculist  of  New  York  city,  as  he  had  been  very  nighly  recom- 
mended to  her,  and  there  had  been  no  improvement  as  a  result  of  my 
treatment.  I  told  her,  this  doctor  was  no  doubt  a  very  good  oculist  and 
a  good  eye  surgeon  also,  but  that  as  he  was  an  old  school  doctor,  he 
could  not  help  the  child;  that  if  she  could  be  cured  at  all,  homoeopathy 
was  the  only  way  in  which  it  would  be  possible,  no  other  school  method 
could  do  it 

After  a  month  the  mother  returned  and  told  me  the  oculist  had 
examined  the  child  thoroughly,  and  had  said  nothing  could  be  done, 
that  nobody  could  do  anything  for  her;  that  she  would  be  blind  for  life. 
When  she  then  told  him  that  I  had  said  homoeopathy  alone  could  cure 
her  if  she  were  at  all  curable,  he  addsed  her  to  take  the  patient  back  to 
me;  that  if  the  homoeopath  cured  her,  he  would  like  to  see  her  again, 
but  he  knew  that  to  cure  her  was  quite  impossible. 

When  asked  why  she  had  come  back  to  me  she  answered:  'T.  saw 
quite  some  improvement  in  Oussie's  condition  lately  which  I  had  never 
noticed  while  she  had  treatment  from  the  other  doctors,  and  as  she  has 
had  no  medicine,  since  I  stopped  giving  yours,  it  must  be  due  to  yours." 

I  gave  her:  Sulphur  1  m.  one  dose,  and  sac.  lac  After  two  weeks 
I  was  called  to  attend  her  and  found  her  sick  with  a  perfectly  devel- 
oped attack  of  measles,  the  most  severe  case  I  ever  saw.  She  received 
bryonia,  later  Pulsatilla  and  finally  sulphur  Im,  one  dose.  There  seemed 
to  be  a  complete  recovery  from  the  measles  but  there  was  not  the 
change  in  the  condition  of  the  eyes  for  which  I  had  hoped. 

Several  weeks  later,  she  again  came  to  the  office,  the  same  old 
crusty  eruption  having  again  appeared  on  the  scalp;  massive  yellowish- 
green  dir^-looking  crusts,  matting  the  hair,  and  tender  to  touch.  Eye- 
lids were  still  tightly  closed,  yet  great  photophobia,  with  pain  in  the 
eyesp  worse  toward  evening:  the  crusts  were  especially  large  on  the 
vertex  and  behind  the  ears,  pushing  them  forward,  the  photophobia  was 
worse  during  the  day  than  in  the  evening  by  gaslight.  Toward  evening 
she  can  open  her  ^es  a  little,  but  then  sees  fiery  zigzags  at  the  edge 
of  the  field  of  vision  with  greatly  increased  pain.  Eczema  following  or 
alternating  with  internal  affections. 


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158  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHT 

Graphites  is  the  only  remedy  covering  all  these  symptoms.  ArseniT 
cum:  Ohronio  eruptions  on  the  scalp;  pustules  or  vescicles  filled  with 
pus  or  silvery  white  scales.  Calcarea  carbonicum;  thids  scales  with 
yellow  pus.  Mercurius  vivus :  Fetid  pustules  with  yellow  crusts.  Meae- 
reum:  Head  covered  with  thick  leathery  crusts  under  which  pus  col- 
lects and  if  the  crusts  are  disturbed  the  yellow  pus  oozes  out,  mat- 
ting the  hair  together;  elevated,  chalk-like  scales,  white  with  ichorous 
pus  or  silvery  white  scales.  Calcarea  carbonicum;  Thick  scales  with 
occiput,  sides  of  head  and  behind  ears;  itching  which  changes  place  on 
scratching  and  increases  the  oozing. 

She  received  now:  graphites  200,  four  powders,  and  sac  lac.  The 
scalp  is  much  worse,  but  the  eyes  are  improving,  less  pain  and  photo- 
phobia. She  received  now  an  occasional  dose  of  graphites,  200,  1  m. 
and  finally  50  m.,  and  at  the  expiration  of  a  month,  Gussie  actually 
came  to  see  me  for  the  first  time  with  her  eyes  wide  open,  clear  and 
healthy,  and  shortly  after  her  scalp  was  in  a  healthy  state,  showing  no 
vestige  of  the  former  eczema. 

DIPHTHERU 

August  S.,  8Bt.  6  years  had  been  sick  for  three  weeks  with  diphtheria 
When  I  was  called  in  consultation  I  found  the  throat  so  far  as  I  could 
see;,  free  from  any  membrane  and  of  normal  appearance,  but  from  the 
larynx  down  to  the  bronchi  he  was  full  of  diphtheritic  deposit  His 
voice  nearly  inaudible;  the  mother  could  only  understand  him  by  plac- 
ing her  ear  close  to  his  mouth;  rales  could  be  heard  all  over  his  cheet; 
temperature,  104V^  degrees;  pulse  uncountable,  so  rapid  and  weak. 

Symptoms  as  given  me  by  the  mother: 

1.  He  said  he  was  not  sick,  nothing  the  matter  with  him,  only 
hoarse. 

2.  He  was  hungry,  wanted  to  eat  all  the  time. 

3.  I  saw  him  throw  the  covers  back:  he  was  too  warm,  wanted  to 
be  cool. 

He  had  three  glasses  with  medicine  standing  there,  which  the  at- 
tending physician  told  me  later,  were:  aconite,  hepar  and  spongia,  Bo- 
eninghausen's  croup  remedies,  which  were  given  in  alternation. 

I  suggested  they  probably  would  cure  croup,  but  could  hardly  be 
expected  to  cure  this  case  of  diphtheria,  and  told  him  iodium  was  the 
indicated  similimum  here,  as  it  covered  all  the  symptoms  present  in 
this  case.  The  doctor  not  having  this  remedy  with  him  and  at  home 
only  in  the  tincture,  I  gave  him  iodium  45  m.  to  be  given  in  aqua,  two 
teaspoonfuls  every  2  to  3  hours,  and  three  more  powders  should  more 
be  required.  I  predicted  that  if  the  treatment  were  continued  on  these 
lines,  he  ought  to  be  well  in  a  week  and  sit  at  the  table  with  the  family 
for  dinner  at  the  end  of  that  time. 

Early  the  next  morning  the  doctor  came  to  inject  antitoxin  in  his 
imtient,  saying  it  was  the  only  way  in  which  the  boy  could  be  cured. 

But  as  he  had  visibly  improved  and  was  sleeping  quietly  at  that 
time,  better  than  he  had  done  for  the  three  previous  weeks,  the  parents 


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OOKTRIBUTBD  ARTICLES  159 

potitiTely  refused  to  allow  this  to  be  done,  declared  they  would  sooner 
•ee  the  boy  die  than  to  permit  this,  dismissed  the  doctor  and  telephoned 
for  me. 

I  called  early  the  next  morning,  finding  the  patient  much  better: 
Temperature  101,  pulse  100,  chest  entirely  free  from  rales,  but  the 
Toice  had  not  improved  in  the  least:  no  such  craving  for  food;  he 
eoughed  some  and  ejected  a  thick,  ropy  mucus  at  times;  he  still  wanted 
to  throw  the  covers  back;  desired  to  be  cool  . 

I  gave  him :  Kali  bichromicum  45  m,  in  aqua  to  be  taken  as  before. 

Two  days  later  the  voice  was  stronger,  no  more  ropy  mucus;  the 
left  side  of  the  throat  was  now  chiefly  affected;  tender  to  touch  on  the 
outside;  pain  aggravated  from  swallowing  saliva. 

I  gave  him :  Lachesis,  41  m.  in  aqua.,  to  take  two  teaspoonfuls  every 
8  hours.  Four  days  later,  on  the  eighth  day  after  the  consultation  he  was 
perfectly  well  and  had  his  dinner  with  the  family  at  the  table  as  I  had 
predicted. 

Several  weeks  later  he  was  somewhat  suddenly  attacked  with  par- 
alysis (postdiphtheritic) ;  his  walk  was  tottering;  he  fell  often  and  then 
could  not  rise,  nor  rise  from  a  chair;  nuz  vomica  cured  him  quickly 
and  thoroughly. 

CHBONIO   NEPHRTnS 

Mr.  T.,  8Bt.  45.  years,  was  sitting  in  a  chair,  with  legs  and  feet  bare, 
the  skin  on  them  broken  all  over  and  oozing  a  dropsical  fluid,  the  feet 
resting  on  a  carpet  covered  brick  lying  in  a  dishpan  to  collect  the  ef- 
fused fluid;  a  putrid  odor  of  decaying  flesh  filled  the  room.  Thus  I 
found  him,  thus  he  had  been  sitting  for  several  years.  A  number  of 
I^iysicians,  allopaths,  and  the  last  one  a  homoeopath  had  attended  him 
during  these  years,  then  he  had  resorted  to  patent  medicines.  The 
diagnosis  of  all  these  physicians  was:  ^'Chronic  nephritis,''  their  prog- 
nosis: 'Tncurabla'' 

Previous  to  this  illness  he  had  suffered  from  frequent,  severe  head- 
ache6»  for  which  he  had  taken  a  great  many  headache  powders,  often 
three  or  more  during  one  of  these  headaches,  ere  the  pain  would  sub- 
side. His  mother  had  just  such  headaches,  but  had  treated  them  sim- 
ply l^  a  bandage,  saturated  with  vinegar  and  applied  very  tightly  to 
her  head;  she  had  reached  her  81st  year  and  was  weU  otherwise. 

Since  the  case  seemed  hopeless,  I  accepted  the  diagnosis  of  his  pre- 
vious physicians  and  agreed  with  their  prognosis,  telliLg  the  family 
there  was  no  hope  whatever;  but  they  wished  me  to  aixend  him  and 
I  was  to  call  twice  a  week  or  whenever  th^  would  'phone  for  ma  I  ad- 
vised them  to  wash  the  legs  and  feet  daily  with  warm  water  and  soap, 
diy  them  and  then  dust  them  with  powdered  charcoal  which  I  thought 
would  dispel  the  putrid  odor  in  the  room,  and  it  did  so.  Frequently  I 
obtained  seemingly  very  good  symptoms,  studied  them,  even  made  an- 
alysis of  them,  gave  the  remedy  thus  found,  often  testing  rt  in  different 
potencies,  but  without  any  good  results;  on  account  of  the  seeming 
hopeleesnees  of  the  case,  I  kept  no  record  of  the  treatment. 


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100  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMiEOPATHY 

The  dropsy  increased  steadily,  extended  upward  and  distended  the 
scrotum  to  such  a  degree,  that  he  could  not  endure  the  pain  of  the 
great  pressure.  I  was  obliged  to  tap  it  to  relieve  him,  drawing  off  a 
large  quantity  of  fluid,  enough  to  fill  a  large  chamber  vesseL 

On  one  of  my  visits  some  time  after  this,  I  happened  to  enter  the 
room*  just  as  his  legs  were  being  washed  and  instead  of  odor  of  decay 
I  noticed  an  odor  of  old  strong  cheese.  This  at  once  caijed  hepar  sul- 
phur to  my  mind;  I  questioned  him  further  on  this  line  and  obtained 
more  symptoms  pointing  to  the 'same  remedy,  which  however  1  did  not 
try  to  remember  on  account  of  the  apparent  hopelessness  of  the  case» 
but  gave  him:  hepar  sulph.  30  to  take  two  teaspoonfuls  every  hour. 
About  a  week  later,  he  thought  he  felt  a  little  better,  there  seemed  to  be 
lees  oozing  from  the  legs,  the  scrotum  which  had  bgun  to  fill  again  re- 
mained stationary  as  regards  the  distension  and  in  the  week  following 
commenced  to  decrease  in  size,  and  the  patient  showed  general  improve- 
ment esi)ecially  in  the  color  and  expression  of  the  face. 

Continuing  hepar  sulph.  in  the  200,  1000  and  still  higher  potencies 
the  patient  continued  to  improve  steadily  till  at  the  end  of  about  six 
we^s  the  dropsy  had  entirely  disappeared,  the  skin  on  the  legs  and  feet 
had  healed,  he  said  he  felt  perfectly  well  (and  seemed  so)  and  I  was 
dismissed.  I  remonstrated  strongly,  told  him  he  was  not  fully  cured 
by  any  means,  but  I  thought  that  now  he  could  positively  be  completely 
cured. 

But  he  would  not  listen  to  this  at  all.  He  said  he  had  paid  enough 
money  to  doctors,  but  did  not  need  them  now  any  longer,  as  he  was 
perfectly  well.  His  employer  had  given  him  his  pay  regularly  every 
week  during  all  the  years  of  his  illness,  and  now  he  would  earn  it  back 
for  him  by  collecting  his  bills ;  no  more  mon^  for  doctors,  did  not  need 
them  being  perfectly  well. 

With  horse  and  buggy  he  drove  through  the  streets  of  the  city 
for  a  number  of  months  collecting  bills. 

One  evening  he  came  home  not  feeling  as  well  as  usual,  remained 
in  bed  the  next  day,  soon  became  delirious,  later  on  comatose  and  died 
about  a  we^  later.  None  of  the  medicines  I  gave  him  seemed  to  pro- 
duce the  slightest  effect 

THREE  OARBO  VBG.  OASES 

1.  A  boy,  fBt  12  years,  had  been  confined  to  bed  for  two  weeks, 
when  I  was  called  in  consultation. 

His  face  was  full  of  bluish  coloured  boils,  discharging  a  very  offens- 
ive smelling  pus,  these  were  also  on  the  body  and  limbs.  For  the 
past  week  he  had  an  epistaxis  of  dark  blood  at  night,  followed  by  pal- 
pitation during  the  day, — carbo  veg.  900  cured  him  in  one  wedc. 

2.  Miss  Laura  P. ,  colored,  »t.,  26  years,  6  feet  tall  and  weigh- 
ing 190  pounds,  never  been  Bick  with  any  disease  except  colds,  com- 
menced to  menstruate  at  the  age  of  14  years.    The  flow  was  dark  and 
offensive  accompanied  with  cutting,  cramping  pains  in  the  abdomen, - 
which  extended  through  the  abdommi  to  ihe  lumbar  region  and  these 


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OONTRIBUTED  ARTIOLES  161 

Bjmpioms  had  occurred  at  every  menstrual  period  since.  Sometimes  the 
pains  were  so  severe  that  she  could  not  work  during  the  first  two  or 
three  days  of  the  menstruation. 

Carbo  yeg.  200,  Im.,  40  m.  and  cm.  a  powder  dry  on  the  tongue 
each  week,  beginning  with  the  200  cured  her  of  this  trouble  completely ; 
she  has  been  free  from  pain  during  the  menses  ever  since. 

3.  Mrs.  B. —  had  taken  a  large  amount  of  charcoal  tablets  during 
her  pregnancy,  as  she  said,  in  order  to  have  a  very  beautiful  baby. 
The  labor  was  normal,  easy,  the  baby  seemed  all  right;  but  did  not 
seem  so  very  beautiful  as  the  mother  had  wished  and  hoped;  but  at 
each  nursing  of  the  baby,  the  mother  had  a  severe,  cutting  pain  in  the 
abdomen. 

Oroton  tiglium  has  pain  during  nursing,  shooting  from  the  nipple 
through  the  breast  to  the  scaula  on  the  left  side. 

Borax:  while  baby  nurses  one  breast,  the  mother  has  pain  in  the 
other  breast. 

Carbo  animalis:  The  mother  has  stitching  pains  in  the  breast  and 
cramps  in  the  stomach  while  baby  nurses. 

But  this  was  something  new  to  me,  nor  could  I  find  it  in  the  ma- 
teri  medica  or  repertories. 

Thinking  that  the  large  amount  of  charcoal  tablets  she  had  taken 
might  be  responsible  for  this  condition,  I  gave  her:  carbo  veg.  c.  two 
powders  three  days  apart,  which  cured  the  trouble. 


RADIUM  AND  ITS  RAYS* 

Bjr  CHARLES  E.  ALUAUME.  M.D., 
Utica.  New  York 

TO  understand  the  value  and  action  of  radium  in  the  treatment  of 
cancer  and  other  morbid  tissue  conditions,  one  must  become  ac- 
quainted with  its  physical  characteristics. 

Like  so  many  of  the  great  discoveries,  the  discovery  of  that  prop- 
erly of  matter  called  ''radio-activity  "was  the  result  of  an  accident.  In 
1896,  the  French  physicist,  Becquerel,  was  investigating  the  efPect  of 
the  fluorescent  light  of  uranyl  potassium-sulfate  upon  photographic 
plates  enclosed  in  a  light-proof  cover.  One  cloudy  day  the  uranium  salt 
was  laid  upon  the  covered  plate  in  a  drawer  to  await  a  ddy,  when  the 
salt  might  be  excited  to  fluoreecense  by  the  action  of  sunlight.  Several 
days  later,  when  a  new  plate  was  put  into  the  holder  and  the  old  one 
developed,  to  his  great  surprise,  Becquerel  found  that  in  the  closed  dark 
drawer  the  unexposed  salt  had  strongly  afPected  the  photographic  plate, 
causing   a  very   dark  spot.     Numerous  experiments   convinced  Bec- 


^Baftd  l>elore  the  International  Hahnemann!  an  Association. 

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162  NORTH  AMEMCAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(BOPATHY 

querel  that  he  had  discoyered  a  new  property  of  matter,  and  careful  in- 
yestigation  showed  that  this  prc^^erty  of  affecting  the  photographic  plate 
was  peculiar  to  the  element  uraniiim,  the  effect  being  proportional,  or- 
dinarily, to  the  uranium  content  of  the  yarious  salts  which  were  used. 

This  property  of  spontaneously  sending  out  energy  in  the  form  of 
rays  which,  like  the  X-rays,  i>enetrate  through  matter  and  cause  such 
changes,  has  been  called  radio-actiyity,  and  the  rays  of  these  substances 
sometimes  are  called  Becquerd  rays.  Later  Beoquerel  found  that  the 
rays  of  uranium  cause  also  the  discharge  of  electrically  charged  bodies, 
and  Rutherford  showed  this  to  be  due  to  the  ionization  of  the  gas 
through  which  the  rays  pass.  These  phenomena  were  most  remarkable 
as  they  seemed  to  be  due  to  a  substance  being  able  to  giye  energy  in 
the  form  of  these  rays  without  undergoing  any  change  or  receiying 
energy  in  any  ordinary  form. 

The  photographic  effect  and  the  ionization  of  gases  furnish  yery 
delicate  tests  of  radio-actiyily,  the  photographic  being  a  qualitatiye  test, 
where  the  electrical  method  may  be  quantitatiye.  Oases  ordinarily  are 
ilbn-conductors  of  the  electric  current,  but  when  acted  on  by  the  Beo- 
querd  rays,  the  molecules  of  the  gas  are  split  into  electrically  charged 
parts  or  aggregates  called  ions.  The  simplest  form  of  instrument  for 
measuring  the  intensity  of  the  ionization  of  gas,  which  is  a  measure  of 
the  intensity  of  the  radiations  of  a  radio-actiye  substance,  is  some  form 
of  a  leaf  electroscope.  A  yery  thin  narrow  strip  of  metal  foil,  gold, 
silyer  or  aluminum,  is  attached  by  its  upper  end  to  a  well  insulated  yer- 
tical  metal  support  which  is  contained  in  a  metal  case,  suitably  proyided 
wiih.  windows  for  obserying  the  leaf.  When  a  charge  of  electricity  is 
communicated  to  the  leaf  system,  the  charge  on  the  leaf  is  repelled  by 
the  charge  on  the  metal  support  and  the  leaf  moyes  out  towards  a 
horizontal  position  like  an  inyerted  L.  This  repulsion  is  proportional  to 
the  charge  on  the  leaf  system.  If  a  radio-actiye  substance  causes  the 
air  in  the  electroscope  to  be  ionized,  that  is,  to  become  a  conductor,  the 
charge  leaks  away  and  the  leaf  moyes  back  to  a  yertical  position.  By 
means  of  a  reading  miscroscope  and  scale,  the  rate  of  moy^nent  of 
the  leaf  may  be  obseryed.  This  rate  is  proportional  to  the  intensity  of 
ionization  of  the  gas.  If  the  instrument  is  calibrated,  the  result  may 
be  expressed  as  a  current,  since  a  current  is  the  rate  of  passage  of  a 
quantity  of  electricity.  These  ionization  currents  are  exceedingly  small^ 
that  due  to  a  square  centimeter  of  metallic  uranium  being 
0.000,000,000,000,26  ampere.  But  actiyities  of  the  order  of  1-lOOth  that  of 
uranium  may  readily  be  detected  by  this  method. 

Uranium  is  not  the  only  radio-actiye  element,  for  after,  in  1898, 
Schmidt  and,  independently,  Mme.  Curie  found  that  the  element  thor- 
ium was  radio-actiye,  its  actiyity  being  a  little  lees  than  that  of  uranium. 
Mma  Curie,  in  studying  the  yarious  minerals  by  an  electrical  method^ 
found  that  certain  of  these  were  more  actiye  than  metallic  uranium^ 
which  was  supposed  to  be  the  most  highly  radio-actiye  substance.  On 
separating  the  uranium  from  these  minerals,  it  was  found  to  haye  its 


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OONTRIBUTBD  ARTI0LE8  168 

normal  actiyily,  and  so  it  was  concluded  that  the  mineralB  must  contain 
a  more  highly  actiye  substance.  In  a  chemical  investigation  of  the  reei- 
-does  from  the  most  active  of  these  minerals,  a  pitchblend  from  St 
Joaohimsthal  in  Bohemia,  Mme.  Curie  discovered  that  the  bismuth  in 
the  mineral,  when  separated,  possessed  a  considerable  activity.  To  this 
new  substance  she  gave  the  name  polonium.  Shortly  afterwards.  Prof, 
and  Mma  Ourie  and  Q.  Bemont  found  that  there  was  another  radio- 
active substance  which  remained  with  the  barium  from  the  pitchbletid* 
This  barium  salt  was  converted  into  barium  chlpride  and  subjected  to  a 
process  of  fractional  crystalization,  resulting  in  a  concentration  of  the 
radio-active  substance,  which  was  found  to  possess  (in  a  pure  state)  an 
iustivily  several  million  times  that  of  uranium.  This  substance  was 
•called  radium.  Later  Debieme  obtained  another  active  product  from 
pitchblend,  which  he  called  actinium.  Working  with  the  radio-active 
substances  other  interesting  properties  were  discovered.  One  property 
is  their  ability  to  cause  many  substances,  such  as  barium-platinocy- 
imide  and  Sidot's  hexagonal  blende  (a  form  of  cine  sulfide)  to  become 
luminous.  Ourie  and  Laborde  found  that  radium  salts  are  continuously 
giving  off  heat  in  sufficient  quantity  to  keep  the  salt  several  degrees 
warmer  than  the  surroundings.  In  one  hour  one  gram  of  radium  evolves 
sufficient  heat  to  warm  184  grams  of  water  through  one  degree  centi- 
grade (184  calories).  Walkhoff,  Giesel,  Ourie,  Becquerel  and  others 
found  that  radium  rays  produce  bums  on  the  skin,  much  the  same 
in  character  as  those  caused  by  X  rays,  and  it  is  well  known  what 
important  and  wide  application  this  property  carefully  controlled,  has 
found  in  dermatology  and  in  the  treatment  of  malignant  growtlis. 

It  may  easily  be  shown  by  means  of  an  electroscope  that  the  radia- 
tion from  uranium,  poloniiun,  radium  and  actinium  is  not  homogeneous. 
A  very  thin  layer  of  radium  salt  exposed  in  an  electroscope  produces  a 
veiy  intense  ionization,  so  that  the  charged  leaf  moves  rapidly.  If  the 
salt  is  covered  with  a  thin  metal  sheet  (say  0.006  cm.  of  aluminum)  or 
mica,  or  a  sheet  of  ordinary  writing  paper,  the  ionization  is  found  to  be 
-only  a  few  per  cent  of  that  due  to  the  freely  exposed  salt  If  a  second 
sheet  is  applied,  the  ionization  is  only  a  little  lees  than  that  with  one 
•sheet  With  ten  such  sheets,  the  ionization  is  reduced  to  about  one- 
half  that  observed  with  one  sheet  This  is  due  to  the  fact  that  the  first 
•sheet  cuts  off  completely  some  rays  which  have  a  greater  ionizing  effect 
The  residual  ionization  is  due  to  the  penetrating  type  of  rays.  With 
very  great  thickness  of  metal,  screening  the  radium  preparation,  there 
is  found  to  be  a  very  i>enetrating  radiation  which  produces  an  ionization 
'Of  the  order  of  one  ten-thousandth  of  that  due  to  the  free  exposed  salt 
The  readily  absorbed  rays  have  been  called  the  alpha  (a)  rays;  those 
•of  intermediate  penetrating  power,  the  beta  (b)  rays;  and  the  very  pen- 
•etrating  radiation,  the  gamma  (y)  rays. 

The  alpha  rays  produce  by  far  the  greatest  ionizing  effects  in  gases, 
although  after  passing  through  a  few  centimeters  of  air,  they  are  com- 
pletely absorbed.    Th^  have  been  shown  to  be  positively  charged  helium 


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164  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHT 

atoms,  shot  out  with  a  velocity  of  about  12,000  miles  per  second  (l-15th 
the  velocity  of  light).  Due  to  this  velocity  and  the  comparatively  great 
mass  of  the  particles,  it  is  only  with  the  most  intense  electric  and 
magnetic  fields  that  deviations  of  these  rays  could  be  produced.  The 
deviations,  however,  proved  that  the  partidee  are  electrically  charged,, 
for  a  moving  charged  body  will  always  be  deflected  from  its  path  when 
passing  through  a  sufficiently  intense  electric  or  magnetic  field,  whereas 
an  uncharged  body  does  not  change  the  direction  of  its  motion.  Crookes,. 
using  a  lens,  found  that  the  light  of  phosphorescent  zinc  sulfide  made 
luminous  by  the  rays  of  radium,  consisted  of  numerous  flashes  of  light. 
The  spinthariscope  is  an  instrument  which  he  devised  to  show  these 
scintillations.  A  small  speck  of  radium  or  other  highly  radio-active 
material  is  supported  a  few  millimeters  above  a  zinc  sulfide  screen  fixed 
in  one  end  of  a  tube,  which  contains  a  lens  at  the  other  end.  In  a  dark 
room,  the  screen  is  seen  as  a  dark  field  dotted  with  brilliant  flashes  of 
light,  which  come  and  go  rapidly.  This  experiment  very  vividly  im- 
presses the  observer  with  the  fact  that  the  radio-active  material  is  con- 
tinually shooting  out  particles,  whose  impact  with  the  screen  is  marked 
by  a  spark  of  light  This  effect  was  found  to  be  due  to  the  alfa  par- 
ticles; for,  if  the  radium  was  moved  away  a  few  centimeters  or  if  it 
were  screened  with  a  very  thin  paper,  the  scintillations  ceased.  The 
length  of  a  path  through  which  an  alpha  particle  produces  its  character- 
istic effects  of  ionization,  photographic  effect,  scintillations,  etc.,  is 
called  its  range.  The  ranges  of  the  alpha  particles  of  the  various  active 
substances  have  been  measured  and  are  found  to  be  different  for  the 
different  elements.  The  range  of  the  alpha  rays  of  radiimi  is  3.3  cm.  in 
air.  This  means  that  at  a  distance  greater  than  3.3  cm.  from  a  radium- 
pr^aration,  there  will  be  no  ionization  in  air,  so  far  as  the  alpha  rays 
are  concerned,  and  no  scintillations  on  a  phosphorescent  screen. 

The  great  energy  with  which  the  rays  are  shot  out  is  the  scource 
of  the  heat  that  all  radio-active  bodies  produce,  for  on  stopping  the  alpha 
rays  their  extra  energy  finally  is  converted  into  heat.  The  alpha  parti- 
cles produce  the  greatest  heating  effect,  furnishing  123.6  calories  of 
the  134  oalories  which  one  gram  of  radium  produces  in  an  hour.  The 
effect  of  alpha  rays  on  the  skin,  because  of  their  ready  absorption,  is 
confined  to  a  thin  surface  layer,  and  depending  upon  the  activity  of  the 
preparation  and  the  time  of  exposure,  the  effect  varies  from  a  faint 
reddening  to  an  intense  necrosis. 

The  beta  rays  are  about  a  hundred  times  as  penetrating  as  the 
alpha  rays  and  have  been  found  to  be  of  the  same  type  as  the  cathode 
rays.  They  are  negatively  charged  particles,  having  a  mass  of  l-6800th 
that  of  alpha  particles,  and  their  velocity  is  of  the  order  of  that  oi  lifht,. 
186,000  miles  per  second.  The  total  ionization  which  the  beta  rays  of 
radium  produce  in  gases  is  about  3  per  cent  of  that  due  to  the  alpha 
rays,  the  heating  effect  being  also  of  this  order,  since  the  beta  rays 
furnish  4.3  calories  of  the  134  calories  given  off  per  hour  by  one  gram  of 
radium.    The  beta  rays  of  radium  are  nearly  completely  absorbed  by 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  165 

S  xniUiineteTS  thickness  of  aluminum  or  2  millimeters  of  lead.  Boughly, 
it  may  be  assumed  that  the  thickness  of  matter  required  to  absorb  any 
type  of  rays  is  inversely  proportional  to  the  density  of  the  substance, 
or  that  the  absorption  is  proportional  to  the  density.  Beta  rays  are 
more  energetic  in  their  action  on  the  photographic  plate  than  are  alpha 
raySy  but  while  they  excite  phosphorescent  substances,  the  effect  is 
generally  much  less  than  that  due  to  alpha  rays.  Changes  in  colora- 
tion take  place  when  many  substances  are  exposed  to  the  action  of 
the  rays— but  here  again  the  effects  of  beta  and  gamma  rays  are 
usually  much  less  than  those  of  the  alpha  rays,  although  in  the  latter 
case  the  change  is  limited  to  a  surface  layer,  whereas  the  change  due 
to  beta  and  gamma  rays  penetrates  deeper.  Some  kinds  of  glass  at  first 
become  violet  and  on  longer  exx>osure  almost  black.  The  rays  cause 
many  chemical  changes  to  take  place.  They  ionize  the  air,  and  under 
the  action  of  its  own  rays,  the  solid  bromide  of  radium  exposed  to  air 
decomposes  its  water  by  crystallization  into  oxygen  and  hydrogen,  the 
salt  loses  bromine  and  is  slowly  converted  into  carbonate.  Under  the 
influence  of  the  beta  and  gamma  rays  of  radium,  hydrogen  and  chlorine 
combine  to  form  hydrochloric  acid,  and  water  is  decomposed  to  give 
hydrogen  and  hydrogen  peroxide.  The  physiological  effects  of  the  beta  and 
gamma  rays — while  not  so  intense  as  those  of  the  alpha  rays — ^because  of 
the  greater  penetrating  power  of  the  beta  and  gamma  rays,  find  very 
useful  application  in  the  treatment  of  many  forms  of  skin  diseases, 
tumors,  etc. 

The  gamma  or  very  penetrating  rays  are  analagous  to  the  X-rays, 
but  are  much  more  x>enetrating  than  the  X-rays  produced  in  a  hard 
vacuum  tube,  and  th^  are  from  10  to  100  times  more  x>enetrating  than 
the  beta  rays.  The  total  heat  effect  of  the  gamma  rays  of  radium 
is  about  of  the  same  magnitude  as  that  due  to  the  beta  rays.  The 
gamma  rays  are  not  deviated  by  the  electric  or  magnetic  field.  They  ara 
closely  related  to  the  beta  rays,  since  they  are  capable  of  being  trans- 
formed into  beta  rays.  It  is  quite  probable  that  their  ionizing  effects 
in  gases  is  due  to  the  secondary  beta  rays,  which  the  gamma  rays  pro- 
duce. The  gamma  rays  of  radium  are  half  absorbed  after  passing 
tiirough  115  meters  of  air.  Due  to  the  gamma  rays,  a  delicate  electro- 
scope could  readily  show  the  presence  of  one  gram  of  radium  more 
than  100  meters  distant.  The  gamma  rays  of  radium  are  absorbed  to 
the  extent  of  about  40  i>er  cent  after  passing  through  one  centimeter 
of  lead;  and  after  passing  through  ten  centimerters  of  lead,  there  is 
still  0.6  per  cent  unabsorbed. 

Ghonma  rays  from  80  milligrams  of  radium  can  still  be  observed 
1^  means  of  an  electroscope  after  passing  through  a  foot  of  iron.  As 
it  is  difficult  to  accurately  measure  the  current  due  to  the  intense  ion- 
ization produced  l^  larger  quantities  of  radium  (quantities  of  the  order 
of  one  milligram  or  more),  it  is  now  the  practice  to  compare  such 
quantities  of  radium  by  means  of  their  gamma  ray  ionization  current. 
The  international  gamma  ray  radium  standard  was  prepared  by  Mme. 


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166  NORTH  AKBBIOAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMiEOPATHY 

Oarie  by  carefully  weighing  out  a  quantity  of  pure  dry  radium  chloridcr 
and  standards  compared  by  comparison  with  this  international  5tandardr 
furnish  the  means  of  accurately  estimating  larger  quantities}  of  radium. 

In  the  use  of  radium  for  treating  cancers,  skin  lesions,  etc.,  it  ia 
put  up  in  Tarious  forms  and  quantities.  For  skin  work  it  is  used  in 
square  applicators  where  it  is  held  by  yamish  applicators  made  of  doth 
and  so  on.  The  universal  applicator  is  the  glass  tubes  of  yarious  sises^ 
in  which  the  radium  is  sealed,  and  which  are  placed  in  silver  tubes  Yz 
MM.  thick.  These  are  in  turn  placed  in  glass  screens  and  then  used  as 
required.  All  of  these  various  forms  of  screens  are  further  screened  l^ 
pure  sheet  rubber,  because  it  not  only  protects  the  applicator  from  the 
foul  tissue^  but  prevents  burning  from  the  metal  of  the  screens  which 
becomes  radio  active  from  secondary  rays. 

(A  large  part  of  the  substance  of  this  paper  was  obtained  from 
Oharles  H.  Viol,  Ph.D.,  with  whom  I  spent  some  time  in  studying  the 
physics  of  radium.) 

In  medicine,  radium  has  its  field.  It  is  now  recognized  that  the 
therapeutic  value  of  most  of  the  noted  mineral  springs  is  due  to  the 
water  being  radio-active. 

Badium  solutions  of  various  strengths  are  being  used  intraven- 
ously— by  drinking,  and  by  bathing,  for  such  intractable  conditions  as 
simple  and  i>emicious  ansemia,  high  blood  pressure,  neuritis,  rheuma* 
ticm,  arthritis,  deformans,  etc. 

RADIUM   IN   SURGERY 

In  surgery,  radium  has  reached  its  highest  development,  but  even  in 
this  department  we  feel  that  the  use  of  radium  is  vory  imperfectly 
known  and  that  the  future  will  reveal  still  more  value  of  this  wonderful 
agent.  Many  of  the  unsightly  birthmarks,  port-wine  stains,  angiomas, 
moles  and  pigmentations  of  the  skin  which  have  heretofore  been  treated 
with  rather  indifferent  results,  yield  to  the  use  of  radium,  while  in 
epitheliona,  rodent  ulcer  and  the  various  forms  of  cancer,  the  results 
have  been  marvelous,  and  beyond  those  obtained  by  any  other  known 
methods. 

It  should  be  understood  that  radium  will  not  cure  all  cases  of 
cancer — ^that  no  daim  is  made  that  it  takes  the  place  of  surgery  or  that 
it  relegates  the  up-to-date  X-ray  outfits  to  the  scrap-heap.  But  the 
daim  is  made  and  amply  substantiated  that  radium  is  curing  more 
cases  of  cancer  than  any  other  one  method ;  that  it  often  reduces  an  in-  ^ 
operable  cancer  to  an  oi>erable  one;  that  it  is  curing  many  cases  here- 
tofore looked  upon  as  hopdess  and  in  those  cases  that  really  are  in- 
curable, it  takes  away  the  pain,  the  terrible  odor,  and  relieves  or  entirely 
does  away  with  the  alarming  hemorrhages  incident  to  this  condition. 
Fibroid  tumors  of  the  uterus  are  being  successfully  treated  by  radium, 
and  the  value  of  such  a  treatment  can  easily  be  seen  when  the  radical 
hysterectomies  can  be  avoided  with  thdr  percentage  of  fatal  termina- 
tions, shodL  and  other  sufferings  inddental  thereto. 


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OOKTRIBUTBD  ARTIOLES  167 

Many  factors  enter  into  the  problem  of  the  successful  use  of  ra- 
dram.  The  technique  of  filtration,  the  length  of  time  of  the  applica- 
tion, the  amount  of  ealt  necessary  to  be  used,  as  well  as  its  form  and 
ahapet,  the  location  and  position,  the  susceptibility  of  the  tissue  in- 
Tolyed,  its  pathology,  the  varying  degrees  of  resistance  of  the  different 
normal  and  abnormal  tissue  cells,  as  well  as  other  chemical  and  physio- 
logical and  biological  facts  must  be  understood  before  the  therapeutic 
yalue  of  this  element  can  be  determined.  Until  experience  has  given 
us  more  knowledge,  reports  of  the  results  of  treatment  must  continue 
to  be  unsatisfactory  in  many  cases;  not  because  radium  is  not  capable 
of  doing  the  things  we  expect,  but  because  as  yet  we  do  not  always 
know  how  to  make  proper  use  of  it.  There  is  naturally  much  skepticism 
regarding  the  power  of  radium  to  cure  many  of  the  pathological  condi- 
tions, which  it  is  claimed  it  will  cure.  But  this  skepticism  comes  en- 
tirely from  those  who  are  not  using  it 

The  men  who  are  using  it  are  unanimous  in  declaring  that  their 
results  are  wonderful,  and  they  are  astounded  frequently  by  obtaining 
results  far  beyond  their  cScpectation.  The  action  of  radium  on  cell  life 
is  being  scientifically  investigated  and  up  to  date  it  has  been  determined 
by  experiments  with  the  eggs  and  ova  of  various  animals  that  radium 
radiation  inhibits  cell  growth  and  metabolism  and  by  this  means  it  will 
cause  the  death  and  absorption  of  the  younger  and  less  resistant  cells 
of  neoplasms  or  morbid  growths. 


THE  HAHNEMANNIAN  PHYSICIAN'S  EQUIPMENT* 

By  RICHARD  S.  TRUE,  M.D., 
Boaton,  Mats. 

THE  S^ihnemannian  Physician's  Equipment  is  indeed  peculiar  to 
his  improved  method.  He  must  first  be  equipped  with  all  the 
qualificatioDS  which  the  curriculum  of  the  ''Old  School"  Authorities 
require  of  its  graduates,  and,  in  addition  thereto  he  must  become  fault- 
lessly familiar  with  the  'Thilosophy  of  Homoeopathy,''  the  provings  of 
remedies  and  their  values,  symptoms  and  the  relations  of  personal 
idiosynoracies  and  such  freedom  in  the  use  of  the  implements  of  homoeo- 
pathic warfare  in  general,  as  will  enable  him  to  deal  not  only  intelli- 
gently with  the  responsibilities  entruated  to  his  care,  but  he  must  ac- 
quire such  a  degree  of  rapidity  in  every  detail,  as  to  make  it  possible  to 
aave  life,  perpetuate  health  and  to  supi>ort  himself  and  family  with  the 
fruits  of  his  efforts.  This  achievement  consumes  so  much  time  that 
very  few  attain  the  goal  imtil  prominent  marios  of  age  appear,  facial 
lines  which  mental  concentration  brings  are  in  evidence,  and  although 
these  are  secondary  equipments,  they  come  to  stay,  welcome  or  other- 

*Bead  before  the  Xntemational  Hahnemannian  Association. 


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168  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHT 

wise. '  But  with  all  its  sacriBoes  oomee  a  meet  satisfactory  compensation 
— a  power  akin  to  intuition — ^the  legitimate  return  for  hard  work^  a 
conscientious  record  for  careful  and  correct  prescribing,  from  the  first 
to  the  last  of  his  professional  career,  whether  the  patient  be  a  paui>er 
or  a  millionaire. 

Such  a  man  stands  like  a  temple  set  on  a  hill  and  cannot  be  hid,  a 
temple  having  seven  gates: — The  north  gate  is  investigate  and  swings 
inward,  the  mellow  northern  light  affords  the  best  aid  to  the  research  to 
which  this  temple  is  dedicated.  The  east  gate  is  congregate  and  also 
swings  inward,  and  the  earnest  effort  to  assemble  the  elements  of  char- 
acter, sincerity,  knowledge,  integrity,  perseverance,  endurance;,  contin- 
uity, diplomacy,  wit  and  wisdom,  health  and  power  to  acquire  every- 
thing of  value,  and  the  fulfillment  of  the  rapidly  increasing  freedom, 
which  enables  him  day  by  day  to  perform  the  taeks  encountered,  with 
lighting  speed,  to  his  own  eatisfaction  and  to  the  best  interests  of  his 
patients,  and  all  by  reason  of  knowing  how  to  congregate.  The  south 
gate  swings  outward  and  ite  name  is  propagate;  the  products  of  the 
temple  move  out  and  abroad,  precept  and  example  are  established,  like 
th«  warm  rays  of  the  noon-day  sun  it  perpetuates  the  kindly  in- 
fluences which  emanate  from  the  enlightened  spirit  which  prevails  with- 
in. The  west  gate  swings  outward  and  is  called  delegate.  Here  is  an 
array,  a  delegatioi;!,  a  consignment,  an  enthronement,  qrmbolized  by  the 
setting  sun,  as  it  moves  on  in  its  brilliant  course  and  conveys  light, 
truth  and  health  to  oihesr  lands.  The  fifth  gate  is  mitigate,  which  is  in 
the  dome  of  the  temple  and  swings  upward  toward  the  source  of  miti- 
gation of  wrongs  committed  and  wrongs  received.  The  sixth  gate  is  ir- 
rigate and  this  perfects  .the  system  of  sanitation  and  renders  the  temple 
a  healthful  abode.  The  seventh  gate  is  promulgate,  which  leads  to  the , 
tower  of  the  temple,  from  which  there  is  a  i>erpetual  flow  of  silent  in- 
fluences, which  attract  receptive  minds  and  create  devotees  and  able 
students  of  homoeopathy — ^living  proofs  to  the  world  that  he  is  by  reason 
of  his  methods  and  skill  in  applying  his  knowledge,  the  master  of  disease 
and  that  he  is  duly  fulfilling  the  mission  of  Hahnemann,  who  said: — 
"The  first  and  sole  duty  of  the  physician  is,  to  restore  health  to  the 
sick." 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMOBOPATHT  169 

BOOK  REVIEWS 


A  Manual  of  Therapeutic  Exercise  and  Massage 

Designed  for  the  use  of  Physicians,  Students  and  Masseurs.    By  0. 
Herman  Bueholz,  M.D.,  Director  of  the  Medico-Mechanical  and 
Hydrotherapeutic  Departments  of  the  Massachusetts  General  Hos- 
pital, Assistant  in  Physical  Therapeutics,  Harvard  Oraduate  School 
of  Medicine,  etc.    Illustrated  with  89  engravings.    8vo.  427  pages, 
price  $3.25.    Lea  &  Febiger,  Philadelphia  and  New  York,  1917. 
A  number  of  factors  make  the  publication  of  this  book  very  oppor- 
tune:   The  general  turning  away  of  so  many  of  the  medical  profession 
from  drugs,  the  growth  of  cults  developed  to  further  various  systems  of 
manipulative  therapeutics,  a  growing  recognition  in  the  medical  profes- 
sion of  the  value  of  massage  and  therapeutic  exercises,  and  the  epidemics 
of  poliomyelitis  which  have  given  rise  to  numerous  cases  that  need 
treatment  of  this  character.    Too  many  doctors  have  a  vague  idea  that 
massage  would  be  bene^cial  in  a  given  case,  but  do  not  know  how  to  ad- 
minister the  treatment,  and  often  consider  such  manipulation  beneath 
their  dignity  and  refer  the  patient  to  a  "masseur"  or  'Masseuse."    The 
result  is  very  often  disappointing. 

The  study  of  this  manual  would  enable  the  physician  to  intelligent- 
ly treat  his  patient  along  these  lines,  to  their  benefit  and  his  i>ecuinary 
advantage.  I^art  I  deals  with  exercise  in  general  and  the  technic  and 
physiology  of  massage;  Part  II  takes  up  the  application  of  exercises  and 
massage  to  the  prevention  and  treatment  of  stiff  joints,  arthritis,  lumbo- 
sacral and  iliac  affections,  faulty  posture  and  lateral  curvature,  affections 
of  the  foot,  paralysis,  painful  affections,  etc 

The  procedures  are  sufficiently  described  and  well  illustrated,  and, 
so  far  as  it  goes,  this  therapy  is  to  be  recommended  to  practitioners. 
Not  enough  emphasis  has  been  laid,  perhaps,  on  the  necessity  of  clearing 
out  plastic  deposits  the  result  of  effusions  and  on  the  fact  that  occasionfd 
treatments  cannot  correct  faulty  habits  and  the  results  of  incorrect 
clothing  and  footwear. 

Clinical  Gynecology 

By  James  0.  Wood,  AM.,  M.D.,  FA..C.S.,  etc.    286  pages.    Oloth,  $2.00 

net.    Philadelphia,  Boericke  &  Tafel,  1917. 

This  is  a  series  of  clinical  lectures  delivered  at  various  times  to  the 
senior  class  of  the  Oleveland-Pulte  Medical  College,  the  subjects  treated 
being  dysuria,  dysmenorrhea,  uterine  hemorrhage,  vaginal  discharge, 
leucorrhea,  cancer,  myofibroma  of  the  uterus,  gastric  and  duodenal  ulcer, 
gastro-intestinal  auto-intoxication  and  mucous  entero-colitis,  exophthalmic 
goitre,  reflex  and  toxic  epilepsy,  specific  inflammation  of  the  finale  i>el- 
vie  organs,  referred  pain,  some  of  the  post-operative  factors  in  women 
interfering  with  convalescence,  some  of  the  advantages  as  well  as  some 
of  the  disadvantages,  in  basing  the  homoBopathic  prescription  upon  sub- 
jective phenomena^  alone,  and  post-operative  treatment.  The  method  of 
handling  each  subject  can  best  be  illustrated  by  quoting  the  contents  of 
onediapter:  ^dysmenorrhea — Clinical  Case — ^Remarks — ^Dysmenorrhea 
as  a  Symptom — ^Removal  of  Ovaries  in — Suffering  During  Menstruation 
— ^Varieties  —  Mittleschmertz  —  Prognosis  —  Treatment:  Removal  of 
Cause — ^Electricity — ^Vibration — ^Protection  from  Cold — ^Dividsion — 
Treatment  of  Nose  in  Nasal  Dymnenorrhea — ^Homoeopathic  Therapeutics 
— Oondusions.'^    The  fifteen  chapters  or  lectures  are  preceded  by  a 


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170  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMOSOPATHT 

*Toreword"  dealing  largely  with  the  place  of  homoeopathy  in  the  modem 
practice  of  medicine  which  needs  a  more  extended  notice  than  can  be 
given  here.  Chapter  XIV  has  a  somewhat  misleading  title:  "Some  of 
the  advantages  as  well  as  some  of  the  dangers  in  basing  the  prescription 
upon  subjective  phenomena  alone.  The  significance  of  pain."  The 
points  the  author  endeavors  to  make  are  "the  necessity  of  overcoming 
surgical,  mechanical  or  toxic  conditions  before  prescribing  the  homoeop- 
athic remedy ;  the  advantage  lies  in  being  able  to  correct  perverted  func- 
tion long  before  the  physical  manifestations  of  disease  are  apparent,  the 
disadvantages  are  unjustifiable  reliance  upon  the  internal  remedy  re- 
quiring surgical  or  physical  measures.  We  think  there  is  some  confusion 
here  between  prescription  and  treatment.  The  running  heading  at  the 
top  of  the  page  throughout  this  chapter  is  rather  ill  chosen — "Some  of 
the  Advantages"  means,  is  descriptive  of,  nothing;  we  suggest  as  an 
improvement:  'Trescribing  upon  Subjective  Phenomena."  Dr.  Wood 
considers  Hughes'  Pharmacodynamics  the  model  work  on  homoeopathic 
materia  medica  and  therapeutics  and  the  indications  given  for  the  rem- 
edies useful  in  the  several  conditions  treated  in  the  book  are  of  the  type 
which  harmonizes  with  such  a  view. 

It  is  evident  from  what  has  been  said  that  Dr.  Wood  does  not  think 
that  gynecology  is  a  surgical  specialty  exclusively  as  is  the  tendency 
among  many  gynecologists  today;  his  practice  makes  this  book  the 'more 
valuable  to  the  ordinary  general  practitioner.  The  author,  in  writing  it, 
has  tried  to  make  it  acceptable  to  practitioners  of  the  "regular"  school, 
keeping  in  mind  the  definition  adopted  by  the  American  Institute  of 
Homoeopathy,  he  "adds"  to  the  knowledge  common  to  all  gynecologists 
"a  special  knowledge  of  homoeopathic  therapeutics"  as  applied  to  gynec- 
ology and,  in  the  treatment  of  gynecologic  patients,  he  "observes  the 
law  of  similars"  whenever  his  professional  judgment  leads  him  to  think 
that  a  homoeopathic  prescription  would  be  an  aid  to  the  treatment. 

The  book  has  been  provided  with  a  full  index,  and,  in  short,  is  one 
that  does  credit  to  the  author  and  to  the  school  of  medicine  of  which 
he  is  one  of  the  leading  members. 

Manual  of  Nervous  Diseases 
By  Irving  J.  Spear,  M.D.,  Professor  of  Neurology  at  the  University  of 

Maryland,  Baltimore.  12mo.  of  660  pages  with  169  illustrations. 

Philadelphia  and  London:  W.  B.  Saunders  Company,  1916.    Cloth. 

$2.75  net. 

A  moderate  sized  volume  of  good  print  and  excellent  arrangement, 
which  is,  in  reality,  a  compilation  of  facts  and  theories  essential  to 
demonstrate,  in  a  practical  way,  the  anatomy  and  physiology  of  the  nerv- 
ous system  and  the  organic  nervous  diseases,  a  study  of  which  has  al- 
ways been  conceded  to  be  exceedingly  difficult  to  the  medical  student  and 
to  the  general  practitioner. 

Excellent  illustrations  and  diagrams  are  used  throughout  the  vol- 
ume, which  are  original  or  taken  from  such  reliable  authorities  as 
SpaJteholz,  Whittaker,  Barker,  Huber  Bohm  and  Davidoff,  Fleming, 
Feigel,  Butler,  Gray,  Starr,  Charcot,  Sobotta,  Fowler  and  others. 

The  methods  of  examination  as  laid  down,  are  simple,  practical,  re- 
quire very  little  special  training  and  no  apparatus  save  a  galvanic  and 
a  f aradic  battery. 

The  first  one  hundred  eighty  pages  of  the  book  are  devoted  to  the 
anatomy,  and  physiology  of  the  nervous  system  and  to  the  examination 
of  the  patient.  The  remainder  of  the  volume  is  devoted  to  diseases, — of 
the  peripheral  nerves,  of  the  muscular  system,  of  the  spinal  cord,  of  the 
brain,  of  the  brain  and  spinal  cord,  of  the  nervous  system  without  path- 
ologic findings,  diseases  due  to  perversion  of  secretions  of  the  ductless 
glands,  and  diseases  due  to  disturbances  of  the  vaso-motor  system. 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOHCEOPATHY  171 

Care  of  Patients 

Undergoing  Gynecologic  and  Abdominal  Procedures,  before,  during,  and 
after  operation  by  E.  E.  Montgomery,  M.D.,  Professor  of  Gynecology 
in  Jefferson  Medical  College,  Philadelphia.  12mo  of  149  pages  with 
61  illustrations.  Philadelphia  and  London :  W.  B.  Saunders  Com- 
pany.   1916.     Cloth,  $1.25  net. 

This  volume  is  comparable  to  a  chart  the  intelligent  following  of 
which  by  the  overworked  surgeon,  by  the  surgeon  preparing  for  an  un- 
usual operation,  by  the  young  gynecologist  treading  alone  the  paths  of 
pelvic  and  abdominal  surgery,  by  the  novice  in  the  operating  room,  by 
the  interne  and  by  the  nurse,  will  accelerate  the  work  of  the  surgeon,  de- 
crease the  surgeon's  anxiety  and  bring  the  maximum  amount  of  comfort 
and  satisfaction  to  the  patient. 

The  first  sixty-one  pages  deal  with  preparation  of  the  field  for 
operation,  the  incision,  the  closure  of  the  wound,  the  dressings,  the  care 
of  the  patient  during  operation  and,  in  detail,  of  the  care  of  the  patient 
after  operation  during  any  one  of  the  more  common  .post-operative 
possibilities. 

Fifty-two  pages  are  devoted  to  abdoniinal  and  pelvic  operations; 
thirty  pages  to  vaginal  operations.  In  this  section  each  operation  is 
treated  in  detail  as  to  conditions  under  which  this  particular  operation 
is  indicated,  a  detailed  list  accompanied  by  illustration  of  instruments 
and  dressings  needed,  and  a  'complete  description  of  each'  step  of  surgical 
procedure  on  the  part  of  surgeon,  assistant,  and  nurse. 


ADVENTUKES  OF  A  FRONTIER  DOCTOR 

BY  CHARLES  STUART  MOODY,  M.D. 

(Clinical  Medicine) 

We  are  taught  and  we  read  that  matters  communicated  to  us  in  pro- 
fessional confidence  are  not  to  be  revealed  except  upon  the  consent  of 
the  person  concerned,  but  I  have  often  wondered  how  many  times  the 
ends  of  jufitice  have  been  thwarted  by  this  rule.  One  incident  in  my 
own  career,  which  happened  many  years  ago,  will  serve  as  an  illustration. 

Older  residents  of  north  Idaho  will  recall  a  band  of  cattle  rustlers 
that  some  twenty  years  and  more  ago  operated  in  the  region  north  of 
the  Salmon  River.  This  band  was  thoroughly  organized,  and  so  bold 
did  they  become  in  their  raids  that  they  did  not  hesitate  to  descend 
upon  a  herd  of  fat  cattle  in  broad  daylight  and  make  way  with  them, 
running  diem  across  the  river,  and  concecding  them  there  in  some  out 
of  the  way  canyon  until  the  excitement  had  died  out;  then  the  brands 
were  changed  and  the  cattle  marketed  at  some  railway  station  in  east- 
em  Orcjgon. 

This  band  continued  its  depredations  for  several  years  without  any 
of  its  members  being  apprehended;  although  it  was  an  open  secret  that 
they  were  under  the  protection  of  the  local  authorities  and  that  their 
identity  was  well  known  to  the  sheriff  and  his  men.  At  last,  however, 
their  activities  became  so  pronounced  that  the  cattle-men  themselves 
decided  to  take  the  matter  in  hand.  To  this  end,  a  secret  meeting  was 
hdd  and  a  patrol  of  "cow-punchers"  was  organized — ^men  who  had  a 
strong  predisposition  to  shoot  first  and  ask  all  necessary  questions  after- 
ward. These  men  were  detailed  to  wa'tch  the  different  herds  of  cattle; 
and  so  secretly  was  the  plan  carried  out  that  neither  the  rustlers  nor  the 
aheriff  and  his  aids  were  cognizant  of  it 


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172  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMiEOPATHT 

In  less  than  three  weAs  after  the  secret  patrol  had  hecn  orgranised, 
the  rustlers  descended  upon  a  bunch  of  fat  steers  that  were  just  ready 
for  the  market.  In  the  battle  that  followed,  one  of  the  rustlers  was  badly 
wounded;  the  band,  however,  managed  to  miake  its  escape  in  the  darkness, 
the  trail  being  lost  somewhere  among  the  rocks  on  the  banks  of  ihe 
Clearwater  River. 

A   MmNIGHT  CALL 

It  was  along  toward  midnight  on  the  24th  of  October,  the  period  of 
the  autumn  rains,  and  it  was  raining  as  it  can  rain  cmly  sdong  the 
Clearwater  when  the  conditions  are  just  right.  I  had  gone  to  bed, 
thankful  that  no  ailing  mortal  was  in  need  of  my  services  on  such  a 
night,  and  had  fallen  tranquilly  asleep,  dreaming  x>erhaps  of  a  heavenly 
time  when  country  doctors  no  more  will  have  to  roll  out  of  their  warm 
beds  in  the  dead  of  night,  when  a  knock  sounded  on  the  door.  I  crawl- 
ed out  and  went  to  the  door,  but  could  see  no  one.  As'  I  was  about  to 
dose  the  door  again,  I  heard  a  voice  out  of  the  darkness,  saying,  'doc- 
tor, dress  and  come  over  to  your  offica'' 

I  donned  my  clothing,  ^rew  on  a  raincoat  and  walked  over  to  the 
office,  located  only  a  few  steps  away. 

No  one  was  to  be  seen  upon  my  reaching  the  office.  I  unlocked  the 
door,  stepped  inside  and  made  a  light;  then,  as  I  turned,  I  was  surpris- 
ed to  face  a  man  who  wore  a  black  mask  and  held  in  his  hand  a  large  and 
decidedly  competent-looking  revolver.  Evidently  this  unpleasant  strang- 
er had  stealthily  entered  the  place  after  me.  I  fancied  I  could  see  the 
fellow  smile  behind  his  mask  at  my  start  of  surprise  upon  beholding 
the  apparition. 

''Do  not  be  alarmed,  doctor,"  the  man  said,  ''no  harm  will  befall 
you  if  you  obey  orders.  jGtet  together  such  things  as  you  may  need  to 
perform  a  surgical  operation  and  come  with  me." 

"Where  to?"    I  asked. 

"That  you  probably  will  never  learn;  but,  should  you  ever  find  out, 
it  will  be  better  for  you  to  keep  that  information  to  yourself." 

"What  if  I  should  refuse  to  accompany  you  upon  such  terms  f*  I 
asked  further. 

"Do  you  think  that  you  will  refuse  ?"  he  asked. 

Candidly,  I  did  not  think  so.  There  seemed  to  be  such  a  convinc- 
ing air  of  finality  about  the  unwavering  directness  of  that  revolver  that 
I  demed  it  advisable  just  then  to  enter  into  the  humor  of  the  thing  and 
to  accede  to  the  whims  of  the  man  who  held  it. 

I  hastily  packed  my  emergency-kit  the  while  my  unbidden  gruesfs 
^es  were  on  me  and  soon  announced  myself  reac^  for  the  journey. 

My  guide  led  me  to  where  two  horses  were  tied  beneath  a  tree,  and 
one  of  tbem,  I  was  startled  to  discover,  was  my  own  saddle-animal. 
Thus,  then,  the  persons  who  required  my  services  were,  at  least,  acquaint- 
ed with  the  surroundings,  else  the  man  would  not  have  known  where 
to  find  my  horse  and  saddle.  Without  a  word,  we  unleashed,  moimted, 
and  proceeded  to  ride  down  the  river-trail.  Presently  my  guide  halted, 
produced  a  black  silk  handkerchief  and  said,  "Tou  now  will  permit  your- 
self to  be  blindfolded." 

A  RmE  WITH  A  MASK 

I  submitted  as  gracefully  as  possible,  the  mask  being  tied  over 
my  eyes  in  such  manner  that  it  was  impossible  for  me  to  see.  The  man 
then  took  the  reins  of  my  horse  and  we  resumed  our  journey. 

Although  my  hands  were  free,  I  knew  better  than  to  attempt  to  re- 
move the  mask.  I  tried  to  guess  the  direction  we  were  traveling,  but 
could  only  tell  that  after  an  hour's  ride  we  were  ascending  the  steep  side 
of  a  canyon,  and  from  this  I  argued  that  we  were  winding  up  from  out 


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KOBTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHT  l78 

of  the  river-bottom.  For  several  hours  we  toiled  up  this  steep  canjon- 
side  in  silence.  The  rain  continued  to  pour,  and  it  was  but  a  short 
time  before  I  had  been  drenched  to  the  skin  and  feeling  thoroughly  un- 
comfortable. I  attempted  to  engage  my  guide  in  conversation,  but  these 
did  not  meet  with  success;  so,  I,  too,  relai>sed  into  silence  as  we  went 
on  through  the  dreary  night.  After  what  seemed  an  age,  I  could  see 
the  gray  dawn  beginning  to  show  through  my  mask.  Then  we  descend- 
ed into  what  app^ured  to  be  a  wide  mountain-valley  or  meadow,  crossed 
it,  ascended  another  short  hill,  and  then,  at  last,  our  horses  came  to  a 
halt  My  guide  dismounted,  assisted  me  to  alight,  then  conducted  me 
into  a  house. 

Shaking  with  cold  and  half  dead  from  fatigue,  I  was  led  into  an 
inner,  warm  room  and  the  mask  was  removed.  I  found  myself  in  what 
appeared  to  be  a  room  in  a  large  log  cabin,  a  bright  fire  burned  in  an 
open  fire-place,  a  lighted  lamp  stood  upon  a  table,  and  the  table  was  laid 
for  a  meat  When  my  gaide  retired  from  the  room,  iie  locked  the  door 
after  him;  and»  as  there  was  no  window,  I  found  myself  effectually  im- 
prisoned. 

I  threw  aside  my  raincoat  and  basked  in  the  warmth  of  the  fire.  In 
half  an  hour  or  so  Uie  door  opened  and  a  masked  woman  entered,  bear- 
ing a  tray  with  my  breakfast.  She  placed  the  food  on  the  table,  then  re- 
tired as  silently  as  she  had  come;  however,  I  was  hungry  and  needed 
no  persuasive  invitation  to  sit  down  and  eat  The  meal  finished,  I  light- 
ed a  cigar  and  once  more  seated  myself  before  the  blazing  fire.  Dead 
tired,  I  soon  was  soundly  asleep.  It  must  have  been  nearly  9  o'clock 
when  a  man  called  upon  me  to  follow  him,  and  I  was  conducted  into  the 
living-quarters  of  the  house  and  there  found  assembled  six  persons- 
two  of  them  women — all  masked. 

One  of  the  men  advanced  to  where  I  stood.  *T)octor,"  said  he, 
you  have  been  called  here  upon  &  very  delicate  mission.  One  of  our 
number  has  been  accidentally  and,  we  fear,  seriously  wounded.  There 
is  more  than  one  good  reason  why  it  is  better  for  you  that  you  should 
never  know  where  you  are  or  upon  whom  you  are  attending ;  hence,  these 
disguises  and  the  precautions  that  have  been  taken  in  bringing  you 
here.  Before  entering  the  sick-room,  we  must  have  your  promise  that 
you  will  never  make  mention  of  this  visit  as  long  as  you  live  in  this 
country,  and  I  may  add  that  your  personal  safety  will  depend  upon 
your  strictly  observing  these  demands." 

I  merely  bowed  in  assent 

"If  you  are  ready,  we  will  now  visit  the  patient" 

A  WOUNDED  GIRL — MASKED ! 

We  pasesd  into  an  inner  room  and  there  I  saw  lying  upon  a  couch 
what,  at  first  look,  I  thought  to  be  a  young  man,  but  doser  inspection  re- 
vealed a  young  woman,  hardly  more  than  a  girL  To  my  surprise,  she, 
too,  wore  a  black  mask  over  her  faca  The  girl  was  moaning  with  pain 
and  it  required  only  a  cursory  examination  to  disclose  the  fact  that  she 
was  consumed  by  fever,  while  a  crude  surgical  dressing  covered  her  left 
breast  R^noving  the  bandage,  I  found  that  her  breast  had  been  al- 
most completely  torn  away  by  a  high-power  rifle-ball.  Those  of  you 
who  have  had  experience  with  the  explosive  force  of  high-power  missiles 
will  readily  understand  that  such  a  bullet,  when  entering  the  female 
breast  at  its  lower  internal  margin,  and  passing  upward  and  outward,  to 
emerge  near  the  outer  angle  of  the  clavicle,  would  leave  the  flesh  in  a 
pretty  badly  lacerated  condition.  The  wound  already  was  several  days 
old  and  was  beginning  to  show  signs  of  sepsis.  I  decided  at  once  that, 
in  order  to  save  the  young  woman's  life,  it  would  be  necessary  to  per- 
form what  amounted  practically  to  amputation  of  the  breast. 


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174  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OP  HOM(EOPATHY 

The  man  who  does  surgery  in  the  wilds  of  the  Northwest  must  soon 
learn  to  adapt  himself  to  conditions  as  he  finds  them,  if  he  would  suc- 
ceed. It  was  manifestly  impossible  to  get  this  patient  out  to  where 
she  could  have  hospital  care,  and  it  was  equally  manifest  that  unless 
something  were  done  immediately  she  was  doomed.  Without  question,  I 
was  here  confronted  by  the  biggest  problem  in  my  professional  career, 
yet,  there  was  no  time  to  withdraw,  and  there  was  even  less  time  for 
hesitation. 

I  arose  from  my  examination. 

'*It  will  be  necessary  to  amputate  the  lady's  breast,''  I  said  to  those 
standing  exi)ectantly  about,  "and  in  order  to  do  so  I  must  administer 
an  anesthetic.    I  must  request  you  to  remove  this  mask." 

^'But,"  protested  one  of  the  women,  **that  will  disclose  her  identity." 

"Doubtless,"  I  assented,  "but  absolutely  necessary,  nevertheless." 

They  drew  aside  and  consulted  in  whispers.  Then  the  same  man 
who  had  talked  with  me  before  approached  and  spoke  *•  "Doctor,  will 
you  give  us  your  promise,  upon  honor,  that  should  you  ever,  at  any 
future  time,  happen  to  meet  this  young  lady,  by  no  word  or  look  will 
you  reveal  the  fact  that  you  have  met  her  before?"  Assuredly,  by  this 
time  I  was  so  deeply  interested  in  the  case  that  I  was  willing  to  make 
any  promise  within  reason ;  so,  when  all  was  prepared  to  administer  the 
chloroform,  one  of  them  removed  the  mask. 

Stepping  to  the  bedside,  I  looked  into  the  pain-fiUed  dark  eyes  of  a 
strikingly  beautiful  young  woman,  and  so  indelibly  were  her  features 
impressed  upon  my  mind  that  I  have  not  been  able  to  forget  them,  al- 
though years  have  passed.  Necessity  compelled  me  to  be  my  own  anes- 
thetist, my  own  assistant — one  learns  to  do  such  things  in  the  wilds, 
if  he  attempts  to  do  surgery.  That  was  before  the  days  of  finished 
asepsis;  still,  cleanliness  working  together  with  a  naturally  vigorous 
young  womanhood  eventually  brought  the  patient  through  very  well. 

I  completed  my  work,  then  seated  myself  by  the  bedside,  to  await  the 
return  of  my  patient  to  consciousness.  All  that  day  and  the  day  fol- 
lowing I  sat  there  and  ministered  to  her,  and  during  that  time  we  be- 
came quite  friendly,  so  that,  when  the  shadows  of  the  third  night  fell,  I 
bade  her  farewell  with  a  feeling  of  sincere  attachment.  No  matter  what 
she  might  be,  to  me  she  was  a  suffering  fellow  mortal  in  need  of  my 
meager  skill.  My  mysterious  guide  was  ready  with  the  horses  and, 
mounting,  we  rode  away  on  our  long  nightly  return  trip.  When  half  a  mile 
away  from  the  cabin  my  companion  halted,  produced  the  handkerchief, 
and  once  more  I  permitted  myself  to  be  blinded  for  the  journey. 

Another  long,  weary  night  we  rode,  my  guide  leading  my  horse,  as 
before.  Not  a  word  did  he  utter  during  that  journey.  When  the  new 
day  began  to  break  we  had  come  out  upon  a  highroad.  Our  horses  were 
halted  and  my  blindfold  was  removed. 

"This,"  said  the  guide,  "is  the  old  stajgeroad  leading  to  P — .  You 
have  your  choice  either  of  going  there,  which  is  less  than  a  dozen  miles 
distant,  or  you  may  take  the  road  directly  home." 

I  turned  my  horse's  head  toward  home,  the  man  watching  me  until 
I  was  nearly  out  of  sight  around  the  bend  in  the  road.  Then  he  turned 
his  horse  and  disappeared  into  the  forest.  I  reached  home  safely  that 
afternoon,  tired  and  half-dead  from  loss  of  sleep. 

The  sequel  to  this  incident  happened  some  five  years  later  in  the 
city  of  L — ,  not  many  leagues  from  my  old  station  in  the  mountains. . 
We  were  attending  a  race-meet  in  that  city,  the  guests  of  friends.  It 
was  the  day  of  ladies'  hurdle-race  and  we  were  awaiting  that  event.  A 
youngwoman,  mounted  upon  a  beautiful  black  Kentuc^  thoroughbred, 
rode  up  to  where  our  group  was  seated,  dismounted,  threw  the  reins  over 


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KOBTH  AMERIOAN  JOURNAL  OP  HOM(EOPATHY  175 

her  arm  and  approached.  I  glancsed  at  her  and  could  scarcely  restrain 
my  start  of  surprise — it  was  my  mysterious  patient  of  the  mountain- 
cabin. 

My  hostess  turned  to  me :  "Doctor  Moody,  permit  me  to  introduce 
Miss  K — 9  whom  we  hope  to  see  carry  oflf  the  honors  today  in  the  hurdles." 

The  young  lady  frankly  extended  her  hand:  "I  am  very  pleased  to 
meet  you  doctor,  she  said.     **We  have  never  met  before,  have  we?" 

"I  am  quite  sure  I  have  never  had  that  pleasure."  I  took  her 
hand  and  looked  her  squarely  in  the  eyes. 

I  lied  like  a  gentleman — a  doctor  often  has  to. 


COTTAGE  SCHOOLS 

In  an  interesting  article  in  School  and  Society,*  Todd  makes  a  plea 
for  schools  constructed  on  the  cottage  plan.  He  insists  that  the  present 
prevailing  type  of  city  schools,  which  he  calls  "tenement  schools,"  are 
not  only  much  more  exi)en8ive  per  class-room  than  one-story  simple 
buildings,  but  also  much  more  unhygienic.  According  to  Todd,  the  ad- 
vantage of  the  one-story  multiple-unit  schools  are : 

"1.  Cottage  schools  would  reduce  the  infectious  disease  risk  to  the 
minimum.  As  long  as  the  mingling  of  all  grades  in  the  halls  continues, 
it  is  impossible  to  prevent  the  disease  carriers  and  missed  incipient 
cases  from  making  the  schools  the  unnecessary  distributing  center  of  the 
infections  of  the  conununity.  If  the  cottage  school  had  no  other  reason 
for  adoption,  this  alone  would  be  sufficient. 

"2.  The  large  ground  necessary  for  cottage  school  is  an  asset  of 
incalculable  value.  The  money  invested  in  the  grounds  is  the  only  part 
of  the  investment  that  is  permanent  and  of  constantly  increasing  value. 
The  buildings  begin  to  deteriorate  as  soon  as  completed,  until  in  a  long- 
er or  shorter  period  they  become  worthless. 

Under  the  delusion  that  they  are  building  for  permanence,  our 
school  buildings  have  become  extravagantly  costly.  If  it  were  possible 
to  build  a  building  that  would  last  forever,  it  would  be  undesirable,  for 
in  a  short  period  it  would  be  outclassed  and  become  a  liability  instead  of 
an  asset.  The  value  of  the  correlation  of  study  and  play  is  becoming 
universally  recognized  by  advanced  educators  and  sanitarians.  By  rota- 
tion of  classes  the  playground  could  be  in  continuous  use.  The  fre- 
quent active  play  in  the  open  air  and  sunlight  would  develop  healthy 
bodies  and  active  minds  and  would  increase  the  efficiency  of  the  school 
in  every  way  materially. 

"3.  The  one-story  cottage  school  would  eliminate  the  fire  risk  en- 
tirely— no  matter  what  the  type  of  construction  might  be,  whether  of 
wood  or  other  material. 

"4.  The  elimination  of  stairs  very  materially  reduces  the  cost,  as 
well  as  the  danger,  that  is  always  associated  with  their  use  in  schools. 

"6.  The  elimination  of  the  basement  would  reduce  the  cost  of  con- 
struction and  at  the  same  time  get  rid  of  a  source  of  dust,  disorder  and 
disease. 

"6.  By  dispensing  with  the  interior  hall,  we  avoid  the  opportunity 
of  contacts  in  the  different  grades.  The  halls  are  always  badly  ventil- 
ated and  add  greatly  to  the  cost  of  heating.  To  warm  and  care  for  the 
halls  increases  the  cost  of  maintenance  from  15  to  50  per  cent.;  we  re- 
duce the  cubic  contents  of  the  buildings  from  15  to  50  per  cent. 

♦Constructive  School  Hygiene,  John  B.  Todd,  School  and  Society,  VoL 
in.  No.  70,  April  29, 1916,  p.  617. 


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176  irOBTR  AMERIOAV  JOUSHAL  OF  HOMOBOPATHT 

''This  means  a  reduction,  not  only  of  total  square  feet  of  foundation, 
but  also  of  the  character  of  the  foundation.  In  two-  and  three-story 
tenement  schools  the  foundation  walls  must  be  heavy  and  carried  down 
deep.  Often  then  we  find  settling  of  walk  and  cracks  in  the  buildings. 
In  the  cottages  without  basement  or  interior  hall,  the  foundation  can 
safely  be  very  much  less  heavy  and  consequently  less  expensive. 

"7.  Cottage  schools  can  be  perfectly  ventilated  by  the  open  windows, 
using  doth  screens  in  cold  weather.  The  saving  in  the  cost  of  expens- 
ive ventilating  apparatus  would  be  a  great  gain,  beside  the  cost  of  pow- 
er, care,  maintenance  and  depreciation.  One  school  saved  $343  in  elec- 
tric power  bills  in  one  year. 

"8.  The  plan  is  elastic.  The  inexpensive  school  units  can  be  provid- 
ed as  needed,  from  the  kindergarten  up  to  junior  high  school,  as  the 
growth  and  development  of  the  locality  require. 

''O.  Because  of  the  less  expensive  type  of  construction,  the  multiple- 
unit  school  is  the  cheapest  The  total  investment  in  each  school 
unit  is  much  less. 

"10.  The  inexpensive  central  building  can  provide  the  auditorium, 
gymnasium,  baths,  offices,  etc. ;  also  the  heating  plant,  which  would  fur- 
nish steam  heat  for  each  cottage  school. 

"11.  Whenever  a  case  of  infectious  disease  does  occur,  the  ex- 
posures have  been  those  only  which  were  unavoidable — ^tliat  is,  in  Uie 
classroom  of  the  single  cottage,  and  if  it  should  become  necessary  to 
close  that,  it  would  not  disrupt  the  entire  school 

"12.  It  is  a  distinct  advantage  in  school  supervision.  The  prin- 
cipal, not  being  called  upon  to  waste  his  time  in  considering  disorders  of 
discipline  that  are  unavoidable  from  the  promiscuous  mingling  in  halls, 
can  give  a  much  greater  part  of  his  attention  and  energy  to  school  work, 
and  this  will  react  to  the  advantage  and  the  standing  of  the  schooL  The 
teachers  also  will  have  less  trouble  in  maintaining  discipline  and  can 
do  better  work. 

"It  may  be  asked  why  we  do  not  build  cottage  schools  if  th^  are 
better  in  every  way,  and  cheaper.  The  answer  is  ti^t  we  have  been  gov- 
erned by  opinion  and  not  by  knowledge,  hence  the  level  of  practise  in 
school  building  is  a  decade  behind  advanced  special  knowl^ge  of  the 
art** 


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INTERNATIONAL  HOMCEOPATHIC  REVIEW 


HOW  I  BECAME  A  HOMCEOPATH 
(From  the  Homoeopathic  World) 

I  always  divide  homoBopathic  patients  and  doctors  into  two  classes: 

1.  Those  who  have  been,  so  to  speak,  brought  up  on  homoeopathy, 
that  is  to  say,  their  parents  have  been  homoeopathic  patients  or  their 
fathers  have  been  homoeopathic  doctors,  and 

2.  Those  who  have  become  converts  to  it. 

The  latter  class  is  an  interesting  one,  because  when  a  person  changes 
his  belief,  it  means  that  in  his  opinion  there  is  something  wrong  with 
it  and  that  he  has  found  in  the  new  something  which  appeals  to  him 
as  more  correct. 

I  belong  to  this  latter  class,  and  having  practised  for  some  time 
as  an  allopath,  I  can  fully  appreciate  the  difficulties  that  appear  to 
stand  in  the  way  preventing  the  acceptance  of  the  homoeopathic  doc- 
trin& 

I  have  noticed  that  when  an  allopath  takes  to  homoeopathy  it  is 
generally  owing  to  some  quite  accidental  circimistance.  My  own  "con- 
version" three  years  ago  was  so  much  accidental  that  I  thought  it  might 
interest  you  to  hear  of  it! 

During  the  previous  year  I  had  been  carrying  on  a  practice  in  a 
suburb  of  Leeds  for  a  doctor  who  was  ill.  During  that  time  I  had  be^i 
growing  more  and  more  dissatisfied  with  the  results  of  ordinaiy  medicin- 
al treatment  and  becoming,  more  and  more  conscious  of  its  limitations, 
until  I  came  to  the  conclusion  that  there  were  only  a  very  few  drugs 
that  were  of  any  value  at  all. 

To  some  patients  I  could  say  that  they  did  not  require  any  medi- 
cine and  that  they  would  get  well  if  they  followed  certain  directions. 
Others,  of  course,  had  to  get  medicine  whether  they  required  it  or  not. 

To  a  great  extent  this  was  practising  something  which  I  did  not 
believe  in,  and  it  was  becoming  uncomfortable  for  my  conscience.  So 
much  was  this  the  case  that  I  had  quite  made  up  my  mind  to  give  up 
general  practice  altogether  and  take  up  Public  Health  work. 

Before  doing  this  I  took  a  holiday  on  the  West  coast  of  Scotland, 
sailing  as  far  as  Stomoway. 

At  the  begiiming  of  the  cruise  I  succeeded  in  making  the  acquaint- 
ance of  another  passenger  who  was  also  alone,  and  after  some  conversa- 
tion each  discovered  that  the  other  was  a  doctor.  We  kept  together 
during  ihe  cruise,  but  I  noticed  that  he  always  kept  aloof  from  discuss- 
ing medical  topics,  and  some  of  his  opinions  on  treatment  seemed  to  me 
to  be  rather  odd,  but  I  paid  little  further  attention  till  one  day  one  of 
the  passengers  was  ill  and  he  suggested  giving  a  medicine  which  I 
thought  could  only  make  him  worse! 

I  now  began  to  look  upon  my  fellow  passenger  with  suspicion.  That 
same  night,  however,  brought  our  cruise  to  a  sudden  end,  in  so  far  as 
the  pleasure  was  concerned.  We  had  just  finished  a  concert  and  were 
steaming  along  at  full  speed  through  a  drizzling  rain,  such  as  is  com- 
monly (sailed  south  of  the  Tweed  a  "Scotch  Mist,"  when  suddenly  there 
was  a  crash  and  a  sudden  jar,  and  a  scraping  sensation  was  felt  under 
the  ship — we  had  run  on  to  a  rock.    I  need  not  enter  into  the  details 


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178  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHT 

of  the  next  hour  during  which  we  were  being  taken  off  the  ship,  nor  the 
eight  hours  we  spent  huddled  together  on  a  very  bleak  rock.  The  inter- 
esting point  to  me  is  that  I  chanced  to  slip  on  the  wet  deck,  which  waa 
lying  at  an  angle  of  about  thirty-six  degrees,  and  so  sprained  my  ankla 
But  for  that  and  the  fact  that  I  was  treated  with  small  pills  by  my 
mysterious  chance  acquaintance,  I  should  not  have  had  the  honor  of 
addressing  you  this  afternoon. 

I  thought  it  very  peculiar  treatment  for  a  sprain,  but  on  expressing 
my  thoughts  I  was  told  that  the  patient  had  no  authority  to  question 
the  treatment  and  so  with  that  and  a  bandage  to  the  offending  joint  I 
settled  down,  knowing  that  under  the  circumstances  I  co"ld  do  no  more. 
I  was  somewhat  surprised  when  next  day  I  found  T  could  hobble  along, 
and  on  reaching  Greenock  I  was  able  to  walk  fairly  comfo'i;ably  from 
the  boat  to  the  station.  Three  days  after  the  accident  I  climbed  a  hill 
without  the  least  troubla 

Of  course  I  was  curious  to  know  what  seemed  to  be  responsible 
for  my  rapid  recovery,  and  my  mysterioiis  chance  acquaintance  said  it 
was  rhus  toxicodendron.  I  said,  '*What?"  He  repeated  it  and  said, 
*T[t  is  a  homoeopathic  remedy.    You  see  I  am  a  homoeopath.** 

That  was  like  a  red  rag  to  a  bull,  and  he  has  since  told  me  the  ex- 
pression on  my  face  at  that  moment  was  a  perfect  study. 

My  chance  acquaintance  now  began  to  tell  me  something  aoout 
his  methods  and  what  he  claimed  to  be  able  to  do,  and  suggested  that  if 
I  cared  to  look  into  it  he  would  give  me  all  the  assistance  he  could.  I 
parted  from  him  with  his  address  and  promised  to  write  him  later.  I 
obtained  the  addresses  of  some  other  homoeopaths  to  whom  I  wrote  adc- 
ing  some,  as  I  thought,  very  pertinent  questions.  They  seemed  to 
meet  these  with  quite  satisfactory  answers,  but  still  I  felt  I  wanted 
some  opinions  from  the  opposite  side. 

How  to  obtain  these  was  my  next  problem.  I  quickly  realized  that 
an  unbiased  opinion  would  be  very  difficult  to  obtain,  as  all  the  men  I 
knew  were  in  the  same  state  of  ignorance  as  myself  regarding  the  prin- 
ciple, or  at  least  they  shared  the  prejudice  that  I  had  had  up  till  then. 

I  felt  certain  that  if  I  asked  the  advice  of  any  of  my  former  teach- 
ers they  would  scorn  the  idea,  yet  I  felt  there  must  be  something  in  it, 
for,  besides  my  own  case,  I  remembered  two  others.  While  in  Leeds 
I  had  had  a  boy  with  whooping-cough,  I  gave  him  the  usual  sedative 
mixture  with  about  half-a-dozen  remedies,  at  the  same  time  frankly 
telling  the  mother  it  would  probably  have  very  little  effect  and  that  the 
disease  would  almost  certainly  take  its  course  of  four  to  six  weeks. 

One  day  I  chanced  to  read  in  a  medical  journal  an  article  by  a 
doctor  who,  on  the  advice  of  the  writer  of  a  preceding  a^icle,  had  used 
tincture  of  drosera  for  whooping  coueh,  and  was  now  writing  to  say  he 
had  found  it  of  no  value.  Next  week  a  letter  appeared  from  the  first 
advocate  of  the  drug  saying,  that  to  be  of  any  vaJne  it  must  be  given 
in  small  doses — ^not  more  than  a  drop  at  a  time.  T  decided  to  try  the 
effect  of  this  at  next  visit,  but  as  I  had  never  heard  of  the  drug  before 
I  went  up  to  the  chemist  and  asked  him  if  he  knew  of  a  drug  called 
tincture  of  drosera.    He  said,  'TTes!    it  is  homoeopathic." 

That  was  too  much  for  me.  I  told  him  there  wj^s  no  drug  the 
peculiar  property  of  homoeopaths — a  view  which  I  still  hold,  for  after 
all  it  is  not  the  drug  but  the  indications  on  which  it  is  given  that  con- 
stitutes the  homoeopathicity.  At  any  rote  it  ended  in  my  telling  the 
chemist  to  add  one  drop  to  each  dose  of  the  boy's  medicine.  I  called 
again  in  a  week  and  had  quite  forgotten  about  this  incident.  The  moth- 
er said:  "That  last  medicine  did  my  boy  a  lot  of  good.  He  stopped 
coughing  and  being  sick  almost  right  away." 


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INTERNATIONAL  HOHCEOPATHIO  REVIEW  179 

I  remembered  adding  the  drosera  to  the  prescription,  but  paid  no 
heed  to  the  altercation  I  had  had  with  the  chemist  about  its  being,  as 
he  said,  ^omceopathic." 

Then  in  the  practice  there  was  a  lady  who  suffered  from  an  eczema 
round  the  nails  for  which  my  chief  had  not  been  able  to  do  any  per- 
manent benefit.  She  consulted  one  of  the  local  homoeopaths,  who  quick- 
ly cured  her  with  calcarea  carbonica.  But  even  these  did  not  move  me — 
It  was  only  when  I  had  had  more  persond  experience  that  I  began  to 
sit  up  and  take  notice!  I  thought  to  myself,  ''If  there  is  anything  in 
this  homodopathy  I  had  better  decide  it  now — ^not  twenty  years  hence, 
when  everybody  has  decided  in  favor  of  it.'' 

I  took  one  medical  friend  into  my  confidence  and  between  us  we 
devised  the  plan  that  I  should  simply  disappear  for  six  months,  and  if 
after  that  i>eriod  of  investigation  my  decision  was  against  homoeopathy, 
then  I  would  simply  reappear  and  no  one  would  be  any  the  wiser.  In 
this  way  I  hoped  to  avoid  all  the  "I  told  you  so's"  of  the  men  whose  ad- 
vice I  would  have  asked,  if  by  chance  I  concluded  that  there  was  noth- 
ing in  it* 

And  so  I  disappeared  to  America  I    After  three  months  I  began 

writing  home  to  my  friends,  disclosing  my  hiding-place,  and  eventually 

I  felt  convinced  enough  to  say  boldly  that  I  was  studying  homoeopathy. 

So  far  I  have  not  regretted  the  step,  and  I  feel  certain  I  never  shall. 

Now  let  ue  consider  how  some  of  ihe  well-known  homoeopaths  have 

adopted  homoeopathy. 

One  naturally  ^inks  first  of  Hahnemann — the  founder  of  homoeop- 
athy. We  are  in  the  habit  of  looking  upon  him  as  the  founder  of 
homoBopathy,  but  that  is  not  strictly  speaking  correct.  Being  a  natural 
law  it  has  idv^ays  existed  and  may  be  truly  said  to  be  ''as  old  as  the  hills." 
There  is  also  plenty  of  evidence  that  its  existence  was  recognized 
long  before  Hahnemann's  tima  When  a  discovery  is  made  it  is  usual- 
ly the  case  that  it  is  found  to  have  been  known  to  the  Chinese,  but 
I  know  of  no  direct  evidence  to  support  this  in  the  case  of  homoeopathy, 
though  the  Chinese  doctors  employ  as  medicine  the  water  in  which 
precious  metals  have  been  boiled. 

These  metals — gold  and  silver,  etc. — are  generally  regarded  as  in- 
soluble^ so  it  looks  as  if  the  Chinese  recognized  the  effect  of  even  min- 
ute quantities  of  metaL 

Hippocrates,  who  was  bom  in  the  year  856  B.C.,  and  is  generally 
called  file  'Tather  of  Medicine"  knew  of  the  principle.  He  says,  ''By 
similar  things  disease  is  produced,  and  by  similar  things,  adminisxered 
to  the  sick,  they  are  healed  of  their  diseases." 

It  appears  to  have  been  known  in  the  East  also,  for  in  a  poem  writ- 
ton  in  Sanscrit,  approximately  in  the  year  66  B.C.,  this  appears :  "It 
has  been  heard  of  old  time  in  the  world  that  poison  is  the  remedy  for 
poison."  From  the  wording  the  translation  seems  to  indicate  that  it  was 
a  piece  of  folk-lore  handed  down  through  many  generations.  So,  if  the 
Chinese  did  not  know  of  it,  it  was  known  in  some  parts  of  the  East. 
There  is  evidence  of  the  recognition  of  the  principle  in  the  old  say- 
ing which  recommends  you  to  "take  a  hair  of  the  dog  that  bit  you." 
A^in,  we  know  that  Paracelsus  knew  of  the  principle.  In  fact,  he 
was  i>er8ecuted  because  he  denounced  the  current  medicinal  treatment 
of  hie  time. 

It  is  quite  evident  then  that  Hahnemann  did  not  discover  the 
principl&  He  was  a  man  of  great  learning  but  it  was  experiment  and 
not  learning  that  convinced  him.  He  was  an  independent  thinker  and 
disagreed  with  the  drastic  measures  used  in  treatment  in  his  day;  for 
in  t^ose  days  about  half  the  illnesses  were  treated  by  bleeding. 


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180  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF   HOM(EOPATHY 

It  18  not  unnatural,  therefore,  that  he  should  experiment  on  the 
lines  of  the  principle  of  similars,  of  which  he  had  read  in  the  writings 
of  Paracelsus.  We  know  that  his  first  experiment  was  made  with  cin- 
chona, which  he  found  produced  shivering  and  many  of  the  other  symp- 
toms of  malaria. 

That  was  the  first  of  his  many  provings  of  drugs.  Hahnemann  is 
held  in  high  esteem  by  homoBopaths  not  because  of  any  claim  that  he 
discovered  the  law,  but  because  he  put  it  on  a  sure  foundation.  He  set 
about  to  collect  data,  and  from  these  data  he  conBtructed  the  theory  of 
the  action  of  the  law  of  similars,  as  may  be  found  in  his  "Orgonon," 
which  is  the  key  to  the  working  of  the  law. 

As  you  probably  know,  he  was  so  persecuted  in  Germany  that 
he  had  to  leave  the  country  and  settled  in  Paris,  where  he  died. 

Neveretheless,  homoeopathy  continued  to  be  practised  in  Germany, 
and  it  must  have  had  considerable  influence  for  one  of  the  medical  so- 
cieties appointed  a  man  to  investigate  the  subject  thoroughly,  with  a 
view  to  writing  a  report  which  would  crush  it  for  all  time  to  coma- 
One  would  naturally  suppose  the  best  available  man  would  be  chos- 
en, and  Constantino  Hering  was  the  choica  He  must  have  made  a  thor- 
ough investigation,  for  the  result  was  that  he  became  a  homoeopath,  and 
probably  one  of  the  greatest  after  Hahnemann.  He  was  so  persecuted 
after  that,  that  he  had  to  emigrate  to  America,  where  he  practised  for 
many  years. 

In  Scotland,  early  in  last  century,  a  committee  of  three  men  was 
appointed  to  investigate  the  new  system.  Two  of  them,  evidently 
like  many  of  the  present-day  investigators,  had  made  up  their  minds 
that  there  was  noUiing  in  it,  but  they  bought  some  books,  read  tfiem, 
and  then  said  there  was  nothing  in  it.  The  third  man,  Professor  Hen- 
derson, was  a  more  conscientious  worker.  He  bought  the  hooka  and  the 
remedies  and  settled  down  to  study  it  He  experimented  with  the  rem- 
edies, and  after  several  months  wrote  his  report  which  was  very  short. 
This  was  it:  ^'Gentlemen,  I  have  tried  it.  It  is  all  true."  This  was 
the  beginning  of  trouble  for  him.  He  had  to  resign  his  post  at  the  Edin- 
burgh Royal  Infirmary,  where  he  was  a  physician  and  professor  of  path- 
ology. He  practised  in  Edinburgh  as  a  homoeopath,  and  was  succeeded 
by  the  late  Dr.  Bryce,  who  died  only  a  few  months  ago.  Professor  Hen- 
derson's report  caused  a  stir  throughout  the  country.  There  was  a  great 
demand  for  homoeopathy,  with  the  result  that  many  men  with  practically 
no  knowledge  of  the  art  represented  themselves  as  homoeopaths,  bring- 
ing disgrace  on  the  system. 

The  conversion  of  another  Scotchman,  Dr.  Skinner,  resulted  in  an 
amusing  episoda  He  was  at  one  time  assistant  to  Sir  James  Y.  Simp- 
son, of  Edinburgh,  who  was  the  first  to  experiment  with  chloroform  as 
an  ansBSthetic,  but  left  Edinburgh  to  settle  in  Liverpool.  While  there 
he  suffered  from  insomnia,  which  resisted  all  allopa^ic  treatment.  He 
was  at  last  restored  po  health  by  homoeopathic  treatment.  He  was  evi- 
dently a  fair-minded  man,  for  he  felt  that  it  was  his  duty  to  become  a 
homoeopath.  The  amusing  thing  was  that  he  had  introduced  a  rule  some 
months  previously  into  the  local  medical  society  prohibiting  homoeopaths 
from  membership.  He  was  the  first  member  to  be  expelled  by  the  rule 
which  he  himself  had  introduced. 

The  late  Dr.  Kent,  one  of  ^  the  ablest  of  the  present-day  homoeopaths 
and  under  whom  I  had  the  privilege  of  studying,  related  to  me  the  cirr 
cumstances  which  led  him  to  become  a  homoeopath. 

A  relative  suffered  from  an  illness  attended  by  very  severe  pain 
for  which  he  and  his  allopathic  friends  could  only  give  morphia.  At 
last  his   relative  said  she  had  heard  that  an  old  homoeopath   in  the 


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INTERNATIONAL  HOMCEOPATHIC  REVIEW  181 

town  could  do  things  that  no  other  doctor  could  and  requested  that  he 
should  see  her.  I  believe,  had  she  been  any  other  patient  than  a  rela- 
tive he  would  not  have  consented. 

This  old  doctor  came  and  spent  about  an  hour  taking  her  eymp- 
toms.  The  questions  seemed  to  Dr.  Kent  absurd  in  the  extreme-  How- 
ever, the  treatment  was  efficacious,  and  so  impressed  him  that  he  began 
to  study  homoeopathy.  In  a  few  years  he  became  Professor  of  Homoeop- 
athic Materia  Medica,  whereas  formerly  he  was  Professor  of  Surgery. 

While  in  Chicago,  I  met  another  homoeopath,  who  set  out  to  study 
homoeopathy  with  a  view  to  writing  a  paper  crushing  it,  but  like  Hering 
he  was  converted  to  it,  and  is  now  a  staunch  supporter. 

Now  we  homoeopaths,  holding  as  we  do  a  belief  that  is  unorthodox, 
have  been  subject  to  considerable  criticism,  not  to  speak  of  persecution, 
though  during  recent  and  more  enlightened  times  the  latter  may  scarce- 
ly be  said  to  exist.  You,  who  choose  to  be  treated  homoeopathically, 
may  also  be  subject  to  criticisms  and  called  upon  to  uphold  the  views 
which  justify  you  in  risking  your  own  and  your  children's  lives  with 
such  "quackery"  and  other  such  epithets  as  our  opponents  are  pleased 
to  call  our  system. 

With  a  view  to  helping  you  to  meet  these  onslaughts,  I  propose  to 
deal  with  a  few  of  the  obstacles  preventing  men  from  adopting  homoeop- 
athy, as  it  is  just  these  obstacles  which  form  the  basis  of  attacks  made 
onus. 

I  feel  particularly  well  qualified  to  speak  on  this  subject,  as  I  have 
numerous  allopathic  friends,  and  come  from  a  district  where  homoeop- 
athy, if  known  at  all,  is  known  only  as  a  nama 

Consequently  I  have  been  attacked  from  almost  every  standpoint^ 
both  by  professional  and  lay  friends. 

Let  me  say  at  this  point  that  the  acuteness  of  the  attack  is  in  in- 
verse ratio  to  the  knowledge  of  the  subject  possessed  by  the  attacking  par- 
ty. This,  in  the  early  stages,  was  rather  amusing,  but  it  gets  rather 
monotonous  now,  as  the  same  questions  crop  up  time  after  time,  and  if 
any  impatience  is  shown  it  is  taken  as  a  sign  of  defeat. 

The  first  question  that  occurred  to  me  when  I  thought  of  investi- 
gating homoeopathy  was  this,  **Why,  if  this  is  such  a  superior  and  sucr 
cessful  method  of  treatment,  is  it  not  universally  adopted?"  I  thought, 
*'Why  is  it  that  my  teachers,  all  men  older  than  myself,  and  with  many 
more  years  of  experience,  have  not  investigated  this  subject?  If  they 
have  investigated  it,  why  have  they  not  adopted  it?" 

If  I  had  assumed  that  they  had  studied  it,  then  I  was  bound  to 
conclude  that  they  believed  it  did  not  satisfy  all  or  any  of  the  claims 
made  for  it  I  am  afraid  this  is  the  position  taken  by  the  majority  of 
doctors  who  have  chanced  to  hear  of  homoeopathy.  They  say,  "Well !  if 
there  really  is  anything  in  it,  the  best  men  would  be  certain  to  recognize 
it" 

I  know  a  lady  doctor  who  thought  of  studying  homoeopathy,  and, 
as  she  knew  nothing  of  it,  she  wrote  to  the  Professor  of  Materia  Medica 
of  her  university  asking  him  about  it. 

He  replied,  saying,  **Have  nothing  to  do  with  it.  It  is  simply  a 
form  of  quackery." 

Therefore  we  can  divide  our  opponents  into  two  classes: — 

1.  Those  who  know  nothing  or  practically  nothing  about  homoeop- 
athy. 

2.  Those  who  have  given  it  a  certain  amount  of  study. 

The  first  class  does  not  call  for  any  consideration  from  us,  for 
knowing  nothing  about  it,  they  can  have  no  argument  against  it 
Curiously  enough,  however,  they  often  have!     One  usually  finds,  how- 


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182  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF   HOM(EOPATHY 

ever,  that  their  attacks  are  all  based  on  complete  ignorance  of  the  sub- 
ject, e.g.,  one  man  sitting  back  in  his  chair,  with  a  look  of  self-satifl- 
f  action  as  much  as  to  say,  "Now,  then  I  IVe  got  you  this  time,"  will  ask, 
**How  would  you  treat  the  bleeding  from  a  wound."  This,  of  course, 
shows  at  once  that  he  has  failed  to  grasp  that  homoeopathy  is  a  system 
of  medical  treatment  and  has  nothing  to  do  with  surgery,  mechanical 
and  other  methods  of  treatment.  I  sometimes  answer  his  question  by 
saying,  ''With  common-sense  1" 

Another  common  fallacy  is  the  belief  that  we  claim  to  cure  all  dis- 
eases simply  because  we  claim  to  cure  conditions  that  allopathic  medi- 
cine cannot  cure.  This  does  not  require  to  be  refuted.  Then,  again, 
some  people  seem  to  be  under  the  impression  that  being  homoeopaths 
we  are  bound  by  some  oath  to  treat  all  diseases  by  homoeopathic  r^n- 
edies  and  these  only.    They  look  upon  us  as  a  variety  of  mono-maniaos. 

It  is  our  duty  to  meet  the  arguments  of  those  who  have  studied 
homoeopathy,  and  no  one  who  knows  Uie  theory  of  the  action  of  the 
Law  of  Similars  need  fear  to  do  so. 

All  my  allopathic  friends  who  know  the  theory  of  homoeopathy, 
say,  "Oh,  yesl  it  is  a  delightful  theory,  but  you  believe  in  very  smcdl 


"These  small  doses  are  too  much  for  me,"  one  will  say.  Then  he 
says,  '^sn't  it  a  case  of  putting  a  drop  of  medicine  into  Lake  Superior 
and  then  taking  as  a  dose  a  drop  of  the  same  water  after  it  has  passed 
over  Niagara  Falls  ?"That  is  his  little  joke.  They  always  get  hold  of 
an  unimportant  detail.  The  Law  of  Similars  has  nothing  to  do  with 
the  amount  of  medicine  used.  It  simply  says  that  diseases  can  be 
cured  by  medicines  which,  if  given  to  healthy  persons,  produce  similar 
symptoms.    It  does  not  even  claim  that  all  diseases  can  be  so  cured. 

According  to  this  law  one  can  use  either  the  whole  of  Lake  Super- 
ior or  the  drop  at  the  bottom  of  the  Falls;  but  if  the  drop  will  do  why 
trouble  with^the  whole  of  LakeSuperior? 

In  practice  we  find  that  the  drop  usually  can  do  all  that  is  ex- 
pected of  it. 

Having  explained  the  law  and  convinced  them  of  the  soundness  of 
the  theory  of  die  action  of  the  law  which,  of  course,  they  must  admit, 
as  practically  all  allopaths  believe  in  vaccines,  the  action  of  which  is 
based  on  an  identical  theory,  and  having  assured  them  that  the  size  of 
the  dose  has  nothing  to  do  with  the  theory,  we  shall  still  have  to  meet 
the  question  of  faith  and  coincidence. 

Numerous  cases  may  be.  related  where  patients  have  suddenly  got 
well  apparently  without  any  treatment,  or  simply  because  th^  have 
gone  to  another  doctor. 

Well,  of  course,  we  must  admit  that  we  cure  by  faith  just  as  often 
as  other  doctors,  and  we  must  also  have  our  cases  of  recovery  by  co- 
incidence; but  if,  as  often  happens  to  us,  we  get  patients  who  have  seen 
several  of  the  most  distinguished  allopaths,  some  with  'liandles"  to 
their  names,  and  each  has  been  visited  with  as  much,  if  not  greater 
faith  than  the  one  before,  only  to  have  that  faith  shattered,  surely  such 
an  argument  as  faith  can  be  ruled  out  when  we  cure  them. 

Then  again,  we  are  not  always  successful  with  the  first  remedy  giv- 
en, but  that  one  is  given  with  the  same  amount  of  confidence,  and  there- 
fore produces  the  same  amount  of  faith  as  the  one  which  cures. 

In  the  case  of  children  and  animals  faith  can  be  more  easily  ruled 
out  because  if  a  child  or  animal  is  to  have  faith  in  anyone,  surely  it  will 
be  ill  its  parents  or  master  respectively.  Then  again,  results  are  much 
too  uniform  to  be  all  due  to  coincidence,  though  doubtless  some  eire. 


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INTEBNATIONAL  HOMCEOPATHIO  BBYIEW  188 

Of  eouTBe,  I  am  referring  to  conditions  where  one  can  reasonably 
exclude  the  unaided  efforts  of  nature  as  the  cause  of  cure. 

After  all,  the  practical  test  is  the  only  true  one»  and  if  our  friends 
are  really  interest^  they  will  endeavor  to  see  some  practical  work  and 
test  for  themselves  whether  the  results  claimed  are  genuine. 

They  are  certain  to  see  some  cases  that  have  be^  undoubtedly  bene- 
fited by  the  remedies  given,  and  if  the  remc^dies  have  been  given  in  min- 
ute doses,  then  further  argument  is  impossible. 

The  mere  fact  that  science  cannot  explain  the  action  of  infinitesim- 
als does  not  prove  to  us  that  they  can  have  no  action. 

After  all  infinitesimal  is  only  a  relative  term — ^relative  to  the  power 
possessed  by  analytical  chemists  of  discovering  minute  quantities  of 
matter. 

What  was  an  infinitesimal  quantity  of  matter  100  years  ago  may  be 
demonstrable  at  the  present  day,  and  what  is  infinitesimal  to-day  may 
be  demonstrable  another  100  years  hence. 

Besides,  chemical  tests  are  not  the  only  means  of  demonstrating 
the  presence  of  active  matter. 

Who  would  attempt  to  deny  that  flowers  have  perfumes,  which 
we  are  able  to  detect  by  the  fact  tiiat  they  can  stimulate  nerves  specially 
developed  in  our  nosea  to  receive  their  impressions  ? 

The  mere  fact  that  no  one  can  detect  chemically  the  minimum 
amount  of  essential  oil  in  a  flower  necessary  to  stimulate  my  nerves  of 
smell  is  not  proof  enough  for  me  that  flowers  have  no  perfume. 

We  are  told  (I  have  not  been  able  to  prove  it,  yet  I  accept  it)  that 
radium  continues  to  give  off  its  emanations  for  thousands  of  years  with- 
out being  appreciably  lessened  in  weight.  Yet  no  one  doubts  but  that 
radium  has  a  marked  and  wonderful  effect  on  living  matter. 

If  I  were  to  go  to  a  physicist  and  say  that  I  could  not  believe  in 
electricity  unless  he  could  demonstrate  it  by  chemical  tests,  would  he 
not  laugh  at  me?    He  would  say,  ^Try  the  effect  of  a  little  on  yourself.'' 

These  are  all  examples  of  actions  that  are  recognized  by  effects 
which  differ  from  the  effects  of  the  ordinary  chemical  tests. 

The  effects  of  homoeopathic  remedies  are  apparent  to  all  who  care 
to  recognize  them. 

Then  why,  I  ask,  is  homoeopathy  not  recognized?  This  was  the 
question  I  began  with. 

The  only  answer  I  can  give  is  that  prejudice  prevents  its  opponents 
from  investigating  it. 

In  the  days  of  Hahnemann  such  forces  as  electricity  and  radio- 
activity, which  are  much  more  drastic  in  their  effects  than  homoeopathic 
remedies,  had  not  been  discovered. 

The  subject  of  smeU  was  so  commonplace  that  its  explanation  was 
not  considered  worthy  of  thought. 

Th^^ore  the  men  of  Hahnemann's  time  could  not  conceive  of 
infinitesimal  doses  having  any  effect,  the  more  especial^  as  they  were 
accustomed  to  use  very  considerable  doses  of  drugs  in  those  days. 

^ive  a  dog  a  bad  name  and  you  might  as  weU  hang  him,"  is  an 
dd  proverb  which  may  be  applied  to  homoeopathy.  It  has  never  been 
aUe  to  live  down  its  bad  name. 

Another  objection  that  some  allopaths  have  to  us  is  that  we  label 
ourselves  as  homoeopaths.  This,  of  course,  is  not  an  objection  to 
honuBopathy.  All  I  can  say  is  that  if  they  knew  sufficient  about  it  to 
practise  it  successfully  they  would  be  proud  to  call  themselves  homoeop- 


I  always  tell  them,  too,  that  the  labelling  comes  from  them  and  not 
bioa  us.    If  they  recognized  our  principle  there  would  be  no  necessity 


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184  NORTH  AKBHIGAN  JOURNAL  OP  HOHCEOPATHT 

for  distinction.  Moreover,  it  is  no  more  unethical  to  call  oneself  a 
homoeopath,  than  it  is  to  call  oneself  an  oculist,  aurist,  radiographer,  etc* 

I  am  quite  aware  that  there  are  many  mea  who,  at  the  present 
time,  use  mostly  homcBopathic  remedies,  and  unknown  to  their  patients. 
This  is  largely  due  to  the  fear  of  losing  part  of  their  practice  or  the 
friendship  of  their  colleagues.  One  can  to  a  certain  extent  excuse  such 
an  attitude,  but  at  the  same  time,  if  one  is  thoroughly  convinced  of 
the  truth  and  the  eflScacy  of  the  method,  one  ought  to  acknowledge  it 
and  be  prepared  to  stand  up  for  it. 

It  may  appear  to  you  from  my  enthusiasm  that  I  consider  homoeop- 
athy to  be  the  only  method  of  treatment,  and  that  everything  outside 
it  is  unworthy  of  my  consideration,  but  such  is  not  the  case. 

I  overheard  two  visitors  to  the  homoeopathic  hospital  discussing  us. 
One  said,  "My  objection  to  Uiem  is  that  they  think  theirs  is  the  only 
hospital  in  London." 

Well,  we  consider  our  method  of  treatment,  when  indicated,  the 
ideal  one,  and  as  the  homooopathic  hospital  is  the  only  one  in  London 
which  uses  it  we  must  be  excused  for  looking  upon  it  as  the  ideal  hos- 
pital in  London. 

A  doctor's  mission  is  to  heal  the  sick  or  relieve  their  sufFering.  If 
he  finds  the  homoeopathic  method  superior  to  all  others  then  let  him  use 
it.  As  his  knowledge  of  it  increases  he  will  find  more  cases  curable  by 
it.  If  homoeopathic  medication  fails  or  is  unsuitable,  he  must  endeavor 
to  find  some  other  means.  Common-sense  will  often  tell  him  at  the 
beginning  that  homoeopathic  treatment  is  absurd  for  the  case. 

Therefore,  homoeopaths,  instead  of  being  the  narrow-minded,  de- 
luded individuals  they  are  frequently  thought  to  be,  are  really  the  most 
broad-minded  practitioners  of  medicine  and  avail  themselves  of  an  extra 
weapon  to  attack  disease. 


RELIABLE   INDICATIONS   AND   THERAPEUTIC   USES   FOR 
SOME  OF  THE  LESSER  KNOWN  REMEDIES 

BT  R.  F.  RABE^  HJ). 

(Jour,  of  the  A.  I.  H.) 

Although  our  well  proven  polychrests  are  ordinarily  sufficient  in 
daily  practice,  yet  we  occasionally  meet  conditions  to  which  they  do  not 
seem  to  apply  and  unless  we  are  free  from  the  habit  of  routinism,  we 
are  likely  to  fail  in  our  curative  endeavors.  At  these  times  a  broad 
general  knowledge  of  materia  medica  is  invaluable  and  hints  derived 
from  a  brief  reference  to  the  various  repertories,  or  to  such  woite  of 
compilation  as  Clarke's  'T)ictionary  of  Materia  Medica,"  Anshutz's 
''New  Old  and  Forgotten  Remedies,"  etc.,  will  be  most  useful. 

The  remedies  presently  si>oken  of,  are  among  those  which  the  es- 
sayist has  prescribed  from  time  to  time,  under  circumstances  as  outlined 
above.  Occasionally  the  selections  have  been  empirical,  necessarily  so 
in  such  cases,  in  which  there  had  been  no  previous  experience  with  the 
particular  remedy  in  question  and  whose  indications  or  pathogenetic 
symptoms  were  but  slightly  known. 

For  example,  in  a  marked  case  of  acute  croupous  nephritis,  the  re- 
sult of  prolonged  and  excessive  drinking  of  whiskey*  complicated  by  a 
very  active  delirium  tremens  followed  by  uremic  coma,  agaricus  mua* 
carius  in  high  potency  and  frequently  repeated  doses  brought  about 


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INTERNATIONAL  HOMCEOPATHIO  REVIEW  IS^ 

prompt  improyement  and  final  cure.  The  indications  which  led  to  its 
employment  were  as  follows:  Decidedly  marked  visible  trembling  of 
hodj  and  limbs,  together  with  constant,  irregular  twitching  of  the  mus- 
cles of  the  extremities.  Twitching  of  the  facial  muscles,  more  espec- 
ially of  those  of  the  upper  eyelids. 

In  acute  laryngitis,  in  which  the  patient  complains,  in  addition  ta 
the  hoarseness,  of  burning  rawness  in  the  throat,  ammonium  causticum 
is  the  remedy.  Aphonia  is  frequently  present.  This  indication  has 
been  several  times  verified.  Causticum  is  the  nearest  similar  remedy,, 
but  is  easily  differentiated  by  its  own  well  known  characteristics. 

Alumen  is  to  be  relied  upon  in  acute  inflammations  of  the  upper 
respiratory  tract  in  which  the  throat  is  relaxed,  the  mucous  membrane 
red  and  swollen  with  sensations  of  dryness,  constriction,  tickling  and 
soreness.  Constant  cough  from  the  elongated  and  relaxed  uvula  will 
be  present.  The  sensation  of  constriction  is  the  keynote  of  this  remedy ; 
its  astringent  property  is  familiar  to  all. 

In  case  of  retroversion  and  subinvolution  of  the  uterus,  together 
with  an  old  cervical  tear  of  nine  years'  duration,  in  which  case  profuse 
and  prolonged  menstruation  had  evidently  undermined  the  general  health, 
fraxinus  americana  tincture  and  corpus  luteum  extract,  given  by  a 
hoinoeopathic  gynecologist,  had  failed  to  do  any  good.  The  chief  sub- 
jective symptom,  of  which  the  patient  complained,  was  a  profound  mel- 
ancholy, especially  marked  after  the  menstrual  period,  and  combined 
with  persistent  thoughts  of  suicide.  The  woman  had  no  desire  to  live 
and  was  subject  to  frequent  weeping  spells  during  which  she  wanted  to 
be  alone.  Her  home  life  gave  no  reason  for  the  existence  of  such  a 
mental  condition.  Aurum  muriaticum,  at  first  in  two  hundredth  and 
later  in  still  higher  potency,  has  removed  the  mental  symptoms  entirely, 
and  greatly  modified  the  menorrhagia.  In  these  cases,  aurum  muriati- 
cum natronatum  or  the  double  chloride  of  gold  and  sodium  is  also  to 
be  considered. 

Coccus  cacti  is  a  remedy  often  overlooked  in  spasmodic  coughs, 
especially  whooping  cough.  A  spasmodic  paroxysmal  cough  during 
which  the  patient  chokes  and  gags  and  becomes  very  red  in  the  face, 
together  with  a  decided  amelioration  in  the  cool  open  air  and  from  a 
drink  of  cold  water,  are  very  positive  indications.  If  expectoration  is 
present,  it  is  white,  albuminous  and  very  tenacious,  helping  to  increase 
the  strangling  and  choking. 

Elaps  corallinus,  the  coral  viper,  is  of  value  to  the  ear,  nose  and 
throat  specialist  in  the  treatment  of  chronic  middle  ear  suppuration  and 
of  chronic  nasopharyngeal  catarrh.  The  indications  which  have  been 
verified  by  the  writer  are  ofFensive,  yellowish  green  discharge  from  the 
ear  with  impairment  of  hearing,  and  tinnitus.  The  throat  symptoms 
are  the  presence  of  thick,  very  offensive,  dry,  greenish-yellow  crusts  upon 
the  posterior  pharyngeal  wall  and  extremely  foul  breatL 

Lac  caninum,  a  remedy  which  should  be  better  known  than  it  is, 
has  certain  positive  indications  which  have  been  many  times  verified 
and  which  may  therefore  be  reported  with  confidence.  These  are  the 
shifting  from  side  to  side,  back  and  forth,  of  the  symptoms  in  any  dis- 
ease^ but  especially  in  throat  inflammations  whether  of  a  diphtheric 
nature  or  not.  If  membranous  formations  are  present,  they  are  of  a 
porcelain-like  whiteness  and  alternate  sides  repeatedly.  Olandular 
swelling  is  pronounced,  likewise  external  sensitiveness  and  pains  which 
shoot  into  the  ears.  Hot  or  cold  drinka  may  relieve  the  throat  symp- 
toms. Sore  throats  which  tend  to  appear  preceding  the  menses  is  an- 
other valuable  indication.  Lac  caninum  has  a  decided  effect  in  drying 
up  the  lacteal  secretion  in  women  who  have  weaned  or  lost  their  babies. 


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186  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOHCBOPATHT 

Baphanus  sativus,  the  black  radish,  produces  the  formation  of  large 
quantities  of  gSiB  in  the  intestinal  tract,  with  difficulty  or  entire  inabil- 
ity to  pass  the  same  either  upward  or  downward.  The  abdomen  is  greats 
ly  distended  and  much  severe  pain  is  complained  of.  In  the  treatment 
of  postoperative  gas  pains,  this  remedy  is  of  great  value,  often  bringing 
about  remarkably  speedy  relief.  It  is  of  course  to  be  compared  with 
carbo  veg.,  china  and  lycopodium.  The  amazing  thing  is,  that  very 
few  of  our  surgeons  know  anything  about  its  use  and  the  average  hoe- 
pital  intern  never  thinks  of  applying  any  homoeopathic  remedy  under 
these  circumstances,  but  fritters  away  his  time  in  a  futile  endeavor  to 
relieve  gas  pains  with  the  customary  and  time-honored  ineffective  rem- 
edies.   Sad  experience  will  justify  as  well  as  excuse  the  above  remaric 

Tarantula  cubensis  ought  always  to  be  thought  of  in  the  treatment  of 
carbuncle.  Its  indications  are  severe  burning  pains  aggravated  at 
night,  a  bluish  appearance  of  the  tumor,  restlessness,  prostration  and 
high  fever.  Of  course  arsenicum  anthracinum  and  lachesis  suggest 
themselves  in  comparison.  Delirium  may  be  present  in  severe  cases. 
The  above  indications  are  to  be  depended  upon. 

In  septicemia,  when  the  patient  is  restless,  prostrated,  complains 
of  bruised  soreness,  cannot  find  a  comfortable  position  and  has  a  low 
temperature  but  high  pulse,  or  the  opposite  state,  pyrogen  is  the  remedy. 
It  has  some  remarkable  cures  to  its  credit  and  has  succeeded  beautifully 
when  vaccines,  either  stock  or  autogenous,  have  failed  to  cure.  In  the 
writer's  experience,  carefully  chosen  homoeopathic  remedies  offer  the 
best  chances  of  cure  in  septic  states. 

The  above  list  of  rather  unusual  remedies  could  be  much  extended. 
More  indications  might  be  presented  concerning  them;  those  only  have 
been  mentioned  which  are  known  to  be  positively  reliable  and  which 
have  been  personally  verified  in  actual  practice. 


STRENGTH  VERSUS  QUALITY 

BY  JOHN  URI  LLOYD,   PHAR.M. 

(Ohio  Eclectic  Med.  Jour.) 

One  of  the  discouraging  features  connected  with  pharmaceutical 
problems  has  been  the  systematic  attempt,  as  this  writer  views  the  sub- 
ject, to  retard  personal  investigation,  by  restricting  one  who  is  concem- 
cemed  in  research  to  authoritative  publications  that,  through  the  passing 
of  years,  become,  sooner  or  later,  inadequate.  Again,  it  would  seem 
that  an  effort  is  being  made  to  put  all  manipulative  pharmacists  on  a 
common  level,  it  being  argued  that  whatever  is  accomplished  by  one  man 
can  be  as  well  accomplished  by  every  man.  Possibly  these  erroneous 
views  and  practices,  which  are  conspicuous  in  pharmaceutical  politics, 
have  done  more  to  discourage  the  young  pharmacist  who  has  aggressive- 
ly attempted  to  individualize  himself  by  his  efforts,  as  well  as  those  who 
are  older,  than  any  other  problem  that  confronts  the  pharmacist.  The 
fact  is,  even  the  man  who  follows  most  carefully,  formulas  recorded  in 
authoritative  publications  may,  by  his  manipulations,  produce  a  phar- 
maceutical preparation  quite  different  from  that  made  by  some  other 
man,  and  that,  too,  even  when  the  ingredients  employed  by  both«  are 
identical. 

Need  one,  as  a  comparison,  do  more  than  refer  to  the  different  qual- 
ities of  bread  or  cake,  or,  indeed,  of  any  prepared  food,  made  from  the 


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INTERNATIONAL  HOMCEOPATHIC  RBYIEW  187 

same  materials  l^  different  persons  working  under  the  same  formula  t 
Is  not  everyone  aware  of  the  fact  that  quality  governs  in  cases  like  these, 
that  strength,  so  f ar  as  tiie  use  of  materials  is  concerned,  is  incidental 
thereto;  that  from  the  best  of  flour  can  be  made  the  most  unpalatable^ 
as  well  as  unwholesome  bread;  that  some  people  can  never  learn  to 
manipulate  the  siinplest  food  constituents  so  as  to  equal  a  product  made 
by  some  other  person  who  seemingly  has  the  knack  of  palatably  com- 
pounding this  or  that  food  product? 

But  the  question  may  be  asked,  ''What  has  this  to  do  with  the  qual- 
ity of  remedies  made  of  identical  materials,  that  are  manipulated  by  ex- 
pert pharmacists,  who  can  not  be  said  to  be  inexperienced,  awkward  or 
careless?  In  this  thought  line  let  us  go  a  step  further  and  ask,  ''Oan 
a  single  material,  under  varying  physical  conditions,  become  possessed 
of  different  qualities?"  Let  us  extract  from  the  leading  article,  from  the 
pen  of  tiie  writer,  contributed  to  the  Eclectic  Medical  Journal,  April, 
1914,  the  following  sentence : 

The  quality  of  a  drug  depends  not  alone  on  the  weight  of  the  ma- 
terials; its  physical  condition  is  all-important." 

With  this  thought  in  mind,  let  us  introduce  as  a  text,  or  as  texts, 
the  varying  qualities  of  some  element  that  assumes,  under  different 
physical  conditions,  most  remarkable  phases,  these  distinctions  being 
qualities  due  to  manipulations  of  that  one  element  only. 

First,  take  the  element  carbon,  which  in  its  commonest  form  is 
known  as  charcoal.  Let  this  be  purified  to  the  ultimate  by  the  exclus- 
ion of  all  foreign  substances.  It  is  now  black,  tasteless,  odorless,  in- 
soluble. Exceedingly  inflammable,  it  bums  in  the  air,  leaving  no  ash. 
Take  now  this  same  element,  carbon,  in  the  form  known  as  graphite.  It 
is  still  black,  insoluble,  odorless  and  tasteless,  but  instead  of  burning  in 
the  open  air,  as  does  charcoal,  it  so  persistently  refuses  to  unite  with 
oxygen  that  it  is  utilized  in  the  making  of  crucibles  designed  to  stand 
an  exceedingly  high  temperature,  crucibles  of  graphite,  of  immense  size, 
being  employed  in  the  melting  of  iron  and  other  metals  that  require  a 
high  heat  for  their  liquifaction.  Pass  now  to  a  third  form  of  carbon, 
the  diamond.  Behold  I  the  carbon  is  no  longer  opaque,  but  brilliantly 
transparent.  It  no  longer  bums  in  the  air  at  an  ordinary  temperature 
but  at  a  very  high  temperature  it  unites  with  oxygen,  and  disappears, 
with  the  formation  of  the  same  gas  that  follows  the  burning  of  charcoal 
in  the  air.  Instead  of  being  easily  powdered,  as  is  the  case  with  char- 
coal and  with  graphite,  it  ranks  among  the  hardest  of  known  bodies, 
a  slender  edge  scarcely  wearing  from  continued  use  in  the  cutting  of 
glass.  Bear  these  facts  in  mind,  because  these  radically  differing  mater- 
ials are  simply  quality  shadings,  in  a  single  element. 

Second. — ^Pass  now  to  phosphorus,  which  in  its  active  form  is  trans- 
lucent and  nearly  colorless,  resembling  soft  beeswax.  If  held  beneath 
water  it  can  be  molded  into  different  shapes;  at  a  higher  temperature  it 
melts  and  flows  like  oil;  at  a  still  higher  temperature,  it  volatilizes  and 
escapes  as  a  gas.  It  dissolves  in  bisulphide  of  carbon  and  other  similar 
solvents,  much  after  the  manner  in  which  substances,  such  as  paraffin, 
dissolve.  On  exposure  to  the  air,  even  at  the  ordinary  temperature,  it  is 
likely  to  catch  fire  spontaneously,  and  burning,  entirely  disappear.  It  is 
poisonous  to  animal  life,  and,  if  used  internally,  needs  be  administered 
in  small  doses. 

Place  this  same  material,  pure  phosphorus,  in  an  air-tight  cylinder, 
expose  it  to  a  temperature  of  800  degrees  F.  for  twenty-four  hours,  more 
or  less,  then  cool,  and  open  the  vessel.  No  longer  is  the  phosphorus  a 
waxy  substance;  it  can  be  scraped  out  in  red  fragments.  No  longer 
•does  it  ignite  on  exposure  to  the  air  or  by  the  blow  of  a  hammer;  it  can 


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188  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHT 

be  i)owdered  in  a  mortar,  without  danger  of  combustion.  It  does  not 
now  dissolve  in  bisulphide  of  carbon;  it  is  comparatively  odoreless,  as 
contrasted  with  the  ordinary  form  of  phosphorus;  and  in  ordinary  doses 
it  is  not  classed  among  the  active  poisons.  In  fact,  this  new  form  of 
phosphorus^  for  though  physically  changed  it  is  still  phosphorus,  is  as 
unlike  the  other  as  though  they  were  different  materials  or  different 
elements. 

Such  rules  as  these  apply  to  many  other  elements;  in  fact,  had  we 
determined  the  qualities  of  all  the  elements,  we  might  find  that  the  rule 
is  universal  and  not  exceptional.  Metals  pass  from  the  amorphous  into 
the  crystalline  form  and  the  reverse,  each  state  carrying  qualities  pecul- 
iar to  itself.  Thus  the  different  qualities  of  aluminum  are  probably  due 
to  the  mixtures  of  crystalline  and  amorphous  aluminums.  Let  us  quote 
from  the  Chemical  News,  London,  England,  May  19,  1916,  as  follows : 

"The  amount  of  cold  work  which  can  be  done  upon  aluminum 
is  limited  by  the  formation  of  the  amorphous  state.    Microscopic 
examination  of  polished  and  etched  specimens  taken  at  various 
stages  during  cold  working  shows  that  the  crystalline  structure 
disappears  at  a  very  early  stage  in  the  working,  and  unless  the 
metal  is  annealed  it  will  become  fatigued,  developing  a  species  of 
Torcier-krankheit.'    Aluminum  which  has  been  subjected  to  ex- 
cessive cold  work  shows  an  entire  absence  of  structure,  and  has  the 
appearance  of  a  metal  which  has  flowed  and  passed  into  a  vitreous 
state.    The  reverse  change  takes  place  with  extreme  slowness,  and 
the  ordinary  annealing  process  does  not  change  the  structure  from 
amorphous  to  crystalline.    Aluminum  annealed  at  a  temperature  of 
500  degrees  C.  for  ten  hours  appears  to  be  'dead  soft,'  and  has  its 
maximum  elongation;  nevertheless,  it  is  still  largely  amorphous  in 
structure  when  examined  microscopically.     Aluminum  which  has 
been  annealed  in  this  way  without  affecting  the  structure  or  only 
slightly   altering  it,  hardens  very  rapidly   when  additional  cold 
work  is  done  upon  the  metal.    The  primitive  crystals  are  trans- 
formed into  the  amorphous  state  much  more  readily  than  the  larger 
crystals  which  are  developed  by  annealing.  The  results  of  the  spe- 
cific heat  determination  renders  the  conclusion  probable  that  under 
the  influence  of  cold  work  aluminum  is  transformed  into  an  amor- 
phous variety.     The  conclusion  is  only  put  forward  tentatively, 
since,  at  present,  there  is  no  means  of  determining  the  amount  of 
each  phase  present  in  the  hard  metal,  hence  the  results  which  have 
been  obtained  for  hard  aluminum  are  for  a  metal  consisting  of 
a  mixture  in  unknown  proportions,  of  the  two  forms  of  the  metaL 
Long  annealing  seems  to  yield  a  metal  in  the  most  definite  condi- 
tion; cast  metal  is  greatly  influenced  by  the  casting  temperature 
and  rate  of  cooling." 
Consider  the  varying  qualities  of  such  elements  as  nitrogen  and 
oxygen.     Consider  the  different  conditions  of  gold  in  its  various  colloid- 
al forms.    Think  of  all  these  problems,  many  of  which  have  been  record- 
ed a  century  and  longer,  others  of  which  are  just  beginning  to  open  to 
view,  and  then  ask  yourself  the  question,  "Is  not  the  study  of  'qualities^ 
in  pharmaceutical  manipulation  the  dominating  field  of  him  who  exper- 
iments, reasons  and  accomplishes  therein?    Is  not  the  man  who  reasons 
from  such  numberless  thought  outreaches  as  we  have  introduced,  as  like- 
ly to  evolve  a  beneficial  something  which  may  be  due  simply  to  a  changed 
physical  condition  of  a  well-known  compound,  as  is  the  man  who  search- 
es in  outside  lines  for  useful  products  amoung  the  unknown  compounds  P 
Indeed,  the  problems  in  pharmacy  that  now  most  appeal  to  this  writ^ 
er  are  not  so  much  in  the  line  of  discovering  new  remedial  agents  to 


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INTERNATIONAL  HOMCEOPATHIO  REVIEW  189 

supplant  those  now  established,  as  to  give  to  the  users  of  medicines  the 
w^th  that  comes  from  manipulative  pharmacy  and  balanced  research 
applied  directly  towards  the  study  of  qualities. 

In  research  such  as  this,  mass  action,  structural  affinities,  ooUoidal 
influences,  become  all-important  factors.  Need  we  seek  modern  texts  t 
Are  not  tiiose  of  old  sufficient?  Are  not  the  qualities  of  active  phos- 
phorus, as  contrasted  with  red  phosphorus,  and  of  carbon,  as  it  appears 
in  graplute,  charcoal  and  the  diamond,  or  of  the  different  forms  of  nitro- 
gen and  oxygen,  sufficient  to  open  the  door  to  the  pharmacist,  who,  apply- 
ing to  his  own  field  such  distinctions  as  these,  turns  his  thought  to  the 
study  of  quality  distinctions,  in  his  own  field? 

Can  we  not  now,  in  a  receptive  mental  position,  move  into  a  high- 
er phase  of  pharmaceutical  research  than  that  based  upon  mere  strength 
as  governed  by  weight  and  measure  of  the  materials  manipulated?  Is 
not  higher  pharmacy  the  art  of  establishing  quality  distinctions  rather 
than  distinctions  in  crude  materials  ? 

Let  us  take  as  a  final  text  the  substance  known  as  ''silica,''  which, 
in  nearly  a  pure  form,  constitutes  quartz  and  sand.  This  substance,  in 
its  natural  form,  is  considered  to  be  practically  insoluble,  but  in  a  col- 
loidal form  it  becomes  actively  otherwise.  Indeed,  in  the  form  of  a 
triturate,  carried  almost  to  the  mechanical  ultimate,  silica  has  long  en- 
joyed a  distinctive  reputation  with  careful  physicians,  of  both  the 
homoeopathic  and  eclectic  schools.  Turn  to  ''silica,"  in  Webster's  Dy- 
namical  Therapeutics,  and  note  his  comments  on  its  use  in  the  form  men- 
tioned. Then  as  a  final  touch,  read  the  paper  of  Dr.  S.  P.  Kramer, 
contributed  to  the  Research  Society  of  Cincinnati,  March  2,  1916,  and 
published  in  the  New  York  Medical  Journal,  April  8, 1916.*  These  cita- 
tions will  partly,  but  only  partly,  prepare  one  for  the  results  of  Dr. 
Kramer's  investigations.      Let  us  quote: 

"When  solutions  of  colloidal  silicic  acid  (silica)  are  injected  into  the 
jugular  vein  of  rabbits  or  dogs,  under  certain  conditions  death  of  the 
animal  occurs  by  intravascular  clotting  of  the  blood." 

This  indicates  colloidal  silica  has  the  power  of  producing  death, 
but  the  amount  employed  is  not  as  yet  stated.  Pass  now  to  the  follow- 
ing extract: 

"In  a  typical  experiment,  a  dog  weighing  ten  pounds  was  killed  by 
the  jugular  injection  of  seventy  mgm.  of  colloidal  silica  in  a  solution 
containing  lA  per  cent.,  the  solution  being  near  gelatin,  this  is,  opal- 
escent." 

Then  ask  yourself  the  question,  "How  much  colloidal  silica  is  car- 
ried in  this  sevaity  milligrams  of  colloidal  solution,  containing  1.4  per 
c^t  of  silica  f  The  amount,  expressed  in  grains,  would  be  15-1,000  of 
a  grain,  an  amount  less  than  would  cover  a  pencil  point.  Pass  further 
along  and  we  find  that  Dr^  Kramer  gives  next  the  manner  in  which 
dea^  is  produced  by  this  minute  amount  of  silica,  which,  as  has  been 
said,  differes  from  sand  only  by  reason  of  its  colloidal  quality : 

"Animals  killed  by  these  injections  show  the  right  heart  and  pul- 
monary vessels  filled  with  clot  The  lungs  are  infarcted  and  the  acini 
show  tiie  microscopic  picture  of  red  hepatization." 

r- : 

*Dr.  Simon  Pendleton  Kramer,  professor  of  Principles  of  Surgery,  Uni- 
versity of  Cincinnati ;  president  Academy  of  Medicine  of  Cincinnati, 
1904-1905 ;  past  president  of  the  Cincinnati  Soc  Med.  Research ;  auth- 
or "Memoirs  on  Surgery  and  Physiology  of  Central  Nervous  System," 
etc.     (Who's  Who  in  America) 


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190  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMOCOPATHT 

Take  next  the  explanation  Dr.  Kramer  subsequently  makes  of  its 
action  on  the  red  blood  corpuscleis,  wherein  one  part  of  colloidal  silicic 
acid  (silica)  is  used  as  a  coagulating  medium.    We  find : 

"There  are  other  striking  reactions  in  vitro.  If  colloidal  silicic  acid 
is  added  to  washed  sheep  red  corpuscles  in  proportion  of  one  to  500,000,. 
or  even  one  to  1,000,000,  a  prompt  precipitation  of  all  the  red  corpuscles 
takes  place." 

Bear  in  mind  that  Dr.  Kramer  is  neither  a  homoeopathic  nor  an 
eclectic  physician,  but  a  professional  man,  fearlessly  delving  into  prob- 
lems that  come  to  him  in  connection  with  his  profession.  He  open]^ 
presents  to  the  world  this  line  of  experiments,  which  depend  for  their 
phenomena,  not  on  material  weight,  but  upon  dynamic  qualities.  His  ex- 
perimental processes  throw  a  new  light  upon  what  Dr.  Webster,*  of  the 
eclectic  school,  and  Dr.  Dewey,t  of  the  homoeopathic  school,  and  others, 
record  concerning  the  activities  of  colloidal  or  micro-divisions  of  silica. 
With  all  this  before  us,  which  barely  touches  the  question  of  qualities 
that  are  possible  to  the  multitude  of  substances  that  concern  the  phar- 
macist, we  may  become  prepared  for  a  receptive  argument  regarding  the 
actions  of  colloidal  bodies,  because  the  study  of  colloidal  activity  is 
primarily  a  study  of  different  qualities  of  a  material,  and  is  mainly  de- 
pendent upon  different  physical  states  or  conditions  of  the  material. 


HOMCEOPATHIC  EYE  AND  EAR  NOTES* 

A.    H.    COLLINS^    MJ>.^   TULSA,   OKLA. 

(Eclectic  Medical  Journal) 
PURULENT  CONJUNCTIVITIS. — ^Wc  will  now  Consider  the  gonorrheal. 
The  ^rmptoms  of  this  form  are  very  much  like  the  catarrhal  form  of  con- 
junctivitis, but  more  intense  chemosis  is  present  The  inflammation  ex- 
tends down  into  the  conjunctival  tissue.  There  is  danger  of  the  cornea 
becoming  ulcerated  and  sloughing  out,  a  haziness  of  the  cornea  shows 
that  it  is  involved.  As  long  as  it  remains  dear  it  is  safe.  If  it  is  hazy 
and  remains  so  for  a  time,  pus  will  be  deposited  between  the  layers  of 
the  cornea  and  sloughing  or  ulceration  wiU  take  place  according  to  the 
amount  deposited.  The  specific  cause  of  this  form  of  disease  is  gonor- 
rheal pus  getting  into  the  eye,  and  is  a  dangerous  condition,  one  often- 
times destroying  the  eye  in  twenty-four  hours.  In  its  treatment,  ac- 
tive measures  are  necessary  from  the  very  first.  There  is  nothing  that 
will  take  the  place  of  ice  cold  compresses  to  the  eye,  changing  often — 
day  and  night  during  the  first  stage.  No  other  application  should  be 
used  except  this  and  a  five  grain  to  the  ounce  of  boracic  acid,  or  chlorine 
water  diluted  one-half;  nitrate  of  silver  solutions  should  not  be  used 
in  this  stage.  In  the  second  stage  of  this  inflammation,  this  salt  may  or 
may  not  be  indicated,  the  behavior  of  the  eye  after  its  first  application 
will  determine  its  future  use.    If  the  secretions  are  creamy  and  profuse 

*Prof.  Herbert  T.  Webster,  M.D.,  author  of  'Dynamical  Therapeutics." 
fProf.  Willis  A.  Dewey,  M.D.,  professor  of  Materia  Medica  in  the  Uni- 
versity of  Michigan  Homoeopathic  Medical  College,  and  collaborator 
with  William  Boericke,  M.D.,  in  "The  Twelve  Tissue  Remedies  of 
Schussler." 
•These  notes  were  taken  from  a  course  of  lectures  delivered  by  Prof. 
Geo.  0.  McDermott,  of  the  Pulte  Medical  College,  Cincinnati,  Ohio» 
to  a  select  number  of  students  of  the  Eclectic  Medical  College,  Class 
1881.  Having  been  often  verified  in  the  clinic  of  the  Pulte  College 
they  have  especial  value.  This  article  is  a  continuation  from  page 
^35,  May  number  of  the  Journal 


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INTERNATIONAL  HOMGCOPATHIO  REVIEW  191 

the  application  of  a  solution  of  twenty  grains  to  the  ounce  of  distilled 
water,  lightly  applied  to  the  ererted  lid  or  lids  and  quickly  neutralized 
with  a  mild  solution  of  salt  water  may  he  used.  The  pain  will  be  in- 
creased for  an  hour  or  so,  but  will  be  relieved  by  the  local  use  of  the 
ice  bag.  If  the  eye  is  better  the  next  day,  the  remedy  is  probably  well 
indicated  and  may  be  repeated  in  24  hours.  The  use  of  nitrate  of  silver 
in  these  cases  requires  dose  observation ;  if  it  makes  the  eye  worse,  the 
swelling  becoming  more  tense,  or  the  cornea  shows  signs  of  infiltration, 
stop  its  use  at  once.  The  utmost  cleanliness  is  absolutely  necessary  in 
these  cases,  and  all  discharges  must  be  promptly  removed  and  the  cloths 
burned.  Solutions  of  boracic  acid  or  diluted  chlorine  water  should  be 
used  as  cleansing  agents  and  for  antiseptic  effect.  If  the  cornea  be- 
comes implicated,  use  a  solution  of  atropine,  two  grains  to  the  ounce  of 
distilled  water,  a  few  drops  in  the  eye  every  two  or  three  hours,  and  sub- 
stitute warm  applications  for  the  cold  ones  that  you  may  have  been 
previously  using.  When  one  eye  only  is  affected  greatest  care  must  be 
used  to  prevent  inoculation  of  the  other.  The  second  one  should  be  pro- 
tected by  some  method,  as  a  watch  crystal  set  in  a  piece  of  rubber  plaster, 
cut  in  Uie  proper  shape,  secured  to  the  nose,  eyebrow  and  cheek,  which 
permits  the  patient  to  open  the  ^e  and  allows  a  full  inspection  of  it8 
oondition. 

Internal  Treatment. — Give  the  indicated  remedy.  The  eye  is  only 
a  part  of  the  whole,  and  any  remedy  that  will  favorably  affect  the  en- 
tire system  will  benefit  any  part 

Specific  medicines  aconite  or  belladonna  are  often  indicated  in  the 
first  stages,  five  drops  in  half  glass  of  water,  teaspoonful  every  hour. 
Argentum  nit  in  the  3x  trit,  a  grain  eveiy  three  hours,  is  an  excellent 
remedy.  Swollen  lids,  chemotic  conjunctiva  and  profuse  creamy  dis- 
ehaige  are  its  specific  indications. 

Specific  medicine  Pulsatilla  is  next  in  importance  to  argentum  nit 
in  purulent  eye  diseases;  when  the  latter  seems  to  lose  its  effect,  dis- 
charge yellow  in  color,  bland  in  character,  better  in  open  air,  five  drops 
in  half  glass  of  water,  teaspoonful  every  hour. 

Hepar  suL,  3x  trit  in  cases  where  cornea  is  involved  and  ulcraation 
has  already  b^run.  Great  photophobia,  lacrimation  and  secretion, 
sometimes  chemosis,  great  redness  of  eye,  throbbing  pain,  better  from 
warmth,  lids  greatly  swollen  and  very  sensitive.  In  scrofulous  cases  and 
outrageously  cross  children  with  unhealthy  skin,  give  a  grain  powder 
every  three  hours. 

Specific  medicine  rhus  tox. — ^Intense  photophobia;  great  chemosis. 
In  those  who  are  rheumatic  in  nature,  worse  at  night  after  twelve  o'- 
dodc,  must  change  their  position  in  bed  frequently,  lame  and  stiff  on 
getting  up  in  the  morning,  relieved  by  continued  motion.  All  symp- 
toms worse 'in  damp  weati^er.  Put  five  drops  in  half  glass  of  water; 
give  teaspoonful  every  two  hours. 

Specific  medicine  euphrasia. — ^Profuse  lacrimation,  acrid  and  burn- 
ing, excoriating,  stid^  mucus  on  cornea  removed  by  winking.  This 
is  a  very  valuable  remedy,  and  often  indicated  in  eye  diseases.  When 
called  for  by  these  indications,  five  drops  to  the  half  glass  of  water, 
teaspoonful  every  two  hours. 

Arsenicum,  third  dec  trit — Oomea  mostly,  involved.  There  is 
photophobia,  which  is  intense.  Eye  better  in  open  air  and  from  warm 
applications;  discharges  from  eye  are  burning  in  character  and  excor- 
iating die  nostrils  and  upper  lid;  patient  is  ill  nourished  and  scrofulous, 
burning  thirst,  wants  to  drink  often  but  not  much  at  a  time.  Arsenicum 
oases  are  scrawny  and  often  dirty  and  ill-kept;  give  grain  dose  every 
three  hours. 


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192  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OP  HOHOSOPATHY 

Mercurius  sol.  3x  trit — ^In  scrofulous  and  syphilitic  cases.  Cornea 
vascular,  great  redness  of  conjunctiva,  great  dread  of  light,  even  in  a 
dark  room.  Lacrimation,  profuse  burning  and  excoriating;  the  muco- 
pus  is  acrid  and  thin;  pains  in  eyes  extend  to  forehead  and  worse  at 
night;  is  characteristic  of  the  mercurius  case,  worse  in  damp  weather. 
Eyes  better  when  bathed  in  cold  water  (arsenicum  case  wants  warm  ap- 
plications). Lids  are  red  and  thick,  swollen  and  excoriating.  Raw  ex- 
coriated upper  lip  and  wing  of  nose;  much  sweat,  which  does  not  relieve 
— give  a  grain  powder  every  three  hours  (in  all  cases  when  improvement 
b^ns,  give  less  often). 

Proto-iodide  of  mercury,  3x  has  very  much  the  same  indication; 
give  in  place  of  mer.  sol.  if  glands  of  neck  are  much  swollen.  Tongue 
has  a  thick  yellow  coat  at  its  base. 

Sulphur  3x. — ^Either  cornea  or  conjunctiva  are  involved,  chronic 
case.  In  scrofulous  cases,  pains  of  sticking  nature  in  eye  or  eyes.  Pains 
may  go  from  eyes  to  back  of  head.  All  symptoms  are  aggravated  from 
bathing  eyes  (don't  like  water,  anyway,  the  sulphur  case) ;  worse  in  open 
air.  Has  a  bad  skin.  Give  one  or  two  grain  doses  three  times  a  day 
for  some  length  of  time. 

Nitric  Acid. — ^In  gonorrheal  ophthalmia  lids  of  eyes  are  red,  thick, 
swollen  hard;  photophobia,  discharge  thick,  yellow  and  profuse.  If  this 
case  has  also  offensive,  rank  smelling  urine  the  remedy  is  doubly  indicat- 
ed. Add  a  few  drops  to  half  glass  of  water  to  render  it  slightly  sour 
and  give  a  teaspoonful  every  three  hours. 


BETTER  WORK  NEEDED  FOR  RHEUMATISM 

WILLIAM  M.  GREGORY,  M.D.,  BEREA,  OHIO 

By  the  figures  of  the  last  United  States  census  there  are  280,000,000 
people  in  the  United  States  who  regularly  resort  to  other  than  medical 
means  for  the  healing  of  their  physical  ills.  The  Medical  Council,  in  a 
recent  issue,  stated  that  a  certain  Class  A  medical  college  gave  just 
thirty-two  hours  of  instruction  in  therapeutics  in  the  whole  four  years' 
course.  You  can  see  the  cause  and  the  effect.  The  usual  run  of  regu- 
lar or  allopathic  colleges  teaches  that  the  salicylates  make  up  the  sum 
and  the  substance  of  worth-while  rheumatism  treatment.  In  their  hos- 
pitals, if  the  poor  wretch  with  a  violent,  intractable  case  of  rheumatism 
will  not,  or  can  not  yield  to  the  salicylates,  they  simply  let  him  go  on 
having  his  rheumatism.  Perhaps  he  goes  to  a  Christian  Scientist  or 
Magnetic  Healer,  next.  Had  the  regular*  profession  had  sufficient  sense 
and  knowledge  of  medicine  to  have  given  the  patient  a  thorough  course 
of  bryonia,  rhus  tox.,  gelsemium,  veratrum,  jaborandi  and  iris  for  his 
rheumatism,  he  would  have  retained  his  confidence  in  the  medical  pro- 
fession. It  is  high  time  the  regular  profession  learned  the  important 
fact  that  rheumatism  is  a  profound  toxemia,  and  that  the  uric  acid  and 
urea  are  the  only  toxins  that  the  salicylates  will  remove,  and  in  cases  of 
idiosycrasy  they  will  not  remove  even  them.  In  every  case  of  rheumatism 
the  liver  must  be  made  to  do  its  duty  very  thoroughly  to  remove  the 
toxemia,  and  remedies  like  podophyllin,  leptandrin,  chelidonium  and 
chionanthus  must  be  used.  In  many  cases  where  the  salicylates  abso- 
lutely refuse  to  remove  the  uric  acid  and  urea,  a  good  tincture  of  guaiac- 
um  will  prove  an  excellent  eliminative  and  remove  the  poison.  In  any 
case  with  insufficient  action  of  the  kidneys,  specific  apocynum  should 
be  used. 


*Dr.  Gregory  is  a  member  of  the  Regular  School 

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The 


North  American 
Jotirnal  of  ^  ^ 
Homoeopathy 


April,  1917 

65th  Year 

No.  4 


SYMPOSIUM  ON  THte  METALS 

Dienst,  Stearns 

J  ■  * 

GALL  STONES  FROM  HOMCEO- 
PATHIC  STANDPIONT      .        .      Rabe 

COMPARISONS  IN  HOMCEOPATHIC 
MATERIA  MEDIC  A  AND  THERA- 
PEUTICS .  McMichael 


PttblislMd  monthly  it 

"Tuckahoe,  N.  Y. 

Editorial  Office: 

216  West  56th  Street 
•'    New  York 


Thre*  Dollars 
a  year. 

Eatared  «t  the  Poet 
OfflceetTockohoe, 
N.  Y.  «e  second 
clase  matter. 


c-8i:=iC«*&«*5S<«S=5«**^*^^«S-S$^555^ 


North  American  Journal  df  Homoeopathy 
CONTENTS  FOR  APRIL,   1917 

EDITORIAL 

The  Presidency  of  the  A.  I.  H —193 

Federation  of  State  Societies  With  American  Institute-. 194 

Why  Not  a  Homoeopathic  Red  Cross  HospitafUnit? „„-  1% 

The  Duty  of  the  Well  Equq>pe(]  Physician ^ 1% 

Healdi  Department  Drug  Therapy . - —  198 

Cough  of  Sudden  Onset  in  Children,———. 199 

Poliomyelitis ._.„ 200 

A  National  Leprosarium.^ . : 200 

Continued  od  page  ii 

■  e 

IN  PLACE  OF  OTHEB  ALKALIES  USE 

Phillips'  Milk  of  Magnesia 

"THE    PERFECT    ANTACID*' 

For  Correcting:  Hyperacfd  Condttioos — Local  or  Systemic^  Vehicle 
for  Salicylatest  Iodides^  Balsams^  Etc* 

Of  Advantagfc  in  NeutraU^ing:  tht  Add  of  Cows*  Milk 
FOR  INFANT  and  INVALID  FEEDING. 


Phillips'  Phosphp-Muriate  of  Quinine 

Comp. 
Non- Alcoholic  Tonic  and  Reconsttuctivo 

With  Marked  Beneficial  Action  Upon  the  Nerrous  System.    To  be 
Relied  Upon  Where  a  Deficiency  of  the  Phosphates  is  Evident. 


NBWYORK       THE  CHAS»  H,  PHILLIPS  CHEMICAL  COMPANY  London 


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North     American 

Journal  of  Homceopathy 

EDITORIAL 


THE  PRESIDENCY  OF  THE  A.  I.  H. 

44 O I  nioiiumentum  quaeris,  circumspice/'  So  runs  the  legend  carved 
^^  in  the  monument  to  Sir  Christopher  Wren  erected  in  his  master- 
piece of  his  architectural  talent,  St.  Paul's  Cathedral  in  London.  If  you 
seek  his  monument,  look  around.  Members  of  the  American  Institute 
of  Homoeopathy  who  attend  the  Rochester  meeting  in  June  will  discover 
(if  they  do  not  already  know  a  widely-heralded  fact)  that  Rochester 
is  a  stronghold  of  homoeopathy,  which  is  represented  by  some  unusually 
fine  institutions  and  exercises  a  strong  influence  in  the  community. 
This  happy  state  of  affairs  is  largely  the  result  of  the  loyalty  and  energy 
of  Dr.  John  M.  Lee,  of  Rochester,  and  may,  in  a  very  real  sense,  be  con- 
sidered a  monument  to  his  labors  erected  in  his  lifetime. 

Dr.  Lee  has  for  many  years  been  one  of  homoeopathy's  biggest  assets 
in  the  State  of  New  York  where  he  has  held  front  rank  among  the 
leaders  and  has  served  as  president  of  state  and  local  societies.  He  join- 
ed the  American  Institute  of  Homceopathy  in  1888,  thus  being  a  senior 
member  of  the  organization. 

At  the  Baltimore  Institute  meeting  last  year  some  of  his  friends 
nominated  Dr.  Lee  for  the  presidency,  and  while  he  was  not  successful, 
he  polled  sufficient  votes  to  show  his  popularity  among  the  membership. 
We  hope  his  friends  will  bring  his  name  forward  again  at  this  meeting, 
for  the  factor  of  locality  which  was  in  favor  of  one  of  the  other  candi- 
dates last  year,  will  be  working  for  him  this  year,  in  his  home  city.  Dr. 
Lee  should  be  the  candidate  of  New  York  State  members  and  will  natur- 
ally be  supported  by  all  the  alumni  of  the  Homoeopathic  Department  of 
the  University  of  Michigan,  who  elected  him  to  the  presidency  of  the 
Alumni  Association  last  year. 


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194  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL    OF    HOMCEOPATHY 

FEDERATION  OF  STATE  SOCIETIES  WITH 
AMERICAN  INSTITUTE 

IN  an  endeavor  to  avoid  the  delay  in  bringing  about  federation  of  state 
homoeopathic  medical  societies  with  the  American  Institute  of 
Homoeopathy  that  would  be  occasioned  were  each  society  to  make  the 
necessary  amendments  to  its  constitution  and  by-laws  according  to  pre- 
scribed form,  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  A.  I.  H.  has  sent  to  the 
secretaries  of  the  state  societies  a  preamble  and  resolutions  to  be  present- 
ed for  adoption  by  these  societies,  the  thought  being  that  the  adoption 
of  these  resolutions  by  a  state  society  would  at  once  make  the  society  an 
integral  part  of  the  A.  I.  H.,  and  confer  upon  it  "all  the  rights  of  the 
new  Constitution  and  by-laws  pertaining  to  delegates  to  the  Congress 
of  States,  as  provided  for  in  Article  5,  Section  1,  of  the  By-Laws  of  the 
American  Institute  of  Homoeopathy." 

The  first  resolution  submitted  reads:  "Be  it  resolved,  that  the 
(legal  title  of  society)  hereby  agrees  to  the  two-step  plan  of  Federation 
adopted  by  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  American  Institute  of  Homoeop- 
athy at  their  annual  meeting  September  26,  1916,  and  hereby  expresses 
concurrence  in  said  plan  and  endorses  the  same  for  immediate  execution." 

The  literary  quality  of  this  pronouncement  is  not  here  under  dis- 
cussion; suffice  to  say  in  this  connection  that  the  Trustees  probably  did 
not  mean  to  convey  by  the  use  of  the  term  "two-step  plan,"  the  idea 
that  they  expected  the  state  society  to  dance  to  the  time  set  by  the  Insti- 
tute, nor  were  they  inviting  the  society  to  knock  the  scheme  on  the 
head  by  speaking  of  "immediate  execution."  The  so-called  "two-step 
plan"  is  the  adoption  as  a  basis  for  federation  of  concurrent  membership 
in  the  society  and  in  the  A.  I.  H. 

The  real  gist  of  the  proposal  lies  in  the  second  resolution  submitted 
which  reads  as  follows: 

**Be  it  further  resolved,  thaj  hereafter  any  person  becoming  a  mem- 
ber of  the  (society)  shall  be  required  also  to  become  a  member  of  the 
American  Institute  of  Homoeopathy,  and  that  all  members  of  this 
(society)  who  are  not  at  the  present  time  members  of  the  American  In- 
stitute of  Homoeopathy  be  requested  to  become  members  of  the  American 
Institute  of  Homoeopathy  without  delay." 

Here  again  the  purport  of  the  resolution  is  reasonably  clear  al- 
though its  wording  leaves  much  to  be  desired.  To  be  specific  the  resolu- 
tion should  state  that  an  application  for  membership  in  the  state  society 
can  be  received  only  from  members  in  good  standing  of  the  •American 


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EDITORUL^  DEPARTMENT  195 

Institute  of  Homoeopathy  or  when  accompanied  by  an  application  for 
membership  in  the  American  Institute  of  Homoeopathy.  A  standing 
resolution  of  this  character  would  accomplish  the  purpose  for  the  time 
being,  but  it  would  obviously  be  but  a  make-shift  provision.  It  exercises 
no  compulsion  on  present  members  of  the  society  who  are  not  already 
members  of  the  A.  I.  H.,  and  this  undemocratic  inequality  of  treatment 
would  tend  to  deter  men  from  seeking  membership  in  the  society. 
Moreover,  nothing  is  said  about  continuance  in  membership  in  the  A.  I. 
H.  Under  such  a  resolution,  a  member  of  a  state  society  could  drop  his 
membership  in  the  Institute  after  the  first  year  and  still  retain  his  mem- 
bership in  the  state  society.  It  is  submitted  that  the  only  way  to  really 
attain  the  object  sought  is  to  amend  the  article  of  the  constitution  or  by- 
law of  the  state  society  .which  deals  with  dues,  so  that  the  present  dues 
shall  be  increased  by  five  dollars,  this  five  dollars  to  be  transferred  to  the 
treasury  of  the  A.  I.  H.  in  payment  for  membership  in  the  A.  I.  H.  and 
for  subscription  to  the  Institute  Journal.  This  would  reach  those  mem- 
bers of  the  society  not  at  present  members  of  the  A.  I  .H.  and  it  would 
automatically  provide  for  concurrent  membership  in  the  society  and  the 
A.  I.  H. 

Before  adopting  the  proposed  resolution  or  a  more  clearly  worded 
modification  of  it,  or  amending  the  constitution  or  by-laws  as  suggested, 
the  society  will  have  to  consider  what  would  be  involved  by  such  action. 
Will  the  society  gain  in  membership  by  making  it  compulsory  for  its 
members  to  join  the  A.  I.  H.,  thereby  more  than  doubling  the  cost  of  mem- 
bership ?  Will  this  increased  cost  of  membership  cause  any  present  mem- 
bers of  the  state  society  to  resign  from  membership  ?  If  normal  increase 
in  membership  is  interfered  with  or  resignations  follow  the  change  of 
procedure,  what  will  the  state  society  gain  by  way  of  compensation  ?  In 
this  connection  it  is  to  be  noted  that  the  Institute  Trustees  appear  to 
have  overlooked  the  propriety,  or  rather,  the  necessity,  of  reciprocal  ac- 
tion. The  letter  sent  out  to  state  society  secretaries  does  not  say  that 
the  Trustees  will  secure  or  endeavor  to  secure  action  by  the  A.  I.  H. 
making  membership  fn  a  state  society  necessary  for  membership  in  the 
Institute. 

This  criticism  of  some  of  the  features  of  the  plan  proposed  by  the 
Institute  Trustees  must  not  be  construed  as  opposition  to  the  idea  of 
federation  of  our  state  and  national  societies.  Consolidation  of  interests 
that  are  mutual  will  advantage  both ;  but  it  may  be  better  to  make  haste 
slowly  rather  than  adopt  a  scheme  that  has  not  been  considered  in  all 
its  bearings. 


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19G  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL    OF    HOMCEOPATHY 

WHY  NOT  A  HOMCEOPATHIC  RED  CROSS 
HOSPITAL  UNIT? 

"13  ROMINENTLY  featured  in  the  scheme  of  "preparedness"  now 
-*"  being  so  feverishly  worked  out  in  this  country  is  a  series  of  Red 
Cross  hospital  units  that  have  been  organized  in  connection  with  some  of 
the  prominent  hospitals  of  this  country.  The  staff  of  the  Red  Cross 
hospital  unit  is  drawn  from  the  stafF  of  the  institution  the  unit  is  named 
after,  and  the  friends  of  the  institution  provide  the  equipment,  costing 
something  like  $25,000.00. 

So  far,  we  have  not  seen  any  homoeopathic  institution  mentioned  as 
fathering  (or  should  it  be  "mothering")  a  Red  Cross  hospital  unit.  Is 
homoeopathy  in  America  going  to  let  thi#  opportunity  go  by  the  board 
and  advertise  its  lack  of  interest  in  affairs  of  a  larger  nature  than  those 
which  immediately  concern  it  ?  At  the  Baltimore  meeting  of  the  Amer- 
ican Institute  of  Homoeopathy,  a  resolution  proposed  by  Dr.  Hills  Cole, 
of  New  York,  was  adopted,  which  asked  the  Board  of  Trustees  to  con- 
sider the  advisability  of  taking  steps  to  procure  the  establishment  of 
a  Red  Cross  hospital  unit  under  homoeopathic  auspices.  Have  the  Trus- 
tees done  anything  about  the  matter? 

Now  is  the  time  to  act.  There  is  surgical  talent  enough  in  homoeop- 
athic ranks  in  New  York  City  to  man  the  staff  of  a  Red  Cross  unit,  and 
we  believe  that  under  the  present  conditions  the  necessary  funds  could 
be  secured  without  much  diflSculty.  Other  groups  of  homoeopathic  surg- 
eons in  different  parts  of  the  country  could  be  organized  by  the  Amer- 
ican Institute  of  Homoeopathy  or  by  state,  societies  if  the  machinery  of 
the  Institute  is  too  rusty  or  too  complicated  to  get  started  within  reason- 
able time.  President  Van  Baun,  will  you  lead  such  a  movement?  One 
or  more  such  units  would  be  one  of  the  best  advertisements  homoeopathy 
could  have,  and  their  value  in  affording  comparative  statistics  should 
prove  inestimable. 


THE  DUTY  OF  THE  WELL  EQUIPPED  PHYSICIAN 

TT  is  interesting  to  note  the  end  results  of  the  use  made  of  laboratory 
-"-  methods  and  of  all  the  up  to  date  diagnostic  paraphanalia  by  the 
different  members  of  the  medical  profession.  Experience  has  taught 
us  that  perverted  function  may  exist  before  physiological  manifestation 
of  disease;  that  perverted  function  may  give  rise  to  subjective  symp- 


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EDITORIAI.  DEPARTMENT  197 

toms  only;  that  subjective  symptoms  alone,  are  not  sufficient  for  diag- 
nosis* The  physicians  of  today,  either  do  or  do  not  believe  in  the 
homoeopathic  law  as  a  reliable  working  basis  in  the  application  of 
drugs  to  the  cure  of  functional  diseases  and  organic  lesions.  In  fact, 
according  to  the  latest  word,  many  of  those  physicians  who  do  not 
believe  in  the  homoeopathic  law  emphasize  belief  in  the  inefficacy  of 
drugs  in  the  curing  of  disease.  What  would  be  the  method  of  procedure 
of  a  physician  of  the  last  named  class  with  a  patient  whose  case  had 
not  progressed  sufficiently  far  to  present  objective  diagnostic  symptoms? 
Wh&t  would  be  his  method  of  procedure  in  a  case  which  did  present 
objective  diagnostic  symptoms  ?  What  would  be  the  method  of  procedure 
of  a  physician  who  does  not  believe  in  the  homoeopathic  law,  and  yet  who 
does  believe  still  in  the  efficacy  of  drugs  in  the  curing  of  disease,  in  a 
■case  which  does  not  present  objective  diagnostic  symptoms  and  again, 
which  does  present  objective  diagnostic  symptoms  ? 

These  considerations  are  worthy  of  reflection  and  careful  thought  as 
is  also,  the  procedure  in  all  such  cases,  of  the  physician  who  does  believe 
in  and  who  does  apply  the  homoeopathic  law  to  disease,  and  bases  his 
prescription  upon  the  subjective  symptoms  which  to  him  indicate  a  de- 
creased physical  resistance  either  local  or  general  or  both ;  if  during  the 
pre-disease  condition,  the  period  of  prediagnostic  symptomatology,  the 
properly  selected  remedy  be  administered,  with  necessary  prophylaxis, 
no  further  pathological  condition  will  occur;  the  perverted  function  will 
be  corrected  before  objective  physical  manifestation  of  disease  has  been 
made  known. 

The  above  considerations  in  the  interest  of  the  patient  aim  to 
place  the  advantage  upon  the  side  of  him  who  does  believe  in  and  who 
does  use  the  homoeopathic  law. 

After  functional  disease  or  organic  lesion  have  been  fully  establish- 
<h1,  what  method  of  procedure  shall  we  select  for  the  welfare  of  the 
patient?  The  non-homoeopathic-law-believcr  makes  a  thorough  physical 
and  laboratory  examination,  diagnoses  the  case  and  begins  a  course  of 
treatment  based  upon  his  diagnosis  which  again,  is  based  upon  objective 
symptoms  chiefly.  The  homoeopathic-law-believer  proceeds  in  one  of 
two  ways,  he  cither  makes  or  he  does  not  make  a  thorough  physical  and 
laboratory  examination.  If  he  belongs  to  the  first  class  he  weighs 
carefully  the  subjective  phenomena  as  well  as  the  objective,  makes  his 
diagnosis,  and  administers  the  carefully  chosen  remedy  adapted  to  these 
particular  symptoms  in  this  particular  individual.    Let  us  not  fail  to 


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198  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL    OF    H0M(EOI»ATHY 

note  that  in  the  diagnosis  and  treatment  of  the  homceopathic-law-be- 
liever,  the  subjective  as  well  as  the  objective  symptoms  play  an  impor- 
tant role;  this  physician  knows  if  the  symptoms  are  purely  functional^ 
they  will  be  decreased  promptly  by  the  action  of  the  remedy  he  has  pre- 
scribed;  but  if  they  are  symptoms  of  functional  disease  or  organic 
lesion,  they  will  not  yield  promptly  to  the  remedy  based  upon  subjective 
symptoms.  It  is  just  at  this  point  perhaps  that  some  followers  of 
Samuel  Hahnemann  have  failed  to  grasp  the  import  of  some  of  his 
great  teaching,  and  do  put  an  unjustifiable  reliance  upon  the  action  of 
the  carefully  selected  internal  remedy  even  though  indications  point 
clearly  to  organic  change  or  changes  which  require  prompt  correction 
through  surgical  or  physical  measures,  that  they  may  not  progress  to 
the  point  where  they  become  inoperable.  Should  a  failure  of  the  symptom- 
atology to  yield  promptly  to  the  remedy  whose  selection  has  been  based 
upon  subjective  symptoms  occur,  it  is  necessary  that  a  prompt  review  of 
the  case  be  made  that  further  treatment  may  be  determined.  Surgery? 
Physical  therapy?    Drug  therapy? 

Any  physician  who  does  not  make  a  thorough  physical  examination 
using  all  the  helps  at  his  command  is  not  performing  his  full  duty  to  his 
patient,  or  to  his  profession.  Belief  in  the  homoeopathic  law  does  not 
discharge  the  physician's  responsibility  to  have  a  broad  knowledge  of 
medicine,  to  be  an  A  No.  1  clinician  and  diagnostician,  to  put  the  cor- 
rect interpretation  upon  subjective  phenomena  and  to  have  in  mind  al- 
ways the  possible  pathological  significance  of  each  subjective  symptom. 
It  is  also  apparent  that  the  thorough  well  equipped  physician  who  does 
believe  in  the  homoeopathic  law  does  not  have  to  draw  hard  and  fast 
lines  between  making  a  prescription  for  pre-diseaso  conditions  and  mak- 
ing a  prescription  for  disease  conditions  since  he  is  constantly  making 
the  distinction  between  the  use  of  subjective  symptoms  for  drug  selec- 
tion and  the  use  of  subjective  symptoms  for  diagnostic  purposes. 


HEALTH  DEPARTMENT  DRUG  THERAPY 

W^T^HE  administration  of  drugs  of  secondary  consideration  in  the 
■*•       treatment  of  bronchopneumonia.      When  they  are  to  be  used 
they  should  be  given  with  care  and  be  made  as  innocuous  as  possible." 

So  runs  a  paragraph  in  an  article  on  the  "Treatment  of  Broncho- 
pneumonia" to  be  found  in  the  February  issue  of  **Health  News,"  the 
Monthly  Bulletin  of  the  New  York  State  Department  of  Health.     This 


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EDITORUL   DEPARTi[EXT  199 

bulletin  is  mailed  to  the  extent  of  several  thousand  copies  to  the  citizens 
of  the  State  of  New  York,  and  one  may  fairly  question  the  propriety  of 
an  article  dealing  with  the  treatment  of  disease,  aside  from  the  prevent- 
ive measures  and  sanitary  precautions  to  be  taken,  appearing  in  such  a 
publication.  Dr.  Henry  L.  K.  Shaw,  the  writer  of  the  article  and  Direc- 
tor, Division  of  Child  Hygiene,  State  Department  <.f  Health,  has  a  posi- 
tive opinion  on  this  subject,  for  he  says:  "The  main  fact  to  be  kept  in 
mind  is  that  very  many  cases  are  unnecessary  and  therefore  preventable, 
hence  a  discussion  in  a  public  health  journal  of  the  pathology  and  treat- 
ment is  of  value.*'  In  the  way  of  treatment  Dr.  Shaw  recommends 
fresh  air,  steam  inhalations  and  counter-irritation,  and  there  his  arma- 
mentarium seems  to  be  exhausted,  for  next  follows  the  paragraph  with 
which  this  comment  opens. 

It  is  respectfully  suggested  to  the  public  health  authorities  of  the 
State  of  New  York  that  they  inform  themselves  as  to  the  comparative 
mortality  of  bronchopneumonia  in  children  under  homoeopathic  and 
other  treatment,  and  when  next  it  is  thought  advisable  to  discuss  drug 
therapy  in  a  publication  circulating  for  the  most  part  among  the  laity, 
that  they  invite  one  of  the  several  hundred  homoeopathic  practitioners  in 
the  State  of  New  York  to  present  his  views  of  the  \  alue  of  the  adminis- 
tration of  drugs  according  to  the  rule  of  similars. 

Dr.  Shaw  has  done  splendid  work  for  the  State  as  Director  of  the 
Division  of  Child  Hygiene  to  which  office  in  the  Department  of  Health 
he  was  appointed  by  the  former  Commissioner,  Dr.  Eugene  H.  Porter. 
Were  Dr.  Porter  still  in  office,  we  feel  sure  that  this  tactical  blunder 
would  not  have  been  made. 


COUGH  OF  SUDDEN  ONSET  IN  CHILDREN 

I  AEPLORIXG  the  fact  that  physicians  are  leaning  too  much  on  lab- 
^^  oratory  reports  and  neglecting  clinical  history  and  findings,  the 
American  Journal  of  Surgery  urges  prompt  inquiry  into  the  history  of 
every  case  of  cough  of  sudden  onset  occurring  in  children.  In  many 
instances  sudden  spasmodic  cough  in  children  is  due  to  the  lodgment  of  a 
foreign  body  in  the  air  passages.  If  the  onset  occurs  during  a  meal  or 
there  are  any  suspicious  factors  in  the  case  (e.g.,  relief  in  a  certain  posi- 
tion with  a  return  of  the  coughing  on  change  of  position)  a  roentgen 
examination  should  be  made,  although  a  negative  result  is  not  conclusive 


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200  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL    OF    HOMOSOPATHY 

owing  to  the  nature  of  many  of  the  foreign  substances  (e.g.  food),  and 
the  bronchoscope  should  be  used.  A  foreign  body  allowed  to  remain  in 
a  child's  lung  gives  rise  to  serious  consequences ;  "pneumonia  follows,  as 
a  rule,  and  chronic  fibrous  processes  may  be  set  up,  or  the  breaking-down 
of  lung  tissue  and  abscess-formation,  or  dilatation  of  the  bronchi  and 
bronchiectactic  dilatation  may  ensue."  It  must  not  be  forgotten,  also 
that  a  foreign  body  lodged  in  the  esophagus  may  cause  a  perforation 
and  pass  into  the  air  passages. 


POLIOMYELITIS 

O^N'E  of  the  best  resumes  of  observations  made  during  the  recent 
■  epidemic  of  poliomyelitis  has  been  contributed  to  medical  liter- 
ature by  Dr.  Daniel  Elliott,  of  Newark,  X.  J.,  who  was  called  to  handle 
580  cases.  His  report  given  to  the  MacKeon  Medical  Club,  was  reprint- 
ed in  our  February  issue,  page  106.  The  section  of  the  report  dealing 
with  treatment  is  certainly  the  least  satisfactory:  that  is  to  say,  it  is  a 
frank  confession  of  failure  in  many  .directions.  Headers  of  Dr.  Car- 
dozo's  contribution  to  our  January  issue,  and  of  Dr.  Baker^s  article  on 
the  homoeopathic  action  of  phenol,  which  followed  Dr.  Elliot's  report  on 
page  110,  must  conclude  that  homceopathy  offers  more  in  the  treatment 
of  poliomyelitis  than  anything  suggested  in  non-homa?opathic  circles. 


A  NATIONAL  LEPROSARIUM 

'T^HE  House  of  Kepresentatives  and  the  United  States  Senate  have 
-*-  both  acted  favorably  on  a  bill  to  provide  a  national  hospital  for 
the  care  of  lepers  in  this  country.  The  selection  of  a  site  and  the 
erection  of  the  buildings  are  put  in  the  hands  of  the  U.  S.  Public  Health 
Service.  Anyone  who  recalls  the  differing  policies  of  the  various  State 
health  authorities  and  the  indignities  and  harsh  treatment  given  to 
some  of  the  unfortunate  victims  of  the  disease,  will  gladly  welcome  the 
prospect  of  a  humanitarian  as  well  as  scientific  handling  of  the  problem 
by  the  federal  authorities. 


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Department  of   Homoeopathic 
Materia  Medica  and  Therapeutics 

Conducted  by        -       -        A.  R.  McMichael,  A.M.,  M.D. 


AN  EPITOME  OF  COMPARISONS  IN  HOMCEO- 

PATHIC  MATERIA  MEDICA  AND 

THERAPEUTICS 

By  A.  R.  MG  MICHAEL.  A.M.,  M  D., 

Professor  of  Giiaical  Medicine  and  Applied  Materia  Medica  New  York 
Homoeopathic  Medical  College  and  Flower  Hospital 

New  York  City 


BRIGHT'S  DISEASE 

AKSENICUM  ALBUM 

Casts  waxy  and  fatty,  much  albumen,  urine  dark.  Dropsy  begins 
with  swelling  of  lower  lids,  "baggy  lids"  and  swelling  of  feet  and  hands 
with  general  anasarca.  Little  blisters  on  legs  burst  and  serum  oozes 
from  the  dropsical  limbs  with  their  tense  waxy  shining  skin.  Dropsy 
with  pitting  on  pressure.  Ilydrothorax  dyspnea,  patient  cannot  lie  down 
must  sit  up  to  breathe.  Ars.  called  'liquid  trochar."  Worse  after  mid- 
night. Skin  pale,  waxen  appearance,  cold,  clammy.  Exhausting  diar- 
rhea. Great  prostration.  Worse  from  slight  exertion.  Great  thirst 
for  small  quantities  of  water.  Great  restlessness,  <  after  midnight. 
Great  anxiety  and  fear.  Pulse  weak  intermittent,  tense,  rapid.  Acute 
nephritis,  post  scarlatinal.  Large  white  kidney.  Primary  cases. 
DiflFerentiating  Characteristics 

Acute  nephritis.  Dropsy  beginning  in  lower  eyelids  and  '  feet. 
Worse  after  midnight.  Great  prostration.  Thirst,  fear,  anxiety  and 
restlessness. 

APIS 

Urine  heavily  charged  with  albumen,  and  blood  corpuscles,  urine 
fetid,  dark,  frothy,  scanty,  with  frequent  micturition.  Dropsy  with 
pitting  on  pressure,  swelling  of  face  and  extremities,  baggy  lower  eye- 
lids. Ascites  with  soreness  of  abdominal  walls.  Edema  of  lungs  with 
great  dyspnea,  feeling  as  if  he  could  not  get  another  breath,  suffocation. 


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202  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL   OP    HOMCEOPATHY 

Complete  anasarca,  pale,  waxy  skin.  Dropsy  appears  rapidly,  swelling 
of  limbs  with  burning,  stinging  and  numbness.  Patient  drowsy  apathetic. 
Pains  in  region  of  kidneys,  head,  back,  limbs,  bruised  feeling  all  over. 
No  thirst,  no  sweat.  Patient  <in  warm  room,  >in  cold.  Acute  neph- 
ritis, post  scarlatinal  and  after  diphtheria.  Apis  acts  best  in  tritura- 
tion, of  slow  action  and  must  not  be  changed  too  soon,  increased  flow 
of  urine  shows  favorable  efiPect. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 
Acute  nephritis.    Scanty  urine.    Dropsy  appears  rapidly.    Pains  in 
region  of  kidneys,  head,   hack,  limbs,   bruised  feeling  all   over.    No 
thirst.    No  sweat.    Better  in  cold,  <in  warm  room, 

MERCUKIUS  COR. 

Urine  albuminous,  scanty,  hot,  red,  bloody,  brown,  brick-dust  sedi- 
ment. Urine  passed  with  pain,  excessive  strangury,  burning.  Qeneral 
anasarca.  Early  stages  especially  when  caused  by  abuse  of  alcohol,  cold 
or  obstructed  portal  circulation.  Face  pale,  waxen,  swollen,  doughy. 
Thirst  for  cold  water.  Lumbar  pains.  Worse  at  night.  Best  remedy 
for  nephritis  of  pregnancy.  Suppurative  nephritis.  Nephritis  associat- 
ed with  gout.     Contracted  kidney. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 

Urine  scanty,  bloody,  brick-dv^t  sediment.  Excessive  strangury. 
Nephritis  of  pregnancy,     Oouty  nephritis, 

PHOSPHORUS 

Urine  dark  brown  or  whitish,  milky,  scanty,  highly  albuminous. 
Fatty  and  waxy  casts.  Dropsy  general,  edema  of  upper  eyelids,  hands 
and  f6et,  face  swollen  edematous,  puffed  uftder  eyes,  lips  and  eyelids 
swollen.  Feeble  constitutions,  emaciated,  waxy  anemic,  hemorrhagic 
constitutions.  Fatty  degeneration  of  kidneys,  liver  and  heart.  Whole 
body  tired,  no  desire  to  work  either  mental  or  physical,  <in  morning, 
sleepiness.  Hands  and  feet  icy-cold.  Memory  weak.  No  appetite. 
All  complaints  <from  cold  in  every  form  and  >by  heat  except  com- 
plaints of  head  and  stomach  which  are  exactly  the  opposite.  Worse  ly- 
ing on  the  left  side,  >  lying  on  right  side.  Great  thirst  for  ice-cold 
drinks.  Retinitis  albuminurica,  mist  before  eyes.  Fatty  and  amyloid 
degeneration  of  kidneys.    Brights  with  diabetes. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 

Urine  dark  brown  or  whitish,  milky.  Fatty  and  waxy  casts,  Oreai 
thirst  for  ice-cold  drinks.  Fatty  degeneration  of  organs.  Constitution- 
al symptoms  very  important.  One  of  the  most  valuable  remedies  in 
Brights, 

PLUMBUM 

Urine  dark,  scanty,  albuminous,  low  specific  gravity,  pale,  tube  casts, 
epithelial  cells,  blood  and  pus  corpuscles.    Urine  fetid,  dribbles.    Hard- 


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CONTRIBUTED   ARTICLES  203 

ly  any  dropsy,  edema  about  ankles.  Rentention  of  urine  from  lack  of 
sensation  that  bladder  is  fuU.  Sallow  face,  pale,  emaciation.  No  ap- 
petite. Frontal  headache.  Dry  skin,  no  i)erspiration  even  after  exer- 
cise. Constipation  with  retraction  of  abdomen,  stools  small,  hard,  black 
balls.  Granular  degeneration  of  the  kidneys  with  tendency  to  uremic 
convulsions.  Contracted  or  cirrhotic  form  of  nephritis  with  hyper- 
trophy of  the  heart  Gouty  nephritis  with  excess  of  uric  acid.  Athero- 
matous degeneration  of  arteries. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 
Urine  scanty,  aihuminotis,  low  specific  gravity,  tube  casts,  epithelial 
ceUs,  blood  and  pus  corpuscles.    Dry  sJcin,  no  perspiration.    Oonstipa- 
tion,  stools  of  black  bails.    Contracted  kidney  with  hypertrophy  of  heart. 
Atheroma  of  arteries.    Hardly  any  dropsy. 

TEREBINTH 

Urine  scanty,  dark,  smoky,  turbid,  bloody,  albuminous,  deposit  like 
coffee-groiinds.  Tube  casts.  Legs  swollen,  anasarca.  Urine  has  odor 
of  violets.  Much  dull  pain  and  burning  in  the  back  extending  along 
the  ureter  to  bladder  and  urethra.  Prostration,  no  resdessness.  Cold 
sweat  of  lower  limbs.  Rapid  pulse.  First  stage  of  renal  disease  when 
congestion  is  prominent  with  hematuria.  Nephritis  after  scarlatina 
with  dropsy.  Uremic  poisoning  with  retention  of  urine,  patient  drowsy. 
Differentiating  Characteristics 

Urine  scanty,  dark,  smoky,  bloody.  Urine  has  odor  of  violet%. 
Burning  pain  in  kidneys  extending  along  ureters  to  bladder  and  urethra. 
Prostration,  no  restlessness.     Congestion  with  hematuria. 


SENSATION  OF  STONE  IN  STOMACH 

BRYONIA 

Food  lies  in  stomach  like  a  stone,  cannot  digest.  Eructations  of 
tasteless  gas  >by  bringing  up  wind.  Aversion  to  all  food  especially 
rich  fat  food,  all  greasy  things.  <  sauerkraut,  < vegetables,  < salads, 
< chicken  salad,  <  oysters,  stomach  distended  with  wind  from  them. 
Craves  acids.  Stomach  complaints  >from  hot  drinks  which  he  does  not 
crave,  the  desire  being  for  cold  drinks,  but  stomach  and  bowel  complaints 
>from  hot  drinks.  Nausea  and  faintness  on  sitting  up  after  drinking, 
<  morning. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 

Cross,  cranky,  irritable,  especially  if  disturbed. 

NUX  VOMICA 

Sensation  of  stone  in  the  stomach  an  hour  after  eating,  associated 
with  nausea,  retching  and  vomiting.  Bitter  taste,  sour,  or  putrid  taste. 
Bitter  erucations.    Desire  for  stimulants,  <  morning,  <  after  eating. 


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204  NORTH    AMERIACN    JOURNAL   OF    HOM(EOFATHY 

DiflFerentiating  Cliaracteristice 
Oro88,  cranky,  irritable,  whether  disturbed  or  not, 

PULSATILLA 

Sensation  of  stone  in  stomach,  digestion  slow,  several  hours  after 
eating  there  is  a  sense  of  fullness  with  eructations  of  sour  rancid  bitter 
fluid,  stomach  complaints  <a.m.  Gastric  troubles,  the  result  of  eating 
fat  pork,  butter,  greasy  things,  cakes,  pastries,  rich  things,  cannot  di- 
gest oil.  Desire  for  things  he  cannot  digest;  herring,  cheese,  highly  sea- 
soned food,  ice-cream.  Tongue  coated  thick  with  white  fur,  bad  taste. 
Differentiating  Characteristics 

Tearful,  sad,  despondent,  '^in  open  air. 


HEART 


CACTUS 

Constriction  as  if  an  iron  band  prevented  its  normal  movement, 
other  sensations,  squeezed  by  a  hand,  tightly  bound  by  a  cord,  etc., 
clutches  and  relaxes  alternately.  Pulse  quick,  throbbing,  tense  and 
hard,  intermittent,  irregular  action  fast  then  slow,  spasmodic,  never 
an  equal  circulation.  Pain  from  heart  to  left  shoulder  and  down  arm 
with  numbness  and  tingling  and  sometimes  with  swelling  of  left  arm 
only.  Fluttering,  palpitation  with  vertigo.  Worse  walking  and  lying 
on  left  side.  Fear  he  is  going  to  die  pain  is  so  severe.  No  anxiety. 
Weakness  and  coldness  of  lower  extremities  often  found  in  arterio- 
sclerosis. Difficult  breathing,  suffocating,  fainting.  Cactus  moderates 
and  regulates  the  action  of  the  heart. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 

Constriction  cw  from  an  iron  band.  Irregular  action,  fast  then 
slow,  intermittent.  Never  an  equal  circulation.  Vahiable  in  the  heart 
troubles  associated  with  arteriosclerosis. 

CHATAEGUS 

Cardioasthenia.  Our  greatest  hypotensive  remedy,  the  result  of 
either  organic  or  functional  trouble  resulting  in  myocardial  weakness 
with  dilatation.  Great  dyspnea,  palpitation,  angina,  dropsy.  Hypostatic 
consolidation  of  lungs.  Pulse  rapid, , weak,  irregular  intermittent,  rapid 
heart  of  nervous  origin.  Blueness  of  fingers  and  toes.  Face,  hands, 
legs  and  feet  swollen,  edematous.  Scanty  urine.  Shortness  of  breath 
on  slight  exertion,  mental  or  physical.  First  remedy  in  weak  heart  fol- 
lowing acute  diseases,  pneumonia,  typhoid,  diphtheria,  grip,  neuras- 
thenia, etc.,  may  be  given  as  an  intercurrent  remedy  to  sustain  a  flag- 
ging heart,  in  any  of  these  affections  without  interfering  with  the  indi- 
cated remedy  and  without  toxic  effect  even  in  material  doses,  'five  to 


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CONTRIBUTED   ARTICLES  205 

thirty  drops  of  the  tincture  several  times  a  day.  May  be  given  indefin- 
itely, has  no  cumulative  action,  however,  dose  should  be  reduced  as  soon 
as  improvement  begins.  Organic  disease  with  failing  comi>ensation 
especially  in  aortic  and  mitral  regurgitation.  Angina  pectoris.  Fatty 
degeneration. 

DiflFerentiating  Characteristics 

Oardioasthenia  from  any  cause.  First  remedy  in  weak  heart  fol- 
lowing acute  diseases.  The  only  safe  remedy  in  material  dosage  for 
weak  heart. 

DIGITALIS 

Slow  pulse  most  important  symptom,  irregular,  intermittent,  weak. 
Ral>id  weak  irregular  pulse  may  indicate  digitalis  but  in  the  beginning 
it  must  have  been  slow  to  be  of  any  value.  Palpitation  excited  by  talk- 
ing or  least  motion  but  heart  soon  slows  down  when  patient  is  quiet. 
Exertion  increases  rapidity  but  diminishes  its  force.  Weakness  and 
numbness  of  left  arm.  Fears  heart  will  stop  beating  if  he  should  make 
any  motion.  Breathing  short,  slow,  deep  sighing,  suffocating  spells,  dry 
cough. 

Blue  lips,  face  and  fingers.  Wants  to  lie  on  back,  often  without  a 
pillow.  Restlessness  and  great  nervous  weakness,  horrible  anxiety  all 
the  time.  Feels  as  if  she  would  fly  to  pieces,  that  something  is  going 
to  happen.  Wants  to  be  alone,  sadness,  melancholy.  Extreme  prostra- 
tion. Cold  body  and  limbs.  No  appetite  but  great  thirst.  Smell  •of 
food  excites  nausea.  Swelling  of  feet  and  ankles.  Cardiac  dropsy  assoc- 
iated with  slow  pulse.  Urine  scanty.  Increased  flow  of  urine  shows 
favorable  action.  Infusion  of  English  leaves  may  be  required  in  last 
stages. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 
Slow  pulse.    Fears  heart  will  stop  heating  if  he  should  make  any 
motion.    Cyanosis. .  No  appetite  hut  great  thirst.  Nervous  weakness  and 
horrible  anxiety.    Melancholy. 

PHOSPHORUS 

Cardiac  troubles  affecting  the  muscles  rather  than  the  valves,  espec- 
ially the  right  ventricle.  Myocarditis  with  dilatation  following  acute 
affections,  pneumonia,  rheumatism,  typhoid  fever,  scarlet  fever,  etc., 
with  systolic  murmur  and  weak,  soft  compressible  pulge.  Fatty  degener- 
ation of  the  muscular  fibres.  Great  weakness  with  inability  to  exert 
himself.  Violent  palpitation,  <  motion,  <  lying  on  left  side.  Venows 
stagnation  with  puffiness  of  the  face  particularly  under  eyelids  in  all 
cardiac  affections.  Feeble  constitution,  born  sickly,  grown  up  slender 
and  too  rapidly.  Face  earthy,  sunken,  pale,  swollen  and  edematous. 
Anemic.  Black  and  blue  spots  from  slight  bruise  or  even  pressure. 
Intense  thirst  for  ico-oold  water. 


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206  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL   OP    IIOMCEOPATHV 

'  DiflFerentiating  Characteristics 
Cardiac  affections  of  the  muscular  walls,  especially  following  acute 
disease  with  dilatation.    Feeble  constitutions.    Intense  thirst  .for  cold 
drink, 

STROPHANTHUS 

This  drug  will  relieve  the  distress  accompanying  failure  of  the  heart 
more  quickly  than  any  other  drug  when  given  in  small  doses,  three  to 
five  drops  of  the  tincture  to  four  ounces  of  water,  one  teaspoonful  every 
hour,  is  free  from  the  depressing  action  of  large  doses  and  may  be  given 
for  long  periods  with  safety,  should  its  effects  in  this  dose  show  over- 
action  a  rest  of  two  or  three  days  at  a  time  will  be  an  advantage. 
Dyspnea,  edema  of  the  lungs,  dropsy  in  any  or  all  parts  of  the  body. 
Pulse  small,  weak,  compressible,  irregular,  intermittent.  Short  dry 
cough  <  lying  down,  must  be  propped  up  in  bed.  Heart  hypertrophied 
and  dilated,  pulsation  diffused.  Chronic  degeneration  of  cardiac 
muscle.  Palpitation  from  slight  exertion.  Functional  disturb- 
ance of  the  heart  from  alcohol,  tea,  coffee  and  tobacco.  Especially 
valuable  in  heart  troubles  dependent  on  kidney  disease  with  scanty  urine. 
Differentiating  Characteristics 

Hypertrophy,  great  dilatation  and  edema  of  lungs  with  cough  and 
dyspnea,  showing  complete  heart  failure,  our  first  .  remedy.  Heart 
troubles  dependent  on  kidney  disease.  Weak  heart  in  alcoholics,  de- 
stroys taste  for  alcohol. 


APOPLEXY 


OPIUM 

Face  dark  red,  flushed,  bloated,  hot ;  face  and  head  covered  with  cold 
sweat.  Eyes  red,  pupils  contracted  to  a  pin  point.  Paroxysm  is  at- 
tended by  tetanic  rigidity  of  the  body,  slow  sterterous  breathing.  Con- 
vulsive movements  and  trembling  of  extremities,  foam  at  mouth,  com- 
plete unconsciousness.  Comatose  sleep,  snoring,  rattling,  cannot  rouse 
patient.  Pulse  exceedingly  slow  and  full.  Dropping  of  lower  jaw. 
Differentiating  Characteristics 

Face  dark  red.  Pin  point  pupils.  Comatose  sleep.  Slow  fuU  pulse^ 
Tetanic  rigidity. 

AROTCA 

Head  hot,  rest  of  body  cold.  Loss  of  consciousness  with  sterterous 
breathing,  sighing,  muttering.  Involuntary  discharge  of  urine  and 
feces.  Full  strong  pulse.  Paralysis  of  limbs,  especially  left.  Soreness 
and  aching  all  over  body.  Ecchymosis  here  and  there  all  over  body. 
Suits  middle-aged  plethoric  and  stout  constitutions.     Bed  sores  form 


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CX)NTRIBUTED   ARTICLES  207 

rapidly.    Will  often  prevent  threatened  apoplexy.    Considered  a  sheet 
anchor  for  dissolving  blood-clots,  30th  potency  preferred. 
Differentiating  Characteristics 
Paralysis  left  side.    Full  strong  pulse.    Involuntary  discharge  of 
urine  and  feces. 


COUGH  WORSE  LYING  DOWN 

PULSATILLA 

Loose  morning  cough  and  dry  night  cough,  gagging  and  choking. 
Expectoration  copious,  thick,  yellowish-green  mucus,  salty.  Dry  teas- 
ing cough  with  dyspnoea,  <warm  room,  wants  window  open,  <  lying 
down,  <  evening  and  night.  Loose  cough  following  colds,  measles  or 
whooping  cough. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 

Cough  >in  open  air. 

DROSERA 

Spasmodic  cough  <  lying  down,  coughs  until  he  retches  and  vomits, 
yellow  expectoration.  Spasmodic  cough  following  measles,  whooping 
cough  or  colds. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 

Violent  tickling  in  the  larynx. 

STICTA 

Dry  hard  night  cough,  spasmodic  Cough  dry  <  evening  and  night, 
can  neither  sleep  nor  lie  4own,  must  sit  up,  coughs  following  measles, 
whooping  cough,  cold  and  influenza. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 

Cough  <lying  down,  must  sit  up. 


ERRATA-EPITOME  OF  COMPARISONS 

We  regret  to  have  to  acknowledge  that  that  mythical  but  convenient 
personage,  ''the  printer's  devil,"  was  allowed  to  wander  around  and  make 
more  or  less  havoc  in  the  group  of  Dr.  McMichael's  comparisons  printed 
in  our  March  issue.  The  following  are  the  correct  readings  of  the  lines 
enumerated : 

CROUPOUS  PNEUMONIA— BRYONIA— 5th  Hne: 

<  evening  and  night,  cough  and  headache  <in  morning.     Cough  >in 

,  Differentinating  Characteristics: 

Pain  in  chest  >  when  lying  on  painful  side.  Slow  development. 
Irritable.    Cough,  headache  and  pain  <from  least  motion.    Cough  >in 

IODINE— 5th  lines: 

dyspnea,  oppression  of  chest.    Tuberculous  or  scrofulous  constitutions. 


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2€8  NORTH    AMERICAN   JOURNAL   OP    HOM(EOPATHY 

PHOSPHORUS— 4th  line: 

splitting  headache.     Cough  <  lying  on  left  side.     <from  eating*  talk- 

Differentiating  Characteristics,  2nd  line: 

side.     Weak  heart.     Cough  <from  cold  air,  >warm  room. 

LARYNGITIS— ALLIUM  CEP  A— Differentiating  Characteristics: 

Cough  >  going  into  cold  air. 
PLEURISY— BRYONIA— Differentiating  Characteristics,  1st  line: 

Stitching  pains.     Worse  from  least  motion,  >from  lying  on  pain- 
APPENDICITIS— RHUS  TOX.— 3rd  line: 
ilio-C8Bcal  region  with  great  pain,  large  hard  painful  swelling  <8itting 


ACTION  OF  THE  HOMCEOPATHIC  FORCE* 

By  B.  L.  B.  BAY  LIES,  M.D. 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

WHEN  the  human  system  receives  the  prescribed  drug  force,  sim- 
ilar in  quality,  in  potency  and  direction  of  action,  to  the  mor- 
bific force  invading  it,  the  two  forces  interact,  as  proved  by  our  hom- 
oeopathic observation  and  experience  and  neutralize  each  other.  The 
result  is  a  vital  reaction  in  all  the  organs  affected,  and  the  restoration 
of  health. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  action  of  the  dissimilar  or  allopathic  drug 
is  conflict  of  forces,  organic  disturbance,  complication,  and  aggravation 
of  disorder.  The  vital  force  is  necessitated  to  expend  its  energy  in  the 
combat,  and  exhaustion  or  death  may  result. 

An  aggravation  following  administration  of  the  homoeopathic  drug, 
indicates  similarity  in  quality,  to  the  disease  force,  although  dissimil- 
arity in  potency,  and  is  succeeded  by  improvement. 

An  exactly  adequate  dose  of  the  most  similar  will,  without  aggrava- 
tion, effect  greater  and  more  immediate  improvement. 

The  most  lethargic  and  least  sensitive  organisms  by  evident 
correlation  require  under  the  homoeopathic  law,  the  lower  potencies;  the 
most  responsively  sensitive,  the  higher  potencies. 

In  my  own  experience  and  that  of  many  other  observers,  the  higher 
potencies  are  more  actively  penetrative  and  diffusive.  I  have  seen  many 
times,  relief  of  acute  pain  follow  within  five  minutes,  the  giving  of  a 
high  potential  dose;  although  I  believe  the  evolution  of  potency  is  rather 
a  modification  and  adaptation,  to  various  grades  of  sensitivenettS,  than 
an  augmentation  of  force.     The  wonderful  efficiency  of  potencies  trom 


*Read  before  the  International  Hahnemannian  Association. 


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CONTRIBUTED   ARTICLES  20D 

the  lowest  to  the  highest,  even  of  the  millionths,  tends  to  prove  not  the 
augmentation,  but  the  indestructability  of  medicinal  force. 

The  specific  almost  toxic  phenomena  produced  by  the  truly  homoeo- 
pathic medicine  when  administered  to  the  highly  susceptible  and  sensi- 
tive, even  in  very  small  doses,  may  delay  the  remedial  action,  so  that 
only  a  comparatively  low  potency  for  example  the  30th,  approved  by 
Hahnemann,  may  be  capable  of  promptly  curative  efPect. 

Vigilance  is  necessary  to  discern  such  modification  of  the  symp- 
toms and  even  of  the  modalities  of  a  case  as  would  indicate  a  change 
of  remedy,  or  a  series  of  remedies,  during  the  same  illness.  These  ef- 
fects are  intensified  in  highly  nervous,  very  feeble  individuals,  and  th(^ 
remedy,  although  of  very  high  attenuation  may  produce  an  unexpected 
and  unsuspected  aggravation,  vitally  afiPecting  the  functions  of  the  body 
and  of  the  mind;  yet  attributed  to  the  normal  developmeiit  oi  'A.e 
disease.  In  a  case  of  pneumonia,  in  a  very  feeble,  anemic  gentleman, 
76  years  of  age,  of  highly  nervous  temperament,  occurred  delirium  with 
irritable  humor;  i)ersistent  delirious  efforts  to  leave  the  bed;  mutterinjr 
in  sleep;  inability  to  protrude  the  tongue  and  to  swallow  solids;  for 
which  hyoscyamus  45m.Fincke  in  solution  was  given  every  three  hours; 
resolution  of  extensive  inflammation  of  the  left  lung  progressed  and 
was  complete;  but^the  symptoms  of  the  remedy  continumg,  its  u»e  was 
suspended;  no  medicine  was  given;  delirium  ceased,  the  tongue  could 
be  fully  protruded,  and  normal  deglutition  was  rp«tnred. 

Every  potency  has  an  efficient  range,  and  will  cure  some  case 
of  a  certain  grade  of  intensity  or  activity^.  For  general  use  in  acute 
cases,  I  like  the  200th.  When  higher  potencies  are  employotl.  tliey  must 
as  we  all  know,  be  used  in  much  less  frequent  doses;  no  more  doses  than 
suffice  to  effect  a  perceptible  improvement;  for  as  I  have  personally  ex- 
perienced, they  often  cause  primary  aggravation,  so  that  I  have  no  doubt 
of  this  fact.  An  aggravation  on  myself  was  caused  by  a  single  doso, 
dry,  of  Phosphorus  200,  relieved  by  a  few  doses  in  solution,  of  the  30th. 
At  one  time  a  few  doses  of  solution  of  rhus  tox.  25m.  for  acute  sciatica, 
greatly  increased  my  suffering,  which  the  200th  of  the.  same  remedy 
inmiediately  relieved,  and  quickly  cured. 

I  used  several  years  ago  lycopodium  45  m.  in  solution  every  three  or 
four  hours,  for  a  diphtheritic  bronchial  trouble;  initial  benefit  was  fol- 
lowed by  a  very  critical  condition;  not  an  aggravation  but  arrest  of 
improvement,  the  patient  could  not  atetmpt  to  sit  in  bed  without  dan- 
ger of  fainting.  Then  my  venerated  friend  Dr.  P.  P.  Wells,  suggested 
the  same  remedy  very  high;  a  dose  of  the  millionth  dry,  cured.  lu 
cases  of  very  susceptible  idiosyncrasy  and  when  the  relation  ot  the  rem- 
edy to  the  organism  is  very  evident,  as  in  belladonna,  Pulsatilla,  aconite, 
or  calcarea  individuality,  it  is  desirable  not  to  begin  treatment  with 
the  highest  potencies;  a  lower,  if  not  curative,  may  be  followed  with 
confidence  by  the  higher.  Due  regard  should  be  given  to  the  const:  I  u- 
tional  miasm  in  the  selection  of  the  remedy,  which  if  not  itself  curative, 
ma^  develop  symptoms,  indicating  the  remedy. 


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210  ISORTH    AMERICAN    JOUHNAL    OF    HOMCEOPATHY 

THE  SPHERE  OF  THE  REMEDY  IN  OBSTETRICS* 

By  JULIA  M.  GREEN 
Washington,  D.  C. 

APPRECIATING  fully  the  wonderful  opportunity  of  the  homoeo- 
pathic remedy  in  obstetrics,  and  its  efficient  work  in  securing 
normal,  easy  labor,  as  well  as  improving  permanently  the  health  of  moth- 
er and  child,  it  is  still  to  be  considered  that  when  the  physician  takes 
cliarge  of  a  confinement,  he  should  be  sure  first  of  his  diag^nosis.  He 
must  know  whether  there  is  any  mechanical  reason  why  the  labor  should 
not  be  a  normal  one  and  whether  a  mechanical  obstacle  in  a  given  case 
can  be  removed  by  the  correct  homoeopathic  remedy,  or  only  by  surgery. 
In  this  field  is  Hahnemann's  admonition  to  remove  mechanical  causes 
emphatically  needed. 

If  the  pelvic  brim  is  narrow  and  the  child's  head  is  large,  will  the 
remedy  given  internally  change  these  conditions?  No,  it  'cannot  do 
that,  but  it  can  increase  the  power  of  the  expulsive  efforts  and  relax 
the  soft  tissues  completdy  so  that,  in  cases  of  mild  d^ree,  the  head  is 
molded  sufficiently  to  pass  through  without  injury  to  mother  or  child. 
To  cite  an  example  from  practice,  the  mother  of  four  children  has  a 
slightly  narrowed  pelvis  and  extremely  hard,  tense,  muscles  rendered 
more  so  during  labor  by  general  nervous  apprehension.  In  the  first  labor 
the  obstruction  of  the  tense,  soft  tissues  was  not  overcome.  The  head 
engaged  finally  and  descended  part  way,  but  would  descend  no  farther 
without  the  aid  of  forceps.'  It  was  greatly  molded  and  flesh  somewhat 
lacerated;  respiration  never  had  the  noiinal  rhythm  and  death  came 
seventeen  hours  after  birth.  In  this  case  I  have  always  felt  that  bet- 
ter prescribing  might  have  overcome  the  difficulty  and  enabled  the  child 
to  live.  During  the  second  labor,  the  head  engaged  tardily  and  became 
caught,  in  the  same  way,  though  in  this  case  not  so  tightly  wedged. 
The  patient  complained  of  heavy  aching  all  over  and  inability  to  bear 
down  with  the  pains  which,  she  said,  began  in  front  and  extended 
through  to  lumbar  region  and  then  up  the  back.  She  declared  the 
pains  did  not  do  any  good.  One  dose  of  gelsemium  Im  changed  all 
this.  The  pains  soon  became  so  severe  and  expulsive  that  the  patient 
was  purple  in  the  face  and  bowed  forward  with  head,  shoulders,  and 
legs  off  the  bed  during  the  height  of  each  pain.  The  child  was  bom 
in  twenty  minutes  after  such  pains  began  and  the  placenta  delivered 
in  another  twenty  minutes  in  one  additional  strong,  expulsive  effort. 
The  third  labor  revealed  a  face  presentation  which  changed  to  vertex 
but  without  sufficient  flexion  and  this,  too,  came  to  forceps.  The  fourth 
presented  a  posterior  position  which  had  to  be  turned  to  anterior  and 
forceps  applied.  These  four  experiences  of  one  mother  are  described 
to  prove  the  abnormality  of  the  pelvis  and  to  remark  that  clearer  indica- 
tions for  remedies  in  three  of  them  might  have  produced  as  brilliant 

'^'Read  before  International  Hahnemannian  Association. 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  211 

results  as  did  the  prescription  in  the  one  case.  It  pays  to  watch  every 
detail  for  symptoms  during  lahor.  The  homoeopathic  remedy  has  cor- 
rected malpositions  many  times,  the  change  wrought  seeming  little  less 
than  a  miracle,  and  over  and  over  the  remedy  has  conquered  rigidity 
of  soft  parts.  To  do  it,  the  prescription  must  he  for  the  patient  and 
not  for  the  local  condition. 

If  the  position  is  wrong,  are  mechanical  conditions  right  so  that  the 
homoeopathic  remedy  may  correct  it?  Here  is  where  the  nicety  of  di- 
agnosis comes  in.  If  placenta  prsevia  exists,  can  any  remedy  control  the 
consequent  hemorrhage  when  its  causes  are  purely  mechanical?  The 
right  prescription  during  lahor  can  no  doubt  help,  but  the  real  sphere 
of  the  remedy  here  is  in  the  puerperal  period,  to  build  up  the  patient 
and  create  more  good  blood.  The  remedy  will,  do  this  much  better  than 
any  food  for  anemia  or  any  so-called  tissue-builder. 

If  there  is  degeneration  of  placenta  or  cord,  can  prescribing  prevent 
miscarriage?  Probably  not  after  the  mischief  is  done,  but  good  pre- 
scribing early  in  pregnancy  would  prevent  the  condition  altogether,  for 
such  degeneration  is  an  ultimate  state.  I  remember  a  case  which  had 
no  treatment  during  the  first  six  months  of  pregnancy  and  then  went 
into  premature  labor  at  nearly  seven  months.  The  cause  for  it  was 
a  mystery  until  the  placenta  was  delivered  and  foi|nd  to  be  one-third 
calcareous.  The  child  had  developed  as  far  as  it  could  on  two-thirds  of 
a  placenta  and  then  was  bom,  perfect,  and  rather  vigorous  at  first,  but 
it  died  in  seven  hours. 

If  foetal  development  is  arrested,  can  the  remedy  prevent  miscar- 
riage? Probably  the  homoeopathic  prescription  has  many  times  caused 
arrested  development  to  proceed  to  full  term.  If  it  cannot  do  this,  it 
will  bring  on  labor  so  as  to  save  the  health  of  the  mother.  If  the 
cord  is  prolapsed,  can  the  remedy  restore  it.  I  do  pot  know.  One  very 
puzzling  case  of  asphyxiation  of  the  newborn  was  explained  by  the 
discovery  of  a  large  coil  of  the  cord  over  the  nape  and  occipital  parietal 
region,  but  not  extending  high  enough  on  the  head  to  be  reached  by  the 
examining  finger  swept  around  the  presenting  part.  That  child,  a  large 
healthy  one,  suffered  from  strangulation  of  the  cord  during  the  second 
stage  of  labor,  and  so  tried  to  breathe  before  birth,  its  lungs  becoming 
full  of  blood  and  vaginal  mucus.  Prolonged  efforts  were  unavailing  to 
make  it  breathe  more  than  a  few  gasps. 

Another  i)eculiar  case  in  which  the  remedy  had  its  own  sphere, 
presented  post-partum  hemorrhages  quite  severe.  Pulsatilla  was  given 
on  the  symptoms  and  stopped  them,  but  the  cause  was  found  two  days 
later  when  the  uterus  was  discovered  to  be  fibroid  and  nearly  as  hard 
as  a  rock.  In  the  next  few  days  that  patient  needed  pyrogenium  to 
overcome  the  septic  condition  dependent  on  retained  discharges,  because 
the  uterus  could  not  contract  sufficiently  to  expel  them.  During  preg- 
nancy this  patient  had  received  psorinum  for  an  obstinate  eruption  on 
the  abdomen.  This  remedy,  given  during  several  months  after  delivery, 
absorbed  the  fibroid  so  the  uterus  is  now  as  soft  as  one  could  wish, 


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21d  NORTH   AMERICAN    JOURNAL   OF    HOMOEOPATHY 

thoiigh  its  condition  is  not  satisfactory  as  it  has  remained  flabby  and 
prolapsed. 

Queries  and  illustrative  examples  might  be  continued,  but  these 
are  enough  to  start  us  thinking  of  the  sphere  of  the  remedy  in  obstet- 
rics. Cases  which  cannot  be  helped  by  medicine  seem  to  show  it  to  us 
by  a  certain  nervous  helplessness  which  an  experienced  obstetrician 
learns  to  recognize.  This  condition  becomes  a  warning  signal  to  look 
for  trouble  requiring  surgical  interference,  and  this  search  in  itself  will 
differentiate  between  the  remedy  and  surgery. 


A  SYMPOSIUM  OF  THE  METALS-FOREWORD* 

By  G.  E.  DIENST.  M.D., 
Aurora,  111. 

WHAT  we  assume  in  general,  and  in  medicine  in  particular  would 
fill  libraries.  What  we  believe  in  general,  and  in  the  virtue 
of  remedies  in  particular  would  fill  volumes.  What  we  know  in  truth, 
and  about  which  there  is  no  shadow  of  doubt,  would  scarcely  fill  a  forty 
page  pamphlet.  This  is  true  in  all  vocations  and  professions — doubly 
true  in  medicine. 

My  reasons  for  preparing  the  following  program  were  first — ^nega- 
tive. I  do  not  like  a  haphazard  program  of  any  kind.  I  do  not  desire 
a  few  brief  essays  on  some  very  familiar  topic  which  rehearse  what  is 
common  to  all.  I  do  not  like  a  program  which  courts  discussion  of 
non-essentials. 

Secondly — I  desired  a  program  different  from  the  usual.  I  wanted 
to  learn  something  new,  while  confirming  the  things  known,  and  then 
in  thinking,  I  grew  egotistical  and  desired  the  selection  of  my  own  sub- 
ject matter.  I  also  wanted  some  of  our  worthy  members  to  steer  away 
from  the  routine  and  write  on  lines  which  compelled  greater  research 
and  more  accurate  comparison,  for  I  assume  that  the  most  costly  gems 
still  lie  hidden  beneath  the  unsurveyed  granite. 

You  will,  therefore,  .pardon  me  if  I  indulge  in  a  bit  of  pride  in  the 
preparation  of  this  program,  and  express  a  feeling  of  gratitude  to  those 
who  so  kindly  consented  to  aid  in  exploring  fields  scarcely  known  before. 

The  program  subject  is  divided  into  ten  parts  in  such  a  manner  as 
to  present  a  totality  when  completed.  It  affords  me  much  pleasure  to 
announce  that  every  member  on  this  program  has  spared  neither  paitis 
nor  study  in  bringing  before  you  the  very  best  that  can  be  had  in  his 
or  her  particular  subject.  You  will  find  strong  nutritious  mental  food 
in  every  course  served,  and  1  trust  the  diet  will  prove  healthful. 


*Road  before  the  International  Hahnemannian  Association. 


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CONTRmnTBD  ARTIGLES  S18 

Permit  me,  by  way  of  introduction  to  the  several  remedies  of  this 
symposium,  to  call  your  attention  to  a  few  brief  generals.  This,  not  to 
interfere  with  any  writer  in  any  manner  whatever,  but  to  touch  lightly 
upon  some  things  not  provided  in  the  program.  Thus,  in  the  general 
pathogenesis  of  alumina  we  are  confronted  with  a  strange  and  peculiar 
mental  weakness  as  a  basilar  element  This  weakness  is  found  in  near- 
ly every  particular.  It  is  so  persistent  that  it  produces  an  uncomfort- 
able desire  to  lie  down  at  inopportune  seasons,  and  paradoxical  as  it 
may  seem,  the  weakness  is  not  only  relieved  by  i?ratifying  this  desire  to 
lie  down  but  is  keenly  aggravated  by  it.  This  weakness  is  accompanied 
by  tremors,  jerkings,  twitchings  and  squinting  and  is  aggravated  by  dis- 
charges from  the  orifices  of  the  l>cv\v.  The  symptoms  are  worse  in  the 
early  morning  and  late  evening;  when  sitting  and  after  dinner.  They 
are  better  every  other  day;  in  the  open  air;  from  eating  and  walking. 

Aurum  metallicum  leads  into  realms  of  destruction,  diseases  which 
-destroy  connective  tissues,  bones,  glands  and  tissues  of  parenchymatous 
organs.  When  such  destruction  is  in  progress  we  are  not  surprised  at 
the  language  of  the  symptomatology — for  we  hear  such  things  as  trem- 
ulousness,  agitation  of  nerve  trunks  and  endings,  bruised  pain  all  over 
the  body,  as  well  as  in  the  joints  and  back,  all  of  which  are  made  worse 
by  lying  and  relieved  by  rising.  Then  we  hear  of  bruised  pains  in  the 
head*  the  very  bones  of  the  skull  seem  to  pain,  and  the  limbs  pain  so 
severely  when  seeking  rest  at  night  that  one  is  almost  driven  into  a 
frenzy.  These  pains  of  aurum  are  often  characterized  as  bruised,  fine, 
acute,  keen,  and  any  suggestion  or  thought  of  pain  seems  to  intensify 
them.  The  general  weakness  is  likened  to  an  internal  emptiness  of 
soul  and  body. 

Argeutum  metallicum  is  known  by  its  electric  like  shocks  through 
the  body,  particularly  the  upper,  ending  with  a  sort  of  explosion  in  the 
foramen  magnum.  It  is  full  of  twitchings  and  pulsations  in  muscles 
and  tendons  particularly  about  the  neck.  It  is  lamentably  weak  and 
depressed  in  the  early  morning,  though  its  severest  attacks  occur  every 
other  day  at  twelve  noon. 

Argentum  nitricum  is  a  destructive  element.  This  we  find  partic- 
ularly in  nerve  tissue  with  a  tendency  to  violent  tetanic  convulsions  fol- 
lowed by  paralysis.  Sharp  splinter-like  pains  annoy  the  mucous  mem- 
branes. There  is  great  excitement  of  nerve  tissue  with  consensual  ex- 
citation of  the  nerves  of  the  stomach.  There  is  often  a  tantalizing  sense 
of  expansion,  as  if  the  bones  of  the  head  were  being  separated.  Flushes 
as  of  heat,  orgasms  throughout  the  body,  with  weakness,  tremor,  and  de- 
bility are  elements  not  to  be  forgotten. 

Cuprum  metallicum — Stacy  Jones  has  this  to  say  of  the  cooi)er. 

''Cuprum  signs  his  name  in  cramp. 

"Cramp  and  spasm  is  his  stamp — 

"Screaming  spasms,  rigid,  blue, 

"Lockjaw  and  chorea,  too 


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214  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL    OF    HOMOSOPATHY 

"Glottis  spasm — spasms  of 

"Scarlatina,  whooping  cough. 

"Cramp  and  vomiting  combined 

"As  in  cholera  we  find 

"Chills  are  his  that  foremost  set 

"On  the  back — and  bloody  sweat. 

"Ailments  that  in  groups  prevail, 

"Time  of  new  moon,  suiting  welL" 

The  fact  to  be  remembered  is  this — symptoms  appear  in  groups. 
We  may  have  palpitation,  vertigo,  cough,  hsemoptysis,  painful  contraction 
of  the  chest  and  arrested  respiration ;  or  we  may  have  as  another  group> 
aching  in  the  chest,  lassitude,  vascillation  of  sight,  closing  of  the  eyes, 
loss  of  consciousness,  quick  moaning  respiration,  restlessness,  cold  feet, 
hiccough,  short  hacking  cough,  which  arrests  respiration.  These  groups 
of  symptoms  appear  at  irregular  intervals. 

Ferrum  Metallicum.  Femim  metallicum  often  presents  itself  by  its 
putridity ;  putrid  eructations,  as  of  rotten  eggs,  of  ton  associated  with  in- 
tense pain  in  the  stomach.  There  is  violent  oppressive  constriction  across 
the  stomach.  Asthma  in  persons  between  twenty-five  and  thirty-five  years 
of  age.  Incipient  tuberculosis.  All  these  arise  from  within  the  patient. 
Another  characteristic  which  impresses  the  observer  is  the  peculiar  phen- 
omena on  contact.  Thus  we  have  a  tonic  spasm  of  the  thigh  and  leg  by 
touching  the  sole  of  the  foot.  Sensation  of  violent  coldness  and  rigid- 
ity and  spasmodic  contraction  of  the  fingers,  in  choreic  individuals  by 
touching  them  in  the  interval  of  a  paroxysm,  or  conversely,  cessation  of 
the  choreic  paroxysm  when  touched  during  the  paroxysm.  Violent  con- 
vulsions on  touching  some  sensitive  part  of  the  organism,  as  the 
Schneiderian  membrane.  Add  to  these  chlorosis  and  you  have  a  fair 
picture  of  ferrum  metallicum. 

Palladium.  This  is  the  Irish  flea  of  the  materia  medica,  for  the 
pains  are  erractic,  keen,  penetrating,  come  so  quickly,  change  places  so 
rapidly  that  they  are  indeed  hard  to  find  or  locate.  Thus  the  patient 
may  awaken  with  a  pain  in  the  abdomen  and  before  he  can  define  or 
locate  this  pain  it  ma^  dart  into  the  right  temple  leaving  the  abdomen 
perfectly  comfortable.  Kheumatic  pains  are  guilty  of  this  bandit-like 
manner  of  dodging.  There  may  be  sharp,  decisive  pain  in  the  right  hip, 
suddenly  it  is  in  the  right  thumb,  and  before  he  can  put  his  thumb  in 
hot  water  for  relief  the  pain  is  in  the  index  finger,  then,  like  a  dart,  it 
is  in  the  right  temple  or  right  shoulder  or  back  again  into  the  hip  or 
thigh.  There  is  but  one  part  of  the  anatomy  where  these  pains  love 
to  linger  and  that  is  in  the  temples,  possibly  because  it  loves  to  provoke 
a  form  of  poetry  not  taught  in  Sunday  School. 

Platinum.  Platinum  is  neurotic,  prone  to  peculiar  forms  of  hys- 
teria. Thus  the  patient  lies  in  the  morning  with  his  legs  spread  out. 
Painful  tremulousness  of  the  whole  body  with  throbbing  in  the  vein*;. 
The  pains  are  largely  cramp-like,  but  when  the  parts  are  pressed,  the 


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CONTRIBUTED   ARTICLES  215 

sensation  is  that  of  a  bruise.  These  cramp-like  pains  are  predominately 
migratory.  Platinum  is  vascillating;  conditions  alternate,  anesthesia 
alternating  with  hyperesthesia.  The  conditions  are  aggravated  from 
rest  and  ameliorated  from  motion.  The  pains  like  stannum  increase 
and  decrease  gradually.    The  symptoms  are  predominately  left-sided. 

Plumbum.  Plumbum  is  synonymous  with  cramps,  colic,  and  con- 
traction. Contraction  of  connective  tissue  whether  in  nerve,  muscles, 
or  parenchyma  of  organs.  Emaciation,  anemia,  tremors,  convulsions, 
epilepsy,  hysteria,  pains  in  the  trunk  and  limbs,  arthralgia  hyperesthesia, 
restlessness,  weakness,  faintness,  anesthesia,  and  paralysis — belong  to  the 
general  pathogenesis  of  plumbum.  The  symptoms  of  plumbum  are  worse 
at  night,  on  lying  down  and  from  drinking.  They  are  better  from- 
friction  and  strong  pressure. 

Radium.  Badium  needs  more  accurate  proving;  The  pains  are 
two-fold — shooting  and  bruised.  •  Symptoms  are  worse  at  night  and 
from  extreme  warmth.  The  irritation  of  the  skin  is  worse  at  night  and 
is  relieved  by  scratching.  Motion  aggravates  the  headache,  and  reading 
aggravates  the  pain  in  the  eyes.  The  general  conditions  are  ameliorated 
by  a  vciry  warm  bath. 

Stannum.  Stannum  is  another  deep  and  long  acting-  substance — 
''Jupiter  of  the  alchemists."  Hahnemann  says  that  ''the  ancients  have 
recorded  wonderful  cures  of  the  most  serious  diseases  within,"  but  until 
its  proving  it  was  used  largely  as  a  vermifuga  Stannum  has  many  pains 
and  many  peculiar  conditions  and  with  them  all  we  must  not  forget 
the  strange  and  peculiar  feature  of  the  pains  which  begin  lightly,  in- 
crease gradually  to  the  highest  point  of  severity,  then  just  as  gradually 
decrease.  The  weakness  so  characteristic  of  stannum  is  felt  more 
keenly  going  downstairs,  than  ascending. 

Uranium.  Little  is  known  of  this  remedy  except  its  use  in  diabetes 
mellitus  ,and  ulcers  of  the  duodenum.  The  provings  are  meager,  but 
valuable,  it  is  predominately  a  left-sided  remedy,  with  many  symptoms 
worse  at  night.  ^ 

Zincum  well  proven  and  valuable,  has  a  very  marked  breadth  and 
depth  of  action.  The  key  which  unlocks  the  door  to  its  treasures  is 
"fag."  Tissues  wear  out  faster  than  they  are  repaired.  PoisonoUs 
products  accumulate  from  waste  tissue  and  bring  about  lassitude,  en- 
ervation and  general  debility.  It  has  strange  sensations,  as  of  insects 
crawling  from  occiput  to  forehead.  As  from  worms  crawling  in  the 
arms,  as  if  the  muscles  of  wrist  were  too  short.  The  symptoms  are 
worse  by  touch,  though  relieved  by  rubbing.  Sitting,  lying,  jarring,  rid- 
ing, and  exertion  aggravate  the  symptoms.  It  is  worse  evening,  at  night, 
from  over  heating  and  in  a  warm  room.  Zincum  is  very  sensitive  to 
draughts.  It  is  better  while  eating,  but  is  aggravated  from  taking  sugar, 
wine,  or  milk. 


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216  NORTH   AMBRICAN    JOURNAL   OF   HOIKEOPATHY 

MENTAL  SYMPTOMS  OF  THE  METALS* 

By  GUY  BECKLEY  STEARNS,  M.D., 
New  York,  N.  Y. 

A  DRUG  can  affect  the  mental  state  of  a  patient  in  various  ways,  but 
the  mental  symptoms  are  always  secondary  to  and  consistent  with 
the  action  of  the  drug  on  the  organism  as  a  whole.  To  use  the  mental 
symptoms  alone,  without  considering  the  general  aspect  of  the  case, 
would  be  like  prescribing  on  any  key-note  symptom;  an  unsafe  and  un- 
certain procedure.  On  the  other  hand,  a  good  general  understanding  of 
a  drug  should  include  some  comprehension  of  the  type  of  its  mental 
symptoms. 

The  excessive  reflex  irritability  of  the  nux  vomica  group  would  lead 
one  to  expect  a  similar  irritability  of  the  mind.  Drugs  which  cause 
active  cerebral  congestion,  like  the  belladonna  group,  will  naturally  be 
accompanied  by  some  form  of  delirium.  Drugs  which  cause  venous  con- 
gestion have  a  general  relaxing  effect  and  cause  some  form  of  depression, 
as  in  Pulsatilla  and  sepia.  Heart  drugs  cause  anxiety.  Drugs  which 
affect  the  female  generative  organs  cause  hysteria.  These  examples  are 
very  general,  for  the  mental  effects  of  some  remedies  are  not  so  easily 
traced:  e.g.,  the  apprehension  of  kali  carbonicum  and  causticura  or  the 
madness  of  natrum  rauriaticum  and  apis.  Nor  does  anything  but  the 
actual  proving  develop  the  different  kinds  of  irritability  of  nux  vomica 
and  of  ignatia,  or  the  different  kinds  of  delirium  found  in  belladonna, 
hyoscyamus  and  stramonium  or  the  different  depressiops  of  Pulsatilla 
and  sepia. 

A  study  of  the  mental  symptoms  caused  by  the  metals  shows  them 
to  be  divided  into  three  groups.  A  group  causing  changes  in  the  tis- 
sues, corresponding  to  some  of  the  tertiary  manifestations  of  syphilis 
and,  like  this  stage  of  the  syphilitic  infection,  causing  the  most  pro- 
found mental  depression,  even  to  the  point  of  suicide,  to  this  group 
belong  aluminum,  argentum  mctallicum,  argentum  nitricum  and  aurum. 
2)1(1  group  affects  the  nervous  system  and  muscles,  causing  cramps, 
spasms,  convulsions,  jerkinprs  going  toward  paralysis;  and  mentally, 
causes  violent  delirium,  mania  and  general  excitement,  with  a  tendency 
to  repressions  of  all  functions  and  to  coma;  to  this  group  belong  cuprum, 
plumbum  and  zincum  metallicum.  The  3rd  group  is  more  general  in 
effect  and  its  mental  symptoms  are  more  general,  beginning  with  irri- 
tability and  going  on  to  sadness.  Of  this  group  platinum  and  stannum 
have  each  a  well-defined  group  of  mental  characteristics.  Ferrum,  pal- 
ladium, radium  and  uranium  are  not  distinguished  by  any  unusual 
mental  symptoms. 

Taking  up  the  remedies  of  the  first  group  in  the  order  of  their 
.depth  of  misery,  alumen  would  be  mentioned  first.  This  is  a  slow  poison 
and  dries  up  the  mucous  membranes,  causing  tremors,  twitchings  and 


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CONTRIBUTED   ARTICLES  217 

lightning  pains,  going  on  to  weakness  and  paralysis;  the  mental  symp- 
toms are  anxiety,  depression,  a  lazy  mind  given  to  imagination,  horrid 
thoughts  of  killing  oneself  when  seeing  blood  on  a  knife,  yet  dread  of 
death;  changeable  mood,  for  example,  assurance  alternating  with  timid- 
ity, using  words  not  intended,  weakness  of  memory,  great  depression 
upon  waking.  The  physical  symptoms  appear,  however,  to  dominate 
the  mental,  for  I  cannot  find  any  evidence  of  the  clinical  use  of  alumen 
ill  mental  diseases.  Argentum  metallicum  has  but  few  mental  symp- 
toms, the  most  characteristic  being  a  state  of  restlessness  and  anxiety, 
driving  the  patient  from  place  to  place.  Argentum  nitricum  causes  a 
more  active  depression  than  alumen.  In  fact,  it  causes  more  active 
symptoms  in  all  the  tissues  where  both  metals  act.  The  nerves  respond 
by  more  violent  tremblings,  twitchings,  and  convulsions,  followed  by 
paralysis.  Both  remedies  have  helped  in  locomotor  ataxia,  and  argentum 
nitricum  has  helped  in  epilepsy.  Mentally,  it  causes  an  impulse  to 
hurry  with  anxiety,  irritability  and  trembling;  won't  undertake  anything 
for  fear  he  will  fail ;  feels  as  if  a  cloud  hung  over  him,  with  sighing 
and  great  depression;  thoughts  of  suicide;  much  heat  in  the  head  with 
nightly  nervousness  and  inability  to  concentrate  on  an  idea;  any 
emotion  causes  diarrhoea.  Clinically,  this  has  been  useful  in  melan- 
cholia with  apprehension  associated  with  weakness,  or  diarrhoea  during 
attacks  of  anxiety :  also,  brain-fag  with  debility  and  trembling. 

Aurum  causes  hyperemia  of  the  tissues  which  tends  toward  indur- 
ation, with  uleeratiuu  uf  special  parts.  Mentally,  it  is  the  king  of 
gloom.  As  in  argentum  nitricum  the  patient  is  hurried  and  cannot  do 
things  quickly  enough;  is  self -condemnatory  and  feels  unfit  for  the 
world ;  fancies  that  he  cannot  succeed  in  anything  and  constantly  weeps 
and  prays;  thinks  of  suicide  but  lacks  courage  to  carry  out  the  notion; 
if  contradicted,  becomes  furiously  excited;  weak  memory;  labor  is  irk- 
some. Clinically,  aurum  has  been  useful  in  melancholia  of  the  religious 
type,  especially  in  syphilitics. 

Cuprum  causes  cramps,  tremblings,  and  violent  convulsions.  Men- 
tally, it  causes  delirium  with  disconnected  talking.  Furious  rage  in  at- 
tacks; tries  to  bite  and  tear  things  to  pieces;  continuous  talking; 
anxiety  with  tossing  about.  Cuprum  has  cured  manias  of  this  type 
where  the  patient  shrinks  with  fear  and  tries  to  get  away  from  everyone. 
Plumbum  aflPects  the  spinal  nervous  system  especially  and  causes 
interstitial  changes  generally.  The  mental  effect  is  delirium,  at  first 
tending  toward  imbecility,  violence,  and  fear,  with  biting  and  tearing 
of  clothing.  This,  although  at  times  as  violent  as  in  cuprum,  has  a 
tendency  toward  depression.  The  cuprum  state  is  apt  to  be  associated 
with  muscular  cramps;  that  of  plumbum,  with  abdominal  colic.  These 
plumbum  patients  tend  to  go  into  a  quiet,  melancholy  condition,  with 
slow  perception  and  loss  of  memory. 

Zincum  depresses  the  central  nervous  system,  causing  weakness, 
tremblings,  twitchings,  and  paralysis.     This  effect  is  of  such  a  nature 


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218  NORTH   AMERICAN    JOURNAL   OF   H«M(£OPATUY 

that  the  condition  is  particularly  worse  from  wine  and  nux  Tomica. 
Mentally,  it  causes  delirium,  but  not  of  so  active  a  type  as  that  of  cup- 
rum and  of  plumbum — delirium  with  subsultus  tendinimi.  The  pa- 
tients become  unconscious  and  present  signs  of  effusion  in  the  brain. 
This  occurs  where  eruptions  fail  to  come  out  and  is  relieved  by  the  on- 
set of  some  discharge.  Restlessness  of  the  feet  is  an  accompanying 
symptom;  dullness,  forgetfulness,  and  difficulty  in  grasping  ideas  or  co- 
ordinating thoughts.    It  has  been  useful  in  general  paresis. 

Ferrum  mental  symptoms  are  associated  with  its  anemia.  Pros- 
tration, mental  and  physical;  an  erythism  is  present,  such  as  is  found 
in  all  anemia  drugs.  In  ferrum,  this  is  manifested  by  excitement  from 
any  opposition,  with  restlessness  alleviated  by  slow  walking  about. 
Confusion  of  the  head  with  indisposition  to  think. 

Palladium  is  full  of  pains  which  change  places  and  it  affects  the 
right  ovary  and  the  uterus.  Like  most  of  the  uterine  remedies,  it 
causes  mental  symptoms  of  a  hysterical  type.  Pains  make  her  im- 
patient and  irritable,  inclined  to  use  forcible  language  and  violent  ex- 
pressions: as  in  cannabis  sativa  time  seems  too  long. 

Uranium,  being  of  a  higher  atomic  weight  than  radium,  may  be 
the  parent  of  that  substance.  Its  proving  brought  out  no  more  striking 
mental  symptom  than  the  indefinite  one  of  ill-humor. 

Kadium  profoundly  affects  metabolism,  causing  increased  kata- 
bolism  and  loss  of  weight  and  a  corresponding  depression  of  mind;  also 
apprehension,  as  though  something  disastrous  were  about  to  happen. 
Patient  is  blue,  discouraged,  dissatisfied  with  self,  dislikes  being  alone; 
fears  to  be  alone  in  the  dark ;  bad  dreams  at  night  and  low  spirits  durinp: 
the  day. 

Platinum  has  very  marked  mental  symptoms,  which  at  times  alter- 
nate with  bodily  symptoms.  The  predominate  state  of  mind  is  that  of 
arrogance,  pride,  and  contempt  of  others.  Patient  looks  down  on 
those  whom  he  usually  venerates,  with  a  kind  of  casting  them  off. 
Even  the  surroundings  seem  too  small,  while  he  is  large  and  superior. 
In  other  cases,  depression  occurs  and  he  thinks  that  he  is  alone  in  the 
world.  After  a  short  absence,  everything  seems  changed  and  he  does 
not  belong  to  his  own  family ;  feels  that  he  is  not  fit  for  the  world. 

Stannum  causes  a  general  nervous  weakness,  especially  in  the  chest ; 
the  mental  symptoms  are  consistent  with  this.  Can't  muster  courage  to 
do  anything;  thinking  makes  the  patient  wretched;  feels  like  weeping 
all  the  time,  but  weeping  makes  him  worse.  Sad.  anxious,  restless,  dis- 
couraged, discontented. 

Summary : 

Alumen,  Depression ;  mind  so  lazy  that  he  cannot  control  his 

imaginings. 
Argentum  metallicum.  Hurried. 

Argentum  nitricum.  More  hurried;  depressed;  emotions  cause 
diarrhoea. 


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CONTRIBUTED   ARTICLES  219 

Aurum,  Hopeless  gloom;  self-condemnation;  brightest  thoughts 
are  of  suicide;  saddest  thoughts  defy  description. 

Cuprum,  Violent  delirium  with  muscular  cramjw. 

Plumbum  has  violent  delirium  tending  toward  imbecility,  with 
abdominal  cramps. 

Zincum,  Low  delirium  with  suppressed  eruptions;  general 
paresis. 

Ferrum,  Depression  and  weakness  from  anemia. 

Palladium,  Hysterical  pertness. 

Uranium,  Slight  ill-humor. 

Radium,  apprehension  and  fear  of  being  alone  in  the  dark. 

Platinum,.  Arrogance. 

Stannum,  Sadness  with  weakness. 


GALL-STONES  CONSIDERED  FROM  THE  STAND- 

POINT  OF  THE  HOMOEOPATHIC  PHYSICIAN, 

TOGETHER  WITH  THE  INDICATIONS 

FOR  SURGICAL  INTERFERENCE* 

By  R.  F.  RABE,  M.D.; 
New  York,  N.  Y. 

IT  is  a  well-known  fact  that  autopsies  frequently  reveal  the  presence 
of  gall-stones  which  during  life  never  gave  rise  to  any  symptoms. 
This  is  important  for  the  reason  that  it  leads  to  the  observation  that  as 
homoeopathic  physicians  we  do  not  treat  gall-stones,  but  only  patients 
who  may  have  them.  The  diagnosis  of  their  presence  by  the  ordinary 
methods  is  frequently  very  difficult,  if  not  impossible,  and  even  during 
an  attack  of  so-called  gall-stone  colic  we  have  to  be  careful  in  our  diag- 
nostic differentiations.  Since,  however,  the  diagnosis  of  gall-stones  is 
not  intended  to  be  within  the  province  of  this  brief  essay,  no  more  will 
be  said  upon  this  point,  except  to  mention  that  expert  radiography  is 
the  one  and  only  certain  diagnostic  measure  outside  of  an  exploratory 
laparotomy. 

The  object  of  this  paper  is  to  show  if  possible,  how  much  can  be  ex- 
pected of  homoeopathic  therapy  in  cholelithiasis  and  when  this  therapy 
should  cease  to  be  applied.  Given  a  patient  whose  history  shows  an 
undoubted  attack  of  gall-stone  colic,  our  efforts  are  directed  at  the  pa- 
tient himself  and  not  at  the  supposed  or  alleged,  or  even  actual  presence 
of  stones  in  the  gall-bladder.  This  means  that  the  patient  is  to  be  pre- 
scribed for  in  the  usual  Hahnemannian  way,  careful  case-taking  being  of 
the  greatest  importance;  it  also  means  that  all  legitimate  hygienic, 
dietetic  measures  be  applied  and  that  proper  exercise  be  invoked.  Treat- 
ment carried  out  according  to  this  idea  has  many  times  been  apparently 


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220  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL    OF    HOMEOPATHY 

successful,  yet  it  must  be  admitted  that  even  without  any  such  treat- 
ment, patients  are  known  to  have  lived  on  without  any  return  of  an  orig- 
inal attack  of  gall-stones.  In  other  cases,  patients  have  had  no  return 
of  trouble  for  years  and  have  then  been  seized  by  a  most  violent  and  at 
times  even  serious  attack.  Hence,  we  must  not  be  too  ready  to  con- 
clude that,  because  a  patient  has  remained  free  from  trouble  for  even  a 
long  time  after  our  best  tliorapeutic  endeavors,  the  credit  for  this  happy 
state  of  affairs  belongs  to  us. 

An  acute  attack  of  gall-stone  colic  can  be  relieved  by  a  well-chosen 
homoeopathic  remedy,  particularly  when  given  in  high  potency  and  pro- 
vided that  the  patient  presents,  or  is  in  a  condition  to  present,  intelli- 
gent indications  for  a  remedy.  There  can  be  no  qnestion  about  this 
statement  on  the  part  of  the  Hahnomannian  prescriber,  who  knows  the 
signs  of  curative  action  of  the  rom(\lv,  properly  given.  Others  may  and 
do  insist  that  any  relief  obtained  after  the  administration  of  such  a  rem- 
edy, is  purely  accidental  or  a  iintter  of  coincidence.  We  have  no 
sympathy  with  this  view,  but  on  the  other  hand  it  must  be  admitted 
that  our  best  efforts  do  at  times  fail.  They" fail  in  those  cases  in  which 
we  are  unable,  no  matter  what  the  reason  may  be,  to  obtain  clearly  de- 
fined symptoms  on  which  to  base  the  selection  of  a  remedy,  or  for.  me- 
chanical reasons.  Under  such  circumstances  our  only  recourse  is  to 
employ  the  well-known,  extra-homceopathic  palliative  measure,  to  be 
found  in  physiologic  medication.  No>  should  we  hesitate  to  employ  the 
latter  from  any  sense  of  a  betrayal  of  principle,  since  after  all  the  real 
physician  concerns  himself  first  with  the  best  interests  of  his  patient  and 
then  thinks  of  his  own  interests  afterward. 

Not  all  cases,  however,  of  cholelithiasis,  no  matter  how  treated,  term- 
inate happily.  In  a  goodly  number,  especially  those  in  which  the  acute 
attacks  of  pain  have  been  intermittently  persistent  for  several  days,  fol- 
lowed by  severe  jaundice,  the  danger  of  impaction  of  the  stone  in  the 
common  duct,  followed  by  cholangitis,  must  be  kept  in  mind.  Ulcer- 
ation is  then  apt  to  ensue  and  of  course  pus  formation  immediately 
takes  place.  Or,  the  stone  may  become  lodged  in  the  cystic  duct,  lead- 
ing to  a  distended  or  dropsical  condition  of  the  gall-bladder  or  to  an 
acute  inflammation,  at  first  catarrhal  but  later  suppurative,  a  true 
cholecystitis. 

In  any  of  these  cases,  surgery  is  very  likely  to  be  required  and  will 
be  immediately  imperative  if  signs  of  perforation  or  of  abscess  formation 
show  themselves,  such  as  severe  pain,  nausea  and  vomiting,  chill,  fever 
and  sweat,  an  increase  in  the  leucocyte  count  above  twelve  or  fifteen 
thousand.  It  is  then  that  most  excellent  results  may  be  looked  for  by 
a  combination  of  good  surgery  with  painstaking  homoeopathic  prescrib- 
ing, the  former  however  being  of  the  greater  importance  in  this  instance. 
One  of  our  most  reliable  indications  for  the  employment  of  surgery, 
and  this  applies  to  other  conditions  as  well,  is  the  fact  that  after  the  ap- 
parently well-chosen  remedy  has  been  given,  even  though  the  patient  may 
be  more  or  less  relieved  of  his  pain ;  pulse,  temperature,  blood  count  and 


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CONTRIBUTED   ARTICLES  221 

diagnostic  symptoms  continue  to  indicate  advancing  trouble  somewhere. 
The  quicker  we  then  turn  to  surgery  the  better  for  the  patient,  as  a 
ruptured  abscess  in  the  peritoneal  cavity  is  scarcely  a  condition  to  be 
trifled  with. 

On  the  other  hand,  we  find  cases  of  cholelithiasis  which  give  a  his- 
tory of  repeated  acute  attacks  of  hepatic  colic,  together  wtih  other  symp- 
toms of  increasingly  poor  health,  in  which  our  best  endeavors  with  care- 
fully chosen  remedies  will  be  in  vain.  These  cases  need  the  knife  and 
will  get  well  only  after  they  have  been  operated  upon  and  the  stones, 
frequently  very  numerous  and  often  of  large  size,  have  been  removed. 

From  the  standpoint  of  Hahnemannian  philosophy,  such  cases  may 
be  said  to  represent  the  tangible  end-products  of  disease,  themselves  cap- 
able of  creating  further  trouble,  often  most  serious.  But  end-products 
are  rarely  amenable  to  medicine,  which  at  best  has  a  temporary  pal- 
liative action  only.  Such  cases  should  have  been  cured  long  before  the 
end-product  was  produced,  and  at  a  time  when  the  pathology  of  the 
case  was  still  largely  functional  in  character,  always  bearing  in  mind, 
however,  the  caution  that  perverted  physiology  means  pathology  and 
pathology  means  not  only  functional  change,  but  organic  change,  how- 
ever slight,  as  its  starting  point. 

Again,  we  must  remember  that  cases  of  hepatic  colic  occur  in  which 
no  jaundice  appears  and  in  which  no  stones  are  found  in  the  stools,  even 
after  the  most  diligent  searching.  These  are  cases  in  which  either  the 
stones  have  settled  back  in  a  diverticulum  of  the  gall-bladder  and  have 
therefore  produced  no  obstruction,  temporary  or  otherwise,  or  they  are 
cases  where  very  small  granules,  intestinal  sand,  have  been  passed. 
Such  very  small  stones  are  however,  capable  of  producing  severe  pain 
by  provoking  spasm  of  the  structures  through  which  they  are  endeavor- 
ing to  scratch  their  way. 

In  conclusion,  we  wish  to  affirm  that  the  subject  of  gall-stones  thus 
briefly  treated,  from  the  standpoint  of  the  Hahnemannian  prescriber, 
has  by  no  means  been  exhausted  and  that  furthermore,  the  thoughts  ex- 
pressed are  based  upon  a  fairly  large  personal  experience  with  gall- 
stone disease.  We  wish  however  to  emphasize  the  thought  that,  for  the 
Hahnemannian  physician,  it  is  necessary  to  be  mindful  of  the  possi- 
bilities of  this  disease,  of  its  diagnosis  and  of  its  pathology,  of  his  own 
limitations  which  are  placed  upon  him  by  the  just  and  natural  boundar- 
ies of  his  art,  and  of  the  fact  that  because  surgery  must  so  often  be  call- 
ed upon,  he  has  not  necessarily  failed  in  his  well  intentioned  efforts. 
It  is  hoped  that  a  full  discussion  will  extend  and  amplify  the  several 
thoughts  suggested,  or  intended. 


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222  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL    OF    HOMOCOPATHY 

WHAT  SHALL  WE  DO  WITH  THE  FORMATION 

OF  PUS?* 

By  JOHN  HUTCHINSON,  M.D., 
New  York.  N.  Y. 

THIS  question  walks  deliberately  away  from  the  borderland  of 
homoeopathy  into  that  other  dominion  which  virtually  refuses  to 
reckon  with  causes,  but  only  with  the  heads  that  bob  up  in  its  Donny- 
brook  Fair.  Riotously  to  hit  each  head  is  the  aim  and  end.  Natural- 
ly, such  a  riotous  viewpoint  is  little  in  keeping  with  the  greater  role 
waiting  to  be  played  by  the  physician  who  endeavors  to  follow  the  prin- 
ciples governing  cure.  The  presence  of  pus  is  one  story ;  the  conditions 
associated  with  or  occasioned  by  its  formation,  as  well  as  the  conditions 
that  occasion  its  formation,  is  another  story. 

The  relevancy  of  the  question  has  its  claim,  since  the  presence  of 
pus  within  or  without  a  cavity  may  suggest  itself  as  a  large  factor  in 
the  case.  It  may  appear  to  be  a  decisive  factor.  On  the  other  hand,  the 
presence  of  pus  may  exclude  the  maximum  of  distreiss  and  even  usher 
in  a  period  of  grateful  relief.  In  such  an  event  surgical  removal  may  be 
the  obvious  demand,  dependent  on  position,  character,  pathological  en- 
vironment, or  what  retention  would  involve. 

Happily,  homoeopathy  is  to  be  credited  with  the  duty  of  receiving 
vital  problems  exactly  as  they  are  presented.  In  this  form  they  are  to 
be  duly  weighed  and  considered  by  all  the  reasoning  that  may  be  brought 
to  bear  from  the  vantage  ground  of  proven  remedies.  This  of  coruse 
implies  an  equally  well-proved  skill  in  the  prescription  of  those  rem- 
edies. The  chief  trouble,  however,  is  that  the  needy  condition  too  rarely 
receives  either  remedy  or  skill  analogous  to  that  which  must  accompany 
the  choice  of  remedy.  For  only  genuine  homoeopathy  provides  for  the 
specific  demand.  All  other  treatment  expends  its  forces  on  generaliza- 
tions, of  which  the  formation  of  pus  is  really  one. 

New  cases  often  arrive  in  all  sorts  of  conditions  of  ignorance,  mis- 
treatment, distortion.  That  the  presenting  state  is  not  rational,  should 
not  have  developed,  is  in  the  path  of  a  needless  crisis,  does  not  change 
the  facts.  They  must  be  met.  If  best  cannot  be  done,  then  second  best. 
And  it  must  always  be  remembered  that  actual  homoeopathy  is  little 
known;  it  is  so  scarce  that  most  people  are  wholly  ignorant  of  it. 

What  we  shall  do  with  the  formation  of  pus  is  decided  by  our  dis- 
cernment of  the  symptomatic  reaction  of  the  invaded  organism.  What 
•  we  shall  do  with  pus  that  nature  has  walled  off  for  the  safety  of  the 
organism  must  be  determined  by  the  symptomatology.  Pus  forms  de- 
fensively in  the  cavities  of  the  body,  and  its  exit  from  the  body  is  to 
be  carefully  studied  before  deciding  on  the  knife. 


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CX)NTRIBUTKD   ARTICLES  223 

A  favorite  way  in  some  circles  has  long  been  to  prevent  its  natural 
exit,  though  this  cannot  be  laid  exclusively  at  the  door  of  homoeopathy. 
A  case  will  illustrate. 

For  more  than  twenty  years  a  noted  ear  specialist  had  treated  every 
year — sometimes  over  periods  of  weeks,  a  patient  with  otitis  media  sup- 
purativa. The  discharge  would  duly  appear,  and  then  the  noted  spec- 
ialist would  institute  antiseptic  cleanliness  by  frequent  irrigation  and 
other  means.  After  awhile  the  discharge  would  cease,  and  the  patient, 
who  meantime  had  had  perfect  deafness  accomplished  for  him,  would  dis- 
continue treatment  till  his  deafness  declined  and  the  discharge  return- 
ed, at  which  time  he,  himself,  would  faithfully  return  to  the  noted 
specialist  for  another  series  of  irrigations  or  cycles  of  treatment  This 
having  gone  on  regularly  for  many  years,  the  specialist  discovered  that 
a  radical  operation  would  at  last  be  necessary.  It  would  be  more  than 
the  attractive  mastoid  incision,  since  there  was  extensive  osseous  in- 
volvement, in  fact  all  that  might  be  expected  after  twenty  years — either 
operation  or  death.  But  to  the  specialist's  surprise  this  seemingly  faith- 
ful patient  got  mad,  and  declared  no  operation  for  him  after  all  his 
experience,  particularly  as  no  assurance  of  cure  was  given. 

Having  held  off  for  so  long,  the  patient  finally  decided  to  give 
homoeopathy  a  try-out  But  his  newly-found  homoeopathist  assured,  him 
he  would  not  accept  the  case  unless  he  had  it  under  complete  control  for 
at  least  two  years,  also  that  he  would  not  attempt  to  check  the  discharge, 
but  rather  favor  its  freedom.  To  all  of  which  the  patient  agreed,  fol- 
lowed instructions,  and  in  less  than  a  year  and  a  half  wrote  a  handsome 
letter  to  his  physician,  declaring  "the  trick  done."  Hearing  was  good, 
and  the  discharge  had  very  gradually  lessened  till  it  appeared  only  as 
slight  moisture  now  and  then  on  rising  in  the  morning.  That  was 
some  ten  years  ago,  and  the  patient  has  had  no  further  crises  with  his 
ears,  has  had  no  occasion  whatever  for  local  treatment  there,  and  has 
enjoyed  the  best  of  hearing  and  the  best  of  health. 

We  have  heard  so  often  and  so  emphatically  that  pus  is  never  elim- 
inated by  absorption,  that  it  never  disappears  from  the  body  unless  its 
disappearance  can  be  witnessed  by  the  eye,  and  we  have  heard  this  from 
the  distinguished  pathologist  so  much  that  it  would  be  idle  to  disputci 
it  here.  It  is  enough  to  say,  that  in  the  light  of  all  the  Organon  teaches 
in  respect  to  incurability,  mechanical  conditions,  and  last  but  not  least, 
the  eloquent  demand  for  the  simillimum,  we  are  justified  in  exercising 
our  prerogative  as  to  keen  estimation  of  the  patient,  his  own  require- 
ments, his  own  call  for  help.  Let  us  inquire  in  the  individual  case  how 
we  shall  consider  the  incidence  of  pus.  Shall  it  dominate  our  symptom 
study? 

Much  depends  upon  whether  pus  is  the  natural  consequence  of  dis- 
ease, of  treatment,  or  of  recovery.  The  presence  of  troublesome  pus  to- 
day is  no  doubt  favored  by  and  increased  by  prevailing  serum  therapy. 
We  do   not  yet  know   to   what   extent  direct   introduction    into   the 


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22  i  NORTH    AMERICAN   JOURNAL   OP   HOMCEOPATHY 

circulating  blood  of  foreign  toxic  substances  will  hamper  the  reconstnic- 
tive  effects  of  homoeopathic  cara 


INFECTED  WOUNDS* 

By  ERASTUS  E.  CASE,  M.D., 
Hartford,  Conn. 

SUCCESS  in  the  treatment  of  infected  wounds  has  brought  an  un- 
usually large  number  of  them  under  observation.  The  employees 
of  several  markets  send  their  friends  to  the  doctor  who  cures  without  the 
knife.  Seemingly  desperate  cases  have  recovered  without  the  loss  of 
even  a  portion  of  a  finger.  The  dynamized  homoeopathic  remedy  and 
cleanliness  have  proved  to  be  sufficient  to  cure  them. 


A  plumber  cut  the  back  of  his  hand  while  repairing  a  galvanized 
water  tank  three  weeks  ago,  and  tho  cut  healed  easily.  Yesterday  the 
hand  and  arm  began  to  swell  and  the  surgeon  told  him  that  he  would 
probably  lose  his  hand.  His  employer  brought  him  to  the  office  asking 
if  the  hand  could  be  saved.    He  was  told  that  it  probably  could  be. 

The  patient  slept  very  little  laf  t  night  because  of  pain. 

He  has  alternate  chills  and  fever. 

The  swelling  is  ang^  looking  and  has  a  bluish  color. 

These  symptoms  point  to  the  remedy. 

1904,  Nov.  30.  Four  powders  arsenicum  album  Im  B.  &  T;,  one 
powder  every  two  hours. 

Dec  2.  The  pain  and  swelling  increased  for  awhile,  then  dimin- 
ished.    Since  yesterday  it  has  been  growing  worse. 

One  powder  arsenicum  album  cm  Fincke. 

Suppuration  took  place,  but  the  recovery  was  so  speedy  that  he  was 
at  work  in  one  week. 

n 

A  milkman  cut  his  finger  while  cleaning  a  glass  bottle,  then  put 
sugar  on  the  cut,  which  closed  it.  Later  in  the  day  he  sowed  ground 
fresh  bone  fertilizer.    That  was  ten  days  ago. 

He  now  has  pain  and  swelling  of  finger  and  hand,  with  red  streak 
extending  to  the  axilla,  where  the  glands  are  painful. 

1892,  June  8.  Four  powders  arsenicum  album  2c  B.  &  T.,  one  pow- 
der every  two  hours. 

June  11.    He  felt  better  at  first  but  is  now  much  worse. 

Frequent  chills,  then  feels  feverish. 


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CX>NTRIBUTED   ARTICLES  225 

Worse  at  midnight;  so  restless  that  he  must  walk  about. 
Arsenicum  album  2c  in  water,  two  teaspoonfuls  every  two  hours. 
June  12.    The  cut  has  re-opened  and  is  discharging  freely. 
One  powder  silicea  Im  B.  &  T. 

June  20.  The  swelling  is  nearly  gone  and  the  wound  discharges 
an  offensive  pus. 

One  powder  silicea  40m  Fincke. 

It  healed  without  stiffness  of  finger. 

m 

A  German  peddles  fish  through  the  country.  Two  days  ago  a  cus- 
tomer asked  him  to  kill  her  cat,  and  he  obligingly  undertook  the  job^  In 
the  struggle  for  life  the  cat  bit  and  scratched  his  left  hand  savagely,  and 
'lie  vill  nefer  again  anoder  voman's  cat  kill." 

The  hand  is  much  swollen.  Th*e  inflammation  extends  up  the  whole 
length  of  the  arm,  and  the  axillary  glands  are  swollen. 

He  is  weak  and  feverish. 

1908,  Jan.  17.  Four  powders  arsenicum  album  Im  B.  &  T.,  one 
powder  every  three  hours. 

Jan.  19.  Yesterday  he  was  chilly  with  general  aching,  and  accord- 
ing to  custom  when  chilly  he  took  fourteen  grains  of  quinine  and  a  dose 
of  physic.    The  hand  has  not  changed  very  much  and  he  is  still  feverish. 

One  p6wder  arsenicum  album  cm  Fincke,  and  he  was  commanded 
not  to  take  any  other  medicine. 

Jan.  22.  The  fever  has  gone ;  the  swelling  is  diminishinff,  and  sup- 
puration is  going  on. 

One  powder  hepar  sulphuricum  cm  Fincke. 

Jan.  25.  The  abscess  is  open  and  discharging  freely.  It  healed 
without  further  treatment. 

rsr 

A  telegrapher,  while  his  hands  were  sore  from  abrasions  made  by 
twisting  off  the  tops  of  turnips,  mixed  putty  in  an  old  tin  can  that  had 
contained  green  paint.  That  was  two  weeks  ago.  His  hands  and  arms 
were  soon  covered  with  sores.  An  allopathic  doctor  cut  and  scraped 
them  every  day  to  remove  the  poison,  then  covered  them  with  an  oint- 
ment. He  also  took  drugs  internally,  but  is  growing  worse.  A  neigh- 
bor tried  to  have  him  go  to  see  his  doctor.  He  finally  consented  to  do 
sa 

1915,  Oct.  29.  The  man  is  weak,  feverish,  has  no  appetite  and  very 
little  sleep  at  night. 

The  sores  are  black,  filled  with  unhealthy  granulations,  and  are 
discharging  a  dark,  corrosive  fluid. 

The  lymphatic  glands  are  enlarged  and  sore. 

One  powder  arsenicum  album  Im  B.  &  T. 

He  was  directed  to  wash  the  sores  with  castile  soap  and  water,  but 
to  put  nothing  else  upon  them  excepting  vaseline  to  prevent  the  dress- 
ing from  adhering. 


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226  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL    OF    HOMCEOPATHY 

He  went  home  and  told  my  friend  that  **he  was  up  against  it  sure . 
for  that  doctor  only  gave  him  a  little  sugar  and  told  him  to  keep  the 
sores  clean."    He  was  told  to  obey  directions  and  see  what  came  of  it. 

Nov.  5.  The  glandular  inflammation  is  gone.  All  the-soree  are 
healing,  and  he  has  resumed  work. 

Saccharum  lactis. 

Nov.  22.    He  is  well  and  only  traces  of  the  largest  sores  remain. 

Saccharum  lactis. 


THE  RESURRECTION  OF  A  CHILD-AN  INCIDENT 
OF  HAHNEMANN'S  PRACTICE* 

By  ERNEST  LEGOUVE 

DR.  Samuel  Hahnemann  was  one  of  the  grand  innovators  of  the 
nineteenth   century.    He  inaugurated,   ahout  the  year  1835,  a 
medical  revolution,  the  effects  of  which  are  still  felt.    I  do  not  discuss 

the  system,  I  only  state  the  fact. 

*  «  «  * 

A  happy  chance,  for  which  I  can  never  be  grateful  enough,  put  me 
in  communication  with  him,  at  a  time,  when  his  reputation  was  most 
glorious.  I  did  not  fail  to  profit  by  this  acquaintance,  and  the  descrip- 
tion of  some  incidents,  which  passed  during  our  intimacy  may  serve 

to  make  known  this  man,  so  extraordinary  and  superior. 

*  ♦  *  ♦ 

My  daughter,  aged  four,  was  dying;  our  doctor.  Physician  of  L'Ho- 
tel-Dieu,  the  Doctor  R — ,  had  declared  in  the  morning  to  one  of  our 
friends  that  she  was  irretrievably  lost.  We  were  watching,  her  mother 
and  I,  as  we  believed  for  the  last  time,  by  her  cradle;  two  of  our 
friends,  Schoelcher  and  Gouboux,  watched  with  us;  there  was  also  a 
young  man  in  full  evening  dress,  whom  we  had  not  known  three  hours 
before.  He  was  one  of  the  most  distinguished  pupils  of  M.  Ingres  and 
was  called  Amaury  Duval. 

We  had  desired  to  preserve  at  least  a  souvenir  of  the  dear  little 
creature,  whose  loss  we  already  deplored,  and  Amaury,  persuaded  by 
Schoelcher,  who  had  gone  to  seek  him  at  a  ball,  had  consented  to  come 
Tiiid  make  her  portrait. 

When  the  charming  artist,  (he  was  then  twenty-nine  years  of  age), 
entered  troubled  and  moved,  in  the  midst  of  our  despair,  we  little  ex- 
pected, that  some  hours  later,  he  would  render  us  the  greatest  service  we 
had  ever  received,  nor  that  we  would  owe  to  him  not  only  the  counter- 
feit presentment  of  our  daughter,  but  her  life  as  well.    He  placed  at  the 


*This  article  appeared  in  the  Homoeopathic  Physician  a  number  of  years 
ago,  and  is  here  reprinted  for  the  benefit  of  the  present  generation 
of  practitioners. — Editors. 


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CONTRIBUTED   ARTICLES  227 

foot  of  the  cradle,  on  a  high  chair,  a  lamp,  whose  rays  fell  upon  the  face 

of  the  child.    Her  ey^  were  already  closed,  all  movements  had  ceased. 

Her  thin  hair  lay  in  disorder  on  the  pillow,  which  was  not  whiter  than 

her  cheeks;  but  infancy  has  in  itself  such  a  charm,  that  approaching 

death  seemed  to  lend  but  an  additional  sweetness  to  her  face. 
«  «  «  » 

Amaury  passed  the  night  at  his  sketch,  often  wiping  his  eyes,  to  pre- 
vent the  tears  from  blotting  his  paper.  At  daybreak  the  portrait  was 
finished,  sympathy  aiding  his  genius,  had  achieved  a  masterpiece. 

At  the  moment  of  quitting  us,  when  we  were  mingling  our  tears 
with  our  thanks,  he  said,  suddenly:  ''But  since  your  doctor  declares 
your  child  beyond  help,  why  do  you  not  seek  the  aid  of  the  new  method, 
which  commences  to  make  such  a  stir  in  Paris?  Why  do  you  not  seek 
the  aid  of  Hahnemann?" 

''He  is  right  exclaimed  Gouboux."  "Hahnemann  is  my  neighbor, 
he  lives  Rue  de  Milan,  just  opposite;  I  do  not  know  him  but  that 
does  not  matter.  I  will  go  and  I  will  bring  him  back  with  me." 

Arrived  at  the  house  of  Hahnemann,  he  finds  twenty  persons  in  the 
waiting  room.  The  domestic  explains  to  him,  that  he  will  have  to  wait. 
"Wait,"  exclaims  Qouboux,  "The  daughter  of  my  friend  is  dying,  the 
doctor  must  come  with  me."    "But  Sir,"  exclaims  the  domestic. 

"Yes,  yes,  I  understand,  I  am  the  last;  what  matter?  the  scriptures 
affirm,  that  the  last  shall  be  first."  Then  turning  to  the  doctor's  wait- 
ing patients: 

"Is  it  not  so,  ladies,  am  I  not  right?  You  do,  indeed,  wish  to  give 
me  your  places,  do  you  not?"  and  without  waiting  a  reply,  he  goes  di- 
rect to  the  door  of  the  consultation-room  opens  it,  enters  in  the  midst  of 
a  consultation:  "Doctor,"  says  he  to  Hahnemann,  "that  which  I  have 
just  done  is  contrary  to  all  rules,  but  you  must  come  with  me.  It  con- 
cerns a  little  girl  of  four  years,  daughter  of  my  friend,  she  is  dying. 
She  will  die  if  you  do  not  come.  You  can  not  let  her  die;  it  is  impos- 
sible" 

The  invincible  charm  of  the  manner  of  Qouboux  operated  as  usual, 
and  an  hour  later  Hahnemann  and  his  wife  arrived  at  the  bedside  of 
our  little  patient. 

My  mind  distracted  by  grief  and  my  head  reeling  from  loss  of 
sleep,  I  fancied  at  the  first  glance  of  Dr.  Hahnemann,  that  I  was  r^ard- 
ing  one  of  the  personages  newly  descended  from  the  pages  of  some  of 
Hoffmann's  fantastic  tales. 

Small  of  stature,  but  robust  and  firm  of  step,  he  advanced,  envelop- 
ed in  a  pelisse  of  fur,  and  supported  by  a  heavy  cane,  gold-mounted. 
He  was  nearly  eighty  years  old,  his  head  was  admirable,  his  white,  silky 
hair  was  thrown  back  and  neatly  arranged  in  curls  around  his  neck 
(nape.) 

The  center  of  the  eyes  was  of  a  profound  blue,  with  a  circle,  almost 
white  around  the  circumference  of  the  pupil;  the  mouth  was  imperious 


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2$255  NORTH   AMERICAN   JOURNAL   OF   HOM(EOPATHY 

and  oonunanding,  the  lower  lip  sHghtly  advanced,  the  nose  was  curved 
like  the  beak  of  an  eagle.  As  he  entered,  he  went  straight  to  the  cradle 
of  the  child,  cast  upon  the  patient  a  piercing  glance,  demand^  the  de- 
tails of  the  illness,  to  which  he  listened,  without  once  withdrawing  his 
gaze  from  the  patient 

As  he  listened,  his  cheeks  became  flushed,  the  veins  of  his  forehead 
swelled,  and  he  exclaimed  in  a  tone  of  anger :  'Throw  for  me  out  of  the. 
window  all  this  mass  of  drugs  and  vials,  which  I  see  there;  carry  this 
patient  out  of  this  chamber;  change  everything,  pillows,  sheets,  all;  give 
her  as  much  water  as  she  will  drink,  they  have  thrown  live  coals  into  her 
body;  we  must  first  extinguish  the  fire." 

We  hazarded  the  observation,  that  lliis  change  of  linen,  change  of 
temperature,  etc.,  might  prove  dangerous  for  the  child. 

"That  which  is  mortal  for  her,"  he  replied  with  a  tinge  of  impa- 
tience, "is  this  atmosphere,  these  drugs.  Take  her  into  the  drawing 
room,  I  will  return  this  evening.  And  above  all,  give  her  water,  water, 
water." 

He  returned  in  the  evening  but  not  till  the  following  day  did  he 
commence  medication.  At  each  visit  he  contented  himself  by  saying: 
"Yet  another  day  gained." 

On  the  tenth  day  the  peril  again  became  suddenly  imminent.  The 
child  was  cold  to  the  knees.  He  arrived  at  eight  in  the  evening,  seated 
himself  near  her,  and  remained  there  motionless,  during  a  quarter  of 
an  hour,  watching  the  child  with  the  air  of  a  man,  who  was  the  prey 
of  the  most  poignant  anxiety.  At  last,  after  having  consulted  his  wife, 
(who  always  accompanied  him),  he  gave  us  a  medicine,  saying:  "Let 
her  take  this,  and  watch  well  her  pulse,  see  if  it  be  not  stronger  an  hour 
from  now." 

At  eleven  o'clock,  while  I  was  holding  the  wirst  of  the  child,  I  sud- 
denly seemed  to  be  sensible  of  a  slight  modification  of  the  pulse-beat. 

I  called  my  wife,  then  Qouboux,  then  Schoelcher.  We  felt  the  pulse 
in  turn,  counted  the  pulsations,  compared  our  counts,  one  scarcely  dar- 
ing confirm  the  observations  of  the  other,  until  after  some  minutes  we 
discovered  so  marked  an  increase  in  the  strength  of  the  pulsations,  that 
we  embraced  each  other  joyfully,  though  tearfully.  Toward  midnight 
my  friend,  Chretien  Uhran  entered  the  chamber,  he  came  toward  me, 
and  said  with  an  air  of  profound  co^iviction:  ''My  dear  M.  Legouve, 
your  daughter  is  saved." 

I  replied :  "She  is  slightly  better,  but  the  distance  from  that  to  a 
cure  is  very  great." 

*1  tell  you  that  she  is  saved,"  he  said,  and  approaching  the  cradle, 
where  I  watched  alone,  he  kissed  her  on  the  forehead  and  departed. 
Eight  days  later  the  child  was  fully  restored  to  health. 
*  *  *  * 

The  manner  in  which  Hahnemann  conceived  his  system  of  medicine 
paints  his  character  at  a  single  stroke.    Was  it  on  his  part  calculation  ? 


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€X>NTR1BUTED   ARTICLES  229 

interest?  desire  for  renown?  or  a  conception  purely  scientific?  No; 
his  system  came  from  his  heart;  physician  of  the  first  order,  at  the  head 
of  one  of  .the  richest  clienteles  of  Germany,  he  asked  one  day  the  assist- 
ance of  one  of  his  brother  practitioners  for  his  last  child,  gravely  ill; 
the  case  was  indeed  grave,  the  remedies  ordered  were  heroic,  energetic, 
violent,  painful,  moxas,  cuppings,  bleedings,  etc. 

Suddenly,  after  a  night  of  terrible  suffering  for  the  child,  Hahne- 
mann seized  with  pity  and  horror,  exclaimed:  ''No,  it  is  not  possible^ 
God  has  pot  created  these  dear  little  beings,  in  order  that  they  should 
be  submitted  to  such  tortures.  No :  I  will  not  be  the  executioner  of  my 
children."  It  was  then,  that,  aided  by  his  long  and  profound  studies 
of  chemistry,  that  he  set  himself  to  the  task  of  seeking  a  new  physic. 
It  was  then  that  he  commenced  the  construction  of  this  new  medical 
system,  of  which  paternal  love  was  at  once  the  foundation  and  the  in- 
centive. 

Behold  the  man:  As  he  was  then,  so  he  was  always.  The  strong 
structure  of  his  face,  his  square  jaws,  the  almost  continual  movement  of 
the  ake  nasi,  the  mobile  comers  of  the  mouth  slightly  depressed  by  age, 
everything  in  him  breathed  conviction,  passion,  authority. 

His  conversation  was  like  his  person,  original  and  unique. 

**Why,"  said  I  to  him  one  day,  "do  you  prescribe,  even  in  health, 
the  continual  and  habitual  use  of  water  as  a  beverage?" 

He  replied:  "Of  what  use  are  the  crutches  of  wine  when  one  is 
sound  of  limb?" — **A  qox  hon  Quand  on  est  ingamhe  les  biquUles  di  vint" 

Again  it  is  from  him,  that  I  heard  this  phrase,  so  strange,  if  taken 
in  its  absolute  sense,  but  so  profoundly  true  for  those  who  know  and 
understand:  "There  are  no  diseases,  there  are  only  diseased  persons.'' 
7/  ny  a  pas  de  maladies,  il  y  a  des  malades," 

His  religious  faith  was  not  less  lively  than  his  medical  On  arriv- 
ing at  his  home  one  day  in  Spring-time  I  remarked: 

'^O,  M.  Hahnemann,  what  a  beautiful  day:" 

"All  the  days  are  beautiful,"  he  replied,  with  a  voice  calm  and  grave. 
Like  Marcus  Aurelius,  he  lived  in  the  boson  of  the  general  harmony. 
*  »  *  * 

My  daughter  being  cured,  I  showed  him  the  beautiful  design  of 
Amaury  Duval.  He  contemplated  for  a  long  time  and  with  emotion 
the  image  of  his  resuscitated  patient,  as  she  was  at  the  time  he  had 
first  seen  her,  so  near  death.  He  then  asked  for  a  i>en  and  wrote  on  the 
margin  of  the  sketch,  these  words :  "God  has  blessed  her  and  saved  her: 
Samuel  Hahnemann." 

His  portrait  would  be  incomplete  if  I  did  not  add  that  of  his  wife, 
who  never  quitted  his  side.  In  his  studio  she  was  always  seated  near  his 
desk  at  a  little  table,  where  she  worked  like  himself.  She  assisted  at  all 
consultations,  no  matter  what  the  malady,  or  of  what  sex  the  patient 
She  wrote  all  the  indications  "symptoms"  of  the  patienlfs  malady,  gave 
her  opinion  in  German,  to  Hahnemaxm  and  pr^ared  the  medicine. 


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230  N6RTH   AMERICAN    JOURNAL   OF    HOH(£OPATHY 

If,  in  ezoeptional  cases  he  made  visits  at  the  houses  of  patients,  sh^ 
accompanied  him  always. 

This  singular  fact  remains  to  he  recorded,  viz.,  that  Hahnemann 
was  the  third  illustrious  old  hian,  to  whom  she  had  attached  herself  as 
wife  and  helpmate.  She  had  commenced  with  painting,  passed  to  liter- 
ature and  finished  with  medicine. 

At  the  age  of  twenty-five  or  thirty  years  Miss  dHerviUy  (her  maid- 
en name)  was  beautiful,  tall,  elegant,  with  a  dear,  fresh  complexion; 
her  face  framed  in  a  mass  of  waving  curling,  blonde  ringlets,  her  eyes 
were  blue,  small  and  with  a  regard  as  piercing  as  black  eyes  generally 
have.    At  this  age  she  became  the  wife  of  a  celebrated  painter,  a  pupil 

of  David  a  M.  L .    In  espousing  the  painter  she  married  also  his 

paintings,  and  it  is  said  she  earned  the  right  to  sign  her  own  name  to 
more  than  one  of  his  woi^  even  as  later  she  signed  the  prescriptions  of 

Hahnemann.    After  the  death  of  M.  L .  she  turned  toward  poesy, 

as  represented  by  a  poet  of  seventy  years,  for,  the  further  she  went,  the 

more  she  loved  the  aged.    This  poet  was  M.  A .    She  then  threw 

herself  with  as  much  ardor  into  poetry,  as  formerly  she  had  into  the  great 
historical  paintings  of  M.  L . 

M.  A .  being  dead,  the  septuageneriaus  sufficed  her  no  longer, 

and  she  married  Hahnemann  in  his  eightieth  year;  becoming  at  a  single 
step  as  revolutionary  in  medicine  as  she  had  formerly  been  classical  and 
orthodox  in  painting  and  literature.  Her  '^culte"  was  almost  a  fanatic- 
ism. One  day  I  complained  in  her  presence  of  the  thieving  propensities 
of  one  of  my  domestics,  whom  we  had  been  obliged  to  dismiss.  *Why 
did  you  not  tell  me  sooner'*,  said  she  quickly  and  with  animation,  "we 
have  medicines  suitable  for  such  cases." 

It  would  however,  be  unfair,  not  to  admit,  that  she  was  of  an  in- 
telligence really  rare,  with  the  soothing  address  of  a  born  nurse,  none 
knew  better  than  she,  how  to  invent  the  thousand  and  one  devices  to 
comfort  the  suffering.  And  mor^  she  united  in  herself  the  pious  ardor 
of  a  sister  of  charity  with  the  thousand  fascinations  of  a  woman  of  the 
world.  Her  care  for  Hahnemann  was  past  praise.  He  died,  as  he  wish- 
ed, surrounded  by  all  her  tender  care. 

«  «  *  * 

Until  his  eighty-fourth  year  he  lived  the  most  eloquent  demonstra- 
tion of  the  goodness  (bonte'}  of  his  doctrine.  Not  a  weakness,  not  a 
Ifick  or  tremor  of  intelligence  or  memory.  His  diet  was  simple  but 
without  any  affected  rigor.  He  never  drank  eitheV  pure  wine  or  water ; 
a  few  spoonfuls  of  champagne  in  a  carafe  of  water,  this  was  his  only 
beverage.    For  bread  he  ate  every  day  a  baba. 

(Baba  is  a  species  of  bread  where  fruits  are  introduced.  It  is  of 
Polish  origin  and  is  supposed  to  have  been  introduced  at  Paris  by  King 
Stanislaus  of  Poland.  It  is  made  fresh  every  day  and  resembles  much 
the  **petit  poins  of  Paris.  Ingredients:  Currants,  raisins,  citron,  saf- 
from,  cream.) 


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GONTRIDLTED   ARTICLES  2-31 

•*My  old  teeth,"  he  said,  ''find  this  bread  more  tender." 

During  the  summer,  on  every  clear  evening  he  took  a  little  stroll 
as  far  as  *TArc  de  Triomphe,"  stopping  habitually  at  Tortini's  to  take 
an  ice. 

One  morning,  on  awaking  he  found  himself  less  well  than  usual; 
he  prescribed  for  himself  and  remarked  to  his  wife :  "If  this  medicine 
does  not  have  the  desired  effect,  the  matter  is  grave." 

The  next  day  his  strength  diminished  and  twenty-four  hours  later 
he  died  peacefully,  recommending  his  soul  to  God. 

His  death  was  to  me  a  great  sorrow.  Few  men  other  than  he,  have 
impressed  me  as  he  did  with  the  idea  of  a  superior  being.  You  ask: 
"Then  why  have  you  abandoned  the  doctrine  ?"  I  answer :  *Through  ad- 
miration for  him." 

It  seems  to  me,  that  to  follow  homoeopathy  it  demands  more  than 
confidence,  it  demands  "Faith."  The  theory  of  the  infinitesimal  doses 
shocks  so  rudely  our  good  sense,  that  one  must  believe  blindly  in  the  man 
in  order  to  believe  in  the  thing.  So  Hahnemann  having  disappeared, 
my  "culte"  fell  with  the  object  of  my  "culte"  and  his  successors  appear- 
ed to  me  so  far  beneath  him,  that  little  by  little  (a  new  friendship  aid- 
ing), I  returned  to  the  medical  religion  of  my  fathers,  under  which 
religion  I  will  die. 

I  owed  nevertheless  this,  this  homage  to  Hahnemann,  and  my  "ex 
volo"  can  only  be  the  more  valuable,  from  having  been  offered  by  an 
apostate. 

Ernest  Legouve. 

Note.  This  sketch  is  translated  from  the  Paris  Figaro,  March  19tli, 
1887,  being  an  extract  from  a  voliime  of  memoirs,  then  in  process  of 
publication.  The  author,  Ernest  Legouve,  Vice  Doyen  of  the  French 
Academy,  evidently  appreciated  the  life,  character  and  works  of  Hahne- 
mann. Knowing  well,  what  interest  attaches  to  all  which  concerns  the 
master  of  our  art,  I  have  essayed  a  translation,  which  I  offer  you  in  the 
belief,  that  others  will  read  it,  and  share  the  pleasure  it  affords  me. 

The  Translator. 


A  CASE  FOR  CONSULTATION 

From  Grainor*8  Conferences 

EVERY  one  in  these  days  knows,  what  value  to  put  upon  the  custom 
of  calling  in  several  doctors  in  a  dangerous  case.  These  pre- 
tended consultations  sooth  the  anxiety  and  flatter  the  vanity  of  the  rela- 
tive generally  hasten  the  patients  preparation  for  his  long  journey,  and 
send  a  little  more  grist  to  the  mill  of  the  medical  gentlemen.  These 
consultations  have  been  such  fruitful  subjects  for  the  satyrists,  that  we 
may  venture  to  spoak  very  freely  of  them — one  old   writer  said  with 


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2-^2  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL   OP    HOMCEOPATHY 

truth :  "lie  who  has  but  one  doctor  has  one,  he  who  has  two  has  but  the 
half  of  one,  but  he  who  has  three  has  none  at  all."  It  is  much  the  same 
as  whfii  Napoleon  I  said:  "I  prefer  one  bad  general  to  two  good  ones." 
One  mifrht  well  say  here:  "Tot  capita.  Lot  tttisiLs"  which,  when  freely 
translated  in:    **So  many  doctors,  so  many  opinions.'' 

But  in  homoeopathic  consultations  this  variance  of  opinions  does 
not  exist;  it  is  in  fact,  impossible,  that  homoeopathic  doctors  should  not 
have  the  same  opinion  and  method  of  treatment  in  their  consultations, 
since  they  see  the  same  object  through  the  same  medium.  As  a  matter 
of  fact,  neither  the  features  of  a  medicine,  nor  of  a  disease  can  change. 
Therefore,  medical  men,  called  to  judge  of  the  analogy  of  these  two 
terms,  must  hold  the  same  opinion.  To  be  convinced  of  this,  you  might 
try  the  following  experiment :  Write  out  the  symptoms  of  a  well  known 
and  marked  disease.  Let  the  picture  of  symptoms  be  well  drawn.  Car- 
ry it  to  a  hundred  homoeopathic  doctors  and  tiiey  will  all  prescribe  the 
same  medicine;  go  to  a  hundred  allopaths  and  you  will  get  a  hundred 
different  opinions.     Now  on  which  side  does  the  truth  seem  to  lie? 

Let  me  take  this  opportunity  of  telling  an  anecdote,  which  Dr.  Jahr 
related  one  day  at  a  meeting  of  the  Homoeopathic  Society  at  Liege,  on 
Novanber  28th,  1836. 

"Having  finished  my  medical  studies,"  said  he,  **I  traveled  in  Grer- 
niany  to  complete  my  education.  I  arrived  one  evening  at  a  villa,  whose 
proprietor  invited  me  to  partake  of  his  hospitality.  He  was  an  original 
and  very  rich  old  man,  and,  though  he  had  been  an  invalid  for  many 
years,  he  did  not  neglect  to  do  the  honors  of  his  wine  cellar  with  much 
pride. 

"When  he  had  learned  my  profession,  he  said  with  some  warmth: 
*I  shall  take  good  care  not  to  compliment  you  on  that  account.  I  have 
XI  son,  but  I  would  rather  make  a  hangman  of  him  than  a  doctor.' 

"Seeing  I  was  struck  dumb  with  this  abrupt  remark,  he  added,  'Listen, 
young  man,  you  are  traveling  for  your  improvement;  well,  I  will  give 
you  a  lesson  which  you  may  turn  to  some  account.  I  have  been  ill  more 
than  twenty  years.  In  the  beginning  of  my  illness  I  applied  to  cele- 
brated doctors,  but  they  could  not  agree  about  my  complaint,  therefore 
I  neither  took  the  medfcine  of  one  nor  the  other.  I  then  began  to  travel 
about,  and  consulted  not  only  the  celebrated  men  in  the  faculty,  but 
many  of  lesser  note,  yet  I  have  never  been  able  to  find  two  who  were 
agreed  both  as  to  the  nature  of  the  malady  and  of  the  treatment.  After 
much  fatigue  and  expense  I  returned  home  convinced  that  medicine,  far 
from  being  a  science^  was  but  a  vile  trade.  Upon  the  whole,  however, 
I  gained  something  by  it,  and  I  will  give  you  half  of  the  profits.'  Say- 
ing this  he  took  up  a  large  book,  like  those  used  in  counting  houses. 
^The  pages  of  this  enormous  folio,'  said  he,  opening  it,  *are  divided  into 
three  columns.  The  first  contains  the  names  of  the  doctors  consulted 
in  the  different  countries  where  I  traveled;  the  second,  the  opinions 
they  formed  of  my  complaint;  the  third,  the  prescriptions  and  advice  I 


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received.  The  total  of  these  columns  is  as  follows:  477  doctors;  313 
different  opinions;  832  prescriptions,  containing  1897  different  medi- 
cines.' 

"  *You  see,'  he  continued,  *I  have  spared  neither  pains  nor  money. 
Had  I  found  three  doctors  of  the  same  opinion,  I  would  have  suhmitted  to 
their  treatment,  but  I  have  not  been  so  fortunate.  That  I  was  not  soon 
tired,  is  proved  by  this  register.  It  has  been  kept  day  by  day  with  the 
most  scrupulous  care.  And  now,  what  do  you  think  of  medicine  and 
doctors?  Oh,  what  a  farce.  Could  you  be  so  good,'  said  he,  presenting 
me  a  pen,  *to  add  to  my  precious  collection  V 

'1  felt  no  inclination  but  simply  asked  him,  if  the  name  of  Hahne- 
mann figured  in  his  novel  martyrology.  Of  course,  of  course,  he  re- 
plied.    liOok  at  No.  301.'    I  looked  and  read  as  follows : 

"Name  of  the  malady:  0. 

"Name  of  the  remedy:  0. 

"I  asked  the  explanation  of  these  zeroes.  The  singular  old  gentle- 
man answered:  This  is  by  far  the  most  rational  and  logical  of  all  the 
consultations.'  "As  the  name  of  the  disease  does  not  concern  me,"  said 
Hahnemann,  "I  write  0  and  as  the  name  of  the  remedy  is  not  your  bus- 
iness.   I  also  write  0;  the  cure  is  the  only  question." 

"  *I  would  have  followed  this  man's  prescription,  but  unfortunately, 
he  was  alone  in  his  opinion  and  I  wanted  three.' 

"After  a  few  moment's  reflection,  I  asked  him,  notwithstanding  his 
fruitless  efforts,  if  he  would  not  make  a  last  trial,  of  which  I  guaranteed 
the  result.  You  will  find,  said  I,  not  only  three,  but  a  great  many  more 
doctors  agreed.  Notwithstanding  his  incredulity,  he  consented  to  my 
proposition  by  way  of  amusement  and  for  the  pleasure  of  adding  a  few 
pages  to  his  big  book. 

"We  drew  up  a  description  of  his  complaint,  his  symptoms  and  sent 
it  to  thirty-three  homoeopathic  doctors  of  different  countries,  each  letter 
containing  a  fee.    I  then  took  leave  of  my  host. 

"A  short  time  ago  he  sent  me  a  cask  of  Bhenish  wine,  of  1822,  and 
wrote  saying:  'I  have  found  twenty-two  doctors  agreeing;  it  is  more 
than  I  dared  hope,  I  therefore  followed  the  treatment  of  the  one,  who 
lives  nearest  to  my  homa  I  send  you  this  cask  of  this  excellent  wine, 
lest  I  drink  too  much  of  it  myself  and  that  you  may  celebrate  the  restor- 
ation of  my  health.  Here  I  am,  thanks  to  you  and  homceopathy,  con- 
verted to  medicine  and  reconciled  to  the  doctors.' " 


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284  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL    OF    HOMCEOPATHY 

CORRESPONDENCE 


THE  MEDICAL  BROTHERHOOD 

In  July,  1915,  an  appeal  to  members  of  the  medical  profession  was 
published  which  was  signed  by  a  committee  composed  of  about  150 
members  of  the  leading  medical  men  of  this  country.  In  this  appeal  the 
attention  of  the  profession  was  called  to  the  humanitarian  facts  that  no 
discovery  in  medical  sciences  has  been  utilized  by  any  of  the  belligerents 
in  the  present  horrible  European  war  for  the  purpose  of  destroying  the 
enemy;  that,  furthermore,  the  services  of  medical  men  in  each  of  the 
warring  countries,  as  long  as  they  remain  in  the  medical  ranks,  consists 
exclusively  in  ministering  to  the  sick  and  to  the  injureld,  and  finally 
that  in  these  humanitarian  and  often  heroic  services,  friends  and  foes 
are  treated  alike.  These  humane  considerations  led  to  the  establishment 
of  The  Medical  Brotherhood. 

At  the  start  only  two  simple  objects  were  in  the  mind  of  the  found- 
ers. In  the  first  place  it  was  the  aim  to  bring  to  the  full  consciousness 
of  the  members  of  the  medical  profession  the  exceptional  moral  poditioli 
which  all  civilized  nations  permit  and  expect  them  to  occupy,  at  least 
as  long  as  they  remain  in  the  medical  profession  and  act  in  this  capac- 
ity. Furthermore,  after  the  close  of  the  present  war,  and  perhaps  even 
so  soon  as  circumstances  indicate  the  approach  of  the  end  of  it,  the 
Medical  Brotherhood  contemplated  to  start  a  reunion  of  the  members  of 
the  medical  profession  at  least  of  all  the  neutral  nations.  It  is  now 
about  eighteen  months  since  we  began  sending  out  this  appeal  to  mem- 
bers of  the  profession  of  this  country  belonging  to  some  creditable  med- 
ical society.  In  the  last  ten  months  besides  the  appeal  a  reprint  from 
Science  was  added,  entitled  ^Trat^mitas  Medicorum;  A  Report  and  A 
Discussion."  This  reprint  contained  additional  remarks  on  patriotism 
and  medical  preparedness  discussing  from  a  certain  angle  some  moral 
duties  which  medical  men  owe  their  own  country. 

The  undertaking  of  this  organization  was  started  by  a  paper  read 
by  me  at  a  dinner  of  the  Columbia  Biochemical  Society  and  published 
in  Science,  for  April  11,  1915.  The  paper  was  meant  to  be  merely  an 
academic  address,  but  it  contained  the  suggestion  of  the  possible  founda- 
tion of  such  a  Medical  Brotherhood.  Soon  after  the  publicatioQ  of 
that  address  I  was  urged  by  leading  men,  medical  and  non-medical,  to 
give  my  theoretical  suggestion  a  practical  turn.  The  address  contained 
the  phrase  that  "we  must  not  Approach  our  medical  confreres  in  the 
btelligerent  nations  as  long  as  the  war  lasts,  lest  it  be  interpreted  as  an 
attempt  to  weaken  their  patriotism  and  their  enthusiasm  for  the  cftiuse 
of  the  particular  countries  of  which  they  are  integral  parts."  In  our 
practical  activities  we  did  not  deviate  from  this  rule.  I  did  not  comply 
with  the  request  of  the  Lancet  to  publish  there  an  account  of  our 
Brotherhood;  nor  did  I  react  to  the  suggestive  remarks  made  last  sum- 
mer in  the  Press  Medical  bearing  upon  the  objects  of  the  Medical 
Brotherhood.  I  was  careful  to  avoid  entangling  discussions  of  any  kind 
or  any  possible  misinterpretations. 

The  chief  purpose  of  my  present  communication  is  to  state  that  on . 
the  second  of  last  month,  that  is,  as  soon  as  the  last  German  note  on  its 
U-boat  policy  became  known,  and  before  our  President  delivered  his 
Address  before  the  Congress,  /  suspended  the  sending  out  of  our  liter- 


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NOBTU  AMERICAN   JOURNAL  OF   HOMOfiOPiTUV  ^85 

<Uure.  It  seemed  evident  that  the  (German  note  would  probably  lead  to 
a  Mvioua  tension  between  our  country  and  the  central  powers  and  per- 
haps eyen  to  war.  A  transitional  stage  of  susi>ense  and  confusion  was 
bound  to  come,  and  it  seemed  to  me  to  be  the  duty  of  every  citizen  to 
avoid  anything  which  might  be  misconstrued.  It  was  conceivable  that 
the  activities  of  the  Medical  Brotherhood  might  be  interpreted  by  some 
of  out  brethren  as  being  unpatriotic  and  not  in  line  with  the  obvious 
dutijBS  of  our  government 

I  used  the  term  "suspended.'^  I  am  quite  sure  that  even  if  our  coun- 
try is  driven  to  war,  the  Medical  Brotherhood  will  have  certain  amissions 
to  fulfill.  From  various  sources  it  is  claimed  that  among  the  European 
belligerents  there  is  some  relaxation  in  the  moral  behavior  of  medical 
men.  It  should  be  kept  in  mind  that  the  activities  of  medical  men 
during  a  war  are  regulated  by  international  laws  that  is,  by  the  Geneva 
and  Hague  Conventions.  It  is  a  fact  that  even  our  government  over- 
looked some  of  its  obligations  with  regard  to  the  formulation  of  specific 
regulations  of  the  agreement  of  these  conventions  of  which  our  country 
was  one  of  the  signatory  powers.  But — ^a  discussion  of  these  questions 
at  the  present  time  seems  to  me  to  be  inopportune.  Hence  the  sus- 
pension of  our  activities  for  which  I,  as  the  present  President  of  the 
Brotherhood  take  the  entire  responsibility. 

However,  I  wish  to  emphasize  that  in  taking  up  again  any  activi- 
ties by  the  Brotherhood  it  is  my  feeling  that  the  original  committee 
shall  take  under  advisement  the  election  of  a  president  whose  name  is  not 
capable  of  arousing  the  suspicion  of  partisanship.  I  am  more  than 
willing  to  do  as  much  as  it  is  in  my  power  to  assist  in  the  activities  of 
the  Brotherhood.  What  the  organization  stands  for  ought  to  be  ac- 
cepted by  any  medical  roan  of  whatever  race  or  origin  he  may  be.  I 
am  however  of  the  opinion  that  the  Brotherhood  will  only  benefit  by 
electing  a  President  whose  name  does  not  give  suspicion  of  partisanship.* 

I  sbal)  conclude  my  statement  with  a  brief  account  of  the  present 
status  of  the  Medical  Brotherhood.  It  seems  to  me  that  there  can  be 
no  doubt  about  the  success  of  the  organization.  It  contains  at  present 
15,444  members,  all  of  whom  are  American  citizens — with  the  exception 
of  Sir  Wilfred  Grenfell.  The  vast  majority  of  the  members  belong  to 
the  American  Medical  Association.  '  Not  a  single  individual  has  with- 
drawn his  membership.  Many  prominent  men  from  other  neutral 
cotjntries  asked  to  be  enrolled  in  our  organization.  My  original  address 
has  been  published  in  Holland,  Denmark,  Sweden,  Norway  and  Spain. 
In  most  of  these  countries  organizations  similar  to  ours  were  established. 
As  to  the  finaacial  status  we  possess  $768  in  cash,  contributed  by  mem- 
bers, and  there  is  a  balance  of  several  thousand  dollars  of  the  amount 
promised  to  us  for  the  development  of  the  reorganization  by  the  Carnegie 
Endowment  for  International  Peace. 

S.  J.  ]>f  ELTZER,  M.D.,  LL.D., 

President  of  the  Medical  Brotherhood, 
Rockefeller  Institute  for  Medic>al  Research,  New  York. 


FUNCTIONAL  KIDNEY  TESTS 

Lohman  and  Moore  (Long  Island  Medical  Journal,  September,  X9X6) 
justly  observe  that  .the  business  of  the  kidney  is  to  eliminate  from  the 
body  water,  nitrogenous  waste  bodies,  such  as  urea,  uric  acid,  creatin, 
etc.,  and  inorganic  salts,  principally  sodium  chloride. 

*The  writer  will  gratefully  receive  information  as  to  the  preferences 
which  various  members  may  entertain. 


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286  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL    OF    UOMCEOPATUY 

This  is  accomplished  partly  hy  mechanical  filtration  and  partly  by 
the  secretory  power  of  the  cells  of  the  capillaries  and  of  Bowman's 
capsule;  later  by  the  secretory  action  of  the  tubular  epithelium,  the  kid- 
neys also  haying  the  power  to  reabsorb  water  and  some  of  the  dissolved 
substances  from  the  tubes. 

The  glomeruli  are  mainly  mechanical  filters  and  pass  on  to  the 
tubules  an  alkaline  fluid  which  contains  urea,  chlorides,  phosphates,  sul- 
phates, and  sometimes  sugar.  The  tubules  change  this  alkaline,  glom- 
erular fluid  to  acid  and  add  to  it  by  excretion,  urea,  uric  acid,  phosphates, 
and  sometimes  water,  and,  finally,  concentrate  this  fluid  by  the  absorp- 
tion o£  water.  Also  they  have  the  power  of  differential  reabsorption  of 
certain  salts,  especially  sodiiim  chloride. 

The  renal  secretion  depends  upon  the  rate  of  blood  flow  and  ceases 
at  the  systolic  pressure  of  40  mm.  Nerve  disturbance  acts  by  its  in- 
fluence on  the  circulation. 

Experimentally  the  pathological  physiology  of  the  kidneys  has  been 
studied  by  means  of  irritation  incident  to  the  use  of  uranium  nitrate, 
bichloride  of  mercury*  and  chromium,  which  affect  the  tubules ;  arsenic 
and  cantharides,  which  affect  the  glomeruli;  and  diphtheria  antitoxin 
which  affects  both. 

All  of  these  forms  of  experimental  nephritis  are  acute.  To  produce 
chronic  forms,  metals  are  administered  in  'smaU  repeated  doses,  prin- 
cipally uranium  nitrate. 

The  edema  of  nephritis  may  be  due  to  a  number  of  factors.  In 
hemorrhagic  nephritis  it  may  be  due  to  anemia.  It  may  be  cardiac,  as 
in  chronic  interstitial  or  cardiac  nephritis.  It  may  be  renal,  as  in  acute 
and  chronic  parenchymatous  nephritis.  Its  causes  are  unknown.  Wa- 
ter retention,  chloride  retention,  vascular  injury,  and  changes  in  the 
blood  are  important  elements  in  its  production. 

Increased  blood-pressure  occurs  mostly  in  the  glomerular  and  inter- 
stitial forms  of  nephritis.  It  is  due  to  arterial  contraction.  It  must  be 
in  part  functional.  The  heart  hypertrophy  results  from  high  tension 
and  may  appear  in  three  or  four  weeks. 

Uremia  is  an  intoxication  due  to  more  than  one  toxic  agent.  The 
greater  the  nitrogen  retention  of  the  blood  the  greater  the  danger  of 
uremia. 

Tests  for  renal  function  fall  into  three  general  groups,  depending  on 
the  ability  of  the  kidney  to  excrete  from  the  circulation  abnormal  sub- 
stances, such  as  dyes  or  drugs,  which  are  introduced  into  it;  analysis 
of  the  products  of  metabolism  retained  in  the  blood  as  a  result  of  faulty 
elimination  by  the  kidney;  abnormalities  in  the  physical  and  chemical 
properties  of  the  urine. 

The  number  of  tests  that  has  been  used  is  legion : 

Under  the  first  group  we  have  phenolsulphonephthalein,  methylene 
blue,  indigocarmine,  rosaniline,  potassium  iodide,  lactose,  salicylates, 
sugar  following  phloridzin,  and  the  enzyme  diastase. 

Under  the  second  group  blood  urea,  total  non-protein  nitrogen  in 
blood,  cryoscopy  or  lowered  freezing  point  bf  blood,  cholesterin,  creatinin, 
and  uric  acid. 

Under  the  third  group  we  have  variations  in  specific  gravity ;  water, 
sodium  chloride  and  nitrogen  output  and  their  relation  to  intake;  and, 
in  addition,  the  usual  examination  for  albumin  and  casts. 

Many  of  the  tests  mentioned  are  of  uncertain  value,  and  others  have 
been  discarded  because  of  difficulties  in  technique.  In  their  work  Leh- 
man and  Moore  have  made  use  of  the  following  general  scheme: 

The  patient  is  placed  upon  a  standard  diet.  A  record  of  fluid  intake 
and  output  is  carefully  kept.     The  specific  gravity  and  output  of  chlor- 


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ides  and  nitrogen  in  the  urine  are  ascertained.  The  amount  of  blood 
urea  or  total  non-protein  nitrogen  in  blood  is  determined  and  a  'phthalein 
test  is  done.  Subsequently  a  measured  amount  of  salt  (10  grammes) 
is  added  to  the  diet,  and  the  ability  to  excrete  this  added  salt  is  noted. 

The  test  of  renal  response  to  water  may  be  made  by  comparing  the 
amount  of  fluid  ingested  to  the  amount  eliminated  in  the  same  period. 
Normally  there  are  wide  variations  due  to  atmospheric  tediperature, 
sweating,  diarrhea,  etc.,  but  the  amoiint  of  urine  passed  should  roughly 
be  equal  to  the  amount  of  water  taken  in  the  diet  as  fluids,  usually  1000 
to  1500  Cc.  per  day. 

The  average  normal  daily  salt  output  is  10  to  15  grammes. 

Added  sodium  chloride  is  eliminated  normally  in  two  w  ays :  First, 
by  drinking  more  water,  the  added  sodium  is  eliminated  without  increas- 
ing the  percentage  of  salt  in  the  urine.  Second,  the  added  sodiiim 
chloride  is  eliminated  in  a  highly  concentrated  solution  without  the  in- 
gestion of  more  water.  In  this  case,  however,  the  elimination  may  be 
slightly  delayed.  With  diseased  tubules,  according  to  Schlayer,  the 
elimination  of  sodium  chloride  is  much  delayed,  even  when  much  water 
is  added.  Normally,  the  10  grammes  or  more  of  added  salt  should  be 
put  out  in  twenty-four  hours. 

Phenolsulphonephthalein  is  a  bright-red  crystalline  powder  some- 
what soluble  in  water  and  alcohol,  but  readily  soluble  in  the  presence  of 
alkalies.  For  the  test  6  milligrammes  of  the  powder  are  us^  in  1  Cc. 
of  solution.  This  amount  is  injected  into  the  lumbar  muscles  after  the 
patient  has  emptied  his  bladder.  He  is  then  instructed  to  drink  two 
glasses  of  water.  After  one  hour  and  ten  minutes  the  flrst  specimen  of 
urine  is  collected;  and  second  and  third  specimens  are  collected  at  one- 
hour  intervals.  £nough  25-per-cent  sodium  hydroxide  solution  is  added 
to  each  specimen  to  make  the  urine  decidedly  alkaline  in  order  to  bring 
out  the  maximum  reddish  color.  The  specimen  is  diluted  up  to  1000 
Cc.  with  water,  shaken  up,  and  a  small  quantity  is  Altered  and  used  in 
the  colorimeter  to  compare  with  the  standard,  which  is  an  alkaline  solu- 
tion containing  6  milligrammes  to  the  liter.  The  percentage  on  the 
scale  is  then  read.  In  health  the  elimination  is  almost  complete  in  two 
hours.  In  the  first  hour  40  to  60  per  cent,  should  appear;  60  to  85  for 
the  two  hours. 

Folin  and  Denis,  working  with  exceptionally  healthy  subjects,  found 
the  total  non-protein  nitrogen  in  the  blood  to  vary  frim  22  to  26  mg.  per 
100  Cc  of  blood,  and  the  urea  nitrogen  from  11  to  13  mg.  per  100  Cc. 
This  is  too  narrow  a  standard  for  patients.  For  practical  purposes  we 
may  accept  the  standard  set  by  Janeway,  that  the  total  non-protein  nitro- 
gen should  not  exceed  40  mg. 

Recently  Herman  Mosenthal,  of  Baltimore,  has  given  a  modification 
of  the  Hedinger  and  Schlayer  method  of  estimating  renal  function.  He 
measures  the  specific  gravity,  salt,  water,  and  nitrogen  output  in  two- 
hourly  periods  during  the  day,  and  the  total  nightly  output,  when  the 
patient  is  on  a  so-called  '^nephritic  test  diet."  Mosenthal's  diet  con- 
tains measured  amounts  of  food  for  breakfast,  dinner,  and  supper,  and 
totals  for  the  day  18.4  gms.  of  nitrogen,  8:5  gms.  of  sodium  chloride  and 
1760  Cc  of  fluid,  with  a  considerable  amount  of  purin  in  the  meat,  soup, 
tea,  and  coffee.  The  quantities  refused  by  the  patient  should  be  noted, 
and  allowance  must  be  made  in  calculating  the  food  intake.  No  fluid 
or  solid  is  allowed  between  meals  or  at  the  food  intake  or  at  night.  In 
examining  the  urine  the  volume  of  each  two-hourly  specimen  is  meas- 
ured and  the  specific  gravity  is  determined.  The  points  to  be  noted 
are: 

The  characterisntics  of  the  day  urine. 


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28a  KORtH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL    OF    HOMCEOPATHV 

The  total  quantity  of  salt,  water,  and  nitrogen  excreted  in  twenty- 
four  hours. 

The  characteristics  of  the  night  urine. 

In  response  to  this  diet  normally  the  day  urine  shows  fluctations  in 
the  specific  gravity  readings,  equal  balance  of  salt,  nitrogen,  and  fluids. 

The  night  urine  shows  a  comparatively  small  quantity  (about  400 
Cc.) ;  the  specific  gravity  is  high  and  the  nitrogen  per  cent,  is  hig^. 

A  diseased  kidney  shows  its  diminished  power  to  functionate  by  a 
fixation  of  its  concentration,  while  in  a  normal  kidney  the  specific  grav- 
ity is  high  or  low,  according  to  the  demands  made  by  the  fluids  and 
solids  ingested.  The  power  to  excrete  a  more  dilute  urine  is  lost,  as 
well  as  the  power  to  concentrate. 

In  nephritis  there  are  two  types  of  abnormal  secretion  in  day  urine : 

Salt  retention  with  normal  nitrogen  elimination  in  chronic  paren- 
chymatous nephritis. 

Diminished  salt  and  nitrogen  elimination  in  primary  and  secondary 
contracted  kidney. 

The  night  urine  in  nephritis :  Nycturia  has  long  been  recognized  as 
a  valuable  sign  in  nephritis.  Mosenthal  found  that  it  is  often  the  earl- 
iest signs  of  nephritis.  Besides  nycturia,  the  night  urine  shows  low 
specific  gravity  and  low  nitrogen  per  cent. 

His  results,  then,  in  the  two  chief  ( ?)  types  of  chronic  interstitial, 
fixed  and  low  specific  gravity,  diminished  salt  and  nitrogen  excretion, 
polyuria,  as  determined  by  twenty-four-hour  measurement  of  volume,  in- 
creased volume  at  night.  In  the  chronic  diffuse  or  parenchymatous  type 
the  findings  are  more  variable.  When  there  is  edema,  there  is  salt  and 
water  retention,  nycturia,  or  increased  volume  at  night,  and  normal  nitro- 
gen output.  With  edema  disappearing,  water  and  salt  are  excreted  in 
about  the  normal  amount,  and  nycturia  is  marked. 

In  renal  congestion  from  myocardial  insufficiency  we  have  specific 
gravity  fixed,  about  1020,  salt  output  diminished,  normal  nitrogen, 
oliguria,  and  normal  night  urine. 

In  considering  the  diagnostic  value  of  the  various  functional  tests 
it  will  be  noted  that  there  are  certain  essential  differences  in  the  char- 
acter of  the  information  obtained  from  each.  The  'phthalein  test,  for 
instance,  is  a  test  of  present  renal  function.  In  other  words,  it  is  a 
measure  of  the  ability  of  the  kidney  to  excrete  this  dye  from  the  blood  at 
the  immediate  time  when  the  test  is  made. 

The  tests  for  retained  substances — that  is,  blood  urea,  and  total  non- 
protein nitrogen  in  the  blood — on  the  other  hand,  are  a  measure  of  the 
accumulation  in  the  blood  of  waste  products  which  should  be  eliminated 
by  the  kidneys.  Where  the  blood  urea  or  total  non-protein  nitrogen  is 
high,  it  shows  that  diminished  renal  function  was, present  during  a  cer- 
tain period  of  time  while  these  substances  accumulated. 

This  is  of  diagnostic  importance;  for  instance,  in  a  case  of  acute 
myocardial  insufficiency  without  serious  kidney  damage,  the  'phthalein 
excretion,  due  to  passive  congestion  of  the  kidneys,  may  be  low,  but  the 
urea  or  total  non-protein  nitrogen  of  blood  is  little,  if  any,  increased 
above  the  normal.  As  the  circulation  improves  the  'phthalein  excretion 
rapidly  rises  until,  when  compensation  is  completely  restored,  it  readies 
the  normal. 

If,  however,  in  addition  to  the  cardiac  insufficiency,  there  is  com- 
plicating chronic  nephritis,  not  only  will  the  'phthalein  excretion  be  v«ry 
low,  but  the  blood  urea  and  total  non-protein  nitrogen  will  also  show  a 
marked  increase,  and  if  compensation  is  reestablished  the  'phthalein  test, 
although  it  may,  and  usually  does,  improve  somewhat,  will  never  rea«h 
normal  limits.     The  non-protein  nitrogen  remains  unchanged. 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF   HOMEOPATHY  26V 

Experience  with  functional  tests  has  become  sufficiently  great  so 
that  we  may  now  safely  use  them  in  prognosis.  Generally  speaking, 
we  may  say  that  the  more  advanced  the  disease  the  greater  wiU  be  the 
disturbance  of  function  as  shown  by  the  various  tests.  The  more  widely 
they  deviate  from  the  normal,  the  graver  the  prognosis.  Repeating  tests 
at  intervals  makes  it  possible  to  follow  the  progress  of  the  disease. 
Whether  function  is  returning  to  normal,  remaining  stationary,  or 
diminishing,  can  be  determined.  This  is  particularly  true  of  the 
'phthalein  test.  The  observations  and  recorded  figures  of  many  investi- 
gators prove  that  the  degree  of  renal  disease  is  closely  paralleled  by  the 
ability  of  the  kidney  to  excrete  this  dye,  thus  confirming  Rowntree  and 
G^raghty's  original  communications. 

There  is  one  important  exception  to  this  rule,  namely,  the  passive 
cong^tion  of  cardiac  insufficiency.  Here  the  'phthalein  output  may  be 
very  low,  but  it  rapidly  increases  as  the  circulation  improves. 

Repeated  'phthalein  tests  showing  a  progressively  lower  oulnput 
indicate  a  progressive  lesion  and  a  bad  prognosis. 

Very  low  excretion  of  'phthalein,  say  under  20  per  cent,  in  two 
hours,  always  justifies  a  grave  prognosis,  except  in  those  cases  of  surgic- 
al nephritis  following  mechanical  obstruction  of  the  urinary  passages. 
Itere  surprising  improvement  often  follows  removal  of  the  obstruction. 

Uremia,  is  almost  always  ushered  in  by  a  complete  suppression  of 
'phthalein  excretion  or  just  faint  traces  in  several  hours.  Impending 
uremia  can  frequently  be  foretold  before  th6  onset  of  any  clinical  symp- 
toms by  this  marked  absence  of  the  kidney's  ability  to  put  out  'phthalein. 

The  figures  published  by  Thayer  and  Snowden  are  worthy  of 
quotation,  as  all  their  cases  were  confirmed  by  autopsy.  These  were  all 
cases  of  chronic  nephritis :  20  per  cent,  or  over  in  two  hours ;  9  tests,  6 
cased,  longest  survival  eight  months.  Ten  to  20  per  cent,  in  two  hours; 
6  tests,  6  cases,  longest  survival  four  months.  Under  10  per  cent,  in 
two  hours;  16  tests,  12  cases,  longest  survival  72  days.  Trace  only;  7 
tests,  4  cases,  longest  survival  five  days. 

The  prognostic  value  of  the  tests  for  retained  urea  or  non-pro  tein 
nitrogen  is  also  great,  although  it  has  not  been  as  accurately  determined 
as.  the  'phthalein. 

In  the  majority  of  cases  the  nitrogen  of  the  blood  increases  with  in- 
creasingly severe  nephritis,  so  that  the  degree  of  accumulation  affords 
valuable  information  in  regard  to  prognosis. 

Frothingham,  Fritz,  Folin,  and  Denis  showed  in  experimental  uran- 
ium nephritis  in  rabbits  the  relationship  between  the  extent  of  the  dis- 
ease, the  excretion  of  'phthalein,  and  retention  of  non-protein  nitrogen  in 
blood.  The  two  tests  paralleled  each  other,  except  the  'phthalin  excretion 
in  the  urine  dropped  rapidly  to  its  lowest  point  and  returned  rapidly  to 
normal  with  recovery  of  the  kidney,  whereas  the  non-protein  nitrogen  in 
blood  accumulated  more  gradually  and  returned  to  normal  more  grad- 
ually. Hence  in  the  latter  test  the  duration  of  the  disease  is  an  im- 
portant factor. 

Very  high  values,  say  over  100  mg.,  are  of  grave  significance  and 
often  suggest  danger  of  impending  uremia. 

Cases  in  which  the  blood  urea  or  the  non-protein  nitrogen  increases 
while  the  patient  is  on  a  low  protein  diet  do  badly. 

In  cases  of  myocardial  insufficiency  the  presence  of  high  blood  nitro- 
gen makes  the  prognosis  much  worse,  as  it  indicates  the  presence  of  ser- 
ious kidney  damage. 

Salt  and  water  retention  is  of  less  importance  in  prognosis  than  the 
foregoing  tedts.  There  is  one  rather  rare  type  of  nephritis  first  described 
by  Peppefr  and  Austin,  characterized  by  marked  edema,  in  which  the 


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240  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL    OF    HOMCEOPATHY 

retention  of  salt  and  water  is  very  pronounced,  and  in  which  the  other 
tests  may  be  little,  if  any,  changed  from  normal  Here  the  degree  of 
retention  would  be  an  indication  of  the  severity  of  the  disase. 

To  a  certain  extent,  at  lieast,  the  functional  tests  offer  a  more  ac- 
curate and  rational  basis  for  treatment  than  can  be  obtained  by  the 
usual  clinical  observations  alone. 

Salt  and  water  retention  indicates  a  diet  poor  in  salt  and  water,  as 
was  first  taught  by  Widal.  The  value  of  this  procedure  is  well  recog- 
nized. 

The  treatment  of  nitrogen  retention  is  by  no  means  so  satisfactory, 
although  marked  retention  calls  for  a  low  proteid  diet,  20  to  30  grammes 
per  day.  But  it  has  been  shown  by  Chittenden  and  others  that  the  body 
requires  from  40  to  50  granmies  of  proteid  daily  to  make  up  for  the  tis- 
sue waste.  If  less  than  this  amount  is  given  for  long  periods,  gradual 
starvation  will  result  Frothingham  and  SmilHe  have  shown  ti^t  the 
administration  of  a  low  protein  diet  usually  reduces  the  non-protein 
nitrogen  in  the  blood  of  cases  with  retention  and  will  frequently  keep 
it  down  to  normal 

Foster  recently  reported  some  studies  of  cases  in  which  the  nitrogen 
balance  was  influenced  favorably  by  the  administration  of  large  quanti- 
ties of  water.  These  were  cases  in  which  the  power  of  the  kidbaey  to 
excrete  water  was  unimpaired.  This  is  in  accord  with  clinical  exper- 
ience.    Care  must  be  observed  so  as  not  to  produce  edema. 

Finally,  the  eflFect  of  the  treatment  may  be  observed  by  means  of 
repeated  tests. 

In  conclusion,  it  should  be  emphasized  that  functional  tests  are  not 
a  substitute  for  clinical  observations.  Nevertheless  they  are  of  very 
great  value  in  the  diagnosis,  prognosis,  and  treatment  of  nephritis  and 
amply  justify  a  more  general  use. — Therapeutic  Gazette. 


Tonics  Preferable  to  Stimulants.  In  selecting  a  tonic  it  is  high- 
ly desirable  not  to  mistake  stimulation  for  tonic  action.  Stimulation 
means  unduly  exciting  the  higher  nerve  centers,  suddenly  and  often  ex- 
cessively elevating  the  blood  pressure,  and  providing  a  quick  but  evan- 
escent effect  which  rapidly  passes  away  and  is  many  times  more  harm- 
ful than  beneficial.  Tonic  action  means  the  gradual  restoration  of 
functional  efficiency — "helping  the  body  to  help  itself. "Thus,  Gray's 
Glycerine  Tonic  Comp.  is  a  true  tonic,  with  all  the  advantages  and  none 
of  the  drawbacks  of  a  stimulant.  To  state  it  tersely,  "Gray's"  is  an 
aid  and  a  support  to  body  functions — a  genuine  prop — not  merely  a  spur 
or  lash. 

Croup.  In  croup,  aconite,  spongia,  or  hepar  sulph.,  as  indicated, 
will  cure  the  entire  trouble,  often,  in  a  few  hours,  without  any  accessory 
treatment.  The  choice  of  the  remedy  is  very  simple.  And  croup  does 
not  return,  the  following  night. 

Aconite  is  usually  indicated  when  croup  comes  on  suddenly  after 
exposure  to  cold  winds,  usually  appearing  in  the  evening  or  early  night. 

Spongia  has  the  same  hard,  croupy  cough  and  hoarse  voice,  coming 
usually  before  midnight. 

Hepar  sulph.  is  indicated  when  the  cough  is  looser  and  rattling, 
usually  later  in  the  night,  and  may  be  needed  to  finish  aconite  or  a 
spongia  case.  Ordinarily  two  or  three  doses  of  200  or  one  dose  of  Im 
potency  will  be  all  that  is  needed. — Trans.  Inter.  Habn.  Assoc, 


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INTERNATIONAL  HOMCEOPATHIC  REVIEW 


GELSEMIUM 

BY  T.  F.  H.  SPRENG^  M.D. 

(Iowa  Homoeopathic  Journal) 

The  most  prominent  of  all  the  eflPects  of  gelsemium  is  to  induce  a 
profound  and  intense  prostration  of  the  whole  muscular  system.  Its 
eflPects  are  first  manifested  on  the  voluntary  muscles,  afterwards/ on  the 
involuntary.  No  remedy  so  suddenly  and  surely  destroys  the  tone  of 
muscular  structure;  but  it  acts  not  by  causing  any  disintegration  or 
disorganization  but  by  impairing  the  vitality  of  those  nerves  which  sup- 
ply it  with  life. 

Vascular  System.  Heart  and  arteries — ^Pulse  frequent,  soft  weak ; 
so  feeble  as  to  be  sometimes  imperceptible;  fluttering  pulse |  pulse  full 
120;  pulse  slow  and  full  or  slow  and  soft;  sensation  as  though  the  blood 
had  ceased  to  circulate;  heart  action  slow  and  feeble;  the  beats  of  the 
heart  cannot  be  felt;  the  action  of  the  heart  and  arteries  much  depress- 
ed with  cold  hands  and  feet;  chills  and  pains  in  the  head. 

In  diseases  of  the  heart,  particularly  in  those  in  which  the  chief 
indication  is  to  diminish  the  action  of  that  organ,  gelsemium  will  be 
found  a  valuable  remedy.  In  some  forms  of  functional  derangement  it 
will  often  effect  a  cure.  It  will  alleviate  those  cases  of  excessive  action  of 
the  heart  from  plethora,  congestion,  neuralgia  or  rheumatic  irritation  or 
hysterical  palpitation. 

Glelsemium  has  direct  relation  to  the  incipient  or  congestive  stage 
of  cerebro-spinal-meningitis  and  also  in  some  degree  to  the  consequent 
inflammation.  Let  us  briefly  compare  the  toxicology  of  this  drug  with* 
the  symptomatology  of  cerebro-spinal-menigitis.  An  attack  of  this 
malady  is  usually  sudden  and  is  ushered  in  by  a  severe  chill,  accom- 
imnied  by  evident  congestion  of  the  spine  and  brain,  with  its  ordinary 
symptoms,  among  which  dilatation  of  the  pupils  is,  I  believe  always 
seen.  This  state- is  followed  by  reactionary  fever  of  corresponding  vio- 
lence. In  such  a  condition  of  the  system  no  remedy  is  so  homoeopathic 
as  gelsemium.  Aconite,  it  is  true,  sometimes  produces  similar  symp- 
toms, but  never  primarily  causes  dilatation  of  the  pupils;  has  numb- 
ness and  pricking  of  the  extremities  as  prominent  phenomena  and  fre- 
quently causes  congestion  to  other  organs  instead  of  the  brain.  In  cases 
of  poisoning  by  gelsemium  the  universal  symptoms  are  great  prostration, 
complete  loss  of  muscular  power  of  vision  and  speech,  staggering  gait,  icy 
coldness  of  the  hands  and  feet,  pulse  very  feeble  or  imperceptible,  respir- 
ation labored,  feeble,  nausea  and  vomiting.  One  symptom  which  is  so 
prominent  and  constant  as  to  be  almost  characteristic  of  gelsemium  is 
languor  and  heaviness  of  the  eyelids ;  they  close  in  spite  of  all  the  efforta 
of  the  will.  No  language  could  more  accurately  describe  the  incipient 
stage  of  cerebro-spinal-meningitis.  In  short  every  symptom  of  intense 
congestion  to  the  brain  and  spine  and  the  partial  paralysis  which  neces- 
sarily attends  it,  may  be  found  described  with  equal  accuracy  in  the 
pathogenesis  of  this  drug  and  the  diagnosis  of  the  disease. 

Gelsemium  causes  dryness  of  the  throat;  irritation  and  soreness  of 
the  fauces;  difficulty  of  swallowing;  paralytic  dysphagia;  acute  sensa- 
sation  of  heat  and*  astringenoy.       Painful  sensation  of  something  hav- 


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242  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL    OF    HOMCEOPATHY 

ing  lodged  in  the  esophagus;  severe  burning  in  the  esophagus  from  the 
moutii  to  tiie  stomadi;  spaemodie  seneation  and  cramp  like  pains  in 
esophagus. 

Dr.  Timothy  F.  Allen  of  New  York  several  years  ago  in  a  very 
able  paper  in — "Physiology  and  Pathology  of  the  Nasal  Passages,"  in  some 
remarks  upon  diseased  states  of  the  eustachian  tube,  says,  "Lacheeis  has 
X>ain  on  swallowing,  going  up  into  the  ear,  but  the  course  of  the  pain  is 
along  the  parotid  gland,  it  is  more  external  than  internal.  In  gelsem- 
ium  the  reverse  is  true,  it  is  internal  and  not  external.  He  says,  '^To 
illustrate  the  action  of  gelsemium,  I  have  a  very  striking  and  apt  case 
which  much  aetonished  me  and  my  patient.  A  young  lady  of  22  in 
affluent  circumstances,  felt  compelled  to  apply  for  relief  from  the  ter- 
rible sick  headaches  which  preceded  every  menstrual  period,  appearing 
from  24  to  36  hours  before  the  flow  and  attended  by  profuse  vomiting 
with  bearing  down  pains  in  the  abdomen^  no  pain  in  the  back,  the  symp- 
toms reliev^  on  appearance  of  the  flow.  Cocculus  was  prescribed  which 
certainly  relieved  her  somewhat  and  in  time  I  think  would  have  grad- 
ually cured  her  but  after  two  months  I  was  requested  to  take  her  throat 
in  hand.  For  several  years  she  had  been  having,  with  increased  fre- 
quency, a  sore  throat  coming  on  with  a  little  fever  and  leaving  her  a 
littie  deaf.  Lately  every  change  of  the  weather  affected  her  throat,  and 
she  was  becoming  more  and  more  deaf  and  constantly  so;  when  her 
throat  was  inflamed  and  sore  (confined  to  the  upper  part  of  the  pharynx) 
pain  on  swallowing  would  shoot  up  into  the  ear.  The  family  were  be- 
coming alarmed,  as  one  member,  an  old  member,  an  old  lady,  formerly 
subject  to  like  attacks  of  sore  throat,  became  exceedingly  deaf.  Gel- 
semium  was  suggested  to  me  and  I  sent  it  to  her.  It  astonished  us  all ; 
she  has  not  had  a  sick  day  with  her  menstrual  periods,  nor  has  she  had 
a  sore  throat  since  and  no  difficulty  of  hearing  in  the  slightest  degree, 
from  the  time  she  began  the  gelsemium.  She  took  but  little  and  it  is  now 
over  a  year.  She  can  go  out  in  all  weathers  with  impunity.  I  gave  the 
100th  prepared  by  Dr.  Fincke."  This  is  a  remarkable  case,  both  on  ac- 
count of  the  complicated  nature  of  the  disease  and  the  high  potency 
used. 

On  the  urinary  organs,  gelsemium  has  a  profound  effect.  Urine 
rather  increased  in  quantity,  clear  and  watery,  frequent  micturition; 
urine  at  times  clear  and  limpid,  at  times  milky  and  turbid;  album- 
uria.  In  enuresis  gelsemium  will  prove  as  valuable  a  remedy  as  belladonna 
for  like  that  drug,  it  induces  a  paralytic  state  of  all  the  sphincter  mus- 
cles. Those  cases,  then,  of  involuntary  micturition,  depending  on  a  re- 
laxed or  paralytic  condition  of  the  sphincter  muscles  of  the  neck  of 
the  bladder  will  be  much  benefitted  or  cured  by  the  use  of  gelsemium.  It 
will  prove  useful  in  spasms  of  the  ureters  from  the  passage  of  calculi. 

In  this  most  painful  affection,  the  object  is  to  produce  in  the 
promptest  manner  possible  a  relaxation  of  the  ureters.  This  is  general- 
ly accomplished  by  the  use  of  hot  sitz  baths,  chloroform  or  nux  vomica, 
gelsemium  if  properly  administered,  will  prove  as  efficient  as  either  of  the 
above  means  and  secondarily  more  homoeopathic  to  the  condition.  In  that 
most  distressing  affection,  spasm  of  the  bladder,  it  will  certainly  prove 
useful,  by  promptly  relaxing  the  circular  fibers  of  that  organ. 

In  Bright's  disease,  even  in  an  advanced  stage  of  the  disease,  when 
other  symptoms  call  for  gelsemium,  it  will  not  disappoint  you.  In 
dysmenorrhea  and  after  pains  in  the  lying-in  chambers,  I  continue  to  de- 
rive the  most  brilliant  results  from  this  drug.  In  involuntary  emisions 
of  semen  without  an  erection ;  in  impotence  from  muscular  paralysis  and 
atony;  in  seminal  weaknesss,  with  or  without  dreams,  but  caused  in  all 


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oases  by  direct  debility  of  the  genital  organs.    Oelsemium  will  prove 
a  moat  valuable  remedy. 

In  the  treatment  of  gonorrhea,  we  have  employed  gelsemium  with 
meet  gratifying  results,  both  in  the  acute  and  chronic  stages. 


PLATANUS  OCCIDENTALIS— A  REPORT  OF  FIVE  CASES 

BY  W.  H.  WILLIAMS,  M.D. 

(Journal  O.  O.  and  L.) 

At  the  last  meeting  of  this  Society  a  paper  was  presented  on  the 
drug  platanus  occidentalism  "The  Lancet  of  the  Eye,"  bringing  forth  the 
properties  of  the  drug  to  remove  and  cure  chalazia.  During  the  dis- 
cussion which  followed,  it  was  the  concensus  of  opinion  that  it  would  be 
better  if  we  could  have  distinct  case  reports  on  the  use  of  this  drug 
rather  than  a  general  statement  of  facts. 

As  there  come  to  all  of  us  patients  who  refuse  operation,  I  deter- 
mined to  try  the  remedy  on  those  patients  with  chalazia  who  refused  to 
have  their  trouble  removed  surgically.  And  so  at  the  suggestion  of  our 
President  I  beg  to  present  these  five  cases;  first,  to  make  a  report  on 
the  drug  and,  second,  to  bring  the  subject  before  the  Society  again  that 
others  may  be  heard  from. 

Case  1. — Dec.  23,  1914.  Betty  Louise,  age  3  years.  About  two 
years  ago  parents  noticed  two  small  growths  on  the  lower  lid  of  the. 
right  eye,  one  about  as  large  as  a  split  pea  and  the  other  about  half  that 
size.  The  growths  were  firm  and  seemed  to  be  attached  to  the  tarsal 
cartilage  with  the  skin  freely  movable  over  them.  Conjunctiva  of  the 
lower  lid  congested.    Gave  platanus  occidentalis  gtts.  iij.  t.i.d. 

Was  called  to  see  the  case  about  two  weeks  later  and  found  that 
the  chalazia  was  somewhat  softer  but  that  there  was  an  acute  inflamma- 
tion of  the  upper  lid,  having  the  appearance  of  a  stye.  Fearing  some 
irritation  from  the  drug  I  discontinued  it  for  about  a  week.  Most  of 
the  inflammation  on  the  upper  lid  had  subsided  by  this  time  so  platanus 
was  given  again,  but  only  one  drop  b.  i.  d.  It  was  continued  in  this 
way  for  almost  four  months ;  then  it  was  stopped  as  the  medicine  was 
all  gone  and  parents  thought  the  chalazia  removed.  I  saw  this  case 
again  in  April;  only  a  small  thickening  remained  of  the  chalazia. 

The  stye  of  the  upper  lid  gradually  disappeared  also.  Continued 
platanus  tincture  gtts.  ii,  t.i.d. 

Case  2.— Wm.  C,  13  mo.  Jan.  12,  1915.  Case  presented  with  a 
small  growth  on  the  lower  lid  of  the  left  eye  which  the  parents  had  no- 
ticed for  the  past  two  weeks.  Growth  was  about  the  size  of  a  small  split 
pea  and  had  all  the  characteristics  of  a  chalazion.  Gave  platanus  tinct- 
ure gtts.  j,  t.i.d. 

Jan.  19,  1915.  Parents  returned  for  more  medicine  with  a  favor- 
able report.    Increased  dose  to  gtts.  ij,  t.i.d. 

Did  not  see  this  case  until  April  15th.  At  that  time  the  growth  had 
entirely  disappeared,  and  on  palpation  but  a  slight  thidcening  could  be 
felt.    Continued  the  drug. 

Case  3.--Miss  K.  Age  26.  Saw  this  case  first  on  Feb.  27,  1915. 
There  were  two  growths,  each  about  the  size  of  a  pea,  on  the  lower  lid 
of  the  left  eye.  Each  one  was  firmly  attached  to  the  tarsal  cartilage 
with  the  skin  freely  movable  over  them.  These  had  been  growing  for 
the  past  three  months.    Gave  platanus  gtts.  iii,  t.i.d. 


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244  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL    OF    HOMCEOPATHY 

March  22.  The  smaller  of  the  two  cysts  seemed  to  be  leaving.  The 
larger  one  about  the  same. 

April  1.  An  acute  inflammation  with  much  edema  had  set  in  about 
the  larger  cyst,  with  a  yellow  spot  in  the  center  as  though  it  would  point 
and  break  through  the  skin.     Continued  the  drug,  but  in  2  drop  doses. 

April  6.  The  redness  and  edema  had  almost  left  but  cyst  still  had 
the  appearance  of  rupturing  through  the  skin. 

April  30.  At  this  time  the  smaller  cyst  was  gone,  but  patient  said 
it  had  ruptured  through  the  conjunctiva.  The  larger  one  was  about 
the  same  as  before.  Patient  had  discontinued  treatment  because  last 
prescription  did  not  have  quite  the  semie  color  and  taste  as  before. 

Case  4.— March  30,  1915.  II.S.  Male.  Age  22.  Small  tumor  on 
lower  lid  of  right  eye  about  the  size  of  a  small  pea,  attached  to  tarsal 
<;artilagQ  but  not  to  skin.    Platanus  gtts.  4,  t.i.d.,  were  given. 

April  30.  Tumor  somewhat  softer  and  smaller.  Patient  now  de- 
sires same  removed  surgically. 

Case  5.-^Mrs.  M.,  age  39.  Small  tumor  on  left  lid  about  the  size 
of  a  pea  of  about  two  months'  duration.  Diagnosis,  chalazion.  Platanus 
tincture  in  4  drop  doses,  t.i.d. 


CRITICAL  ANALYSTS  IN  MATERIA  MEDICA:    FINDING  THE 

CURATIVE  REMEDY  BY  AN  ANALYTICAL  PROCEDURE 

WHICH    APPROXIMATES    IN    ACCURACY    THE 

ANALYTICAL  WORK  OF  THE  CHEMIST 

BY  GUY  BECKLEY  STEARNS,   M.D. 

(Journal  of  the  A.  I.  H.) 

Give  a  chetnist  a  solution  of  unknown  metallic  salts,  and.  he  will 
treat  a  portion  of  it  with  certain  reagents  in  order  to  precipitate  one 
^roup  of  metals.  Other  portions,  treated  by  other  reagents,  will  precip- 
itate other  groups.  These  precipitates  are  treated  for  the  purpose  of 
separating  the  different  metals  from  one  another  until  the  unknown 
solution  is  resolved  into  all  its  component  parts.  This  can  be  done  be- 
oause  he  understands  the  law  of  chemical  attraction  whereby  elements 
form  chemical  unions,  and  because  he  knows  how  all  the  elements  react 
to  one  another. 

Chemistry  is  considered  an  exact  science  because  two  or  more  men 
utilizing  the  same  degree  of  skill  and  care  will  arrive  at  identical  re- 
sults. In  medical  science,  nothing  could  be  more  desirable  than  a 
method  whereby  the  best  therapeutic  measures  could  be  selected  with 
equal  exactness.  What  makes  such  a  thing  possible  is  a  definite  law  of 
relationship  between  human  !  "'ngs  and  the  materials  which  have  ther- 
apeutic value,  just  as  there  i^^  i  law  of  relationship  between  the  elements 
in  chemistry.  Biology  demonstrates  a  physiological  law  which  fulfills 
all  the  conditions  for  exact  therapeutic  selection.  Viewed  broadly,  all 
living  things  have  a  certain  adaptability.  The  cactus  plant  can  be 
kept  for  months  in  a  dry  closet  and  yet  retain  vitality  enough  to  root, 
when  put  in  favorable  surroundings.  A  variety  of  fish  exists  which 
dries  up  in  the  mud  during  the  dry  season,  and  regains  its  activity 
with  the  return  of  water. 

Man  has  a  wide  range  of  adaptability.  He  can  travel  from  the  tor- 
rid zone  to  the  polar  reijion,  and  his  blood  will  register  the  same  de- 
gree of  temperature.  He  can  accustom  himself  to  poisons  so  that 
what  at  first  would  have  been  a  lethal  amount  causes  him  very  little 
harm.  He  can  be  infected  by  injurious  germs  and  develop  a  resistance 
Against  them  so  that  they  are  destroyed  and  thrown  out  of  the  body. 


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INTERNATIONAL    HOMCEOPATHIC    REVIEW  245 

These  and  tboueands  of  facts  demonstrate  the  following  law :  All  life, 
within  certain  limits,  has  power  to  resist  destructive  influences  so  as  to 
maintain  physical  and  functional  integrity.  Each  substance  or  condi- 
tion which  affects  life  causes  a  reaction  different  from  that  caused  by 
every  other  substance  or  condition.  Here  is  a  duplicate  of  what  makes 
chemical  analysis  possible.  In  the  place  of  the  law  of  chemical  attrac- 
tion is  the  law  of  vital  reaction,  and  in  the  place  of  elements,  each  of 
which  has  its  own  kind  of  behavior  toward  the  other  elements,  are  the" 
influences  affecting  life. 

It  is  necessary  only  to  study  man  in  relation  to  this  law  to  de- 
velop an  exact  method  of  therapeutics.  In  illness,  the  organism  is  in  a 
state  of  reaction  against  some  adverse  condition.  If  the  pov/er  of  reac- 
tion is  great  enough,  the  individual  regains  perfect  health;  if  insufficient, 
chronic  illness  or  death  results. 

The  signs  of  disease,  therefore,  such  as  fever,  pain,  are  not  merely 
evil  things  to  be  gotten  rid  of,  but  they  are  the  results  of  nature's  re- 
action, her  attempts  to  cure,  and  are  to  be  studied  so  that  nothijii? 
be  done  to  hinder  the  reaction  of  which  they  are  the  result. 

It  is  usual  to  consider  the  effect  of  an  infection  as  disease,  and  as 
something  altogether  different  in  principle  from  the  effect  of  a  drug. 
But  the  reaction  of  the  organism  against  each  has  identical  im- 
port. It  is  the  recoil  of  the  elastic  force  we  call  life,  back  to  its  normal 
tension,  and  is  a  curative  effort. 

To  select,  in  accord  with  the  law  of  reaction,  therapeutic  measures 
for  a  case  of  illness,  one  should  first  remove,  as  far  as  possible,  the 
causes  of  the  condition.  Then,  surround  the  patient  with  conditions, 
such  as  heat,  cold,  moisture,  which  are  most  favorable  to  the  particular 
reaction  nature  is  establishing;  finally,  select  the  drug  which  causes  the 
nearest  similar  reaction  to  that  which  is  already  occurring,  in  other 
words,  the  drug  that  causes  symptoms  similar  to  those  present  in  the 
patient.  From  the  standpoint  of  reason  and  logic,  this  conclusion  is 
inevitable.  From  the  viewpoint  of  experience,  the  results  prove  the 
method.  The  principle  is  as  simple  as  the  words  that  express  it,  but  the 
technic  for  selecting  the  curative  remedy  is  as  exacting  as  that  em- 
ployed by  the  chemist. 

Accurate  knowledge  of  two  factors  must  be  gained;  one  factor  is 
the  kind  of  reaction  being  established  in  the  patient's  organism,  and  the 
other  is  the  kind  of  reaction  caused  by  each  mechanical  substance.  Most 
failures  arise  from  inadequate  knowledge  of  these  two  factors.  We 
cannot  always  identify  the  drug  that  is  causing  a  reaction  by  observing 
only  the  most  obvious  results  of  that  reaction.  Many  drugs  cause  diar- 
rhea, but  the  presence  of  diarrhea  alone  is  not  sufficient  data  on  which 
to  determine  which  drug  caused  it. 

Accompanying  the  principal  effects  of  the  reaction  of  a  drug  are 
alterations  in  sensation,  conditions  which  aggravate  and  ameliorate,  as 
well  as  other  symptoms,  e.g.,  in  bryonia,  the  reaction  that  causes  the 
diarrhea  is  worse  in  the  morning,  in  hot  weather,  and  from  any  motion. 
In  arsenic  the  diarrhea  is  worse  after  eating  or  drinking  and  is  accom- 
panied by  weakness,  restlessness  and  thirst  for  small  amounts  at  fre- 
quent intervals.  In  sulphur,  the  diarrhea  is  offensive,  comes  on  usually 
at  5  a.m.,  and  the  patient  is  apt  to  have  colic  before  stools. 

Thus,  the  factors  which  determine  the  choice  between  one  drug  arid 
another  lie  not  in  some  specific  result  like  diarrhea,  but  in  the  sum 
total  of  functional  changes  and  modalities  which  accompany  the  diar- 
rhea. The  diarrhea  itself  is  important  as  an  indication,  only  if  it  is 
peculiar  or  different  from  that  caused  by  other  drugs.  The  more  pecul- 
iar a  symptom,  the  more  apt  it  is  to  characterize  the  reaction  of  some 


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246  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL    OF    HOMCEOPATUY 

single  drug,  while  the  more  common  it  is,  the  more  it  characterizes  the 
general  reaction  of  a  group  of  drugs. 

When  one  is  for  some  time  under  the  influence  of  a  poisonous 
drug,  pathological  changes  occur  in  the  tissues.  The  more  profound 
the  effect,  the  nearer  this  change  comes  to  complete  death.  Therefore, 
the  pathological  changes  in  a  disease  are  the  least  useful  indications  for 
finding  the  curative  remedy,  as  they  represent  not  reaction,  but  the  last 
result  of  reaction.  At  best,  the  diagnostic  and  pathological  findings  can 
only  suggest  the  type  of  reaction  which  is  going  on  in  the  patient,  and 
this  in  turn  can  only  suggest  a  type  or  group  of  remedies. 

It  is  not  enough  to  be  a  good  pathologist  and  diagnostician;  one 
must  observe  every  peculiar  symptom  that  occurs  in  the  sick,  and  every 
change  which  occurs  in  relation  to  the  body,  as  a  whole,  to  its  surround* 
ings.  To  make  the  analytical  method  practical,  certain  definite  rules 
must  be  followed.  Otherwise,  the  points  that  determine  the  reaction- 
picture  will  often  be  missed. 

The  investigation  must  be  exact  and  searching  along  the  following 
lines,  and  every  point  must  be  recorded. 

Get  the  patient's  own  narrative,  noting  the  symptoms  exactly  as 
they  are  given,  and  by  questioning,  bringing  out  all  the  conditions 
which  aggravate  or  ameliorate  the  symptoms,  such  as  position,  motion, 
time  of  day.  Note  the  character  of  sensations,  their  location,  if  they  are 
constant  or  changeable,  when  they  first  appeared  and  if  there  was  any 
definite  cause  for  the  appearance  of  the  illness  or  any  of  its  manifesta- 
tions. Qet  all  the  facts  in  chronological  order,  not  only  for  the  present 
illness,  but  of  every  sickness  the  patient  has  had:  Inquire  minutely 
into  heredity,  locations  affected,  color  of  affected  parts,  secretions.  Hav- 
ing noted  all  symptoms  and  modalities  belonging  to  every  part  of  the 
body,  take  up  the  reactions  of  the  body  as  a  whole. 

The  questions  should  be  put  something  like  this : 

Bo  you,  regardless  of  any  local  symptoms,  feel  better  or  worse 
at  any  time  in  the  24  hours  or  at  any  season  of  the  year?  from  heat  or 
cold,  open  air  or  close  room,  changes  of  weather,  dry  or  wet  weather, 
windy  or  stormy  weather,  bathing,  after  sleeping,  from  any  position  of 
the  body,  motion,  jarring,  pressure  or  touch?  ability  or  inability  to  per- 
spire, aggravation  or  amelioration  from  sweat?  condition  of  api>etite, 
cravings  or  aversions,  relief  or  aggravations  after  eating?  thirst?  char- 
acter of  menstruation?  if  worse  before,  during  or  after  menses?  acute- 
ness  of  the  senses  in  general;  sensitiveness  to  pain,  to  light,  to  sound? 
character  of  sleep  and  dreams;  side  of  body  affected? 

And  last  but  not  least,  changes  in  the  mental  state  should  be  noted; 
such  as  irritability,  restlessness,  sadness,  hurry,  loquacity,  indifference, 
suspicion,  phobias,  delusions,  delirium,  suicidal  thoughts.  Add  to  the 
foregoing  everything  which  the  physical  examination,  the  microscope 
and  other  diagnostic  procedures  reveal,  and  the  case  is  ready  for  analysis. 

If  one  is  familiar  with  the  reaction  phenomena  of  a  large  number 
of  drugs,  the  data  obtained  as  above  are  often  sufficient  to  enable  him 
to  find  the  curative  remedy.  This  is  possible  in  the  same  way  that  it 
is  possible  for  the  chemist  to  recognize  some  well  known  substance  by 
its  physical  appearance  alone. 

To  make  the  analysis,  select  from  the  record  the  most  striking  symp- 
tom and  write  from  the  repertory  the  list  of  drugs  that  cause  it.  Take 
the  next  most  striking  symptom  and  write  the  list  of  drugs  common  to 
both.  Usually  a  third  characteristic  can  be  taken  and  the  elimination 
carried  still  further.  This  will  leave  but  a  comparative  small  group 
of  drugs,  among  which  the  curative  remedy  can  be  found  by  comparing 
the  symptoms  of  each  with  those  of  the  patient. 


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INTERNATIONAL    HOM(EOPATHlC    REVIEW  247 

A  word  as  to  peculiar  symptoms.  These  are  such  as  are  not 
diagnostic:  thus,  dryness  of  the  mouth  without  thirst  is  i)eculiar; 
movement  of  the  alsB  nasi  is  not  unusual  in  pneumonia,  hut  when  oc- 
curring in  other  than  respiratory  conditions  it  is  a  striking  character- 
istic; marked  indifference  in  one  usually  enthusiastic  would  be  a  useful 
mental  characteristic. 

To  illustrate  the  principal  points  and  the  method  of  analysis,  a 
case  is  presented.  The  patient,  a  woman  of  38.  Heredity  not  signific- 
ant, childhood  normal  and  accompanied  by  usual  children's  diseases. 
First  menstruation  at  13.  Menses  always  late  and  scanty.  At  81,  a 
persistent  cough,  cured  by  going  to  the  mountains.  At  36,  she  began  to 
have  lameness  in  the  right  shoulder.  Afterward,  other  joints  became 
affected  and  there  was  a  well  defined  case  of  arthritis  deformans,  affecting 
principally  hand,  wrist  and  ankles.  Diagnosis  was  based  on  character- 
istic tendency  to  dislocation  because  of  wasting  of  the  articular  cartil- 
ages; urinary  and  other  findings  not  significant;  could  use  hands  but 
little  and  could  hobble  with  difficulty  about  half  a  block. 

For  analytical  purposes,  the  following  facts  were  obtained : 

1.  Sensitive  and  repressed. 

2.  Diffident  even  before  a  child  or  her  husband. 

3.  Menstruation  always  late  and  scanty. 

4.  Sensitive  to  cold. 

6.  Aggravation  by  cold  bath. 

6.  Craves  sweets. 

7.  Aversion  to  fats. 

8.  Early  waking  (4:00  a.m.) 

9.  Better  from  exercise. 

10.  Position  in  sleep,  on  back  with  limbs  stretched  out. 

11.  Had  lost  flesh. 

12.  Cough  7  years  ago,  which  was  worse  in  open  air. 

13.  Worse  after  midnight. 

14.  Loose  cough. 

16.  Expectoration  white,  lumpy. 

16.  Parts  affected,  shoulders,  hands,  ankles,  feet. 

17.  Soreness  of  parts  affected. 

18.  Weakness  of  parts  affected. 

19.  Has  lived  in  basement  (dampness?). 

^  Of  these  19  facts,  those  of  which  are  most  characteristic  and  which 
typify  the  patient's  reaction  as  a  whole,  in  contradistinction  to  any  or- 
gan or  part,  are  Nos.  1,  3,  4,  5,  6,  7,  9  and  10.  Among  symptoms  of 
the  highest  value  are  those  affecting  the  menstrual  function,  so  **men- 
struation  late  and  scanty"  was  taken  as  a  starting  point.  Twenty-two 
remedies  commonly  affect  the  organism  in  that  way  as  follows:  Amm. 
earb.  CAUST.,  cocc,  CON.,  cup.  DULC,  ferrum.,  GRAPH.,  hep.,  ign., 
KALI  CARB.,  LACH.,  LYC,  MAG.  CARB.,  NAT.  MUR.,  nux  mos.. 
phos.,  PtJLS.,  sabad.,  SEP.,  sil.,  SUL. 

Forty-three  remedies  cause  sensitiveness,  of  which  11  appear  in  the 
above  list:  Caust,  cocc,  kali  carb.,  lach.,  lye,  NAT.  MUR.,  phos., 
PULS.,  SEP.,  SIL.,  sul. 

If  the  curative  remedy  has  been  proven,  it  must  be  in  this  list. 
Comparing  the  remedies  which  cause  the  remaining  symptoms  with  this 
liBt,  the  following  appear:  Desire  for  sweets;  kail  carb.,  LYC,  nat. 
nuir.,  Sep.,  SUL. 

Aversion  to  fats:    Nat.  mur.,  PULS.,  SEP.,  SUL. 

Relief  from  motion:    lye,  puis.,  SEP.,  sul. 

Sleeps  on  back :    Phos.,  PULS.,  sul. 


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248  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL    OF    HOM(EOPATHY 

Sulpliur  leads  all  the  others,  with  natrum  mur.,  Pulsatilla  and  sepia 
closely  related.  A  study  of  the  materia  medica  showed  sulphur  to  cor- 
respond more  closely  than  any  of  the  others  and  it  was  given  to  the 
patient.  The  first  prescription  was  the  Im.,  Boeridte  &  Tafel,  which  was 
repeated  after  several  weeks.  As  improvement  ceased,  the  higher  dilu- 
tions of  Skinner  were  usd. 

In  a  year,  after  five  prescriptions  had  been  made,  the  patient  was 
dancing  the  tango  and  in  16  months  was  climbing  hills  and  walking  all 
around  the  country.  The  hands  remained  deformed  but  the  joints  lost 
their  soreness  and  the  strength  returned.  Twice  since,  there  has  been 
a  slight  relapse,  one  of  which  sepia  controlled  and  the  other  hepar 
sulphur. 

DISCUSSION 

Dr.  Alexander  L.  Blackwood,  Chicago:  I  am  interested  in  this, 
and  would  like  to  inform  the  gentlemen  who  have  not  been  in  the  schools 
for  thirty  years  that  this  is  a  type  of  the  work  being  done  in  the  medical 
colleges  today.  This  is  the  method  by  which  we  have  conducted  our 
work  in  the  Hahnemann  of  Chicago.  I  shall,  however,  introduce  the 
repertory  that  was  presented  here  the  other  day,  taking  the  case  along 
the  line  of  aggravations,  ameliorations  and  modalities.  The  repertory 
makes  it  very  simple.  It  does  take  time  and  it  docs  take  eflFort,  but  you 
are  paid  in  the  end  because  it  is  seldom  you  have  to  go  over  the  case 
a  second  time. 

Dr.  Donald  MacFarlan,  Philadelphia,  Pa.:  Dr.  Lippe  has  been 
mentioned.  My  father  was  professor  of  surgery  in  Hahnemann  when 
I^ippe  was  there.  I  have  all  his  letters  bearing  on  materia  medica,  and 
his  papers,  many  of  which  came  from  Hahnemann's  second  wife  in 
Paris.  He  had  a  most  original  way  of  working  out  his  cases,  and  if  any 
one  would  like  to  see  them,  I  would  be  glad  to  show  them. 

Dr.  Stearns:  The  repertory  mentioned  is  one  adapted  from  one 
made  by  Dr.  Margaret  Tyler,  of  London.  It  is  a  great  time  saver.  Dr. 
Boger  is  also  bringing  out  a  new  repertory  in  which  he  has  introduced 
one  or  two  new  features.  One  of  these  things  has  to  do  with  the  color 
of  the  parts  affected — red,  blue,  etc.  The  otter  has  to  do  with  secre- 
tions.    They  did  not  appear  in  Kent's  or  any  other  repertory. 


CHARACTERISTIC  SYMPTOMS  IX  PRESCRIBING 

Case  I.  Male,  set.  92.  Catarrhal  pneumonia,  characterized  by  a 
large  accumulation  of  mucus  in  the  lungs  with  great  difficulty  in  rais- 
ing. Notwithstanding  his  age  and  that  I  was  obliged  to  keep  the  win- 
dows closed  on  account  of  his  wife  and  daughter,  who  were  extremely 
sensitive  to  air,  the  latter  being  a  well-known  authoress,  antimonium 
tart.  6x,  in  repeated  doses,  cured  him  in  a  short  time 

Although  his  daughter,  the  authoress,  was  sensitive  to  air  none  of 
her  stories  lacked  "atmosphere." 

Case  II.  Female,  set.  60.  Constant,  incessant  nausea,  sometimes 
accompanied  by  vomiting  and  associated  with  great  weakness  The  pa- 
tient felt  better  from  heat  and  in  hot  weather.  I  am  not  including  the 
common  symptoms  in  these  reports.  Two  years'  treatment  with  her 
former  physicians  (of  the  "old  school")  proved  worthless.  Her  last  doc- 
tor, a  well-known  and  broad-minded  man,  said:  "Go  to  a  homoeopath 
and  he  will  cure  you." 

I  was  led  to  arsenicum  album  on  account  of  the  weakness  and  relief 
from  heat.     This  remedy,  in  the  6th  potency,  improved  her  ^t  once  and 


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INTERNATIONAL    HOMOEOPATHIC   REVIEW  249 

completely  cured  in  about  two  months.  At  first  it  was  repeated  fre- 
quently and  the  intervals  between  doses  were  lengthened  as  she  ad- 
vanced toward  recovery. 

Case  m.  Male,  8Bt.  61.  Pulmonary  tuberculosis,  bacilli  present  in 
the  sputum.  Oct.  4,  1915.  Anorexia,  debility,  emaciation,  hoarse, 
cough,  cough  hurts  head.  Raises  large  quantities  of  thick,  yello,w  tenac- 
ious mucus;  nasal  catarrh.  Weight,  120  pounds.  ^.  Hydrastis  tinct- 
ure, gtt.  X,  in  half  glass  of  water,  5ii  four  times  daily.  Oct.  11th.  De- 
cided improvement,  cough  and  expectoration  reduced  one-half.  Oct. 
18th.  Weight,  121%  pounds.  Raises  less  and  cough  does  not  hurt  head. 
Oct  26th.  Weight,  124  pounds.  Dec.  6th.  Improved.  Weight,  1293/4  * 
pounds.  Dec.  13th.  Weight  13034  pounds.  Dec.  20th.  Weight,  13214 
pounds.  Jan.  10th.  Coughs  and  raises  very  little.  No  rale%.  Weight. 
134  pounds.  March  6th.  Does  not  cough  or  raise.  Weight,  139^.4 
pounds.  March  15th.  Weight,  140Vi  pounds.  July  6th.  Weicrht,  150 
pounds,  the  heaviest  he  has  ever  been  in  his  life.  He  is  well  to-day,  has 
no  cough  or  expectoration,  and  the  physical  signs  arc  iieprative.  Tho 
anorexia,  debility,  emaciation  and  cough,  although  present  in  the  path- 
ogenesis of  hydrastis,  did  not  aid  me  to  choose  that  remedy.  The  char- 
acter of  the  sputum  was  the  **keynote"  leading  me  to  the  proper  selection. 
At  first  I  repeated  the  remedy  regularly,  four  times  daily,  but  as  he  im- 
proved, I  diminished  the  frequency  of  the  dose. 

This  case  is  not  presented  to  show  a  rare  result  obtained  from  a 
homoBopathically  indicated  remedy  in  tuberculosis  After  a  large  ex- 
perience with  this  disease,  I  am  convinced  that  it  is  curable  if  not  tot) 
far  advanced.  The  most  efficient  treatment,  in  my  opinion,  is  the  ad- 
ministration of  the  similar  remedy  along  with  the  ordinary  hygiene  and 
dietetic  measures.  The  above  patient  remained  at  his  business  with 
only  a  slight  alteration  of  his  diet  and  habits. 

Ars.,  ars.  iod.,  caust.,  phos.,  iod.,  sil.,  sulph.,  etc.,  have  served  me 
well  in  tubercular  cases,  but  I  believe  hydrastis  to  be  more  often  indicat- 
ed than  is  generally  recognized.  It  is  an  important  remedy,  worthy  of 
serious  consideration. 

Case  IV.  Male,  set.  39.  Neuritis  of  the  right  arm  of  four  months' 
duration.  "Old  school"  treatment  did  not  help.  Symptoms:  Pai-i 
intolerable,  <at  night,  insomnia  and  anxious  restlessness.  Unable  to 
move  hand.  Caused  by  sleeping  by  an  open  window.  Fear  was  a  prom- 
inent symptom,  and  strange  as  it  would  seem,  caused  him  to  look  under 
the  bed  before  retiring.  When  I  began  treatment  he  was  actually  confined 
to  bed  however.  The  characteristics  stood  out  prominently.  "  IJndd" 
aconite  3d,  in  repeated  doses,  he  improved  at  once,  slept  the  first  night 
had  pain  only  on  motion  by  the  second  day,  and  on  the  fifth  could  move 
hand  and  arm  without  pain.  He  made  a  complete  recovery  in  a  short 
time.    Aconite  3x  was  also  prescribed  for  a  time. 

I  have  often  found  this  remedy  indicated  in  neuritis,  often  of  con- 
siderable duration.  It  is  a  great  mistake  to  think  that  aconite  is  in- 
dicated only  in  acute  conditions.  Sub-acute  and  chronic  ills  yield  to 
its  influence  when  the  characteristic  symptoms  are  present.  It  is  true 
that  the  pathogenesis  of  aconite  usually  resembles  the  symptoms  of  acute 
disease,  but  this  is  not  invariably  so.  Not  long  ago  a  physician  friend 
suffered  from  neuritis  caused  by  exposure  to  cold,  dry  air,  with  aggrava- 
tion of  the  pain  at  night.  He  thought  that  it  had  lasted  too  long  for 
aconite  to  be  indicated.  I  gave  him  that  remedy  and  he  was  promptly 
cured. 

Case  V.  Male,  «t.  17.  First,  second  and  third  toes  of  left  foot 
crushed.  Amputation  i)erformed.  Three  unhealthy  ulcers  remained. 
Great  pain  at  night,  preventing  sleep.     No  improvement  in  three  months 


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250  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL    OF    HOMCEOPATHY 

from  bichloride  of  *mercury,  creolin,  balsam  of  -peru,  ichtbyol,  calendula 
and  aluminum  acetate  externally;  hepar  sulph.,  nux  vom.,  silica  and 
calendula  internally,  and  morphine  hypodermically,  prescribed  by  at- 
tending surgeon  and  his  assistant.  Ke-amputation  was  considered  by 
the  surgeon,  a  man  of  great  ability  in  his  field.  When  called  in  the 
case  I  prescribed  arnica  30th,  internally,  and  a  dilute  arnica  dressing, 
externally,  on  the  following  characteristic  indications:  Great  soreness 
with  fear  of  being  struck  by  those  approaching  the  bed.  He  improved 
at  once,  slept  the  first  night  after  receiving  the  remedy,  and  was  com- 
pletely cured  in  nineteen  days. 

Case  VI.  Female,  aet.  59.  Referred  to  me  by  prominent  surgeon. 
Symptoms:  Eleven  years  before  right  kidney  removed  for  cystic  de- 
generation. One  and  one-half  years  later  the  left  kidney  was  in  such  a 
condition  that  a  second  operation  was  performed,  which  consisted  of 
stripping  of  the  capsule  and  anchoragcThe  surgeon  said  the  remaining 
kidn^  was  so  diseased  that  he  would  have  removed  it  had  there  been  a 
third.  Two  years  later  she  was  operated  for  gangrened  appendix.  April 
8,  1910.'  Symptoms:  Chill  and  fever  after  eating  great  exhaustion 
cough  with  dirty,  white  or  yellow  expectoration  of  putrid  taste,  great 
dyspnoea,  could  not  take  a  deep  breath,  fever,  chills  and  terrific  night 
sweats,  of  ofPensive  alkaline  odor,  drenching  the  bed  clothing  several 
times  each  night,  thirst  during  the  fever,  urine  dribbled  and  smarted  on 
passing,  profuse  yellow  leucorrhoea,  constipation  with  no  movement  with- 
out enema,  great  gastric  distress,  could  oiily  eat  a  few  selected  articles  of 
food,  <  about  midnight  and  from  cold,  >heat.  Weight,  100  pounds. 
The  highest  daily  rise  of  temperature,  103.6;  lowest,  101.2.  A  diagnosis 
of  tubercular  kidney  was  made  by  an  "old  school"  physician. 

Urinary  analysis:  Quantity  in  24  hours,  37  oz.;  reaction,  neutral 
S.G.,  1.010;  albumin,  trace;  sugar,  negative;  urea,  approximately  1  per 
cent.;  total  solids,  17.242  grams. 

Microscopical.  Pus  cells,  epithelia  from  convoluted  tubules,  con- 
taining fat  globules  and  granules,  complete  and  incomplete  triple  phos- 
phates and  uric  acid  gravel.  Diagnosis,  chronic  interstitial  nephritis 
with  probable  tuberculosis. 

R.    Arsenicum  album  6th,  b.  i.  d. 

Occasionally  I  would  repeat  the  dose  q.  2  h.  when  the  symptoms 
were  active.  • 

Steady  improvement  until  May  6th,  when  arsenicum  ceased  to  help. 
I  then  prescribed  silica  30x  trituration  upon  the  characteristic,  extreme 
sensitiveness  to  cold. 

Continued  improvement,  the  chills,  fever  and  sweat  disappeared, 
she  was  able  to  get  out  of  bed  and  resume  her  duties,  gaining  fifteen 
pounds  in  several  months. 

During  January,  1911,  suifered  from  badly  infected  hand  and  lost 
slightly  in  weight.  I  prescribed  hepar  sulph.  on  the  "keynotes,"  thick 
yellow  pus  and  sensitiveness  to  cold  air.  Later  when  the  pus  became  thin 
and  scanty  I  resumed  silica.  June,  1911.  Weight,  118  pounds,  gain  of 
eighteen  pounds;  flesh  firm  and  healthy,  constipation  cured  can  eat  r^- 
ular  meals,  is  active  in  getting  about;  in  fact,  she  is  free  from  all  her 
old  symptoms. 

Trinary  analysis,  June  21,  1911.  Imperceptible  trace  of  albumin, 
no  pus  cells  or  epithelia.  The  diagnosis  of  kidney  lesions  is  based  upon 
the  presence  of  pus  cells  and  epithelia  and  not  upon  the  albumin. 

At  present,  October,  1915,  the  patient  shows  no  signs  of  TetTogres- 
sion,  and  is  in  remarkably  good  condition  for  one  possessing  her  patht 
ological  lesions.  T  am  obliged  to  sec  her  only  occasionally,  and  she 
respondn  promptly  to  the  indicated  remedy.     At  one  time  sbe  had  a  sen- 


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INTERNATIONAL    HOMCEOPATHIC   REVIEW  251 

fiation  of  constriction  of  the  chest,  as  if  squeezed  by  an  iron  hand  or  band. 
Cactus  grand,  promptly  cured.  Again,  she  had  a  pain  in  the  ba<i  fol- 
lowing tfie  course  of  the  ureters  which  was  removed  by  berberis.  Arsen- 
icum or  silica  is  the  remedy  usually  indicated  when  she  feels  the  neces- 
sity for  treatment.    This  is  infrequent,  however. 


CLINICAL  CASE  BY  DR.  SAMUEL  HAHNEMANN 

IF  I  did  not  know  for  what  purpose  I  was  put  here  on  earth — ^to  beoome 
better  myself  as  far  as  possible  and  to  make  better  everything  around 
me,  that  it  within  my  power  to  improve — I  should  have  to  consider  my- 
self as  lacking  very  much  in  worldly  prudence  to  make  known  for  the 
common  good,  even  before  my  death,  an  art  which  I  alone  possess,  and 
which  it  is  within  my  power  to  make  as  profitable  as  possible  by  simply 
keeping  it  secret. 

Author's  preface  to  first  edition  of  Chronic  Diseases  Vol.  1. 

Sch — y  a  washerwoman,  somewhere  about  40  years  old,  had  been 
more  than  three  weeks  unable  to  earn  her  bread,  when  she  consulted  me 
on  the  1st  of  September,  1815. 

1.  On  any  movment,  especially  at  every  step,  and  worst  on  making 

a  false  step,  she  has  a  shoot  in  the  pit  of  the  stomach,  that 
comes,  as  she  avers,  every  time  from  the  left  side. 

2.  When  she  lies  she  feels  quite  well,  then  she  has  no  pain  anywhere, 

neither  in  the  side  nor  in  the  pit  of  the  stomach. 

3.  She  cannot  sleep  after  three  o'clock  in  the  morning. 

4.  She  relishes  her  food,  but  when  she  has  eaten  a  little  she  feels 

sick. 

5.  Then  the  water  collects  in  her  mouth  and  runs  out  of  it,  like 

the  water-brash. 

6.  She  has  frequently  empty  eructations  after  every  meal. 

7.  Her  temper  is  passionate,  disposed  to  anger.    When  the  pain  is 

severe  she  is  covered  with  perspiration.  The  catamenia^were 
quite  regular  a  fortnight  since. 

In  other  respects  her  health  is  good. 

Now,  as  regard  symptom  1,  belladonna,  china,  and  rhus  toxicoden- 
-dron  cause  shootings  in  the  pit  of  the  stomach,  but  none  of  them  only 
on  movement,  as  is  the  case  here.  Pulsatilla  certainly  causes  shootings 
in  the  pit  of  the  stomach  on  making  a  false  step,  but  only  as  a  rare 
alternating  action,  and  has  neither  the  same  digestive  derangements 
as  occur  here  at  4  compared  with  5  and  6,  nor  the  same  state  of  the 
disposition. 

Bryonia  alone  has  among  its  chief  alternating  action^  as  the  whole 
list  of  its  symptoms  demonstrates,  pains  from  movement  and  especially 
shooting  pains,  as  also  stitches  beneath  the  sternum  (in  the  pit  of  the 
stomach)  on  raising  the  arm  and  on  making  a  false  step  it  occasions 
shooting  in  other  parts. 


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252  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL    OP    HOMOEOPATHY 

The  negative  symptom  2  met  with  here  answers  especially  to  Bry- 
onia; few  medicines  (with  the  exception,  perhaps,  of  nux  vomica  and 
rhus  toxicodendron  in  their  alternating  action — ^neither  of  which,  how- 
ever, is  suitable  for  the  other  symptoms)  show  a  complete  relief  to  paius 
during  rest  and  when  lying;  bryonia  does,  however,  in  an  especial 
manner. 

Symptom  3  is  met  with  in  several  medicines,  and  also  in  bryonia. 

Symptom  4  is  certainly,  as  far  as  regards  "sickness  after  eatinp:/* 
met  with  in  several  other  medicines  (ignatia,  nux  vomica,  mercurius, 
ferrum,  belladonna,  Pulsatilla,  eantharis),  but  neither  so  constantly  and 
usually,  nor  with  relish  for  food,  as  in  bryonia. 

As  regards  symptom  5  several  medicines  certainly  cause  a  flow  of 
saliva  like  water-brash,  just  as  well  as  bryonia;  the  others,  however,  do 
not  produce  symptoms  similar  to  the  remaining  ones.  Hence  bryonia 
is  to  be  preferred  to  them  in  this  part  of  the  ailment. 

Empty  eructation  (of  wind  only)  after  eating  (symptom  6)  is  found 
in  few  medicines,  and  in  none  so  constantly,  so  usually,  and  to  such  a 
degree,  as  in  bryonia. 

To  7.  One  of  the  chief  symptoms  in  diseases  is  the  "state  of  the 
disposition,"  and  as  bryonia  causes  this  symptom  alsp  in  an  exactly 
similar  manner — ^bryonia  is  for  all  these  reasons  to  be  preferred  in  this 
case  to  all  other  medicines  as  the  homooopathic  remedy. 

Now,  as  this  woman  was  very  robust,  and  the  force  of  the  disease 
must  constantly  have  been  very  considerable  to  prevent  her  by  its  pain 
from  doing  any  work,  and  as  her  vital  forces,  as  has  been  observed  were 
not  impaired,  I  gave  her  one  of  the  strongest  homoeopathic  doses,  a  full 
drop  of  the  undiluted  juice  of  bryonia  root,  to  be  taken  immediately, 
and  bade  her  come  to  me  again  in  48  hours.  I  told  my  friend  E.,  who 
was  present,  that  within  that  time  the  woman  would  assuredly  be  quite 
cured,  but  he,  being  but  half  converted  to  homoeopathy,  expressed  his 
doubts  about  it.  Two  days  afterwards  he  dame  again  to  ascertain  the 
results,  but  the  woman  did  not  return  then,  and,  in  fact,  never  came 
back  again.  I  could  only  allay  the  impatience  of  my  friend  by  telling 
him  her  name  and  that  of  the  village  where  she  lived,  about  a  mile  and  a 
half  off,  and  advising  him  to  aeek  her  out  and  ascertain  for  himself  how 
she  was.  This  he  did,  and  her  answer  was:  "What  was  the  use  of  my 
going  back?  The  very  next  day  I  was  quite  well,  and  could  again  go  to 
my  washing,  and  the  day  following  I  was  as  well  as  I  am  still.  I  am 
extremely  obliged  to  the  doctor,  but  the  like  of  us  have  no  time  to  leave 
off  our  work;  and  for  three  weeks  previously  my  illness  prevented  me 
earning  anything.'' 

9  Hahnemann's  Materia  Medica  Pura,  Vol.  1,  Preamble,  page  20-23, 
—L-W.p.  864, 1816. 

W e,  a  weakly,  pale  man  of  42  years,  who  was  constantly  kept 

by  his  business  at  his  desk,  complained  to  me  on  the  27th  December, 
1815,  that  he  had  been  already  ill  five  days. 


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INTERNATIONAL    HOMCEOPATHIG   REVIEW  258 

1.  The  first  evening  he  became,  without  manifest  cause,  sick  and 

giddy,  with  much  eructations. 

2.  The  following  night  (about  2  a.m.)  sour  vomiting. 

3.  The  subsequent  nights  violent  eructations. 

4.  To-day  also  sick  eructation  of  fetid  and  sourish  taste. 

5.  He  felt  as  if  the  food  lay  crude  and  undigested  in  his  stomach. 

6.  In  his  head  he  felt  vacant,  hollow,  and  gloomy,  and  as  if  sen- 

sitive therein. 

7.  The  least  noise  was  disagreeable  to  him. 

8.  He  is  of  a  mild  soft,  patient  disposition. 
Here  I  may  observe : — 

To  1.  That  several  medicines  cause  vertigo  with  nausea,  as  well  as 
Pulsatilla  (3),  which  produces  its  vertigo  in  the  evening  also  (7),  a  cir- 
cumstance that  has  been  observed  from  very  few  others. 

To  2.  Stramonium  and  nux  vomica  cause  vomiting  of  sour  and 
sour-smelling  mucus,  but,  as  far  as  is  known,  not  at  night.  Valerian 
and  cocculus  cause  vomiting  at  night,  but  not  of  sour  stuff.  Iron  alone 
causes  voxniting  at  night,  and  can  also  cause  sour  vomiting,  but  not  the 
other  symptoms  which  should  be  attended  to  here. 

Pulsatilla,  however,  causes  not  only  sour  vomiting  in  the  evening 
and  nocturnal  vomiting  in  general,  but  also  the  other  symptoms  of  this 
case  not  found  among  those  of  iron. 

To  3.    Nocturnal  eructation  is  x)eculiar  to  Pulsatilla. 

To  4.  Fetid,  putrid  and  sour  eructation  is  also  peculiar  to  Pul- 
satilla. 

To  5.  The  sensation  of  indigestibility  of  the  food  in  the  stomach 
is  produced  by  few  medicines,  and  by  none  in  sueh  a  perfect  and  strik- 
ing manner  as  by  Pulsatilla. 

To  6.  Besides  ignatia  which,  however,  cannot  produce  the  other 
ailments,  the  same  state  is  produced  by  pidsatilla. 

To  7.  Pulsatilla  produces  the  same  state  and  it  also  causes  over- 
sensitiveness  of  other  organs  of  the  senses,  for  example  of  the  sight. 
And  although  intolerance  of  noise  is  also  met  with  in  nux  vomica, 
ignatia,  and  aconite,  yet  these  medicines  are  not  homoeopathic  to  the 
other  symptoms  and  still  less  do  they  possess  symptom  8,  the  mild  char- 
acter of  the  disposition,  which,  as  stated  in  the  preface  to  Pulsatilla,  is 
particularly  indicative  of  this  plant. 

This  patient,  therefore,  could  not  be  cured  by  anything  in  a  more 
easy,  certain,  and  permanent  manner  than  by  Pulsatilla,  which  was 
homoeopathic  to  the  case.  It  was  accordingly  given  to  him  immediate- 
ly; but,  on  account  of  his  weakly  and  exhausted  state,  only  in  a  very 
minute  dose,  i.e.,  half  a  drop  of  the  quadrillionth  of  a  strong  drop  of  Pul- 
satilla.   This  was  done  in  the  evening. 

The  next  day  ^e  was  free  from  all  ailments,  his  digestion  was  re- 
stored, and  a  we^  thereafter,  as  I  was  told  by  him,  he  remained  free 
from  complaint  and  quite  well. 


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254  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL    OF    HOMCEOPATHY 

The  inveetigation  in  such  a  slight  case  of  disease,  and  the  choice 
of  the  homoeopathic  remedy  for  it,  is  very  speedily  effected  hy  the  practi- 
tioner who  has  had  only  a  little  experience  in  it,  and  who  either  has 
the  symptoms  of  the  medicine  in  his  memory,  or  who  knows  where  to  find 
them  readily;  but  to  give  in  writing  all  the  reasons  pro  and  con  (which 
would  be  perceived  by  the  mind  in  a  few  seconds)  gives  rise,  as  we  see, 
to  tedious  prolixity. 

For  the  conveni^ce  of  treatment,  we  require  merely  to  jot  down 
after  each  symptom  all  the  medicines  which  can  produce  such  a  symp- 
tom with  tolerable  accuracy,  expressing  them  by  a  few  letters  (ag.  ferr., 
chin.,  rheum.,  puis.),  and  also  to  bear  in  mind  the  circumstances  under 
which  they  occur,  that  have  a  determining  influence  on  our  choice;  and 
proceed  in  the  same  way  with  all  the  other  symptoms,  noting  by  what 
medicine  each  is  excited;  from  the  list  so  prepared  we  shall  be  able  to 
perceive  which  among  the  medicines  homceopathically  covers  the  most  of 
the  symptoms  present,  especially  the  most  peculiar  and  characteristic 
ones, — and  this  is  the  remedy  sought  for. 

(Hahnemann's  Materia  Medica  Pura,  Vol.  1,  Preamble,  page  20- 
23,— L.W.  p.  864,  1816) 

A  MASTERLY  ANALYSIS 

Stapf  once  consulted  Hahnemann  about  a  patient,  and  mentioned 
nux  vomica,  chamomilla,  china  and  Pulsatilla,  as  best  indicated.  Hahne- 
mann analyzed  the  case  in  this  manner:  ^^Notwithstanding  that  nux 
vomica  produced  perspiration  standing  on  the  forehead,  perspiration 
when  moving  in  general,  perspiration  during  sleep;  chamomilla,  per- 
spiration especially  about  the  head  during  sleep;  Pulsatilla,  perspiration 
during  sleep,  disappearing  on  awaking;  china,  perspiration  when  mov- 
ing (crying),  perspiration  on  the  head  especially  (but  also  in  the  hair) ; 
there  is  more  indication  for  Pulsatilla  by  the  itching  of  the  eyes,  which 
Pulsatilla  has,  especially  with  redness  in  the  external  comer  of  the  eye 
after  rubbing,  and  with  agglutination  of  eyelids  in  morning;  if  not, 
ignatia  would  be  preferable,  which  also  cures  itching  and  redness,  but 
in  the  internal  comers,  with  agglutinatioi^  in  the  morning,  in  case  the 
child's  disposition  is  very  changeable — now,  too  lively,  next  peevishly 
crying,  which  ignatia  produces.  If  there  shotuld  be,  at  the  same  time, 
a  great  sensitiveness  to  the  daylight,  when  opening  the  eyes  in  the  morn- 
ing, which  is  also  cured  by  ignatia;  or,  in  case  of  a  mild  disposition  and 
a  weeping  mood  in  the  evening,  and  a  general  aggravation  of  symptoms 
in  the  evening,  Pulsatilla.  The  frequent  awakening  during  the  night 
indicates  ignatia  more  than  Pulsatilla ;  the  latter  has  more — a  late  fall- . 
ing  asleep.  The  itching  of  the  nose  has  been  observed  mostly  from 
nux  vomica.  Ignatia  and  chamomilla  have  both,  the  latter  more,  pain 
during  micturition;  Pulsatilla  the  most  pain  before  urinating.  The 
loud  breathing  has  been  observed  of  china  and  nux  vomica — from  the 
latter  especially  during  sleep.  As  these  remedies  correspond  much  with 
each  other  (china  excepted),  and  one  corrects  the  faults,  and  bad  effects 
of  the  other  (if  only  ignatia  does  not  follow  nux  vomica,  or  nux  vomica 


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LXTERXATIOMAL    HOMffiOPATUlC    HEVIEW  Z^iy 

is  not  given  immediately  after  ignatia,  as  they  do  not  follow  one  another 
well  on  account  of  their  great  similarity),  you  can  now  judge  as  to  the 
succession  in  which  you  may  choose  to  employ  ignatia,  Pulsatilla,  nux 
vomica  or  chamomilla — if  the  first,  or  one  of  the  others,  should  not  prove 
sufficient  To  give  chamomilla  there  ought  to  be  more  thirst  at  night 
than  at  present  and  more  irritability.  China  has  little  or  nothing  for 
itself,  and  is  therefore  nol  to  be  chosen. 

HomoBopathic  Physician,  1885,  Vol.  5,  page  128.) 

PATHOGNOMONIC  SYMPTOMS  AND  CHARACTERISTIC  SYMPTOMS 

Dr.  veit  Meyer  told  the  following  to  Dr.  Carrol  Dunham  in  lAMpzig 
in  1850.  It  was  told  to  him  by  Dr.  Franz  Hartmann,  who  in  his  earlier 
years  was  a  pupil  of  Dr.  Samuel  Hahnemann  and  was  then  present  at 
his  consultations  with  patients.    Dr.  Hartmann  relates,  that : 

One  day  a  patient  came  to  consult  Hahnemann.  The  malady  was : 
Condylomata  (figwarts).  Hahnemann  examined  them  and  then  ques- 
tioned the  patient  for  half  an  hour,  noting  the  symptoms  in  his  record 
book.  He  then  closed  the  book,  consulted  the  materia  medica  for  a  few 
moments,  went  into  the  next  room,  brought  out  three  powders  and  said : 
Take  a  powder  every  three  days ;  come  again  the  fourteenth  day,  and  pay 
now  four  thalers.     The  man  paid  and  retired. 

**What  then  did  you  give,  Herr  Hofrath"  asked  Dr.  Hartmann? 
**What,"  asked  Hahnemann,  **you  have  listened  to  the  examination  and 
do  you  not  know?"  'TTou  must  study  the  materia  medica."  So  Dr. 
Hartmann  said  no  more.  For  Hahnemann  never  told  his  pupilf^,  what 
remedy  he  gav^  fearing  to  encourage  routine  practice.  On  the  four- 
teenth day  the  patient  came  again,  the  warts  were  but  one-third  the 
previous  size.  Hahnemann  gave  him  two  more  powders,  one  to  be  taken 
every  fifth  day  and  said:  "Come  again  the  fifteenth  day;"  this  time 
you  pay  nothing."  Dr.  Hartmann,  surprised  at  the  rapid  diminution  of 
the  warts,  said  again:  "But,  Herr  Hofrath  (Court  Counselor)  'What 
did  you  give?"  Answered  Hahnemann :  "Do  you  not  yet  know?  Study  ' 
the  materia  medica." 

The  fifteenth  day  the  man  returned;  no  trace  of  the  warts  was  to 
be  found.  Dr.  Hartmann  could  not  contain  himself.  He  came  to  Dr. 
Hahnemann's  study  at  an  earlier  hour  than  usual,  and  opened  his  record 
book,  to  learn  the  name  of  the  remedy  given.  It  was:  chamomilla, 
three  powders,  the  two  powders  on  the  second  day's  call  were  sugar  of 
milk. 

More  astounded  than  ever  Hartmann  could  not  contain  himself  and 
when  Hahnemann  came  in,  said:  **Herr  Hofrath,  I  have  committed  a 
great  crim^  the  desire  to  know,  with  what  remedy  you  cured  the  fig- 
warts, 80  burned  within  me,  that  I  opened  your  book  and  ascertained  it, 
and  now  I  pray  you,  on  what  grounds  did  you  give  chamomilla  ?"  "Ah 
you  have  done  thatf  said  Hahnemann,  "then  take  the  book  and  read 
further,  read  the  symptom  codex  and  see,  if  it  were  possible  to  give  any 
other  remedy  than  chamomilla,   when  such  symptoms   were  present." 


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-^<^  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL    OF    HOM(£OPATHV 

And  SO  it  was.     Even  Hartmann  was  satisfied  that  chamomilla  was  the 
only  suitable  remedy. 

(Carroll  Dunham's  Lectures  on  Materia  Medica  Part  II  page  392.) 


J)IA(JN0S1S  AND  THE  HOMCEOPATHIC  PKESCRIPTION 

BY    H.   A.   ROBERTS,   M.D.,   DERBY,  CONl^. 

In  this  country,  as  well  as  in  many  others,  especially  Russia  and 
Germany,  many  homoeopathic  medicines  are  used  by  the  laity,  in  caring 
for  the  sick,  in  their  families  and  among  their  friends.  This  practice, 
in  our  o^vn  rural  sections  and  in  the  countries  like  Russia,  where  physic- 
ians are  few,  has  been  a  great  help  to  many  people. 

Back  in  the  early  days  of  the  settlement  of  the  great  West,  many 
of  the  clergy  became  dispensers  of  homoeopathic  remedies  and  in  so  doing 
performed  a  splendid  work.  Indeed  many  of  the  men  became  quite  ex- 
pert in  prescribing.  They  all  prescribed  according  to  the  law  of  similars, 
with  what  little  knowledge  they  possessed,  using  the  totality  of  the 
symptoms  solely  as  the  basis  of  their  prescribing,  without  attempting, 
to  diagnose  their  cases.  They  were  using  the  art  of  medicine,  instead 
of  the  strictly  scientific  application  of  that  art.  Many  of  these  men 
prepared  the  way  for  the  really  scientific  homoeopathic  physician.  In- 
deed one  often  hears  it  said,  even  now,  that  the  homoeopathic  physician 
does  not  need  to  diagnose  his  cases,  if  only  he  gets  the  totality  of  the 
symptoms. 

This  is  not  according  to  the  best  principles  of  modern  science, 
nor  is  it  approved  by  Hahnemann,  for  in  the  Organon  in  paragraph  82 
>  and  the  next  succeeding  paragraphs,  he  gives  in  the  most  minute  detail, 
the  method  of  observation  of  a  given  case  of  disease,  using  all  the  power 
of  a  physician  in  taking  the  history  and  observing  the  patient.  In  par- 
agraph 102,  he  says :  "By  writing  down  the  symptoms — the  sketch  of  the 
diseaHc  will  gradually  become  more  complete;  without  being  enlarged  by 
additional  phrases,  it  will  be  more  closely  defined  (more  characteristic), 
and  made  to  embrace  more  of  the  peculiarities  of  the  collective  disease." 

Indeed  in  many  acute  diseases  it  is  essential  to  the  careful  prescrib- 
er  that  he  also  be  a  skilled  diagnostician.  The  essential  thing  in  any 
prescription  is  that  it  shall  be  the  specific  in  that  individual  case  and, 
as  we  are  taught,  not  only  by  the  masters  of  the  art,  but  by  individual 
i'Xjmrience,  it  is  the  peculiar  symptoms  in  each  separate  case  that  gives 
us  the  key  to  the  remedy. 

Let  me  illustrate  this  by  a  very  common  disease,  acute  articular 
rheumatism — ^the  synovial  membranes  of  the  joint  affected,  causes  ver>^ 
acute  pain  when  the  joint  is  moved;  because  of  the  inflammation  the 
smoothness  of  the  membrane  is  impaired.  Yet  the  peculiar  symptom 
of  relief  from  continued  motion  of  the  rhus  toxicodendron  individualizes 
the  particular  case.  Again  in  pleurisy,  all  motion  of  the  chest  is  pain- 
ful and  because  of  the  pathology  of  the  disease,  the  aggravation  of  mo- 
tion of  the  lungs  is  not  a  symptom  to  be  considered  in  the  choice  of  the 
remedy,  but  should  a  case  that  is  peculiar  to  the  pathological  state  be 
present,  and  be  relieved  by  motion — this  then  is  the  cardinal  symptom 
and  the  key  to  the  particular  case. 

As  a  final  illustration,  in  pneumonia  of  the  aged,  when  there  is 
no  cough  nor  expectoration,  one  could  not  prescribe  did  he  not  consider 
the  pathological  state. 

Fortunately,  the  homoeopathic  physician  is  i>eculiarly  equipped  to  diag- 
nose his  cases,  for  he  is  trained  to  pay  attention  to  the  details  of  each  case. 


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The 

North  AmeriGan 
Journal  of  ^  ^ 
Homoeopathy 


May,  1917 

65th  Year 

No.  5 


RECTAL   DISEASE   AND    INEFFI- 
CIENCY     .        .        .       Von  Bonnewitz 


PUBLICITY 


Copeland 


COMPARISONS  IN  HOMCEOPATHIC 
MATERIA  MEDIC  A  AND  THERA- 
PEUTICS .        .        .  McMichael 


Published  moothly  mt 

Tuckahoe,  N.  Y. 

Editorial  Office: 

216  West  56th  Street 
New  York^ 


Three  Dollart 
a  year. 

Entered  et  the  Post 
OfflceatTockeboe, 
N»  Y.  At  second 
clese  matter. 


^S^^l^f 


North  American  Journal  of  Homoeopadiy 
CONTENTS  FOR  MAY,   1917 

EDITORIAL 

The  War  and  the  Doctor _^ :_ 257 

Painless  Childbirth ___— 259 

Etiology  of  Influenza _ 263 

A  Retrodi$plac»nent  of  the  Atlas__ 264 

Continued  on  p«g*  U  r 

'  . k., ■     j         '         ' ■■ ■ — 

0'       ;  .  :       ■ 


IN  PLAGE  OF  OTHER  ALKALIES  USE 

Phillips'  Milk  of  Magnesia 

"THE    PBRFECT    ANTACW 

For  Corrcctini:  Hyperacid  Conditions — Local  or  SysitmiCt  Vehicle 
for  SalicylateSt  Iodides^  Balsams^  Etc* 

Of  Adrantage  in  Neutralixine  the  Acid  of  Cows*  VBlk 
FOR  INFANT  and  INVALID  FEEDING. 


Phillips'  Phospho'-Muriate  of  Quinine 

Comp. 
Non* Alcoholic  Tonic  and  Beconstructive 

With  Marked  Beneficial  Action  Upon  the  Nenroas  System*    To  be 
Relied  Upon  Where  a  Deficiency  of  the  Phosphates  is  Evident; 


N«w  YORK      THE  CHAS«  H.  PHILLIPS  CHEMICAL  COMPANY  londoh 


©= 


4 


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North     American 

Journal  of  Homoeopathy 


EDITORIAL 


THE  WAR  AND  THE  DOCTOR 

'T^IIE  Congress  of  the  United  States  of  America  has  declared  that  a 
"*•  state  of  war  exists  between  this  country  and  the  German  Em- 
pire  (which  virtually  includes  its  allies  as  well),  and  measures  are  be- 
iuK  taken  looking  to  aggressive  and  defensive  measures  on  a  large  scale. 
In  their  execution  the  physicians  and  surgeons  of  the  country  must  play 
no  mean  part.  In  all  probability  upwards  of  a  million  men  will  be 
called  for  or  drafted  into  military  training,  and  on  the  basis  of  one 
surgeon  to  each  one  thousand  men,  ten  thousand  doctors  must  render 
service  to  this  army.  Just  as  the  present  standing  army  of  the  U.  S. 
A.  is  but  a  small  fraction  of  the  military  strength  deemed  essential,  so 
the  surgeon-general  of  the  army  will  have  to  enlarge  his  force  manifold, 
and  must  call  for  men  to  give  up  their  civilian  practices  and  engage  in 
national  service. 

The  immediate  call  would  seem  to  lie  chiefly  on  the  young  men  of 
the  profession,  but  it  is  said  that  of  the  doctors  who  have  volunteered 
up  to  the  present  the  majority  are  past  forty-five  years  of  age,  and  quite 
a  large  fraction  past  sixty.  However,  this  is  a  matter  in  which  every 
member  of  the  profession  can  and  should  do  his  part,  and  the  exper- 
ience of  our  English  confreres  can  be  a  useful  guide  in  applying  our 
efforts  in  the  best  directions. 

Many  of  the  medical  men  who  will  render  service  to  the  army  or 
navy  will  have  to  give  up  more  or  less  lucrative  civil  practices  in  order 
to  do  so.  In  the  natural  course  of  events,  this  would  mean  financial 
loss  to  the  physician  and  possibly  deprivation  to  his  dependents ;  and  at 
the  expiration  of  the  war  period,  be  it  long  or  short,  the  work  of  build- 
ing up  a  practice  would  have  to  be  started  over  again.  Here  we  hate 
an  obvious  service  which  the  men  who  do  not  enlist  can  render  to  those 


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258  NORTH   AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF   HOM(EOPATHY 

who  do,  and  by  so  doing  they  will  help  the  nation  because  they  will  make 
it  easier  for  it  to  obtain  the  best  possible  aid  from  the  medical  profes- 
sion. The  practice  of  the  enlisted  physician  should  be  conmiitted  to 
the  care  of  one  or  more  of  the  stay-at-homes,  who  should  hold  the  fees 
derived  from  the  practice  in  trust  for  the  enlisted  surgeon  or  pay  them 
over  to  his  dependents;  and  at  the  expiration  of  the  war,  the  patients 
should  be  returned  to  him.  Where  local  or  county  medical  societies 
exist,  it  would  be  well  for  a  committee  to  be  appointed  to  supervise 
this  service. 

Homoeopathic  surgeons  engaging  in  military  or  naval  service  must 
remember  that  a  special  obligation  rests  upon  them.  Noblesse  oblige: 
they  are  representatives  of  a  minority  school  that  is  maintaining  a  sep- 
arate existence  out  of  conviction  of  the  truth  of  Hahnemann's  dictum, 
fiimilia  similibus  curentur.  While  the  nature  of  the  service  necessar- 
ily imposes  many  restrictions  on  their  freedom  of  professional  action, 
we  believe  that  every  one  will  have  some  opportunity  to  demonstrate 
the  value  of  homoeopathy,  and  each  homoeopathic  surgeon  should  let 
his  light  shine  before  his  fellow  surgeons  so  that  they  may  see  his  good 
works  and  bo  moved  to  seek  the  cause. 

It  is  of  interest  to  note  that  several  homoeopathic  hospitals  have 
been  offered  to  the  government.  Here  too  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  homoeop- 
athy may  enjoy  and  seize  the  opportunity  of  demonstrating  its  worth- 
while-ness. 

One  final  word,  let  every  physician  remember  that  by  virtue  of  his 
calling  he  is  a  man  of  peace,  the  obligation  of  rendering  service  is  laid 
upon  him;  his  part  is  to  conserve  and  not  to  destroy:  let  him,  therefore, 
constantly  bear  in  mind  that  these  are  not  normal,  but  abnornal,  times; 
that  peace  and  goodwill  and  true  fraternity  are  the  normal  ideals  of  the 
profession  and  that  these  must  not  be  lost  sight  of  even  in  these  times 
of  stress  and  bloodshed.  While  the  nation  has  demanded  that  military 
steps  be  taken  to  meet  present  emergencies,  a  militaristic  spirit  must  not 
be  encouraged ;  war  must,  at  the  best,  be  regarded  as  a  painful  necessity, 
to  be  engaged  in  with  as  much  efficiency  as  is  compatible  with  American 
standards  of  humaneness,  but  in  his  daily  walks  and  talks  the  doctor 
should  dwell  upon  the  constructive  possibilities  of  peace  rather  than 
glorj'  in  the  ruthlessness  and  destruction  of  war. 


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EDITORIAL   DEPARTMENT  359 

PAINLESS  CHILDBIRTH 

T^HE  80-called  "authorities"  tell  us  that  the  woman  of  today,  because 
•^  of  her  heredity,  her  present  degree  of  civilization  especially  as 
fpund  in  the  great  city  with  its  attendant  high  tension  life,  its  char- 
acteristic complex  environment  and  manner  of  dress  is  an  abnormal 
woman ;  that  she  has  an  unnatural  nervous  development;  that  she  has  less 
nervous  and  physical  stamina  than  her  female  ancestors;  that  with  the 
march  of  civilization  the  suffering  attendant  upon  childbirth  has  been 
greatly  increased;  that  it  is  impossible  for  this  abnormal  woman  to  pass 
through  the  ordeal  of  childbearing  as  though  it  were  a  normal  physiolog- 
ical process;  that  so  great  a  dread  of  childbearing  exists  in  the  mind  of 
the  modern  woman  as  to  prove  a  menace  to  the  birth-rate. 

The  degree  of  suffering  of  parturition  is  dependent  upon  the  sensi- 
tiveness of  the  brain  and  spinal  cord;  since  the  ganglia  and  nerve  fibres 
of  the  uterus  make  it  possible  for  the  uterus  to  contract  independently 
of  stimili  received  from  the  brain  or  spinal  cord,  severe  and  frequent 
contractions  of  the  organ  may  occur,  which  produce  little  or  no  per- 
ceptible effect  upon  the  pulse  and  heart  beat,  and  thus  but  little  upon  the 
general  condition  of  the  patient.  "The  sound  and  vigorous  peasant 
woman  or  negress  who  has  worked  in  the  field  may  give  birth  to  children 
with  very  little  disturbance  of  the  brain  and  cord."  Edward  P.  Davis, 
M.D.,  Professor  of  Obstetrics  in  the  Jefferson  Medical  College  of 
Philadelphia,  says  in  his  article  on  "Painless  Childbirth,"  in  the  Thera- 
peutic Gazette,  February  15,  1917, — "A  highly  sensitive  men- 
tally and  physically  degenerate  woman  who  cannot  bear  pain,  may  fail 
absolutely  in  labor,  require  delivery  under  an  anesthetic  by  forceps, 
and  readily  pass  into  shock  when  the  uterus  is  emptied." 

Intelligent  and  diligent  efforts  have  been  made  to  understand  par- 
turition, in  detail,  as  a  physiological  process  and  various  methods  have 
been  adopted  from  time  to  time  to  decrease  the  suffering  attendant  upon 
child-birth.  Among  drugs,  opium  held  an  early  place.  More  than  forty 
years  ago,  tampons  of  cotton  wool,  saturated  with  a  solution  of  chloral 
hydrate  in  glycerine,  were  put  against  the  cervix  in  primiparse  when 
dilatation  was  slow  and  painful;  cocaine  solution  was  injected  into  the 
cervix  and  perineum.  Later,  when  cocaine  solution  was  used  as  an  in- 
tra-spinous  injection,  it  was  thought  that  a  perfect  anesthetic  had  been 
found  for  labor;  the  patient  suffered  no  pain,  the  uterine  contractions 
were  as  strong  and  as  frequent  as  normal,  while  during  delivery  the  pa- 
tient laughed  and  talked.     The  fact  that  abscess  formation  had  in  some 


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260  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

cases  followed  spinal  puncture  for  the  intraspinous  injection  of  cocaine 
solution,  threw  this  process  into  disrepute. 

Ether  and  chloroform  each  with  its  own  peculiar  advantages  and 
disadvantages  are  still  with  us  as  are  also  asepsis  and  antisepsis. 

Three  years  after  Schneiderlin  had  originated  the  use  of  scopola- 
mine as  an  anesthetic  or  an  adjuvant  of  other  anesthetics  in  surgery,  von 
Steinbuchel  reported  that  he  had  used  scopolamine  to  decrease  the  suf- 
fering attendant  upon  labor.  World  wide  attention  to  the  use  of  scop- 
olamine-morphine  in  labor  is  due,  however,  to  the  work  of  Kronig,. 
Bios,  Korff  and  to  Gauss  who  applied  the  term  "Dammerschlaf,"  "twi- 
light sleep,"  to  the  method.  The  theory  advanced  ten  years  ago,  by  these 
authorities  is, — "It  is  possible  by  suitable  dosage  of  scopolamine-mor- 
phine  repeated  and  controlled  according  to  certain  indications,  such  as 
Gauss's  memory  test,  to  render  a  woman,  after  her  delivery,  oblivious  of 
everything  that  has  occurred  during  labor,  and  to  do  this  without  apprec- 
iable evil  consequences  to  either  mother  or  child."  It  was  not  at  all 
suggested  in  the  statCTient  of  the  theory  of  these  workers,  that  the 
woman  should  be  at  any  time  impervious  to  pain.  Opposition  to  and 
controversy  concerning  "Dammerschlaf'  has  been  carried  on  ever  since 
between  members  of  the  medical  profession  who  gave  to  the  proposed 
method  careful  and  intelligent  investigation. 

Three  or  four  years  ago,  the  women  of  this  country  obtained  through 
secular  magazines  and  the  lay  press,  the  impression  that  all  the  pain 
and  discomfort  incident  to  the  lying-in  i)eriod  could  be  eliminated  by 
"twilight  sleep."  Who  gave  rise  to  this  popular  agitation  in  the  lay 
press?  The  agents  of  the  drug  manufacturers  of  preparations  of  scop- 
olamine ? 

In  America  scopolamine-morphine  has  been  extensively  used  in  ob- 
stetrics. There  have  been  some  favorable  rports,  but  the  majority  of 
informed  American  opinion  is  against  the  method  and  practically  all 
the  best  known  American  specialists  condemn  it  for  ordinary  cures. 

For  the  last  two  years,  an  energetic  press  campaign  has  been  car- 
ried on  in  England,  similar  to  that  prosecuted  formerly  in  America  to  in- 
terest the  lay  public  in  the  use  of  scopolamine-morphine  during  labor.  In 
England,  "twilight  sleep"  has  been  given  a  fairly  extensive  trial  and  the 
prevailing  opinion  seems  to  be  that  its  dangers  and  disadvantages  for 
most  cases  of  labor  are  greater  than  its  benefits.  On  the  whole,  the  mem- 
bers of  the  medical  profession  are  not  yet  convinced  of  the  safety  of  "twi- 
light sleep." 


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EDITORIAL   DEPARTMENT  261 

The  London  Practitioner  of  Jan.  1917,  states  that  Sir^  Halliday 
Croom  Professor  of  Midwifery,  Edinburgh  University,  reported  favor- 
ably upon  "twilight  sleep,"  very  early,  and  continues  to  support  its  use. 
He  claims  to  have  used  "twilight  sleep"  in  almost  every  private  primi- 
ipara  case  for  eight  years.  He  seldom  applies  this  method  to  multi- 
paraB,  using  it  only  in  special  cases.  Even  in  these,  he  has  not  been 
uniformly  successful  on  account  of  the  shortness  of  the  period  of  labor 
of  the  average  multipara. 

Sir  Halliday  Croom  claims  that  for  complete  success,  it  is  essential 
that  the  patient  should  be  in  a  darkened  room  of  a  quiet  house,  under 
the  personal  influence  of  a  good  nurse,  since  under  the  scopolamine- 
morphine  treatment,  the  patient  is  very  susceptible  to  sudden  noise  or 
light.  If  awakened,  the  patient  during  the  interval  of  her  wakefulness 
may  reconstruct  the  birth  in  her  own  imagination,  or  it  may  be  impos- 
sible to  easily  restore  the  action  of  the  drug.  Sir  Halliday  Croom 
makes  no  hard  and  fast  line  as  to  dosage,  resting  each  case  on  its  own 
merits.  His  initial  dose,  however,  is  one-sixth  of  a  grain  of  morphine 
and  one-hundredth  of  a  grain  of  scopolamine.  In  the  majority  of  cases, 
the  succeeding  doses  are  confined  to  scopolamine  alone,  one  two-hun- 
dredth of  a  grain  or  less.  The  average  primipara  requires  four  or  five  in- 
jections for  seven  to  nine  hours  of  sleep,  the  first  injection  being  admin- 
istered when  the  labor  pains  are  active  and  the  uterus  is  contracting  at 
regular  intervals;  the  regularity  of  the  pains  is  considered  of  far  more 
importance  in  the  scopolamine-morphine  treatment  than  the  degree  of 
dilatation  of  the  cervix. 

The  advantages  of  nitrous  oxide  as  an  agent  for  painless  child- 
birth are. — There  are  no  ill  effects  to  the  child;  it  can  be  used  as  an 
analgesic  indefinitely,  the  strength,  duration  and  frequency  of  the  uter- 
ine contractions  remaining  normal,  the  patient  conscious  and  responsive 
•  thus  being  able  to  aid  herself.  The  transition  from  analgesia  to  light 
anesthesia  is  quickly,  easily  and  safely  made.  The  anesthetic  is  always 
under  perfect  control  and  is  eliminated  immediately  upon  its  withdraw- 
al. A  true  light  anesthesia  may  be  maintained  for  an  indefinite  period 
during  which  the  uterus  contracts  at  normal  intervals  with  normal 
force;  no  especial  and  elaborate  surroundings  for  the  patient  are  neces- 
sary; the  strength  of  the  patient  is  conserved  to  a  marked  degree,  and 
the  patient  emerges  from  the  influence  fresher  and  stronger  than  be- 
fore; there  is  absence  of  shock  and  absence  of  post  anesthetic  nausea  and 
vomiting;  a  condition  of  amnesia  usually  exists,  since  after  complete 

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262  NORTH   AMERICAN   JOURNAL  OF   HOMCEOPATHY 

recovery  from  the  anesthetic  of  nitrous  oxide  there  exists  only  a  vague 
sub-consciousness  of  pain,  a  dream  of  having  been  in  pain,  and  awaking 
to  the  realization, — "it  was  only  a  dream." 

The  disadvantages' of  nitrous  oxide  are, — it  is  very  expensive;  for 
its  administration  a  delicate,  bulky,  costly  apparatus  and  a  skilled 
anesthetist  with  perfect  technique  are  required;  any  lack  of  appreciation 
of  nicety  in  admixture  of  the  gas  and  oxygen  may  bring  danger  of  cy- 
anosis to  the  mother  and  to  the  unborn  child,  should  the  gas  predominate. 

Dr.  Walker  B.  Gossett  of  Louisville,  Kentucky,  believes  that  the 
time  is  coming  when  hypnotism  will  be  used  in  obstetrics.  His  theory 
is  that  with  a  law  regulating  the  use  of  hypnotism  so  that  no  one  except 
a  duly  qualified  physician  might  use  hypnotic  power,  the  confidence  of 
the  i)eople  would  be  gained  in  the  use  of  hypnotism.  A  woman  at  the 
time  of  labor  could  be  placed  in  a  darkened  room  and  be  delivered  under 
hypnotism  as  well  as  under  any  anesthetic.  Until  some  plan  is  devised 
whereby  woman  can  be  delivered  under  hypnotic  influence,  Dr.  Gossett 
thinks  nitrous  oxide  is  undoubtedly  the  safest  and  best  method  of  in- 
ducing analgesia  and  anesthesia.  No  immediate  relief  for  the  average 
woman  in  labor,  however,  seems  likely  from  either  of  the  last  named 
sources,  as  the  expense  of  nitrous  oxide  gas  will  have  to  be  very  mater- 
ially decreased  before  it  can  be  generally  adopted  in  obstetrics. 

The  consensus  of  opinon  is  that  the  duty  of  the  physician  is, — 1.  To 
bring  about  as  nearly  *  as  possible,  a  normal,  physiological  condition 
during  pregnancy.  2.  To  reinforce  in  general,  the  mental  and  physical 
health  of  the  prospective  mother.  3.  To  ascertain  if  any  insurmount- 
able obstacle  to  spontaneous  birth  exists.  4.  To  assure  the  patient  that 
during  labor  she  will  have  every  assistance,  every  care  and  will  be  render- 
ed as  free  from  pain  and  discomfort  as  is  commensurate  with  her  safety 
and  with  the  safety  of  the  life  of  the  child. 

Since  the  resources  of  the  physician  who  knows  homoeopathy,  in  the- 
interest  of  the  pregnant  woman,  are  indisputably  greater  than  are  the 
resources. of  the  physician  who  does  not  know  homoeopathy,  it  is  fair 
to  conclude  that  the  patients  of  the  homoeopathic  physician  will  make 
fewer  demands  for  methods  of  painless  child-birth  than  will  the  patients 
of  the  physician  who  does  not  use  homoeopathic  procedure. 


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EDITORIAL   DEPARTMENT  20*^ 

ETIOLOGY  OF  INFLUENZA 

REALIZING  that  the  various  respiratory  infections  usually  loosely 
diagnosed  as  grip  have  never  been  studied  thoroughly,  research 
workers  made  a  special  investigation  of  the  so-called  grip  epidemic  of 
last  year.  Mathers  in  Chicago,  made  cultures  from  the  sputum,  nasal 
discharge,  and  pharyngeal  mucosa,  from  twenty-four  cases.  In  sev- 
enteen of  these  twenty  four  cases,  a  hemolytic  streptococcus  was  the 
predominating  organism,  which  in  stained  smears,  proved  to  be  gram 
positive  and  arranged  in  pairs  and  in  chains.  Culturally  its  character- 
istics are  identical  with  those  of  the  common  streptococcus  pyogenes 
type.  Mathers  reported  that  his  cultures  in  addition  to  the  hemolytic 
streptococcus,  referred  to,  also'  contained  the  streptococcus  viridans 
and  the  pneumococcus  but  that  in  none  of  his  cultures  did  he  find  the  in- 
fluenza bacillus  or  the  micrococcus  catarrhalis.  Since  the  hemolytic  strep- 
tococcus is  not  ordinarily  found  apart  from  tonsillitis,  Mathers  believes 
this  hemolytic  streptococcus  could  and  probably  does  produce  the 
pathological  changes  found  in  influenza. 

Williams  of  the  New  York  City  health  department  who  made  throat 
cultures  from  fifty  cases  in  whom  a  diagnosis  of  grip  had  been  made, 
found  a  streptococcus  in  twenty-six,  a  pneumococcus  in  nineteen,  the 
micrococcus  catarrhalis  in  eighteen,  and  the  influenza  bacillus  in  nine; 
other  less  important  organisms  also  occurred. 

Of  the  thirty-one  cases  examined  by  Moody  and  Capps,  all  yielded 
streptococcus  viridans,  the  pneumococcus  and  the  hemolytic  streptococ- 
cus in  variable  numbers ;  the  influenza  bacillus  occurred  in  but  two  cases. 

Workers  in  Philadelphia,  Baltimore,  Boston,  Cincinnati  and  San 
Francisco  report  the  influenza  bacillus  as  being  rarely  found  in  throat 
or  sputum  cultures.  If  Pfeiffer's  influenza  bacillus  really  caused  the 
pandemic  of  1889  and  1890,  why  is  it  now  so  elusive?  Is  the  failure  to 
find  the  influenza  bacillus  in  the  throat  or  sputum  cultures  taken  from 
patients  ill  with  grip  due  to  the  complete  absence  of  the  organism? 
Have  the  examinations  been  made  so  late  that  the  influenza  bacillus 
had  been  aimihilated  by  other  organisms  before  the  examination  was 
made?  was  Pfeiffer's  so-called  influenza  bacillus  which  was  isolated  in 
1892  from  a  recurrent  epidemic  not  responsible  after  all  for  the  pan- 
demic of  1889  and  1890  ?  Is  influenza  due  to  Mather's  hemolytic  strep- 
tococcus or  to  a  filterable  virus  not  yet  determined  ? 


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264  NORTH   AMERICAN   JOURNAL   OF   HOMCEOPATHY 

Further  research  will  doubtless  answer  these  questions  but  the 
fact  that  these  queries  exist  proves  that  the  work  done  on  influenza 
up  to  the  present  time  is  far  from  convincing. 


A  RETRODISPLACEMENT  OF  THE    ATLAS 

A  LTHOUGH  Jonas*  is  not  of  the  general  belief  that  dislocation 
-^  ^  without  fracture  is  common  in  injuries  of  the  vertebrae  above 
the  level  of  the  seventh  cervical,  since  in  his  experience  the  X-ray  has 
in  most  instances  revealed  a  breaking  off  of  a  fragment  at  some  point, 
he  cites  a  very  interesting  case  in  which  dislocation  occurred  but 
no  fracture  was  revealed  by  the  X-ray.  The  patient  while  receiving 
treatment  by  an  osteopath  felt  severe  pain  at  the  base  of  the  skull,  and 
heard  a  loud  snap.  The  head  immediately  became  flxed,  pain  which 
was  almost  unbearable  set  in  at  the  back  of  the  neck  and  extended  up 
into  the  occiput,  while  the  jaws- became  so  fixed  that  it  was  impossible 
for  the  patient  to  separate  them  enough  to  eat  or  speak  with  freedom. 
The  X-ray  taken  at  the  expiration  of  a  year  revealed  a  retro-displace- 
ment of  the  atlas.  Manual  reduction  under  anesthesia  being  unsuc- 
cessful,— "The  usual  posterior  incision  for  laminectomy  was  made  and 
the  arch  of  the  atlas,  together  with  the  left  superior  articular  surface 
was  removed  with  rongeur  forceps.  A  portion  of  the  right  atlo-occi- 
pital  articulation  was  removed  in  order  to  mobilize  the  head.  The  oper- 
ation was  then  terminated.  The  immediate  effect  was  to  permit  the 
raising  of  the  head  so  that  the  chin  was  free  from  the  chest,  enabling 
him  to  speak  and  masticate  freely.  There  was  moderate  rotation. 
Pain  and  muscular  rigidity  had  disappeared.  The  head  could  be 
elevated  to  the  normal  position,  but  thQ  patient  was  unable  to  main- 
tain it  for  more  than  a  few  minutes." 

The  theory  held  concerning  this  displacement  seems  to  be  that  the 
osteopath  in  a  succession  of  treatments  intended  to  replace  a  vertebra 
which  he  considered  displaced,  gradually  stretched  the  ligaments  at  or 
near  their  attachments.  The  ligamental  yielding  becoming  sufficient 
the  displacement  was  made  complete  and  thus  a  true  instead  of  an 
imaginary  dislocation  was  established. 


♦Annals  of  Surgery,  1916,  Ixiii,  148. 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES 


RECTAL  DISEASE  AS  A  CAUSE  OF  INEFHCIENCY 
AND  ILL  HEALTH 

By  ORLANDO  R.  VON  BONNEWTTZ,  M.D., 

Assistant  Professor  of  Proctology  and  Chief  of  the  Rectal  Clinic  of 

Flower  Hospital.  New  York  City 

A  FEW  years  ago,  one  seldom  heard  the  word  ^'efficiency"  used  in 
any  connection;  today,  it  is  on  everybody's  lips,  and  associated 
with  almost  everything,  to  denote  the  highest  possible  grade  of  many 
kinds  of  work. 

On  the  eve  of  a  great  battle,  the  discussion  is  not  of  the  numbers, 
but  of  the  "efficiency"  of  the  individuals  involved,  obtained  by  extensive 
and  highly  skilled  training  for  the  work  in  hand.  If  such  training  is 
so  necessary  for  the  success  of  military  exploits,  one  can  easily  perceive 
what  wonderful  results  might  be  achieved,  if  the  same  care  and  prepara- 
tion for  efficiency  were  applied  to  the  practical  side  of  modem  business. 
The  man  with  the  "punch"  invariably  dominates  the  situation,  while 
the  one  with  artificial  energy  created  by  an  overstimulated  nervous  sys- 
tem instead  of  a  sound  body,  may  show  brief  flashes  of  brilliance,  but 
will  soon  retrograde  to  his  normal  place  of  mediocrity. 

A  keen  mind  to  be  effective,  must  be  housed  in  a  sound  body,  to 
win.  To  acquire  a  healthy  body,  each  organ  must  be  developed  to  its 
highest  efficiency,  to  preclude  any  incompetence  in  any  of  its  functions. 
Our  "captains"  of  industry,  our  men  of  big  affairs,  get  on  the  front  page 
for  a  time,  maintain  the  pace  a  few  years,  but  usually  about. the  time 
they  are  ready  to  retire  and  enjoy  the  fruits  of  their  industry,  they  break 
down  physically,  and  soon  pass  to  the  great  unknown,  cardiac  lesions, 
hardened  arteries,  Bright's  disease  and  often,  cancer,  being  the  cause. 

A  noted  diagnostician  has  often  said,  "For  the  average  business 
man,  the  contraction  of  pneumonia  means  sure  death,  because  he  has  no 
reserve  strength  jto  draw  upon."  I  think  I  am  safe  in  saying  that  the 
average  business  man  or  society  woman  could  not  pass  an  efficiency 
test  with  twenty-five  per  cent.,  and  this  is  due  principally  to  preventable 
or  removable  causes. 

Nine  times  out  of  ten  the  "chronic  grouch"  is  a  man  who  is  suffer- 
ing from  inefficient  cooperation  of  the  organs  of  his  body.  Some  are 
too  highly  developed,  others  too  greatly  stimulated,  and  still  others  are 
abused,  overworked  or  defective.  Such  conditions  are  responsible  for 
hyper-nerve  irritation,  altered  circulation,  both  venous  and  arterial,  with 
consequent  stasis  and  deficient  tissue  metabolism. 

Inadequate  elimination  from  the  bowels,  kidneys,  skin  and  other 
organs,  allows  poisonous  products  to  be  absorbed  into  the  circulation, 
and  deprives  the  system  of  the  vital  forces  so  necessary  to  good  health. 


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266  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF   HOMCEOPATHY 

The  average  individual  cannot  do  his  hest  worit  unless  his  body  is  in 
the  highest  state  of  eflSciency,  any  more  than  the  soldier  can. 

If  such  material  defects  were  found  in  the  departments  of  any  large 
business  house,  they  would  at  once  send  for  an  "efficiency  man"  to  in- 
spect and  correct  the  vital  leaks  found,  weU  knowing  that  such  things 
would  ultimately  cause  financial  disaster  if  allowed  to  continue.  One 
bonders,  then,  since  these  things  are  so  well  understood  and  appreciated 
in  the  business  world,  why  people  do  not  recognize  and  remedy  the  phys- 
ical defects  known  to  exist  in  themselves. 

It  is  astonishing,  then,  to  find  a  man  who  is  keen  in  businses, 
going  about  for  years  with  hemorrhoids  developed  to  such  a  degree  that 
they  even  prolapse  when  walking  or  standing,  without  giving  them  prop- 
er attention.  The  patients,  themselves,  are  equally  surprised,  later  on, 
to  find  out  what  a  drain  such  a  condition  has  been  upon  their  vital 
forces,  even  when  they  do  not  cause  pain  or  blood  at  stool.  Hemor- 
rhoids that  do  not  bleed,  constitute  a  severe  drag  and  irritation  of  the 
sympathetic  system  which  is  far-reaching  in  effect.  The  portal  system, 
which  returns  the  blood  from  the  lower  abdomen  and  the  intestines  to 
the  liver,  is  badly  handicapped  in  its  most  important  work,  since  the 
constriction  and  adhesions  is  this  region  greatly  impede  the  return  cir- 
culation. 

The  fear  of  an  anesthetic,  protracted  hospital  confinement  and 
sequel  of  pain,  has  been  a  deciding  factor  against  the  hemorrhoidal 
operation,  but  when  the  patient  is  impressed  how  easily  this  condition 
can  be  cured  by  office  treatment  without  any  of  these  unpleasant  fea- 
tures, he  is  usually  willing  to  submit  to  the  necessary  procedures.  The 
medical  profession  fails  to  impress  the  public  with  the  progress  made 
in  the  treatment  of  disease,  which  often  enables  us  to  attend  to  many 
things  in  the  office,  which  were  only  possible  to  accomplish  in  a  hospital, 
and  I  believe  this  is  the  main  reason  so  many  people  neglect  to  have 
chronic  ailments  corrected.  The  people  have  no  means  of  discovering 
such  things  for  themselves,  and  if  doctors  do  not  tell  them,  they  must 
assume  the  responsibility  of  ill  health. 

Physicians  have  repeatedly  expressed  surprise  at  the  ease  with  which 
many  operations  can  be  done  in  the  office,  with  one-eighth  of  one  per 
cent  solution  of  bete-eucaine,  being  accustomed  to  seeing  such  things 
done  in  a  hospital.  With  this  local  anesthetic  it  is  possible  to  perform 
a  great  many  operations,  without  pain  during  or  afterwards,  and  the 
patient  is  able  to  go  home  on  the  car  and  attend  to  his  regular  business 
the  next  day.  This  procedure  has  been  a  great  boon  to  many  a  busy 
man,  and  has  enabled  us  to  relieve  and  to  restore  to  good  health  many 
men  and  women  who  have  steadfastly  refused  to  go  to  the  hospital. 

I  believe  it  is  a  doctor's  duty  to  insist  on  an  occasional  overhauling, 
before  a  fatal  break  takes  place.  If  anticipation  of  coming  events  is 
such  an  asset  in  business  matters,  it  must  be  of  far  greater  importance 
in  the  control  of  disease.  Nowhere  in  the  world  is  the  "stitch  in  time" 
axiom  so  true  or  vital,  as  in  our  fight  with  disease. 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  267 

Last  month,  I  was  consulted  by  a  young  woman  who  had  a  discharg- 
ing fistula  with  five  openings  around  the  anus,  which  had  persisted  for 
three  years.  She  had  always  refused  operation,  because  an  acquaintance 
had  had  a  similar  fistula  operated  upon,  with  division  of  the  sphincter 
muscles,  which  resulted  in  complete  loss  of  control  of  the  bowels.  It 
was  only  after  1  had  successfully  repaired  this  case  that  she  consulted 
me  in  regard  to  her  own  case.  After  pointing  out  the  error  which  had 
been  made  in  the  case  of  her  friend,  she  readily  consented  to  accept 
treatment. 

The  attending  physician,  of  course,  knew  that  a  fistula  could  be 
operated  without  this  distressing  sequel,  but  did  not  impress  this  upon 
the  patient.  As  a  result,  her  health  was  greatly  impaired  unnecessar- 
ily for  three  years,  because  of  the  absorption  of  pus.  One  can  easily 
recognize  the  amount  of  absorption  which  would  take  place  in  a  fistula 
of  this  size,  since  an  abscess  on  the  root  of  a  tooth,  but  little  larger  than 
a  pinhead,  was  sufficient  to  cause  the  death  of  one  of  our  prominent 
surgeons,  only  last  year. 

Patients  suffering  from  anal  fissure,  come  to  us  for  treatment  or 
operation  far  more  readily  than  those  with  hemorrhoids,  because  this 
is  the  most  painful  rectal  ailment  we  have  to  treat,  and  yet  it  is  the 
most  easily  cured.  Formerly,  ether  anesthesia  and  hospital  facilities 
were  deemed  necessary  for  the  treatment  of  a  fissure,  but  modern  meth- 
ods rcHjuire  only  a  little  nitrous  oxide  gas,  administered  in  the  office, 
and  in  two  minutes  the  adhesions  may  be  broken  up  with  the  fingers, 
and  the  pain  disappears  at  once.  No  instruments  are  required.  No 
matter  how  busy  a  man  may  be,  he  will  always  find  time  to  have  a 
fissure  attended  to,  as  he  soon  discovers  that  opium  and  topical  appli- 
cations fail  to  relieve  the  pain.  Such  diseases  are  not  the  ones  which 
produce  inefficiency,  but  the  neglected  cases  of  constipation,  diarrhoea, 
inflammation,  ulceration  or  auto-intoxication  and  intestinal  indigestion, 
which  produces  rheumatism,  kidney  disorders,  gout  and  general  ill 
liealth. 

The  thousands  of  people  who  have  become  "pill-eaters"  in  the  effort 
to  relieve  constipation  are  legion.  Many  of  them  do  not  think  their 
condition  is  slowly,  but  none  the  less  surely,  merging  into  one  of  chronic 
invalidism.  Some  choose  this  as  being  the  easiest  way  to  save  time; 
others  adopt  the  mineral  or  **Russian"  oil  habit  as  a  short  cut  to  health. 
It  is  rare  indeed  to  find  a  man  who  has  not  been  using  some  kind  of 
oil,  before  he  consults  a  proctologist.  The  proof  that  such  treatment 
is  nut  efficacious  is,  that  they  almost  invariably  seek  further  relief. 

As  a  matter  of  fact,  proctologists  had  been  using  mineral  oil  for 
constipation,  for  some  years  before  the  article  by  Sir  Arbuthnot  Lane 
appeared,  and  the  idea  was  adopted  by  the  Standard  Oil  Company,  for 
exploitation.  But  we  used  it  in  certain  selected  cases  after  examination 
of  the  colon  revealed  the  cause.  The  universal  use  of  this  oil  cannot  be 
loo  severely  condemniKl.     I  have  seen  numerous  cases  in  which  it  has 


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268  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF   HOM(EOPATHY 

set  up  an  acute  proctitis,  which  was  much  harder  to  cure  than  the 
original  constipation. 

Most  cases  of  constipation  can  he  cured  without  operation,  hut 
some  cannot,  because  of  the  habits  or  environment  of  the  patient  which 
cannot  be  altered,  or  due  to  pathological  changes  which  are  not  amen- 
able to  treatment.  Such  cases  are  not  of  frequent  occurrence,  1  am 
glad  to  say. 

Another  fad  in  this  connection,  to  which  attention  should  be  called, 
is  the  employment  of  various  appliances  sold  in  drug  stores  for  washing 
out  the  colon.  Since  most  surgeons  believe  that  the  constant  bruising 
of  the  tissues  is  responsible  for  many  kinds  of  cancer,  one  can  quite 
easily  see  how  such  traumati.^m,  produced  by  an  awkward  person  trying 
to  sit  on  a  tube  implanted  in  the  middle  of  a  hot  water  bottle,  might  be 
sufficient  irritation  to  cause  caneer  of  the  rectum.  It  is  my  opinion, 
that  the  constant  use  of  such  devices  to  move  the  bowels  is  more  apt 
to  be  detrimental  than  otherwise,  if  not  positively  dangerous.  There 
is  nothing  better  than  an  enema,  when  needed  and  nothing  better  with 
which  to  take  it  than  a  fountain  syringe. 

It  might  be  of  interest  to  mention  that  tlu»  very  latest  "fad"  in 
the  treatment  of  constipation,  is  white  sand.  A  ))atient  of  mine  in 
Detroit,  wrote  me  some  time  ago,  saying  he  had  been  advised  by  a  non- 
medical friend  of  his  to  take  a  teaspoonful  of  Lake  Michigan  sand  every 
night  and  morning,  and  he  had  found  it  gave  him  a  movement  of  the 
bowels  at  noon.  He  asked  my  opinion  of  such  a  procedure.  Now  I  ask 
you  who  is  to  blame,  when  a  man  who  has  brains  enough  to  make  a 
million  dollars  or  more  in  the  manufacture  of  automobiles,  asks  such 
a  question  as  this,  (constipation  seems  to  be  fair  game  for  nearly  every 
kind  of  "fake,"  but  this  is  the  first  time  I  have  found  a  "cure?"  which 
did  not  have  some  way  of  making  money  out  of  the  exploitation.  A 
radiograph  taken  later  showed  this  man  had  an  inflammatory  stricture 
at  the  recto-sigmoidal  angle,  which  was  relieved  and,  in  this  case  at 
least,  we  conserved  the  sand  dopoeits  of  the  great  lake  for  its  proper  use. 

Many  persons  believe  that  if  they  have  a  movement  each  day,  they 
are  not  constipated,  but  ono  of  the  worst  cases  of  auto-intoxication  I 
have  ever  seen,  had  a  daily  movement  of  the  bowels.  One  year  ago,  I 
cured  a  case  of  Bell's  Palsy  in  six  days,  which  had  resisted  all  efforts  to 
relieve  for  six  weeks,  by  cleaning  up  the  colon,  yet  this  patient  had  a 
daily  evacuation,  which  seemed  to  him  to  be  sufficient. 

On  the  other  hand,  we  frequently  find  that  too  free  evacuations  are 
the  only  early  symptoms  of  cancer  and  entamoeba.  Unfortunately  for 
the  patient,  rectal  cancer  does  not  give  much  warning  in  its  onset. 
There  is  no  pain  until  it  is  too  late  to  accomplish  much  by  operation. 
Aside  from  some  constipation,  there  are  few  symptoms  to  denote  its 
presence,  until  it  breaks  down,  and  we  have  the  blood  streaked  dis- 
charge, which  is  too  frequently  lightly  passed  over  as  "piles."  In  an 
article  published  three  years  ago,  I  advocated  the  yearly  examination 
of  every  adult  over  forty  years  of  age,  in  the  hope  of  reducing  the  great 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARnCLES  269 

xiiortality  from  this  disease.  By  such  a  procedure  we  would  be  able  to 
recogriiize  the  growth  early  enough  to  operate  with  almost  certain  suc- 
cess. 

Amoebic  dysentery  has,  until  the  past  few  years,  been  looked  upon 
as  a  disorder  found  only  in  the  tropical  countries,  but  by  closer  atten- 
tention  and  care  in  the  examination  of  cases  presenting  loose  stools, 
we  have  proven  that  the  germ  does  exist  and  can  be  easily  seen,  even  in 
very  mild  cases.  Some  time  ago,  we  found  seven  cases  in  one  block  on 
Tenth  Avenue,  and  traced  the  source  of  infection  to  a  fruit  dealer  in 
the  block. 

Another  serious  cause  of  inefficiency,  is  pruritus  ani  or  itching 
around  the  anus.  This  itching  is  always  worse  at  night,  and  frequently 
becomes  so  intense,  that  the  regular  sleep  is  greatly  interfered  with. 
The  cause  is  chronic  proctitis,  in  which  an  ichorous  mucus  is  exuded 
from  the  rectum  through  the  integument,  which  is  thrown  into  folds 
around  the  anus,  until  cracks  are  formed  in  the  surface  which  becomes 
extremely  painful.  This  irritating  discharge  seems  to  scald  the  anus 
jifst  as  certain  colds  in  the  head  cause  the  nose  to  become  sore  and 
cracked.  The  mucous  membrane  of  the  rectum  is  red,  granular  and 
many  times  has  bleeding  spots.  In  fact,  it  resembles  in  appearance  the 
same  angry  red  we  always  see  in  atrophic  rhinitis,  and  this  discharge 
also  recalls  the  exudate  of  ozena.  This  proctitis  must  be  cured  before 
the  itching  can  be  relieved,  and  this  is  not  an  easy  task.  Hot  wate^r 
irrigation  is  the  only  means  that  offers  any  degree  of  success,  and  this 
must  be  continued  for  some  time,  and  intelligently  administered.  The 
broken  sleep  interferes  profoundly  with  metabolism,  repair  of  tissue, 
and  fatigue  elimination.  Four  hours  of  good  undisturbed  sleep  will 
do  more  to  repair  vasomotor  tone  and  eliminate  fatigue,  than  twice 
that  amount  of  broken  rest. 

Many  chronic  nervous  complaints  have  been  relieved  in  a  few  min- 
utes, under  laughing  gas,  by  divulsing  the  sphincter  muscles.  This  pro- 
cedure is  not  simply  ^'stretching"  the  rectum,  as  so  many  doctors  think, 
as  was  formerly  the  practice,  in  which  the  rectum  was  simply  torn  at 
the  weak  point,  but  proper  divulsion  means  a  deep  massage  beneath  the 
mucosa,  which  breaks  up  the  inflammatory  adhesions,  thus  relieving  the 
pressure  upon  the  adjacent  nerves  and  blood  vessels,  and  allowing  the 
venous  blood  to  be  returned  freely  to  the  heart  through  the  portal  sys- 
tem. Retarding  the  flow  in  these  vessels  would  decrease  the  pressure 
in  the  small  vessels  of  the  liver,  and  we  know  that  when  this  pressure 
becomes  less  than  the  pressure  in  the  bile  ducts,  a  reabsorption  of  biliary 
products  by  the  lymphatics  takes  place,  causing  jaundice. 

One  can  readily  see,  therefore,  how  necessary  it  is  that  nothing 
should  interfere  with  the  return  flow  from  this  naturally  constricted 
region.  The  good  Lord  placed  the  liver  between  these  foul  intestines 
and  the  heart,  to  act  as  a  filter  to  protect  the  delicate  lining  of  the 
heart.  When  the  poisonous  products  of  the  intestines  become  so  ex- 
cessive, that  the  liver  cannot  take  care  of  them,  it  stops  work  and  a 


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270  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OP  HOM<EOPATHY 

bilious  attack  follows.  You  stop  eating  for  a  few  days,  flush  out  the 
colon  with  a  saline  laxative,  reducing  the  amount  of  toxic  matter  in  the 
intestines,  and  then  the  liver,  which  has  had  a  rest  for  a  time,  will  re- 
sume its  normal  functions  again,  until  the  accumulation  of  toxines  again 
produces  the  same  phenomena.  There  is  no  doubt  that  in  view  of  our 
mode  of  living,  and  especially  our  manner  of  eating,  we  would  all  be 
better  off  if  our  colon  was  half  as  long,  or  absent  entirely.  On  account 
of  meats  and  other  putrefactive  elements  in  our  diet,  the  colon  is  too 
slow  in  expelling  its  contents,  and  reasbsorption  of  toxic  residue  is 
bound  to  take  place. 

The  profound  influence  that  certain  pathological  conditions  exert 
upon  the  nervous  system  is  well  illustrated  by  the  following  case. 

Two  years  ago,  a  neurologist  referred  to  me  a  man  who  had  been 
under  his  care  for  a  year  for  epilepsy.  For  several  days  he  had  been 
having  pain  and  some  blood  at  stool.  I  found  a  large  anal  fissure  lo- 
cated at  the  posterior  commissure,  and,  under  gas  anesthesia,  operated 
upon  it  that  day.  The  rectal  pain  was  relieved  immediately,  and  what 
was  far  more  surprising  to  all  of  us  was,  he  has  not  had  another  epileptic 
seizure  since,  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  he  had  been  having  from  one  to  three 
a  week  for  eleven  years.  This  was  a  case  of  so-called  idiopathic  epilepsy, 
because  no  history  of  trauma  could  be  found.  He  gave  a  history  of  ob- 
stinate constipation  for  the  past  twenty  years. 

When  we  study  the  ramifications  of  the  great  sympathetic  nervous 
system,  with  its  coccygeal  ganglia  sending  filaments  to  all  the  blood  ves- 
sels of  the  pelvic  viscera,  and  remember  that  irritation  of  the  cut  ends 
of  these  nerves  will  greatly  accelerate  the  circulation  in  the  limbs  and 
glandular  system,  and  the  irritation  of  the  opposite  ends  will  greatly 
depress  the  same,  we  can  see  how  profoundly  the  general  health  might 
be  affected  by  any  deviation  from  the  normal  in  these  parts.  I  know 
that  many  patients  on  whom  this  trifling  operation  has  been  performed, 
have  been  improved  in  health,  far  beyond  our  expectations,  but  it  must 
be  skillfully  done  to  be  successful. 

Even  slight  bleeding  at  stool,  from  small  ulcerated  hemorrhoids, 
if  persistent,  is  sufficient  to  cause  secondary  anemia,  as  the  following 
case  will  show.  A  man  38  years  of  age  was  referred  to  me  by  Dr.  Sec- 
tion, of  Altoona,  Pa.,  some  six  months  ago  suffering  with  what  had  been 
diagnosed  and  treated  for  two  years,  as  pernicious  anemia.  He  was 
white  and  thin,  dizzy,  and  had  pronounced  heart  murmus.  He  was  so 
weak  he  could  scarcely  get  intp  the  office.  Rectal  examination  showed 
small  ulcerated  internal  or  "strawberry"  hemorrhoids.  I  injected  twen- 
ty-five minims  of  quinine  and  urea  hydrochloride  solution,  into  two  of 
the  hemorrhoids,  and  in  four  days,  repeated  the  treatment.  The  infil- 
tration of  the  tissues  was  sufficient  to  stop  the  hemorrhage  at  once,  and 
no  further  treatment  was  required.  This  man  had  steadfastly  refused 
to  submit  to  an  operation  for  the  removal  of  the  spleen,  as  a  possible 
cure  for  the  "pernicious"  anemia. 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  271 

The  error  in  diagnosis  was  no  doubt  the  fault  of  the  patient  in  part, 
because  he  had  been  having  this  slight  bleeding  for  so  many  years,  he 
did  not  consider  it  of  much  consequence,  and  failed  to  emphasize  it  when 
consulting  different  physicians,  until  Dr.  Section  explained  its  import. 

The  treatment  of  hemorrhoids  by  injecting  medical  substances  into 
the  pile  tumor,  when  skillfully  done,  offers  better  results  in  every  case  of 
the  small  type  of  internal  hemorrhoids,  that  bleeds  frequently,  than 
does  the  radical  operation.  This  type  of  pile  tumors  is  very  difficult 
to  operate,  because  every  small  vessel  seems  to  be  involved,  quite  un- 
like the  other  types  involving  the  hemorrhoidal  veins  alone. 

Three  years  ago,  I  earned  the  everlasting  gratitude  of  a  surgeon  in 
this  city  by  curing  a  very  stubborn  case  of  this  kind  by  the  injection 
system.  I  am  reminded  of  this  each  year,  at  Christmas,  by  the  re- 
ceipt of  an  excellent  box  of  cigars  from  the  surgeon's  wife,  for  curing 
him  of  a  "chronic  grouch"  at  the  same  time.  It  was  indeed  a  surprise 
to  this  doctor,  to  find  how  easily  hemorrhoids  can  be  cured,  without  pain 
of  any  kind  and  consuming  only  ten  minutes,  twice  a  week,  for  three 
weeks  as  expenditure  of  time.  He  has  become  an  ardent  advocate  of 
this  system  of  treatment.  Last  fall,  I  treated  a  patient  for  a  surgeon 
who  holds  the  chair  of  proctology  in  a  large  institution  in  this  city, 
and  although  he  had  tried  the  treatment  in  a  number  of  cases,  he  had 
not  had  success.  After  watching  the  progress  of  this  case,  he  expressed 
himself  as  quite  amazed  at  the  intricate  technique  necessary  to  effect 
a  cure. 

Just  why  a  doctor  should  expect  to  use  this  system  with  success, 
without  knowning  the  technique  thoroughly,  I  could  never  quite  make 
out.  In  no  other  operation  is  it  possible  to  do  so,  without  first  acquir- 
ing the  necessary  skill.  In  my  hands  phenol  and  chromic  acid  solu- 
tions in  varying  strengths  have  been  the  most  successful. 

In  conclusion,  I  would,  say,  if  patients  were  advised  that  chronic 
rectal  disorders  could  be  speedily  relieved  in  most  instances,  by  a  simple 
operation  without  going  to  a  hospital,  or  detention  from  their  business 
pursuits,  most  of  them  would  consent  to  the  permanent  removal  of  hand- 
icaps which  prevent  their  acquiring  good  health  and  efficienr^. 


Colostomy  and  gastrostomy  for  inoperable  cancer  are,  with  proper 
indications,  legitimate  operations;  but  their  nature  should  be  explained 
to  the  patient  himself  if  his  mind  is  clear,  and  he  should  be  allowed  the 
opportunity  to  decide  whether  or  not  he  will  accept  what  the  surgeon 
can  give  him  in  exchange  for  what  he  takes  away. — ^Amer.  Jour,  of 
Surgery. 


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272  NORTH   AMERICAN   JOURNAL  OF   HOMCEOPATHY 

PROSTATIC  CANCER* 

By  Maurice  Worcester  Turner,  M.D., 
Brookline,  Massachusetts 

IN  June,  1915,  Mr.  B.,  aged  71,  who  for  some  time  had  suffered  with 
an  enlarged  prostate,  was  operated  on,  for  me,  by  Dr.  Thomas  E. 
Chandler. 

For  six  years,  or  longer,  Mr.  B.  had  had  more  o)r  less  dyspnea  on 
even  slightest  exertion.  During  this  time  his  blood  pressure  average 
was  systolic  155  mm,  diastolic  125  mm,  with  therefore  a  pulse  pressure 
of  30  mm.  Practically  normal  for  a  man  of  his  years  and  showing  good 
compensation. 

During  two  years  or  so  the  prostatic  symptoms  had  also  been  prom- 
inent, with,  particularly,  discomfort  while  sitting.  Pain  was  increased 
after  defecation  and  was  only  bearable  the  last  part  of  the  night  and 
while  standing,  so  that,  through  the  day,  he  stood  up  nearly  all  the  time, 
with,  occasionally,  some  slow  walking  about.  No  urinary  obstruction, 
nor  unusual  frequency  of  micturition,  was  present. 

At  the  operation  spinal  anesthesia  was  attempted  but  failed,  so  a 
general  anesthetic  was  given.  The  operation,  supra-pubic,  was  long  and 
severe.  It  was  with  difficulty  that  the  gland  was  removed,  not  all  com- 
ing away,  as  it  was  very  hard,  and  dense,  with  adherent  capsule. 

On  microscopic  examination  Dr.  William  H.  Watters  pronounced 
the  growth  to  be  adeno-carcinoma. 

Convalescence  was  slow  but  complete.  The  abdominal  wound  clos- 
ed about  August  first,  and,  by  the  beginning  of  October,  Mr.  B.  was  in 
good  health,  except  for  the  dyspnea. 

For  the  "asthma",  as  he  called  it,  he  had  used  a  spray,  which  he 
had  obtained  from  some  advertising  "specialist."  This  spray  consisted 
of  many  ingredients,  with  a  large  percentage  of  cocaine. 

Everything  went  well  with  him  till  February  1916,  when,  after  an 
automobile  ride  over  a  rough  snow-drifted  road,  he  began  to  complain  of 
the  perineal  soreness  and  experienced,  again,  the  old  symptoms  of  dif- 
ficulty while  sitting,  with  necessity  to  stand,  as  before  the  operation. 

The  prostatic  symptoms  gradually  increased.  In  August  Dr. 
Chandler  found  a  marked  enlargement  in  the  prostatic  region. 

Mr.  B.  now  asked  that  a  vaccine  be  made  from  his  urine  and  ad- 
ministered, as  he  had  heard  of  benefit,  being  obtained,  in  such  caste,  in 
that  way.  Dr.  Watters  kindly  undertook  this  part  of  the  treatment, 
but  he  soon  felt  it  was  useless  and  suggested  that  it  be  discontinued. 


♦It  will  be  noted  that  the  author  of  this  paper  withholds  the  names  of 
the  remedies  used  and  gives  his  reasons  therefor.  While  the  editors 
feel  that  an  author  should  always  avoid  the  appearance  of  "exploit- 
ing a  secret  remedy,"  especially  in  connection  with  such  a  disease  as 
cancer,  they  call  attention  to  the  statement  that  the  remedies  have 
been  adminisitered  in  "potencies,"  which,  to  a  certain  extent,  may  be 
held  to  disarm  criticism. 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  273 

The  pains,  and  all  other  symptoms,  had  returned,  and  were  even 
worse  than  before  the  operation.  He  was  altogether  miserable,  from  the 
constant  severe  perineal  pain.  From  continued  standing,  and  the  gen- 
eral weakness,  his  ankles  had  begun  to  swell;  his  appetite  was  poor, 
and  he  had  lost  considerable  flesh.  Urinalysis  disclosed  the  usual 
changes  incident  to  advanced  age.  Such  was  the  condition,  when,  in 
October  1916,  Mr.  B.  again  came  under  iny  care  and  I  began  to  use, 
in  his  case,  a  remedy,  which  so  far  as  I  know,  is  altogether  new  in 
medicine. 

Gradually,  from  th^t  time,  the  prostatic  symptoms  improved,  so 
that  now  there  is  no  pain  nor  soreness.  He  can  sit  with  comfort,  does 
not  have  to  stand  at  all;  appetite  is  good;  flesh  and  strength  have  return- 
ed; the  edema  of  the  ankles  has  vanished,  and  he  sleeps  well.  Defeca- 
tion does  not  aggravate,  and  he  has  even  taken  several  long  automobile 
rides;  recently,  without  causing  trouble. 

Dr.  Chandler  made  an  examination  January  8,  1917,  but,  on  com- 
paring the  condition  with  that  in  the  previous  August  was  unable  to 
say,  positively,  that  any  progress,  that  is  diminution  in  size,  had  occur- 
red in  the  enlargement  in  the  prostatic  region.  It  may  be  inferred 
from  his  report,  however,  that  there  was  no  increase  in  the  growth. 

Since  the  abatement  of  the  prostatic  symptoms  the  ^^asthma''  has 
been  much  in  evidence.  Not  that  it  has  really  increased,  only  that  now 
it  is  not  overshadowed  by  the  perineal  pain  and  so  he  complains  of  it 
particularly. 

But  even  the  dyspnea  is  slowly  yielding  to  medicine  now.  I  feel 
more  hopeful,  in  regard  to  it,  because  the  cocaine  spray  has  been  par- 
tially discarded — ^there  are  cocaine  symptoms — and  Mr.  B.  has  siirnified 
his  willingness,  and  tried,  to  use  it  as  little  as  possible. 

The  remedies  that  are  helping  the  breathing  are  not  those  which 
relieved  the  prostate,  but  a  different  group  altogether.  As  the  dyspnea 
18  the  older  of  the  two  conditions  it  is  well  it  is  improving  last. 

This  report  is  incomplete  in  two  particulars.  First  the  element  of 
time  is  lacking.  Three  years,  or  more,  have  now  elapsed  since  the 
pain  ceased,  neither  has  the  enlargement,  in  the  prostatic  region,  disap- 
peared. In  regard  to  this  I  can  only  say  that,  as  far  as  it  goes,  the  re- 
port is  complete.    Time  may  upset,'  altogether,  the  story  as  told  here. 

Second,  the  treatment  has  not  been  outlined.  This  is  intentional, 
and  is,  I  believe,  as  it  should  be  when  using  new  remedies.  To  give, 
in  detail,  treatment  that  has  been  insuflSciently  tried,  before  it  has  been 
used  in  a  number  of  similar  cases,  seems  unwise.  It  is  enough,  as  this 
report  shows,  that  the  patient  is  relieved  absolutely  of  his  cancer  pains 
and  any  discomfort  referable  to  the  growth. 

Beekles  there  are  many  problems  to  be  considered,  and  solved,  along 
wiA  further  trial  of  the  remedy,  such  as — ^Will  it  only  be  efficacious  in 
adsno-carcinoma  of  the  prostate?  Will  it  not  also  be  useful  in  simple 
hypertrophy  of  the  prostate?  Will  it  not  be  as  helpful  in  cancer  in 
other  parts  and  in  other  forms? 


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274  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMOEOPATHY 

In  regard  to  these  questions,  and  perhaps  some  others,  I  hope  to 
give  an  answer  at  a  future  time.  This  much  may  be  said  now,  however, 
that  it  seems  possible  that  this  remedy,  or  its  congeners,  will  also  be  of 
benefit  in  a  fair  percentage  of  the  cases  of  the  last  two  groups,  that  is  in 
simple  hypertrophy  of  the  prostate  and  in  other  forms  of  cancer  and 
cancer  in  other  parts.  Cancer  of  the  prostate  is  so  infrequent,  occur- 
ring in  only  about  one  and  one-half  per  cent,  of  all  cancer  cases,  that  it 
is  to  be  hoped  that  cancer  in  other  locations  will  yield  to  this  medicine. 

While  this  is  only  a  preliminary  report  yet  it  may  be  summed  up 
as  follows: — 

1.  The  diagnosis  can  hardly  be  questioned,  dependent  as  it  is  on 
the  findings  of  an  expert  pathologist. 

2.  All  pains,  and  discomfort,  caused  by  the  cancer,  have  ceased. 

3.  This  result  has  been  obtained  without  "drugging."  Only  rem- 
edies in  potency  have  been  given,  and  there  are  still  higher  potencies 
for  use,  if  needed,  later.  ' 

4.  The  growth  has  not  disappeared  and  may  not  have  diminished 
in  size.  A  morbid  growth,  in  a  site  easily  approached,  might,  with  con- 
firmed symptoms  of  cure  of  the  patient, — if  unsightly,  or  a  mechanical 
impediment, — be  removed  without  danger  of  vitiating  the  patient's  con- 
dition.   Here  this  is  difficult  and  hardly  necessary. 

5.  The  perineal  symptoms,  which  were  the  last  to  appear,  have 
yielded  first  and  now  the  dyspnea  is  improving.  This  is  in  line  with  the 
correct  progress  toward  a  cure.  In  addition  I  can  speak  of  another  very 
hopeful  sign,  which  is,  that  with  slight  returns  of  the  perineal  pain,  such 
as  arc  to  be  expected,  the  remedy, — in  the  potency  orginally  exhibited, — 
has,  each  time,  relieved.  This,  perhaps  more  than  anything  else,  indi- 
cates that  the  simillimum  has  been  found. 

Mr.  B.  has  recently  passed  his  seventy-third  birthday.  With  the 
rc^lief  from  the  prostatic  suffering,  and  also  lessening  dyspnea,  he  be- 
gins to  take  as  much  interest  in  life  as  a  man  of  middle  age.  How  long 
this  comfort  will  continue  cannot  be  foretold.  At  present  it  promises 
to  last  some  time.'  Yet  whatever  may  befall,  even  if  the  results  of 
treatment  are  less  than  a  cure,  for  which  I  have  hoped,  there  will  remain 
the  satisfaction  of  having  been  instrumental  in  relieving  the  excruciating 
suffering  caused  by  cancer. 

127  Harvard  Street. 


Some  individuals  of  seventy  are  as  feeble,  physically  and  mentally, 
as  many  at  ninety,  and,  on  the  other  hand,  one  often  sees  i)eople  of 
eighty  as  vigorous  and  healthy  as  the  average  at  seventy.  Medically^ 
therefore,  we  should  consider  as  "aged"  those  who  are  very  old  in  their 
tissues  and  functions  no  matter  how  old  they  be  in  years. — Amer.  Jour. 
of  Surgery. 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  276 

PUBLICITY  FOR  THE  PURPOSE  OF   EDUCATING 

THE  INTELLIGENT  PUBLIC  INCLUDING  THE 

HGEOMOPATHIC  PROFESSION* 

By  ROYAL  S.  COPELAND,  A.M..  M.D. 

Dean  N.  Y.  Homoeo.  Medical  CoUege  and  Flower  Hospital 

New  York  City 

ABOUT  once  in  so  often  it  seems  necessary  for  homoeopathy  to  re- 
prove the  validity  of  its  appeal  for  popular  favor.  The  labora- 
tory advances  of  the  past  decade  and  the  avalanche  of  new  ideas  in  the 
treatment  of  disease,  have  led  many  to  think  the  new  therapeutics  may 
have  eliminated  homoeopathy.  In  the  face  of  vaccines,  blood  plasma, 
immune  serum,  and  other  biological  products  what  use  can  remain  for 
antiquated  homoeopathy? 

During  the  past  summer  there  stalked  the  streets  of  New  York 
city  a  more  terrible  form  of  death  than  ever  before  came  to  plague  a 
civilized  and  sanitary  people.  It  entered  ten  thousand  homes,  snatched 
to  its  bony  breast  a  multitude  of  precious  ones,  and  left  behind  an  army 
of  deformed  and  helpless  children,  many  worse  than  dead.  As  might 
be  expected  the  medical  and  sanitary  officials  of  the  city  arose  in  their 
might  to  exterminate  this  dread  disease.  But  alas,  the  scourge  halted 
not!  More  doctors  were  called  into  consultation,  famous  laboratories 
were  opened  for  study  of  the  problem,  and  every  local  scientist  was  re- 
quisitioned for  service.  Still  the  epidemic  widened  its  field.  In 
desperation  there  was  a  call  made  for  every  sanitarian  in  North  Amer- 
ica. There  assembled  the  greatest  aggregation  of  public  health  experts, 
bacteiriologists,  laboratory  directors,  professors  of  hygiene,  epidemiolog- 
ists, and  medical  specialists  ever  brought  together  for  a  single  purpose. 
Days  were  spent  in  gathering  first  hand  information  regarding  the 
epidemic,  visiting  afflicted  sections  of  the  city,  examining  patients, 
making  laboratory  tests,  and  estimating  therapeutic  values.  No  pos- 
sible method  of  treatment,  of  remedy  was  overlooked.  What  did  it  all 
avail?  Absolutely  nothing.  The  death  rate  was  undisturbed  and  one 
out  of  three  children  afflicted  give  its  life.  Cases  treated  one  way  or 
another,  or  left  untouched — all  suffered  the  same  fate.  The  medical 
profession  was  baffled  and,  the  only  confident  physician  was  the  one  who 
had  not  seen  the  disease. 

At  this  stage,  the  Flower  Hospital  opened  its  doors  to  a  group  of 
infantile  paralysis  patients.  The  first  wagon  load  came  from  the  wards 
of  another  institution,  glad  to  be  rid  of  hopeless  cases.  Five  of  them 
died  within  a  few  hours  of  admission  to  Flower,  one  within  twenty 
minutes.  Certainly,  we  may  properly  exclude  these  cases  from  our 
statistics;  they  were  dying  when  they  came  and  had  practically  no  treat- 
ment   But  out  of  thirty-five  other  cases,  just  one  died,  and  every  single 


*Read  before  the  Fifth  Annual  Meeting  of  the  College  Alliance  of  the 
American  Institute  of  Homoeopathy,  Rochester,  New  York. 


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276  NORTH  AMERICAN   JOURNAL  OF   HOMCEOPATHY 

one  of  the  living  and  paralyzed  children  had  improvement  of  the  paraly- 
sis hefore  dismissal  from  the  hospital.  I  douht  if  any  other  group  of 
•eases  in  the  city  of  New  York  can  show  anything  like  as  good  a  report. 

Now,  what  treatment  did  these  children  receive?  Either  our  doc- 
tors made  more  skillful  use  of  the  ordinary  methods,  or  else  they  did 
something  different  from  the  usual  procedure.     Which  was  it  ? 

The  earliest  public  interest  in  homoeopathy  dates  back  nearly  a 
century  to  the  time  when  Samuel  Hahnemann,  who  had  never  seen  a 
case  of  cholera,  wrote  to  friends  in  the  afflicted  section  that  camphora 
should  prove  curative  because  of  the  similarity  of  its  symptoms  to  the 
symptoms  of  cholera.  Strange  to  say,  camphora  did  cure  where  every- 
thing else  had  failed. 

Our  doctors  had  seen  an  occasional  case  of  infantile  paralysis,  but 
never  enough  to  form  any  opinion  as  to  treatment.  They  were  as  help- 
less in  general  as  were  all  the  other  scientific  gentlemen,  who  had  met 
in  solemn  conclave  to  discuss  the  disease.  But  our  men  had  the  advan- 
tage of  an  elaborate  storehouse  of  knowledge,  the  homoeopathic  materia 
medica.  They  ransacked  this  collection  until  they  found  cicuta,  curare^ 
belladonna,  gelsemium  and  hydrocyanic  acid,  homoeopathic  remedies, 
with  symptoms  corresponding  to  the  symptoms  of  their  little  patients. 
As  the  wing  of  the  bird  fits  the  air,  so  did  one  of  these  remedies  or  an- 
other fit  the  symptoms  in  an  individual  case.  No  generalization,  no 
shot-gun  procedure,  no  cure-all,  no  universal  specific — ^no  such  unscien- 
tific way  was  followed,  but  for  each  case  its  own  remedy  was  prescribed. 

The  uselessness  of  giving  medicine  in  any  simple  and  ordinary 
manner  had  been  demonstrated  in  those  first  five  cases,  the  fatal  ones. 
Our  doctors  proved  that  they  are  not  only  able  homoeopathicians,  but 
also  keenly  alive  to  all  the  modem  advances  of  general  medicine.  They 
had  watched  the  intra-spinous  injection  of  the  sera  and  drug  substances 
recommended  by  various  scientists.  It  occurred  to  our  physicians  that 
our  own  remedies  injected  into  the  spinal  canal  might  act  not  only  more 
efficaciously  but  vastly  quicker.  So  in  many  cases  these  remedies  I  have 
mentioned  were  employed  in  this  way,  but  always  the  single  remedy 
in  infinite  dilution,  a  pure  and  undefiled  homoeopathic  prescription. 

Once  more,  my  friends,  and  in  a  spectacular  way  has  homoeopathy 
demonstrated  its  superiority  to  all  other  methods  of  cure.  We  need 
not  go  back  to  the  time  of  Samuel  Hahnemann,  or  print  the  results  of 
treatment  in  Australia  or  New  Zealand,  but  in  our  own  Flower  Hos- 
pital, and  in  the  year  of  one  thousand,  nine  hundred  and  sixteen  have 
we  seen  its  virile  and  potent  strength  I 

There  is  the  same  need  of  a  homoeopathic  college  today  as  there 
was  when  the  first  of  ours  was  bom.  Until  the  dominant  school  makes 
a  serious  effort  to  investigate  homoeopathy  and  to  give  its  study  plaoe 
in  the  curriculum,  we  must  continue  our  separate  existence.  By  sup- 
porting it  and  endowing  it  humanity  is  being  supplied  with  a  means  of 
cure  when  other  means  fail.  Homoeopathy  shortens  disease,  relieves 
human  suffering  and  prolongs  the  span  of  life. 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  277 

Are  we  not  justified  in  presenting  the  case  of  homoeopathy  and 
urging  its  more  general  adoption?  But  hefore  attempting  education  of 
the  public,  there  are  certain  reasons  why  the  homoeopathic  profession 
itself  requires  some  attention. 

The  old  Jewish  religious  life  had  many  days  for  special  observance, 
solemn  or  merry  as  the  occasion  demanded.  Among  these  divinely  or- 
dained institutions  were  certain  festivals,  so  called.  The  word  itself 
is  from  the  Hebrew,  signifying  a  set  time  to  dance,  indicating  a  period 
given  over  to  national  rejoicing.  Among  such  days  was  the  Pentecost, 
the  Feast  of  Weeks,  or  of  Ingathering.  This  was  a  festival  of  thanks  for 
the  harvest,  and  in  its  celebration  all  the  faithful  were  required  to  as- 
semble in  holy  convocation. 

I  suppose  this  holy  day  day  was  strictly  observed  through  the  many 
centuries  from  Sinai  to  the  Crucifixion.  It  was  not  until  Apostolic 
times,  however,  that  Pentecost  came  to  have  any  extraordinary  hold  on 
the  hearts  and  imaginations  of  the  people.  In  that  year,  so  blade  and 
unhappy  in  the  annals  of  the  church,  there  came  a  wonderful  experience 
to  lift  the  disconsolate  from  the  mire  of  hopeless  religious  misery.  To 
quote  from  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles:  "And  when  the  day  of  Pentecost 
was  fully  come,  they  were  all  with  one  accord  in  one  place.  And  sud- 
denly there  came  a  sound  from  heaven,  as  of  a  rushing  mighty  wind, 
and  it  filled  all  the  house  where  they  were  sitting."  You  know  the  story 
of  the  gift  of  tongues,  when  every  man  heard  in  his  own  language.  The 
Good  Book  says,  'Tarthians,  and  Modes,  and  Elamites,  .... 
Oretes  and  Arabians,  we  do  hear  them  speak  in  our  tongues  the  wonder- 
ful works  of  God  I" 

Please  do  not  think  me  over-religious  or  sacrilegious  if  I  suggest 
that  homoeopathy  is  in  sad  need  of  its  day  of  Pentecost.  Our  profession 
at  some  early  date  should  be  in  'one  place  with  one  accord.'  It  should 
listen  to  the  story  of  homoeopathy's  achievements  and  see  for  itself  the 
progress  of  its  institutions.  The  colleges  are  the  sanctuaries  of  this 
faith  and  each  should  speak  with'  its  own  tongue  the  history  of  its  de- 
velopment, and  every  graduate  should  hear  the  wonderful  works  of  his 
own  school.  In  my  opinon,  the  lack  of  enthusiasm  of  many  of  our 
practitioners  is  because  of  the  lade  of  knowledge  of  the  material  and  ed- 
ucational possession  of  homoeopathy.  Let  us  have  a  day  of  Pentecost, 
a  Feast  of  Ingathering,  when  every  homoeopathic  graduate  will  return  to 
his  college,  or  the  one  nearest  his  place  of  practice.  Let  the  entire 
profession  with  one  accord  be  in  one  place  on  a  given  day  and  by  such 
a  far-reaching  foregathering  call  attention  of  the  nation  and  of  the 
world  to  the  continued  activity  and  to  the  solidarity  of  homoeopathy. 
Such  a  movement  would  command  the  first  page  of  every  newspaper  on 
earth. 

-  It  is  far  from  my  thought,  however,  that  the  sole  feature  of  this 
movement  is  to  advertise  our  wares.  The  chief  value  of  such  a  festival 
will  be  its  effect  upon  the  participants.  It  is  my  belief  that  our  col- 
leges are  so  well  equipped  in  a  scientific  way,  so  presided  over  by  able 


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278  NOBTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

teachers,  and  so  modemly  administered  that  such  a  day  will  be  one  of 
delighted  amazement  to  many,  if  not  to  a  majority  of  homoeopathic  grad- 
uates. As  on  that  twenty  centuries  old  Pentecost  there  will  be  wonder- 
ment indeed !  I  verily  believe  the  profession  will  gain  in  enthusiasm  and 
ambition  when  once  it  fully  appreciates  the  efficiency  and  equipment 
of  the  colleges. 

It  is  my  suggeston  that  Friday,  October  19th,  1917,  be  set  apart 
as  a  Rally  Day,  or  Pentecost,  or  Hahnemann  Day— I  care  not  what  name 
is  given  it — when  every  one  of  our  colleges  shall  invite  all  its  own 
graduates  and  all  other  members  of  the  profession  living  within  a 
reasonable  distance,  to  meet  in  great  convocation,  l^t  the  work  of  the 
college  go  on  as  usual,  open  all  the  laboratories  and  amphitheatres, 
have  the  hospital  wards  prepared  for  visitors,  conduct  the  clinics  in 
the  ordinary  way — in  short,  show  the  college  exactly  as  it  is  presented 
to  the  State  Board  examiner  or  Carnegie  Foundation  visitor.  There 
may  be  a  few  special  lectures  or  clinics,  but,  since  the  purpose  of  the 
plan  is  to  let  the  profession  know  what  the  colleges  are  actually  doing, 
it  would  defeat  the  purpose  of  the  movement  to  set  aside  the  routine 
work  for  any  sort  of  special  display. 

My  own  preference  would  be  to  have  this  day  on  Columbus'  Birth- 
day, October  12th,  because,  to  many  certainly,  this  will  be  a  day  of  dis- 
covery. It  will  disclose  mines  of  riches  unsuspected  by  our  older  grad- 
uates. They  will  be  bewildered  by  the  number  of  laboratories  and  the 
advanced  work  done  in  them.  They  will  wonder  at  the  collection  of 
books,  apparatus,  and  equipment.  They  will  be  startled  at  the  excel- 
lence of  the  buildings  and  the  leamedness  of  the  faculty.  Columbus 
Day  seems  most  appropriate  as  the  time  of  our  festival.  However,  one 
or  two  others  have  suggested  that  it  should  be  a  week  or  two  later  in  or- 
der that  colleges  may  he  in  full  swing.  Therefore,  I  suggest  October 
19th,  9  a.m.  to  5  p.m.,  and  such  evening  features  as  may  seem  locally 
appropriate. 

Let  us  enter  on  this  movement  with  enthusiasm  and  carry  it 
through  to  a  successful  termination.  It  seems  to  me  worthy  our  best 
thought  and  support. 


Strangulation  or  threatened  strangulation  of  a  hernia  is  a  fairly 
common  experience  among  the  aged.  An  operation  for  its  relief — even 
a  radical  hernioplasty — ^under  local  anesthesia  (preferably  not  cocain)  is 
usually  well  borne,  if  the  strangulation  of  the  bowel,  when  this  is  in- 
volved, is  of  but  short  standing.  Even  a  resection  of  the  gut,  serious 
as  is  the  condition  which  makes  this  necessary,  is  by  no  means  alwayei 
fatal  in  the  aged. — Amer.  Jour,  of  Surgery. 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  279 

Department  of   Homoeopathic 
Materia  Medica  and  Therapeutics 

Conducted  by        -       -        A.  R.  McMichael,  A.M.,  M.D. 


AN  EPITOME  OF  COMPARISONS  IN  HOMOEO- 
PATHIC MATERIA  MEDICA  AND 
THERAPEUTICS 

By  A.  R.  MC  MICHAEL.  A.M.,  M.D., 

Professor  of  Clinical  Medicine  and  Applied  Materia  Medica  New  York 
Homceopathic  Medical  College  and  Flower  Hospital 

New  York  City 

CHRONIC  ARTICULAR  RHEUMATISM 

ACTEA  SPICATA 

Pains  <from  least  motion,  touch,  <at  night.  Swelling  of  joints 
from  slight  fatigue;  <from  change  of  temperature;  <cold  air. 

Severe  agonizing  pains  in  metacarpal  and  metatarsal  joints,  wrists, 
fingers,  ankles  and  toes;  wrist  swollen,  red;  right  arm  and  right  wrist 
especially  affected.  Pains  of  tearing,  tingling,  drawing  character. 
Great  stiffness  of  joints  after  rest.  Great  swelling  between  joints.  Per- 
iosteal pains.     Paralytic  weakness  in  the  hands. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 

Small  joints.     Right  arm  and  wrist  especially  affected. 

CAULOPHYLLUM 

Small  joints  and  muscles;  drawing,  flying  pains  in  hands,  wrists, 
thighs,  knees,  ankles,  feet  and  toes.  Rheumatism  of  the  metacarpal  and 
phalangeal  articulations  of  the  hands  with  considerable  swelling.  Out- 
ting  pains  in  joints  when  closing  the  hands;  fingers  very  stiff.  Joints 
crack  when  walking.  Shifting  pnins  from  extremities  to  nape  of  neck 
with  spasmodic  rigidity  of  muscles.  Erratic  pains,  changing  place  every 
few  minutes.    Arthritis  deformans  in  women. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 

Small  joints  principally.  Cutting  in  joints  when  closing  the  hands. 
Shifting  pains. 

CAUSTICUM 

Pains  <in  dry  cold  weather,  >in  damp  wet  weather.  Pains  >from 
heat,  >in  warm  bed. 

Joints  stiff;  pains  in  knees  with  cracking  on  motion,  also  jaws, 
ankles,  instep,  soles  of  feet,  feet  and  toes.  Contractions  of  tendons, 
drawing  limbs  out  of  shape.  Paralysis  of  various  muscles  with  rheu- 
matic conditions,  paralysis  of  deltoid  cannot  raise  arm  to  head.    Pains 


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280  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(£OPATHY 

impel  constant  motion  which  does  not  relieve.  Restlessness  only  at 
night,  legs  constantly  on  the  go.  Rheumatism  affecting  hoth  muscles 
and  joints.  Gouty  concretions  of  joints.  Suitable  to  old  broken  down 
constitutions. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 
Faina  <in  dry  cold  weather  >in  damp  wet  weather.    Stiffness  of 
joints.     Contractions  of  tendons.    Paralysis.  Restlessness  only  at  night; 
motion  does  not  relieve  pains.     Old  broken  down  constitutions. 

COLCHICUM 

Pains  <from  slightest  motion,  <in  evening,  <from  cold  damp 
weather,  cold  rains,  <from  extreme  heat  of  summer.  Anything  which 
slackens  up  quantity  of  urine  or  amount  of  solids  aggravates.  > 
from  warmth,  >  wrapping  up. 

Smaller  joints  preferred,  swollen,  dark  red  and  pale.  Rheumatism 
with  or  without  swelling.  Fibrous  tissues,  tendons,  ligaments,  perios- 
teum involved.  Pains  shifting.  Asthenic,  subacute  rheumatism. 
Rarely  indicated  early  but  later  when  patient  is  weak,  exhausted,  pros- 
trated, with  excessive  irritability,  every  little  external  impression .  as 
light,  noise,  strong  odors  is  annoying. 

Endocarditis  or  pericarditis  following  rheumatism  with  violent  cut- 
ting, stinging  pains  in  chest  or  sensation  as  if  heart  were  squeezed  by 
a  tight  bandage.  Patient  irritable.  Pains  unbearable.  Aversion  to 
food,  loathing  the  sight  or  smell  of  food.  Patifent  chilly,  sensitive  to 
cold. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 

Shifting  pains.  Slightest  motion  <.  Cold  damp  weather,  <. 
>from  warmth.  Small  joints  preferred.  Great  prostration.  Ex- 
cessive  iiritahility.     Chilly  patient. 

GUAIACUM 

Pains  <from  least  moton,  < during  the  day,  <from  heat,  <from 
pressure.  >  from  cold,  >rest.  Sore  swollen  joints,  legs  and  ankles 
especially  affected.  Stitching  pains  characteristic;  marked  burning. 
Pains  in  all  limbs  and  muscles,  neck,  back,  chest  and  upper  arm,  shoul- 
ders, arms,  hands,  fingers,  joints,  thighs,  extending  to  knees,  tibia; 
periosteum  sensitive.     Pains  in  head  and  face  extending  to  neck. 

Contractions  of  tendons  and  muscles,  drawing  limbs  out  of  shape; 
tendons  too  short  and  stiff.  Gouty  and  rheumatic  troubles.  Gonorrheal 
rheumatism  where  many  joints  are  affected,  hot  swollen  and  painful. 
Chief  action  on  fibrous  tissue. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 

Pains  >from  cold,  <from  heat.  All  joints  and  muscles  involved. 
Contraction  of  tendons.     Stitching,  burning  pains. 


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(  ()NTRIBi:TKn   ARTK^I.KS  2M 

LEDIM 

Pains  <froin  warmth  of  bed,  <from  alcohol,  <froin  motion,  <at 
uiprlit,  <from  heat.  >from  cold  applications;  > putting  feet  in  cold 
water;  >froai  rest 

Pains  begin  in  feet  and  extend  upward.  Smaller  joints  especialiy 
inTolyed.  Nodes  form,  chalk  stones,  deposits  in  wrists,  ftngers,  toes 
and  knees.  Joints  swollen,  hot  and  pale.  Crabking  in  joints.  Soles 
painful;  tearing  pains  in  joints.  Weakness  of  limbs,  numbness  and 
<*(>ldnes8  of  surface.  Old  gouty  subjects  with  mottled  face,  puf^,  not 
edt^natous,  simply  a  venous  stasis.  Excess  of  uric  acid.  Bheomatisra 
and  ;rout. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 

Pains  begin  in  feet  and  extend  upward.  <from  warmth  of  bed. 
>from  cold  applications.    Small  joints  especially.    Nodes. 

PULSATILLA 

Pains  < from  warmth,  < in  evening  and  at  night  in  bed,  < lying  on 
sound  side,  <from  jar,  touch  and  pressure.  >from  cold.  >from  slow 
motion  in  cool  air,  > lying  on  painful  side.  All  joints  involved  but  es- 
pecially knees,  ankles  and  tarsal  joints;  pains  drawing,  tearing,  jerking, 
sharp  stinging,  shifting,  wandering.  Restlessness;  pains  so  severe  that 
patient  is  compelled  to  move;  slow  motion  relieves.  Rheumatism  from 
getting  feet  wet.  Rheumatism  with  gastric  troubles,  <from  rich  fat 
food.  Gonorrheal  rheumatism,  joints  swollen.  Pulsatilla  patients  are 
thirstless,  chilly,  peevish  and  tearful. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 

i^  hi  fling  wandering  pains.  Pains  <from  heat,  >from  cold.  Rheu- 
matism with  g€utric  troubles.    Pulsatilla  disposition. 

RHUS  TOXICODENDRON 

<in  cold  damp  weather,  especially  if  exposed  when  overheated  or 
when  perspiring.  <on  approach  of  storm,  <  living  in  damp  houses. 
Pains  <when  beginning  to  move,  >from  continued  motion  but  becomes 
exhausted  and  compelled  to  rest  when  pains  return;  again  is  forced  to 
move,  consequently  never  at  rest.  Exertion  of  body  or  mind  exhausts. 
Pain  in  back  >by  lying  on  something  hard.  Sweat  does  not  relieve 
pain. 

Rheumatism  affecting  fibrous  tissues,   sheaths  of  muscles,  bones, 
tendons,  ligaments  and  joints,  often  attended  by  numbness  and' paralytic 
weakness  of  limbs.    Joints  stiff,  red,  swollen,  sore,  pains  tearing,  stitch- 
ing.    Crick  in  back.    Lumbago.    Effects  of  overheating.     Sprains. 
Differentiatzng  Characteristics 

Caused  and  <by  cold  damp  weallier,  especial^  if  exposed  when 
perspiring.  Pains  < beginning  to  move  >  continued  motion.  Paralytic 
weakness  of  limbs. 


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282  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF   HOM(EOPATHY 

MUSCULAR  RHEUMATISM 

ACTEA  RACEMOSA 

Pains  <in  cold  damp  weather,  <from  touch,  <from  motion,  <at 
night,  <  during  menstrual  period,  >from  rest.  Muscular  rheumatism 
affecting  the  belly  of  the  muscles,  especially  the  large  muscles  of  the 
nape  of  neck,  back,  throat,  thighs,  hips,  legs  and  chest  Pains  like  elec- 
tric shocks,  sharp,  lancinating  in  various  parts,  also  bruised  sore  feeling 
all  over  body.  Stiffness  and  retraction  of  the  muscles  of  the  neck. 
Severe,  aching  pain  in  lumbar  and  sacral  regions  and  down  thighs,  hips 
and  legs.  Rheumatic  sore  throat.  Stiff  neck.  Crick  in  back.  Lum- 
bago. Rheumatism  with  chronic  symptoms,  jerking,  contracting,  sore- 
ness and  numbness  of  muscles.  Muscular  pains  of  neurotic  origin  in 
hysterical  women.  Patient  always  chilly,  sensitive  to  cold.  Joints  and 
nerves  also  involved.  The  resinoid  macrotin  in  2x  trit.  often  preferred 
to  tincture,  especially  in  lumbago. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 

Large  muscles  especially  involved.  Pains  like  electric  shocks  or 
sore  bruised  sensation.    Especially  adapted  to  hysterical  women, 

PHYTOLACCA 

Pains  <at  niprht,  <from  warmth  of  bed.  <from  cold  damp  weath- 
er, <from  warm  applications,  <from  motion.  Pains  in  all  the  muscles 
from  head  to  feet,  chiefly  on  outer  aspect  of  arms  and  thighs.  Soreness, 
bruised  sensation.  Electric  shocks  from  one  part  to  another.  Pains  as 
if  in  periosteum,  on  bones  where  flesh  is  thin, — tibia.  Pain  in  shoulders, 
especialy  right,  cannot  raise  the  arm.  Rheumatic  swellings  of  joints, 
hard,  tender,  shining  and  hot.  Pain  in  middle  of  long  bones  or  attach- 
ments of  muscles.  Soles  burn.  Syphilitic  and  mercurial  rheumatism. 
Differentiating  Characteristics 

Muscular  rheumatism,  especially  outer  aspect  of  limbs.    Right  side 

especially  involved. Pains   <in  cold  damp  weather,  also  <from  heat 

of  bed  and  warm  applications. 

SANGUTNARIA 

Pains  <at  night,  >  drawing  a  long  breath,  <from  everj-  change 
in  weather,  <from  every  draft;  always  taking  fresh  cold;  <motion, 
<  turning  over  in  bed  as  he  uses  his  shoulders  to  turn  over.  Muscular 
rheumatism,  affects  especially  right  arm  and  shoulder;  deltoid;  can- 
not raise  arm.  All  muscles  of  neck  and  back  of  ijeck  become  involved; 
stiff  neck.  Pains  shift;  metastasis  to  heart;  painful  stitches  in  cardiac 
region.  Lumbago  from  lifting  or  myalgia  of  great  muscles  of  back. 
Joints  not  involved.  Burning  is  a  leading  note  especially  of  feet,  puts 
them  out  of  bed  for  relief. 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  283 

Differentinating  Characteristics 
Muscular  rheumatism  of  right  arm  and  shoulder.    Always  catch- 
ing cold.    Joints  not  involved.    Burning  feet, 

VOMITING  COFFEE-GROUND  SUBSTANCES 

LYCOPODIUM 

Vomiting  of  coffee-ground  substances;  black,  inky-vomit;  vomiting 
of  bile.    Vomits  immediately  after  eating.     Burning,  gnawing  pain. 
Differentiating  Characteristics 
<from  cold  drinks  and  >from  warm  drinks. 

PHOSPHORUS 

Coffee-ground   vomit,   black    substance.     Vomiting   of  bile,   blood; 
vomiting  of  sour  fluids.     Awful  sinking,  gone  feeling  in  stomach  with 
pressing,  burning,  knife-like  pains,  < after  eating. 
Differentiating  Characteristics 

>from  ice-cold  drinks  for  moment,  and  <from  warm  dinnks, 

ARGENXrM  XITRICUM 

Coffee-ground  vomit.  Vomited  substances  tinged  linen  black;  in- 
cessant vomiting. 

•  Differentiating  Characteristics 

Most  f/astric  rompJaiuts  are  accompanied  by  belching  which  is  dif- 
ficult, Ifut  finallif  it  rushes  out  with  f/reat  violence.  Wants  cold  air, 
cold  drinks,  ice-cream,  suffocates  in   ivarm   room. 

Argontiim  nitricum  should  be  used  in  solution  prepared  fresh  daily 
from  the  crystals,  one-eighth  grain  to  four  ounces  of  water,  dose  one 
teaspoonful. 

Th(»se  three  drugs  are  often  indicated  in  ulcers  and  cancer  of  the 
stomach  with  the  characteristic  vomit. 


GALLSTONE  COLIC 


BERBERIS 


Gallstone  colic  followed  by  jaundice;  stools  white,  bileless.  Pains 
spasmodic,  come  suddenly,  stabbing  like  a  knife,  stitching,  burning,  tear- 
ing, twinging,  wandering,  intense,  taking  away  his  breath,  last  a  moment 
and. pass  away  or  increase  in  intensity  and  diminish  but  do  not  let  up 
entirely. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 

Radiating  pains  in  cveri/  din  et ion.  FeeJde,  sickly,  worn  out  con- 
stitution, face  pale. 


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284  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF   HOMOSOPATHY 

BETXADONNA 

Gallstone  eolic  with  violent  pains,  spasmodic,  come  and  go  sudden- 
ly. <by  slightest  touch,  jar,  motion;  clutching  pain,  intense  burning 
in  region  of  gall  bladdor. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 

Strong,  robust,  plethoric  people.     Face  flushed. 


THE  METALS  IN  RELATION  TO  VASCULAR  AND 
TISSUE  CHANGES* 

By  E.  WALLACE  MAC  ADAM,  M.D.. 
New  York,  N.  Y. 

THE  metals  become  active  only  wlien  capable*  of  dissociation  into 
ions.  Large  quantities  of  mereury  may  be  swallowed  without 
mercurial  poisoning;  silver  and  copper  coins  have  been  introduced  re- 
pe»iledly  into  the  stomachs  of  delicate  babes  with  no  effect  other  than 
increasing  the  cerebral  circulation  of  the  parent.  When  the  ions  become 
dissociated  then  the  metals  become  active. 

Their  action  may  be  either  local  or  general.  The  local  action  is 
due  to  the  direct  irritation  of  the  tissues  at  the  point  of  application, 
while  the  general  effects  follow  the  absorption  of  the  poison  into  the 
tissue.  It  is  the  general  effect  of  the  metals  with  which  we  are  more 
concerned.  These  effects  are  elicited  in  man  often  only  after  prolonged 
ingestion,  but  in  animals  the  metals  have  been  injected  directly,  with 
more  prompt  development  of  symptoms;  even  here  symptoms  are  often 
late  in  appearing.  **Slownees  of  action''  may,  then,  be  put  down  as 
characteristic  of  the  metals. 

The  general  symptoms  arise  chiefly  from  the  central  nervous  sys- 
tem, the  alimentary  canal  and  the  ki(hu\vs.  On  the  central  nervous 
system  the  action  may  be  msule  manifest  by  disturbance  of  the  psychical 
centers,  delirium,  hallucination,  mania,  stupor  or  coma.  Convulsions 
of  all  forms  may  appear,  chorea,  clonic  and  tonic  spasms  and  epilepti- 
form seizures,  general  weakness  and  in  some  instances  peripheral  neur- 
itis.    (e.g.  lead). 

The  metals  seem  to  have  a  spiMMfic  action  along  the  alimentary  canal 
quite  independent  of  the  local  action  produced  when  swallowed.  There 
is  loss  of  appetite,  pain  in  the  abdomen,  nausea,  vomiting  and  purging. 
In  most  instances  congestion  and  swelling  of  the  mucous  membrane' 
of  the  stomach  and  intestine  are  found  post  mortem,  or  the  surface  may 
be  covered  by  inflammatory  exudate,  resembling  the  pathological  ap- 
pearance in  dysentery. 

*Read  before  the  International  Hahnemannian  Association. 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  i85 

The  kidney  is  affected  by  all  the  metals  excepting  possibly  pallad- 
ium and  platina.  Albumin  and  casts  appear  in  the  urine  and  in  severe 
cases  blood.  If  the  irritation  is  prolonged,  cirrhosis  of  the  kidney 
results. 

The  circulation  is  differently  affected  by  different  metals.  None, 
with  the  possible  exception  of  gold  and  lead,  acts  directly  upon  the 
heart;  the  symptoms  are  produced  rather  by  vasomotor  affections,  ef- 
fects, upon  the  arteries  and  veins,  and  upon  the  blood  itself.  These 
effects  may  best  be  studied  separately. 

ALUMINA.  The  chief  tissue  changes  in  this  metal  are  in  the  mucous 
membranes  causing  a  form  of  dry  catarrh.  This  is  evidenced  through- 
out the  body,  eyes,  nose,  pharynx,  etc.,  burning  and  dryness  of  the  eye- 
lids, dryness  of  the  nose,  sore  throat  with  dryness,  etc.  In  experiments 
on  animals  it  produced  a  very  slow  intoxication,  mamnials  never  dying 
sooner  than  one  or  two  weeks  after  intravenous  injection  of  the  salts. 
In  frogs  the  symptoms  were  those  of  a  descending  paralysis  of  the  cen- 
tral nervous  system,  the  heart,  peripheral  nerves  and  muscles  being  lit- 
tle affected.  This  bears  out  the  nervous  symptoms  of  the  drug,  "weak- 
ness of  muscles,"  '/heaviness  of  lower  extremities,"  ''staggering  in  the 
evening,"  and  it  will  be  recalled  that  Boennenhausen  cured  four  cases 
of  locomotor  ataxia  with  this  remedy. 

No  vascular  changes  have  been  noted,  but  it  has  been  found  useful 
in  anemia  and  also  in  chlorosis,  especialy  indicated  when  there  is  a  crav- 
ing for  slate  pencils,  chdk,  etc. 

AURUM  has  a  general  destructive  action  on  tissues,  especially  on 
the  tissues  of  liver,  kidney  and  heart;  upon  bones,  especially  the  nasal. 
Its  effect  upon  the  brain  is  illustrated  by  this  extract  from  Hahnemann 
in  an  essay  "On  Uncharitableness  towards  Suicides :"  "this  most  unnat- 
ural of  all  human  purposes,  this  disorder  of  the  mind  that  renders 
them  aweary  of  life,  might  always  with  certainty  be  cured  if  the  niedicin- 
al  powers  of  pure  gold  for  the  cure  of  this  sad  condition  were  known." 
(1819)  On  the  circulation  aurum  has  a  marked  hyperemic  effect.  The 
force  of  the  heart  beat  is  increased;  attacks  of  anguish  coming  from 
precordial  region.  In  other  organs  the  symptoms  are  even  more  mark- 
ed,— ^"hyperemia  of  the  brain;"  "rush  of  blood  to  the  head;"  "red  face;" 
"congestion  in  the  chest;"  uterus  is  hyperemic  and  becomes  prolapsed 
because  of  its  weight;  nose  congested  and  has  red  knobby  tip;  hyperemia 
of  kidneys  going  on  to  fatty  or  cirrbosed  kidney. 

ARQENTUM  METALLicuM  acts  prominently  upon  the  nhicous  mem- 
brane of  the  respiratory  tract  and  ui)on  the  cartilages  and  ligaments  of 
the  articulations.  Our  symptomatology  gives  under  heart  "frequent 
spasmodic  though  painless  twitchings  of  the  whole  cardiac  muscle,"  but 
though  we  may  believe  the  sensation,  we  may  doubt  the  fact.  The  heart 
itself  is  comparatively  little  affected,  and  in  poisoning  of  mammals, 
often  continues  to  beat  some  time  after  the  respiration  has  ceased.  It 
has  indeed  no  prominent  vascular  changes. 


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286  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF   HOM(EOPATHY 

ARGENTUM  NiTRicuM^  because  of  the  nitric  element,  is  much  more 
marked  in  its  effects.  In  keeping  with  the  irritation  of  the  acid  we 
note  violent  inflammation  in  mucous  membrane  generally, — eyes,  throat, 
stomach.  But  aside  from  the  inflammatory  congestions  it  has  little  cir- 
culatory action.  It  does  have,  however,  direct  influence  upon  the  blood, 
destroying  red  cells  and  leading  to  ecchymosis. 

CUPRUM  acts  chiefly  upon  the  nervous  system  producing  cramps  in 
all  parts  of  the  body,  which  may  go  on  to  convulsions.  The  cardiac 
and  vascular  changes  are  entirely  subordinate.  It  has  been  recom- 
mended for  angina  pectoris  when  the  attack  is  one  of  ''sudden  dyspnea 
unto  suffocation,  with  cold  face,  blue  lips  and  coldness  all  over;  slow 
pulse." 

In  FERRUM  we  have  a  remedy  with  vascular  changes.  Its  destruc- 
tive action  on  the  red  cells  is  well  established.  It  corresponds  to  the  sec- 
ondary anemias.  In  addition  to  its  direct  action  on  the  blood  itself, 
iron  acts  upon  the  blood  vessels,  producing  various  congestions:  flushes 
of  blood  to  the  head ;  congestive  hammering  headaches ;  throbbing  in  all 
the  blood  vessels,  congestion  in  the  chest,  with  spitting  of  blood. — 
Varicose  veins. 

PALLADIUM  and  PLATiNA  both  affcct  the  uterus  and  the  ovaries  and 
appear  to  have  no  vascular  changes  beyond  inflammatory  congestions. 

PLUMBUM  produces  an  abnormal  destruction  of  red  blood  cells  and 
very  early  causes  anemia.  In  lead  poisoning,  indeed,  anemia  is  some- 
times the  only  symptom.  The  rapid  breaking  up  of  the  cells  liberates 
large  quantities  of  hemoglobin,  often  causing  jaundice.  The  poisonous 
effects  of  plumbum  have  been  studied  more  than  those  of  any  other 
metal  because  of  the  extensive  use  of  the  lead  in  the  trades.  Painters, 
type-setters,  linotypere — are  frequently  affected,  and  even  plumbers  may, 
in  the  course  of  paid-for  time,  absorb  some  of  the  poison  from  sitting 
on  lead  pipe.  So  frequently  is  arteriosclerosis  seen  in  chronic  lead 
poisoning,  we  presume  the  arterial  condition  to  be  caused  by  the  metal. 
Yet  it  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  unhygienic  surroundings,  food  and 
so  on,  may  be  more  i)otent  factors  in  the  changes  of  the  arterial  walls. 
The  kidney  is  often  affected;  and  probably  as  a  consequence  either  of 
the  nephritis  or  the  hardened  arteries, — or  both — the  left  ventricle  or 
the  heart  is  often  hypertrophied  and  dilated.  Lead  causes  veins  to 
break  down  and  become  varicosed. 

RADIUM  BROMIDE  increases  catabolic  changes  in  the  body  to  a  marked 
extent,  exc^sive  amounts  of  urates  are  excreted  and  one  of  the  pro  vers 
believes  his  present  nephritis  is  due  to  his  proving  of  this  metal.  In  the 
blood  radium  causes  marked  leucocytosis. 

8TANNUM  has  no  (jharacteristic  cardiac  or  vascular  changes,  but  the 
mucous  membranes  may  become  engorged  up  to  the  point  of  hemorr- 
hage. 

URANIUM  develops  cirrhosis  of  the  liver,  pancreas  and  kidney.  One 
of  its  chief  claims  to  our  interest  is  that  it  is  one  of  very  few  drugs 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  287 

which  have  actually  developed  sugar  in  the  urine.  It  shares  this 
distinction  with  phlorizin. 

ZINC  acts  chiefly  upon  the  central  nervous  system.  It  produces 
anemia  with  profound  prostration.  When  injected  into  mammals  in 
poisonous  doses  the  effect  is  to  depress  the  central  nervous  system,  and 
to  a  less  extent,  the  heart.  Symptomatically  it  has  '^stitches  ahout  the 
heart** 

summary: — The  hlood  is  altered  by  ferrum,  alumina,  argentum 
nitricum,  zinc.  The  heart  is  acted  upon  by  aurum,  plumbum,  zinc;  the 
arteries  by  aurum,  ferrum,  plumbum,  the  veins  by  ferrum,  plumbum. 


THE  METALS  IN  THEIR  RELATION  TO  DISEASES 

OF  THE  SKIN* 

By  GRACE  STEVENS,  M.D. 
Northampton,  Mass. 

TN  studying  the  action  of  the  metals  on  the  skin  one  is  impressed  by 
•■•  the  general  tendency  to  a  lowered  vitality,  to  dryness,  cracking  and 
itching.  It  would  often  be  impossible  to  differentiate  the  remedies 
without  taking  into  account  the  more  general  symptoms. 

Under  alumina  this  lowered  vitality  shows  itself  by  a  tendency  of 
the  skin  to  thicken  and  to  become  hard.  There  is  lack  oi  reaction  both 
in  skin  and  mucous  membranes.  From  this  results  breaking  down 
where  there  is  irritation  or  pressure  and  ulcers  are  formed  with  thicken- 
ed indurated  bases.  The  indurations  favor  the  formation  of  lupus  or 
epithelioma.  The  typical  cuprum  skin  is  doughy,  inelastic  and  cold/ 
that  of  plumbum  ill-nourished  almost  clay-colored,  rough,  dry  and  scaly. 
With  the  thickening  of  alumina  comes  the  tendency  to  cracking  and 
bleeding,  as  for  example  at  the  point  of  the  nose.  The  only  other 
remedy  given  by  Kent  as  having  a  crack  at  the  tip  of  the  nose  is  carbo 
animalis.  Another  marked  symptom  of  alumina  is  itching  of  the  skin, 
with  or  without  eruption,  itching  worse  from  warmth,  especially  the 
warmth  of  the  bed,  and  so  extreme  that  the  patient  wants  to  scratch  un- 
til the  skin  fairly  bleeds. 

A  case  of  mine  which  finally  yielded  to  alumina  was  that  of  a  wom- 
an about  55  years  years  old  who  is  very  sensitive  to  drugs  and  ought  to 
take  only  the  high  potencies.  She  had  a  coryza  for  which  she  took 
gelsemium  3x  and  soon  developed  on  legs  and  thighs  a  red  eruption  which 
gradually  extended  and  became  confluent.  The  itching  was  so  extreme 
that  she  wanted  to  scratch  and  tear  the  skin.  It  was  worse  from  ex- 
posure to  air,  much  worse  from  the  heat  of  the  bed  although  bathing 
in  hot  water  relieved  temporarily.  A  number  of  remedies  were  given 
in  vain  but  alumina  finally  relieved  her. 


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288  NORTH  AMBBICAN  JOURNAL  OF   UOMCEOPATHY 

Cnpriim,  too,  has  an  unbearable  itching  of  the  skin  without  any 
eruption.  Under  rilumina  the  hair  and  eyelashes  tend  to  fall  out.  The 
hair  is  very  dry,  the  scalp  dry,  scaly  and  itching. 

Alumina  together  with  baryta  carbonicum,  mafrnesia  carbonica  and 
more  especially  graphites,  has  the  s^isation  of  a  cobweb  on  tiie  face 
:iQd  there  is  a  constant  tendency  to  rub  or  scratch  the  face. 

With  these  skin  symptoms  should  be  remembered  the  sadness  and 
mfflital  depression  of  alumina  and  also  the  sense  of  hurry  which  is 
diaracteristic  of  it.  This  last  symptom  reminds  us  of  argentum  nitri- 
cum  but  another  general  helps  to  distinguish  the  remedies.  Alumina, 
in  spite  of  its  aggravation  from  heat  of  the  bed,  lacks  vital  heat.  Argen- 
tum nitricum  is  a  warm  remedy  always  worse  from  heat. 

Argentum  metallicum  is  said  to  follow  alumina  well.  This  remedy 
too,  is  lacking  in  heat.  The  patient  is  worn  out  and  shows  weakness 
both  of  body  and  mind;  great  weakness  of  memory. 

The  skin  symptoms  show  a  deep-seated  dyscrasia.  '  There  are  ulcer- 
ations beginning  in  cartilaginous  tissue  and  breaking  through  into  the 
cellular  tissues.  Ulcers  on  the  eyelids,  infiltration  of  the  cartilage  of  the 
ears.  There  are  itching  spots  on  the  body,  scalp  and  ears;  spots  on 
the  ears  and  toes  that  bum  and  itch  like  frost-bites  and  suggest  agaricus. 
The  patient  scratches  these  frantically,  even  until  they  bleed  but  there 
is  no  relief  from  scratching.  Argentum  metallicum  is  sometimes  of 
use  in  the  exanthemata  lyhen  the  eruption  is  very  sensitive,  worse  from 
touch  and  even  worse  from  the  motion  of  the  skin. 

Argentum  nitricum  has  a  bluish-black  eruption  in  scarlet  fever.  It 
has  erysipelatous  bed-sores  covered  with  dry,  bloody  crusts.  Ulcers  in 
the  throat  that  have  a  stitching  pain  suggestive  of  a  fishbone  but  re- 
lieved by  cold  drinks  and  so  distinguished  from  hepar  sulphuris  cal- 
careum  which  has  the  fish-bone  feeling  but  is  better  from  heat.  The 
skin  of  the  argentum  nitricum  patients  looks  old.  It  is  blue  and  cold, 
but  the  patient  wants  cool  air  and  food  and  is  worse  from  heat.  There 
are  warts  of  sycotic  origin  about  the  genitals  and  anus. 

Aurum  is  another  warm  remedy.  The  patient  desires  coolness  and 
open  air.  The  liver  is  apt  to  be  enlarged  and  inflamed  and  there  is  the 
mental  depression  which  is  characteristic  of  such  a  condition — depres- 
sion even  to  longing  for  death.  There  is  jaundice  as  a  result  of  the 
liver  affection  and  the  skin  is  dark  yellow,  or  we  may  find  the  dark 
brown  patches  known  as  liver  spots.  Aurum  is  often  useful  in  syphilitic 
cases,  esi>ecially  those  which  have  been  overdosed  with  mercury.  There 
we  find  the  deep  ulcers  affecting  the  bone  or  the  syphilitic  warts.  One 
of  the  frequent  marks  of  an  aurum  patient  is  a  very  red  and  knobby 
nose,  the  knobs  composed  of  varicose  veins.  This  may  be  due  to  the 
patient's  long  addiction  to  whi&ky  or  to  the  fact  that  he  has  a  bad  heart 
Aurum  has  proved  useful  In  some  cases  of  epithelioma,  and  Dr.  Kent 
says  that  it  has  cured  epithelioma  of  the  win^  of  the  nose  and  of 
the  lip. 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTIOLBS  289 

We  have  already  spoken  twice  of  cuprum  in  comparing  with  alutti- 
inar-^&rst  of  its  aM>  doughy,  inelastic  skin  and  second  of  its  serere 
itiimic  witiiout  any  eruption.  The  itdiing  of  capper  is  apt  to  be  aggn^- 
vatsd  at  night  and  near  a  fire. 

b  measles  or  scarlet  fever  this  remedy  serves  to  devdc^  a&  eruption 
that  has  been  delayed  or  suppressed,  especially  when  there  are  <^nviil8ive 
symptoms.  This  reminds  us  of  zinc  which  also  has  convulsions  oaused 
by  a  sui^ressed  eruption. 

T.  F.  Allen  describes  an  eruption  of  cuprum  as  "resembling  leprosy 
especially  on  the  scalp,  the  largest  spots  being  white  and  scaly  with  a 
moist  base  appearing  as  if  something  acrid  had  been  secreted  under 
the  cuticle  which  had  thickened  and  separated  from  the  deeper  layers." 
From  Ae  convulsive  cuprum  we  turn  to  the  hemorrhagic  fernmi  with 
its  pale  or  greenish  yellow,  fiabby  skin  which  flushes  easily  with  excite- 
ment or  exercise.  Sometimes  the  face  is  constantly  red,  but  the  patient 
is  weak  and  delicate  and  apt  to  be  anemi(\ 

Several  of  the  metals  have  been  mentioned  as  being  useful  in  the 
eruptive  stage  of  scarlet  fever.  Ferrum  may  be  indicated  in  the  stage 
of  desquamation,  as  it  has  the  symptoms  of  desquamation  in  spots,  the 
skin  coming  off  in  powder. 

There  is  a  burning  sensation  in  the  skin  changing  to  a  pain  as  of 
raw  flesh  when  it  is  touched. 

Ferrum  seems  to  be  a  remedy  of  many  colors  for  besides  the  green- 
ish-yellow of  chlorosis  and  the  characteristic  flushes,  we  find  record^ 
sharply  defined  black  or  dark  violet  spots  which  are  sore  to  touch.  This 
is  also  one  of  the  remedies  for  warts  which  occur  most  often  in  tho  fin- 
gers and  back  of  the  hands. 

Palladium  and  platinum,  the  next  two  metals  on  our  list,  pn>cient 
skin  symptoms  associated  with  irritable  nerves  and  with  dJHeasee  of 
the  pelvic  organs.  Palladium  is  vain,  loves  praise  and  is  easily  offended 
and  this  condition  of  irritability  extends  to  the  skin  which  itches  and 
bums,  especially  on  undressing  at  night. 

Platinum  has  even  a  more  sensitive  skin.  Like  ferrum  there  is  at 
times  a  pain  as  if  excoriated,  and  there  is  a  great  deal  of  tingling,  burn- 
ing and  itching  all  over  the  body.  Both  of  these  remedies  are  worse 
from  any  emotions. 

Plumbum  presents  nervous  symptoms  of  another  sort — a  poisoning 
which  results  in  paralysis,  so  we  are  not  surprised  to  find  a  dingy  skin, 
yellow  or  almost  clay-colored,  which  is  rough,  dry  and  sensitive.  The 
brown  liver  spots  which  we  notice  under  aurum  appear  here  too.  Small 
wounds  become  easily  inflamed  and  suppurate,  and  in  the  ulceration 
that  follows  there  is  much  burning.  The  remedy  has  been  of  service  in 
cased  of  bums  where  large  yellow  blisters  formed  with  much  itching  ahd 
burning.    There  is  a  tendency  to  serous  infiltration. 

Radium  is  a  comparatively  new  remedy  from  which  we  have  reason 
to  expect  great  things  in  diseases  of  the  skin.  The  dreams  of  fire  which 
characterize  it  would  seem  to  find  their  cause  in  the  terrible  burning 


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290  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF   HOM<EOPATHY 

of  the  skin  which  is  worse  at  night.  The  eczema  which  it  produces  and 
cures  is  often  of  the  most  severe  type,  with  redness,  swelling,  itching, 
burning,  smarting  and  profuse  exudation  which  is  worse  from  scratch- 
ing. It  would  seem  that  the  remedy  should  prove  most  useful  in  bums, 
especially  x-ray  bums  and  in  cases  of  epithelioma  where  the  symptoms 
agree.  There  is  intolerance  of  the  heat  of  summer  and  marked  craving 
and  relief  from  cool  open  air. 

With  radium  may  be  compared  another  metal,  uranium,  which  also 
has  much  burning,  both  of  the  skin  and  mucous  membranes.  This  us- 
ually is  associated  with  some  urinary  disturbance,  either  a  nephritis  or 
diabetes,  in  both  of  which  conditions  the  remedy  has  proved  useful  Ac- 
cording to  Hering  it  also  is  useful  in  epithelioma  and  lupus. 

Stannum — The  skin  symptoms  of  stannum  are  rather  indefinite, 
consisting  chiefly  in  itching  and  burning  which  are  not  better  from 
rubbing.  These  sensations  may  be  due  to  chilblains,  which  appear  in 
rather  mild  weather.  Of  course  we  should  expect  to  find  these  skin 
symptoms  accompanied  by  the  general  nervous  weakness  which  is  char- 
acteristic of  the  remedy. 

Zincum — Since  it  has  been  found  that  zincum  attacks  the  central 
nervous  system  and  also  the  blood,  it  must  be  expected  that  the  skin 
will  come  in  for  its  share  of  trouble.  It  is  dry  and  itches  violently — 
especially  in  the  hollows  of  joints,  as  for  instance  the  popliteal  space 
and  when  it  is  scratched  an  urticaria  like  eruption  appears.  This  rem- 
edy may  save  the  day  when  in  scarlet  fever  the  eruption  is  scanty  or 
suppressed  and  convulsions  have  developed  with  unconsciousness  and 
collapse.  The  suppression  of  old  eruptions  is  apt  to  result  in  serious 
nervous  symptoms  and  here,  too,  zincum  may  help. 

While  making  a  study  of  metals  for  this  paper  I  have  tried  to  see 
if  I  could  find  here  an  illustration  of  their  chemical  relation  as  exhibit- 
ed in  the  electro-motive  series.  I  have  been  able  to  do  this  only  in  the 
case  of  alumina  and  zincum  as  related  to  plumbum.  Both  of  the  form- 
er metals  are  useful  in  symptoms  due  to  lead  poisoning.  Both  have  a 
much  higher  solution-tension  than  lead  has,  and  therefore  tend  to  dis- 
place it  when  added  to  a  solution  of  that  metal.  That  is  aluminum  and 
zincum  whicLhave  a  much  stronger  tendency  than  lead  to  become  ionic, 
will  force  it  out  of  solution  and  take  its  place.  Does  not  that  explain 
their  remedial  action  in  this  case? 


Prontal  or  ethmoid  sinus  suppuration,  causing  headache  and  fever, 
may  easily  be  mistaken  for  typhoid,  especially  in  children,  if  the  physic- 
al examination  has  not  been  thorough. — Amer.  Jour,  of  Surgery. 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  291 

POTENCIES  IN  OBSTETRICS* 

By  DR.  THOMAS  G.  SLOAN, 
So.  Manchester,  Conn. 

IN  obstetrics,  the  homoeopath  has  all  the  knowledge  possessed  by  the 
regular;  his  asepsis,  his  technique,  his  instruments,  which  instru- 
njents  to  be  sure  are  not  used  very  often  by  the  good  prescriber,  and  in 
uddition  he  has  his  potencies.  Only  a  homoeopath  who  has  practiced 
<:bstitrics  without  the  potencies  can  appreciate  their  value. 

When  labor  pains  begin  to  slow  down  the  regular  can  give  quinine, 
pituitrin,  or  use  forceps.  Quinine  is  of  little  use;  pituitrin  is  too  often 
followed  by  retained  placenta,  and  the  use  of  forceps  adds  materially  to 
the  laceration  of  the  parte,  increases  the  shock,  and  requires  a  general 
anesthetic.  The  homoeopath  has  a  number  of  remedies,  as  kali  carbon- 
icum,  Pulsatilla,  secale  and  many  others  which  increase  the  force  of  the 
pains  and  very  materially  hasten  labor. 

The  value  of  Pulsatilla  in  correcting  malpositions  is  doubted  by 
many  so  called  homoeopaths,  but  nevertheless  it  does  it,  and  is  much 
easier  than  a  version  or  a  breach  delivery. 

Ketained  placenta  often  gives  much  trouble.  The  regular  has  only 
mechanical  means  at  his  command,  while  we  have  Pulsatilla  and  many 
other  remedies. 

Postpartum  hemorrhage  is  a  condition  which  taxes  ones  resources 
to  the  utmost.  Ergot,  massage,  and  packing  are  the  usual  procedures. 
Wc  have  in  addition  a  number  of  remedies  which,  when  properly  used 
act  very  quickly  in  controlling  hemorrhage. 

Puerperal  infection  is  perhaps  the  most  fatal  complication  of  child- 
birth, and  one  where  little  of  real  value  can  be  done  without  homoeop- 
athic remedies.  If  curettage  is  done  the  infection  is  spread  to  the 
deeper  tissues,  uterine  flushes  does  little  good,  so  that  the  "regular"  stim- 
ulates the  patient  and  hopes  for  the  best.  Vaccines  are  used  a  good 
deal  at  present.  Our  sulphur,  lycopodium,  pyrogen,  and  others  do  cer- 
tainly clear  up  these  cases  most  wonderfully.  The  comfort  of  a  few 
doses  of  arnica  after  labor  are  known  only  to  patients  of  homoeopaths. 

The  relief  from  cracked  nipples  afforded  by  graphites,  mercurius  cor- 
rosivus,  or  what  is  indicated,  certainly  compares  favorably  with  painting 
with  compound  tincture  of  benzoin  and  using  the  breast  pump. 

If  one  is  unfortunate  enough  to  get  a  breast  infection  or  absceess, 
Phytolacca,  belladonna,  bryonia,  hepar  sulphuris  calcareum  and  others 
act  much  better  than  hot  applications  and  incisions,  although  pus 
should  of  course  be  evacuated.  The  proper  remedy  will  limit  the 
process  and  greatly  add  to  the  patient's  comfort. 

These  are  only  a  few  of  the  conditions  in  this  branch  of  medicine 
in  which  homoeopathic  prescribing  offers  a  great  advantage  to  both 
patient  and  physician. 


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292  NORTH  AMERIOAN  JOURNAL  0*F  HOMCEOPATUY 

THE  PROSPECTIVE  MOTHER* 

By  GEORGE  £.  DIENST,  M.D., 
Aurora,  III. 

A  PICTURE 

THE  physician  is  face  to  face  with  two  very  common,  but  peculiar 
pictures.  He  sees  them  every  day.  Th^  are  before  him  con- 
stantly.   These  two  pictures  are  Sadness !  Happiness  1 

Sadness:  Possibly  the  saddest  picture  man  ever  saw  is  a  sicklj^ 
mother,  the  victim  of  disease  or  vice  or  both,  with  a  sickly  babe,  the 
product  of  disease  or  vice  or  both,  in  her  arms. 

Happiness:  The  happiest  picture  the  physician  sees  is  a  healthy 
mother,  the  fruit  of  virtue  and  right  living,  with  a  healthy  babe  the  pro* 
duct  of  virtue  and  a  wholesome  life  in  her  arms.  No  artist  ever  painted 
a  sadder  or  happier  picture  than  these.  We  pity  the  one,  we  love  the 
other,  we  condemn  the  one,  we  commend  the  other.  Samaritan  like,  we 
pass  one  by,  we  lock  arms  with  the  other. 

Since  sadness  and  happiness  are  so  forcibly  portrayed  in  these  two 
pictures,  permit  this  question  please, — What  can  we  do  to  mitigate  the 
one  and  multijply  the  other! 

MOTHERHOOD 

It  is  doubtless  the  desire  of  every  normal  woman  to  be,  in  course 
of  time,  a  mother.  True,  neighborhood  gossip  and  "old  wives  fables" 
often  cast  a  gloom  over  this  desire,  nevertheless,  although  possi- 
bly somewhat  perverted  the  desire  remains.  Since  this  is  true  in  gen- 
eral, if  not  in  each  particular,  what  can  we,  as  physicians  do,  to  dis- 
possesss  the  maiden,  or  prospective  mother  of  her  unnecessary  fear  and 
promote  a  healthier  and  happier  motherhood! 

As  a  proposition,  permit  me  to  say  that  there  are  few  periods  in  a 
woman's  life  when  she  needs  the  care  and  counsel  of  a  wholesome,  learn- 
ed, conscientiousness  and  rational  physician  more  than  when  she  is  a 
prospective  mother.    Why! 

First, — If  she  has  always  been  and  still  remains  healthy,  she  needs 
wisdom  to  guide  her  through  the  various  intricacies  of  pr^nanqy,  in 
maintaining  her  normal  health  and  in  preparation  for  the  hours  of  par- 
turition and  lactation.  She  is  now  living  for  two,  and  it  is  as  imperative 
that  the  life,  now  in  a  vegetative  state  of  existence,  be  given  the  utmost 
consideration  preparatory  to  his  future  existence,  as  it  is  for  the  mother 
to  maintain  a  normal  balance  between  soul  and  body  and  the  functions 
of  each. 

Second, — Many  women  are  not  healthy.  There  is  lack  of  harmony 
in  the  organs  and  tissues  of  the  body.  There  is  often,  more  or  lees  per- 
version of  the  intellect,  the  sensibilities  and  the  will.  These  things  ^e 
augmented  during  pregnancy.     This  want   of  physical  harmony   and 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  898 

peryersion  of  inteilect  will  be  commuidoated  to  the  iinbom,  and  in  pro- 
cess of  time  we  have  two  invalids  instead  of  one.  Indeed,  tiuv  Tery 
problem  is  becoming  more  serious  every  day.  An  unhealthy  wonum  ap- 
proaching motherhood  is  approaching  a  storhi.  This  storm  may  be  a 
mild  one,  it  may  be  a  veritable  cyclone  and  should  be  prevented.  A 
human  being  is  on  the  way  to  a  world  of  life  and  death,  and  his  future 
now  in  the  balance.  He  is  a  composite  being.  His  physical  and  psychical 
self  is  in  process  of  formation.  He  has  already  boon  given  the  vices  and 
virtues  of  father  and  mother.  The  one  should  be  mitigated  as  much 
is  possible,  the  other  should  be  cultivated  to  its  highest  degree  of  effic- 
iency. To  accomplish  this  task  tlio  prospective  mother  must  be  healthy 
and  happy  while  contributing  her  life's  blood  as  a  food  for  the  coming 
child.  Not  this  only,  but  the  organs  and  tissues  of  the  body  should  be 
put  into  such  a  healthy  tone  that  she  may  approach  the  hour  of  parturi- 
tion with  a  firm  faith  that  the  physiological  function  will  be  perform- 
ed in  an  easy,  natural  and  uncomplicated  manner.  To  do  this,  to  make 
the  months  of  gestation  comfortable,  to  remove,  in  great  part,  the  terrors 
of  parturition,  to  bring  a  healthy  child  into  the  world  and  provide  a 
healthy  mother  to  care  for  him — is  one  of  the  highest  and  noblest  spheres 
of  the  physician's  vocation. 

TREATMENT 

How  can  a  physician  treat  the  prospective  mother!  The  answer  is 
not  difficult.  Simply  study  each  prospective  mother  as  you  do  any  in- 
dividual until  you  have  the  sum  total  of  her  discomfort  and  inhorent 
disease  elements;  this  done,  select  the  remedy  similar  to  her  condition 
and  discomforts  and  prescribe  such  exercises,  foods,  pleasures,  etc.,  as 
will  conduce  to  her  greatest  good. 

Permitting  a  woman  to  approach  labor  without  assistance,  and,  in 
;tho  hour  of  deepest  gloom  make  spectacular  demonstrations  of  scientific 
attainments  is  reprehensible.  Physical,  mental,  and  therapeutic  prepar- 
ations for  the  hour  of  labor  should  be  begun  just  as  soon  as  the  woman 
is  conscious  of  her  prospective  motherhood.  The  body  should  be  clear- 
ed as  far  as  possible  from  disease;  the  mind  should  be  free  from  super- 
stitious gossip  and  idle  tales  of  ''pangs'*  and  "distress;"  when  the  hour 
of  labor  approaches  it  should  be  entered  into  with  as  calm  an  assurance 
of  a  speedy  and  wholesome  delivery  as  should  characterize  every  normal 
birth.     The  prospective  mother  should  then  become  a  healthy  mother. 

The  public,  in  general  is  not.  cognizant  of  those  possibilities,  but  we 
are,  and  it  should  form  a  part  of  our  daily  program  to  teach  these  things 
and  teach  them  with  authority. 

The  nausea,  the  vomiting,  the  irritable  genitalia,  the  constipation, 
the  irritable  bladder,  the  sleeplessness,  the  malaise,  the  fear,  the  anxiety, 
the  mental  restlessness,  etc.,  of  the  pregnant  woman  point  to  physical  and 
p^chical  disturbances  which  impress  themsolvea  upon  the  plastic  form  in 
process  of  development  and  should  receive  the  most  thoughtful  care; 
for  most  of  this  is  abnormal  and  points  to  a  disturbed  organism,  which. 


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294  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM<EOPATHY 

if  not  corrected,  may  impress  itself  in  an  aggravated  form  upon  future 
generations. 

.  Where  possible,  the  pregnant  woman  should  follow  her  highest 
ideals  unhindered.  This,  not  only  for  the  profit  of  to  one  soon  to  be- 
come k  mother,  but  for  the  salutary  effect  this  will  have  upon  the  phvs*- 
ical  and  mental  life  of  the  child.  Further,  the  pregnant  woman,  pur- 
suing some  pleasurable  vocation  will  be  subjected  to  letjs  physical  and 
mental  disturbances,  and  will  pass  through  labor  with  less  fear  and 
fatigue,  thus  shortening  the  hours  and  ameliorating  the  severity  of  the 
pains.  The  absolute  necessity  of  preserving  good  health  and  a  tranquil 
mind  during  pregnancy  is  beyond  question. 

There  is  another,  no  less  imperative  reason  for  preserving  a  whole- 
some physical,  mental  and  normal  health  in  the  pregnant  woman,  and 
this  is,  the  future  individual. 

The  child,  unborn,  in  a  state  of  vegetative  existence,  is  being  mould- 
ed for  good  or  evil.  It  may  be  physically  strong,  and  eouiparatively  free 
from  miasmatic  influences;  its  infancy  and  youth  may  be  made  com- 
paratively free  from  the  destructive  and  inhibiting  influences  of  '*ehil- 
dren's  diseases,"  the  period  of  adolescence  may  be  passed  without  hind- 
rance, and  manhood  and  womanhood  attained  in  full  vigor  of  body  and 
mind,  if  cared  for  during  the  most  plastic  period  of  its  existence — its 
prenatal  existence.  So  surely  is  this  true  that  I  am  bold  to  say  tliat 
that  imbecility,  cretinism,  deformity,  insanity,  and  other  impediments 
would  be  rare  phenomena  under  proper  care  and  treatment. 

For  obedience  to  the  laws  of  health  as  outlined  in  the  Organon,  the 
proper  administration  of  the  homoeopath icallj'  indicated  remedy,  would 
so  change  the  human  organism  as  to  produce  health  in  the  unborn, 
smooth  the  needlessly  thorny  path  of  the  mother  and  make  a  highway 
easily  traveled. 


CURE  OF  PHAGADENIC  ULCERATION  OVER  EN- 
ORMOUS, COMPLETE  VENTRAL  HERNIA'^ 

By  WILLIAM  JEFFERSON  GUERNSEY,  M.D., 
Frankford,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

MRS.  J.  P.  H.,  now  sixty-four  years  old  became  a  patient  thirty  years 
ago.  My  attendance  at  that  time,  and  much  since  with  the 
exception  of  what  I  am  about  to  relate,  was  for  attacks  of  indigestion 
for  which  bryonia  was  most  often  indicated  and  which  it  speedily  re- 
lieved. 

It  was  not  until  1909  that  she  told  me  of  a  large  hernia  which  had 
appeared  some  three  years  before  I  met  her.    Her  physician  thought  that 

*Eead  before  the  International  Hahnemannian  Association. 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  205 

it  had  been  caused  by  the  lifting  of  a  tub  of  water  although  she  hud 
felt  no  pain  at  the  umbilicus  where  the  protrusion  began  and  which  was 
at  first  about  the  size  of  a  lemon.  No  truss  or  other  support  was  pro- 
scribed or  operation  advised.  She  had  purchased  a  truss  at  the  sug- 
gestion of  some  friend  and  had  discarded  it  after  wearing  it  one  day 
because  she  had  found  it  uncomfort.  h\v.  She  had  given  birth  to  thtee 
children  before  the  hernia  aiipoarod,  and  three  afterward,  though  I  did 
not  attend  her  at  these  times. 

It  seems  that  the  hernia  had  continued  to  increase  in  size  though 
she  made  no  complaint  about  it  as  she  supposed  it  something  that  could 
not  be  relieved  in  any  way  and  had  philosophically  made  the  best  of  it. 
She  mentioned  to  me  several  times  she  had  a  rupture  at  the  navel  but 
said  little  about  it  and  seemed  averse  to  wearing  any  supi)ort  there  until 
the  fourteenth  of  May  1909  when  I  first  saw  it.  I  was  much  alarmed, 
as  was  the  family,  at  the  condition.     Its  size  was  so  great  that  I  wonder- 


ed how  the  poor  creature  could  have  so  patiently  borne  it  all  those  years, 
for  nearly  the  entire  contents  of  the  abdomen  appeared  to  bo  contained 
in  it  and  for  the  past  five  days  an  ulcer  had  developed  there  which  was 
rapidly  spreading  in  both  breadth  and  depth  until  it  soonied.  as  though 
there  must  be  instant  perforation ;  any  attempt  to  rise  brought  on  pro- 
fuse hemorrhage  from  the  affected  surface.  She  spent  most  of  her  time 
sitting  in  a  reclining  chair  and  suffered  from  burning  as  from  fire  and  a 
feeling  as  though  the  parts  were  about  to  give  way,  which  indeed  was 
likely. 

The  case  looked  so  necessarily  fatal  that  I  thought  only  of  making 
her  as  comfortable  as  possible  and  with  that  in  view  questioned  her  for 
symptoms.  What  she  complained  most  of  was  intense  restlessness,  and 
this,  with  the  burning  sensation  and  the  ulcerated  condition  suggested 
arsenicum,  but  I  found  something  associated  with  the  unrest  and  that 
was  that  it  was  not  merely  a  nervous  condition  but  a  compelling  desfre 


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296  NORTH   AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

to  chaii|2:e  her  position  to  relieve  a  stiffness  that  seemed  to  affect  her  all 
'over.  She  would  feel  better  for  a  moment  and  then  have  to  seek  another 
position  to  find  comfort.  Ehus  toxicodendron  2c  in  water,  at  first  every 
hour  and  then  every  two  hours  for  a  period  covering  three  days,  gave 
marked  improvement  in  every  way  and  the  vdceration  was  stopped  in 
its  dtistriietive  process.  Eleven  days  after,  she  complained  so  bittevly 
of  itching  at  the  anus  that  I  gave  her  sulphur  6  c,  every  two  hours  fof  a 
couple  of  days.  Her  general  condition  as  well  as  the  local  ones  had  so 
improved  that  I  photographed  the  hernia,  regretting  that  I  had  not  done 
so  at  the  first  inspection  as  the  ulceration  then  covered  all  that  portion 
showing  a  ruffled  appearance  in  the  print  where  resolution  had  taken 
place.  No  local  application  was  permitted  save  cold  cream  to  prevent 
irritation  of  dressings. 

From  that  time  on  her  appetite  and  general  health  returned  and  the 
past  prescriptions  were  allowed  to  act  under  saccharum  lactis.  By  the 
fourteenth  of  June  there  was  scarcely  any  of  the  ulcer  loft  and  she  was 
able  to,  or  insisted  on,  resuming  her  household  duties. 

I  may  be  censured  for  giving  so  many  doses  of  the  two  remedies 
named  and  in  defense  will  simply  point  to  the  result. 

She  had  no  further  treatment  until  December  15th  when  she  suf- 
fered from  slight  gastric  disturbance,  and  my  record  passes  over  to  New 
Year's  Day  of  1911  when  she  had  the  peculiar  symptom  of  cough  that 
caused  chilliness.  I  found  this  mentioned  under  pulsatiUa  and  five 
powders  of  the  52m  quickly  cured  it.  She  has  had  a  niimber  of  the  at- 
tacks of  indigestion  mentioned  in  the  beginning  of  this  paper,  which  I 
tliink  are  due  solely  to  the  wretched  condition  of  her  teeth,  and  these 
she  stubbornly  refuses  to  have  attended  to. 

This  case  would  appear  to  belong  to  the  surgical  bureau  but  as  it 
was  purely  medical  in  treatment,  and  as  I  am  not  fond  of  the  surgeon,  T 
preferred  to  report  it  here.  There  is  one  point  that  I  would  like  to 
call  atention  to  that  the  chairman  of  the  bureau  of  homoeopathies  may 
lay  claim  to,  which  is  the  danger  of  placing  cured  symptoms  in  the 
materia  medica.  It  has  been  repeatedly  argued  that  if  certain  conditions 
disappear  under  a  given  remedy  they  must  per  se  belong  to  that  drug, 
but  I  do  not  think  so  for  homoeopathy  always  corrects  the  whole  system 
and  in  doing  that  will  heal  diseased  conditions  that  are  not  pathogenic 
to  it.  We  all  cure  ailments  that  we  do  not  know  to  exist.  I  have  many 
times  been  told  "Doctor,  I  intended  to  come  to  you  for  treatment  for 
another  condition  after  I  got  well  of  this  you  have  been  prescribing  for 
but  that  is  all  gone  now  too."  So  then  rhus  toxicodendron  did  not  cure 
that  ulcer  but  it  was  capable  of  producing  the  other  symptoms  that  were 
really  njore  annoying  to  her  and  so  in  correcting  her  perverted  nature 
this  more  dangerous  one  was  thrown  off  in  the  general  resolution. 


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CONTRIBUTED   ARTICLES  297 

A  CASE  OF  CHOLECYSTITIS* 

By  HARRY  B.  BAKER,  M.D., 
Richmond,  Va. 

DK.  B.,  male,  age  46,  rather  delicate  as  a  child,  but  no  history  of 
serious  illnesS  except  a  case  of  typhoid  fever  when  six  years  old. 
He  suffered  a  good  deal  from  indigestion  from  his  20th  to  26th  year 
when  he  came  under  homoeopathic  treatment.  Since  then  he  has  had  fairly 
good  digestion,  though  coffee  and  sweets  always  disagreed  and  excessive 
quantities  of  starchy  food  were  apt  to  give  trouble. 

In  April  1915  he  had  a  slight  attack  of  what  was  diagnosed  as  gall 
tract  infection,  the  symptoms  being  nausea  and  vomiting,  slight  jaund- 
ice, temperature  running  from  100  to  102,  and  rather  more  prostration 
than  the  symptoms  would  seem  to  call  for.  The  attack  lasted  altogether 
about  ten  days.  The  patient  was  quite  weak,  and  had  some  soreness  in 
the  region  of  the  liver  especially  when  jarred  for  sometime  after  the 
attack.     His  complexion  also  did  not  clear  up  very  well. 

He  was  given  psorinum  500  in  June  1915  and  improved  during  the 
summer  and  fall.  Was  quite  busy  during  the  winter,  keeping  very  ir- 
regular hours,  eating  imprudently,  and  drinking  a  good  deal  of  coffee. 
He  was  apparently  as  well  as  usual  on  Feb.  4th,  but  was  awakened  at 
4  a.m.  the  next  morning  with  a  sharp  cutting  pain  in  the  region  of  the 
gall  bladder  which  was  followed  by  intense  nausea  and  retching*.  This 
lasted  for  6  hours  and  was  not  affected  by  the  remedies  administered, 
but  was  finally  relieved  by  a  hypodermic  of  one-fourth  grain  of  morphine. 
The  temperature  rose  to  102  and  kept  up,  and  during  the  day  the  patient 
passed  a  number  of  small  tarry  looking  stools.  His  condition  did  not 
change  much  during  the  next  19  days,  except  that  he  became  weaker 
and  very  emaciated. 

Remedies  apparently  producing  no  effect,  he  was  taken  to  the  hos- 
pital on  February  24th  and  operated  on  the  next  day. 

The  conditions  found  at  operation  were  a  very,  much  enlarged  gall 
bladder  filled  with  a  very  thick  black  bile,  and  a  great  deal  of  inflamma- 
tion in  the  upper  part  of  the  abdomen,  so  much  inflammation  that  the 
surgeon.  Dr.  McGuire,  told  him  that  he  simply  opened  and  cleaned 
out  the  gall  bladder,  put  in  a  drain,  and  got  out  as  soon  as  xx>ssible. 
No  stones  were  found  and  the  ducts  were  normal.  Some  temperature 
continued  for  a  couple  of  weeks,  and  there  was  very  free  drainage  of 
yellow  bile.  Patient  left  the  hospital  on  March  31st  feeling  well  though 
of  course  very  weak.    He  resumed  his  work  on  May  1st. 

The  etiological  factor  in  this  case  was  probably  the  diet.  Had  the 
patient  observed  a  proper  diet,  avoiding  such  things  as  coffee  and  sweets 
which  disagreed  he  would  probably  have  avoided  the  second  attack.  I 
believe  that  errors  in  diet  are  the  cause  of  most  liver  troubles.  The  ma- 
jority of  people,  especially  those  living  in  the  city,  eat  too  much  and 


*Read  before  the  International  Hahnemannian  Association. 


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298  NORTH   AMERICAN   JOURNAL   OF   HOMCEOPATHY 

get  too  little  exercise,  their  diet  also  is  not  properly  balanced.  In  treat- 
ing cases  of  this  kind  we  should  be  specific  in  our  instructions  in  regard 
to  the  diet;  general  directions  are  rarely  observed.  It  would  be  well  to 
have  a  few  plain  menu's  written  but  or  printed  so  that  they  could  be 
handed  to  the  patient  at  the  time  that  he  gets  his  medicine. 


FORWARD* 

By  H.  A.  ROBERTS,  M.D., 
Derby,  Conn. 

THE  homoeopathic  physician  is  first  of  all  a  physician  and  yet  there 
is  that  in  each  of  our  experiences  that  compels  us  to  go  beyond 
the  real  province  of  the  physician  and  enter  the  domain  of  special 
branches  of  the  healing  art.  Surgery  is  one  of  these  special  fields  that 
demands  of  each  of  us  peculiar  faculties  and  definite  training  if  we 
would  be  the  means  of  conserving  the  work  of  the  physician  in  the  world. 
This  is  especially  true  of  homoeopathic  physicians. 

Surgery  is  neither  homoeopathic  or  allopathic,  but  is  surgery  pure 
and  simple  with  no  hyphens.  We  are  liable  to  err  and  place  homoeop- 
athy in  an  unfavorable  position  in  the  class  of  cases  coming  under  our 
care  that  try  the  skill  of  the  physician  and  surgeon  alike,  to  decide 
whether  a  given  case  is  surgical  or  medical.  It  is  very  essential  that 
we  should  be  trained  thoroughly  to  discover  the  line  of  demarcation  of  the 
one  from  the  other.  It  is  just  as  blameworthy  to  decide  against  surg- 
ery as  in  its  favor  unless  we  are  correct  in  our  judgment.  It  is  ignor- 
ance here  that  becomes  a  crime,  just  as  truly  as  when  Hahnemann  de- 
clared ignorance  of  the  healing  art,  a  crime.  A  few  illustrations  from 
practice  will  emphasize  this  principle. 

The  following  two  fracture  cases  illustrate  the  need  of  utilizing  all 
the  agencies  at  our  command  to  help  in  judging  whether  they  are  med- 
ical or  surgical.  This  patient  slipped  and  fell  heavily  upon  the  out- 
stretched left  arm  and  hand.  He  complained  of  a  great  deal  of  pain 
which  was  made  much  worse  by  attempting  any  motion.  The  swell- 
ing of  wrist  and  fore-arm  increased  very  rapidly.  There  was  no  deform- 
ity nor  could  crepitation'  be  elicited.  However  an  X-R!\y  was  taken  and 
revealed  an  incomplete  Colles  fracture — the  radius  being  fractured  about 
two-thirds  across.  The  fore-arm  was  made  immovable  and  complete 
recovery  took  place.  This  case  illustrates  well  the  care  to  be  taken  in 
these  suspicious  cases  for  here  immobility  was  indicated  and  essential 
for  complete  recovery,  whereas,  if  there  had  been  no  fracture  the  mod- 
erate use  of  the  arm  would  have  been  beneficial. 


*Read  before   the   Bureau    of   Surgery,   International   Hahnemannian 
Association. 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  399 

An  unusual  case  came  under  my  care  this  last  fall  Three  months 
before  the  patient  had  fallen  from  a  hammock  and  struck  heavily  upon 
the  left  shoulder.  She  kept  about  her  household  duties  but  with  in- 
creasing difficulty;  when  she  consulted  me  for  rheumatism  of  the  left 
shoulder  I  could  discern  no  difficulty  with  loft  shoulder  except  limited 
motion  both  voluntary  and  with  assistance.  But  an  X-Ray  revealed  a 
fracture  of  the  clavicle  in  the  outer  end  of  the  bone.  The  arm  was 
placed  in  a  Velpeau's  position  for  the  regular  time.  When  the  arm 
was  released  she  experienced  the  most  excruciating  pain  in  the  fore-arm 
and  wrist.  This  pain  was  present  for  several  days  with  marked  loss 
of  function.  Upon  very  deep  manipulation  it  Was  evident  there  was  a 
fracture  of  the  coracoid  process  of  the  scapula  at  its  neck  as  revealed  by 
crepitation.  This  fracture  did  not  show  in  the  X-Ray  plate  for  the  rea- 
son the  exposure  was  in  a  direct  line  with  the  continuity  of  the  process. 
The  arm  was  again  placed  in  a  modified  Velpeau's  position  and  strong 
fibrous  union  has  taken  place,  so  much  so  that  the  use  of  the  arm  is 
largely  restored.  The  fracture  of  the  coracoid  process  of  the  scapula 
is  very  rare  and  occurs  only  as  a  result  of  direct  force.  The  remarkable 
thing  in  this  case  is  the  length  of  time  elapsing  from  the  date  of  in- 
quiry and  when  help  was  sought.  It  made  the  diagnosis  more  difficult 
and  the  complete  restoration  of  function  limited.  There  is  danger  of 
treating  these  cases  as  rheumatism  without  exercising  constant  vigilance 
in  each  case  to  place  it  in  the  correct  department  of  the  healing  art. 

Again  in  another  class  of  cases  the  same  principle  must  be  utilized. 
A  woman  73  years  of  age  had  a  very  large  ovarian  tumor  that  was  inter- 
fering with  circulation  and  general  weakness  showed  she  had  only  a 
short  time  to  live.  I  had  before  advised  an  operation  but  was  refused 
because  two  excellent  homa?opathic  prescribers  had  advised  against  it. 
Now  she  was  in  desperate  straits  and  she  was  willing  for  the  operation 
if  only  it  would  hasten  her  death.  A  nineteen  pound  ovarian  tumor  was 
removed  and  the  patient  has  enjoyed  four  years  of  good  health.  Had 
she  not  had  the  operation  she  would  have  long  since  succumbed.  In 
cases  of  pus  formation  in  the  internal  organs  like  the  plurae  and  abdom- 
inal cavity  with  the  positive  sign  of  pus  formation  available  by  the 
simple  blood  count  it  is  nothing  more  than  a  crime  not  to  avail  our- 
selves of  this  reliable  life  saving  means  of  diagnosis  for  the  welfare  and 
safety  of  the  patient. 

Such  safeguarding  of  life  rebounds  to  the  placing  of  the  homoeop- 
athic physician  far  in  the  lead  in  medicine  and  conversely  the  neglect 
of  such  methods  justly  brings  criticism  of  our  cause.  Let  us  then  go  for- 
ward using  every  available  means  of  distinguishing  medical  cases  from 
purely  surgical  cases,  and  then  when  we  know  a  case  is  medical  we 
will  work  the  harder  to  find  the  indicated  remedy  and  proper  choice 
of  potency  and  it  must  follow  as  the  night  the  day,  homoeopathy  will 
will  become  more  glorious  as  the  day  advances  and  internal  medicine 
according  to  the  law  of  similars  be  more  quickly  adopted  as  the  univers- 
al system  of  treatment  for  the  sick. 


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800  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF   HOMOEOPATHY 

BOOK  REVIEWS 


The  Growth  of  Medicine 

From  the  Earliest  Times  to  About  1800.  By  Albert  H.  Buck,  B.A.,  M. 
D.,  8vo,  582  pages,  including  Index,  Cloth,  price  $5.00.  New  Hav- 
en:   Yale  University  Press,  1917. 

This  volume  is  the  first  book  published  by  the  Yale  University 
Press  in  the  Williams  Memorial  Publication  Fund.  Its  author  was  the 
editor  of  "The  Reference  Handbook  of  the  Medical  Sciences."  To  a 
large  extent  it  is. a  presentation  in  English  and  in  condensed  form  of 
the  works  on  medical  history  of  Neuberger,  of  Vienna,  and  Haeser,  of 
Breslau.  Dr.  Buck  has  grouped  his  chapters  into  three  parts:  Ancient 
Medicine,  Medieval  Medicine,  and  Medicine  during  the  Renaissance. 
It  is  certainly  to  be  regretted  that  the  average  American  physician  of 
today  has  a  very  meagre  acquaintance  with  the  history  of  his  profession. 
This  has  arisen  partly  from  its  crowding  out  by  more  "practical"  sub- 
jects, and  partly  from  the  lack  of  a  readable,  condensed  presentation  of 
the  subject  in  English.  While  discussing  his  topics  in  a  reasonably 
chronological  order,  he  has  presented  them  in  the  form  adopted  by  mod- 
ern historians,  grouping  by  subjects  rather  than  by  dates.  He  rightly 
holds  that  it  is  less  interesting  to  read  a  presentation  of  all  the  events 
of  medical  interest  that  happened  in  a  given  year  than  to  be  furnished 
with  a  review  of  the  origin  and  progress  of  some  specific  scientific  advance 
or  theory  or  practice.  It  has  meant  wide  reading  and  careful  consultation 
of  many  authorities  to  be  able  to  present  such  a  book  as  this,  and  when 
one  considers  that  its  author  is  over  seventy  years  of  age,  it  is  certainly 
a  tribute  to  his  industry  and  perseverance. 

Considering  the  general  excellence  of  the  work,  it  will  be  under- 
stood as  being  only  a  minor  criticism  when  it  is  stated  that  the  reviewer 
feels  that  the  author  has  injected  his  personality  and  the  personal  pro- 
noun a  little  too  prominently. 

American  Public  Health  Protection 

By  Henry  Bisby  Hemenway,  A.M.,  M.D.,  Author  of  "The  Legal  Prin- 
ciples of  Public  Health  Administration,  etc.  Cloth,  284  pp.  Bobbs- 
Merrill  Co.,  Indianapolis. 

This  book,  dedicated  to  the  "Women  of  America,"  is  intended  to 
give  the  layman  a  grasp  of  what  public  health  protection  means  and  the 
measures  by  which  it  can  be  accomplished.  Its  several  chapters  deal 
with  the  development  of  Public  Health  in  the  United  States,  national 
health  agencies,  medical  and  sanitary  education  compared,  changed  soc- 
ial and  economic  conditions,  changes  due  to  advancement  in  science, 
medical  inspection  of  schools,  organization  of  health  departments,  and 
preparation  of  officers. 

As  in  many  presentations  of  public  health  matters  to  the  laity,  the 
author  is  guilty  of  using  sweeping  assertions.  It  is  not  right  to  say  that 
"the  science  of  public  health  may  be  said  to  have  been  born  in  1898," 
simply  because  the  relation  of  insects  to  infectious  diseases  was  first 
fully  realized  then.  The  author  conveys  impressions  that  are  contrary 
to  the  opinions  of  sanitarians  today,  as  for  instance,  in  training  a  neces- 
sarily causative  relation  between  riding  in  a  carriage  with  the  casket  of 
a  scarlet  fever  victim  and  a  subsequent  death  in  the  rider's  family.  He 
also  is  wrong  in  saying  that  Pennsylvania  first  abandoned  State  Boards 


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NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL    OF    HOMCEOPATHY  301 

in  favor  of  a  Commissioner  of  Health.  The  credit  goes  to  New  York, 
we  believe.  But  in  spite  of  a  few  errors  of  this  sort,  the  book  is  very 
valuable  as  a  layman's  document,  and  could  also  be  read  with  much  profit 
by  many,  yes  most,  physicians  who,  too  often  approach  matters  of  sani- 
tation from  the  standpoint  of  the  private  physician  instead  of  the  citizen. 

The  Surgical  Clinics  of  Chicago 

Volume  1  Number  1  (February  1917).  Octavo  of  221  pages,  83  illus- 
trations. Philadelphia  and  J^ondon:  W.  B.  Saunders  Company. 
1917.  Published  Bi-Monthly.  Price  per  year:  Paper,  $10.00; 
Cloth,  $14.00. 

This  is  the  first  issue  of  this  new  serial  publication,  which  will  rec- 
ord the  clinics  of  some  forty  specialists  in  Chicago,  embracing  the  surg- 
ical specialties  as  well  as  general  surgery.  In  this  issue  Bevan  discusses 
gallstone  disease,  Ochsner  goitre,  Carl  Beck  the  open  wound  treatment  of 
bone  and  joint  infections,  Ryerson  ankylosis  of  the  elbow,  etc.,  etc.  The 
various  contributions  are  fully  illustrated  and  snirgeons  generally  will  be 
glad  to  add  this  periodical  to  their  list. 

Progressive  Medicine 

A  Quarterly  Digest  edited  by  Hobart  Amory  Hare.  Vol.  xx.  No.  1. 
March  1,  1917.  I^a  &  Febiger,  Philadelphia  and  New  York.  $6.00 
per  annum. 

As  usual  this  first  issue  for  the  new  volume  covers  surgery  of  the 
head,  neck  and  thorax;  infectious  diseases;  diseases  of  children;  and 
rhinology,  laryngology  and  otology.  Naturally  many  pages  are  given 
up  to  a  review  of  the  literature  on  poliomyelitis. 


BLINDNESS  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES 

The  forthcoming  report  on  the  blind  in  the  United  States  an- 
nounced by  Director  Sam  L.  Rogers,  of  the  Bureau  of  the  Census,  De- 
partment of  Commerce,  indicates  that  30.8  per  cent.,  or  somewhat  less 
than  one- third,  of  the  blind  population  lost  their  sight  when  less  than 
20  years  of  age  (including  those  bom  blind) ;  47.4  per  cent.,  or  some- 
what less  than  one-half,  during  the  early  or  middle  years  of  adult  life 
(from  20  to  64  years);  and  21.8  per  cent.,  or  a  little  over  one-fifth,  in 
old  age  (after  passing  their  sixty-fifth  year).  More  persons  were  re- 
ported as  having  lost  their  sight  when  less  than  5  years  of  age  than  in 
any  other  5-year  period  of  life,  10.4  per  cent.,  or  about  one-sixth,  of  the 
total  being  included  in  this  group;  persons  reported  as  born  blind  form- 
ed 6.6  per  cent,  of  the  total  and  persons  reported  as  losing  sight  when 
less  than  1  year  old  5  per  cent.,  these  two  groups  together  contributing 
11.6  per  cent.,  or  more  than  one-tenth,  of  those  reporting  the  age  when 
vision  was  lost. 

These  statistics  are  based  on  an  enumeration  of  the  blind  made  in 
connection  with  the  census  of  1910.  The  blind  population  enumerated 
was  57,272,  and  by  sending  out  special  schedules  through  the  mails  the 
Bureau  obtained  data  regarding  such  subjects  as  the  cause  of  the  blind- 
ness and  the  age  wKen  it  occurred  from  29,242  blind  persons. 

SIGNIFICANCE   OF   THE   STATISTICS 

The  fact  that  the  30,000  blind  represented  in  the  returns  had  on  the 
average  been  blind  for  16  years  makes  plain  the  gravity  of  this  mis- 
fortune.    Although  the  risk  of  blindness  in  infancy,  childhood,  or  youth 


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302  NORTH  AMEttlCAN  JOURNAL  OF   HOMCKOPATHY 

is  relatively  small,  yet,  as  shown  by  these  figures,  the  complete  elimina- 
tion of  that  risk  would  reduce  the  blind  population  by  nearly  one-third. 
Similarly,  the  elimination  of  the  risk  of  blindness  during  the  early  or 
middle  years  of  adult  life  would  reduce  the  blind  population  by  nearly 
one-half,  while  the  elimination  of  the  high  risk  in  old  age  would  cause  a 
reduction  of  only  one-fifth  in  the  number  of  existing  cases.  Of  course, 
the  earlier  the  age  at  which  the  sight  is  lost,  the  greater  the  magnitude 
of  the  misfortune;  loss  of  sight  in  infancy  means  a  life  of  blindness, 
while  loss  of  sight  in  old  age  ordinarily  means  only  a  few  years  of  that 
affliction.  For  this  reason  tlie  increase  in  individual  happiness  and  the 
benefits  to  society  in  general  that  would  accrue  from  a  successful  cam- 
paign against  blindness  in  early  life  would  obviously  be  vastly  greater 
than  would  result  from  a  corresponding  reduction  in  the  blindness  oc- 
curring in  old  age.  In  this  connection  it  is  significant  that  since  1880 
there  has  been  a  distinct  decrease  in  the  proportion  of  blind  who  lost 
their  sight  in  infancy.  In  1880  persons  who  became  blind  before  com- 
pleting their  first  year  of  life  formed  15.3  per  cent,  of  the  total  reporting, 
as  compared  with  only  11.6  per  cent,  in  1910.  This  decrease  is  explain- 
ed largely  by  tlie  great  progress  made  toward  preventing  blindness 
among  newborn  infants  through  the  use  of  the  Crede  method  of  prophy- 
laxis for  ophthalmia  neonatorum,  which  was  discovered  in  1884. 

KKLATIVK    INCRKASK    OF    OCXUPATIONAL    BLINDNESS 

The  proportion  of  the  blind  who  lost  their  sight  during  the  early 
or  middle  years  of  adult  life  has  increased  somewhat  since  1880.  It 
is  probable  that  this  increase  is  in  part  the  result  of  the  great  industrial 
growth  of  the  United  States  in  the  last  30  years,  which  would  naturally 
bring  in  its  train  an  increase  in  the  number  of  cases  of  blindness  due 
to  occupational  injury  or  disease,  and  hence  in  the  immber  occurring 
during  the  years  of  economic  activity. 

A  much  larger  proportion  of  males  than  of  females  lost  their  sight 
in  the  early  or  middle  years  of  adult  life  (20  to  64  years  of  age),  the 
percentage  for  males  being  51.4,  or  more  than  one-half,  as  compared 
with  a  percentage  of  41.8,  or  about  two-fifths,  for  females.  This  mark- 
ed difference  with  regard  to  the  period  of  life  when  loss  of  sight  occur- 
red is  of  course  the  result  in  the  main  of  the  cases  of  blindness  from 
industrial  accidents  or  occupational  diseases,  which  are  numerous  among 
the  male  blind  but  are  relatively  few-  among  the  females,  and  in  which 
obviously  loss  of  sight  occurs  for  the  most  part  during  the  early  or 
middle  years  of  adult  life. 

BLINDNESS    A   BAR   TO   MARRIAGE 

The  statistics  as  to  age  at  which  sight  was  lost  bring  out  some  in- 
teresting facts  concerning  the  extent  to  which  marriage  takes  place 
among  the  blind.  The  majority  of  those  who  have  not  married  before 
they  lose  their  sight  continue  single  for  the  remainder  of  their  lives. 
But  the  fact  that  the  percentage  single  is  higher  among  the  females 
who  lost  their  sight  before  the  age  of  20  than  it  is  among  the  males  in- 
dicates that  blindness  is  less  of  a  bar  to  marriage  in  the  case  of  males 
than  of  females,  since,  all  other  things  being  equal,  the  percentage 
should  have  been  somewhat  lower  for  females  by  reason  of  the  fact  that 
women  ordinarily  marry  earlier  than  men.  The  figures  show,  however 
that  while  marriage  is  much  less  frequent  among  the  blind  than  among 
those  who  can  see,  it  is  by  no  means  rare;  of  the  males  who  had  lost 
their  sight  between  the  ages  of  15  and  19,  for  example,  about  one- 
third,  and  of  the  females,  about  one-fifth,  had  married  since  they  be- 
came blind. 


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NORTH    AMERK'AX    JOURNAL    OF    HOMCEOPATHV  303 

MEDICAL  INTOLERANCE 

Against  no  body  of  men,  except  it  be  the  elergy,  can  the  charge  of 
intolerance  be  so  truthfully  made  as  against  that  of  the  medical  profes- 
sion. Perhaps  we  should  say  the  leaders  of  the  medicinal  profession.  It 
has  been  so  since  the  beginning  of  medicine.  Especially  has  it  been  true 
of  the  profession  in  America.  We  had  fondly,  but  seemingly  futilely, 
hoped  that  as  time  passed  and  the  facilities  for  legitimate  investigation 
became  greater,  and  as  men  became  better  educated  and  more  humane, 
fairness  at  least  would  prevail  and  truth  or  untruth  would  be  impartially 
weighed  before  being  either  confirmed  or  condemned.  So  common  has 
it  become  to  condemn  before  trial  that  we  can  claim  no  great  advance 
over  the  practitioners  of  medieval  medicine^ — when  every  man's  hand 
was  against  every  other  man. 

Had  the  hasty  objector — better  the  obstructionist — prevailed  in  the 
past  there  would  have  been  no  ipecac  in  medicine,  nor  vaccination,  no 
cinchona  and  its  salts,  nor  many  of  the  most  beneficent  of  drugs  and 
measures  to  alleviate  and  cure  disease.  Harvey's  work  would  have  been 
in  vain  if  the  objector  could  have  had  his  way ;  Semmelweis  and  his  sal- 
vation for  the  parturient  would  have  been  forever  condemned;  Jenner 
and  vaccination  would  have  lived  only  as  the  memory  of  a  doctor's  quar- 
reL  But  truth  will  prevail  and  no  matter  how  high  the  standing  of  the 
obstructionist  in  his  own  day,  posterity  will  hold  for  him  only  pity  for 
his  shortsighted  selfishness. 

Within  a  year  medical  intolerance  has  been  shown  up  in  a  stronger 
spotlight  than  is  commonly  thrown  upon  it  by  the  laity.  A  certain 
French  surgeon  is  said  to  have  devised  and  applied  a  new  form  of  dress- 
ing for  the  horrible  burns  from  tar  and  gas  sustained  by  the  soldiers  in 
the  great  European  conflict.  We  do  not  know  whether  his  claims  are 
true  or  false.  We  are  willing  to  be  shown,  however,  and  then  to  give  our 
conclusions.  We  prefer  not  to  prejudge.  The  Outlook,  our  great  Amer- 
ican weekly,  published  some  letters  of  an  American  lady  of  high  char- 
acter and  worth,  an  accomplished  teacher  and  traveller,  acting  under 
the  sanction  of  the  French  government,  as  inspector  of  French  military 
hospitals  and  aiding  in  supplying  their  needs.  In  these  letters  the  writ- 
er told  of  the  marvellous  results  obtained  by  the  treatment  of  the  surg- 
eon alluded  to — results  almost  too  marvellous  for  belief.  The  Journal 
of  the  American  Medical  Association,  it  vseems,  did  not  believe,  and  with 
the  attitude  characteristic  of  that  publication,  jeeringly  accused  The 
Outlook  of  being  duped  into  "publishing  enough  miracles  *  *  *  to 
make  fortunes  for  a  half-dozen  shrines  and  to  justify  a  carload  of 
relics."  It  concluded  also,  "that  the  greatest  miracle  is  that  by  the  in- 
strumentality of  a  credulous  and  uncritical  lay  writer  the  esteemed 
Outlook  had  been  ambused  into  spreading  a  gratuitous  advertisement 
over  two  of  its  valuable  pages." 

The  Outlook,  with  good  spirit  and  proper  method,  took  time  to 
gather  authenic  confirmation  of  its  correspondent's  letters,  and  thus 
fortified,  convincingly  justifies  both  the  surgical  procedure  and  its  own 
clean  position  in  the  matter. 

The  fight  is  not  ours.  It  is  between  the  Outlook  and  the  J.  A.  M. 
A.  We  are  not  concerned  as  to  the  validity  of  the  correspondent's 
claims,  but  we  are  interested  as  to  the  manner  of  attack  so  often  adopt- 
ed by  journals  in  high  places.  Not  only  on  this  occasion  ,but  on  many 
other  occasions,  when  a  new  medicine  or  a  new  medical  or  surgical  pro- 
cedure is  proposed  that  does  not  meet  with  their  approval,  prejudged,  of 
course,  these  self-constituted  censors  of  the  profession  at  once  proceed 
to  annihilate  both  the  medicines  and  measures  and  those  who  have  the 


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304  NORTH   AAIERK'AX   JOlRXAL   OK   HOMCEOPATHY 

temerity  to  introduce  them.  We  have  only  to  recall  the  history  of  the 
attacks  and  condemnations,  without  fair  and  representative  investiga- 
tion, of  such  medicines  as  cactus,  echinacea,  black  haw,  helonias  and  oth- 
ers valued  in  the  eclectic  and  homoeopathic  schools — decried  and  reject- 
ed for  no  other  reason  that  we  can  conceive  but  that  of  having  been  in- 
troduced or  advocated  by  practitioners  of  the  so-called  irregular  schools 
of  medicine. 

This  intolerant  attitude  of  the  Journal  of  the  A.  M.  A.  is  thus 
summed  up,  victoriously,  as  we  see  it,  by  The  Outlook  in  a  recent  arti- 
cle on  "Medical  Intolerance,''  giving  the  full  details  of  the  letters  re- 
ferred to  above.  Concluding  the  paper  the  editor  writes :  "From  time 
immemorial  the  church  and  the  law  have  suffered  from  priests  and 
judges  who  pay  more  attention  to  the  creeds,  forms  and  traditions  of 
their  two  noble  professions  than  they  do  to  the  essential  spirit  and  ob- 
jects of  those  professions.  Unfortunately,  the  same  thing  may  be  said 
of  the  great  and  splendid  profession  of  physicians  and  surgeons.  There 
is  to  be  found  the  medical  eeclesiast  who  is  more  concerned  in  the  formal 
observance  of  etiquette,  propriety,  and  tradition  than  he  is  in  relieving 
suffering.  We  yield  to  no  one  in  our  respect  for  the  hippocratic  oath 
which  every  physician  takes,  or  in  our  admiration  for  the  valuable  work 
which  the  Journal  of  the  American  Medical  Asociation,  under  the  lead- 
ership of  Dr.  Simmons,  has  done  in  suppressing  the  evils  of  quackery, 
ignorance,  and  lay  meddling  in  the  treatment  of  disease.  Patent  nos- 
trums and  cure-alls  are  to  be  avoided  and  condemned.  We  do  not  rec- 
ommend that  laymen  should  attempt  to  use  Dr.  de  Sanfort's  method 
without  consulting  a  physician  who  has  familiarized  himself  with  its 
medical  and  scientific  technique.  But  we  do  think  that  every  broad- 
minded  physician  and  surgeon  should  investigate,  as  Dr.  S.,  of  the 
United  States  Steel  Corporation,  has  done,  before  condemning  a  new 
surgical  method  because  he  thinks  a  priori  that  it  is  impossible.  Such 
condemnation  is  like  the  condemnation  of  Copernicus  or  Galileo  or  Dar- 
win by  the  church." — Editorial,  Eclectic  Medical  Journal. 


Preparedness. — Who  knows  what  we  are  facing  as  a  nation  in  the 
years  to  come?  One  thing  we  do  know — there  is  to  be  a  struggle  for 
existence,  and  the  nation  that  is  physically  sound  at  the  core  is  the  na- 
tion that  will  hand  down  its  civilization  to  the  centuries.  To  study 
where  we  are  weak,  to  study  how  we  can  make  each  generation  a  little 
better  than  the  preceding  one,  instead  of  drifting  with  the  tide  of  so- 
called  natural  evolution  and  trusting  to  luck  that  we  shall  not  meet  the 
destructive  fate  of  all  previous  civilizations;  to  find  out  the  facts  about 
ourselves  and  our  children  and  proceed  to  do  our  duty  by  our  bodies 
and  theirs  by  applying  the  lessons  of  science  in  the  art  or  living;  to 
accumulate  health  and  vitality  instead  of  disease  and  degeneration — 
these  things  I  look  on  as  simple  elementary  measures  in  preparation  for 
either  war  or  peace. — Eugene  L.  Fisk. 


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INTERNATIONAL  HOMCEOPATHIC  REVIEW 


THE  PRINCIPLES  OF  HOMCEOPATHY* 

BY    A.    C.    COWPERTHWAITE,    M.D. 

(The  California  Eclectic  Medical  Journal) 

Homoeopathy  is  based  upon  the  principle  of  "similia  similibus 
•curantur,"  or  **like  cures  like.''  This  is  the  homoeopathic  law  of  cure, 
and  when  adhered  to  in  practice  constitutes  homoeopathy  regardless  of 
the  size  of  the  dose.  However,  experience  taught  Hahnemann  and  his 
immediate  followers,  as  we  shall  see  later,  that  the  most  successful  appli- 
cation of  this  law  in  practice  depended  upon  certain  other  collateral 
features  which  Hahnemann  established  and  appended  to  the  law  of  cure, 
and  which  have  been  more  or  less  accepted  by  the  homoeopathic  school. 
These  are:  fl)  Potentization ;  (2)  The  single  remedy;  (3)  The  min- 
imum dose. 

One  hundred  and  fifty  years  ago  the  practice  of  medicine  was  in  a 
state  of  eclipse.  It  was  during  this  dark  age  that  Hahnemann  ap- 
peared upon  the  stage.  His  name  was  known  and  cherished.  He  was 
eminent  as  a  physician  and  chemist,  distinguished  as  a  scholar  and 
linguist,  profoundly  versed  in  ancient  and  modern  tongue,  and  his  writ- 
ings were  treasured  among  the  standard  works  of  medical  literature. 
Hahnemann  had  quitted  with  disgust  the  practice  of  medicine.  His 
love  for  honor  and  truth  would  not  permit  him  to  jJractice  a  system 
of  treatment  so  irrational  and  so  unscientific  in  its  character.  At  this 
time  he  engaged  in  the  translation  of  ancient  and  modem  writings, 
and  in  connection  therewith,  undertook  a  broad  survey  of  medical 
literature.  In  this  labor  he  became  familiar  with  the  ideas  of  the  early 
philosophers;  he  also  saw  corroborated  that  fragmentary  observation  of 
Hippocrates,  that  "diseases  are  sometimes  cured  by  similars";  but  not 
until  1790 — while  translating  the  Materia  Medica  of  Cullen  did  the 
conviction  flash  upon  his  mind  of  the  existence  in  the  Divine  economy 
of  a  universal  law  of  cure;  and  thenceforward,  with  unfaltering  pur- 
pose he  devoted  all  the  energies  of  his  master  mind  to  the  one  grand  ob- 
ject of  developing,  systematizing  and  perfecting  the  neW  method  of 
healing  the  sick.  As  the  falling  apple,  through  Newton,  gave  to  philos- 
ophy the  law  of  gravitation,  so  the  study  of  the  effect  of  Peruvian  bark, 
through  Hahnemann,  gave  the  law  of  similars  to  medicine,  and  homoeop- 
athy to  the  world. 

Hahnemann  was  now  in  possession  of  a  tangible  fact;  a  remedy 
that  would  cure  a  certain  disease  would  also  produce  it  in  a  healthy 
person,  and  it  was  certain  that  the  converse  was  true,  i.e.,  that  a  drug 
that  produced  a  certain  disease  in  a  healthy  body,  would  cure  it  in  a  sick 
one.  But  this  was  only  one  instance,  and  might  be  an  exception.  He 
therefore  set  himself  to  the  task  of  testing  a  great  number  of  drugs,  and 
with  heroic  self-sacrifice,  took  them  himself,  carefully  noting  the  min- 
utest effects  produced,  and  comparing  them  with  symptoms  of  well- 
known  diseases.  He  likewise  induced  some  of  his  friends  to  join  him 
in  these  tests  on  provings,  and  by  mutually  comparing  notes,  certain 
positive  facts  were  established.  But  not  yet  satisfied,  Hahnemann,  like 
a  true  scientist,  hesitated  to  publish  this  discovery  until  it  had  been 
thoroughly  corroborated;  so,  for  ten  long  years,  he  was  arduously  at 
work,  proving  to  himself  in  every  way  possible,  its  truth,  before  he  sub- 

*Read  before  the  Joint  Meeting  of  the  Homoeopaths  and  Eclectics. 


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306  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

mitted  it  to  the  world.  This  is,  indeed,  the  spirit  of  true  scientific  in- 
quiry, and  when  the  law,  ^'similia  similihus  curantur*'  was  made  known, 
it  was  not  a  mere  speculative  theory,  but  a  scientific  fact — a  law  of 
nature,  established  through  a  long  series  of  the  most  persistent  obserra- 
tion  and  experiment. 

I  will  not  occupy  your  time  giving  illustrations  as  to  the  similarity 
of  the  pathogenetic  effects  of  drugs  with  their  curative  effects,  the  uni- 
versal specific  for  intermittent  fever,  just  as  quinine  is  today  with  the 
dominant  school  of  medicine.  Hahnemann  was  the  first  to  observe  the 
remarkable  similar  effects  of  the  pathogenesy  of  the  drug  to  the  symp- 
toms of  intermittent  fever.  He  found  the  same  similarity  to  exist  in 
all  other  drugs.  Quinine  is  today,  more  often  applicable  in  malarial 
fever  than  any  other  drug,  but  experience  has  taught  that  is  is  only 
really  curative  in  those  cases  where  the  symptoms  closely  correspond 
to  those  produced  by  the  drug  in  the  human  system.  The  same  is  true 
of  belladonna  in  acute  congestive  types  of  diseases;  of  aconite  or  gel- 
semium  or  veratrum  viride  in  fevers;  of  arsenic  in  asthenic  diseases;  of 
mercury  potassium  or  phosphorus,  etc.,  in  tissue  changes;  the  same  il- 
lustration proving  true  in  every  drug  of  the  materia  medica — animal, 
vegetable  or  mineral. 

From  time  immemorial  there  have  been  vague  traditions  that 
medicines  sometimes  cured  diseases  similar  to  those  they  caused,  and 
these  traditions  gaining  more  and  more  basis  as  time  passed  on  began 
to  assume  solid  proportions,  strengthened  from  age  to  age  by  the  testi- 
mony of  such  as  Hippocrates,  Paracelsus,  Van  Helmont,  Sydenham, 
Stahl,  Descartes  and  many  others,  whose  quotations  in  direct  support  of 
the  homoeopathic  law  of  cure  might  be  given  would  time  permit. 

Thus  it  was  not  left  for  Hahnemann  to  discover  the  law  of  cure, 
but  to  systematize  it,»  and  to  establish  certain  collateral  features  upon 
which  it  depended — to  append  certain  theories  of  which  he  was  truly 
the  originator  and  discoverer,  by  which  the  law  of  cure  was  illustrated 
and  brought  into  unison  with  other  natural  laws  already  established, 
these  theories  in  every  instance,  resting  upon  scientific  facts  appertain- 
ing to  the  departments  of  natural  philosophy  and  biology.  The  doctrifie 
that  every  peculiar  substance  produces  a  series  of  peculiar  effects  upon 
the  human  organism  belongs  to  the  natural  sciences — is  itself  a  peculiar 
treating  of  the  effect  of  a  diversity  of  substances  on  the  human  frame. 
The  doctrine  of  potentization  belongs  to  natural  philosophy,  in  common 
with  the  doctrines  of  magnetism,  electricity  and  galvanism.  The  doc- 
trine that  potencies  are  capable  of  curing  diseases  according  to  the 
law,  "similia  sjmilibus,"  is  a  proposition  that  belongs  to  biology  and 
there  finds  its  confirmation.  So  we  find  that  all  collateral  doctrines  of 
homoeopathy  rest  upon  other  natural  laws  operating  in  unison  with  the 
law  of  cure. 

I  now  desire  to  call  your  attention  to  one  of  the  collateral  doctrines 
of  homoeopathy — the  most  important  for  the  reason  that  it  constitutes 
the  most  radical  change  in  therapeutics,  and  because  it  more  than  all 
else  had  brought  upon  homoeopathy  the  scorn  of  the  allopath  and  the 
disbelief  of  those  who  have  failed  to  appreciate  the  truths  of  nature  upon 
which  this  doctrine  is  based.  I  refer  to  the  -doctrine  of  potentization, 
or  the  use  of  attenuated  medicines. 

When  Hahnemann  commenced  to  prescribe  according  to  the  new 
principle  of  "similia  similihus  curantur"  he  gave  ordinary  doses  of  drugs, 
but  found  in  every  case  an  unnecessary  aggravation.  In  order  to  over- 
come this  difficulty  he  conceived  the  idea  of  combining  the  drug  with 
some  inert  substance  in  order  to  more  easily  reduce  the  quantity  pre- 
scribed.   For  this  purpose  he  mixed  one  part  of  the  drug  with  99  parts 


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IXTERXATIO?fAL    HOMCEOPATHIC    REVIEW  307 

of  a  non*medical  substance,  and  in  order  to  impregnate  and  diffuse  this 
substance  equally  with  the  medicine,  the  dry  medicines  were  well  trit- 
urated with  sugar  of  milk,  and  the  fluid  ones  well  shaken  with  pure  al- 
cohol Thus  the  diffusion  of  one  part  of  the  drug  through  99  of  the  in- 
ert substance  afforded  a  ready  and  exact  method  of  administering  the 
one-hundredth  part  of  the  former.  But  it  was  soon  discovered  that 
the  one  hundredth  part  of  a  grain  thus  prepared  instead  of  retaining 
only  one  hundredth  part  of  the  power  of  the  original  grain,  had  a  path- 
ogenetic or  symptom-producing  power  not  far  different  from  the  whole 
grain,  and  a  disease-curing  power  greater  even  than  the  whole  grain. 
The  preparation  of  minute  doses  led  to  attenuations — that  is,  prepara- 
tions containing  little  medicine  in  a  given  bulk — the  original  purpose 
being  to  produce  uniform  diffusion.  It  demonstrated  the  fact,  first, 
that  a  given  weight  of  any  drug  in  a  dilute  state,  possesses  a  greater 
therapeutic  power  than  the  same  weight  of  it  in  the  crude  or  concen- 
trated state;  and  second,  that  Hahnemann's  method  of  diffusing  a  medi- 
cinal substance  through  a  non-medicinal  one,  by  successive  steps  or 
stages  in  regular  progression,  and  with  mechanical  force  develops  more 
curative  power  than  is  developed  in  an  equally  dilute  mixture  or  solu- 
tion prepared  in  the  ordinary  way. 

It  was  also  found  that  the  active  properties  of  many  remedies  that 
seem  nearly  powerless  in  their  crude  state,  are,  by  trituration,  develoi>ed 
— the  latent  power  set  free  as  it  were,  and  increased  to  an  astonishing 
extent,  so  that  they  do  not  operate  only  mechanically  or  chemically  on 
the  superficies  of  the  organs,  as  most  crude  medicines  do,  but  penetrate 
deeper  into  the  organisms,  and  act  more  thoroughly  and  extensively, 
though  in  a  milder  degree.  These  proved  to  be  puzzling  facts,  and  the 
difficulty  was  to  realize  the  existence  of  any  medicine  at  all,  after  it 
had  been  so  comminuted  as  to  elude  the  evidence  of  the  senses  and 
transcend  the  possibility  of  chemical  analysis.  Hahnemann  himself, 
astonished  at  the  wonderful  results  of  his  system  of  potentization  wav- 
ered as  to  its  true  cause,  science  as  yet  having  failed  to  give  him  the 
evidences  which  we  have  now  of  the  material  essence  of  the  attenuated 
drug. 

At  the  present  day  it  is  hardly  necessary  to  enter  into  any  argu- 
ment as  to  the  power  of  the  infinitesimal  dose.  The  serum  and  vaccine 
therapy  of  today  is  alone  a  sufficient  argument. 

There  is  a  limit  to  which  trituration  and  dilution  can  be  carried 
without  the  adding  of  more  of  the  inert  substance,  a  limit  governed  by 
the  laws  of  attraction  and  cohesion,  for  this  development  of  drug  power 
is  effected  by  comminution  and  in  no  other  way.  This  is  the  whole  se- 
cret of  that  incredible  power  with  which  homoeopathic  medicines  are 
proved  to  possess.  Trituration  and  mixture  with  sac.  lac.  promote 
this  development  just  as  far  as  they  promote  comminution  and  no 
farther.  The  succesive  steps  of  centigrade  dilution  promote  this  by  sub- 
jecting every  particle  of  the  medicinal  substance  to  the  mechanical, 
tearing  asunder  operation  of  the  non-medical  one.  To  triturate  1  gr. 
of  medicinal  powder  with  99  grs.  of  a  hard  inert  powder  like  sac.  lac. 
affects  not  merely  a  wider  separation  of  its  orignal  component  masses; 
and  a  division  more  minute  than  would  be  practicable  by  any  amount 
of  trituration  of  the  medicinal  powder  per  se;  and  so  the  higher  we  go 
in  dilution,  the  greater  is  the  reduction  of  the  size  of  the  groups  of  med- 
icinal molecules,  and  yet  it  cannot  be  carried  so  high  as  to  reduce  these 
molecules  to  the  indivisible  particles — the  atoms  proper,  if  such  exist. 
As  Dr.  Hering  says,  "Something  can  never  become  nothing."  Most 
physicians  have  practically  accorded  some  virtue  to  comminution — else 
why  do  the  pharmacopeias  direct  a  small  quantity  of  sulphate  of  potash, 


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308  NORTH  AMEEUCAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOK(EOPATHY 

a  salt  which  they  regard  as  inert,  but  valuable  in  Dovers  powders,  by 
its  hardness  in  effecting  the  comminution  of  the  opium?  And  our  Old 
School  friends  admit  the  peculiar  charm  which  lingers  around  the  pul- 
Tis  ipecac  compositus. 

The  old  materia  medica  furnishes  a  striking  instance  of  latent 
power  developing  by  comminution  in  the  instance  of  mercury.  Quick- 
silver, or  pure  mercury,  when  in  a  mass,  is  acknowledged  by  the  old 
school  to  be  an  inert  substance,  but  when  triturated  with  two  or  three 
times  its  weight  of  some  other  substance,  becomes  the  active  ingredient 
of  the  blue  pill.  Such  illustrations  might  be  continued  much  farther, 
and  yet  notwithstanding  these  facts,  the  allopathic  school  ridicule 
their  idea  of  Hahnemann's  process  deveioping  the  latent  power  of  a  drug, 
and  this,  too,  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  a  constantly  increasing  number 
of  allopathic  physicians  are  using  and  recommending  the  use  of  drugs 
triturated  according  to  the  rules  of  the  homoeopathic  pharmacopeia. 

Comminution  develops  therapeutic  power  because  it  increases  the 
surface  of  the  drug  particles,  in  bre  k  a  body  into  fragments  in- 
oreases  its  surface.  This  augments  with  each  succeeding  fracture,  and  by 
trituration  that  might  be  given  a  surface  inconceivably  immense.  Dop- 
pler,  the  celebrated  meathematician,  though  not  a  homoeopathist,  in  his 
"Essay  on  the  small  and  great  in  Nature/'  shows  by  mathematical  cal- 
culations that  well  refined  or  indefinitely  divided  substances  must 
necesarily  act  better  than  crude  substances  on  acenimt  of  their  increase 
in  surface,  attained  by  division  of  mechanical  pai'ticles  (trituration), 
by  which  the  medicine  affords  many  more  points  of  contact  with  the 
minute  nervous  system."  So  also,  the  invisible  vessels  and  pores  of 
the  delicate  human  organism  are  in  all  probability  inconceivably  more 
numerous  and  minute  than  the  visible  ones,  and  in  all  probability  it  is 
in  these  narrow  recesses  of  the  system  that  nature  carries  on  her  most 
important  operations,  and  disease  lays  her  foundations.  To  modify 
those  operations  and  overturn  those  foundations,  it  may  be  important  that 
the  medicine  should  enter  straits  impassable  and  chambers  inaccessible 
by  any  substance  whose  parts  are  as  gross  as  those  of  ordinary  powders 
and  solutions.  That  Hahnemann's  process  does  produce  an  infinite 
division  of  particles,  and  that  the  molecules  of  crude  materials  remain 
producing  not  a  spiritual  but  an  actual  and  material  effect,  the  micro- 
scope   and  the  spectrum  aiiilysis  have  long  since  revealed. 

Time  will  not  perimt  r  "  to  enter  into  any  discussion  of  the  inter- 
esting subject  of  the  divisibility  of  matter.  I  will  only  refer  to  the 
wonderful  discoveries  along  this  line  in  the  development  of  our  knowl- 
edge of  the  physical  powers  of  radium.  ^  I  have  made  distinct  photo- 
graphs in  the  dark  with  the  1  Hh  decimal  trituration  of  radium  bromide. 
Each  grain  of  this  preparation  represents  one  sextillionth  of  a  grain 
of  the  pure  salt  of  radium.  Others  have  carried  the  same  process  suc- 
cessfully up  to  the  60th  deciritil  trituration,  the  denominator  of  such  a 
fraction  being  incomprehensible  to  the  humah  mind 

The  single  remedy  is  an  essential  feature  of  homcBopathy,  in  that 
we  do  not  know  the  specific  action  of  any  mixture  of  drugs  on  the  healthy 
huipan  organism,  and  therefore  could  not  select  a  carefully  chosen, 
homoeopathic  remedy  in  a  given  case.  Doubtless  in  many  instances  at 
least,  the  combination  of  two  or  more  drugs  changes  the  character  and 
action  of  each  individual  ingredient,  therefore  such  a  prescription  can-^ 
not  be  accurate  and  scientific.  Many  homoeopaths  depart  from  this 
principle  in  their  practice  and  give  drugs  in  alternation  and  in  combin- 
ation tablets.  Such  a  practice  is  crude  and  unscientific  and  does  not 
give  the  beautiful  results  obtained  from  the  carefully  selected  single 
remedy.     The  chief  cause  of  this  widespread  departure  lies  in  the  fact 


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INTERNATIONAL    HOMCEOPATHIC    REVIEW  309 

that  it  id  much  the  easier  practice  and  does  not  require  the  careful 
study  and  individualization  necessary  to  the  selection  of  the  indicated 
single  remedy. 

The  minimum  dose  is  always  necessary  in  homoeopathic  prescription 
else  conditions  are  aggravated  and  much  harm  may  be  done.  The  rule 
is  to  prescribe  the  smallest  dose  possible  in  order  to  effect  a  cure.  This 
must  be  left  to  the  individual  judgment  of  the  prescriber.  One  may 
consider  doses  of  the  tincture  the  minimum  dose  while  another  may 
only  select  the  drug  in  varying  potencies.  The  size  of  the  dose  has 
uoliiing  whatever  to  do  with  the  homoeopathicity  of  the  prescription, 
rhe  collateral  features  of  homoeopathy  may  be  or  may  not  be  accepted 
by  the  homoeopathic  practitioner,  but  the  law  of  similars  must  be  ac- 
cepted by  him  and  his  practice  must  be  based  upon  that  principle  or  he 
is  not  a  homoeopath.  However,  a  homoeopathic  physician  may  employ 
additional  auxiliary  measures  in  the  cure  and  palliation  of  disease  if 
he  considers  such  measures  necessary.  This  is  his  right.  The  definit- 
ion of  a  homoeopathic  physician  as  adopted  by  the  American  Institute  of 
Homoeopathy  in  1899  is  as  follows:  "A  homoeopathic  physician  is  one 
who  adds  to  his  knowledge  of  medicine  a  special  knowledge  of  homoeop- 
athic therapeutics  and  observes  the  law  of  similia.  All  that  pertains  to 
the  great  field  of  medical  learning  is  his,  by  tradition,  by  inheritance, 
by  right." 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ECLECTICISM* 

BY    A.    P.    BAIRD,    M.D. 

(California  Eclectic  Medical  Journal) 

You  all  know  that  there  are  three  schools  of  medicine  recognized 
in  this  country,  viz.,v  allopath,  homoeopath  and  ecclectic,  or  reg^ular,  ir- 
regular, and  more  irregular,  having  for  their  insignia,  "Contrario  con- 
traribus  curantur,"  "Similia  similibus  curantur,"  "Vires  vitales  sustin- 
ete."  The  latter  is  the  subject  under  consideration,  though  we  may 
have  to  digress  a  little  by  way  of  comparison ;  as  for  example,  everybody 
knows  that  "contrario  contraribus  curantur"  means  that  you  cure  a 
snake  bite  by  the  very  opposite,  which  is  whiskey,  but  how  many  know 
that  "similia  similibus  curantur"  means  that  you  cure  a  snake  bite  by 
another  snake  bite,  which  is  whiskey*  bad  whiskey,  and  how  few  know  that 
the  eclectic  way  of  curing  a  snake  bite  is  "Vires  vitales  sustinete"  "sus- 
tain the  vital  forces,"  till  nature  shall  be  able  to  eliminate  the  poison, 
and  what  in  all  creation  is  better  able  to  sustain  the  vital  forces  than 
whiskey,  good  Scotch  whiskey?  At  all  events  if  you  get  a  man  well 
primed  with  spirits  it  is  an  easy  matter  to  make  him  believe  there  is 
nothing  ails  him,  and  that  is  where  Eddyism  gets  in  its  good  work. 

Now  then,  let  us  see  what  are  the  principles  of  eclecticism,  "Sus- 
tain the  vital  forces."  First  of  all  we  learn  what  a  healthy  man  looks 
like,  acts  like,  feels  like,  and  smells  like,  and  then  we  know  that  any 
departure  from  that  is  wrong,  and  our  aim  is  not  to  shoot  at  the  wrong, 
but  get  the  man  back  to  right;  this  simple  rule  is  the  keynote  to  a 
rational  practice,  which  is  eclecticism.  Many  people  and  even  some 
ecelectics  have  an  idea  that  "eclectic"  means  the  liberty  to  choose  from 
any  school  any  remedy  he  may  see  fit ;  it  means  nothing  of  the  kind.  It 
does  mean  to  choose  the  indicated  remedy  which  is  specific  for  that  con- 
dition.   To  illustrate  what  I  mean:     If  there  is, a  condition  existing 

•Read  before  the  Joint  Meeting  of  the  Eclectics  and  Homoeopaths. 


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310  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OP  HOM<EOPATHY 

wkich  produces  fever,  quids  pulse,  flushed  face,  bright  eyes,  contracted 
pupils,  we  give  gelsemium  and. get  good  results,  no  matter  whether  the 
patient  has  pneumonia,  scarlatina,  or  small-pox,  because  gelsemium  con- 
trols the  nerves  that  control  the  cerebral  circulation ;  but,  if  there  is  a 
congestive  condition  of  the  venous  circulation  showing  itself  in  a  bluish 
or  dusky  look  of  the  face  or  perhaps  the  whole  body,  belladonna  and  not 
gelsemium  would  be  the  remedy,  giving  just  as  good  results,  for  bella- 
donna has  an  affinity  for  the  nerves  controlling  the  venous  circulation. 
On  the  same  principle  we  give  bryonia  indicated  by  pain  on  motion 
showing  an  inflammation  of  serous  membrane^  having  discovered  that 
bryonia  acts  on  nerves  governing  serous  membranes.  Again  there  is  a 
burning  eruption  of  the  skin,  acute  in  nature,  produced  by  something 
irritating  the  nerves  governing  the  blood  supply  of  the  skin,  so  we  give 
rhus  toxicodendron  in  small  doses,  knowing  that  rhus  toxicodendron 
sedates  the  nerves.  In  the  same  way  we  treat  the  mucous  membrane, 
if  it  shows  a  yellowish  white  tint,  flabby  with  lack  of  tone,  we  give  and 
perhaps  apply  locally,  hydrastis,  because  we  have  learned  that  hydrastis 
acts  on  the  nerves  controlling  the  circulation  of  the  mucosa,  whether 
it  is  of  the  eye,  the  stomach,  bladder  or  any  other  part  of  the  anatomy. 
If  we  are  called  to  a  patient  with  a  brown,  furred,  dry  and  cracked 
tongue,  a  temperature  that  gains  a  little  each  day  for  a  week,  lacks 
ambition,  feels  tired  all  the  time,  face  shows  a  lack  of  active  circulation, 
dull  eyes,  pronounced  anorexia,  with  these  symptoms  alone  we  may  or 
may  not  conclude  that  the  patient  has  a  case  of  typhoid  fever ;  be  that  as 
it  may,  we  have  unmistakable  signs  that  indicate  baptisia,  and  what- 
ever other  remedies  may  be  indicated  we  are  sure  that  baptisia  will  do 
good. 

Again,  suppose  the  case  is  one  presenting  a  rapid,  thready  pulse, 
temperature  in  proportion  to  the  pulse,  pain  at  the  ileo-cecal  valve,  no 
sign  of  pus,,  we  give  aconite  in  small,  frequent  doses,  that  is,  one-sixth 
to  one-tenth  of  a  minim  every  one-half  to  one  hour,  and  more  than 
likely  in  another  glass  we  would  place  some  four  to  eight  drams  of  dios- 
corea  villosa  to  give  in  5  to  15-drop  doses  every  hour  in  hot  water,  and 
why?  Because  we  know  the  power  of  aconite  as  an  arterial  sedative 
subduing  active  inflammation  by  preventing  a  determination  of  blood 
to  any  part,  and  also  because  we  know  dioscorea  has  a  special  affinity 
for  the  nerves  below  the  diaphragm,  and  if  the  inflammation  has  not 
gone  too  far  befpre  this  treatment  has  been  instituted  very  likely  a  surg- 
ical operation  will  have  been  avoided,  and  the  surgeon  cheated  out  of 
one  more  fee. 

Again,  we  may  be  brought  face  to  face  with  a  congestive  chill,  the 
large  internal  vessels  are  congested  while  the  superficial  vessels  are 
almost  empty,  showing  a  chilly  surface  and  yet  an  internal  fever;  noth- 
ing could  be  plainer  than  that  this  condition  is  a  demand  for  glonoin, 
which  immediately  opens  up  the  capillaries,  making  a  way  for  the  in- 
ternal congestion  and  so  relieving  the  entire  situation.  In  this  way 
I  might  occupy  the  entire  evening  illustrating  the  action  of  remedies 
on  a  patient  suffering  from  some  departure  from  the  normal,  physiolog- 
ical standard  of  a  healthy  man;  however  a  few  more  will  suffice  for  the 
present  purpose;  as  for  instance  we  have  learned  that  Phytolacca  de- 
candra  is  opposed  to  glandular  swelling  arid  lymphatic  derangement  pro- 
ducing blood  dyscrasia  through  lack  of  elimination;  that  echinacea,  the 
eclectic's  black  Sampson  is  opposed  to  all  kinds  of  septic  conditions  and 
is  therefore  indicated  where  there  is  a  blood  dyscrasia  from  whatever 
cause  and  that  nothing  but  good  would  result  if  it  were  used  internally, 
externally,  and  eternally ;  that  apis  is  opposed  to  the  condition  that  pro- 
duces a  biting,  itching,  or  stinging  sensation  either  of  the  skin  or 


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INTERKAHONAL   HOliqCOPATHIO   REVIEW  811 

mucosa;  that  sticta  attacks  and  overcomes  the  condition  producing  a 
pain  under  the  shoulder  blade  ranging  up  toward  the  base  of  the  brain, 
that  quinia  overcomes  anything  attadcing  the  blood  having  periodicity 
as  its.  leading  indication;  that  podophyllum  will  clear  up  yellow  sclera, 
broad,  flabby,  yellowish-coated  tongue;  headache  from  absorption  of  bile 
as  it  is  an  energetic  hepatic  stimulant  not  like  mercury,  the  latter- 
stimulates  by  irritation  acting  in  the  capacity  of  a  poison,  compelling 
all  the  glands  to  get  a  move  on  in  order  to  move  out  the  common  enemy, 
but  it  is  no  true  vitalizer  like  podophyllum,  chionanthus,  leptandrin,  irist 
Versicolor,  stillingia,  and  many  other  vegetable  remedies,  each  in  its 
own  particular  and  peculiar  sphere  and  way. 

From  what  I  have  said  it  is  apparent  that  the  prescribed  medicines 
must  be  given  in  doses  enough  and  not  too  much,  or  we  may  get  very 
opposite  effects  to  that  for  which  we  are  looking,  as  for  instance,  a  large 
dose  of  ipecac  will  produce  vomiting,  a  small  dose  will  stop  it;  a  normal 
dose  of  lobelia  will  relax  a  nervous,  constricted  patient,  a  large  dose  will 
make  him  limp  and  make  him  nervous  and  very  likely  promote  emesis, 
given  by  mouth. 

Then  again,  the  method  and  maiuier  of  administration  has  much  to 
do  with  the  results;  10  to  800  minims  of  lobelia  by  mouth  will  likely 
vomit ;  20  to  *60  subcutaneously  will  have  no  such  effect ;  a  teaspoonf ul 
of  mustard  in  lukewarm  water  will  produce  free  emesis,  the  same  dose  in 
very  hot  water  I  have  seen  stop  some  of  the  most  violent  cases  of  vomiting. 

It  makes  quite  a  difference  with  some  medicines  whether  they  are 
administered  in  much  or  little  water,  or  hot  or  cold;  give  dioscorea  for 
post-partum  pains  in  hot  water  and  you  may  get  an  unexpected  profuse 
hemorrhage,  depending  on  the  condition  of  the  uterus;  give  kali  acetas 
in  a  little  cold  water  and  instead  of  an  active,  stimulating,  diuretic  you 
get  a  gastric  irritant;  this  remedy  should  always  be  administered  with 
copious  draughts  of  hot  water. 

From  the  foregoing  it  might  appear  that  eclectics  never  give  but 
one  remedy  at  a  time,  that  their  practice  is  always  a  rifle  practice,  but 
this  is  not  so;  when  a  number  of  indications  present  themselves  at  the 
same  time,  there  is  no  reason  why  a  number  of  remedies  should  not  be 
administered  at  the  same  time  to  meet  these  indications  providing 
they  do  not  conflict,  one  pulling  one  way  and  two  or  three  another,  for 
if  we  are  not  careful  we  might  easily  fall  into  the  same  mistake  as  the 
old  Irishman  who  went  out  with  his  shotgun  to  shoot  starlings  off  a  beech 
tree;  the  starlings  were  all  over  the  tree,  200  or  more,  so  he  conceived 
the  plan  of  whirling  his  gun  in  a  circle  at  the  moment  of  discharge, 
so  as  to  have  the  shot  distribute  itself  around  the  tree  and  make  a  big 
killing  at  one  time,  but  he  missed  the  tree  entirely. 

Neither  do  we  think  internal  medication  the  only  means  to  an  end; 
sometimes  the  indications  will  point  to  local  applications  of  various 
kinds,  whether  it  be  medicaments  in  one  form  or  another,  such  as  emol- 
lients, counter-irritants,  antiphlogistics,  antiseptics,  etc.,  or  mechano- 
therapy, hydro-therapy,  electro-therapy,  mineral  or  metal  therapy,  diet, 
exercise,  rest,  change  of  climate  or  atmosphere,  or  altitude,  or  even  sug- 
gestion. And  lastly  the  indications  may  unmistakably  point  to  a  good 
sharp  knife  in  the  hands  of  a  competent  and  conservative  surgeon. 

From  this  paper  you  will  have  perhaps  discovered  that  the  require- 
ments for  a  successful  physician  is  the  ability  to  recognize  indications 
and  to  know  how  to  use  the  indicated  remedy.  Oh  I  yes  and  how  to  col- 
lect your  bill. 


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812  NOBTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  UOliCEOPATHY 

HOMOEOPATHIC  TREATMENT  OF  PNEUMONIA* 

BY   DR.    H.   L.   SHEPHERD,   M.D. 

(California  Eclectic  Medical  Journal) 

In  the  early  stages  of  pneumonia  the  remedy  par  excellence  is 
iodine.  The  pathogeny  of  this  drug  shows  it  to  fit  the  large  majority 
of  cases  of  early  pneumonia.  It  has  the  high  fever,  dry  hacking  cough,^ 
chilliness,  restlessness,  slight  delirium  and  blood  streaked  sputa,  with 
the  crepitant  rales  all  so  characteristic  of  this  disease.  When  the  pa- 
tient has  a  hard  chill  followed  by  a  high  fever,  quick  pulse,  hot  dry 
skin,  restless  both  physically  and  mental^,  fear  of  death,  together  with 
a  hard,  dry,  teasing  cough  and  sharp  transitory  pains,  we  know  aconite 
is  the  remedy  to  give.  If  we  have  this  same  condition,  except  that  the 
patient  is  quiet  both  physically  and  mentally  and  is  not  worried  about 
the  future,  we  use  ferrum  phosphoricum. 

Together  with  these  symptoms  should  there  be  a  marked  arterial 
excitement  with  the  lung  becoming  rapidly  engorged  with  blood — ^verat- 
rum  viride  should  be  given.  When  the  second  stage  sets  in  and  the  pa- 
tient lies  very  quiet  ,  has  great  thirst  for  large  draughts,  of  water,  the 
cough  is  dry,  hard  and  jarring  the  patient  all  over,  the  sputa  is  blood 
streaked  or  rusty  and  scanty,  a  sense  of  great  weight  on  the  chest  and 
sharp  stabbing  pains  on  the  least  motion,  especially  if  a  well  defined 
pleurisy  is  present,  then  we  know  bryonia  is  the  remedy.  If  the  patient 
complains  of  a  tightness  in  the  chest,  is  inclined  to  hoarseness  especially 
on  using  the  voice,  or  toward  night,  the  cough  is  '^oose  edged"  and  from 
a  tickling  in  the  larynx,  the  sputa  frothy  or  '*prune  juice"  then  we 
should  give  phosphorus.  This  remedy  we  use  where  the  hyperemic 
element  is  more  pronounced  than  the  exudative  feature. 

Another  remedy  we  should  not  forget  in  this  stage,  when  the  temper- 
ature is  inclined  to  be  rather  excessive,  there  are  bright  red  circum- 
scribed spots  on  one  or  both  cheeks  and  may  be  in  the  palms  of  the 
hands,  a  hard  ringing  cough  with  scanty  expectoration  and  usually  bet- 
ter lying  on  the  unaffected  side,  and  that  is  sanguinaria. 

AH  these  remedies  I  personally  use  in  the  third  and  sixth  decimal 
solution — ten  drops  to  four  ounces  of  distilled  water  and  a  teaspoonful 
dose  from  every  half  hour  to  every  two  hours. 

When  the  exudation  stage  begins  and  the  larger  tubes  are  full  of 
mucus,  the  cough  is  soft  and  rattling,  choking  and  gagging  the  pa- 
tient, sometimes  even  causing  vomiting  because  the  mucus  is  so  diffi- 
cult to  raise,  this  latter  condition  is  not  so  much  from  the  large  quanti- 
ty of  mucus  as  from  a  condition  of  **lung  paralysis"  with  a  tendency  to 
cyanosis,  cool  moist  skin  and  signs  of  impending  pulmonary  edema. 
This  remedy — antimonium  tartaricum — we  find  particularly  useful  in 
cases  of  asthenic  pneumonia,  especially  in  children  and  old  people. 

When  we  have  a  metallic,  loose  cough  and  the  patient  raising  large 
quantities  of  yellow,  ropy,  elastic  sputum,  a  tendency  to  hoarseness  and 
pain  in  the  sternum  extending  to  the  shoulders  with  the  cough,  then  we 
give  kali  bichromicum. 

Should  the  sputa  be  a  marked  lemon  yellow,  especially  in  pneu- 
monia following  grip,  *we  find  kali  sulphuricum  useful. 

If  resolution  is  excessively  slow  and  the  patient's  reaction  is  poor, 
we  have  several  remedies. 

Probably  we  find  sulphur  more  often  useful  than  any  other  remedy. 
The  sputa  is  muco-purulent,  greenish  and  has  a  sweetish  taste,  the  skin 

♦Read  before  the  Joint  Meeting  of   the  Homoeopathic   and  Eclectic 
Societies. 


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INTERNATIONAL    HOMCEOPATHIC    RE\'IBW  313 

is  muddy  and  dry,  the  orifices  bright  red  and  the  patient  develops  a 
great  didike  for  water,  externally  especially. 

Another  remedy  which  we  use  to  hasten  absorption  in  these  cases 
is  kali  iodatum.  With  this  remedy  we  have  stitching  pains  from  the 
chest  through  to  the  back.  The  sputa  is  purulent  greenish  and  occasion- 
ally like  ''soap  suds".  When  there  has  been  an  old  hydrothorax  or  a  pleur- 
isy with  effusion  we  find  this  ranedy  especially  useful. 

Should  we  have  a  tendency  to  marked  delirium  we  would  use  bella- 
donna, hyoscyamus,  agaricus,  etc.  If  typhoidal  complications,  such 
remedies  as  baptisia,  rhus  toxicodendron  or  phosphoric  acid. 

As  for  heart  stimulants,  we  seldom  use  them  in  exceptional  cases. 
Then  the  alkaloids  of  digitalis  or  alcohol  in  the  form  of  brandy  or 
champagne  seem  to  be  the  most  satisfactory. 

In  regard  to  local  applications  we  use  the  **batten"  or  preferably 
the  wool  jacket.  Occasionally  poultices  of  ground  flaxseed  or  rubbing 
with  camphorated  oil  or  light  mustard  cerates. 

But  on  the  whole  we  find  the  remedies  above  quite  sufficient  and 
with  careful  and  painstaking  prescribing  we  get  most  excellent  results 
with  the  single  remedy  in  this  most  fatal  of  our  diseases. 


THE  MEDICINAL  TREATMENT  OF  CROUPOUS  PNEUMONIA 
—FROM  AN  ECLECTIC  STANDPOINT* 

BY    H.   G.    SMITH,    MJ). 

(California  Eclectic  Medical  Journal) 

In  pneumonia,  the  stage  of  the  disease  to  a  great  extent  determines 
the  pathology  and  consequent  symptomatology,  and,  in  large  measure, 
the  applicable  medicinal  agents.  Of  course,  the  indications  for  remedial 
measures  are  influenced  by  the  general  physical  state  of  the  patient  at 
the  time  of  contracting  the  disease,  and  by  the  complications  tlu.t  arise 
during  the  course  of  the  disease. 

During  the  chill  and  stage  of  congestion  there  is  a  eondition  of 
general  peripheral  nerve  hyperesthesia,  especially  sensory,  that  raises 
the  arterial  tension,  the  pulse  being  small,  hard  and  frequent,  the  skin 
hot  and  dry,  secretions  suppressed  and  temperature  rising,  and  chilli- 
ness up  and  down  the  spine,  or  general  chilliness  if  there  is  sudden  ex- 
posure to  the  atmosphere,  or  draughts  of  cold  air  strike  the  patient. 
These  are  direct  and  specific  indications  for  the  administration  of  acon- 
ite. By  its  action  the  pulmonary  congestion,  chill,  pain,  pulse  and  tem- 
perature are  lessened;  the  bronchi,  endocardium,  pericardium,  myo- 
cardium, meninges,  bowels,  and  the  liver,  kidneys,  and  other  paren- 
chymatous organs  protected  from  pathological  changes.  It  is  frequently 
indicated  throughout  the  febrile  stage  in  children. 

In  this  stage,  we  frequently  find  a  condition  of  capillary  stasis 
that  renders  it  fdmost  impossible  for  Mother  Nature  to  react  and  forti- 
fy herself  against  the  invasion  of  the  disease.  The  chilliness  is  marked, 
moital  condition  dull  and  inactive,  eyes  dull  witJi  dilated  pupils,  and 
partly  opened  when  asleep,  skin  cool  and  relaxed,  extremities  cold,  and 
more  or  less  general  cyanosis.    Belladonna  is  the  direct  remedy  for  this 

rptomatology;  shortening  the  chill  and  lessening  the  discomfort  of 
patient,  as  well  as  tending  to  inhibit  the  pulmonary  exudation. 

*Ileed  before  the  Joint  Meeting  of  the  Eclectic  and  Homoeopathic 
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314  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

Occasionally  we  encounter  a  marked  bronchial  irritation,  with  a 
great  deal  of  blood  in  the  sputum,  and  irritable  stomach  and  bowels. 
Ipecac,  in  minute  doses,  is  the  remedy  for  this  condition.  Ipecac  is 
also  valuable  in  purpura. 

As  hepatization  takes  place,  we  find  the  system  becoming  loaded 
with  toxins  and  the  heart  muscle  and  arterioles  becoming  irritable  from 
th^7  combined  effects  of  the  overload  and  toxemia.  The  pulse  is  big, 
full  and  bounding,  and,  ordinarily,  only  moderately  rapid;  the  capillary 
circulation  is  full,  the  tissues  engorged,  and  the  skin  showing  a  naa- ' 
hogany  flush.  Veratrum  is  the  remedy  specifically  called  for,  and  its 
value  as  an  eliminant  is  not  far  below  that  as  a  controller  of  circulation 
and  temperature. 

If,  as  is  uSual,  the  pleura  is  involved,  cough  and  pain  immediately 
becomes  severe,  being  of  short,  sharp,  tensive,  hacking  character,  in- 
creased by  motion.  Usually  there  is  a  headache,  generally  on  the  right 
side,  also  of  a  sharp  tensive  character,  increased  by  motion ;  face  flushed, 
especially  the  right  side,  always  so  if  right  lower  lobe  is  involved;  pulse 
hard,  quick  and  vibratile;  all  specific  indications  for  bryonia,  which 
not  only  relieves  these  symptoms,  but  protects  all  serous  membranes, 
meninges,  endocardium,  pericardium,  and  synovial  membranes  as  well, 
and  its  influence  upon  the  liver  is  decidedly  beneficial. 

In  children  often  and  in  adults  occasionally,  we  find  a  condition 
of  bronchial  spasm  with  deficient  secretion;  the  cough  is  spasmodic  and 
non-productive;  the  breathing  spasmodic  and  oppressed,  and  the  cyanos- 
is becomes  very  marked.  The  sedative  effect  of  lobelia  upon  the  gang- 
liated  nervous  system  soon  remedies  this  condition.  Lobelia  not  only 
relieves  the  dyspnea  and  establishes  secretions  here,  but  is  valuable  in 
the  stage  of  resolution  to  free  the  exudate  and  promote  its  expulsion. 

Herpes  is  a  very  constant  symptom  in  croupous  pneumonia,  and 
is  not  only  often  distressing,  but  difficult  to  heal  because  of  the  tend- 
ency of  the  patient  to  meddle  with  and  scratch  the  bleb.  Being  a  toxic 
terminal  neuritis  it  is  benefitted  by  the  application  of  veratrum  locally, 
ds  well  as  by  its  internal  use.  Echinacea  is  usually  combined  with  the 
veratrum  for  local  use,  and  is  administered  internally  for  its  general 
effect  upon  the  toxemia.  It  increases  the  leucocytosis  and  thus  pro- 
tects the  myocardium  and  parenchymatous  organs.  For  the  nervous 
irritation  of  the  herpes,  we  often  find  rhus  toxicodendron  indicated.  Rhus 
is  also  indicated  by  photophobia,  irregular  pupils,  frontal  headache,  es- 
pecially on  the  left  side,  and  more  noticeable  when  the  patient  is  warm 
and  at  rest;  the  face  flushed,  burning  sensation;  the  tongue  red,  pointed, 
papilla*  elongated  and  pointed;  cough  short  and  sharp,  with  sense  of 
iieat  or  burning  in  the  bronchi*  and  larynx. 

The  heart  must  be  watched  at  all  times  during  the  progress  of 
lobar  pneumonia,  although  it  rarely  gives  trouble  in  a  well  treated  case, 
excepting  in  the  aged,  feeble,  or  alcoholics.  At  the  crisis,  if  the  over- 
load, toxemia,  endocarditis,  pericarditis,  or  myocarditis  has  seriously 
damaged  the  heart,  the  diffusible  stimulants  are  to  be  remembered,  chief 
of  which  is  alcohol,  indicated  by  a  small,  weak,  frequent  pulse,  and 
vital  powers  generally  failing.  Camphor  is  another  remedy  of  great 
value  to  sustaining  the  vital  powers;  the  specific  symptomatology  being 
insomnia,  prostration,  restlessness,  extremities  cold,  voice  weak  and 
husky,  heart-beat  feeble,  burning  pains  in  stomach,  vertigo,  nausea  and 
perhaps  vomiting  and  diarrhea,  face  bluish  and  pupils  dilated.  These 
should  be  supported  by  remedies  of  more  lasting  effect,  as  digitalis,  in- 
diei\ted  by  a  small,  weak,  rapid  pulse,  low  arterial  tension,  dyspnea, 
fear,  cyanosis,  "veins  too  full  and  arteries  not  full  enough;'*  by  strop- 


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INTERNATIONAL    HOMCEOPATHIO    REVIEW  315 

hanthus,  when  the  pulse  is  week  and  of  low  volume,  especially  accom- 
panying or  following  endocarditis,  pericarditis,  or  myocarditis. 

If  the  heart  and  circulatory  apparatus  show  distinct  evidence  of 
weakness,  there  is  a  dropiscal  condition  and  the  cough  and  expectoration 
are  particularly  troublesome  factors,  squills  is  a  remedy  that  will  Ac- 
complish results.  Ammonium  carbonate  is  a  remedy  that  may  be  used, 
in  the  form  of  aromatic  spirits,  as  a  diffusible  stimulant  at  the  crisis, 
but  is  of  more  value  in  the  disease  when  the  sputum  becomes  scanty 
and  perhaps  tenacious,  a  smaller  quantity  requiring  greater  effort  to 
expel  it,  and  the  vital  forces  of  the  patient  at  a  rather  low  ebb.  It 
thins  the  secretions,  renders  them  less  fetid  and  gives  the  patient  more 
power  to  expel  them.  Ammonium  chloride  is  more  easily  made  palat- 
able than  the  carbonate  and  thins  the  secretions  more  thoroughly,  but 
its  general  stimulating  effects  are  less  marked.  If  the  secretions  are 
more  or  less  free,  but  the  patient  is  weak  and  lacks  both  power  and  in- 
clination to  cough,  with  a  sense  of  oppression  throughout  the  chest,  re- 
lief may  be  obtained  by  the  administration  of  senega.  It  also  exerts  a 
beneficial  influence  upon  the  heart.  During  the  stage  of  resolution,  if 
the  process  is  delayed,  the  tissues  relaxed,  iSere  is  tickling  and  a  sense  of 
constriction  in  the  larynx  or  trachea,  and  the  cough  is  harsh,  hollow, 
and  lacking  in  force,  sanguinaria  is  the  remedy  of  choice.  If  the  ex- 
pectoration has  been  so  insufficient  and  the  absorption  so  great  the 
patient  is  suffering  from  pyemia,  calcium  sulphide  may  be  pushed  to 
saturation  while  echinacea  is  being  administered  to  re-establish  a  nor- 
mal leucocytosis.  If  the  sputum  is  pusy,  greenish  and  fetid,  ammonium 
iodide  will  thin  it,  hasten  its  expulsion  and  stimulate  the  reactive 
powers  of  the  tissues. 

Some  conditions  may  arise  in  the  course  of  pneumonia  that  require 
specific  treatment,  yet  are  not  peculiar  to  that  disease.  Mental  symp- 
toms may  arise.  If  there  is  maniacal  delirium,  busy  hallucinations, 
agitation,  restless,  disturbed  sleep,  frightful  dreams,  and  irritable  cough, 
with  flushed  face,  dilated  pupils,  eyes  wild,  staring,  restless  and  red, 
hyoscyamus  is  the  indicated  remedy. 

In  the  early  stages  of  the  disease,  if  the  secretions  have  become 
greatly  suppressed,  especially  the  glandular  secretions,  these  may  be 
re-established  very  promptly  by  the  administration  of.jaborandi  or  its 
alkaloid,  pilocarpine.  If  the  skin  is  hot,  dry  and  inactive,  and  there  is 
pleuritis,  localized,  with  a  small  amount  of  effusion,  eselepias  will  cause 
free  perspiration,  cause  the  effusion  to  be  absorbed,  and  relieve  the  pain 
of  pleuritic  friction. 

Malaria  which  may  complicate  pneumonia  is  manifested  by  a  marked 
periodicity,  or  the  Plasmodium  may  be  demonstrated  in  the  blood.  If 
the  skin  is  soft  and^  moist,  the  tongue  moist  and  clean  or  cleanings  the 
bowels  open,  and  the  pulse  full  and  soft,  quinine,  which  is  specifically 
a  destroyer  of  the  Plasmodium,  will  act  promptly  and  kindly.  If  these 
conditions  are  not  present,  they  should  be  established  by  the  use  of  such 
agents  as  jaborandi  and  indicated  laxatives.  Quinine  is  also  of  value 
as  a  tonic  in  the  convalescent  stage,  if  the  conditions  of  the  skin,  tongue, 
bowels  and  pulse,  previously  enumerated,  obtain.  The  digestive  tract 
always  suffers  from  the  toxemia  developed  in  this  disease;  the  tongue  is 
broad,  pallid,  and  covered  with  a  white,  dirty-white,  or  yellowish  fur. 
The  pallor  indicates  a  deficiency  of  the  sodium  or  postassium  salts  in 
the  blood;  whiteness  indicating  lack  of  sodium,  bluish- whiteness  a  lade 
of  potassium,  and  these  conditions  are  best  corrected  by  the  use  of 
sodium  sulphate  or  phosphate,  sodium  and  potassium  tartrate,  or  potass- 
ium citrate  or  acetate.  If  the  tongue  is  dirty-white,  it  indicates  fer- 
mentation as  well,  and  sodium  sulphate  or  the  sulpho-carbolates  in- 


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316  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHY 

dicated.  If  the  mucous  membrane  and  its  coat  are  tinged  yellow,  it 
indicates  an  inactive  upper  digestive  tract,  and  the  need  of  podophyllum, 
ipecac,  or  other  ranedies  of  tins  character  of  action.  The  specinc  symp- 
tomatology of  podophyllum  is,  sclerae  yellow,  tongue  broad,  relaxed,  and 
covered  with  a  yellowish  coat  (or  the  mucous  membrane  may  be  yellow 
with  no  coating  present),  bowels  constipated,  or  alternate  constipation 
and  diarrhea,  veins  and  tissues  full  and  relaxed.  Ipecac  is  indicated 
by  a  tongue  elongated  and  pointed,  with  prominent  papillse,  reddened 
tip  and  edges,  with  yellowish  coating,  or  sometimes  clean,  rodophyllum  is 
the  remedy  for  atony;  ipecac  also,  in  large  doses;  but  ipecac  is  more 
specifically  the  remedy  for  irritation  of  the  gastro-intestinal  tract,  but 
the  dosage  must  be  small,  especially  if  the  aforementioned  indications 
are  present 


PREPARATION  FOR  REPERTORY  STUDY 

BY  V.  T.  CARR,  M.D.,  TIFFIN,  O. 

Introductory  Note:  In  her  pai>er  on  Kent's  Repertory,*  Dr.  Mar- 
garet Tyler  offers  a  thorough  exposition  of  the  arrangement  of  the 
volume,  and  of  its  proper  use  as  a  guide  in  solving  knotty  problems. 
One  point  she  emphasizes  is  preparation  for  repertory-study  by  record- 
ing symptoms. 

Preparedness  is  one  of  the  qualifications  for  success.  The  degree 
of  preparation  acquired  determines  the  degree  of  success  or  of  confusion 
and  uncertainty. 

Oase-preparation  for  repertory-study  includes  gathering  of  material 
and  its  classification.  We  shall  briefly  consider  gathering  of  symptoms : 
the  material  for  use.  "Symptoms  are  the  language  of  Nature,  express- 
ing the  internal  nature  of  men."t 

All  that  one  sees  of  men,  with  the  naked  eye  and  through  the  micro- 
scope, includes  only  the  external,  the  body,  a  mass  of  specialized  cells 
in  orderly  arrangement. 

The  inner  nature  of  man  is  not  the  body  but  the  controlling,  con- 
structive, protective  force  of  the  body-mass,  which  deliberately  maintains 
the  poise  of  mind,  and  harmoniously  sways  the  bodily  functions.  It 
summons  defending  factors  to  dispel  disturbing  influences.  With  pre- 
cision, it  reconstructs  damaged  tissue.  When  not  successful  in  estab- 
lishing order  it  attempts  self-preservation  through  discharges,  through 
E^in-lesions,  and  through  the  emunctory  organs. 

The  life  force,  in  conception,  precedes  formation  of  tissues  and  or- 
gans, the  action  of  which  it  dominates  during  life.  •  When  the  activities 
in  and  of  the  body  are  inharmonious,  the  one  causative  factor,  naturally, 
is  the  vitid  force. 

Concluding  that  all  testimony  of  disorder  in  the  functions  of  the 
body  or  of  the  mind,  is  expressive  of  the  vital  force,  the  internal  nature 
of  man,  we  accept  any  perceptible  change  in  body  and  in  function,  as 
for  our  use  in  detecting  the  condition  of  the  vital  force. 

"The  totality  of  symptoms,  carefully  written  out,  is  all  fliat  we  know 
of  the  internal  nature  of  sickness."  That  would  appear  self-evident; 
yet,  purposely  or  ignorantly,  many  stop  short  with  a  partial  array  of 
symptoms.  Some  rely  on  referring  to  memory  for  consulting  the  totality 
of  symptoms,  in  place  of  using  written  records.  By  so  doing,  in  the  rush 

♦The  Homceopathician,  Sept.-Oct.,  1914. 
fKent's  Lectures  on  Homceopathic  Philosophy. 


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INTERNATIONAL    HOM(EOPATHIO   REVIEW  317 

of  daily  practice,  they  frequently  endanger  health  and  happiness  of  dieir 
patients. 

A  written  record  of  the  totality  of  symptoms  as  the  case  progresses 
affords,  from  time  to  time,  a  basis  for  thorough  repertory-work  by  which 
a  cure  may  be  effected  in  shorter  time,  with  fewer  remedies,  than  without 
the  repertory. 

Through  ignorance  or  obstinacy,  some  assume  the  diagnostic  name, 
the  symptoms  of  morbid  tissue,  or  symptoms  of  defective  chemical  ac- 
tion to  be  the  totality.  Repertory-work  based  on  these  symptoms  cer- 
tainly proves  useless. 

The  total  effect  of  this  animating  force  of  the  human  body  in  dis- 
order must  be  known,  just  as  knowledge  of  electricity,  or  any  radio-active 
energy  is  essential.  Taking  a  part  for  the  whole  does  not  suffice  when 
dealing  with  active  forces.  They  are  known  in  qualitative  and  quanti- 
tative terms  as  they  operate  through  and  upon  matter.  That  is  fJl  that 
can  be  known  of  them. 

All  that  is  known  of  the  internal  nature  of  the  sick  man  is: — ^in- 
crease, diminution,  cessation,  and  deviation:  of  the  functions  of  the 
mind,  the  sensorium,  and  the  body.  "Mind-symptoms,  sensorium-symp- 
toms,  function-symptoms,  ultimate-symptoms,  are  all  useful,  and  none 
should  be  overlooked.*'* 

In  this  preparation  for  studying  the  patient,  reliability  of  symptoms 
is  as  important  as  the  totality.  Following  Hahnemann's  instructions 
for  taking  the  case,  as  given  in  the  Organon,  Sees.  83  to  91,  will  best 
obtain  the  true  symptomatology  of  functions.  All  successful  homoeop- 
paths  adhere  to  the  directions  given  in  the  Organon. 

Finally,  thoroughness  is  the  keynote  of  preparation  before  attempt- 
ing to  use  the  repertory.  From  b^inning  of  the  investigation,  by  in- 
quiry and  by  observation  of  the  patient,  to  opening  the  repertory,  we 
are  laying  the  foundation  for  the  ultimate  correct  choice  of  the  curative 
remedy. 

Success  begins  when  we  can  say: — **We  started  aright."  To  him 
who  is  thorough,  success  is  assured. 

The  following  report  contrasts  insufficient  with  thorough  prepar- 
ation. 

Mrs.  J.  M.,  aged  forty-two,  has  two  children. 

Sept  12,  1915. 

Headache  intense,  at  irregular  intervals  for  many  years,  occipital 
and  frontal  pain;  bursting,  pressing,  sharp,  shooting;  >eyes  closed;  > 
pressure;  < noise;  draft;  excitement;  < anger;  cold;  >hot  applications. 
Nausea  and  vomiting  witli  headache;  continuous,  < eating  and  drink- 
ing; craves  open  air;  sensitive  to  cold. 

IPECAO  10m. 

Sept.  14. 

Head  much  improved.  Was  preceded  by: — chill  of  short  duration, 
4  p.m.,  followed  by  fever,  with  thirst  for  -small  drinks,  frequently; 
nausea  after  eating  and  drinking. 

ARSEN.  10m. 

Sept.  15. 

No  headache  or  nausea;  hungry.  Pain  with  slight  swelling  in 
hands,  right  hip-joint,  knees,  and  ankles. 

Injury  by  falling  from  wagon,  backward  to  the  street,  at  age 
of  nine  years.  First  evidence  of  injury  six  months  later;  finger- joints 
swollen,  white  and  very  painful.  Spine:  region  of  oeventh  cervical 
vertebra  very  sore  when  swelling  of  fingers  subsided;  sensitive  to  press- 

•Kent's  Lectures  on  Homceopathic  Philosophy. 

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318  NOBTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM<EOPATHY 

ure;  pain  extending  into  arms,  along  ulnar  and  musculo-spiral  nerves. 
Treated  with  crude  drugs,  plasters,  osteopathy  and  chiropractice. 

Sept.  16-26. 

Arnica,  rhus  toxicodendron  and  hypericum  were  given  without 
benefit. 

During  several  visits,  following  symptoms  were  gleaned: — ^painful 
sensation  of  pressure: 

Outer  side  fore  arms,  near  elbows,  outer  side  legs,  near  knees,  out- 
er side  ankles. 

Third  fingers:  hot  red  swelling  of  middle  joints;  gradual  contraction 
of  tendons;  stiffness  of  all  joints;  sensation  of  shortening  of  tendons 
under  knee;  pains  in  extremities  <from  motion;  <heat;  cold;  during 
night.  Apprehensive,  mild,  timid,  suspicious;  fears  something  will  hap- 
pen to  members  of  family.  Anxiety  with  fear;  <when  alone.  Aversion 
to  company,  which  confuses;  mental  symptoms  <in  evening. 

Stomach — disturbed  by  certain  classes  of  food,  at  times.  Aversion 
to  cold  food;  fond  of  coffee,  which  '^akes  sick."  Menses  five  days  too 
early;  flow  scanty.    Sudden  weakness  in  paroxysms;  sensitive  to  cold. 

Used  for  repertory-study, — ^Anxiety  with  fear;  menses  too  soon; 
menses  too  scanty;  <by  heat  and  cold;  <by  coffee;  <evening  and  night. 

Causticum  leads,  prominent  in  the  particulars,  the  characteristic 
contractures  of  muscles  and  tendons.  Causticum  30,  when  given,  was 
followed  within  a  few  hours  by  an  aggravation,  later  by  relief.  Through 
the  influence  of  the  nurse,  an  osteopath  was  called,  whose  treatment  was 
credited  with  the  miraculous  relief  which  followed. 

DISCUSSION 

Dr.  Dienst :  We  must  learn  to  wait  long  enough  to  see  what  a  rem- 
edy will  do,  not  give  another  one  too  soon.  By  changing  too  soon  we 
may  change  the  benefit  of  a  deep-acting  remedy. 

Dr.  Oindegard  wants  to  know  what  are  the  deep-acting  remedies. 
Some  remedies  are  said  to  be  deep-acting  in  one  case  but  not  in  another 
case. 

Dr.  Grimmer:  The  nature  of  disease  sometimes  aids  in  distin- 
guishing deep-acting  remedies.  Typhoid  fever  sometimes  has  some 
symptoms  of  belladonna,  but  that  remedy  is  never  useful  in  typhoid,  it 
sometimes  is  harmful.  Hyoscyamus  and  stramonium  have  all  the 
violence  of  belladonna  and  also  the  continued  type  of  fever  found  in 
typhoid. 

Some  remedies  are  both  acute  and  chronic:  as  arsenicum.  In 
chronic  cases  we  must  have  deep-acting  remedies,  long-acting  remedies. 

Long-acting  remedies  can  be  determined  by  studying  materia  medica 
and  the  provings.  We  can  distinguish  the  length  of  action  of  remedies 
only  by  study.  Plants  that  mature  quickly  are  usually  short-acting 
remedies. 

Dr.  Schwartz  has  gained  more  information  as  to  long  and  short-act- 
ing remedies  from  Dr.  Kent's  Materia  Medica  than  from  any  other  writ- 
ings. He  emphasizes  that  phosphorus  when  given  high,  even  in  acute 
cases,  must  be  allowed  to  act  uninterruptedly  or  it  will  kill  the  patient. 


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'  INTERNATIONAL    HOMCBOPATHIO   REVIEW  319 

A  COMPAKISON  OF  RHUS  TOX.,  BRYONIA  AND  RUTA 
GRAY.  IN  ACUTE  RHEUMATISM 

(Homoeo.  Recorder) 

In  considering  these  remedies  in  acute  rheumatism,  we  have  some 
clearly  defined  indications  which  individualize  them;  bryoiiia  stands  by 
itself  definite  and  clear,  not  resembling  in  any  important  particular  the 
other  two;  rhus  and  ruta  are  somewhat  alike,  yet  sufficiently  dissimilar 
to  make  a  satisfactory  selection.  Rhus  toxicodendron  and  bryonia  are 
two  drugs  that  come  to  mind  first  in  all  rheumatic  conditions,  ^nd  it  is 
for  this  reason  that  they  are  so  often  used  empirically  or  in  alternation. 

The  rhus  patient  is  of  a  rheumatic  diathesis,  his  troubles  are  brought 
on  by  dampness,  from  getting  wet,  from  living  or  working  in  damp 
places,  from  checked  perspiration  by  dampness  or  cold.  Rhus  particu- 
larly affects  the  fibrous  tissue,  especially  the  tendons  of  muscles,  and 
ligaments  about  the  joints.  No  drug  has  more  action  upon  fibrous  tis- 
sue than  rhus  toxicondendron,  whether  from  straining,  wrenching,  over- 
exertion, or  exposure  to  wet  or  dampness.  It  is  not  usually  the  remedy 
in  inflammatory  conditions.  The  pains  are  <on  beginning  to  move, 
but  >by  continued  motion.  This  is  probably  because  the  fibrous  tis- 
sues of  the  tendons  become  limbered  up  by  continued  use.  Under  rhus 
we  also  find  that  the  prominent  projections  hi  bones,  like  the  cheek  bones, 
are  sore  to  touch,  showing  its  action  upon  the  periosteum ;  in  this  partic- 
ular, its  simulates  ruta  grav.  They  cannot  bear  the  least  expos\ire 
to  cold  air  and  the  attacks  are  preceded  by  a  rain  storm.  The  relief 
from  motion  is  not  alone  possessed  by  rhus.  The  wry  neck  of  anacar- 
dium  is  <on  beginning  to  move  with  relief  later  on.  Conium  has  < 
from  slight  and  >from  continued  motion,  pulsatiUa  and  lycopodium  are 
both  >from  motion.  Rhod.  should  also  be  closely  comf)ared  with 
rhus  in  rheumatism. 

While  rhus  toxicodendron  attacks  the  fibrous  tissues  and  sheaths 
of  the  muscles,  bryonia  attacks  the  muscular  tissue  itself,  similar  to 
arnica.  It  attacks  also  the  serous  membranes,  and  is  therefore  indicated 
iii  synovitis  of  rheumatic  origin.  Bryonia  is  one  of  the  few  remedies 
that  produces  a  positive  inflammation  of  the  muscular  substance.  The 
muscles  are  sore  to  touch  and  swollen,  and  as  you  might  expect  <from 
pain  from  least  motion,  increasing  as  motion  continues.  Bryonia  is  the 
remedy  in  articular  rheumatism,  with  violent  local  inflammation  and  the 
corresponding  <from  least  motion.  The  principal  difference  between 
rhus  and  bryonia  is  that  rhus  is  suitable  for  rheumatism  coming  after 
exposure  to  wet  or  damp  cold,  especially  when  over-heated  and  perspir- 
ing, affecting  the  tendons  and  is  <by  continued  motion,  whereas  bryonia 
affects  the  muscular  substance  itself  and  serous  membranes,  and  is 
<from  least  motion. 

Ruta  grav.  resembles  rhus  more  particularly,  as  it  affects  great- 
ly the  flexor  tendons  and  is  indicated  in  troubles  following  strains. 
Its  principal  action,  however,  is  upon  the  periosteum  and  cartilages,  with 
tendency  to  a  formation  of  deposits  in  the  periosteum  about  the  joints 
and  wrists.  All  parts  of  the  body  are  painful,  as  if  bruised  (like  arnica). 
Ruta  is  to  be  thought  of  in  rheumatism  following  strains,  particularly 
if  it  is  sciatic  in  nature,  with  >from  stretching  the  limbs,  and  lying 
down  at  night.  Like  rhus  it  is  <by  cold,  wet  weather,  and  dampness 
generally. 


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320  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHT 

CAN  WOMEN  ESCAPE  PAIN  IN  PARTUKITION?  TERRY'S 
METHOD  OF  MANUAL  ROTARY  DILATATION  CONTRAST- 
ED WITH  THE  HARRIS  PROCEDURE.  OIL  IN  ITS  RELA- 
TION  TO  RELAXATION  OF  MUSCULAR  FIBERS 

BY  M.  O.  TERRY,  M.D. 

Ex-Surgeon  General  S.  N.  Y. — ^Medical  Summary 

It  is  now  more  than  fifteen  years  since  I  began  my  observations 
on  the  yalue  of  oleaginous  material  as  a  relaxant  and  as  an  assistant 
to  the  elasticity  of  muscular  fibers.  My  first  thought  on  this  subject  was 
the  result  of  an  experience  in  consultation  with  a  physician  in  a  case 
of  so-called  dry  labor.  The  doctor  called  me  for  the  purpose  of  secur- 
ing my  services  for  instrumental  delivery.  My  examination  revealed 
a  condition  not  uncommon  in  which  the  muscular  fibers  resist  and  be- 
come irritated  under  the  normal  process  of  labor,  as  a  result  of  which 
there  exists  exaggeration  of  temperature,  and,  at  times,  an  edematous 
state  of  the  parts  supervene. 

Illustrating  by  a  clinical  case 

Case  of  Eclampsia:  Patient  brought  to  the  hospital  unconscious, 
the  doctor  advised  any  methqd  to  save  life  of  patient. 

Taking  my  position  in  front  of  the  patient — she  was  turned  cross- 
wise on  the  bed,  with  legs  fiexed,  as  in  the  position  for  instrumental 
delivery — and  with  fully  a  pound  of  vaseline  at  my  side,  I  began  the  pro- 
cess of  insinuating  the  same  into  the  vaginal  outlet.  The  cervix  was  not 
at  all  dilated,  and  presented  no  indication  of  labor.  I  was  soon  able  to 
introduce  my  finger  into  the  same,  after  using  a  sound,  and  then  began 
what  I  have  denominated  a  rotary  manipulatory  dilatation.  The  parts 
yielded  comparatively  rapidly,  the  interior  of  the  os  being  thoroughly 
lubricated,  and  under  a  similar  process  of  manipulation  the  vagina  and 
OS  began  to  show  marked  signs  of  relaxation,  but  no  contractions  were  at 
any  time  present  in  this  case.  I  became  exceedingly  interested  in  what 
I  was  doing,  even  under  the  trying  circumstances  presented  at  that 
moment.  1  could  soon  enter  my  hand,  and  arm  for  that  matter,  into  the 
vagina,  and  as  soon  as  the  os  was  sufficiently  dilated,  the  forceps  were 
placed  in  the  high  position  and  the  child  delivered  alive  and  in  full 
vigor.  There  was  no  laceration.  From  the  beginning,  when  I  took  my 
position  in  front  of  the  patient,  until  the  completion  of  the  entire  oper- 
ation, was  just  one  hour  and  twenty  minutes.  She  was  unconscious  for 
two  days  after  delivery,  but  left  the  hospital  four  weeks  from  the  day 
of  entrance  in  excellent  condition  and  nursing  her  baby.  A  chemical 
analysis  and  microscopical  examination  of  the  urine  showed  it  to  be 
normal,  although,  as  might  have  been  expected,  early  examination  show- 
ed marked  albuminuria. 

In  closing  permit  me  to  say  that  the  assumption  of  the  discovery  of 
a  specific  law  may  be  too  sweeping,  but  that  there  is  an  ever-yielding  re- 
sult following  a  liberal  and  persistent  application  of  a  lubricant  us^  by 
the  rotary  method  ever  bearing  in  mind  the  outward  or  centrifugal 
pressure  there  can  be  no  doubt.  As  relaxation  follows  by  this  method 
so  will  contraction  follow  the  pulling  or  punching  of  tissues. 

Mamaroneck-on-the-Sound,  N.  Y. 


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mi  27  \m 
The 

North  American 

Journal  of    ^    * 

Homoeopathy 


June,  1917 

65th  Year 

No.  6 


DYSPITUITARISM 

MENTAL  SYMPTOMS  OF 
DIGITALIS 


Wikon 


Minton 


COMPARISONS  IN  HOMCEOPATHIC 
MATERIA  MEDIC  A  AND  THERA- 
PEUTICS .        .'       .  McMichael 


PvblUlied  mooUMy  ftt 

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i 

I 

>y      North  American  Journal  of  Homoeopathy  I 

CONTENTS  FOR  JUNE,   1917 
EDITORIAL  I 

A  Scientific  Corroboration  of  Homoeoi>athy^ ,  32]  i 

•         .  .  .•      :  .  ■      •■  .        ^ 

Some  Applications  for  the  Direct  Methods  of  Treatment  of  Modern 
Medicine ^ — _ ■- 1 ,,^ 323 

The  Fly  and  the  Color  Blue  „ - 326 

'    "A  Pair  of  Lungs  on  a  Pair  of  Legs'* 327 

Tonsillectooty. 327 

What  La}anen  Think  of  Doctors ^-— . '■ 3M 

Continaed  on  page  ii 

®  ■  0 

IN  PLACE  OF  OTHEB  ALKALIES  USE 

Phillips'  Milk  of  Magnesia 

"THE    PfiRFECT    ANTACID " 

Fot  G>ffect2ng  Hypetadcl  G>adhioos— Local  or  Systemic*  Vehtele 
fof  SaUcylates,  Iodides,  Balsams,  Etc  . 

Of  Advantage  in  Neutralising  the  Add  of  Cows'  Milk 
FOR  INFANT  and  INVALID  FEEDING. 


Phillips*  Phospho-Muriate  of  Quinine 

Gomp. 
Non- Alcoholic  Tonic  and  BeconstructiYe 

With  Marked  Beneficial  Action  Upon  the  Nervous  System.    To  be 
Relied  Upon  Where  a  Deficiency  of  the  Pho^hates  is  Evident. 


NBWTORK       THE  CHAS.H.  PHILLIPS  CHEMICAL  COMPANY  londom 


® 


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North     American 

Journal  of  Homoeopathy 


EDITORIAL 


A  SCIENTIFIC  CORROBORATION 
OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

'^^KT'HILE  the  essential  feature  of  homoeopathy  is  the  treatment  of 
^  ^  medically  curable  diseases  on  the  principle  of  symptom-sim- 
ilarity, Hahnemann  ^oon  found  that  the  question  of  dosage  was  involv- 
ed, that  less  of  a  drug  must  be  used  in  a  homcBopathic  prescription. 
And  as  the  dose  was  attenuated,  it  seemed  to  acquire  medicinal  power, 
even  to  the  extent  that  substances  inert  in  a  crude  state  became  possessed 
of  active  and  potent  therapeutic  properties  by  successive  triturations  or 
succussions  in  neutral  media.  Adapting  a  current  philosophy,  Hahne- 
mann attributed  this  phenomenon  to  the  liberation,  under  the  mechanics 
of  trituration  or  succussion,  of  spirit-like  forces  resident,  but  imprison- 
ed, in  the  crude  drugs.  It  seems  to  have  fallen  to  the  lot  of  a  worker 
outside  the  ranks  of  homoeopathy  to  suggest  and  demonstrate  a  scientific 
basis  for  the  Hahnemannian  practice. 

Dr.  Albert  Abrams,  of  San  Francisco,  who  has  acquired  a  national 
reputation  for  his  work  in  "spondylotherapy,"  claims  to  have  established 
through  measurements  made  with  his  ''biodynamometer,"  that  the 
mechanic  subdivision  of  drugs  or  their  dilution  will  augment  their  radio- 
active potency.  He  assigns  to  aconite  tincture  a  radioactive  potentiality 
of  0.4  ohms;  diluted  fifty  times,  the  radioactivity  is  increased  to  1.36 
ohms,  while  a  dilution  of  one  to  one  hundred  gives  a  potentiality  of  3.52 
ohms.  Similarly,  a  grain  of  calomel  exhibits  a  radioactive  potentiality 
of  0.24  ohms,  while  in  the  strength  of  1:100,  the  potentiality  is  3.28 
ohms,  and  the  potentiality  is  increased  to  4.64  ohms  when  the  strength 
of  the  drug  is  1:200.  Again,  belladomia  tincture  is  rated  as  having  a 
potentiality  of  0.32  ohms,  while  ^'one-millionth  part  of  the  foregoing, 
known  in  potency  as  6x,"  acquires  a  rating  of  12.44  ohms. 


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822  NORTH    AMERICAN   JOURNAL   OF    HOH<EOPATHT 

Now  it  is  to  be  particiilarly  obseired  that  Abrams  confesses  that 
his  opinion  of  homoeopathy,  like  that  of  many  medical  men,  was  based 
on  the  diatribe  of  Oliver  Wendel  Holmes,  ^omodopathy  and  Its  Kindred 
Delusions,"  and  his  primary  endeavor  in  conducting  the  experiments  the 
results  of  which  are  recorded  above,  was  "to  disprove  the  fallacy  of  in- 
finitesimal dosage.''  Thus  once  more,  he  who  came  to  scoff,  has  r^nain- 
ed  to  pray. 

This  contribution  of  Abrams  to  medical  science  and  literature  is 
of  such  great  interest  to  hom<Bopathic  physicians,  that  his  article  on 
"The  Hahnemannian  Doctrine  of  Attenuation"  in  the  June,  1917,  issue 
of  Physico-Clinical  Medicine,  is  reprinted  in  full  among  th&  contributed 
articles  in  this  issue  of  the  North  American  Journal  of  Homceopathy. 

It  is  to  be  noted  that  while  Abrams  speaks  of  "dilution"  he  makes 
no  mention  of  "succussion"  or  "trituration,"  and  while  in  connection 
with  belladonna  he  speaks  of  the  6x  potency,  he  is  silent  as  to  whether 
his  tests  were  made  from  dilutions,  as  the  term  is  commonly  employed, 
or  whether  Hahnemannian  methods  were  followed  in  the  attenuation  of 
his  drugs.  If  the  Hahnemannian  mechanical  processes  were  not  fol- 
lowed, their  effect,  if  any,  should  be  tested  by  Abrams  for  comparison. 

If  Abrams'  conclusions  are  confirmed  by  other  investigators  and 
they  become  thoroughly  established,  it  will  be  a  tribute  to  Samuel  Hahne- 
mann and  should  serve  to  lessen  much  of  the  prejudice  now  existing 
'against  homoeopathy.  Moreover  it  will  show  the  falsity  of  the  argument 
that  there  being  no  drug  in  an  attenuated  remedy,  any  beneficial  action 
following  its  administration  must  be  attributed  to  suggestion  or  to  ad- 
juvant therapeutic  measures. 

But  Abrams  has  not  only  offered  a  scientific  basis  for  attenuation 
of  drugs,  he  suggests  the  possibility  of  demonstrating  in  a  scientific 
manner,  a  scientific  basis  for  homoeopathy  pure  and  simple,  the  method 
of  symptom-similarity.  He  claims  to  have  determined  the  "vibratory 
rate"  of  many  drugs,  and,  quoting  Abderhalden  as  saying  that  ^^dies 
out  of  harmony  with  the  tissues  are  either  not  absorbed  or  changed  be- 
fore absorption,  he  states  that  his  investigations  show  that  the  vibratory 
rate  of  specific  drugs  corresponds  to  the  vibratory  rate  in  disease:  this 
he  says,  is  true  for  syphilis  and  mercury  and  potassium  iodide,  for  gout 
and  colchicum,  for  polyarthritis  and  the  salicylates,  and  for  malaria  and 
its  specific — quinine.  Then  he  cogently  asks:  **Is  not  the  law  of  sim- 
)ars  (similia  simililyus  curaniur)  in  a  manner  justified  by  the  forego- 
ing?"   Undoubtedly  it  is,  if  Abrams'  findings  are  confirmed;  or  at  any 


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EDITORUL   DEPARTMENT  32d 

Tate,  be  has  pointed  a  way  for  the  establishment  of  a  scientific  basis  for 
the  principle :  determine  the  vibratory  rate  of  a  given  drug  and  compare 
it  with  the  vibratory  rate  of  an  individual  who,  previously  normal  and 
healthy,  exhibits  effects  after  taking  that  drug.  If  the  "prover"  and  the 
drug  show  the  same  rate  of  vibration,  we  can  append  the  Euclidian 
formula,  O.  £.  D.  after  the  proposition. 

Another  possibility  looms  ahead  in  this  connection.  If  the  respect- 
ive rates  of  vibration  of  all  drugs  can  be  determined  and  cata- 
logued, will  it  be  sufficient  to  determine  the  rate  of  vibration  of  a 
patient  and  then  refer  to  the  catalogue  to  see  which  drug  has  that  rate 
of  vibration?  Will  that  drug  be  the  curative  homoeopathic  remedy?  If 
so,  good-bye  to  the  professors  of  materia  medica  and  the  memorizing  of 
symptoms.  Prescribing  will  then  be  reduced  to  an  exact  science,  pro- 
viding, of  course,  it  be  found  that  each  drug  has  its  specific  rate  of  vi- 
bration differing  from  that  of  any  other  drug. 

Abrams  says  'pharmacodynamics  is  identified  with  homovibrations 
and  not,  if  I  am  permitted  to  neologize,  by  heterovibrations.  We  are 
standing  on  the  threshold  of  a  new  pharmacognosy  in  which  radiother- 
apy will  be  employed  with  relation  to  the  polarity  and  vibratory  rate  of 
diseasa'' 

Why  not  invite  Dr.  Abrams  to  repeat  his  experiments  and  elaborate 
his  deductions  at  the  Eochester  meeting  of  the  American  Institute  of 
Homoeopathy  ? 


SOME   APPLICATIONS   FOR    THE    DIRECT 

METHODS   OF   TREATMENT   OF 

MODERN    MEDICINE 

^  I  ^HE  most  interesting  recent  injection  experiments  made  by  enthus- 
^  iastic  advocates  of  serum  therapy  are  based  upon  the  following 
latest  conclusions  reported  by  the  leading  physiologists  concerning  the 
secretion,  the  absorption,  and  the  functions  of  the  cerebro-spinal  fluid, — 
1.  Substances  introduced  into  the  cerebro-spinal  fluid  do  not  find  exit 
by  the  lymph  channels,  but  appear  rapidly  in  the  blood  at  a  rate  com- 
mensurate with  the  diffusibility  of  the  substances,  being  most  rapid  in 
the  sub-oerebellar  region  and  very  slow  in  the  lower  spinal  region.  2. 
Substances  introduced  into  the  cerebro-spinal  fluid,  do  not  appear  in 
the  blood,  since  the  choroid  gland  acts  as  a  limiting  membrane  and 


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324  NORTH   AMERIOAN    JOURNAL    OF    HOMOSOPATHT 

protects  the  tissues  of  the  central  nervous  system  from  harmful  sub- 
stances. 

The  claim  is  made, — "The  tendency  of  modem  medicine  is  toward 
direct  rather  than  indirect  methods  of  treatment."  This  claim  is  cer- 
tainly made  good  by  the  procedures  followed  in  the  most  recent  treat- 
ment of  cerebro-spinal  syphilis  and  of  certain  types  of  the  infectious 
meningitides  by  serum  therapy. 

Sub-cutaneous  and  intravenous  injections  of  serum  having  been 
ineffective  to  combat  the  cerebro-spinal  symptoms  of  syphilis,  those  who 
have  had  large  experience  in  treating  these  cases,  advise  the  introduction 
of  the  medication  directly  into  the  central  nervous  system  by  means 
of  intraspinal  injections,  by  means  of  intracranial  injections  into  the  sub- 
dural or  sub-arachnoid  spaces,  or  by  means  of  injections  into  the  lateral 
ventricles. 

In  order  that  a  selection  may  be  made  from  the  above  named  methods^ 
of  the  most  effective  way  of  dealing  with  cerebral  syphilis,  a  series  of 
experiments  has  been  tried  on  dogs  and  rabbits  in  which  the  intra 
vitam  method  of  staining  was  used  to  ascertain  the  routes  by  which 
substances  reach  the  interstices  of  the  cerebral  cortex  and  particularly 
those  of  the  optic  nerve,  most  quickly  and  satisfactorily. 

In  twelve  animals  in  which  the  intraspinal  injection  was  used,  the 
cerebral  cortex  and  optic  nerves  remained  unstained  while  the  meninges 
of  the  medulla,  cerebellum  and  spinal  cord  were  stained  more  or  less. 
Intra-cranial  sub-dural  injections  were  unsatisfactory,  in  that  an  ap- 
preciable amount  of  fluid  could  not  be  injected  and  in  dogs  the  stain- 
ing fluid  did  not  reach  the  optic  nerves. 

By  far  the  best  results  were  obtained  in  all  animals  through  intra- 
ventricular injections  after  which  the  optic  nerves,  the  meninges  of  the. 
spinal  cord  and  of  the  entire  brain  were  found  to  be  stained  intensely. 
From  these  experiments  were  deduced  the  conclusions  that  if  the  optic 
nerves  and  the  cerebral  hemispheres  are  to  be  directly  reached  by  in- 
jected material,  the  sites  of  injection  are  the  ventricles  or  the  sub- 
arachnoid space. 

Sharpe  has  injected  salvarsan  directly  into  the  lateral  ventricle 
seven  times  according  to  the  following  technic :  "Under  ether  anesthesia, 
a  small  skin  flap,  slightly  larger  than  the  trephines  used,  is  made  a  little 
in  front  of  the  bregma  and  2.5  cm.  from  the  sagittal  sinus.  A  button 
of  bone  1.5  cm.  in  diameter  is  removed  and  the  dura  incised.  The  slend- 
er canula,  with  blimt  point,  is  introduced  at  a  point  free  from  underly- 


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EDITORUL   DEPARTMENT  325 

ing  cortical  vessels  and  passed  downward  and  a  little  backward  into  the 
lateral  ventricle.  The  head  of  the  table  is  lowered  and  from  10  to  80 
cc  of  fluid  allowed  to  escape.  The  head  of  the  table  is  now  raised  and 
a  funnel  containing  serum  is  attached  to  the  canula  by  short  rubber 
tubing.  The  fluid  enters  by  gravity  and  is  slowly  introduced.  The 
canula  is  then  withdrawn  and  the  scalp  wound  sutured.  In  the  second 
and  subsequent  injections,  the  scalp  over  the  trephine  opening  is  infil- 
trated with  novocaine  and  the  ventricular  injection  carried  out  as  de- 
scribed above." 

In  1916,  Gordon  reported  some  cases  of  cerebro-spinal  syphilis  in 
which  both  intraspinal  and  intracranial  injections  were  made.  The  cord 
symptoms  improved  markedly  under  intraspinal  injection  of  serum  but 
the  cerebral  symptoms  remained  unaffected  until  after  intracranial  in- 
jection of  the  serum. 

To  some  types  of  the  infectious  meningitides,  especially  the  men- 
ingo  coccic,  serum  therapy  has  been  applied  by  the  use  of  the  anti- 
mennigococcic  senun.  The  cases,  of  which  many  have  been  reported, 
that  have  been  uninfluenced  terminate  fatally,  often  after  a  protracted 
and  a  chronic  course.  Why!  Can  it  be  true  that  mistaken  bacterial 
diagnoses  may  be  responsible?  Some  clinical  pictures  are  very  similar. 
If  through  a  mistaken  diagnosis  an  anti-mennigococcic  serum  be  admin- 
istered, to  combat  a  staphylococcic  or  a  streptococcic  or  a  paramening- 
ococcic  infection,  would  the  patient's  chances  for  recovery  be  increased 
or  diminished?  Bacteriology  and  serology  have  made  and  are  making 
rapid  progress  and  the  serum  therapy  enthusiasts  argue  that  the  possi- 
bilities of  clinical  diagnostic  errors  are  daily  becoming  more  and  more 
remote. 

Another  possible  explanation  of  the  failure  of  serum-therapy  to 
produce  the  desired  effect  has  been  advanced, — That  the  serum  in- 
jected intraspinouely,  '^as  failed  to  reach  the  central  focud  of  in- 
fection.'' 

It  is  very  essential,  it  is  claimed,  to  determine  as  accurately  as  pos- 
sible the  exact  cause,  the  exact  nature,  and  the  exact  location  of  the  in- 
flammatory product  and  also  whether  this  inflammatory  product  is  of 
a  serous,  of  a  purulent  or  of  a  toxic  variety.  It  is  essential  that  these 
simple  problems  should  be  solved  before  any  procedure  is  instituted. 

Now  the  lumbar  puncture  which  was  adopted  a  number  of  years 
ago  for  the  introduction  of  remedial  substances  directly  into  the  spinal 
canal  has  been  discarded  because  it  has  been  recently  demonstrated  that 


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326  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL   OF    HOMCEOPATHY 

the  choroid  plexus  is  a  limiting  membrane  which  prevents  the  passage  of 
substances  directly  from  the  blood  to  the  cerebrospinal  fluid  and  that  it 
is  impossible  to  reach  the  tissues  of  the  central  nervous  system  thro>igh 
the  general  circulation.  In  order  then  for  the  serum  to  reach  the  cen- 
tral focus  of  infection,  it  is  claimed  to  be  essential  that  an  intraventric- 
ular injection  of  serum  be  made. 

Debeyre  and  Bouviere  have  reported  the  complete  recovery  of  a 
case  in  which  the  withdrawal  of  35  c.c.  of  fluid  was  made,  followed  by  the 
introduction  of  16  c.c.  of  anti-meningococcic  serum  through  a  trephine 
opening  3  cm.  in  front  of  the  bregma  and  2  cm.  to  the  outer  side  of  the 
median  frontal  plane.  The  needle  with  which  the  serum  injection  was 
made  is  described  as  8  cm.  long  and  7  to  8  m.m.  in  diameter.  Thia 
needle  was  held, — ''in  a  slanting  direction,  downward,  backward,  and 
inward,  in  order  to  be  sure  of  puncturing  the  frontal  prolongation  of  the 
lateral  ventricle.  It  is  recommended  that  the  needle  in  such  serum  in- 
jections be  introduced  3  to  4  cm.,  according  to  the  age  of  the  child  and 
the  degree  of  dilatation. 

'The  tendency  of  modem  medicine  is  toward  direct  rath^  than 
indirect  methods  of  treatment.  The  direct  application  of  the  medica- 
ment to  the  nervous  system  through  intra-ventricular  and  intra-sub- 
arachnoid  space  injections  it  but  an  additional  method  by  which  a  cer^ 
tain  diagnosed  condition  is  given  a  certain  routine  treatment  regardless 
of  the  individuality  of  the  patient. 


THE  FLY  AND  THE  COLOR  BLUE 

TS  it  not  worth  while  for  American  hygienists  and  sanitarians  to  put 
■■"  to  practical  use  the  facts  gained  through  the  scientific  observations 
of  Galaine  and  Houlbert,  on  the  ^esight  of  flies,  recently  reported  before 
the  French  Academy  of  Sciences?  According  to  this  report,  flies  see 
well  white  light  only;  red  light  means  darkness;  violet  and  indigo  raya 
are  not  seen  at  all;  the  vibrations  of  the  blue  and  green  rays  are  dis- 
agreeable; yellow  of  all  the  colored  rays  is  tolerable;  the  fly's  solar  spec- 
trum begins  at  green  and  ends  at  bright  orange. 

The  Arabs  kalsomine  the  houses  in  many  of  their  towns  blue,  be- 
cause they  have  long  since  realized  that  there  is  some  connection  between 
the  fly  and  the  color  blue  since  fewer  flies  are  found  in  the  vicinity  of 
blue  houses. 


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EDITORUL  DEPARTMENT  327 

At  the  entrances  to  the  shops  of  butchers  and  of  pastry  cooks  in 
Japan,  there  are  hung  curtains  of  blue  glass  beads  mixed  with  tubes 
of  painted  bamboo.  It  is  claimed  that  flies  go  out  through  the  inter- 
stices between  the  beads  but  do  not  re-enter. 

We  have  been  taught  that  flies  are  bom  in  filth,  reared  in  filth,  that 
they  feed  upon  filth  and  carry  filth  with  them;  that  they  disseminate 
germs  not  only  by  carrying  them  about  on  the  outside  of  their  bodies 
but  also  by  the  deposition  of  their  vomitus  and  feces.  Surely  if  there 
be  any  virtue  in  the  color  blue  as  a  defense  against  flies  let  us  use  it 
in  every  possible  way  that  is  practicable. 


I 


"A  PAIR  OF  LUNGS  ON  A  PAIR  OF  LEGS" 

N  a  most  excellent  monograph  on  Tuberculosis  Dispensary  Method 
and  Procedure,  Elisabeth  Crowell  incidentally  calls  attention  to  the 
danger  of  over-specialization  in  medical  work.  Speaking  of  the  class 
of  work  she  is  discussing,  she  says:  'The  tendenoy  in  many  instances 
unquestionably  has  been  to  regard  a  patient  applying  for  treatment  at 
a  tuberculosis  dispensary  as  a  pair  of  lungs  on  a  pair  of  legs."  This 
warning  must  be  constantly  sounded:  it  applies  to  all  the  special  fields 
of  medical  and  surgical  endeavor,  not  alone  to  phthisio-therapy.  Man  is 
a  unit,  not  a  congeries  of  parts.  Miss  Crowell  has  contacted  with  the 
special  dispensary  problem  as  few  laymen  have,  and  it  is  significant  that 
she  makes  the  plea  for  a  balanced  judgment;  too  often,  the  lay  worker 
in  such  fields  acquires  an  inordinate  respect  for  medical  '^authority" 
and  worships  at  the  shrine  of  the  specialist. 


TONSILLECTOMY 

'THHE  patient  advised  to  undergo  tonsillectomy  is  given  to  under- 
'^  stand  by  the  average  surgeon  that  the  operation  is  not  only  a 
necessity  in  this  particular  case  but  that  it  is  a  very  ^simple  proced- 
ure." In  fact  many  surgeons  look  upon  hemorrhage  as  practically 
the  only  complication  to  be  considered.  In  1916,  however,  this  view- 
point was  somewhat  changed  by  the  report  by  Manges  of  nine  cases 
in  adults  in  which  abscess  of  the  lung  occurred  after  simple  tonsillec- 
tomy— a  complication  which  is  certainly  worthy  serious  consideration. 
In  the  cases  reported  by  Manges,  the  symptoms  of  lung  abscess  ap- 
peared as  follows, — on  the  first  day  in  two  cases;  on  the  second,  third, 
and  fifth  days  in  one  case  each;  on  the  seventh  day  in  two  cases  and  on 


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328  NORTH   AMERICAN    JOURNAL    OF    HOMCEOPATHY 

the  tenth  and  fourteenth  days  ,in  one  case  each.  Manges  believes  sev- 
eral factors  may  be  considered  as  etiological, — ^1.  The  anesthesia; 
2.  Aspiration  of  infected  blood  or  pieces  of  tonsillar  tissue;  3.  Em- 
bolism or  infection  of  the  lung;  4.  Some  special  infective  agent; 
5.  Some  antecedent  cause,  either  local  or  general.  Of  these  etiological 
factors,  Manges  believes  the  aspiration  of  blood  or  pieces  of  tonsillar 
tissue  to  be  the  most  important  single  cause,  differences  in  time  of  on- 
set being  due  to  variations  in  size  of  tissue  aspirated,  to  differences  in 
the  local  conditions  of  the  lungs  or  to  variations  in  the  resistance  of 
the  patient. 

In  Theses  de  Paris,  1913,  No.  181,  Bassim  reported  a  series  of  pul- 
monary complications  after  tonsillectomy  in  nineteen  cases,  with  four 
deaths, — of  fetid  bronchitis,  2;  of  broncho-pneumonia,  7;  of  lobar  pneu- 
monia, 5 ;  of  lobar  pneumonia  and  gangrene,  3 ;  of  purulent  pleurisy,  1 ; 
of  abscess  of  mediastium,  1. 

Are  previous  preparation  of  the  patient  and  the  after  care,  factors 
worthy  of  consideration  in  the  prevention  of  any  of  the  above  named 
complications  of  tonsillectomy  2  In  most  hospitals,  the  patient  is  ad- 
mitted a  few  hours  before  operation  and  is  sent  out  before  twenty-four 
hours  have  elapsed. 

Homoeopaths  know  that  through  the  skilful  application  of  the 
indicated  homoeopathic  remedy  many  tonsillectomies  might  be  prevented. 


WHAT  LAYMEN  THINK  OF  DOCTORS 

THE  Medical  Keview  of  Keviews  published  a  unique  symposium 
in  which  prominent  laymen  answer  the  question — ''What's  the 
matter  with  the  doctor?"  Among  the  contributors  are  Andrew  Carnegie, 
John  Wanamaker,  William  Dean  Howells,  Kobert  W.  Chambers,  James 
K.  Hackett,  John  Philip  Sousa,  David  Starr  Jordan  and  Nikola  Tesla. 
The  January  edition  of  the  Medical  Keview  of  Reviews  was  50,000 
copies. 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES 


DYSPITUTTARISM 

By  JOHN  £.  WILSON,  M.D., 
New  York  City 

IN  a  general  way  the  disorders  of  the  pituitary  body  are  a  matter  of 
common  knowledge,  and  the  symptom  complexes  developed  by  gross 
changes  are  quite  easily  recognized.  Disbrders  of  the  pituitary  body, 
however,  often  exhibit  themselves  in  such  irregular  forms  that  the 
pathological  picture  is  difficult  of  interpretation,  and  particularly  so 
when  the  disorder  of  the  gland  is  slight,  or  in  its  early  stages.  On  ac- 
count of  these  facts,  I  have  thought  it  worth  while  to  group  some  of  the 
cases  of  dyspituitarism  which  have  come  to  my  notice  into  a  series 
which  would  emphasize  these  gradations,  and  since  great  accretions 
have  been  made  to  our  knowledge  of  this  structure  since  Marie  wrote 
a  description  of  acromegaly  in  1885,  a  brief  resume  of  the  present  status 
of  opinion  concerning  the  anatomy  and  physiology  of  this  organ  will 
not  be  out  of  place,  the  data  of  which  are  largely  drawn  from  the  works 
of  Brubaker  and  Gushing. 

The  pituitary  body  is  a  small  gland  lodged  in  the  sella  turcica  of  the 
sphenoid  bone.  It  measures  14  millimeters  from  side  to  side,  8  milli- 
meters antero-posteriorly,  6  millimeters  vertically,  and  consists  of  an 
anterior  lobe,  somewhat  pinkish  in  color,  which  is  much  the  larger,  and 
partly  encloses  the  posterior  lobe,  which  is  yellowish  grey  in  color.  The 
anterior  lobe  is  developed  from  an  investment  of  the  ectoderm  of  the 
buccal  cavity,  and  consists  of  granular  tissue,  surrounded  by  a  thin 
envelope  of  connective  tissue,  becoming  separated  from  the  tissues  of 
the  mouth  by  the  fusion  of  the  sphenoid  cartilages.  The  posterior  lobe 
is  an  outgfrowth  of  the  mid-brain,  and  is  connected  with  the  infundi- 
bulum  of  the  3rd  ventricle  by  a  short  stalk,  and  it  is  suggested  that  the 
term  hypophysis-cerebri  be  reserved  for  the  anterior  lobe,  and  infundi- 
bular body  apportioned  to  the  posterior  lobe.  The  anterior  lobe  has 
glandular  epithelial  cells,  probably  producing  an  internal  secretion,  pass- 
ing into  the  blood  stream,  and  thence  to  the  various  organs  of  the  body. 
The  epithelial  investment  of  the  posterior  lobe,  called  the  pars-inter- 
media, consists  of  several  layers  of  finely  granular  epithelial  cells,  which 
develop  a  colloid  material,  which  subsequently  passes  into  the  posterior 
lobe,  where  it  becomes  hyaline  in  character.  The  posterior  lobe  consists 
of  neuroglia  cells,  and  fibres,  true  nerve  cells  being  wanting.  Through- 
out the  lobe  there  are  numerous  small  hyaline  bodies,  apparently  stream- 
ing upward  to  the  ventricular  cavity.  In  view  of  the  physiological  im- 
portance of  this  infundibular  body,  i)ar8-nervosa,  or  posterior  lobe,  these 
hyaline  masses  are  believed  to  represent  an  internal  secretion  which 


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330  NORTH   AMERICAN   JOURNAL   OF    HOMCEOPATHT 

passes  upward  through  loose  tissue-channels  toward  the  infundihuluzn, 
to  he  discharged  into  the  fluid  of  the  3rd  yentride. 

Eemoval  of  the  anterior  lobe  alone  is  followed  by  death.  Bemoval 
of  the  posterior  lobe  alone  is  not  followed  by  any  noticeable  effects. 
The  effect  of  a  partial  removal  of  the  anterior  lobe  was  disastrous;  the 
duration  of  life  depended  apparently  upon  the  cellular  activity  of  the 
parts  remaining.  The  name  of  hypophyseopriva  has  been  given  to  the 
group  of  phenomena  resulting.  The  phenomena  varied  somewhat  in 
accordance  with  the  age  of  the  animal.  Adult  animals  became  adipose, 
and  degenerated  sexually.  Young  animals  became  adipose,  and  remain- 
ed undersized,  and  infantile  sexually,  and  the  reproductive  organs  in 
both  sexes  remained  rudimentary.  The  temperature  was  subnormal, 
and  nutritive  disorders  of  the  skin  developed.  At  first  it  was  consider- 
ed that  this  was  due  solely  to  partial  removal  of  the  anterior  lobe  alone, 
and  which  deprived  the  body  of  its  peculiar  secretion,  but  Cushing  seem- 
ed to  prove  that  it  was  due  to  a  coincident  operative  injury  to  the  pos- 
terior lobe,  and  that  more  investigation  is  needed  to  determine  just 
which  of  these  phenonjena  is  due  to  a  diminished  secretion  of  the 
anterior  lobe,  and  which  to  the  posterior. 

Both  giantism  begining  in  youth,  and  acromegaly  appearing  in 
adult  life,  are  thought  to  be  due  to  a  hypersecretion  of  the  anterior  lobe, 
which  in  turn  may  be  due  to  a  hyperplasia  of  the  gland  elements  excit- 
ed by  a  variety  of  causes.  In  both  giantism  and  acromegaly  there  is 
an  increased  activity  in  the  nutritive  process  leading  to  an  overgrowth 
of  osseous  tissue,  and  the  overlying  structures.  In  the  former  the  over- 
growth is  general;  in  the  latter  it  is  confined  to  the  face  and  extremities. 
To  this  whole  phase  the  name  of  hyperpituitarism  has  been  given. 

To  the  opposite  condition,  resulting  in  infantilism  and  adiposity, 
supposedly  due  to  a  diminished  or  defective  secretion,  partly  of  the  an- 
terior, partly  of  the  posterior  lobe,  the  name  hypopituitarism  has  been 
given. 

The  effect  of  the  removal  of  the  posterior  lobe:  Cushing  proved 
that  this  posterior  lobe  with  its  epithelial  investment,  that  is*  with  the 
pars-intermedia,  exerted  a  profound  influence  upon  metabolism,  especial- 
ly of  the  carbo-hydrates,  acting  either  alone,  or  in  conjunction  with 
other  glands  having  an  internal  secretion.  Cushing's  experiments  also 
led  to  the  belief  that  some  of  the  adiposity  mentioned  in  hypopituitar- 
ism, also  the  subnormal  temperature  and  infantilism  were  due  rather  to 
a  deficienoy  or  absence  of  the  secretion  of  the  posterior  rather  than 
that  of  the  anterior  lobe.  It  has  been  confirmed  by  Cushing,  as  said 
above,  that  the  hyaline  bodies  found  in  the  posterior  lobe  represent  an 
internal  secretion,  and  that  they  are  discharged  into  the  cavity  of  the 
3rd  yentride,  where  they  undergo  solution  in  the  cerebrospinal  fluid, 
by  which  avenue  the  secretion  enters  the  blood  stream;  which  explains 
the  presence  in  the  cerebrospinal  fluid  of  a  substance,  the  injection  of 
which  produces  the  same  effects  as  the  injection  of  extracts  of  the  i>os- 
terior  lobe.    If  the  posterior  lobe  with  its  investment  is  totally  removed. 


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CONTRIBUTED   ARTICLES  331 

or  if  the  infundibular  stalk  is  compressed  by  a  clip,  so  as  to  prevent  the 
discharge  of  the  secretion  of  the  gland  into  the  3rd  ventricle,  the  animal 
becomes  very  tolerant  of  sugar,  and  is  able  to  assimilate  larger  quan- 
tities than  formerly  without  the  development  of  alimentary  glycosuria. 
As  a  probable  result  of  the  increased  carbo-hydrate  assimilation,  a  con- 
dition of  nutrition  is  established,  which  is  characterized  by  a  general 
deposition  of  fat,  suggesting  the  conversion  of  sugar  into  fat.  At  the 
same  time  there  is  probably  an  imperfect  oxidation  of  the  carbo-hy- 
drates, indicated  by  the  lowered  temperature.  The  truth  of  this  general 
proposition  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  this  increased  sugar  tolerance  can 
be  immediately  lowered  by  an  intravenous  or  subcutaneous  injection  of 
the  posterior  lobe. 

Effects  of  injection  of  these  extracts:  those  of  the  anterior  lobe 
affect  no  physiologic  mechanism;  those  of  the  posterior  lobe  rapidly  in- 
crease blood  pressure  from  a  spasmodic  contraction  oi  the  arterial 
muscles.  The  action  seems  to  be  a  very  general  one,  as  there  is  a  simul- 
taneous diminution  of  the  volume  of  the  various  organs.  The  extract 
also  stimulates  the  non-striated  muscles  of  the  intestines,  bladder,  and 
uterus,  as  well  as  the  dilator  muscles  of  the  iris. 

Clinically  we  cannot  say  with  any  certainty  that  a  person  is  the 
subject  of  a  hyper  or  hypo-pituitarism,  because  oversecretion  seems  some- 
times to  be  followed  by  uhdersecretion,  and  the  one  gland  may  show 
an  efficiency  higher  than  normal,  while  the  other  shows  deficiency.  It  is 
an  irregularity  of  function  similar  to  that  found  in  thyroid  disease, 
where  the  symptoms  of  goitre  may  be  overlapped  by  those  of  myxoedema ; 
hence  the  term  dyspituitarism  is  the  most  properly  descriptive  word. 
The  function  of  the  posterior  lobe,  which  equals  the  infundibular  por- 
tion, is  apparently  confined  to  tissue  metabolism,  relating  especially  to 
the  utilization  of  the  carbohydrates,  while  the  function  of  the  anterior 
part  is  apparently  one  of  association  with  the  activity  of  the  other  duct- 
less glands,  and  presides  over  skeletal  growth;  yet  the  most  exact  inves- 
tigations have  failed  to  reval  any  proof  that  would  justify  us  in  saying 
that  any  definite  syndrome  is  the  result  of  a  definite  perversion  of  ac- 
tivity of  a  specific  lobe  of  the  hypophysis.  Clinical  states  of  increased 
functional  activity  have  with  few  exceptions  been  such  as  to  be  associated 
with  hyperplastic  or  edematous  processes,  and  those  in  turn  are  directly 
concerned  in  producing  acromegaly.  If  this  hyperplasia  has  been  pres- 
ent, the  bony  structures  of  the  sella  turcica  and  its  locality  will  always 
show  enlargement,  although  the  gland  may  have  become  the  subject  of 
involution,  and  displays  no  scars  nor  microscopic  changes.  Symptoms 
may  arise  from  direct  changes  in  the  gland,  or  from  a  blocking  of  its 
secretions  by  growths  in  its  vicinity. 

The  etiological  basis  of  this  perversion  is  inheritance,  developmental 
defect,  physiological  epochs,  as  puberty,  adolescence,  and  pregnancy, 
since  the  testes  and  ovariee  are  closely  connected  with  the  functional 
activity  of  this  gland.    Traumatism  is  also  effective. 


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3;]2  XOKTII    AMERICAN    JOniNAL    OF    IIOMCEor    TIIV 

The  treatment  of  the  resulting  conditions  is  by  the  administration 
of  th(j  gland  substance,  and  since  the  distinction  between  the  activity 
of  definite  iH)rtions  of  the  gland  is  not  susceptible  of  proof  at  present, 
preparations  of  the  entire  gland  are  used.  Administration  has  been  by 
mouth,  by  subcutaneous  injection  (which  is  potent  in  the  proportion  of 
4  to  1),  or  by  intravenous  injection  (which  is  potent  in  respect  to  sub- 
cutaneous administration  in  the  proportion  of  2  to  1).  As  a  last  resort, 
transplantation  of  gland  substance  into  the  substance  of  the  cranial 
cavity  has  been  practiced,  in  oile  case  with  beneficial  results.  The 
source  of  the  gland  is  usually  bovine.  Dosage  is  determined  by  experi- 
ment ;  inasmuch  as  the  increased  tolerance  for  carbo-hydrates  is  the  pre- 
dominating obvious  symptom,  the  rule  is  to  determine  how  much  levu- 
lose  can  be  administered  without  producing  glycosuria,  and  to  so  grade 
the  dosage  that  an  alimentary  glycosuria  will  be  produced  with  200 
grammes  of  levulose.  In  one  case  Gushing  found  that  100  grains  of 
the  Armour  Whole  Gland  Extract,  three  times  a  day,  failed  to  produce 
glycosuria  under  the  ingestion  of  200  grammes  of  levulose.  Radio- 
therapy has  seemed  to  give  promising  results  in  preventing  overgrowth 
of  the  gland,  and  Gushing  therefore  recommends  radio-therapy  after 
the  partial  removal  of  the  gland.' 

The  eflFects  of  dyspituitarism  are  not  always  typical,  nor  do  they 
correspond  accurately  to  the  theoretical.  *  For  instance :  while  giant- 
ism is  the  result  of  pituitary  anomalies  in  youth  or  infancy,  acrom- 
egaly (increase  in  size  of  the  bones  of  the  face  and  extremities)  is  the 
outcome  if  the  disease  manifests  itself  in  adult  life.  Gase 
5603  reported  by  Dr.  Maurice  G.  Ashley  in  1902  shows  a 
mixture  of  the  two  conditions.  This  patient  was  37  years  of 
age  on  admission  to  the  Middletown  State  Hospital  in  May  1900,  and 
had  been  a  relatively  normal  individual  until  some  years  previous  to  his 
discharge  from  the  U.  S.  Army,  which  occurred  a  short  time  before  his 
admission  to  the  hospital  before-mentioned.  The  patient  stated  that 
he  had  first  noticed  a  change  in  his  face  and  hands  when  he  was  about 
twenty-five  years  of  age,  i.e.,  twelve  years  before  the  date  of  coming  un- 
der Dr.  Ashley's  notice.  He  stated  that  he  had  been  discharged  from 
the  army  because  his  fingers  became  so  large  that  he  could  not  pull  the 
trigger  of  a  rifle.  On  his  admission  to  the  hospital  he  was  somewhat 
demented  and  confused,  and  he  had  auditory  hallucinations,  and  believ- 
ed that  someone  was  intending  to  execute  him  by  shooting  for  a  crime 
of  some  sort.  Before  coming  to  the  hospital  his  feet  and  ankles  began 
to  swell,  and  he  became  reduced  physically,  and  he  had  complained  of 
pain  along  the  spine,  especially  between  the  scapulae,  and  in  the  pre- 
cordial region.  While  in  the  hospital  he  was  apathetic,  although  at 
times  he  manifested  fear,  took  no  interest  in  his  surroundings,  and  was 
oblivious  to  the  calls  of  nature.  Much  of  the  time  he  suflFered  from 
diarrhea,  and  was  muscularly  feeble.  Muscular  development  was  poor, 
and  while  his  weight  on  admission  was  218  lbs.,  he  later  lost  34  lbs.. 


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COXTRIBHTKD    ARTICLES  333 

but  at  the  time  of  the  report  (1902)  he  had  more  than,  regained  it,  and 
then  weighed  248  lbs.  Examination  at  that  time  showed  the  following? 
changes:  ears  enlarged,  cartilage  hardened,  thickened,  and  distorted; 
nose  very  large,  and  deflected  to  the  right,  with  constricted  nostrils; 
left  eye  higher  than  the  right;  lower  jaw  prognathous,  with  the  hyper- 
trophy more  marked  on  the  left;  tongue  so  hypertrophied  as  to  almost 
fill  the  mouth;  voice  thick  and  muffled;  very  little  hair  on  the  face  (re- 
lapse into  infantilism) ;  both  optic  nerves  atrophied,  especially  upon  the 


Fig.l — Case  5603.     Note  the  distortion  of  the  thorax 

right;  vision  15/100  R,  15/^30  L.  The  hands  were  short,  thick,  soft, 
broad  cushions,  fingers  very  broad  and  short.  They  were  flat  and  spade- 
like, with  considerable  hypertrophy  of  the  bone  at  the  joints.  The  nails 
were  broad,  short,  and  thin,  with  marked  ridges,  and  did  not  reach  the 
ends  of  the  fingers  by  Vgth  of  an  inch.  While  the  feet  did  not  show  so 
much  deformity  as  the  hands,  they  were  enlarged,  being  12  inches  in 
length,  and  4^/2  inches  in  width.     The  thorax  was  quite  as  deformed  as 


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334  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL    OF    HOMCEOPATHY 


FijiT.  2 — Case  5603.     The  irregularity  of  the  hyperplasia  of  the  fingers 

is  to  he  noted 


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CX)NTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  335 

the  face  and  hands,  as  the  first  three  rihs  had  buckled  posteriorly  giving 
the  chest-wall  in  that  region  a  caved-in  api>earance.  At  the  junction  of 
the  fourth,  fifth,  and  sixth  ribs,  with  the  ensiform  cartilage  of  the  same 
side,  the  buckling  was  outward,  and  the  chest-wall  showed  a  prominent 
hump  at  that  point.  The  ribs  were  broader  than  normal,  and  the  buck- 
ling referred  to  was  due  to  their  increase  in  length.  The  right  clavicle 
was  freely  movable  at  both  extremities,  and  considerable  crepitus  was 
apparent  ui>on  manipulation.  The  spine  showed  much  deformity,  the 
back  being  so  rounded  that  the  patient  was  comfortable  only  with  the 
chin  bent  forward  upon  the  chest.  The  skin  was  moist  and  oily,  with 
many  small  warts  on  the  neck,  chest,  and  back.  Otherwise  there  was 
little  abnormality,  the  long  bones  showing  no  deformiity,  and  the  heart 
and  lungs  were  sound.  Hearing  was  normal.  The  urine  was  not  so 
greatly  increased,  nor  was  there  as  much  thirst  as  has  been  reported  in 
some  cases,  but  the  sugar  tolerance  was  not  then  determined.  The  fol- 
lowing measurements  are  selected  from  the  very  complete  summary  in 
Dr.  Ashley's  monograph  on  this  case. 

Height  75^  inches. 

Circumference  of  head  (greatest)  24%  inches. 

Nasal  septum  to  tip  of  chin,  4  inches. 

Length  of  hand  (right)  wrist  to  tip  of  middle  finger,  7%  inches. 

Length  of  hand  (left)  wrist  to  tip  of  middle  finger,  8  inches. 

From  these  data  we  see  that  this  case  exhibited  the  giantism  of  in- 
fantile dyspituitarism,  but  only  moderately  the  rentention  of  carbo-hy- 
drates. The  partial  loss  of  hair  also  showed  the  moderation  of  the 
tendenoy  to  sexual  reversion.  The  blindness,  and  mental  changes,  and 
hebetude  were  the  direct  evidences  of  the  presence  of  a  pituitary  tompr. 
The  distribution  of  the  hypertrophies  was  according  to  expectation,  but 
the  disparity  between  the  right  and  left  sides  should  not  be  overlooked, 
since  hyi)ertrophy  may  be  so  erratic  as  to  lead  one  astray  if  he  should 
always  demand  symmetry  as  a  ^sine  qua  non".  I  was  shown  a  very 
striking  instance  of  this  asymmetry  in  Berlin  by  the  late  Dr.  Walter  Y. 
Cowl,  who  was  formerly  a  Professor  in  the  New  York  Homoeopathic 
Medical  College  and  Flower  Hospital  The  patient  was  a  girl  of  seven- 
teen, whose  entire  apparent  abnormality  was  a  hyperplasia  of  about  two 
inches  in  length  of  the  great  and  first  toe  upon  the  left  foot  X-ray 
examination,  however,  disclosed  some  hypertophy  of  the  epiphysis  of  the 
upper  portion  of  the  femur  upon  the  same  side,  suggesting  the  advent 
of  a  generalized  overgrowth.  Dr.  Ashley's  patient  died  upon  June  9th, 
1915,  of  exhaustion,  and  a  chronic  interstitial  nephritis.  He  had  been 
bedridden  for  several  years,  and  had  become  so  sluggish  mentally  that 
it  was  almost  impossible  to  get  him  to  answer  questions. 

Mist  O.  M.,  age  29,  occupation,  nurse.    Bom  IT.  S. 

The  family  history  is  uninf orming,  the  patient  being  the  third  child 
in  a  family  of  four;  a  younger  brother  died  in  convulsions  at  the  age 
of  three  weeks,  the  other  children  were  healthy.  The  patient  was  natur- 
ally bom  at  term,  was  rather  delicate,  but  without  definite  ailment,  un- 


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336  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

til  she  developed  a  cough  at  the  age  of  six.  She  was  slight  physically, 
and  delicate  functionally,  until  puberty  at  about  fourteen  and  a  half, 
at  which  time  she  began  to  have  headaches  localized  between  the  left 
parietal  and  occipital  regions,  and  attended  by  some  nausea.  Her  first 
menstruation  was  three  d»ys  in  duration,  was  profuse,  and  was  not  re- 
peated until  her  eighteenth  year.  Subsequently  she  developed  frequent 
attacks  of  epis taxis,  accompanied  by  faintness,  which  occasioned  fre- 
quent falls.  Her  somewhat  untrustworthy  report  is  the  only  basis  for 
a  belief  that  the  headaches  were  exacerbated  with  a  periodicity  suggest- 
ing a  menstrual  equivalent.  After  the  advent  of  the  headaches  she 
ceased  to  increase  in  stature,  but  rapidly  increased  in  weight,  and  her 
physical  weakness  became  pronounced.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  years 
she  weighed  225  pounds.  At  this  time  she  had  her  second  menstruation, 
lasting  a  half  day.  From  the  age  of  eighteen  to  twenty- two  she  had  an 
almost  continuous  cough  and  nausea,  at  one  time  without  remission  for 
about  four  months,  during  which  episode  she  lost  about  70  lbs.,  but 
rapidly  regained  her  weight  after  a  stay  at  some  sulphur  springs.  At 
twenty-two  she  had  an  operation  for  a  diverticulum,  and  a  curettage, 
whereupon  she  menstruated  very  slightly  for  three  months.  She  then 
suffered  from  a  fall,  and  flowed  continuously' for  two  years,  and  was 
curetted  twice  with  no  relief.  After  another  fall,  in  which  she  struck 
on  the  head,  and  was  rendered  unconscious,  the  flow  stopped,  but  since 
then  she  has  had  a  slight  flow  at  long  intervals.  The  hair  upon  the  scalp 
is  very  luxuriant,  although  at  times  it  falls  out  for  quite  long  periods,  but 
the  axillary  and  genital  hair  is  very  scanty.  There  is  no  sexual  desire. 
The  appetite  is  variable,  with  frequent  periods  of  longing  for  sweets. 
She  is  rather  melancholy,  and  quite  delusional.  She  has  a  variable  tem- 
perature, but  elevation  is  the  rule,  the  temperature  being  normal  in  the 
middle  of  the  day,  and  rises  toward  night  to  a  maximum  of  102  degrees 
or  higher  about  midnight,  the  pulse  being  correspondingly  increased. 
There  is  a  constant  hollow  cough,  which  is  aggravated  by  moving  about, 
or  by  motion.  There  is  a  stabbing  pain  in  the  left  side  of  the  abdomen, 
which  is  aggravated  by  coughing  and  emotion.  She  vomits  easily. 
Urine  is  from  ^8  to  120  ounces  in  twenty-four  hours.  Her  sugar  tol- 
erance is  about  200  grammes  of  glucose. 

Physical  examination,  Feb.  18th,  1913 : 

Height  59  inches 

Waist  measure  59  inches 

Skin,  harsh  and  dry. 

Hair  fine,  dry,  and  slightly  gray  since  twenty-one 

B.  P.  105 

Pulse  72,  intermitting  about  every  10th  beat 

Blowing  systolic  murmur  at  base  and  apex 

Apex  about  3  inches  from  left  border  of  sternum 

Lungs  negative,  but  there  is  a  deep  racking  cough. 

March  6th,  1913. 

Weight  211  lbs. 


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CONTRIBUTED   ARTICLES  3.57 


Upper  arm  17  inches 

Waist  38  inches 

Thigh  28  inches. 

Hips  64  inches. 

Breast  in  axillary  line  43  inches 


Figs.  3  &  4.     Miss  0,  M. 

The  sella  turcica  shows  no  enlargement.  She  had  a  sub-oceipital  dt'»- 
compression,  and  simple  decompression  by  Dr.  Gushing.  She  now 
shows  no  notable  visual  defects.  She  has  taken  as  much  as  45  grains  of  Ar- 
mour's Extract  of  the  whole  gland,  with  no  benefit.  At  the  present  time 
she  is  weak,  and  suffers  more  or  less  from  headache  and  insomnia,  whicli 


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338  NORTH    AMERIOAN   JOURNAL   OF    HOMCEOPATHY 

are  relieved  by  lumbar  puncture,  at  intervals  of  a  few  days,  which  con- 
stantly reveals  a  clear  sterile  fluid,  under  great  pressure.  This  seems 
to  be  a  nearly  pure  case  of  deficiency  in  secretion  of  the  pituitary  body 
(hypopituitism)  possibly  due  to  a  tumor  near  the  gland. 

Mr.  K.  E.  S.  w.    Age  28?     Student. 

Family  history  is  suggestive,  since  the  relatives  on  the  father's  side, 
as  well  ES  the  mother's  were  strong  and  very  tall,  but  there  was  no  his- 
tory of  's.  pituitary  disorder  in  any  of  them.  The  patient  had  three 
brothers,  and  three  sisters.  One  brother  died  in  childhood  of  some  in- 
fectious disease.  Two  sisters  died,  one  at  the  age  of  thirteen  of  cardiac 
failure,  the  other  at  twenty-one  of  nephritis.  The  father  died  at  the  age 
of  iSfty-five  of  apoplexy,  while  the  mother  died  at  fifty-six,  probably  of 
carcinoma  of  the  stomach. 

Personal  History:  The  patient  was  the  last  of  eight  children,  the 
first  having  been  still-bom.  The  mother  was  forty-one  at  this  time. 
During  childhood  had  chicken-pox,  measles,  and  mumps  with  moderate 
severity.  Developed  normally  up  to  and  through  puberty,  except  that 
puberty  was  delayed  until  he  was  about  seventeen  years  of  age.  He 
was  always  smaller  and  slighter  than  was  fitting  for  his  years. 

Present  Illness.  Up  to  the  age  of  twenty  years  the  apparent  ab- 
normalities were  deficiency  in  stature,  in  development  of  the  bony  skele- 
ton, and  a  deficiency  in  quantity  and  a  late  appearance  of  axillary  and 
pubic  hair.  The  facial  hair  was  deficient  in  amount,  and  slow  in  growth. 
The  sexual  organs  were  normal  in  size,  and  were  functionally  competent. 
At  the  age  of  twenty  a  deficiency  in  the  ability  to  differentiate  colors 
began  to  be  noticed,  and  in  a  few  months  a  blurring  of  the  upper  tempor- 
al field  of  the  left  eye.  Then  slight  headache  appeared,  which  passed 
away  in  a  few  months,  and  never  returned  up  to  1915.  There  were  no 
somatic  symptoms,  except  an  anterior  crural  neuritis  in  the  right  leg, 
which  has  persisted  up  to  the  present  time.  The  eye  condition  was 
stationary  during  1910,  and  then  there  was  an  increased  blurring  in  the 
left  upper  temporal  quadrant.  Diagnoses  were  variable,  and  unsatis- 
factory, but  the  patient  was  treated  on  the  hypothdfeis  that  there  was  a 
toxic  neuritis  resulting  from  a  grippe  infection  in  1910.  The  toxic 
theory  was  considered  to  determine  also  that  the  neuritis  in  the  leg  was 
rheumatic.  The  patient  gained  fifty  pounds  in  weight  in  the  six  months 
from  June  to  December,  1911,  and  this  was  also  explained  on  the  ground 
that  the  patient  was  of  the  "vegetative  type."  Finally  it  was  decid- 
ed that  the  pituitary  was  at  fault.  The  patient's  sugar  tolerance  was 
not  at  this  time  determined.  By  March  1913  the  left  eye  failed  to  the 
extent  of  a  simple  differentiation  between  light  and  darkness,  and  vision 
was  only  4/200.  He  was  operated  on  August  19th,  1915,  and  again  on 
the  25th  of  the  same  year.  The  operation  was  the  Hirsch,  modified  by 
Oushing,  which  amounts  to  a  transverse  incision  of  the  upper  lip  at 
the  f  renum,  retraction  of  the  upi)er  lip  and  the  nose,  and  a  resection  of 
the  bony  septum  of  the  nose,  and  the  separation  of  the  mucous  surfaces^ 
by  dilating  plugs.    The  greater  part  of  the  vomer,  the  lower  edge  of  the 


I 


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CONTRIBUTED   ABTIOLES  389 

median  plate  of  the  ethmoid,  and  a  small  strip  of  cartilage  are  then 
removed,  and  when  the  hody  of  the  sphenoid  has  been  reached  the  anter- 
ior and  lower  walls  of  the  sinuses  are  chipi>ed  away,  and  the  protrusion 
of  the  sella  is  pierced,  and  then  the  tumor  removed  piecemeal  to  what- 
ever extent  is  thought  proper. 

Vision  came  up  to  10/200  in  a  few  days,  and  has  remained  about 
the  same  ever  since.    He  is  now  receiving  massive  doses  of  the  X-ray, 
and  is  physically  in  good  condition,  but  his  vision  is  so  deficient  that  he . 
is  seriously  handicapped. 

Mr.  C.  Z.  has  an  interesting  family  history,  the  mother  having 
suffered  from  multiple  cysts  of  the  scalp,  a  maternal  uncle  had  a  brain 
tumor,  another  maternal  uncle  died  in  a  lunatic  asylum,  a  maternal  aunt 
had  a  cyst  of  the  brain,  and  afterward  died  of  cancer  of  the  liver.  An- 
other maternal  aunt  died  of  cancer  of  the  stomach.  The  patient  has 
three  brothers,  and  four  sisters.  The  eldest  brother  has  tumor  of  the 
scalp;  the  other  two  lack  tumorous  growths,  but  one  of  them  exhibits 
mental  reduction.  The  sisters  are  healthy  except  that  they  frequently 
suffer  from  headaches.  The  patient  was  apparently  normal  up  to  the 
age  of  18.  He  was  sexually  mature,  and  normal.  At  the  age  of  18  he 
began  to  have  chills,  even  in  the  hottest  weather.  These  chills  occurred 
at  irregular  intervals,  and  were  followed  by  profuse  perspirations.  Short- 
ly afterward  he  gradually  developed  a  constant  headache,  with  its  maxi- 
mum intensity  behind  the  inner  margin  of  the  teft  eye.  The  headache 
finally  increased  to  such  a  pitch  as  to  lead  the  patient  to  suicidal  at- 
tempts. When  he  was  19  years  of  age  he  lost  sexual  desire,  and  the 
power  of  erection,  and  also  noticed  an  enlargement  of  his  hands  and  feet 
He  soon  develoi>ed  fainting  spells,  during  which  he  was  never  completely 
unconscious.  He  was  quite  often  nauseated,  and  his  bowels  moved  only 
at  intervals  of  from  nine  to  twelve  days.  Eyeeight  was  quite  impaired, 
and  he  had  pain  in  his  eyes  when  they  were  exposed  to  artificial  light 
His  lower  jaw  finally  began  to  enlarge.  He  was  operated  by  Dr. 
Gushing.  The  operation  was  probably  the  modified  Hirsch,  and  was 
supposed  to  reveal  an  extra-glandular  cyst.  The  operation  disclosed  the 
expected  qyst,  which  was  evacuated,  but  was  found  to  have  invaded  the 
glandular  substance.  The  lower  jaw  has  continued  to  grow,  so  that  at 
present  the  teeth  of  the  lower  jaw  are  about  %  of  an  inch  in  front  of 
those  of  the  upper,  thus  impairing  mastication.  His  eyeeight  became 
normal,  and  his  headaches  disappeared  instantaneously.  Sexual  desire  has 
returned  to  some  degree,  and  there  is  a  slight,  but  imperfect  erection. 
The  hands  and  feet  are  gradually  becoming  smaller.  Last  year  he  no- 
ticed lipomata  developing  on  his  scalp  and  chesty  and  these  enlarge  grad- 
ually. This  is  a  case  of  acromegaly.  The  patient  presents  no  adiposity, 
but  sexual  reversion  toward  the  infantile  type.  The  operation  has  re- 
stored the  pituitary  balance,  since  not  only  functionally  but  structurally 
there  is  a  profirression  toward  the  normal.  This  seems  to  be  a  case  of 
increased  functional  activity  of  the  anterior  lobe. 


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340  NORTH   AMERICAN    JOURNAL   OP   HOMCEOPATHY 

G.  W.  male.  Age  12  years.  On  March  22nd,  1916,  he  made  the 
following  statement:  Father  died  at  52  of  dropsy  and  asthma.  Moth- 
er well  at  45.    1  brother  well. 

Personal  history^    He  was  always  well,  except  an  attack  of  measles. 

Present  Illness.  A  year  ago  he  began  to  suffer  from  frontal  head- 
ache, accompanied  by  attacks  of  vomiting,  about  once  a  week.  His 
sight  began  to  fail  at  an  undefined  period,  until  he  became  practically 
blind  three  weeks  ago.  The  right  eye  failed  first.  Since  blindness  de- 
veloped, the  headache  disappeared,  and  he  suffers  from  no  other  pains. 

Examination  showed  an  unusually  attractive  boy,  rather  large  for 
his  age,  extremely  infantile  in  his  figure,  plump  rather  than  strikingly 
fat,  with  no  genital  or  axillary  hair;  the  testicles  were  undescended,  skin 
dry  and  rough,  and  breasts  large,  and  overdeveloped.  The  eyes  pro- 
truded, pupils  widely  dilated,  and  reacting  very  slightly  to  light.  He 
could  barely  distinguish  a  hand  when  it  was  passed  between  the  eyes  and 
the 'source  of  light.  The  arteries  of  the  fundus  oculi  were  narrowed, 
and  the  veins  were  dilated.  The  nerves  showed  atrophy.  There  was 
no  change  in  the  reflexes.  He  was  placed  in  the  Flower  Hospital,  and 
showed  a  sugar  tolerance  of  four  hundred  grammes,  and  the  X-ray  dis- 
closed an  enlarged  sella  turcica.  After  a  short  stay,  he  left  the  hospital, 
and  went  to  the  Neurological  Institute  on  April  19th,  of  the  same  year. 
Here  a  Wassermann  was  done  on  the  blood,  and  the  spinal  fluid,  with 
negative  results;  he  than  had  some  return  of  the  symptoms  of  intra- 
cranial pressure.  A  callosal  puncture  was  done  there,  revealing  con- 
siderable internal  hydrocephalus,  with  the  fluid  under  marked  pressure. 
At  the  same  time  a  subtemporal  decompression  was  done.  As  a  result 
of  these  operations  he  left  the  Neurological  Institute  on  May  13th,  1915, 
with  reduction  of  the  swelling  of  the  discs,  and  with  his  general  condi- 
tion greatly  improved.  He  could  walk,  use  his  arms  effectively,  and  talk 
rationally.  In  June  he  suddenly  became  incontinent  of  feces,  began  to  act 
and  talk  i)ecuHarly.  This  condition  was  maintained  until  July  28th, 
when  he  suddenly  went  into  a  stuporous  state,  and  his  body  became  rigid. 
He  was  taken  to  Bellevue  Hospital,  July  29th,  1916,  in  an  unconscious 
state,  with  general  rigidity  of  the  extremities,  and  a  marked  pulsation 
of  the  hernia  in  the  fronto-parietal  region,  at  the  site  of  the  decom- 
pression operation  at  the  Neurological  Institute.  He  did  not  recover 
consciousness,  but  died  on  July  31st,  1915.  The  symptoms  were  prob- 
ably caused  by  a  supra-cellar  cyst. 

Mr.  A.  E.  D.,  w.     Age  44.     M.    Railroad  Conductor. 

Father  living  at  72,  in  good  health,  and  more  than  usually  active* 
Mother  died  at  64,  after  an  operation,  her  previous  health  having  been 
good.  One  brother  is  in  good  health,  and  two  sisters  are  alive  and  well. 
There  are  no  family  diseases,  and  while  the  grandmother  died  of  cancer,, 
there  were  no  other  cases  in  the  family. 

Personal  History.  Was  well  as  an  infant,  had  the  us- 
ual     diseases      of      childhood,      including      diphtheria,      but      made 


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CONTRIBUTED   ARTICLES  341 

a  good  recovery  from  all  of  them.  Was  very  well  up  to  the 
j&ge  of  twenty,  when  he  suffered  for  a  year  from  malarial  fever.  As  a 
rule  appetite  has  been  good,  and  digestion  had  always  been  good,  but 
for  the  last  ten  to  twelve  years  has  been  greatly  troubled  by  constipation. 
In  1903  he  had  a  severe  lacerated  crush-wound  of  the  left  arm,  from 
which  he  made  a  good  recovery,  except  for  considerable  distortion,  and 
some  impairment  of  motion.  About  ten  years  .ago  he  began  to  suffer 
from  headaches,  which  were  slight  and  occasional,  until  about  three 
years  ago,  since  which  time  they  have  been  increasing  in  frequency  and 
severity.  He  has  always  been  a  heavy  sleeper,  and  sleep  was  refreshing. 
Habits  have  been  good.    Blood  Wassermann  negative. 

Present  Illness.  About  ten  years  ago  he  weighed  195  pounds.  He 
then  began  to  suffer  from  gastric  and  intestinal  indigestion,  but  never- 
theless slowly  increased  in  weight  up  to  211  pounds.  The  indigestion 
was  characterized  by  gas  in  the  intestines,  constipation,  severe  head- 
ache, nausea  and  vertigo,  which  would  persist  for  from  two  to  three 
weeks,  but  a  free  movement  of  the  bowels  appeared  to  be  the  cause  of 
the  relief  of  the  symptoms.  The  present  symptoms  relate  mostly  to  the 
head.  He  sleeps  from  nine  to  twelve,  and  then  the  headache  comes  on, 
punctuated  by  attacks  of  vomiting,  and  he  is  obliged  to  walk  the  floor 
tormented  by  headache,  and  frequent  vomiting,  but  without  the  pain  in 
the  stomach  which  formerly  troubled  him.  Toward  morning  he  gets 
about  an  hour's  sleep.  It  is  to  be  noted  that  he  does  not  vomit  unless 
nauseated.  About  three  years  ago,  while  on  his  way  to  his  physician, 
he  was  attacked  by  vertigo  while  on  the  street,  and  had  to  be  carried 
to  the  office.  It  took  him  ten  days  to  recover  from  this  attack.  While 
he  was  lying  down  he  had  no  vertigo,  but  as  soon  as  he  got  up  he  had 
vertigo,  and  nausea,  and  vomiting.  During  this  attack  the  left  face 
drooped,  but  there  is  no  history  of  a  simultaneous  weakness  of  the  left 
side,  nor  was  he  unconscious  at  any  time.  At  the  present  time  he  is 
'Correct  in  his  mental  processes,  but  slow  in  response,  and  perception,  and 
is  very  irritable.  At  times  he  has  spasticity  of  the  neck  of  the  bladder, 
and  urination  is  very  gn^atly  retarded.  Vision  is  good,  apparently,  but 
the  visual  and  color  fields  have  not  been  outlined.  There  is  no  hem- 
ianopsia. Urine  is  normal.  Objectively  he  has  no  ataxia,  but  the 
Baranay  test  shows  a  deviation  of  the  right  hand  toward  the  left  of 
about  two  inches.  The  knee-jerks  are  active,  but  equal,  and  while  there 
is  an  active  ankle  clonus,  there  is  no  Babinski.  The  left  face  is  still  weak. 
Tactile  and  pain  perceptions  are  normal.  While  on  general  examination 
the  sexual  organs  appear  normal,  and  the  pubic  and  axilliary  hair  pre- 
sent no  abnormality,  nevertheless  the  whole  physique  is  notably  gener- 
ous in  its  proportions,  and  there  is  a  markedly  feminine  api)earance  in 
its  lines.  The  sugar  tolerance  was  found  to  be  high,  more  than  400 
grammes,  and  a  skiagram  showed  an  enlargement  and  erosion  of  the  sella 
turcica.  These  later  findings  point  unmistakably  to  the  existence  of 
dyspituitarism,  and  the  examination  as  a  whole  makes  it  very  probable 
that  there  has  been  a  very  gradual  enlargement  of  the  anterior  lobe. 


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S4Q  NORTH   AMERICAN   JOURNAL   OF    HOMCEOPATUT 

wliich  fayored  a  rather  exuberant  initial  development  of  the  skeleton. 
This  condition  primarily  stimulated  the  secretion  of  the  posterior  lobe, 
but  as  time  went  on  the  pressure  interfered  with  its  function,  and  at  the 
same  time  gave  rise  to  an  increase  in  intracranial  pressure,  which  has 
caused  his  headaches,  and  mental  impairment,  and  possibly  his  vomit- 
ing, although  we  should  exi)ect  that  to  have  been  independent  of  nausea. 
The  patient  was  placed  upon  5  grs.  t.  i.  d.  of  Armour's  preparation  of 
the  whole  gland,  and  has  shown  a  decrease  in  the  headache,  and  is  men- 
tally brighter  and  less  irritable.  This  last  case  is  a  most  interesting 
one  to  me,  and  its  discovery  instigated  a  resume  of  my  experiences,  fin- 
ally resulting  in  this  paper.  This  patient  had  been  treated  for  digestive 
trouble  for  years,  when  gradually  increasing  intra-cranial  pressure  so 
affected  his  mind  that  he  was  sent  to  me  as  a  mental  case.  The  impos- 
sibility of  detecting  any  definite  psychosis  led  me  to  a  most  careful 
analysis  of  all  possible  deviations  from  the  normal,  and  I  could  not  rid 
my  mind  of  the  impression  that  the  suggestion  of  feminism  and  infan- 
tilism in  his  figure  might  represent  an  organic  change,  and  the  X-ray, 
and  an  investigation  of  the  sugar  tolerance  justified  the  diagnosis. 

Our  knowledge  of  the  ductless  glands  is  still  fragmentary  and  im- 
perfect, but  a  disturbance  of  their  functions  should  never  be  left  out 
of  the  catalogue  of  etiological  possibilities. 

616  Madison  Avenue. 


A   FEW  THOUGHTS  ON   MEDICAL    EDUCATION 

FROM  AN  ANALYSIS  MADE  OF  STUDENTS  IN 

THREE  MEDICAL  COLLEGES  OF  A+  RATING 

By  WILLIAM  F.  BAKER,  A.M.,  M.D., 
Lecturer  on  Pschychotherapy,  Hahaemann  Medical  College  &  Hospital 

PhUadeiphia,  Pa. 

AS  one  reviews  the  entire  fabric  of  the  study  of  medicine  one  is  im- 
pressed with  the  facts  of  a  decreasing  number  of  graduates  and 
the  changed  conditions  which  beset  the  graduate  when  he  begins  the 
practice  of  medicine. 

The  first  has  been  ascribed  to  the  length  of  preparation  and  the 
added  detail  to  the  curricula  of  our  colleges. 

The  fact  that  medicine  is  becoming  more  allied  to  business  puts 
a  new  aspect  on  the  pscychological  study  of  medicine,  and  it  can  be  safe- 
ly questioned.  Will  business  absorb  medicine? 

As  was  pointed  out,  proprietary  therapy  has  control  now,  about  600 
to  1.  The  chaos  in  our  therapy  has  led  more  or  less  to  a  distrust  in  the 
^'public  mind."  Empiricism  in  therapeutics  has  so  taken  hold  of  pub- 
lic opinion,  social  service,  so  controlling  preventive  medicine,  that 
orthrodox  therapy  has  largely  been  neglected,  and  to  such  an  extent  as 
to  abolish  chairs  of  therapeutics,  notably  such  as  has  taken  place  in 
Johns  Hopkins  University  only  recently. 


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CX>NTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  343 

The  modem  tendencies  in  medicine  must  be  in  the  direction  of 
large  public  interest,  and  that  public  interest  should  be  so  educated  by 
a  positive  initiative  and  construction  as  to  be  influenced  by  a  law  of 
therapeutics  which  has  not  as  yet  been  disproven,  namely,  the  law  of 
"similar." 

The  constructive  view  point  of  therapeutics  is  the  new  one,  as 
against  the  former  professionalism,  or  so-called  palliative,  and  a  ther- 
apy which  is  not  founded  upon  a  constructive  basis  for  the  common  good 
ought  to  be  relegated  to  the  past 

This  constructive  policy  of  pschychology  enters  into  and  forms  the 
basis  of  the  psychology  of  proprietary  therapy,  and  as  such  is  demanded 
by  the  public,,  for  the  choice  of  therapy  is  the  right  of  the  individual 
in  the  majority  of  instances. 

This  constructive  policy  has  taken  many  of  our  technically  trained 
physicians  out  of  their  sphere  of  action  and  placed  them  on  a  wage  in 
the  support  of  this  constructive  dogma,  which,  from  a  business  stand- 
point, is  an  exceptionally  good  risk. 

Can  the  medical  college  afford  to  discard  therapy,  is  the  question 
which  must  have  been  carefully  considered  before  any  such  action  was 
taken  by  a  Board  of  Control  of  a  medical  institution. 

Are  we,  as  homoeopathic  physicians,  graduates  of  homoeopathic  col- 
leges, prepared  to  say  that  such  course  would  best  serve  public  interest  ? 
Admitting  as  we  must,  that  therapy  is  the  first  selection,  by  a  public 
demand,  the  interpretation  of  that  therapy  must  be  left  in  the  hands  of 
the  educated,  and  not  permitted  to  be  placed  at  the  expense  of  ridicule 
or  the  destructive  agnosticism  of  doubt,  or  an  expression  of  disbelief  at 
the  hands  of  any  technically  educated  observer. 

It  is  fortunate  indeed  for  the  law  of  similars  that  all  such  attempts 
have  failed,  in  the  attempt  to  overthrow  or  discredit  it,  and  that  a  chair 
of  homoeopathic  therapeutics  has  been  added  to  the  mergers  of  colleges 
that  have  been  rated  in  A+  rating.    The  latter  fact  is  significant. 

The  psychology  of  medicine  demands  that  we,  from  a  business  stand- 
point, further  elucidate  in  constructive  policy  our  law  of  therapy,  and 
add  to  it  social  interest  by  preventative  medicine,  an  efficient  service  to 
industrial  hygiene,  by  our  study  of  the  *Sinintentional  provings."  And 
the  homoeopathic  principle  when  properly  studied  will  add  new  light  on 
mental  symptoms  associated  with  the  manufacture  of  productive  in- 
dustrials. 

This  is  a  conservative  measure  particularly  fitted  for  the  homoeop- 
athic college  policy. 

The  wide  awake  homoeopathic  profession  need  not  be  afraid  of  the 
dominism  of  business  in  the  realm  of  medicine,  for  by  its  constructive 
policies  outlined  above  it  could  control  business,  regulate  it,  and  pro- 
duce from  it  a  greater  service  from  its  laborers,  more  efficient  health  of 
its  community,  better  care  of  the  insane,  and  a  thousand  other  oppor- 
tunities for  men  of  large  calibre,  capable  of  interpreting  the  service  to 
the  conservation  of  life,  health,  and  industrial  prosperity. 


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344  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL    OF    HOMCEOPATHY 

This,  to  my  thinking,  is  the  psychology  of  the  study  of  modern 
medicine,  namely,  the  creation  of  men  large  enough  in  mental  calibre 
to  grapple  the  situation,  in  spite  of  the  tendencies,  and  transform  it  to 
the  constructive  policy  of  a  public  good.  And  no  other  law  of  thera- 
peutics will  offer  so  many  advantages  as  this  one  of  similars. 

The  true  psychology  of  medicine  is  the  fact  that  there  is  demanded 
of  medicine  a  production  of  interests  which  will  be  used  as  a  "public 
service,*'  and  any  medical  education  which  faUs  short  of  this  can  but 
be  classed  as  "under"  the  scope  or  aim  of  a  modern  medical  education. 

This  cannot  be  attained  by  the  indefinite  lengthening  of  years  of 
study,  but  by  a  psychological  re-arrangement  of  our  courses  in  medi- 
cine to  suit  the  needs  of  the  individual  student  and  the-  needs  of  the 
**public  service"  where  such  can  be  studied  and  learned;  hence  we  must 
have  men  to  guide  large  hospitals,  centers  of  education,  sanitarians  for 
public  health  and  hygiene,  army  and  navy  preparedness,  and  many 
others  down  to  the  community  hospital,  which  does  a  public  service  in 
the  community  which  has  created  it  and  demanded  it. 

The  law  of  therapeutics  must  be  a  broad  enough  principle  to  sup- 
ply all  the  needs  of  a  service,  or,  to  be  efficient,  must  supply  at  least 
70  per  cent,  of  those  needs. 

In  our  interpretation  of  the  law  of  therapeutics  and  its  application 
to  these  service  problems,  will  we  be  enabled  to  dominate  these  services, 
and  will  our  therapy  be  demanded? 

A  proper  review  of  our  medical  courses  will  enable  us  to  do  this, 
psychologically,  and  incidentally  shorten  the  years,  for  by  actual  ob- 
servation, the  keenness  of  concept  is  diminishned  by  increasing  years 
of  study  preparatory  to  the  application  of  a  mental  concept  to  the  ser- 
vice demanded;  in  other  words,  give  us  a  practical  business-like  voca- 
tional medical  education. 

Conclusion: — Medicine  to  remain  dominant  must  be  productive. 
The  production  must  be  suited  to  the  public  service  demanded.  Medical 
courses  of  the  present,  because  of  their  length  and  vagaries,  have  a 
tendency  to  decrease  mentality  (constructive).  The  homoeopathic  prin- 
ciple of  therapy  is  the  only  one  left  that  has  stood  the  attack  of  labor- 
atory forces.  Teaching  by  eye  concept  efficient  to  the  extent  of  about 
70  per  cent,  and  teaching  by  concept  efficient  to  the  extent  of  about 
51  per  cent.  The  apx>ended  table  shows  clearly  the  needs  of  a  modem 
medical  course. 

Schedule  A. 

Pre-      Fresh-      Soph- 
medical    man        more        Jr.  .        8r, 

Attention    +3  +2  +1  +2  +3 

Concentration  +3  —2  —1  +1  +2 

Memory    60        —60  60  61  52 

Correlation   of  Ideas —6  —4  —3  +1  +3 

Accuracy  of  Eye  Concept +6  +4  +1  +3  +4 

Per  Cent,  of  Eye  Concept 71  60  60  65  70 


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(CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  345 


Eange  of  Information Varies  +2 

Auditory  Memory   40  42 

Eye  Concept  Memory 60  50 

Accuracy  of  Detail  on  Obeervation  80  70 

Accuracy  of  Entities 40  60 

Accuracy  of  Heterogenous  Detail 


+3 

+4 

+5 

46 

50 

51 

55 

60 

70 

60 

50 

50 

50 

50 

60 

Department  of   Homoeopathic 
Materia  Medica  and  Therapeutics 

Conducted  by        -       -        A.  R.  McMichael,  A.Mm  M.D. 


AN  EPITOME  OF  COMPARISONS  IN  HOMCEO- 

PATHIC  MATERIA  MEDICA  AND 

THERAPEUTICS 

By  A.  R.  MC  MICHAEL.  A.M.,  M.D., 

Professor  of  Clinical  Medicine  and  Applied  Materia  Medica  New  York 
Homoeopathic  Medical  College  and  Flower  Hospital 

New  York  City 

DISEASES  OF  THE  LIVER 

BRYONIA 

Stitching  pains  in  the  right  hypochondriac  region,  <from  least  mo- 
tion, >from  lying  on  the  right  side.  Right  lobe  lies  in  hypochondrium 
like  a  load,  with  soreness  and  tenderness  to  pressure.  Worse  from  deep 
breathing,  <  motion,  >by  rest  Burning  pain  in  liver.  Pain  under  the 
right  shoulder  blade.  Liver  swollen,  congested  and  inflamed.  Jaundice 
slight,  sometimes  brought  on  by  a  fit  of  anger.  Constipation,  stools 
hard  dry  or  morning  diarrhea.  Tongue  coated  white  or  yellow,  bitter 
taste.  Frontal  headache  <in  morning  on  waking.  Ghreat  irritability, 
wants  to  be  quiet  All  conditions  <  after  eating.  Great  thirst  Intol- 
erance of  v^etable  food. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 

Stitching  pains  <from  least  motion,  >from  lying  on  the  right  side. 
Frontal  headache  <a.fn,    Oreat  irritcMity, 

CARDUUS  MAR 

Pains  pressing,  drawing,  stitching,  fullness,  burning  in  the  right 
lobe  of  the  liver,  sometimes  the  left  lobe.  Dragging  pains  when  lying 
on  the  left  side.  Sore,  bruised,  hard  liver.  Pain  in  back  under  right 
scapula.  liver  enlargement  in  transverse  direction.  Pains  <from 
pressure,  <fro8n  motion,  <lying  on  the  left  side.    Jaundice  with  duU 


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346  NORTH   AMERICAN    JOURNAL   OF    HOMCEOPATHT 

headache,  bitter  taete,  white  tongue  with  red  edges.    Nausea  and  yomit- 
ing  of  greenish  fiuid.    Stools  bilious,  pasly-day-colored.    Liver  spots  a 
special  indication.    Urine  golden  yellow.    Constipation,  stool  hard,  dif- 
ficult, knobby.    Oatarrh  of  the  biliary  ducts.    Cirrhosis  with  dropsy^. 
Abuse  of  alcohol,  especially  beer,  also  calomel    No  desire  for  foo<L 
Breaks  up  tendency  to  gall  stone  by  establidhing  a  healthy  flow  of  bile. 
Differentiating  Characteristics 
Drugging  pain  when  lying  on  the  left  side.    Right  lobe  affected. 
Liver  spots.    Cirrhosis  with  dropsy.    Abuse   of  alcohol  and  calomel. 
Liver  enlarged  transversely.    Pain  in  hack  under  right  scapula. 

CHELTDONIUM 

Stitching  pain  in  region  of  liver  ezt^iding  through  to  the  back  un- 
der the  angle  of  the  right  shoulder  blade.  Spasmodic  pain  in  r^on  of 
liver.  Aching  and  fullness  in  liver,  swelling,  soreness  with  chilliness, 
fever,  jaundice,  yellow  coated  tongue,  bitter  taste.  Craving  for  acids. 
Stools  bright  yellow,  clay  colored,  bileless.  Alternation  of  constipation 
and  diarrhea.  Nausea  and  vomiting.  Gkdl  stone  colic  with  shooting, 
stabbing,  tearing,  lancinating  pain  extending  through  to  the  back.  Pains 
>from  heat. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 

Stitching  pain  from  liver  extending  through  to  the  angle  of  the 
right  shoulder  Made.  Desire  for  acids.  Alternation  of  constipation 
and  diarrhea. 

LYCOPODIUM 

Right  hypochondrium  swollen.  Cord-like  tension  across  hypo- 
chondria. Sensitiveness  so  great  in  liver  region  cannot  lie  on  right  bide. 
Eecurrent  bilious  attacks  with  vomiting  of  bile.  Hunger,  but  a  few 
mouthf uls  of  food  fill  him  up,  flatulence  tends  rather  upward  than  down- 
wards. Always  belching,  great  fermentation  of  bowels,  rumbling,  roll- 
ing of  flatus  in  abdomen.  •  "Tongue  coated,  putrid  taste  in  morning  on 
rising.  All  conditions  <4  to  8  p.m.  Intolerant  of  cold  drinks,  craves 
everything  warm.  Constipation,  stool  hard,  smaU,  difficult  Cirrhosis 
with  ascites  especially  in  drunkards.  Gin-liver.  Subject  to  gall  stone 
colic. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 

Gord-liJce  tension  across  hypochondria.  Sensitiveness  of  liver  so 
great  patient  cannot  lie  on  right  side.  Hunger,  hut  a  few  mouthfuls 
fill  him  up.  Worse  ^  to  S  p.m.  Intolerance  of  cold  drinks,  craves 
everything  warm.    Cirrhosis  with  ascites. 

MERCURIUS 

Liver  enlarged,  congested,  inflamed  and  often  indurated,  sore  to 
touch,  duU  pain  or  stitches.  Worse  lying  on  right  side.  Jaundice, 
stools  clay  colored  or  yellowish-green,  bilious,  passed  with  teneBmns. 
Tongue  yellowish-white  which  takes  the  imprint  of  the  teeth.    Mercur- 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  347 

ial  odor  from  mouth,  fetid>  very  offensive.  Bitter  taste,  food  comes  up 
sour.  Loss  of  appetite.  Depression  of  spirits.  Worse  by  heat  and  <by 
cold,  <at  night.  Profuse  sweat  but  does  not  relieve.  Sweats  disagree. 
Differentiating  Characteristics 
Tongue  yellowish-white  which  takes  the  imprint  of  the  teeth.  Fetid 
breath.    Worse  at  night.     Worse  lying  on  the  right  side, 

NUX  VOMICA 

Liver  swollen  hard,  sensitive  to  pressure  of  clothing,  uncomfortable. 
Hepatic  colic,  sudden  severe  pain  in  right  side,  stitches  <from  contact 
or  motion.  Jaundice  from  anger  and  abuse  of  quinine.  Liver  troubles 
from  over-eating,  good  livers.  Debauchees,  thin,  irritable,  oversensitive, 
alcoholics,  tea  and  coffee  drinkers.  nyx>ochondriacs  who  wish  to  be  alone. 
Craves  stimiilants,  pungent  bitter  things,  tonics;  must  have  something 
to  brace  up  on.  Constantly  taking  purgatives.  Belching  and  gagging 
<a.m.  Milk  sours,  aversion  to  meat.  Constipation  with  frequent  in- 
effectual desire  for  stool.  First  remedy  in  cirrhosis. 
Differentiating  Characteristics 

Debauchees,  thin,  extremely  irritable,  oversensitive  to  all  impress- 
ions. Alcoholics,  tea  and  coffee  drinkers.  Purgative  eaters.  Liver 
sensitive  to  pressure  of  clothing.    First  remedy  in  cirrhosis, 

PODOPHYLLUM 

Chronically  congested  liver.  Soreness  so  great  cannot  bear  pressure 
yet  patient  gets  relief  from  constantly  stroking  the  liver  region  with 
hand.  Liver  swollen,  pain  from  liver  through  to  back.  Twisting  pain 
in  right  hypochondrium.  Jaundice  marked,  especially  with  gall  stones, 
face  and  eyes  yellow.  Tongue  white  or  yellow,  pasty,  like  mustard  spread 
on  tongue,  tongue  takes  imprint  of  teeth,  breath  foul,  bad  taste.  Every- 
thing taken  into  stomach  becomes  sour.  Vomits  everything,  greenish, 
profuse,  spitting  up  yellow  bile.  Aversion  ip  food  even  the  thought  or 
smell  natiseates.  Diarrhea,  loose,  watery,  yellow  like  commeal  gruel, 
cadaverous  odor.  Much  flatus,  often  prolapsus  of  rectum.  Diarrhea 
alternating  with  constipation,  stools  day-colored.  Headache  alternating 
with  liver  disturbances. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 

Chronically  congested  liver,  soreness  great,  >from  constantly  strok- 
ing the  liver  region.  Tongue  takes  imprint  of  teeth.  Breath  foul, 
Stools  cadaverous  in  diarrhea.  Aversion  to  food  even  the  thought  or 
smell  nauseates.    Vomits  everything, 

THE  FLATULENCE  OF  CARBO  VEGETABILIS 
AND  LYCOPODIUM 

CARBO  VEGETABILIS 

Stomach  disorders  from  eating  indigestible  things,  mince  pie,  fats, 
butter,  sweets,  pudding,  milk,  tainted  meats  and  fish,  vegetables  and  salt 


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:348  NORTH   AMERICAN    JOURNAL    OF    HOM(EOPATHT 

thin^.  All  food  seems  to  turn  to  gas,  food  remains  a  long  time  in 
stomachy  becomes  sour,  and  putrid,  passes  into  bowds  and  ferments 
further,  finally  passing  off  in  form  of  putrid  flatus.  Burning  in  stomach, 
heartburn,  regurgitation,  distention  from  flatulence,  eructations  which 
relieve,  or  >from  passing  flatus.  Desire  for  coffee,  acids,  sweets  and 
salt  things. 

Differ^itiating  Characteristics 
Eructatiaru  relieve,  also  >from  passing  flatus.     Carho  vegetahilis 
flatulence  accompanied  by  normal  stool  or  diarrhea. 

LYCOPODIUM 

Stomach  and  abdomen  distended  like  a  drum.  Everything  he  eats 
turns  to  gas,  after  mere  mouthful  becomes  flatulent  and  distended  and 
.cannot  eat  any  more.  Copious  belching  yet  seems  just  as  full  of  wind 
as  ever.  Palpitation,  faintness  and  dyspnea  from  pressure  of  gas  against 
heart.  Cannot  eat  oysters  they  make  him  sick.  Thuja  patients  cannot 
eat  onions.  Cheese  will  often  correct  indigestion  from  oysters,  onions, 
tomatoes  or  strawberries. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 

Belching  of  gas  does  not  relieve.  Lpcopodium  flatulence  always  ac- 
companied by  constipation. 


DROPSY 


APIS 


Swelling  of  face,  under  eyelids  look  like  water  bags.  Extremities 
swollen,  pit  on  pressure.  Abdominal  walls  pit  on  pressure,  mucous  mem- 
branes edematous.  Genitals  edematous.  Dropsy  of  serous  membranes, 
pleura,  pericardium,  peritoneum,  brain.  Urine  scanty,  much  straining, 
dribbles  or  passes  in  drops.  Canstant  urging.  Pains  stingii^,  burning. 
Skin  dry,  little  or  no  sweat. 

Apis  has  slow  action,  increased  flow  of  urine  shows  favorable  effect. 
Differentiating  Characteristics 

Worse  from  heat,  hot  applications,  hot  baths,  hot  drinks,  hot  room. 
Better  from  cold  air,  cold  drinks,  cold  applications,  cold  in  any  form. 
Dropsy  with  no  thirst. 

APOCYNUM 

Swelling  of  face,  bloating  under  eyes,  pitting  on  pressure,  swelling 
of  any  part  of  body.  Dropsy  of  serous  membranes,  pleura,  pericardium, 
peritoneum,  brain.  Urine  scanty,  retention  with  great  urging  but  dif- 
ficult to  pass.  Skin  dry,  no  sweat.  Dropsy  general  with  or  without  or- 
ganic disease.  Especially  curative  in  renal  and  cardiac  dropsies.  Dropsy 
in  low  forms  of  disease,  typhoid,  scarlet  fever,  etc.  Dropsy  following 
hemorrhage  (china). 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  349' 

Apocyum  sometimes  acts  better  in  an  infusion.    A  moist  skin  even 
before  an  increased  secretion  of  urine  shows  favorable  effect 
Differentiating  Characteristics 

Patient  is  chilly,  sensitive  to  air,  to  cold  drinks,  to  cold  applications. 
Better  from  heat  in  every  form.  Dropsy  with  great  thirst  but  water 
disagrees,  may  cause  pain  or  vomiting, 

PHASEOLUS 

Face,  extremities  and  abdomen  dropsical  with  pitting  on  pressure. 
Dropsy  of  shut  sacs,  pleura,  pericardium  and  peritoneunL  Urine  scanty. 
Differentiating  Characteristics 

Cardiac  dropsy  from  myocardial  paresis,  with  slow  irregular,  weak 
pulse  and  inability  to  lie  down.    Renal  dropsy  with  albumin. 

Although  this  remedy  introduced  by  Dr.  A.  M.  Cushing  has  had  a 
limited  proving  and  verification,  my  experience  with  it  has  given  me 
greater  confidence  in  it  than  any  other  remedy  for  dropsies  as  described 
above. 

RED  NOSE 

AGARICUS 

As  if  frostbitten,  red-tipped  nose  of  old  drunkards. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 
Often  associated  with  chronic  catarrh  with  dryness  and  crusts  in 
the  nose.    Tubercular  constitution. 

LACHESIS 

Nose  sweUs  up,  purple  or  red.    Knob  on  the  end  of  the  nose,  a  straw- 
berry nose.    In  old  drunkards  and  in  heart  affections  with  red  nose. 
Syphilitic  necrosis  and  ozaena  with  very  offensive  discharge  from  nose. 
Differentiating  Characteristics 

Color  of  nose  is  likely  to  be  purple. 

AXmUM  MET. 

Tip  of  nose  is  knobby,  red,  strawberry  nose.  Little  knobs  composed 
of  varicose  veins,  in  heart  cases  especially  when  right  side  of  heart  is 
involved.  Syphilitic  necrosis  with  horribly  offensive  odor  from  nose. 
Red  nose  of  old  drunkards. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 

Melancholly,  wants  to  die,  seeks  method  to  commit  suicide. 

VASCULAR  SYSTEM  OF  CARBO  VEGETABIUS, 
AESCULUS  &  ALOE. 

CAEBO  VEQETABILIS 

Sluggish,  everything  about  the  body  is  sluggish,  distended*  swollen*^ 
hands  are  puffed,  veins  are  puffed,  body  feels  full,  head  feek  fall»  limbs 


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350  NORTH   AMERICAN    JOURNAL   OF   HOMOSOPATHT 

fed  fulL  Yeins  are  relaxed,  yaso-motor  paralysis,  yaricose  yeins,  capil- 
lary circulation  is  engorged,  limbs  are  clumsy,  feel  enlarged,  face  purple, 
yeins  bluish. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 
Better  from  being  fanned,     >from  fresh  cool  air,  although  surface 
of  body  is  cold  with  burning  inside  of  body. 

AESOULUS 

Vascular  fullness  which  affects  the  extremities  and  whole  body,  eyen 
the  brain,  fullness  of  the  yeins,  yenous  stasis,  fullness  of  the  hands  and 
feet,  a  tenseness.  Yeins  engorged  and  full  eyen  to  bursting,  resiilting 
in  yaricose  ulcer  of  the  leg,  purple.  Fullness  of  hemorrhoidal  yeins 
with  sensation  of  small  sticks  in  rectum  associated  with  backache.  Yari- 
cose yeins  of  legs  and  thighs,  yaricose  yeins  of  the  eyes. 
Differentiating  Characteristics 

Worse  during  sleep,  hence  symptoms  are  observed  on  waking. 
<lying,  >from  bodily  exertion, 

ALOE 

Engorgement  of  yeins  causing  fullness  throughout  the  body,  espec- 
ially of  the  portal  system,  with  fullness  in  the  region  of  the  liyer.  Ab- 
dominal, rectal  and  intestinal  fullness,  yenous  stasis.  Yaricose  yeins. 
Hemorrhoids  like  a  bimch  of  grapes. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 

Aggravation  from  heat  and  >from  cold,  cool  room,  cool  air,  ivants 
to  be  uncovered.    Portal  system  especially.    No  burning. 


MENTAL  SYMPTOMS  OF  DIGITALIS* 

By  HENRY  BREWSTER  MINTON,  M.D., 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

AMONG  the  mental  symptoms  of  digitalis  as  giyen  by  Lippe  we  find 
great  anxiety  and  inclination  to  shed  tears;  apprehension  about 
the  future;  gloomy  and  peeyish;  indisposed  to  speak;  inclination  to 
lassitude.  Boericke  mentions  despondency,  fear,  anxiety  about  the 
future.  Allen  giyes  great  anxiety  and  fear  of  death;  general  appre- 
hension with  depressed  spirits,  especially  aggrayated  by  music;  inability 
to  think;  forgetfulness,  delirium;  so  delirious  during  the  night  that  it 
was  necessary  to  use  restraint;  incoherent  talking.  Hering  speaks  of 
paroxysmal  mania  with  rage  attended  by  high  degree  of  delirium. 

On  May  12,  1915  I  was  called  to  attend  a  man,  aged  58  years,  suf- 
fering from  cardiac  decompensation.    On  physical  examination  the  apex 


*Eead  before  the  Hom.  Med.  Soc.  Co.  of  Kings,  Feb.  1917. 


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CONTRIBUTED  ABTIOLES  351 

was  displaced  to  the  left;  there  was  a  double  mitral  murmur,  presystolic 
and  systolic,  the  pulmonary  second  sound  was  louder  than  the  aortic, 
blood  pressure  210  mm.;  the  urine  was  scant  in  quantity  and  contained 
a  large  amount  of  albumen.  He  was  markedly  dyspneio  and  harassed 
by  a  cough  from  a  considerable  pulmonary  exudate  as  evidenced  by  the 
presence  of  coarse  and  fine  rales  heard  over  both  the  anterior  and  poster- 
ior surfaces  of  the  chest  His  nights  were  made  miserable  by  frequent 
attacks  of  cardiac  asthma  and  from  these  seizures  his  days  were  not 
entirely  free. 

He  was  given  nitroglycerine  1-200  grain  every  three  hours  and 
infusion  of  digitalis  one  drachm  three  times  a  day.  A  number  of 
homoeopathic  remedies  were  used  as  indications  seemed  to  demand  but 
the  detail  of  the  treatment  does  not  concern  us  for  the  purposes  of  this 
paper.  He  improved  steadily  and  was  up  and  dressed  by  July  26.  He 
went  up  one  short  flight  of  stairs  upon  several  occasions  without  trouble, 
but  was  never  able  to  be  about  to  any  extent  and  did  not  get  out. 

The  digitalis  was  continued  except  that  on  August  23  it  was  stop- 
ped for  three  days  and  was  again  discontinued  from  September  80  to 
October  3.  On  November  21  he  became  sle^less  and  was  depressed;  he 
also  became  markedly  constipated;  I  find  noted  that  on  November  23 
he  was  entirely  rational  but  the  sleeplessness  was  very  troublesome.  On 
November  26  he  was  very  delirious;  he  spent  the  night  posing  for  imag- 
ined moving  pictures  and  going  through  various  antics  which  kept  him 
continually  on  the  move;  for  a  good  part  of  the  night  he  went  around 
the  room  jumped  up  on  to  the  bed  over  it  on  tiie  opposite  side,  then 
around  the  room  and  over  the  bed  again.  Such  i>erformance8  were 
continued  all  mght  without  any  dyspnea  or  apparent  fatigue.  He  was 
none  the  worse  the  next  day  for  his  exertion.  He  continued  in  a  state 
of  delirium  through  the  monl^  of  December  and  for  a  good  part  of  Jan- 
uary. It  was  at  first  thought  that  the  patient  was  suffering  from  a 
psychosis  associated  with  his  cardiac  disease  and  sclerosis  of  the  arter- 
ies, and  his  early  demise  was  rather  expected.  He  was  very  difficult  to 
manage  and  would  not  take  his  medicine  so  that  he  was  given  digitalis 
very  irregularly.  This  was  probably  fortunate.  It  however  was  con- 
tinued from  time  to  time  until  December  22  when  the  fact  was  recog- 
nized that  digitalis  was  the  cause  of  the  delirium  and  its  use  was  stop- 
ped. It  was  not  however,  until  late  in  January  that  the  delirium  dis- 
i4)peared.  His  mind  was  entirely  dear  on  January  21.  The  dyspnea 
and  the  asthmatic  seizures  also  began  to  return  and  on  January  27  the 
cardiac  symptoms  were  so  distressing  that  it  was  considered  necessary 
to  resume  the  digitalis.  With  its  use  the  heart  symptoms  again  improv- 
ed. On  February  19th  he  again  became  sleepless  and  on  February  24 
the  delirixun  returned.  The  digitalis  was  stopped.  The  delirium  con- 
tinued until  HCarch  23  or  a  day  or  two  thereafter.  He  had  no  further 
digitalis  until  April  20  when  his  cardiac  symptoms  made  it  again  im- 
perative. It  was  from  this  time  used  for  periods  of  a  week  to  ten  dajrs 
with  intervals  of  ten  days  between  the  periods  of  its  administration  and 


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352  NORTH    AMERICAN   JOURNAL   OF   HOMOSOPATHT 

no  further  trouble  was  experienced  from  delirium  up  to  the  time  of  his 
death  which  occurred  on  November  23,  1916.  This  recitation  of  facts 
is  given  not  for  the  purpose  of  considering  the  method  of  treatment  but 
to  discuss  the  delirium  produced  thereby.  It  may  be  remarked  however 
that  the  patient  who  at  the  beginning  seemed  hardly  capable  of  lasting 
the  week  out  survived  in  comparative  comfort,  save  for  the  accident  of 
delirium,  for  one  year  and  six  months. 

The  delirium  first  appeared  after  the  use  of  digitalis  for  six  months 
and  then  with  a  digitalis  free  interval  of  almost  six  weeks  reappeared  af- 
ter the  further  administration  of  digitalis  for  four  weeks.  The  delirium 
continued  in  both  instances  for  a  period  of  about  four  weeks  after  the 
digitalis  had  been  discontinued.  The  character  of  the  delirium  was  the 
same  on  both  occasions.  It  amounts  to  a  proving  of  the  mental  symp- 
toms of  the  drug.  The  delirium  was  preceded  by  sleeplessness  and  a 
I>eriod  of  depression  and  despondency  lasting  several  days.  This  de- 
pression we  find  in  our  materia  medica  as  I  have  noted  in  the  recitation 
of  symptoms  recorded  by  the  authorities  quoted  at  the  beginning  of  the 
article. 

The  delirium  was  marked  by  a  confusion  of  the  identity  of  the 
patient  and  by  his  confusion  of  the  identity  of  his  attendants.  This 
was  shown  by  some  of  his  statements  as  foUows.  He  said  he  was  dead 
and  that  the  man  who  was  there  was  another  person.  He  was  not  the 
man  who  had  been  originally  sick  in  that  bed.  His  attendants  were  not 
the.  same  as  far  as  he  was  concerned.  He  insisted  they  were  strangers^ 
negroes,  etc.  Confusion  of  his  own  identity  was  very  persistent  and 
even  on  March  23  when  he  otherwise  seemed  quite  rational  and  when 
he  had  had  no  digitalis  since  February  24,  a  period  of  four  weeks,  it  ap- 
peared. On  this  occasion  I  had  taken  his  blood  pressure  and  told  him 
it  was  170  and  asked  him  if  he  could  remember  what  it  had  previously 
been.  He  replied,  *^200  or  210"  and  then  in  a  moment  said, — ^''Now  that 
shows  that  this  is  not  the  same  person  as  it  was." 

He  was  not  only  confused  as  to  his  own  identity  but  as  to  the 
id^itity  of  others.  His  attendants  were  not  the  same  and  I  was  not  the 
same  doctor.  After  he  became  rational  he  referred  to  a  certain  occa- 
sion when  I  had  visited  him  and  repeated  part  of  the  conversation  we 
had  then  had.  He  told  me  that  he  did  not  know  me  upon  that  occasion 
although  he  knew  I  was  the  doctor.  He  thought  it  was  another  person 
and  that  that  doctor  had  on  gold  rimmed  glasses.  This  detail  was 
quite  true  and  his  memory  of  the  entire  incident  and  conversation  was 
correct  except  as  to  my  identity.  Again  in  reference  to  a  visit  his 
brother-in-law  paid  him.  He  said  the  visit  was  not  expected  and  he 
thought  it  part  of  a  moving  picture.  He  said, — '1  recognized  his  locks, 
etc.,  but  because  I  had  been  confused  so  often  I  did  not  know  whether  he 
was  the  person  he  represented  himself  to  be  or  not."  He  went  on  to  say 
as  if  in  explanation, — **He  brought  me  eggs  and  flowers  and  tried  to  be 
jovial"  and  then  as  if  perpetrating  a  witioism  ^T.  brought  you  eggs  and 
A0  brought  you  flowers  as  Denman  Thompson  said  in  the  Old  Home- 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  353 

stead."  This  conversation  had  occurred  during  one  of  his  periods  of 
delirium  and  the  reference  to  the  play  was  frequent  as  a  part  of  his  talk. 
He  seemed  to  feel  that  people  and  things  about  him  were  imreal  and 
part  of  a  moving  picture  or  a  play. 

He  usually  believed  himself  to  be  misrepresented  and  would  say  that 
any  statement  which  he  might  make  would  be  contradicted  or  distorted. 
He  would  always  reply  when  I  asked  him  how  he  was  that  there  was  no 
use  of  his  making  any  statement  as  whatever  he  said  would  be  contra- 
dicted. The  same  state  of  mind  was  apparent  in  this  remark  which  he 
several  times  made  **When  things  are  said  to  you  and  you  hear  them 
plainly  and  when  they  are  denied  the  next  day,"  etc.  After  his  recovery 
from  his  delirium  he  told  me  that  he  could  sometimes  during  the  delir- 
ium see  the  features  of  people  he  had  known  long  years  past  when  he  was 
a  boy  in  some  mining  camp  or  other  remote  and  almost  forgotten  place 
and  it  seemed  to  him  even  then  as  if  he  had  actually  seen  them  and 
heard  them. 

Delirium  may  occur  in  cardiac  cases  independent  oi  digitalis.  Such 
attacks  may  be  asphyzial  in  origin  or  associated  with  cerebral  arterio- 
sclerosis or  cerebral  anemia.  This  delusional  insanity  often  is  of  bad 
omen  and  its  onset  precedes  the  fatal  outcome  by  only  a  few  days  or 
weeks. 

In  this  case  the  deliriimi  was  distinctly  associated  with  the  admin- 
istration of  digitalis.  It  ceased  after  the  discontinuance  of  the  drug 
and  returned  upon  its  renewed  use  to  again  cease  after  it  was  stopped. 
The  patient  although  he  lived  for  aeven  months  after  the  last  attack 
never  showed  any  further  delirium  though  conditions  referable  to  his 
heart  continued  for  the  worse,  while  the  only  difference  during  this 
period  was  the  more  judicious  management  of  the  digitalis  dosage. 

I ,  am  therefore  convinced  that  the  confusional  delirium  was  at- 
tributable to  digitalis  poisoning  only,  and  would  point  out  as  its  char- 
acteristic,— ^A  confusion  as  to  the  identity  of  self  and  as  to  the  identity 
of  parsons  and  things  once  familiar  and  a  failure  to  recognize  friends 
and  aoquaintances  as  such  together  with  a  belief  that  statements  of 
fact  made  by  the  patient  were  not  given  credence  and  were  persistently 
contradicted  and  misstated  by  those  about  him.  In  other  respects  this 
patient  was  in  the  main  rational.  His  memory  was  entirely  reliable. 
He  was  apeaa.  to  reason  and  could  be  managed  by  judicious  care  and  at- 
tenticm  and  was  not  violent  or  abusive.  He  was  very  loquacious  and 
argumentative  but  could  be  brought  by  patient  reasoning  to  do  what 
was  required  of  him  upon  all  occasions. 


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354  NORTH   AMERICAN   JOURNAL   OP    HOMCEOPATHY 

CLINICAL  CASES* 

By  DR.  THOMAS  G.  SLOAN, 
So.  Mmnchester,  Conn. 

CASE  1.  A.  woman  of  73  has  had  neuralgia  for  several  years  which 
has  always  heen  controlled  by  morphine.  It  is  in  the  left  fore- 
head>  eye,  temple,  behind  the  left  ear,  and  left  side  of  the  occiput^  comes 
on  about  8  a.m.  <in  the  middle  of  the  day,  >  towards  evening,  >pre8S- 
ure,  <cold  applications.  She  is  chilly  with  the  pain.  A  cataract  in 
the  left  eye  antedates  the  neuralgia  by  several  years.  I  saw  her  about 
2  p.m.  and  gave  her  several  doses  of  magnesia  phosphorica,  with  a  little 
relief,  then  one  dose  of  spigelia  200,  when  she  went  to  sleep  and  slept 
two  hours  waking  free  from  pain,  and  has  had  none  since  (three  months 
later.) 

Case  2.  A  boy  of  six  has  had,  off  and  on  for  a  year  rawness  and 
itching  behind  the  left  ear.  He  has  a  crack  in  the  middle  of  his  lower 
lip,  his  head  sweats,  he  is  sensitive  to  cold  and  is  irritable. 

Hepar  sulphuris  calcareum  Im. 

The  eczema  was  gone  in  three  weeks  and  has  not  returned.  (Five 
months). 

Case  3.  A  woman  of  fifty  has  had  a  diarrhea  for  a  week;  yellow, 
watery,  offensive  stools  with  much  hot  flatus.  The  movements  begin 
at  two  or  three  o'clock  in  the  morning  and  continue  more  or  less  fre- 
quently all  day.  She  has  had  a  number  of  similar  attacks  in  the  last 
year  and  a  half.  Otherwise  she  has  been  constipated  for  twenty-five 
years,  rarely  having  a  natural  movement  Ineffectual  iirging  to  stooL 
Eruption  around  anus.  Hot  flashes  for  several  years,  menopause  three 
years  ago.    March  16  sulphur  cm. 

May  21.  While  her  general  condition  is  better  and  she  has  had  no 
more  diarrhea,  the  constipation  is  no  better,  sulphur  mm. 

July  27.  Bowels  no  better.  Hot  flashes  >.  Eruption  around  anus 
gone.  Rheumatism  in  back,  >  motion,  <  stooping,  <rest,  (new  symp- 
tom) rhus  toxicodendron  20m. 

Aug.  4.  I  learn  today  that  twenty-eight  years  ago  she  had  eczema 
of  the  face,  cracks  in  the  tips  of  her  fingers  <  washing,  <  winters  lasting 
several  years.    Back  no  better,  petroleum  40m. 

Sept.  1.    Backache  was  well  for  two  weeks,  now<.    Petroleum  cm. 

Sept  28.  Another  attack  of  diarrhea,  the  first  since  beginning 
treatment,  sulphur  mm.  I  did  not  see  her  again  for  over  two  months 
and  supposed  she  had  given  up  treatment,  when  she  came  in  to  say 
that  her  bowels  were  moving  daily  and  that  she  was  well  in  every  way. 
She  has  remained  well. 

Case  4.  The  fourteen  months  old  girl  of  a  physician  is  very  slow 
teething,  has  a  sweaty  head,  a  large  abdomen,  and  is  constipated.  Three 
of  his  other  children  should  have  had  calcarea.  Oct  21,  calcarea  oar- 
bonica  40m. 


^Eead  before  International  Hahnemannian  Association, 


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CX>NTRIBCTED  ARTICLES  355 

January  25  she  has  six  teetb>  ber  head  does  not  sweat,  the  oonsti* 
pation,  which  was  better,  has  returned  calcarea  carbonica  cm. 

February  3.  A  red  pin  point  eruption  has  appeared  on  her  forehead 
and  spread  all  over  her  body.    It  itches  some. 

February  20.    Eruption  gone.    Bowels  moving  daily. 

March  24.  Some  eruption  has  returned.  It  itches  considerably. 
Constipation  rather  better  calcarea  carbonica  cm  four  doses  in  water. 

May  11.    A  normal  baby  in  every  way. 

Case  5.  An  Irish  servant  girl  complains  of  the  following  symptoms. 
Menses  every  three  weeks,  flows  freely  four  days,  stops  a  day  and  then 
flows  again;  dark  dots  in  dark  fluid  blood,  severe  bearing  down  pain  the 
flrst  two  days.  The  menstrual  symptoms  have  been  very  troublesome 
for  three  years.  Perspiration  during  menses,  weakness  during  menses 
<warm  room.  Soles  burning  during  menses.  Pimples  on  face  during 
menses.  Very  constipated,  large,  hard  and  dry  stools,  with  unsuccess- 
ful urging,  as  long  as  she  can  remember,  secale  comutum  Im. 

Two  months  later  she  reports  that  her  menses  came  at  four  weeks' 
intervals,  not  as  clotted  or  dark,  very  little  pain,  no  eruption  on  face^ 
and  that  her  bowels,  for  the  first  time  that  she  can  remember  are  mov- 
ing every  day. 

Case  6.  A  man  of  seventy  had  a  severe  chill  at  four  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon  when  I  was  in  the  house.  There  was  at  this  time  two  cases 
of  pneumonia  in  the  house.  He  was  sure  he  had  pneumonia  and  would 
not  recover.  He  was  given  aconite  200  every  fifteen  minutes  till  about 
ten  doses  had  been  given. 

After  the  chill  his  temi>erature  was  103;  and  he  was  a  little  delir- 
ious that  night. 

The  second  day  his  temx>erature  was  99,  extreme  thirst»  sharp  pain 
in  the  right  side  < motion,  cough,  and  deep  breathing;  he  was  raising 
bloody  mucous.  No  physical  signs.  Bryonia  Im  every  two  hours  for 
four  doses.  The  third  day  his  temi>erature  was  normal  and  remained 
so,  the  bloody  sputum  gradually  decreased,  the  pain  decreased,  the 
cough  lessened,  and  with  one  dose  of  sulphur  Im  he  made  an  uneventful 
recovery.  On  the  third  day  I  found  an  area  of  crepitant  rales  and  in- 
creased voice,  which  remained  several  days,  clearing  up  after  his  dose 
of  sulphur. 


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356  NORTH   AMERICAN   JOURNAL   OF   HOMCEOPATHT 

REMARKS  ABOUT  INFECTION* 

By  ROYAL  £.  S.  HAYES,  M.D., 
Waterbuiy,  Conn. 

THIS  is  a  reminder  that  pyrogen  will  cure  probably  95%  of  all 
strepto-stapbylococcic  infections  (because  it  is  dynamically  sim- 
ilar to  the  cause)  with  remarks  about  the  management  of  the  remedy 
and  some  prefatory  comments. 

It  has  been  the  fortune  of  the  writer  to  have  an  unusual  proportion 
of  maternity  and  abortive  patients  afflicted  with  sepsis,  if  he  may  judge 
by  the  claims  of  preventability  set  forth  by  the  journals  and  text  books. 
This  fate  has  prevailed  in  opposition  to  my  attempts  at  surgical  dean- 
liness,  so  that,  however  reprehensible  the  confession  may  seem  I  feel 
rather  familiar  with  these  conditions,  though  never  entertaining  doubt 
as  to  the  favorable  outcome  when  not  too  far  advanced.  None  of  my 
patients  have  been  too  far  advanced  to  be  cured  with  remedies  though 
there  were  a  few  who  were  curetted  because  of  a  large  quantity  of  ma- 
terial retained;  and  there  were  a  few  who  put  me  "on  my  nerve"  for  two 
days  or  so. 

No  case  has  been  observed  where  there  was  not  reason  to  believe 
there  was  abrasion,  laceration  retention  of  extraneous  material  or  sup- 
pression of  lochia.  If  there  is  retention  attempts  at  asepsis  or  anti- 
sepsis will  not  prevent  infection.  A  curetted  patient  is  more  easily 
managed  than  one  harboring  a  poisonous  substance.  Pyrogen  will,  how- 
ever, bring  about  expulsion  of  extraneous  material  unless  there  is  too 
much  of  it,  and  when  indicated  will  reestablish  a  suppressed  lochia. 

During  the  last  fourteen  years  of  general  practice  there  were  only 
about  a  half  dozen  cases  demanding  other  remedies.  These  were  kreo- 
sot^  carbo  animalis,  calcarea  sulphuricum  and  sulphur.  Occasionally 
a  secondary  or  antidotal  remedy  is  needed  to  polish  the  cure  of  persist- 
ent conditions  requiring  several  single-dose  repetitions  of  the  pyrogen. 
Let  no  reader  unfamiliar  with  the  elements  of  homoeopathic  tech- 
nio  rely  on  using  pyrogen  as  a  specific  without  depending  on  individual 
symptoms,  for  while  it  is  the  similar  in  most  cases  of  puerperal  in- 
fection it  is  also  true  that  an  unusual  factor  in  the  dynamic  personality 
may  deflect  the  symptoms  so  as  to  require  some  other  remedy;  then  py- 
rogen would  be  useless  and  valuable  time  lost  while  trying  it.  When 
it  is  the  correct  remedy,  the  temperature  or  pulse  or  both  will  begin  to 
fall  in  a  few  hours,  then  decided  general  improvement  in  twenty-four 
hours  or  so. 

When  the  lochia  has  been  partially  or  completely  suppressed,  the 
appearance  of  a  discharge  even  though  putrid,  is  favorable. 

Nearly  all  cases  are  cured  with  one  dose.  Occasionally  a  patient 
with  high  susceptibility  or  low  resistance  from  an  advanced  stage  will 
relapse  several  times.  If  so,  the  first  relapse  may  appear  to  be  more 
serious  and  downward  progress  appear  more  rapid  than  at  first.    Ex- 

*Bead  before  the  International  Hahnemannian  Association. 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  857 

I)erience  has  taught  me,  however,  that  in  such  instances  the  curative  re- 
action of  the  second  dose  will  be  correspondingly  sharp  and  improve- 
ment more  thorough. 

Some  cases  of  sepsis  have  distinct  periodicity  of  chill  and  fever, 
like  malarious  conditions.  Here  again,  the  expressions  of  the  afflicted 
vital  spirit,  the  individual,  are  the  only  reliable  indications  of  the  rem- 
edy. 

There  are  many  reliable  guiding  symptoms  in  the  materia  medica 
but  these  are  the  the  most  common:  headache,  with  throbbing;  quick, 
weak  pulse;  fever,  localized  tenderness  in  pelvis  or  abdomen;  bodily  sore- 
ness, "the  bed  feels  hard";  frequent  changing  of  position  without  much 
relief. 

When  these  symptoms  occur  after  termination  or  interruption  of 
pregnancy,  pyrogen  will  prevent  serious  trouble.  There  are  plenty  of 
distinctive  symptoms  of  the  remedy  in  more  advanced  sepsis  but  the 
above  should  bring  out  the  pyrogen  bottle  without  delay. 

Here  are  two  rather  serious  cases,  the  first  because  sepsis  had  been 
present  four  or  five  days  before  the  patient  was  seen ;  the  second  because  * 
of  the  retention  of  a  considerable  amount  of  extraneous  material. 

Case  1 :  Irregular  chills  with  fever  and  sweats ;  general  bodily  sore- 
ness and  restlessness;  sickly  pinkish  flushed  countenance;  weeping,  ex- 
pecting death;  spasmodic  involuntary  deep  and  stertorous  sighing  some- 
thing like  hiccough;  lochia  previously  putrid  and  offensive,  now  sup- 
pressed; bronchial  breathing  and  dullness  in  left  lung;  no  cougli.  P. 
115,  T.  102,  R.  28.    Pyrogen  cm,  1  dose. 

General  appearance  and  temperature,  improved  in  3  days 
though  pulse,  chills  and  sweats  remained  the  same.    Pyrogen  cm,  1  dose. 

Next  day  worse:  general  appearance  of  serious  prostration.  But  the 
putrid  lachia  had  returned.  Pulse  120,  temperature  103.  .Pyrogen  cm, 
3  doses ;  1  powder  every  3  hours.  Next  day  temperature  96,  pulse  94 — all 
over  except  the  convalescence. 

Case  2.  Sepsis  after  abortion;  the  usual  symptoms.  Pyrogen  cm, 
1  dose.  Improved  two  days  only,  then  attacks  of  faintness,  sinking  sensa- 
tions, anxiety,  shooting  pains  from  sacral  region  to  the  head,  rapid 
pulse.  Pyrogen  5cm  1  dose  relieved  the  prostration  but  twelve  hours  later 
the  patient  was  in  constant  motion  with  bodily  soreness.  Pyrogen  cm  1 
dose.  Improved  four  days  then  return  of  pain  in  back  and  abdomen;  cm 
repeated.  Two  days  later  metrorrhagia  in  gushes;  urging  in  abdomen  as 
to  stool;  aching  in  entire  body,  > lying;  little  sharp  shooting  pains  in 
abdomen.  Pulsatilla  6c,  1  dose  appeared  to  antidote  the  heavy  effects  of 
pyrogen  putting  the  patient  in  fine  condition. 

Pardon  me  for  presenting  such  a  simple  subject  but  if  it  shall  com- 
mend itself  to  someone  not  familiar  with  the  wonderful  effects  of  our 
therapy,  it  might  be  the  means  of  attracting  attention  to  other  homoeop- 
athic remedies  and  to  the  method  of  selecting  and  using  them. 


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358  NORTH   AMERICAN   JOURNAL   OF   HOMCEOPATHT 

HERITAGE  VS.  HOMOEOPATHY* 

By  S.  L.  GUILD  LEGGETT,  M.D.,  H.M., 
Simcuse,  N.  Y. 

JO.  S,,  known  as  a  patient,  since  1910;  married  Nov.  1910;  22  years 
•  of  age;  tall,  dark  ^es  and  hair;  rather  ungainly  build;  pretty,  of 
English  descent 

Family  History:  Father  drunkard;  two  sisters,  epileptics,  the 
younger  haying  since  died,  increasing  imbecility  until  death;  the  elder, 
fearful  temper,  ugly  fits,  conscienceless;  resembling  what  is  now  defined 
as  Moron. 

Patient:  Leucorrhea  as  long  as  she  could  remember;  profuse,  of- 
fensive; chafing  in  hot  weather;  perspiration  profuse  in  axilla,  genital 
region,  and  on  feet;  menses  scanty;  stains  difficult  to  wash  out;  consti- 
pation; hard,  dark,  painful  stools. 

Carbo-animalis  relieved  all  symptoms  but  constipation  which  was 
marked;  physometra  appeared  as  a  symptom.  She  received  a  dose  of 
sepia  m.  which  continued  good  work  until  Jan.  1911  when  she  received 
a  dose  of  psorinum  42  m.F. 

Very  occasional  prescriptions  were  made  until  she  came  to  me  on 
May  19th,  1915,  stating  that  she  had  been  pregnant  since  Dec  1914, 
that  she  wanted  my  care  for  herself  and  prosi>ective  child,  and  my  ad- 
vice as  to  whom  she  should  go  for  delivery. 

She  had  no  nausea,  but  the  profuse  leucorrhea  had  returned,  bland 
and  not  offensive.  She  suffered  much  from  shifting  pains  in  the  legs; 
pains  in  the  hip-joints,  in  the  act  of  sitting;  most  comfortable  in  lying 
upon  the  right;  much  chafing  of  the  inner  thighs  which  extended  to  the 
groin,  between  labia  and  thighs;  the  flesh  was  red,  swollen,  moist,  <by 
the  clothing  or  covering,  >when  free;  once  the  entire  genital  organs 
had  been  inflamed. 

She  received  one  dose  of  Pulsatilla  cm  (H.S.) 

On  June  9th  she  again  reported.  No  pains  in  legs  since  last  visit 
until  this  morning,  after  a  long  walk;  patches  of  fine  varicosed  veins, 
with  occasional  ecchymosis;  chafing  which  she  believes  due  to  perspir- 
ation, and  has  twice  been  "terrible";  no  leucorrhea  for  two  days  after 
the  first  powder. 

July  16th.  Some  backache  when  fatigued  or  on  waking,  but  when 
moving  about,  induced  me  to  give  another  dose  of  Pulsatilla  cm.  (H.  S.) 

July  28th.  The  increased  leucorrhea,  which  streamed  from  her 
when  rising  in  the  morning,  first  milky  white,  but  staining  napkins 
fairly  brown;  chafing;  sexual  organs  swollen  and  puffy  in  the  morning; 
as  if  they  would  break  on  first  motion,  but  all  right  when  she  had  risen 
and  moved  about;  end  of  spine  sore  when  sitting;  led  to  re-study  and 
was  found  to  be  covered  by  graphites. 


*Read  before  the  International  Hahnemannian  Association. 


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CX)NTRIBUTED  ABTIOI^S  359 

Graphites  35  m.F.  cleared  up  the  conditions  entirely  and  on  Sept. 
Idihy  1915,  she  was  delivered  of  a  9^  pound  hoy.  She  had  a  perfectly 
uneventful  labor,  and  not  a  single  dose  of  medicine. 

The  medical  attendant  circumcised  the  boy  before  its  leaving  the 
hospital,  being  somewhat  of  a  crank  on  that  subject,  but  he  never  gave 
a  dose  of  medicine  to  the  mother,  or  the  child. 

The  only  thing  of  moment  that  has  happened  to  the  mother  or 
child  since  is  diminished  quantity  of  mother's  milk ;  modified  cow's  milk 
was  added  to  the  baby's  daily  feedings;  the  boy  had  patches  of  tinea 
capitis  on  each  cheek  and  scalp,  which  did  not  yield  entirely  until  he  had 
received  one  dose  of  graphites,  which  was  the  mother's  curative  before 
he  was  bom. 

All  this  time,  he  is  now  several  months  old,  he  has  slept  the  night 
through  without  feeding,  from  8  p.m.  until  5  a.m.  The  mother,  of  late, 
objected  to  waking  so  early.  I  said  to  her  I  could  only  recommend  that 
she  give  him  a  feeding  later  in  the  evening.  She  said  repeatedly  "I 
did  not  know  there  was  such  a  thing  as  so  good  a  baby." 

The  indications  for  the  prescription  of  graphites  were:  For  the 
mother — excoriation  between  the  thighs;  swollen  genitals;  gushing 
leucorrhea. 

For  the  boy: — sticky,  viscid  exudations,  when  the  scabs  were  dis- 
turbed. 

A  case  of  atavism?  From  where?  There  was  surely  enough  evil 
to  be  counteracted,  antidoted  or  eliminated,  and  we  know  how  much  the 
properly  fitted  remedy  can  accomplish  in  these  cases. 


THE  HAHNEMANNIAN  DOCTRINE  OF  ATTEN- 
UATION* 

By  ALBERT  ABRAMS,  M.D., 
San  Francisco,  Cal. 

ATTENTION  is  directed  to  this  doctrine  from  an  electronic  view- 
point. The  creation  of  a  sect  in  medicine  is  often  a  deplorable 
necessity  to  emphasize  the  delinquencies  of  conventional  and  official 
methods.  There  is  some  good  in  all  things.  My  opinion  of  homoeopathy, 
like  many  medicine  men,  was  based  on  the  diatribe  of  Holmes,  'homoeop- 
athy and  Its  Kindred  Delusions."  The  standard  employed  by  Holmes, 
as  a  basis  for  his  criticism,  was  the  medical  theories  of  his  day  which 
are  now  shattered  and  swept  into  the  discard. 

It  is  assumed  that  Hahnemann  conceived  disease  as  a  perversion  of 
the  spiritual  vital  powers  and  anything  spiritual  not  being  combatable 
by  material  remedies  he  turned  to  a  spiritual  power  bound  up  in  plants 
and  liberated  by  dilution.    The  corollary  of  the  latter  conception  was. 


•Reprinted  from  Physico-Olinical  Medicine. 


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360  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL    OF    HOMCEOPATHY 

"the  efficiency  of  medicinal  substances  reduced  to  a  wonderful  degree 
of  minuteness  or  dilution."  Hahnemann,  lived  at  a  time  when  the  now 
exploded  theory  of  vitalism  dominated  medical  thought  and  he  no  doubt 
employd  it  as  a  vehicle  for  emphasizing  this  doctrine.  The  historic  de- 
velopment of  therapeutics  is  identified  with  this  theocratic  philosophy. 

By  aid  of  the  ^'Reflexes  of  Abrams,"  it  can  be  shown  that  radiation 
is  a  universal  prox>erty  of  matter  and  that  the  reflexes  in  question  surpass 
any  instrument  yet  devised  by  man  in  the  detection  and  measurement 
of  radioactivity. 

In  1895,  Roentgen's  discovery  of  a  new  type  of  ray  stimulated 
Becquerel  in  the  following  year  to  investigate  phosphorescence  and  he 
found  that  uranium  salts  were  radioactive.  The  methods  for  recogniz- 
ing radiations  are:  Effects  on  a  photographic  plate,  exciting  visible 
fluorescence  and  ionization  of  the  air.  In  the  latter  method  a  gold  leaf 
electfoscoi>e  is  employed.  Note  how  comparatively  insensitive  is  the 
photographic  method  when  compared  to  human  reflex  for  the  retina  is 
approximately  3000  times  as  sensitive  as  the  most  rapid  photographic 
plate.  In  the  employment  of  a  reflex,  the  most  primitive  and  sensitive 
substance,  bioplasmic  matter  is  used  for  exhibiting  the  phenomena  of 
radioactivity. 

With  the  relatively  crude  methods  employed  by  physicists,  it  is  not 
surprising  to  learn  that  practically  only  36  bodies  are  known  to  be 
radioactive  and  all  these  contain  either  uranium  or  thorium  or  a  mixture 
of  both. 

It  is  an  established  fact  that  many  elements  at  the  moment  of  their 
formation  (nascent  state)  exhibit  the  most  pronounced  reactivity  which 
is  absent  in  their  ordinary  state.  M.  Perrin,  in  studying  the  Brownian 
movements,  found  that  the  mean  kinetic  energy  was  independent  of  the 
mass.  In  fact,  the  extraordinary  movements  of  the  smallest  visible 
particles  was  in  marked  contrast  with  the  small  and  sluggish  movements 
of  the  large  particles.  It  is  practically  impossible  to  conceive  the  limit 
of  the  subdivision  of  matter.  An  idea  of  the  smallness  of  an  electric 
charge  in  matter  was  referred  to  by  Prof.  Millikan,  in  a  recent  lecture 
here  at  the  University  of  California.  It  was  he  who  first  isolated  and 
weighed  electrons.  He  said  that  if  the  two  and  a  half  million  people 
who  live  in  Chicago  were  to  begin  to  count,  and  count  as  fast  as  they 
could  day  and  night  without  stopping  to  eat  or  sleep  or  die,  for  20,000 
years,  then,  if  the  amount  of  all  had  counted  were  added  up,  the  total 
would  be  the  number  of  electrons  passing  through  an  ordinary  light  fila- 
ment in  one  second. 

Measurements  recently  made  by  the  writer  with  the  biodynamometer 
disclose  the  almost  unbdievable  fact  that  the  mechanic  subdivision  of 
drugs  or  their  dilution  will  augment  their  radioactive  potency.  This 
the  writer  believes,  is  the  first  positive  experimental  evidence  in  cor- 
roboraton  of  the  latter  contention.  His  primary  endeavor,  he  confesses, 
was  to  disprove  the  fallacy  of  infinitesimal  dosage.  The  following  fig- 
ures are  cited: 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  361 

Drug  Employed  Rctdioactive  Potentidliip 

Aconite  (Tincture)   10-25  of  an  ohm. 

The  Same  Tincture  (diluted  50  times 1  ohm  and  9-25  of  an  ohm. 

The  Same  Tincture  (diluted  100  times).. 3  ohms  and  13-25  of  an  ohm. 

Calomel  (1  grain)  6-25  of  an  ohm. 

Calomd  (grain  1-100)  3  ohms,  and  7-25  of  an  ohm. 

Calomel  (grain  1-200) 4  ohms,  and  16-25  of  an  ohm. 

Belladonna    (Tincture)    8-25  of  an  ohm. 

Belladonna  (one-millionth  part  of  the  fore- 
going and  known  in  potency  as  6x)  12  ohms,  and  11-25  of  an  ohm. 
Note  that  when  the  aconite  was  diluted  100  times,  the  radio- 
active potentiality  was  increased  .78  times  whereas  a  dilution  of  50,  was 
only  increased  24  times.  The  potentiality  of  calomel  (gr.  1-100)  was 
increased  76  times  and  1-200  gr.  of  the  same  drug  was  increased  110 
times.    Belladonna  diluted  to  the  6x  was  increased  303  times. 

All  the  measurements  were  controlled  by  specific  reflexes  peculiar 
to  each  medicament  To  exclude  the  dilute  as  a  factor  in  the  measure- 
ments showing  augmented  potentiality,  the  same  quantity  of  alcohol 
(78  per  cent)  only  yields  a  potential  reaction  of  3-25  of  an  ohm. 

Therapeutic  action  predicates  a  knowledge  of  the  cell,  the  chcmic 
changes  of  which  conduce  to  energy  transformations.  Therefore,  the 
phenomena  of  the  cell  are  invariably,  associated  with  pshysico-chemic 
transformations.  With  our  crude  methods  of  identifying  the  physio- 
logic action  of  drugs,  we  are  constrained  to  accept  only  that  which  is 
obvious  and  must  ignore  those  recondite  phenomena  associated  with 
cure.  The  latter  is  the  exclusive  prerogative  of  Nature  and  the  physi- 
cian's therapeutic  acumen  is  limited  to  assisting  Nature  and  to  know 
what  not  to  do  which  is  often  more  important  than  doing.  The  physi- 
cian, like  the  patient,  looks  to  what  is  obvious  as  a  criterion  of  physio- 
logic action,  hence  the  prestige  of  the  purgative  and  the  truth  of  the 
aphorism.  Qui  bene  purgat,  bene  curat  The  activity  of  the  purgative  is 
identified  with  a  reaction.  In  the  same  sense,  if  an  individual  removes 
a  fly  from  the  face,  the  musca  domestica  could  be  regarded  as  a  brach- 
ial stimulant. 

The  Latinism,  ''Naturam  morborum  curationes  ostendunt,"  is  still 
applicable  and  emphasizes  the  fact  that  the  crucial  test  for  medica- 
mentous  action  is  in  clinical  results.  The  electron  theory  so  seductive 
in  its  explanation  of  remedial  action  it  yet  undeveloped.  It  fails  to  ex- 
plain the  actions  of  non-electrolytes  and  is  incapable  of  fully  explaining 
all  the  effects  of  electrolytes. 

Radioactivity  suggests  a  more  alluring  field  in  the  explanation  of 
pharmaoo  dynamics.  It  is  only  since  1896  that  the  distinct  experiment- 
al science  of  radioactivity  has  been  develoi>ed.  Succeeding  the  incep- 
tion of  radiotherapy,  its  indiscriminate  employment  only  yielded  disas- 
trous results  until  now,  properly  diluted,  the  use  of  the  rays  are  achiev- 
ing phenomenal  results.  Our  knowledge  of  the  latter,  however,  is  still 
limited  to  their  surface  action. 


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362  NORTH   AMERICAN    JOURNAL    OF,   HOMCEOPATHT 

All  electrons  are  characterized  by  the  uniformity  of  vibrations  (N.C. 
4S  and  204)  and  the  writer  has  succeeded  in  determining  the  vibratory 
rate  of  many  drugs  thus  enabling  him  to  explain  pharmacodynamics 
as  has  never  been  before  accomplished. 

Electromagnetic  waves  have  no  effect  on  objects  which  are  incap- 
able of  vibrating  in  resonance  with  them.  Such  objects  are  transpar- 
ent to  the  particular  wave  length  in  question.  Thus,  rock  salt  is  trans- 
parent to  heat  and  ultraviolet  waves  and  ruby  glass  to  red  light  waves. 

Bodies  out  of  harmony  with  the  tissues  are  either  not  absorbed  or 
changed  before  absorption  (Abderhalden).  My  investigations  show  that 
the  vibratory  rate  of  specific  drug  corresponds  to  the  vibratory  rate  in 
disease.  With  my  apparatus  an  empirical  scale  is  employed  and  it  was 
found  that  the  vibratory  rate  for  syphilis  is  20  and  that  of  mercury  and 
potassium  iodid  is  likewise  20.  The  vibratory  rate  of  gout  is  4  and 
that  of  colchicum  is  likewise  4;  that  the  rate  of  polyarthritis  is  3  and 
that  of  the  salicylates  is  also  3.  The  vibratory  rate  of  malaria  like  its 
si>ecific  quinine  sulphate  is  10. 

Is  not  the  law  of  similars  (similia  similibus  curantur)  in  a  manner 
justified  by  the  foregoing? 

Pharmacodynamics  is  identified  with  homovibrations  and  not  if  I 
am-  permitted  to  neologize  by  heterovibrations.  We  are  standing  on 
the  threshold  of  a  new  pharmacognosy  in  which  radiotheraply  will  be 
employed  with  relation  to  the  polarity  and  vibratory  rate  of  disease.  I 
have  designated  the  former  as  polaritherapy  and  the  latter,  I  shall 
neologize  as  oscillatotherapy.  We  are  now  conducting  experiments  with 
a  radiant  energy  that  permits  us  to  select  a  vibratory  rate  corresponding 
to  each  disease.  This  will  be  a  decided  step  toward  Utopian  pharma- 
cognosy. 

Electric  diagnosis  appeals  to  the  uninitiated  like  the  mythical  fabri- 
cations of  an  Homeric  poem  in  which  with  a  blow  of  the  hand,  the 
heroes  destroy  worlds.  The  simple  story  of  its  evolution  could  be  in- 
scribed in  three  chapters*  1.  Discovery  of  the  visceral  reflexes;  2. 
Recognition  of  the  fact  that  electrons  and  not  cells  are  the  ultimate  con- 
stituents of  the  organism  and  that,  in  the  incessant  activity  of  the 
former,  radioactivity  or  its  equivalent,  energy  is  evolved  which  has  an 
invariable  vibratory  rate;  3.  That  the  reflexes  surpass  in  sensitivity 
any  scientific  contrivance  for  the  recognition  of  this  radioactivity.  Our 
new  concepts  in  diagnosis  and  treatment  must  await  the  verdict  of  time 
for  their  universal  recognition  but  in  the  meantime,  the  art  of  medicine 
must  suffer  the  opprobrium  conferred  on  all  knowledge,  the  basic  con- 
stituent of  which  is  inaccuracy. 


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BOOK  REVIEWS 


The  Surgical  Clinics  of  Chicago 

April  1917,  Vol  I,  No.  2,  with  99  illustrations.     Published  Bi-monthly 
by  W.  B.  Saunders  Company,  Philadelphia  and  London.    Price  per 
year,  $10.00. 
The   contributors   to    this   number   include   Carl   Beck,   Halstead, 

Ochsner  and  Kidlon,  and  include  clinics  on  pernicious  anemia,  congenital 

dislocation  of  the  hip,  bone  transplantation  and  arthroplasty,  and  the 

open  treatment  of  infected  wounds. 

Mortality  from  Cancer 

and  Other  Malignant  Tumors  in  the  Registration  Area  of  the  United 
States,  1914.  Issued  by  the  U.  S.  Department  of  Commerce. 
The  attention  being  called  to  the  increasing  mortality  in  the  United 
States  from  cancer  makes  the  publication  of  these  authoritative  statis- 
tics of  added  value.  In  1914,  there  were  received  from  the  registration 
area  reports  of  52,420  deaths  from  cancer,  the  total  estimated  mid  year 
population  of  the  area  being  60,641,905,  or  66.8  per  cent,  of  the  total 
population  of  the  United  States.  Many  tables  giving  crude  death  rates 
and  total  deaths  from  cancer  under  many  classifications  are  given. 

Zone  Therapy 

Or  Believing  Pain  at  Home.  By  Wm.  H.  Fitzgerald,  M.D.  and  Edwin 
F.  Bowers,  M.D.  Cloth,  191  pages,  Columbus,  O.,  I.  W.  Long, 
Publisher,  1917. 

The  subtitle  of  this  little  book  would  indicate  that  it  was  written 
for  the  laity;  it  contains  two  chapters  headed  respectively  "Mainly  for 
Dentists"  and  "For  Doctors  Only."  This  method  of  impressing  the 
laity  is  a*  favorite  advertising  dodge  but  not  one  calculated  to  impress 
the  authors'  fellow  professionals  very  favorably.  This  book  is  written 
around  the  thesis  that  certain  pains  of  uncertain  or  neurotic  origin  can 
be  overcome  by  pressure  on  definite  points  in  the  human  anatomy.  If 
the  authors'  claims  can  be  substantiated,  the  method  of  treatment  is  not 
hard  of  adoption,  and  as  we  believe  in  the  open  mind  and  think  the 
advice  to  **prove  all  things"  eminently  sage,  we  suggest  that  readers  try 
out  the  method  here  set  forth  in  the  limited  class  of  cases  in  which  it  is 
said  to  be  applicable. 


INTERNAL  MEDICATION— WHAT  IS  TO  BECOME  OF  IT? 

We  thought,  a  short  time  ago,  that  the  matter  of  therapuetic  nihil- 
ism was  rapidly  becoming  a  thing  of  the  past.  Many  of  the  authors  of 
works  on  practice  were  beginning  to  put  more  treatment,  of  a  drug  na- 
ture, into  their  books.  The  journals  were  filling  up  with  papers,  on 
what  might  be  anticipated  of  drugs  administered  according  to  indication, 
and  there  seemed  to  be  a  renewal  of  faith  in  these  agents.  But  now 
com^  the  leading  college  of  medicine,  saying  that  it  intends  dropping 
matria  medica  and  drug  therapy  from  its  curriculum,  giving  as  a  reason 
that  most  cases  require  surgical  rather  than  medical  treatment  and  that 


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those  not  requiring  surgical  intervention  are  of  the  self-limited  dasa 
and  will  show  recovery  or  the  reverse,  regardless  of  all  medication.  It 
is  to  be  presumed  that  other  medical  educational  institutions  will  follow 
in  these  foot-steps  and  that,  sooner  or  later,  the  -teaching  of  drug  medi- 
cation will  be  practically  wiped  out. 

This  all  reinstitutes  the  nihilistic  tendency,  and  with  greater  vigor 
than  ever  before.  Prior  to  this  it  was  the  individual  who  was  fighting 
drug  medication — ^now  it  is  the  faculty — the  combined  force  of  many. 
This  means,  unless  the  rank  and  file  of  the  profession  assert  themselves, 
that  within  a  very  short  time  we  will  be  without  more  than  a  passing 
knowledge  of  the  numerous  agents  which  have,  in  the  past,  been  found 
of  worth  in  the  treatment  of  disease.  Our  coming  generations  of  phys- 
icians will  know  only  the  knife  and  will  not  be  able  to  give  proper  treat- 
ment to  medical  diseases. 

Not  so  very  long  ago  the  great  surgeon.  Murphy,  said  that  if  he  had 
to  live  his  life  over,  it  would  be  in  internal  medicine,  rather  than  surg- 
ery and  we  are  wondering  how  he  could  accomplish  a  great  deal  in  the 
former  without  some  knowledge  of  drugs  and  their  applications.  We 
are  wondering,  in  view  of  the  prospective  conditions,  if  he  would  reiter- 
ate that  statement  at  this  time.  Would  he  be  willing  to  go  into  the  work 
of  internal  medicine  without  tools  with  which  to  work? 

How  are  the  men  who  talk  of  the  borderline  diseases  and  their 
medical,  rather  than  surgical,  treatment,  going  to  reconcile  themselves 
to  the  proposition  of  dropping  the  teaching  of  materia  medica  and  ther- 
apeutics? Will  it  be  possible  for  them  to  go  on  with  such  teaching  if 
robbed  of  those  things  which  are  necessary  to  their  work?  If  the  com- 
bined faculty  says  that  drug  medication  is  futile,  will  anyone  give  ear 
to  the  individual  who  endeavors  to  teach  internal  medication  and  noi  the 
surgical  treatment  of  disease? 

We  are  wondering  who  it  is  that  is  bringing  this  combat  to  bear 
upon  internal  medicine.  Is  it  the  surgeon  who  sees  the  handwriting  on 
the  wall,  which  points  to  a  diminution  of  so  much  surgical  interference, 
and  who  fears  that  his  work  may  be  lessened?  Is  he  fostering  .this  idea 
of  therapuetic  nihilism,  that  he  may  secure  more  and  more  work  ?  From 
what  has  been  said,  it  would  seem  that  he  has  had  more  or  less  voice  in 
the  matter. 

What  is  to  become  of  our  internists  if  our  knowledge  of  drugs  is 
nil?  Will  many  of  them  be  able  to  remain  in  practice  and  be  successful? 
It  is  a  known  fact  that  a  great  many  of  the  laity  have  noticed  that  when 
drugs  are  given  absolutely  according  to  indication,  results,  and  good 
ones,  follow.  The  consequence  is,  that  these  people  demand  drug  treat- 
ment. If  we  are  robbed  of  our  knowledge  of  drugs  we  will  be  unable 
to  even  recognize  the  indications,  much  less  treat  them,  and  ours  will  be 
the  loss  on  this  account,  as  the  layman  will  not  have  been  re-educated  and 
will  expect  us  to  give  him  the  same  treatment  as  of  old,  and  with  the 
same  results,  which  in  the  main,  have  been  good.  He  will  not  know 
that  the  faculty  has  taught  us  that  the  use  of  drugs  is  futile  and  that 
practically  all  diseases  must,  sooner  or  later,  go  into  the  hands  of  the 
surgeon.  He  will  expect  results  which  we  will,  because  of  our  sad  lack 
of  knowledge,  be  unable  to  obtain. 

One  of  the  main  reasons  for  therapeutic  nihilism  lies  in  the  fact 
that  materia  medica  and  therapeutics  have,  to  a  very  considerable  extent, 
been  taught  by  men  possessing  little  actual  knowledge  of  drug  action. 
Many  of  these  men  have  gone  no  farther  than  the  textbooks  in  their 
teaching  and  have  made  but  few,  and  in  some  instances  no  investiga- 
tions of  an  individual  nature.  Others  have  taught  materia  medica 
and  let  the  matter  drop  right  there,  without  giving  attention  to  the  in- 


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irOBTH  AllEAlCAlfr   JOORl^AL   Of   UOtfO&OPAtBrT  MS 

(Ccations  of  the  drug  agents.  Others  have  given  us  a  lot  of  set  formulas 
for  this,  that  or  the  oUier  diseas^  without  any  attention  being  paid 
to  the  specific  indications,  requiring  specific  medication,  occurring 
throughout  the  course  of  a  disease.  There  has  been  too  much  guess- 
work in  the  teaching  of  this  rather  important  subject  Consequently, 
it  is  little  wonder  that  many  of  us  have  been  turned  out  into  the  world, 
poorly  equipped  to  treat  the  human  ill  with  some  medical  disease. 

Another  thing  which  tends  to  the  destruction  of  internal  medicine 
is  the  fact  that  surgery  pays  better,  as  a  rule.  This  fact  makes  every 
man  entering  medicine  desire  to  take  up  surgery  and  the  country  is  be- 
coming flooded  with  men  who  would  cari^  the  knife  into  every  case. 
With  this  great  number  added  to  the  surgical  field  some  effort  must  be 
made  to  furnish  everyone  of  them  with  work  and  so  the  internist  muBt 
retire,  to  a  very  considerable  extent,  from  the  field,  to  give  room  to  these 
young  men  coming  into  the  surgical  field.  These  younger  men  must 
have  work  to  do,  consequently  he  who  would  treat  diseases  medically, 
must  not  be.  It  is  a  known  fact  that  many  borderline  cases  are  treated 
surgically,  simply  because  of  the  fact  that  better  fees  are  forthcoming, 
than  if  given  medical  attention.  It  is  also  a  well-known  fact  that,  in 
many  instances,  the  results  following  surgical  intervention  are  no  bet- 
ter, if  as  good,  than  those  subsequent  to  medical  treatment.  But  the 
surgeon  can  command  a  fee  reaching  into  the  hundreds  of  dollars,  while 
that  of  the  internist  would  be  but  nominal,  and  so  the  young  man  turns 
his  eye  to  surgery,  simply  because  it  pays  bettter  and  very  frequently 
for  no  other  reason.  The  result  is,  that  we  see  many  men  entering  surg- 
ery with  but  little,  if  any,  real  knowledge  of  medicine  or  medical  dis- 
eases, and  it  is  this  class  of  practitioners  who  are  playing  havoc  with  the 
practice,  be  it  medical  or  surgicaL  They  simply  do  not  know  the  in- 
dications, in  many  instances,  for  either  surgical  or  medical  treatment 

It  takes  but  a  comparatively  short  time  to  learn  the  technic  of  oper- 
ative work  and  as  much  of  the  surgical  work  of  today  is  done  within  the 
cavities  of  the  body,  mistakes,  both  in  diagnosis  and  technic  may  be 
easily  buried  out  of  sight  On  the  other  hand,  to  be  a  good  internist, 
one  must  spend  years  in  the  study  of  not  only  diagnosis,  but  the  indiv- 
idual indications  of  drugs,  as  applied  to  specific  conditions.  The  surgeon 
very  frequently  does  not  make  his  diagnosis  prior  to  the  making  of  his 
incision  and  he  treats  what  he  finds,  as  he  proceeds  with  his  work.  The 
internist  must  know  that  which  he  is  going  to  treat  before  he  gives  a 
single  dose  of  a  drug,  else  he  will  not  meet  with  success.  Consequently, 
it  is  very  apparent  that  it  is  far  easier  to  prepare  one's  self  for  surgery 
than  for  internal  medicine.  So,  rather  than  spend  years  in  preparation 
for  the  practice  of  internal  medicine^  the  young  man  of  today  looks  to 
surgery  as  the  means  of  quick  entry  into  the  medical  ranks.  He  is  aid- 
ed and  abetted  by  those  already  in  the  surgical  ranks  and  the  internist 
is  thus  forced  into  the  rear  ranks  of  the  profession  and  belittled  in  every 
way  to  as  great  an  extent  as  is  possible.  He  may  be  called  upon  in  the 
making  of  diagnoses,  but  when  it  comes  to  treatment  he  must  retire  in 
favor  of  the  surgeon,  who  offers  the  only  means  whereby  any  result  worth 
while  may  be  obtained.    At  least  this  is  what  we  are  being  told  today. 

If  internal  medicine  is  to  live,  the  internists,  like  the  surgeons, 
must  effect  an  organization  similar  to  the  College  of  Surgeons  and  then 
fight  for  their  rights.  Instead  of  making  charges  of  individual  fees  for 
calls  made  in  any  particular  case,  let  the  internists,  like  the  surgeons, 
make  lump-sum  chai'ges,  and  equal  to  those  of  the  latter.  There  is  no 
reason  why  the  care,  wiUi  good  results,  in  a  case  of  typhoid  fever,  is  not 
worth  equally  as  much  as  that  of  the  surgical  care  of  a  case  of  appendi- 
citis.   It  should  be  worth  just  as  much  to  a  man  who  is  afflicted  with 


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866  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL   OP    HOM(EOPATHY 

pneumonia  to  be  properly  treated,  as  to  the  one  who  is  operated  for  the 
relief  of  gastric  ulcer.  A  chronic  neuritis,  properly  treated  and  with 
good  ultimate  results,  should  bring  the  internist  just  as  much  money  as 
does  the  surgical  treatment  of  a  chronic  intesinal  lesion.  .  Let  the  intern- 
ist, when  a  case  comes  to  him,  say  as  does  the  surgeon,  that  he  will 
take  it  for  such  and  such  a  sum  of  money  and,  like  the  surgeon,  demand 
either  a  part  or  whole  of  such  fee  prior  to  instituting  any  treatment 
whatsoever.  Such  action  will  raise  the  internist  to  the  same  relative 
plane  as  the  surgeon  and  will  make  internal  medicine  just  as  attractive 
to  the  young  man  as  is  surgery. 

Such  action  on  the  part  of  the  internist  will  force  the  medical 
schools  to  give  greater  attention  to  materia  medica.  They  will  have  to 
teach  applied  therapeutics,  if  their  graduates,  after  entering  the  actual 
field,  be  successful.  There  will  be  less  combat  between  surgeons  and  in- 
ternists, and  the  latter  will  more  nearly  come  into  his  own. 

We  have  seen  examples  every  day  of  the  young  men  who,  turned  into 
practice^  have  been  practically  unable  to  cope  with  other  than  surgical 
cases,  and  all  for  lack  of  knowledge  of  things  therapeutic.  Only  recent- 
ly, have  we  met  with  such  an  instance.  We  were  called  in  consultation 
in  a  case  of  pneumonia  and  suggested  the  use  of  aconitine,  digitalin  and 
strychnine  in  combination.  The  young  man  said  that  it  might  be  all 
right  to  employ  the  aconitine  and  digitalin,  but  that  he  could  not  see  the 
indication  for  strychnine — that  it  would  combat  the  first-mentioned  drugs. 
We  caUed  his  attention  to  the  fact  that  strychnine  would  act  as  a 
synergist,  in  that  it  would  promote  greater  vitality.  Then  the  question 
of  dosage  of  tincture  of  aconite  came  up.  We  said  that  the  U.S.P., 
8th  revision  gave  the  average  dose  as  ten  minims.  This  he  disputed  and 
said  that  three  drops  would  be  nearer  the  average.  He  did  not  happen 
to  have  a  copy  of  the  U.S.P.  at  hand  and  produced  an  old  work  on 
materia  medica,  with  the  dosage  based  upon  the  U.S.P.  of  1890.  Nor 
would  he  admit  that  we  were  right  in  our  contention.  To  satisfy  our- 
self  that  we  were  not  in  error,  at  the  earliest  possible  moment  thereafter, 
we  consulted  the  U.S.P.,  8th  revision,  and  found  that  we  were  right. 
And  this  man  came  put  of  school  after  the  8th  revision  of  the  U.S. P.  had 
appeared!  This  goes  to  show  how  well  materia  medica  is  taught  in  our 
coUeges.  And  he  was  a  graduate  of  what  is  now  a  Class  A  school!  In 
fact,  at  the  time  of  receiving  his  degree,  the  school  was  in  that  class. 
He  also  asked  us  why  we  employed  the  active  principles  of  many  of  the 
plant  drugs  and  repeated  that  threadbare  statement  relative  to  the  po- 
tency and  danger  of  use  of  such  agents.  We  called  his  attention  to  the 
fact  that  he  was  employing  practically  the  same  potency  in  his  whole 
plant  products  and  that  the  latter,  if  containing  an  assayable  principle 
were  standardized  according  to  the  percentage  thereof  present,  and  that 
we  believed  that  the  segregated  principle,  in  its  simplest  form,  prefer- 
able to  the  active  and  inert  materials  of  the  whole  drug  to  the  active  and 
inert  materials  of  the  whole  drug.  But  he  had  been  taught  differently, 
and  we  not  being  an  "authority,"  our  words  were  wasted,  as  he 
would  simply  listen — not  act. 

The  sum  and  substance  of  the  matter  is,  that  if  we  do  not  desire 
seing  the  passage  of  internal  medicine,  and  that  practically  complete,  we 
must  demand  that  materia  medica  be  taught  and  taught  thoroughly  in 
our  schools,  and  by  men  who  know  the  subject  from  alpha  to  omega. 
Not  only  this,  but  we  must  demand  that  the  drug  be  given  as  much  prom- 
inence as  is  the  knife  in  our  clinical  teaching.  We  must  demand  that 
applied  therapeutics,  and  we  mean  by  this  medical  therapeutics,  be  given 
the  same  attention  as  are  surgical  therapeutics.  We  must  demand  that 
our  young  men,  during  their  interneships,  be  taught  internal  medicine 


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N(«TH   AMERICAN    JOURNAL   OF    HOHOSOPATHT  .    867 

as  thoroughly  as  they  are  surgery.  We  must  demand  that  the  surgeon 
be  not  allowed  to  belittle  internal  medicine  and  drug  medicatiou,  as 
has  been  done  so  much  within  recent  years.  If  we  do  not  demand  all 
these,  there  will  be  a  passing  of  the  internist,  with  a  serious  loss,  both  to 
profession  and  public. 

The  wiping  out  of  internal  medicine  will  not  improve  matters  to 
any  very  considerable  extent.  The  public,  as  a  whole,  will  not  submit  to 
the  knife,  and  the  quack,  be  he  bonesetter  or  prayer  sayer,  will  benefit 
and  ths  true  medical  profession  suffer,  as  the  layman  wiU  turn  from  the 
surgeon  and  patronize  him  who  promises  relief  without  operation.  Many 
individuals  are  operation  crazy — not  all,  and  the  latter  will  not  submit 
to  the  surgeon,  no  matter  what  argument  may  be  made  in  favor  of  the 
latter.  So,  in  our  mind,  eVen  though  internal  medicine  may  not  be 
an  exact  art,  it  is  an  educated  one — one  which  will  gain  results,  and  good 
ones,  in  many  instarices. 

Consequently  \te  say,  let  the  internist  and  therapeutist  live,  even 
as  the  better  of  two  evils,  if  an  evil  he  be.  His  diagnosis  will  at  least  be 
scientific  and  he  will  make  a  diagnosis  in  the  majority  of  instances.  He 
will  tell  his  patients  the  truth.  The  quack  will,  in  many  instances  do 
neither,  and  the  prayer  maker  never  I  The  former  because  it  may  not 
pay;  the  latter  because  of  his  ignorance. 

We  trust  that  the  surgeon  will  not  consider  this  as  finding  fault 
with  him  on  every  count.  Nothing  of  the  sort  enters  our  mind.  He  is 
just  as  necessary  as  is  the  internist,  but  no  more  so.  But  there  should 
be  *f ewer  and  better  surgeons,"  just  as  there  should  be  'fewer  and  better 
doctors." — GEORGE  L.  SERVOss^  M.D.^  Editor  Western  Medical  Times. 


A  CLINIC  STRIKING  OUT  FOB  DIRECT  METHODS 

BY  WILLIAM  J.  FAIRFIELD,  M.D. 

(The  Medical  Times) 

Recently  I  was  consulted  by  a  man  who,  while  loading  lumber  was 
suddenly  taken  with  a  severe  pain.  He  was  stopping  a  little  to  favor 
his  left  chest,  and  his  right  hand  was  locked  over  the  chest  at  the  left 
and  a  little  below  the  heart.  He  was  breathing  as  lightly  as  possible 
and  slightly  on  the  "cogwheel"  type — also  stepping  aJong  in  a  "gum 
shoe"  way,  all  evidencing  sharp  chest  pain. 

The  man  located  the  pain  where  his  hand  was  pressing.  I  made  an 
examination  and  quickly  confirmed  the  subjective  correctness  where  the 
nerves  seemed  to  be  "crying",  and  began  to  race  around  under  the  arm  to- 
ward the  spine.  I  pressed  my  fingers  at  the  side  of  the  seventh  and 
eighth  dorsal  vertebrae.  The  patient  suddenly  contorted,  grunted  and 
cried  "ouch." 

The  man  was  cold  and  depressed  from  pain  and  fear  for  heart  and 
life,  but  there  was  no  chill,  fever  infection,  "rheumatism  of  chest  or 
nerves,"  pleurisy,  pleuralgia,  neuritis,  nor  any  signs  or  history  of  a 
traumatism  at  the  seeming  site  of  the  *|crying"  nerves.  An  unbaked 
Chiro-neophite,  a  product  of  a  diploma  mill,  would  have  probably  called 
it  a  sub-luxation  of  the  spine,  but  it  was  not  nor  could  it  be  without  & 
fracture. 

The  condition  I  found  in  this  patient's  spine  was  somewhat  similar 
to  the  condition  in  the  bowel  which  Sir  W.  Arbuthnot  Lane  discovered 
and  is  now  known  as  the  "Lane  Kink."  My  patient  at  every  breath  was 
calling  for  medicine  to  relieve  the  paia  and  was  astonished  when  I 
declined  to  administer  any  drug,  but  told  him  to  take  a  horizontal  face- 
down position  on  a  low  table.  In  this  position,  I  had  his  shoulders  and 
hips  raised  on  hard  pillows  to  get  his  body  relaxed  and  to  counteract 


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368     .  NORTH    Alf  ERIOAN    JORNAL    OF    HOM<EOPATHT 

his  forward  contractions.  I  then  placed  the  ulnar  saddle  of  my  left 
hand  over  the  seventh  and  eighth  dorsal  vertehrae,  with  firm  pressure. 
Now  having  my  right  hand  clasped  oyer  the  left,  I  executed  through  tham 
several  rapid  thrusts  and  rebounds  into  the  spine  at  the  region  of  the 
tender  herv«  at  its  outlet  from  the  spine.  This  was  quickly  followed 
with  a  moment's  thumb  manipulations  of  the  nerve  involved  and  the 
immediate  parts  around  to  complete  the  adjustment  and  freedom  of  the 
musculature  and  to  still  better  cause  the  normal  spinal  approximation. 
I  then  had  the  patient  get  off  the  table,  stand  erect  and  take. a  long 
breath.  He  was  soon  saying,  "That's  easy.  How  did  you  do  it?  I  feel 
I  could  go  back  to  work.  The  last  attack  I  had  like  this  two  doctors 
worked  over  me  about  three  weeks  with  medicines,  hypodermics,  mustard, 
ointments,  liniments,  strapping  plasters,  etc.,  and  then  said,  *guess  youTl 
just  have  to  wear  out  the  pain,  medicine  don't  reach  it.' " 

My  findings  gave  me  the  clue,  and  the  ready  hand  removed  the 
cause.  The  *^ink"  or  disturbance  was  vanquished,  and  the  lately  pinch- 
ed and  "crying"  nerve,  having  restored  liberty,  laughed  and  joyed  in  its 
once  more  healthful,  normal,  silent,  working  way. 

Colonial  Building. 


CHRONIC  NON-TUBERCULOUS  LUNG  INFECTION 

Nine  cases  diagnosed  by  experienced  physicians  as  supposed  tuber- 
culosis in  which  the  disease  was  proved  to  be  non-tuberculous  are  report- 
ed by  Albert  H.  Garvin,  W.  W.  Lyall  and  M.  Morita  in  the  American 
Review  of  Tuberculosis.  The  clinical  course  in  these  cases  b^ns  with 
an  insidious  onset  with  subsequent  development  of  periodic  cough  and 
expectoration  and  even  hemoptysis  during  a  state  of  rapidly  waning 
health.  All  the  symptoms  of  pulmonary  tuberculosis  may  occur  in 
chronic  non-tubecculous  lung  infection.  Physical  signs  as  elicited 
in  the  upright  position  may  or  may  not  differ  from  those  of  tuberculous 
pulmonary  infiltration.  But  while  pulmonary  tuberculosis  i^  frequently 
a  disease  with  a  wealth  of  physical  signs  and  a  paucity  of  symptoms  the 
reverse  is  true  in  chronic  non-tuberculous  lung  infection.  However, 
examination  in  the  inverted  position  will  often  reveal  the  site  of  the  in- 
fected area  when  it  could  not  be  discovered  otherwise.  In  the  differen- 
tial diagnosis  from  pulmonary  tuberculosis  the  points  suggestive  of 
chronic  non-tuberculous  lung  diseases  are:  (1)  longer  duration  and 
lesser  severity  of  effect  upon  the  patient,  (2)  better  general  health,  (3) 
ninety  per  cent,  of  lesions  at  the  base  and  only  ten  per  cent  in  the 
apices  or  upper  lobes,  the  reverse  of  the  conditions  found  in  tuberculosis, 
and  (4)  physical  signs  less  manifest  than  the  symptoms. 

The  essential  treatment  is  posture.  Drainage  of  the  basal  lesion  in 
the  inverted  position  removes  the  muco-purulent  sputum  and  relieves 
the  pressure  and  absorption  symptoms  due  to  retention  of  the  secretion. 
At  least  fifteen  minutes  four  times  a  day  is  the  minimum  rule.  Initial 
treatment  may  cause  a  brisk  reaction  with  fever,  but,  as  it  is  continued, 
rapid  improvement  of  the  general  condition  and  diminution  of  sputum 
to  a  minimum  follows.    The  prognosis  in  younger  patients  is  excellent 

Bacteriological  examination  of  the  deepest  or  residual  sputum  show- 
ed B.  influen2ae  of  low  virulence  in  seven  out  of  eight  cases.  In  four  of 
these  it  was  the  predominating  organism  and  in  the  odier  three  second 
in  point  of  frequency.  The  persistence  of  the  micro-organism  places 
these  patients  in  the  carrier  group.  The  microorganism  may  1^  the 
etiological  factor  in  base  lesions  of  the  lung.  Management  of  tibe  cough 
and  sputum  as  usually  practised  by  tuberculosis  patients  prevents  the  dis* 
semination  of  B.  influeiwae. — ^American  Review  of  TuWculosis, 


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BAPTISIA  TINCTORIA 
Wild  Indigo  (Lignuminosae) 

BY  WILLUM  BOERICKE,  MJ). 

(Pacific  Coast  Jour,  of  HomoBo.) 
Description  (See  Homoeopathic  PharmacopoBia). 

We  prepare  a  tincture  from  the  fresh  root.  Drop  da^  of  the  tinct- 
ure and  lower  attenuations  have  been  found  most  eflfective.  A  study 
of  the  provings  shows  the  action  of  baptisia  to  centre  itself  chielfly  upon 
the  blood,  altering  its  quality  and  quantity,  producing  profound  de- 
pression— symptoms  of  an  asthenic  type,  simulating  low  fevers.  Given 
free  play  in  a  comparatively  healthy  organism,  the  baptisia  medicinal 
force  is  capable  of  producing  the  following  conditions:  Cerebral  ex- 
citement, wild,  wavering  thoughts.  The  prover  cannot  confine  his  mind 
to  any  one  subject;  he  is  restless  and  sleepless,  or  with  half-closed  eyes 
he  dreams  that  he  is  fighting,  or  is  bound,  etc.  He  awakes  feeling  hot 
and  suffocating;  cannot  breathe;  the  room  seems  intolerably  hot.  He 
drags  himself  to  the  open  window.  Bed  seems  too  hard ;  he  tosses  about 
to  find  a  soft  spot;  he  is  weak,  faint;  face  is  burning  hot  and  has  a  be- 
sotted look;  the  eyes  are  stupid  and  heavy.  Tongue  white  with  red 
papilla?,  then  dirty  yellow  in  middle  and  red  on  edges.  There  is  a  burn- 
ed feeling  of  the  tongue  which  is  characteristic  and  experienced  by  every 
l)rover.  Head  feels  too  big;  there  is  a  dull  pressing  pain,  skin  feels 
tense  and  drawn;  pulse  is  accelerated  at  first.  Sensitiveness  in  the  ilio- 
ca»cal  region,  then  yellow  fetid  stools  with  all  discharges  extremely  of- 
fensive. Bruised,  sore  feeling  of  the  whole  body  with  general  soreness 
of  the  abdomen.     This  suggests  the  picture  of  what  is  a  typhoid  state. 

Baptisia  has  been  used  in  medicine  since  1856,  and  its  chief  use 
has  been  in  typhoid;  not  because  it  produced,  so  far  as  known,  any  of 
the  pathological  anatomical  changes  found  in  typhoid,  but  merely  be- 
cause its  pathogenesis  reflects  the  symptomology  of  a  continued  enteric 
fever  with  striking  similarity.  It  has  long  been  known  as  a  drug  which 
produces  symptoms  in  the  healthy  of  an  asthenic  type.  Among  some  of 
its  characteristic  symptoms  are  those  of  the  mind;  the  mental  lethargy 
and  confusion  of  ideas  that  are  found  in  gelsemium  are  here  intensi- 
fied and  associated  with  other  symptoms  of  a  low  type  of  fever.  But  it 
is  not  a  specific  for  typhoid.  There  can  be  no  one  remedy  for  any  dis- 
ease. This  has  been  proved  over  and  over  again,  and  the  conception 
that  a  dfsease  can  be  met  with  one  remedy  for  all  cases  has  been  the 
Waterloo  of  all  cancer  cures,  tuberculosis  cures,  and  will  be  that  of  all 
serums  and  vaccines.  It  is  rather  the  individual  that  we  study  rather 
than  the  disease — the  patient  with  the  disease,  and  see  how  he  reacts — 
in  what  particular  way  he  is  affected,  etc. 

Baptisia  is  a  short-acting  medicine,  hence  its  use  mostly  in  acute 
diseases.  Its  symptoms  have  the  appearance  of  zymosis — infection, 
sepsis,  like  typhoid,  scarlet  fever,  diphtheria  and  gangrenous .  affections. 
It  brings  on  this  septic  state  very  rapidly. 

Baptisia  is  suitable  for  typhoids  that  come  on  rapidly,  or  when 
one  comes  down  suddenly  from  cold,  malaria,  infected'  water  or  food,  or 
from  any  septic  cause  he  is  hurled  into  bed  in  a  few  days  instead  of 
going  through  a  period  of  preliminary  discomfort  of  weeks. 


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Baptisia  is  suitable  for  those  blood  poisonings  that  are  highly  septic, 
as  those  of  scarlatina  and  puerperal  fever.  Every  medicine  has  a  pace, 
a  velocity — ^periodicity,  motion  of  its  own.  We  get  that  by  stuc^ing 
its  symptoms  and  their  development.  Take  a  man  who  has  been  down 
in  a  mine  or  swamp,  working  in  sewers,  inhaled  foul  gases,  goes  to  bed 
feeling  stupid,  prostrated,  delirious,  with  horrible  odors  about  him, 
fever  and  sordes.  It  is  rapid,  not  the  gradual  decline.  It  is  baptisia. 
Baptisia,  according  to  these  symptoms,  is  a  great  and  frequently  indi- 
cated remedy  in  the  earlier  stages  of  typhoid,  but  may  come  in  a  later 
stage  when  the  prostration  is  profound,  patient  in  a  stupor;  falls  asleep 
while  answering  questions,  face  dark,  besotted;  brown  streak  through 
center  of  tongue;  all  exhalations  offensive — sordes,  offensive  breath  and 
sweat. 

Baptisia  is  capable  of  exciting  a  true  primary  pyrexia.  This  is  no 
slight  thing,  for  there  are  very  few  other  drugs  to  which  we  can  ascribe 
sudi  power.  "We  have  no  evidence  that  baptisia  affects  Beyer's  patches 
as  they  are  affected  in  typhoid,  but  it  is  certain  that  it  produces  con- 
gestion and  catarrh  of  the  intestines  mucous  membrane  with  abdominal 
tenderness,  distension  and  diarrhea.  Still,  as  the  specific  condition  of 
inflanmiation  of  the  patches  does  not  appear  until  the  second  or  third 
stage,  our  remedy  properly  used  has  done  its  work  ere  this  and  the  whole 
aspect  and  course  of  the  disease  altered  thereby. 

Remember  that  the  use  of  baptisia  in  typhoid  was  arrived  at  on 
grounds  of  symptomatic  similarity  alone,  and  clinical  experience  has 
abundantly  justified  the  inference  and  verified  the  value  of  tibe  symp- 
toms that  lead  to  this  use  of  baptisia. 

Now  comes  Dr.  Mellon  of  the  University  of  Michigan  and  demon- 
strates the  effect  of  baptisia  in  the  production  of  typhoid  agglutins.  He 
found  that  the  mother  tincture  (and  Ix  attentuation)  produces  a  form 
of  antibodies  to  the  bacillus  typhosus,  viz.,  the  agglutins.  We  are  gla.d 
to  welcome  this  evidence,  which  shows  that  it  is  possible  to  raise  the  ag- 
glutinin index  of  a  normal  person's  serum  to  the  typhoid  bacillus  with 
baptisia,  brilliantly  confirming  not  only  our  "provings"  of  baptisia,  but 
also  our  clinical  experience.  We  are  glad  the  laboratory  confirms  our 
clinical  experience  that  baptisia  is  homoeopathic  to  typhoid  conditions, 
because  it  raises  ihe  natural  bodily  resistance  to  the  infusion  of  the 
bacillary  intoxication  which  produces  the  typhoid  complex.  Exper- 
ience proves  that  baptisia  is  a  great  remedy  in  typhoid,  which  it  may 
even  abort  in  some  cases. 

There  is  one  very  characteristic  symptom  that  has  led  to  the  use 
of  baptisia,  not  only  in  typhoid,  but  also  in  other  diseases.  It  is  the 
mental  symptom  that  the  patient  thinks  he  is  double,,  or  that  his  body 
is  in  pieces  and  scattered  about,  and  that  he  must  move  about  to  get  the 
pieces  together  again;  ideas  of  multiple  extremities  separate  from  the 
remainder  of  the  body.  This  peculiar  symptom  of  baptisia  is  due  to  its 
action  on  the  association  centres  of  the  brain.  We  find  that  toxemia, 
fever,  inanition  and  cerebral  exha\istion  by  insomnia  and  over-exertion 
may  have  a  similar  disturbing  influence  on  these  centres.  Other  reme- 
dies like  petroleum  also  have  it.  This  partial  dissociation  and  breaking 
up  of  the  ego  group  into  constituent  parts  and  confounding  some  of 
these  with  other  persons  or  grouping  the  constituents  afresh  is  a  baptisia 
characteristic  mental  state  and  one  often  found  in  low  fevers.  I  met 
with  it  in  a  patient  addicted  to  morphine  during  a  dysenteric  crisis 
that  followed  extra  indulgence  where  baptisia  helped  to  dissipate  the 
hallucination  and  cure  the  bowel  disturbance. 


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INTERNATIONAL    HOMCEOPATHIC   REVIEW  371 

Remember,  then,  baptisia  in  continuous  fevers  with  depraved  state 
of  the  blood,  excessive  prostration,  marked  muscular  soreness  and  putrid- 
ity of  breath  and  all  discharges,  the  sordes,  and  yellow  brown  tongue, 
very  dry;  dusky,  dark  red  face,  with  besotted  expression;  the  constant 
change  of  position  because  the  bed  is  so  hard,  and  the  delusion  that  the 
body  is  scattered  about;  the  full  and  distended  abdomen,  with  the  char- 
acteristic thin,  fetid,  browinsh  evacuations — any  low  type  of  disease 
with  tendency  to  disorganization  of  the  blood,  with  restlessness,  delir- 
ium, stupor  and  profound  exhaustion. 

Mouth  and  throat  are  greatly  affected  by  baptisia.  Tongue  is  swol- 
len, covered  with  black  blood.  Ulceration  runs  through  the  medicine. 
Aphthous  patches — those  little  ulcers  that  start  no  larger  than  a  pin- 
head,  become  black,  and  are  so  offensive,  and  run  together  so  that  the 
whole  surface  of  the  mouth  will  be  in  a  state  of  ulceration,  raw  and  de- 
nuded. Throat  ulcerates,  is  raw  and  bleeding.  There  may  be  diphther- 
itic exudations  in  the  throat,  but  around  them  are  those  low,  dark,  of- 
fensive surfaces.  Throat  greatly  swollen;  swallowing  difficult.  With  it 
breath  fetid,  salivation,  and  patient  semi-comatose  or  delirious;  face 
dark,  horrible  odor  from  mouth.  Remember  it  in  gangrenous  sore 
mouth  and  throat.  All  these  symptoms  may  exist  without  fever.  Many 
of  these  ulcerative  baptisia  states  are  feverless.  Putrid  sore  throat,  ton- 
sils and  soft  palate  swollen,  rather  painless.  Great  swelling  and  dark 
purplish — ^the  darker,  the  more  likely  it  is  baptisia.  The  profound  pros- 
tration and  putrescent  phenomena,  and  local  symptoms  of  gums,  mouth 
and  throat,  show  its  adaptability  in  diphtheria,  scarlatina  throat,  and 
apthous  sore  mouth,  etc  Useful  in  sore  mouths  of  nursing  infants, 
stomatitis  and  phthisis. 

There  is  also  a  marked  contraction  of  the  oesophagus,  with  great 
difficulty  in  getting  food  into  the  stomach.  It  is  a  paralysis  of  the  or- 
gans of  deglutition.  The  esophagus  is  at  first  in  a  state  of  spasm,  later 
paralyzed.  Fluids  will  at  first  go  down,  but  no  solids.  Every  part  of 
solid  food  gags,  but  he  can  swallow  liquids. 

Diarrhea  and  Dysentery. — Bloody,  dark,  offensive  discharges  in  low 
fever;  malaria,  with  dusky  face;  tongue  feels  blunt;  great  sinking  of  the 
stomach;  pain  in  region  of  gall  bladder;  dysentery  when  assuming  ty- 
phoid type;  absence  of  pain,  and  characteristic  tongue,  yellow-brown  in 
centre  with  red,  shining  edges,  later  dry;  livid  spots  on  body,  make  the 
selection  easy. 

Baptisia  can  be  used  advantageously  locally  as  a  dressing  for  all 
ulcerations,  sore  mouth,  throat,  and  sore  nipple.  The  greater  the  tend- 
ency to  mortification,  the  more  highly  it  is  valued.  It  controls  the 
ulceration,  lessens  the  foul  discharges  and  overcomes  putrescency. 

Dose:    Usually  drop  doses  of  tincture. 


THE  REPERTORY 

BY   RUDOLPH   F.  RABE 

(The  Chironian) 

The  repertory  of  the  homoeopathic  materia  medicii  is  simply  an  in- 
dex to  the  latter;  hence  it  cannot  be  better  than  the  materia  medica  it- 
self, although  it  may  be  worse.  If  worse,  the  fault  lies  with  its  con- 
struction, since  the  repertory  may  have  been  carelessly  compiled,  con- 
taining many  mistakes  and  numerous  omissions.  A  poorly  arranged 
repertory  is  worse  than  none  at  all. 


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Since  the  use  of  the  repertory  demands  a  more  or  less  mechanical 
procedure,  it  follows  that  there  must  be  a  technic  of  such  precedure. 
Theio  is.  This  technic  must  be  learned  and  thoroughly  understood  or 
else  the  repertory  is  of  no  value  to  him  who  attempts  its  use.  Various 
repertories  demand  different  methods  of  procedure  in  their  use  and  these 
methods  may  again  vary  in  certain  details.  The  latter  are  of  small 
moment  so  long  as  the  fundamental  principles  of  repertorial  work  are 
observed;  hence,  three  men  may  arrive  at  the  same  result,  although  each 
one  has  pursued  a  method  of  his  own. 

The  earliest  repertory  was  that  of  von  Bcenninghausen  and  is  to- 
day the  best  in  some  respects.  The  General  Symptom  Register  of  Pure 
Materia  Medica  of  Timothy  Yield  Allen  is  an  index  to  the  Encyclopedia 
of  Pure  Materia  Medica  and  is  a  compilation  of  great  value,  especially 
when  peculiar  isolated  symptoms  are  to  be  found.  But  it  does  not  lend 
itself  to  repertory  analysis  as  hereinafter  to  be  described.-  The  same  ob- 
servation applies  to  Knerr's  repertory  of  the  Guiding  Symptoms  of  Her- 
ing.  Various  special  repertories  are  in  existence,  applying  to  certain 
diseases  or  to  certain  parts  of  the  body.  The  best  known  among  such 
works  are  Bell's  Therapeutics  of  Diarrhea;  H.  C.  Allen's  Therapeutics 
of  Fevers ;  Lee  and  Clark's  Cough  and  Expectoration ;  Lutze's  Neuralgia 
with  Repertories;  Van  Denborgh's  Therapeutics  of  the  Respiratory  Sys- 
tem; Morgan's  Repertory  of  the  Urinary  Organs,  etc.  Most  of  these 
combine  the  repertory  with  the  materia  medica  of  the  parts  affected,  and 
are  of  decided  value  as  works  of  ready  reference  in  office  practice. 

In  general  it  may  be  said  that  reference  to  the  repertory,  or  even  to 
the  materia  medica  itself,  in  the  presence  of  the  patient,  especially  in 
the  sick  room,  is  not  to  be  recommended  unless  the  patient  has  been 
thoroughly  grounded  in  the  principles  of  homoeopathy  and  does  not 
therefore  mistake  the  physician's  action  for  a  confession  of  ij^norance. 
All  patients  can  be  trained  to  understand  the  object  of  the  prescriber 
who  refers  to  books  and  will  come  to  regard  such  reference  as  an  evi- 
dence of  painstaking  care  and.  interest  on  the  part  of  the  doctor.  If  the 
personality  of  the  latter  is  not  rugged  enough  to  command  the  confidence 
and  respect  of  the  patient,  he  has  either  missed  his  vocation  or  should 
terminate  his  professional  relationship  with  the  patient.  An  experience 
of  twenty  years,  during  which  no  patient  has  ever  severed  his  relation- 
ship on  this  account,  is  the  basis  for  this  strong  statement. 

To  accomplish  the  best  which  homoeopathy  offers,  to  bring  about 
cures  which  can  be  wrought  in  no  other  way,  repertory  analysis  is  often 
absolutely  essential.  Its  use  makes  of  the  physician  a  better  prescriber, 
a  more  ready  prescriber  and  gives  him  a  greater  knowledge  of  and  con- 
fidence in  the  materia  medica.  Furthermore,  it  is  the  foe  of  routinism 
and  of  careless  or  solvenly  methods  of  practice.  Its  technic  is  just  as 
important  to  the  prescriber  as  is  surgical  technic  to  the  operator,  and 
must  be  just  as  thoroughly  understood. 

Repertory  analysis  applies  to  both  acute  and  chronic  cases,  but 
more  especially  to  the  latter,  since  most  acute  cases  presents  such  pro- 
nounced symptoms  that  even  to  the  physician  of  but  fair  knowledge  of 
materia  medica  the  remedy  stands  clearly  revealed.  Such  remedies  as 
belladonna,  bryonia,  chamomilla,  Pulsatilla,  rhus  tox,  etc.,  are  easily 
selected,  as  a  rule,  and  need  not  be  searched  for  by  means  of  the  reper- 
tory. Repertory  analysis,  however,  cannot  be  made  to  apply  to  all  cases. 
Those  in  which  the  symptoms  are  poorly  expressed,  or  which  are  but 
partly  developed,  are  not  good  cases  for  repertory  work.  Cases  present- 
ing but  few  symptoms,  especially  when  these  are  of  a  purely  local  char- 
acter, are  also  poorly  adapted  to  the  repertory.  Obviously,  recently  or 
but  partly  proved  remedies  cannot  be  chosen  by  this  means. 


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INTERNATIONAL    HOMCEOPATHIC    REVIEW  373 

The  use  of  the  repertory  presupposes  and  demands  that  the  case  be 
well  taken  from  the  homoeopathic  standpoint.  This  means  that  the 
patient's  history  must  be  carefully  written,  that  the  diagnostic  findings 
must  be  noted,  and  above  everything  else  that  the  symptoms  of  the  pa- 
tient himself,  regardless  of  mere  diagnosis,  be  brought  out.  The  pa- 
tient is  to  be  prescribed  for  as  an  individual  and  not  as  a  pathological 
entity.  It  is  here  that  almost  all  medical  students  and  many  physicians 
fail  altogether.  No  case  can  be  successfully  prescribed  for  by  any  meth- 
od, unless  the  individualizing  symptoms  are  observed.  To  the  medical 
student  a  knowledge  of  repertory  analysis  is  of  immense  value  and  can- 
not be  too  highly  regarded.  To  be  sure  he  must  be  well  grounded  in  the 
principles  of  homoeopathy  as  expressed  in  the  Organon,  so  that  he  may 
be  cognizant  of  the  limitations  of  the  sphere  and  scope  of  homoeopathy 
and  not  carry  his  repertorial  efforts  to  absurd  length.  The  reper- 
tory does  not  enable  one  to  cure  the  incurable  or  to  raise  the  dead, 
neither  is  there  anything  occult  nor  mysterious  about  it. 

In  the  use  of  the  Therapeutic  Pocket-Book  or  repertory  of  von 
Boenninghausen  the  points  to  be  considered  are,  first,  location;  second, 
sensation;  third,  conditions  of  aggravation  and  amelioration,  and,  final- 
ly, time  and  concomitant  symptoms.  This  order  may  be  and  is  frequent- 
ly changed  with  advantage  and,  for  example,  may  be  stated  as  follows: 
first,  aggravation  and  amelioration;  second,  location;  third,  sensation, 
and  then  time  and  concomitants.  It  is,  of  course,  not  necessary'  upon 
this  occasion  or  for  the  purpose  of  discussion  at  this  time  to  carry  out 
the  demonstration  any  further. 

In  using  the  repertory  of  Kent,  which,  although  it  contains  some 
errors  of  construction,  is  by  far  the  most  complete  as  well  as  the  most 
useful  of  all  repertories,  the  method  of  von  Boenninghausen  cannot  be 
used.  Kent  divides  symptoms  into  those  which  he  has  arbitrarily  called 
"generals,"  those  classified  as  "particulars"  and  the  rest  as  "common." 
He  gives  each  of  these  classes  three  grades  of  value  which,  however,  need 
not  concern  us  here.  By  a  general  symptom  he  means  one  which  is  pre- 
dicated of  the  patient  himself  and  to  which  the  pronoun  '*!"  may  be  ap- 
plied. Thus  the  statement:  "I  am  always  aggn^avated  during  damp 
weather,"  refers  not  to  a  particular  organ  or  part,  but  refers  to  the  pa- 
tient as  a  whole  or,  in  other  words,  to  the  patient  himself.  By  a  par- 
ticular symptom  is  meant  one  which  is  predicate^  of  a  given  organ  or 
•part  and  may  be  expressed,  for  example,  as  follows:  "My  stomach 
bums  and  I  have  a  sticking  pain  in  my  chest."  It  is  obvious  that  the 
whole  patient  does  not  bum  or  that  he  has  sticking  pains  all  over.  A 
common  symptom  is  one  such  as  nausea,  unqualified  by  any  further 
statement  Languor,  malaise,  chilliness,  etc.,  are  common  symptoms, 
common  to  many  conditions,  to  many  patients  and  to  many  remedies; 
hence  are  of  little  value  unless  further  qualified. 

In  using  Kent's  Kepertory,  the  analysis  must  always  begin  with  a 
general  symptom  and  that  one  the  strongest,  or  most  characteristic  pos- 
sible. Thus,  a  patient  who  no  matter  what  his  disease  or  condition  may 
be,  provided  of  course  that  cure  or  relief  is  humanly  possible,  is  invar- 
iably worse  during  or  from  dry  cold  weather,  will  only  be  cured  if  this 
strong  general  symptom  corresponds  to  one  equally  strong  in  the  rem- 
edies to  be  considered.  No  matter  how  many  particular  symptoms  he 
may  present,  which  seemingly  correspond  to  those  of  the  remedies  found 
in  the  repertory,  his  own  curative  remedy  will  not  be  discovered  unless 
the  general  symptom  is  used  as  a  starting  point  in  the  analysis.  There- 
fore, when  using  Kent's  Repertory  it  is  absolutely  essential  to  conduct 
the  analysis  from  generals  to  particulars  and  not  in  the  opposite  di- 
rection. 


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374  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL    OF    HOMOSOPATHY 

Again,  it  may  be  remarked  that  further  illustration  at  this  time  is 
unnecessary;  enough  has  been  said  to  emphasize  for  the  purpose  of  this 
symposium  the  importance  of  repertory  study  in  the  college  curriculum, 
and  it  has  been  the  practice  of  the  essayist  for  several  years  past  to  give 
a  course  in  repertory  analysis  to  the  students  of  the  Junior  Class.  For 
this  course  four  to  six  hours  are  sufficient,  although  to  be  sure,  much 
more  time  can  be  spent  in  practical  illustration,  if  desired.  In  passing, 
it  may  be  said  that,  to  those  students  who  are  earnestly  seeking  a  knowl- 
edge of  homoeopathy  and  of  its  materia  medica,  the  course  in  repertory 
analysis  appeals;  to  those,  on  the  other  hand,  who  are  prejudiced  and  not 
open  to  reason  or  argument,  the  course  is  farcical  and  a  waste  of  time. 
Such  students,  however,  have  no  place  in  a  homoeopathic  college  and  are 
always  a  discredit  to  homoeopathy  after  graduation. 

In  conclusion,  the  necessity  for  introducing  repertorial  work  in  the 
curricula  of  all  our  homoeopathic  colleges,  is  strongly  urged  by  your 
essayist. 


EVERY  DAY  USE  OF  THE  REPERTORY 

BY  MARGARET  C.  LEWIS,  M.D. 

(The  Homoeopathician) 

Mrs.  W.,  aged  forty  years,  fair,  with  tall,  well-built,  slightly  droop- 
ing figure,  reported  illness  for  more  than  a  week:  sore  throat  and 
"achey  cold."  Had  used  salts,  oil,  and  an  enema.  Felt  "good-for-noth- 
ing"; no  appetite,  yet  sense  of  need  for  nourishment.  Cough,  dry,  tor- 
menting, preventing  sleep. 

During  five  days'  observation,  the  following  symptoms  were  gath- 
ered: 

Cough  similar  to  this  one  had  appeared  every  winter. 

<from  exertion;  cold  water; 

<  lying  on  r.  side. 
Nervous,  "as  if  must  scream." 

<  slight  exertion. 

Urination  involuntary  during  cough. 

Urine  odor  of  ammonia. 

Dreads  thought  of  working  where  must  meet  people. 

Easily  offended. 

Has  been  under  heavy  mental  strain:  financial  difficulties  for  two 
months. 

Must  have  fresh  air. 

Menses  profuse,  during  past  ten  years. 

Craves  salt  things. 

Hoarseness  in  cold  weather,  continues  all  winter. 

Repertory-study  afforded  the  following: 

Dullness  from  mental  exertion:  Anac,  aur.,  calc-c,  calc-p.,  cocc, 
graph.,  hepar.,  hura.,  igrn.,  lach.,  lye,  mag-c,  nat-a.,  nat-m.,  nux  vom., 
olnd.,  pic-ac,  puis.,  ran-b.,  sil.,  sulph. 

Dread  of  work:  Arg-n.,  cadm.,  calc-c,  cham.,  hyos.,  ind.,  kali-c, 
kali-p.,  kali-s.,  nat-m.,  petr.,  puis.,  ran-b.,  sanic,  selen.,  sil.,  sulph.,  tab., 
tarax.,  tong. 

As  if  must  scream  to  get  relief :     Anac,  calc-c,  sil. 

Hoarseness  in  cold  weather:      Sil.,  sulph. 

Urine  odor  of  ammonia:    Puis.,  sil. 

Craves  salt:     Calc-c,  sulph. 


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INTERNATIONAL    HOMCEOPATHIO    REVIEW  376 

Cough  from  exertion :    Kali-c,  puis.,  sil.,  sulph. 

—  <cold  water:    Calc-c,  kali-c,  sil. 

—  < lying  on  r.  side:    Kali-c,  sil. 
Calc-c  5  headings  with  6  points. 
Puis.  4  headings  with  7  points. 
Sil.  8  headings  with  12  points. 
Sulph.  5  headings  with  7  points. 

Sil.,  beginning  with  Im.    The  patient  has  steadily  gained,  in  every 
respect,  order  having  been  established  from  within,  out. 


STUDIES  IN  DRUG  PATHOLOGY* 

Conducted  by  the  Department  of  Materia  Medica,  College  of 

Homoeopathic  Medicine,  The  Ohio  State  University 

Albert  E.  Hinsdale,  A.B.,  M.D.,  Professor  of  Materia  Medica 

and  Clinical  Treapeutics 

R.  V.  Hadley,  M.D.,  Laboratory  Assistant 

The  following  descriptions  represent  the  microscopical  findings  pro- 
duced by  certain  homoeopathic  remedies  upon  a  few  of  their  tissue  pro- 
clivities. These  studies  are  reported  with  the  following  objects  in  view : 
1.  To  demonstrate  that  drugs  do  act  upon  certain  organs.  2.  To  fur- 
nish a  rational  pathological  basis  for  the  symptomatology  of  the  partic- 
ular remedy  as  regards  the  tissue  in  question.  The  tissues  in  each  case, 
after  sectioning,  were  stained  in  hematoxylin  and  eosin. 

Guinea  Pig  Lung.  One  drop  of  a  saturated  solution  of  phosphorus 
in  olive  oil  was  given  to  the  animal  twice  a  day  for  twelve  days  when 
the  animal  died.  Sections  of  the  lung  showed  a  pronounced  congestion 
and  beginning  red  hepatization  in  spots  around  the  bronchi.  The  blood 
vessels  are  packed  with  blood  elements  as  are  the  capillaries  around  and 
between  the  alveoli.  Many  of  the  air-sacs  contain  an  exudate  consisting 
of  red  blood  cells,  blood  shadows  and  fibrin.  The  large  bronchi  are  filled 
with  an  exudate  composed  of  fibrin,  blood  cells  and  disintegrated  epithel- 
ium. The  findings  gave  a  picture  of  bronchopneumonia,  and  gave  an 
explanation  for  the  blood  streaked  sputum  of  phosphorus  which  is  a  char- 
acteristic indication  for  the  remedy  in  certain  pulmonary  complaints. 
Other  symptoms  for  this  remedy  may  be  explained  by  these  findings. 

Rabbit  Lung.  Ten  drops  of  a  saturated  aqueous  solution  of  kali 
bichromicum  was  given  to  the  animal  twice  a  day  for  thirteen  days  when 
the  animal  died  from  its  effects.  Sections  of  the  lungs  show- 
ed congestion  around  the  larger  blood  vessels  and  bronchi  and  a  begin- 
ning exudation  into  the  air-sacs.  The  bronchi  contain  exudate  but  the 
epithelium  is  in  good  condition.  The  pathological  picture  is  more  of  a 
bronchitis  than  a  pneumonia.  There  are  evidences  of  a  beginning  of 
pleuritis. 

Guinea  Pig  Lung.  Ten  drops  of  a  saturated  aqueous  solution  of 
antimonium  tartaricum  was  given  twice  a  day  for  four  days,  then  twenty 
drops  twice  a  day  for  two  days  when  the  animal  died  from  the  effects 
of  the  drug.  The  findings  are  as  follows:  The  deeper  portion  of  the 
lung  around  the  bronchi  and  large  blood  vessels  is  consolidated  while 
the  superficial  portions  of  the  lobe  show  no  exudate  in  the  alveoli.  The 
preponderance  of  leukocytes  in  the  exudate  is  diagnostic  of  gray  hepat- 

♦Xew  England  Med.  Gazette,  Sept.,  1916. 


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376  NORTH    AMERICAK    JOURNAL   OF    HOM(EOFATHT 

ization.  Shadows  ot'  red  blood  cells  and  fibrin  are  also  present.  Des- 
quamated epithelium  is  found  in  the  bronchial  exudate.  The  micro- 
scopical yiew  of  the  lung  when  mounted  in  formalin-gelatin  medium, 
shows  a  tissue  far  from  one  of  normal  appearance. 

Guinea  Pig  Lung.  Two  drops  of  the  tincture  of  iodin  was  admin- 
istered twice  a  day  for  twenty-two  days  when  the  animal  was  killed 
with  chloroform.  Microscopical  examination  reveals  a  lung  in  a  state 
of  complete  consolidation.  The  blood  vessels,  alveoli,  and  bronchi  are 
padced  full  of  exudate.  Here  and  there  are  seen  lobules  which  are 
beginning  to  break  down  into  abscesses.  To  the  unaided  eye,  the  changes 
which  the  drug  has  produced,  are  grossly  quite  apparent  The  pneu- 
monic process  induced  by  the  drug  made  its  appearance  very  soon  af- 
ter its  administration  which  is  a  confirmation  of  one  of  the  indications 
calling  for  iodin  in  pneumonia,  namely,  "a  rapid  extension  of  the  con- 
solidated area." 

Rabbit  Lung.  Twenty-five  drops  of  the  tincture  of  chelidoninm 
was  given  twice  a  day  for  thirty-one  days  when  the  animal  was  killed 
by  chloroform.  The  pathological  picture  is  one  of  extreme  congeetiou 
in  the  superficial  portions  while  the  deeper  parts  of  the  lung  are  practic- 
ally in  normal  condition.  The  lung  structure  is  broken  down  where 
the  congestion  is  the  most  severe.  The  pleura  is  noticeably  thickened 
and  inflamed  about  this  area.  It  has  long  been  known  that  chelidonium 
has  an  action  upon  lung  tissues,  yet  it  seems  as  though  the  remedy  is  not 
as  frequently  looked  upon  as  a  medicine  for  pulmonary  complaints  as 
its  clinical  indications  and  pathological  findings  warrant. 

Rabbit  Lung.  Ten  drops  of  the  tincture  of  bryonia  was  administer- 
ed twice  a  day  for  nine  days  when  the  rabbit  died  from  its  effects.  Sec- 
tions show  a  picture  resembling  closely  a  pneumonic  process  in  the  stage 
of  gT&j  hepatization,  as  evidenced  by  the  preponderance  of  leukocytes. 
The  pleura  is  not  appreciably  affected;  not  as  much  as  is  to  be  expected. 
Of  the  various  drugs  which  affect  the  lung,  it  appears  that  bryonia  pro- 
duces the  best  simili^  of  a  lobar  pneumonia. 

Rabbit  Liver.  Chelidonium  (administered  in  the  ^ame  way  as  de- 
scribed under  the  lung  description)  produces  more  of  an  edematous  than 
of  a  congestive  condition.  The  majority  of  the  liver  cells  are  swollen 
and  filled  with  fluid  while  the  liver  threads  are  separated  from  the  same 
cause.  As  in  the  liver  affected  by  bryonia,  the  continued  pressure  is  be- 
ginning to  cause  degeneration  of  the  parenchymatous  cells.  A  bile 
stasis  is  shown  by  the  droplets  of  the  bile  through  the  secretions.  A 
study  of  the  symptomatology  of  the  drug  in  hepatic  difficulties  shows 
that  the  remedy  is  more  apt  to  be  indicated  in  enlargements  of  this 
organ  when  not  due  to  congestions  than  when  an  excessive  blood  6\ipply 
is  present. 

Rabbit  Liver.  Bryonia  (administered  in  the  same  way  as  de- 
scribed under  the  lung  description)  produces  the  following  effects  upon 
the  liver:  a  picture  chiefly  of  congestion  is  presented.  The  areas 
about  the  center  of  the  lobules  are  principally  affected ;  the  capillaries  ex- 
tending outward  toward  the  periphery  being  packed  with  blood  elements. 
More  or  less  congestion  is  shown  even  near  the  periphery  of  the  lobule. 
In  some  areas,  the  pressure  exerted  upon  the  cells  is  beginning  to  cause 
degeneration  of  the  parenchyma.  Minute  droplets  of  bile  arc  seen  scat- 
tered through  the  section  which  denotes  a  bile  stasis.  An  edematous 
condition  is  found  within  and  between  the  celb. 

Guinea  Pig  Liver.  Phosphorus  administered  in  the  same  way  as 
described  under  the  lung  description)  produces  pale  areas  plainly  visible 
to  the  naked  eye.  Microscopical  examination  shows  that  these  areas 
take  little  or  no  stain  which  is  significant  of  necrosis  of  mudb  of  the 


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INTBBHATIONAL    HOM(EOPATHIC    RETVIEW  377 

liver  tissue.  Necrosis,  fatty  degeneration  and  infiltration  are  the  prin- 
cipal changes  here.  Minute  globules  of  fat  can  be  seen  both  in  and  be- 
tween the  liver  threads  of  celk.  The  necrosis  is  more  noticeable  around 
the  blood  vessels.  No  increase  in  intersitial  tissue  is  seen;  this  would 
probably  be  seen  in  a  more  chronic  case  of  poisoning.  The  absence  of 
any  congestion  or  inflammatory  condition  is  the  reason  why  phosphorus 
has  so  little  pain  in  its  symptomatology. 

Babbit  Liver.  Five  drops  of  a  saturated  aqueous  solution  of  mer- 
curius  corrosivus  was  given  twice  a  day  for  four  days  when  the  animal 
died  from  its  effects.  Sections  revealed  a  condition  that  has  gone  past 
that  of  congestion  and  a  true  hepatitis  is  present.  Tn  some  areas,  small 
abscesses  are  beginning  to  form  in  the  center  of  the  lobules.  Lar«e 
globules  of  bile  are  scattered  irregularly  throughout  the  section.  Tlie 
interstitial  tissue  is  not  noticeably  increased.     Some  edema  is  present. 


ARNICA* 

BY  R.  C.   WOLCOTT — JOUR.  A.  I.  H. 

The  great  work  of  a  homoeopathic  physician  depends  so  much  upon 
his  ability  to  differentiate  one  remedy  from  another  that  it  seems  hardly 
possible  for  the  average  prescriber  to  miss  some  of  the  nice  points  of 
distinction  between  some  of  our  best  known  drugs.  Yet  some  of  the 
polychrests  with  a  well  deserved  reputation  for  efficiency  and  relief  in 
sickness  are  in  the  background  and  newer  and  more  talked  about  meas- 
ures and  remedies  take  their  places. 

New  friends  are  good  to  have  and  we  need  them,  but  let  us  hold 
fast  to  the  ones  that  have  been  tried  and  have  not  failed  us  in  times  of 
trouble.  There  are  also  some  symptoms  of  the  old  drugs  that  have 
been  passed  over  without  notice  and  but  very  little  attention  given  them. 

It  is  to  bring  to  your  notice  not  only  the  old  and  forgotten  symp- 
toms, but  some  that  may  well  be  classed  with  new  and  up-to-date  treat- 
ment, that  I  want  to  talk  tp  you  about  arnica.  Many  oi  the  symptoms 
given  are  old  ones  and  have  been  proven  time  and  again.  It  is  by 
repetition  we  learn. 

There  fire  few  remedies  that  can  be  used  both  internally  and  ex- 
ternally with  any  marked  degree  of  success.  Local  measures  are  often 
not  onfy  useless  but  many  times  harmful.  In  arnica  we  have  a  remedy 
that  will  remove  soreness  by  local  application. 

Arnica  tincture  is  made  from  the  whole  plant.  It  may  be  made 
from  the  flowers  or  from  the  roots  alone,  probably  best  made  from  the 
root  because  the  flowers  have  a  small  insect  that  will  modify  the  action 
of  the  drug.  The  plant  grows  on  the  mountains  and  may  well  possess 
the  affinity  to  be  used  in  troubles  that  are  the  direct  effects  of  falls,  or 
in  heart  lesions  caused  by  removing  to  high  altitudes  from  the  low- 
lands. This  widely  known  plant  has  been  used  more  or  less  for  years 
by  the  people  on  the  highlands  and  mountains  of  Glermany  and  is  call- 
ed by  them  'Tallkraut",  meaning  the  herb  useful  after  a  fall. 

One  of  the  very  early  provings  made  by  Hahnemann  was  made 
with  the  roots  of  this  plant. 

Arnica  is  particularly  adapted  to  sanguine,  plethoric  persons  with 
lively  complexions;  red,  full-faced  and  disposed  to  cerebral  congestion. 
It  acts  but  feebly  on  persons  who  are  positively  debilitated  with  im- 
perished  blood,  with  soft,  flabby,  lifeless  flesh. 

*Bureau  of  Materia  Medica,  A.  I.  H.,  Baltimore,  1916. 


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37 S  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL    OF    HOMOEOPATHY 

It  has  lingering  complaints,  fatty  degeneration  of  the  heart,  stitches 
in  the  cardiac  region,  stitches  from  left  to  right;  weary,  bruised,  sore 
with  great  weakness;  must  lie  down,  yet  the  bed  feels  too  hard.  All  over 
the  body  there  is  a  lameness  and  soreness  and  a  feeling  as  if  bruisd,  a 
rheumatic  lameness  with  swollen,  sore  and  lame  joints.  It  is  the  first 
remedy  to  be  thought  of  in  this  kind  of  a  constitution  and  especially  if 
there  are  no  definite  indications  for  another  remedy.  The  mental  symp- 
toms of  arnica  are  probably  the  most  important  distinctive  qualifications 
that  the  drug  has,  and  yet  many  times  they  are  completely  overlooked. 

The  patient  is  morose  and  wants  to  be  left  alone,  he  does  not  want 
to  be  talked  to  or  approached,  he  does  not  want  to  be  touched,  bodily  or 
mentally.  He  is  easily  frightened  and  imagines  all  sorts  of  things,  es- 
pecially that  he  will  mortify  or  that  some  constiutional  trouble  has  him 
in  a  death  grasp;  full  of  nightmares,  dreams,  dreams  of  robbers,  a  sud- 
den fear  of  death,  wakens  in  the  night  and  grasps  at  heart,  thinking  he 
will  die  suddenly.  With  opium  the  fear  remains  all  day,  but  with  arnica 
it  is  a  night  fear. 

Another  mental  condition  is  the  hesitation  of  finding  a  word,  un- 
able to  answer  questions  at  once ;  must  stop  and  think.  There  is  a  hope- 
lessness, indifference  and  peevishness. 

The  above  symptoms  give  us  a  picture  of  sore  and  tired  mental  ap- 
paratus, and  arnica  in  potency  is  the  remedy  for  that  condition. 

The  eyes  may  be  tired  and  weary  from  long  hours'  work,  or  the 
continued  changes  incident  to  sightseeing,  or  the  glace  and  constantly 
changing  pictures  of  the  moving  picture  show.  A  teaspoonful  of  arnica 
tincture  in  a  half  gallon  of  hot  water,  bathing  the  eyes  every  fifteen  min- 
utes, and  a  dose  of  arnica  6x  will  rest  those  tired  eyes  almost  as  much 
as  a  good  sleep. 

One  of  the  most  useful  places  for  the  use  of  arnica  often  over- 
looked because  other  remedies  seem  to  have  more  distinctive  character- 
istics is  the  erysipelatous  inflammation  found  on  the  face.  The  sore  and 
bruised  feeling  is  present,  together  with  the  mental  state  of  moroseness, 
wants  to  be  let  alone,  not  spoken  to  or  touched.  Arnica  should  be 
thought  of  in  this  condition. 

Inflammatory  conditions  of  the  abdomen,  liver,  intestines,  with 
the  prostration  and  tendency  to  uneasiness,  so  sore  he  cannot  be  touched 
as  in  typhoid,  peritonitis  or  appendicitis,  often  give  the  signal  for  amioa. 
Recurring  attacks  of  appendicitis  call  for  the  surgeon,  but  acute  attacks 
will  often  need  bryonia,  belladonna,  rhus,  or  arnica. 

In  the  proving  of  arnica  the  skin  shows  mottled  spots,  bluish  spots, 
which  become  dark  and  then  yellowish,  due  to  ecchymoses  trom  the  small 
capillaries.  This  is  what  takes  place  in  a  bruise;  together  with  this  is 
the  beaten,  sore,  bruised  feeling.  This  state  of  soreness  may  be  typhoid, 
an  intermittent,  remittent  fever  or  after  an  injury  when  the  body  is 
really  bruised.  The  same  continual  uneasiness  and  restless  motion,  com- 
fortable in  one  position  for  only  a  minute,  is  found  in  all  of  these  con- 
ditions. 

The  soreness  increases  the  longer  he  lies  and  then  becomes  so  great 
he  is  forced  to  move.  Aconite  is  fearful,  arsenicum  is  restless,  rhus 
toxicondenron  moves,  but  if  the  patient  complains  that  the  bed  feels 
hard,  that  is  an  indication  for  arnica. 

Arnica  is  a  wonderful  whooping  cough  remedy.  The  symptoms  are 
plain  and  yet  many  of  us  hesitate  to  give  it  because  our  keynote  symp- 
tom of  arnica  is  trauma  and  not  cough.  In  whooping  cough  there  is  ag- 
gravation from  touch;  sore,  bruised  feeling,  spasmodic  cough,  with  ex- 
pectoration of  bloody  or  dark  blood-streaked  mucus  or  pin-head  clots  all 
through  the  mucus;  vomiting  of  food  with  black  mucus.    Mental  con- 


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INTERNATIONAL    HOMCEOPATHIO    REVIEW  379 

dition  of  the  patient  is  cross  and  fretful.  Cries  before  coughing  par- 
oxysm as  though  afraid;  sore  stitching  pains  in  the  chest  aggravated  by 
the  exertion  of  coughing.  , 

Trauma  in  all  varieties  (mechanical  injuries,  bruises  or  contusions) 
and  effects,  both  recent  and  remote,  is  met  by  the  use  of  arnica  as  by  no 
other  drug.  For  spinal  concussion  hypericum  comes  with  its  assistance; 
ill  wounds  with  suppuration  calendula;  in  bone  injuries  Symphytum,  in 
sprains,  rhus.  All  of  these  remedies  have  their  peculiar  appropriate 
work  and  are  to  be  differentiated  from  arnica.  The  provings  bring  out 
the  appropriateness  of  the  remedy  in  the  symptoms  they  cause.  People 
who  are  especially  sensitive  to  mechanical  injuries  and  who  feel  the 
effects  of  them  a  long  time  after  the  accident,  people  easily  made  train- 
sick  or  seasick  are  the  ones  that  find  great  relief  in  arnica.  Arnica  will 
often  take  the  soreness  out  of  a  sprained  ankle,  in  a  remarkably  short 
time.  The  black  and  blue  will  leave  with  the  soreness  and  in  a  short 
time  manipulation  will  be  much  less  painful. 

Bhus  toxicodenron  follows  arnica  and  one  of  the  calcareas  will  often 
follow  rhus.  When  aching,  restlessness  and  great  weakness  characterize 
the  injured  part,  rhus  is  the  remedy.  When  the  joint  has  been  badly 
treated  and  remains  sore  and  painful  calcarea  follows  the  other  remedies. 
Sometimes  we  have  to  resort  to  causticum,  staphisagria  or  others. 

There  are  certain  conditions  of  joint  pain,  chronic  cases  of  gout, 
for  instance,  when  a  new  soreness  of  the  old  case  is  roused  and  is  very 
sensitive.  The  foot  is  extremely  sensitive  and  joints  swell  up  and  are 
tender;  above  all  else  the  patient  is  afraid  some  one  will  hit  the  foot. 

Another  distinctive  use  of  arnica  occurs  in  pregnant  women.  The 
extreme  sensitiveness,  soreness  or  tenderness  throughout  the  whole  body 
is  especially  felt  in  the  abdominal  viscera,  in  the  uterus  and  pelvic  reg- 
ions. Sensitive  to  the  motions  of  the  fetus,  which  may  be  very  pain- 
ful, keeping  the  patient  awake  at  night.  After  labor  we  are  familiar 
with  the  many  words  of  thankfulness  that  have  been  expressed  for  the 
drops  given.  Arnica  relieves  the  soreness,  often  stops  the  dribbling  of 
the  urine  and  controls  the  lochial  discharge. 

Vomiting,  coughing  and  purging  accompanied  by  streaks  of  blood  in 
the  ejecta,  extravasation  of  blood  in  the  conjunctiva  as  result  of  whoop- 
ing cough  or  purpura  hemorrhagica  will  find  relief  in  arnica. 

One  of  the  characteristics  often  overlooked  is  the  offensiveness  of 
eructations  and  flatus.  The  gaseous  troubles  in  which  arnica  is  indicat- 
ed are  of  nervous  origin. 

One  of  the  general  features  of  arnica  is  that  the  body  is  cold  and 
the  head  hot.  Another  symptom  is  the  coldness  of  the  nose.  This  con- 
dition is  sudden  congestive  attacks  as  in  congestive  chill  or  congestive 
intermittent  fevers — often  indicative  of  the  beg^inning  of  a  severe  at- 
tack— may  be  stopped  or  at  least  modified  by  a  few  doses  of  arnica. 

Children  beginning  a  severe  attack  of  infantile  fever,  threatening 
convulsions,  the  head  hot,  body  cold,  suggest  belladonna.  If  there  is 
aversion  to  being  touched,  if  the  child  screams  every  time  the  mother 
takes  hold  of  arm  or  leg,  if  there  are  blue  spots  on  the  child's  body,  arnica 
is  to  be  thought  of  in  preference  to  the  belladonna. 

The  most  pronounced  effects  of  arnica  are  on  the  blood,  producing 
or  causing  general  anemia  in  persons  who  suffer  sharp  neuralgias,  a 
marked  tendency  to  hemorrhages,  depression  of  temperature,  and  mal- 
nutrition with  upset  digestive  organs,  often  involuntary  diarrhea;  rheu- 
matic affections  with  the  sore  sharp  pains ;  cutaneous  troubles  with  mark- 
ed weakness  of  the  circulatory  system. 


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380  NORTH   AMERICAN   JOURNAL   OF    HOMCBOPATHT 

SoreneBS  of  the  flesh  and  skin  is  a  characteristic  complaint  when 
arnica  is  the  remedy.  The  dark  hlood  from  the  nose  whether  from  me- 
chanical origin  or  depleted  hlood  vessels  is  often  an  arnica  trouble. 

Suddenness  is  a  feature  of  the  arnica  pain  and  also  of  its  action. 

The  arnica  patient  bleeds  easily,  his  blood  vessels  seem  to  be  re- 
lazed  and  extravasation  is  easy*  Blue  spots  come  upon  the  skin  and  in- 
ternally the  mucous  membranes  bleed.  The  parts  that  are  inflamed  bleed 
easily.  If  he  coughs  he  raises  blood  from  the  throat  or  lungs;  bloody 
mucus  is  blown  from  the  nose ;  conjunctive  are  blood  streaked ;  urine  con- 
tains blood  and  there  is  bleeding  from  various  orifices.  There  seems  to 
be  a  lack  of  tone  in  the  vessek.  The  characteristic  spots  of  purpura 
hemorrhagica  say  arnica.  With  the  other  symptoms  we  often  find  the 
offensive  diarrhea  with  foul  gas,  the  tired  body  and  mind,  often  blood- 
shot eyes  and  mental  condition  that  the  patient  does  not  want  to  see  a 
physician. 

The  action  of  arnica  upon  the  tired,  weakened  hearts  of  athletes, 
glass  blowers  and  those  subjected  to  severe  strains  is  better  than  stroph- 
anthus  or  digitalis.  It  strengthens  and  does  not  stimulate.  Arnica  is  a 
wonderful  remedy  in  so  many  forms  of  diseases  and  often  a  misused  one 
because  with  many  of  us  it  is  limited  almost  exclusively  to  bruises. 

We  have  in  arnica  one  of  the  best  remedies  in  our  materia  medica 
and  the  indications  for  its  use  are  not  only  plain  and  well  defined,  but 
results  can  be  looked  for  and  exx)ected. 

The  charm  of  therapeutics  lies  in  the  giving  of  remedies  that  pro- 
duce immediate  and  tangible  results.  Accuracy  in  prescribing  is  the 
keynote  to  success  in  medicine. 


LOCAL  SYMPTOMS 

PROCEEDINGS   INTERNATIONAL    HAHNEMANNUN   AS80CUTI0N.    1914 

Finding  the  remedy  is  dfficuit  when  there  is  but  one  expression  of 
the  disease,  and  that  a  local  symptom.  Fewness  of  symptoms  often 
makes  treatment  uncertain  and  difficult,  but  Hahnemann  states  that  only 
chronic  diseases  offer  this  feature  or  difficulty.  (Sec.  172-3.)  Changes 
and  sufferings  appearing  on  external  parts  of  the  body  have  been  often 
attributed  to  local  causes  only,  the  general  system  supposedly  not  par- 
ticipating in  the  trouble.    ... 

This  is  only  because  we  lack  the  acumen  to  ferret  out  the  conditions 
back  of  the  local  symptoms.  The  history  of  previous  diseases  often  be- 
comes necessary;  even  the  history  of  the  parents  of  the  patient  may 
throw  light  on  the  trouble. 

What  are  we  to  think  when  a  patient  with  fistula  tells  that  two  of 
his  brothers  had  the  same  trouble  at  some  time  during  their  lives! 

Another  patient  has  warts,  as  had  his  mother  and  his  grandfather. 
When  he  has  had  them  cut  off  or  burned  off,  each  time  he  has  chronic 
headache  which  disappeared  only  when  a  fresh  crop  of  warts  appeared. 

How  would  Dr.  Bernstein  explain  the  condition  of  an  infant,  in 
whom,  when  application  of  resinol  ointment  has  cleared  the  face  of 
eczema,  a  bronchitis  immediatetly  appears,  being  relieved  only  when  the 
eczema  returns;  this  see-sawing  back  and  forth  for  a  year  until  the 
master  W.  P.  Wesselhoeft  applied  a  remedy  which  cured  both  the  eczema 
and  bronchitis?    .    .    . 

Fistula  is  so  many  times  treated  as  a  local  surgical  disorder  that  we 
have  difficulty  to  convince  patients  that  it  is  merely  an  expression  of 


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INTERNATIONAL    HOMCEOPATHIC   REVIEW  381 

iuterual  trouble,  yet  how  else  shall  we  account  for  the  affections  of  the 
lung  which  sometimes  follow  surgical  operation  for  this  manifestation? 
The  metastasis  occurs  only  too  often.    .     .     . 

Recently  I  had  the  fortune  to  cure  a  fistula  of  thirteen  years'  dur- 
ation in  an  apparently  healthy  man.  The  curative  remedy  prov^  to  be 
causticum  which  covered  a  lung-condition  present  just  previous  to  the 
breaking-down  of  the  fistula.  1  had  questioned  the  patient  persistently 
for  symptoms  but  heard  nothing  of  his  pneumonia  until  I  saw  the  moth- 
er, and  asked  how  long  the  fistula  had  been  present.  She  replied  that  it 
came  shortly  after  he  had  pneumonia.  She  remembered  well  that  every 
time  he  coughed  he  said  that  his  chest  felt  as  if  it  would  be  torn  to  pieces, 
and  he  also  had  a  sensation  of  rawness  right  down  the  breast-bone.  .  .  . 

Many  times  we  find  a  single  symptom  which  is  peculiar  to  no  proven 
drug,  and  we  are  left  at  sea  as  to  how  to  commence  treatment.  I  have 
found  that  if  a  local  symptom  cuntinues  for  some  time  after  an  acute 
disease,  provided  no  drug  fits  it  accurately,  carbo  veg.  high  will  often 
develop  the  original  expression,  and  thus  help  to  proi)er  selection  of  the 
remedy. 

Psoriiium  has  many  times  helped  to  clear  away  the  fog,  in  the  ab- 
sence of  clearer  indications. 

Sulph.,  calc-c,  lye,  in  this  order,  may  develop  the  symptoms  neces- 
sary to  a  correct  prescription,  ample  time  being  allowed  for  each  drug  to 
exhaust  its  action. 

Peeonia  has  once  or  twice  helped  me  to  cure  fistula. 

—Dudley  A.  Williams,  M.D. 

A  child,  from  a  family  of  tubercular  history,  had  suppurative  otitis. 
The  child  had  the  symptomatology  of  silica.  Under  its  influence  the 
ears  improved  and  the  child's  entire  physical  habit  changed  for  the  bet- 
ter. Her  weight  became  normal,  nutrition  normal,  ears  and  hearing 
normal.  Otorrhoea  was  the  last  symptom  to  disappear.  Curiously,  at 
the  exact  time  of  its  cessation,  a  wart  appeared  on  the  back  of  the  left 
hand.  It  has  slowly,  steadily  grrown,  and  is  painful  to  pressure.  It  has 
a  distinct  areola  of  inflammation.  Otherwise,  the  child  has  no  symp- 
toms. To  let  the  wart  alone  to  develop  as  it  will  appears  best,  at  present. 
Its  development  may  be  in  the  direction  of  cure.  No  symptoms  charac- 
teristic of  the  patient  appear;  the  wart  gives  none  unless  pressure  is 
exerted  upon  it. 

— John  Hutchinson,  M.D. 

I  recall  a  patient  with  a  cough  which  resisted  every  effort  at  pre- 
scribing.    The  characteristics  were: 

<in  winter; 

>  indoors ; 

Spasmodic,  and  usually  absolutely  dry. 

Examination  revealed  a  large  excess  of  uric  acid  in  the  urine  in 
solution,  not  deposited. 

From  a  small  group  of  remedies  most  closely  related  to  the  condi- 
tion of  the  cough  and  the  uric  acid,  also,  I  selected  rhus  tox. 

Often,  thus,  in  some  runabout  method  we  will  come  to  the  hint  that 
will  help  out. 

— G.  B.  Stearns,  M.D. 

Recently,  a  child  of  two  years  had  severe  eczema  involving  the  face 
and  the  body.  The  parents  worried  much  about  the  spoiled  appearance 
of  the  child,  to  which  I  could  not  reconcile  them  by  telling  that  it  was 
much  better  to  have  such  disease  out  than  to  have  it  in.  • 

Local  treatment  was  tried.  From  perfect  vitality  the  child  began 
to  droop.    The  condition  suggested  arrested  development    They  return- 


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382  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL    OP    HOMCEOPATHY 

ed  to  me  and  I  prescribed  barium  carb.    It  began  to  work  immediately, 
and  very  soon  accomplished  a  cure. 

—Richard  S.  True,  M.  D. 

Who  would  attempt  to  remove  the  tonsils  or  to  dry  an  eczema  at 
the  price  of  life?  A  child  with  inherited  evil  tendencies  suffered  with 
eczema.  His  father,  an  up-to-date  man,  had  him  treated  with  the  Finsen 
Bays  with  result  that  the  eczema  promptly  disappeared;  but  the  child 
also  began  to  disappear,  to  waste  away.  The  only  way  to  save  that  child 
is  by  bringing  back  the  eczema.  Slight  satisfaction  lies  in  making  a 
rapid  "cure"  of  a  disease  if  the  patient  dies  immediately  after  the 
"cure."  Rather,  we  would  keep  some  external  manifestations  rather 
than  cure  them  and  have  the  patient  disappear  as  consequence  of  the 
treatment. 

— H.  L.  Houghton,  M.D. 

Some  years  ago,  an  allopath  related  of  his  sister  that  she  had  a 
large  mole  on  her  abdomen.  He  said  that,  realizing  that  moles  some- 
times take  on  malignant  form,  he  had  it  cut  out,  and  she  died,  in  eigh- 
teen months,  of  cancer  of  the  uterus.  He  did  not  comprehend  any  con- 
nection between  the  two  incidents. 

Singular  blindness  keeps  men  going  on  in  that  way,  year  after  year, 
suppressing  a  disease  and  never  recognizing  the  consequence. 

I  once  saw,  in  a  merely  friendly  way,  a  woman  who  had  a  small 
fistula  on  the  right  side  of  the  rectum.  Four  months  later,  she  told  me 
she  had  undergone  an  operation,  the  fistula  was  cured,  but  she  had  a  bad 
condition  of  the  lung.  She  did  not  realize  that  the  successlul  oi)eration 
was  the  very  thing  that  was  carrying  her  down  to  her  grave.  In  about 
six  months  she  was  buried. 

^ohn  B.  Campbell,  M.D. 

A  miller  with  an  offensive  footsweat  treated  it  by  use  of  some  sup- 
pressive powder.  Soon  after,  while  out,  he  became  unconscious,  lay  on  the 
ground  all  night,  remaining  unconscious  when  he  was  found  and  taken 
to  the  hospit^. 

Becoming  conscious,  after  awhile,  he  was  unable  to  express  himself 
correctly,  using  wrong  words.  Learning  of  the  foot-sweat,  in  obtaining 
the  history  of  the  case,  I  found,  in  the  materia  medica,  that  silicea  cov- 
ered the  mental  symptoms  and  the  foot-sweat,  being  especially  indicated 
in  the  effects  of  suppression. 

Under  silicea,  he  improved,  and  in  a  few  month3  was  as  well  as  be- 
fore, with  the  foot-sweat  returned.  By  continuing  the  remedy  the  foot- 
sweat  gradually  disappeared. 

My  daughter,  in  infancy,  had  crustea  lactea.  Her  mother  rubbed 
vaseline  on  it.  The  next  morning,  her  eyes  were  crossed;  she  never  had 
the  slightest  symptom  there,  before.  The  vaseline  being  removed,  the 
eyes  gradually  straightened  again. 

— Volney  A.  Hoard,  M.D. 

A  child,  eight  months  old,  was  brought  to  me  because  it  appeared  to 
have  ceased  growing.  It  whined,  and  stared,  and  did  none  of  the  things 
which  an  eight-months'  old  child  should  do. 

I  gave  her  selenium,  and  in  a  short  time  an  eczema  developed, 
spreading  well  over  the  body. 

As  the  eruption  grew  worse,  the  child  became  intellectually  better. 
We  finally  prescribed  mezereum,  which  completely  cured  the  entire  case. 

I  had  another  child  with  an  eruption ;  I  prescribed  calc-c. ;  the  moth- 
er and  father  acknowledged  the  (^ild  was  better,  but  the  eruption 
continued,  and  the  father  wanted  some  external  application. 


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INTERNATIONAL    HOM(EOPATHIC    REVIEW  383 

They  took  the  patient  to  a  Boston  hospital,  applying  some  power- 
ful revulsive.  In  about  three  weeks  the  undertaker  signed  a  return 
certificate  for  the  baby  to  be  taken  home. 

T.  W.  Krichbaum,  M.D. 


OBSERVATIONS  ON  MEDICAGO  SATIVA 
(HomoBo.  Recorder) 

Here  are  a  few  observations  on  medicago  sativa  (alfalfa)  tincture. 

Mrs.  B.,  nursing  child  five  months;  on  .the  point  of  weaning  for 
lack  of  milk,  and  what  she  had  was  poor  in  quality.  Medicago  sativa 
tincture,  gtt.  v.  t.  i.  d.,  increased  the  flow  more  than  double.  Quality 
very,  very  much  richer. 

Baby  W.,  seven  months'  bottle  baby;  cow's  (diluted)  with 
milk  sugar  constantly  rejected  by  stomach ;  obstinate  constipation ;  hard, 
dry,  putty-like  stools.  Medicago  tincture,  gtts.  v,  added  to  each  nursing 
was  immediately  followed  by  perfect  digestion,  assimilation  and  cure  of 
constipation.  The  child  gained  rapidly  in  weight  and  became  in  two 
weeks  a  model  younster  from  a  puny,  crying,  snappish  kid. 

M.  L.,  melancholy,  blue  and  quarrelsome.  Medicago  tincture,  gtts. 
X,  t.  i.  d.,  not  only  relieved  the  mental  state  but  automatically  restored 
normal  sexual  ability,  which  had  been  all  but  extinguished  for  two  and 
one-half  years. 

I  have  found  it  an  excellent  **pick-up"  for  that  awful  mental  agony 
and  fear  seen  in  cases  of  morphine  addiction  when  you  are  gradually 
withdrawing  the  drug.  In  this  resi)ect  the  dose  is  by  no  means  fixed, 
at  least  by  me,  but  its  use  is  never  worth  experimenting  with  in  this  very 
troublesome  condition. 


RADIUM 

BY    W.   A.    YINGLING,    M.D. 

(HomoBO.  Recorder.) 

I  have  collected  from  various  sources  the  action  and  symptom- 
atology of  radium,  which  will  enable  its  use  homoeopathically.  This  will 
be  especially  useful  and  interesting,  since  the  radiographs  from  the  60x 
have  proved  the  potencies  above  the  12x  to  be  really  active  even  to  those 
who  ''must  be  shown,"  by  material  facts. 

mind:    Torpid,  apathetic. 

head:  a  tight  feeling,  worse  from  motion.  Headache  in  occiput 
in  the  morning. 

EYES '  Smart,  are  red.  Secretion  on  lashes  of  right  eye  on  waking. 
Right  eye  sore  with  occasional  sticking  pains  and  increased  secretion; 
worse  rectding,  artificial  light,  better  closing  the  eyes;  sclerotica  injected 
from  comer  to  sides;  occasional  itching  of  fids,  worse  upper;  look  watery. 
Awoke  with  right  eye  very  painful,  with  feeling  of  a  foreign  body,  better 
in  the  open  air;  sense  of  loose  eyelashes  in  the  left  eye.  Slight  soreness 
of  ball  of  left  eye. 

ears:  Ache  in  right  ear.  Stitching  and  throbbing.  Feels  bruised 
inside. 

nose:  Much  mucus.  Pricking  and  peppery  sense  in  left  nostril 
in  evening.  Small  n»vus-like  spot  on  end.  Erythema  of  nose.  Oreen 
discharge.    Bleeding.    Burning  in  nose. 


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384  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL    OF    HOMCEOPATHY 

face:  Skin  very  irritable;  thickened  and  broken  in  places  by 
scratching,  exuding  clear  moisture,  worse  from  washing;  worse  by 
shaving;  worse  night  in  bed;  better  bathing  in  hot  water;  intense  itch- 
ing, better  scratching,  but  followed  with  burning,  stinging  and  oozing. 
Small  naevus  on  chin.  Skin  very  dry.  Erythema  of  forehead.  Serpig- 
enous  ulcer  on  chin.    Acne  rosacea.    Erythema. 

MOUTH :  Tongue  very  sore  right  side.  Dry  in  the  morning.  Tongue 
white.     Canker  sores. 

THROAT :     Sore,  ear  aching. 

appetite:  None  for  lunch.  Aversion  to  meat.  Cannot  eat  bacon. 
Unable  to  smoke. 

stomach:  Xausea.  Indigestion  and  stuffed  feeling  alternating 
with  headache.     Gas.     Cancer  of  pyloris.     Gastritis. 

ABDOMEN :  Inflammation  of  navel.  Stuffed  out  feeling,  alternating 
with  earache  or  pain  in  the  chest.  Serpiginous  ulcer  on  the  groin. 
Hemorrhage  from  cancer  of  bowels.     Pains.    Appendicitis. 

STOOL — anus:  Loose  bits,  parts  almost  water,  darker  in  color; 
sometimes  tags  of  mucus.  Constipation.  Piles.  Intense  eczema 
around  anus,  extending  from  vulva,  with  great  irritation. 

URINARY  organ:     Enurcsis.    Nephritis.    Diabetes  mellitus. 

MALE  sexual  ORGANS:  Psoriasis  of  penis  with  circular  edge<. 
Eczema  red  and  moist  of  penis,  scrotum,  groins  and  anus.  Eczema  of 
skin  under  surface  of  prepuce  with  irritation.     Complete  impotency. 

FEMALE  SEXUAL  ORGANS:  Mcuscs  delayed;  delayed  a  week;  painful. 
Pruritus  vulva,  intense  itching.     Eczema  patches  on  vulva. 

LARYNX :    Husky  voice.     Laryngitis. 

RESPIRATION :     Feels  as  if  he  could  not  get  air  enough.     Asthma. 

chest:  Feels  tight  as  if  he  could  not  get  air  enough.  Eruption. 
Pain  alternates  with  indigestion  and  stuffed  feeling. 

BACK :  Pain  under  left  scapula,  worse  moving,  worse  putting 
shoulder  back ;  better  after  rising.     Spinal  affections. 

UPPER  limbs  :  Hands  cold.  Serpiginous  ulcer  on  hand.  Epithelio- 
ma. Neuritis  with  burning  in  left  forearm  worse  touch,  better  hot 
bathing,  better  continued  motion. 

LOWER  limbs:  Callosity  or  corn  inner  border  of  foot.  Corn  on 
right  foot. 

sleep:     Produced  in  cancer. 

fever:     Shivering,  bilious  feeling. 

generalities:  Tired,  languid  feeling.  Looks  ill.  Feels  seedy  as 
if  going  to  be  ill,  as  he  could  hardly  crawl  around.  Malaise.  Develop- 
ment retarded.  Tubercular  bone  affections.  Burns  (from  dry  heat). 
Paralysis  following  spinal  meningitis.     Neurasthenia.     Neuroses. 

skin:  Red  patches  increasing  in  size,  end  in  ulcers,  which  spread 
in  serpiginous  form ;  no  pain,  swelling  or  heat ;  ulcers  cold,  necrotic  and 
torpid.  Prurigo,  intense  itching,  worse  at  night.  Rodent  ulcers.  Hard- 
ened, thick  cicatrices.     Lupus.    Epithelioma,  Nsevi.     Eczema.     Warts. 

aggravations:  Shaving,  washing,  warmth  of  bed,  motion;  eyes 
worse  reading  by  artificial  light.     Bacon.     Smoking. 

amelioration:  Bathing  in  very  hot  water.  Scratching.  Closing 
eyes  (eyes).     Open  air  (eyes).    After  rising  (shoulders). 

clinical:  Acne.  Cancer.  Eczema.  Constipation.  Corns. 
Epistaxis.  Erythema.  Nsevi.  Catarrh  of  Nose.  Prurigo.  Psoriasis 
ulcers.     . 

antidote  :    Rhus  ven. 

FOLLOWED  well  by  rhus  ven.,  sop.,  calc.  c.  Not  to  be  given  too  low 
nor  too  frequently. 


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The 

North  American 

Journal  of    ^    ^ 

Homoeopathy 


July.  1917 

65th  Year 

No.  7 


FOLLY  OF  "FIRiST  BORN 

»f 

THEORY         .       . 

.        Redfield 

COMPULSORY  HEALTH 

INSURANCE 

Hoffman 

INFINITESIMALS          . 

Guild-Leggett 

PoblUhcd  monthly  at 

Tuckaboe,  N.  Y. 

EdiiorU)  Offict: 

216  West  56th  Street 
♦  New  York 


Three  Dollars 
a  year;  { 

Enterttd  t  tk*  Po*t  ' 

Office  MTuckaboe,  \ 

N<  Y.  at  tecond  t 
cl«Min«tter. 


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J. 


■1 


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d 


North  American  Joonial  of  Homoeopathy  - 
CONTENTS  FOR  JULY,   1917 
EDITORIAL 

Hay  Fever ^ 385 

Compulsory  Health  Insurance ; 387 

Malaria 390 

The  Follow  Up  System  — , 392 

Continued  on  page  ii         . 


T 


e=. 


IN  PLAOB  OF  OTHEK  ALKALIES  USE 

Phillips'  Milk  of  Magnesia 

"THE    PERFECT    ANTACID" 

Pot  CofMctinf  Htpctacfd  Coaditioof— Local  or  SyttesalCy  Vebick 
f or  SaUcyUtct»  Io£dei»  Balsamir  Etc.    , 

Of  AdranUee  in  Neotralbinjr  tfae  Acid  of  CoW  NUik 
FOR  INFAFIT  and  INVAUO  FEEDING. 


Phillips*  Phospho-Muriate  of  Quinine 

Oomp. 
Non-Alcoholio  Tonic  and  Beconatmctive 

With  Marked  Beneficial  Actioo  Upon  the  Nerroos  System.  .  To  W 
Relied  Upon  Where  a  Defidency  of  ^  Phosphates  is  Evident. 


NBWYORK      THE  CHAS.H.  PHILLIPS  CHEMICAL  aXMPANT         london 


9- 


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North    American 

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EDITORIAL 


HAY  FEVER 

HAY  fever  with  its  train  of  synonyms, — ^vaso-motor  rhinitis,  vaso- 
motor coryza,  summer  catarrh,  autumnal  catarrh,  rose  cold, 
pollen-poisoning,  pollenosis,  etc.,  is  a  problem  which  bids  fair,  we  learn 
from  recent  investigation,  to  be  successfully  solved  so  far  as  its  etiology 
and  therapy  are  concerned. 

The  optimists  cite  as  evidence  of  progress, — Further  study  of  the 
so-called  hay  fever  plants^  a  more  intensive  study  of  pollen,  its  dissem- 
ination, its  reaction  when  placed  upon  the  conjunctiva  or  nasal  mucosa, 
and  the  preparation  and  reaction  of  pollen  extract  and  pollen  vaccine; 
investigations  along  the  line  cf  prophylactic  measures  for  decreasing  the 
supply  of  irritating  pollen;  the  report  of  the  results  of  pollen  therapy; 
report  of  the  results  of  other  new  forms  of  treatment. 

HAY  FEVEB  PLANTS:  Scheppegrell  in  the  Public  Health  Reports, 
July  21,  1916,  XXXI,  No.  29,  states  the  following  as  characteristics  of 
the  hay  fever  plants, — **Wind  pollenated;  very  numerous;  flowers  incon- 
spicuous being  without  bright  colors  or  scent;  pollen  is  formed  in  large 
quantities."  Plants  having  the  preceding  characteristics  are  regarded 
with  suspicion  but  in  order  to- classify  a  plant  as  a  hay  fever  producer, 
two  further  requirements  are  essential,  viz: — The  pollen  of  the  plant 
must  cause  distinct  reaction  when  placed  on  the  conjunctiva  or  on  the 
nasal  mucosa.  2.  It  must  be  proved  that  the  pollen  is  wind  borne. 
Since  the  rose  and  golden  rod  are  not  wind-poUenated  plants  they  are 
classified  as  comparatively  harmless. 

pollen:  The  research  department  of  the  American  Hay  Fever 
Prevention  Association  has  decided  that  there  is  a  close  relation  between 
the  physical  formation  of  pollen  and  the  reaction  caused  by  it;  that  the 


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886  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL    OF    HOMOEOPATHY   . 

reaction  of  the  patient  to  the  pollen  depends  not  so  much  upon  the  de- 
gree of  the  susceptibility  of  the  patient  to  the  pollen  but  upon  the  form 
of  the  pollen.  Pollen  is  spiculated  or  non-spiculated.  Spiculated  pol- 
len grains  are  almost  always  spherical  the  spicules  being  distributed 
over  the  outer  coat  of  the  spherical  grains ;  the  spicules  are  of  varying  de- 
grees of  length  in  different  plants.  To  the  spiculated  pollen  bearers 
belong  the  rag-weed,  cocklekur,  etc.  Plants  bearing  non-spiculated  pol- 
len grains  are  the  grasses  including  com. 

It  has  been  shown  by  test  that  a  person  sensitized  to  the  spiculated 
pollen  grains  invariably  reacts  severely  to  inhalation  of  non-spiculated 
pollen  grains.  From  this,  we  must  conclude  that  all  wind-pollenated 
plants  are  a  cause  of  hay  fever  in  a  sensitive  subject. 

The  reaction  of  a  sensitive  subject  to  wind  borne  pollen  is  prompt, 
occurring  within  two  minutes  and  in  the  case  of  spiculated  pollen,  the 
intensity  of  the  reaction  is  found  to  be  in  proportion  to  the  length  of 
the  spicules.  In  the  case  of  nonspiculated  pollen,  the  reaction  is  less 
marked,  delayed,  but  may  be  prolonged.  It  is  believed  that  reaction 
to  nonspiculated  pollen  is  due  to  absorption  of  the  protein  contents  of  the 
pollen  and  that  the  severity  of  the  reaction  is  in  direct  proportion  to  the 
amount  of  protein  contained  in  the  pollen.  A  fact  valuable  as  a  founda- 
tion stone  for  future  research  is  that  a  subject  sensitized  to  any  one  of 
the  pollens  with  a  high  protein  content  reacts  to  all  pollens  having  high 
protein  content. 

The  difficulty  anticipated  in  securing  pollen  for  therapeutic  pur- 
poses has  been  in  part  overcome  by  following  the  very  simple  method  of 
K.  P.  Wodehouse  for  obtaining  rag-weed-pollen  in  large  quantities, — 
*The  flower  heads  of  young  plants  just  coming  into  bloom,  are  stripped, 
dried,  and  crushed  in  a  mortar  with  several  volumes  of  carbon  tetra- 
chloride. After  thorough  maceration,  the  liquid  is  strained  through 
muslin.  Most  of  the  pollen  passes  through  the  muslin  and  can  be  col- 
lected on  filter  paper  and  washed  with  fresh  carbon  tetrachloride. 

The  device  of  A.  Parker  Hitchins  for  the  determination  of  the 
specific  pollen  with  which  the  patient  has  come  in  contact  is  very  in- 
genious. A  brooch  frame  containing  a  glycerin  coated  cover  slip  is  worn 
upon  the  clothing  of  the  patient.  At  the  expiration  of  a  certain  num- 
ber of  hours,  the  coverslip  is  detached,  mounted  and  subjected  to  micro- 
scopical examination. 

PROPHYLAXIS :  Since  one  to  two  per  cent,  of  the  total  population  of 
the  United  States  suffer  from  hay  fever,  prophylactic  measures  are  in 
order  and  progress  has  been  made.     Some  states  have  passed  anti-weed 


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EDITORUL  DEPARTMENT  387 

legislation.  The  method  and  the  value  of  the  destruction  of  weeds  in 
the  neighborhood  of  a  city  has  been  demonstrated  by  the  work  already 
accomplished  by  New  Orleans, — "The  patient  is  made  to  carry  a  glycerin 
covered  plate  to  which  the  pollen  in  the  air  adheres.  This  plate  is  ex- 
amined to  determine  the  infecting  pollen.  An  inspector  is  sent  out  for 
a  given  distance  in  each,  direction  to  locate  the  parent  plants,  and  these, 
when  found,  are  reported  to  the  health  officer  who  orders  their  extermin- 
ation." 

The  American  Hay  Fever  Prevention  Association  has  given  direct 
aid  to  prophylactic  propaganda  by  having  sent  to  the  United  States 
Public  Health  Department  a  sheet  of  general  instructions  for  hay 
fever  sufferers  for  general  free  distribution  to  anyone  interested. 

treatment:  Constitutional  and  diathetic  remedies  to  re-inforce 
the  nervous  system  have  been  advocated  by  those  who  believe  in  a 
neurotic  origin;  change  of  climate  or  pollen  vaccines  or  pollen  extracts 
by  those  who  believe  in  the  pollen  origin;  the  correction  of  all  deformi- 
ties, obstructions,  and  diseases  of  the  nasal  respiratory  tract  by  mechan- 
icians; doubtless  Goodale's  work  on  the  "diagrnosis  and  management  of 
vaso-motor  disturbances  of  the  upper  air  passages"  will  eventually  fur- 
nish a  valuable  contribution  to  bacterin-therapy. 


COMPULSORY  HEALTH  INSURANCE 

«/^  OMPULSORY  Health  Insurance  will  benefit  the  poor  and 
\^  the  thriftless.  The  profession  is  not  awake  to  the  fact 
that  the  possible  provisions  of  these  proposed  bills  may  as- 
sume tremendous  importance  to  the  general  practitioner  and  to  hos- 
pital and  dispensary  work.  Every  member  of  the  profession  should 
immediately  familiarize  himself  with  the  construction  of  the  so- 
enlled  "Model  Bill"  now  before  many  of  our  State  Legislatures. 
Our  State  Societies  should  be  actively  at  work  supervising  and 
shaping  these  bills  so  as  to  protect  the  public,  the  physicians,  and 
the  separate  schools  of  medicine.  The  American  Institute  of 
Homopopathy  should  be  prepared  and  ready  to  share  the  full  re- 
sponsibility in  framing  these  bills  and  throw  behind  the  efforts  of 
our  State  Societies  the  entire  influence  and  resources  of  the  Insti- 
tute, and  prevent  the  obligations  imposed  upon  our  hardworking, 
underpaid  physicians  becoming  an  intolerable  burden.  The  Amer- 
ican Institute  should  see  that  the  bills  offer  no  opportunity  to 
create  a  medical  monopoly." 

It  will  be  noted  that  the  foregoing  quotation  from  the  ^^Business 


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388  NORTH   AMERICAN    JOURNAL    OF   HOMCEOPATHY 

Address"  of  the  President  of  the  American  Institute  of  Homoeopathy 
entirely  ignores  the  fact  that  at  the  Baltimore  meeting  of  the  Institute 
a  Committee  on  Compulsory  Health  Insurance  was  appointed,  consist- 
ing of  Dr.  Hills  Cole,  of  New  York,  as  chairman,  Dr.  E.  B.  Hooker,  of 
Hartford,  and  Dr.  Frank  Wieland,  of  Chicago. 

While  in  the  interim  between  Institute  meetings  this  committee 
has  not  been  able  to  meet,  there  has  been  correspondence  between  its 
members,  and,  through  this  committee,  the  American  Institute  of 
Homoeopathy  has  been  *^repared  and  ready  to  share  the  full  responsi- 
bility in  framing''  compulsory  health  insurance  legislation.  Close 
touch  has  been  maintained  with  the  executive  force  of  the  American 
Association  for  Labor  Legislation  which  is  responsible  for  the  initia- 
tion of  this  legislation,  and  it  is  probably  not  an  unwarranted  claim 
that  the  provision  in  the  revised  Standard  Bill  calling  for  representation 
of  State  Homoeopathic  societies  is  due  to  this  committee.  And  be  it 
noted,  in  passing,  that  this  is  the  first  piece  of  legislation  specifically 
recognizing  homoeopathy  that  has  been  submitted  to  some  State  leg- 
islatures for  a  number  of  years. 

The  American  Institute  of  Homoeopathy  was  represented  at  the 
Conference  on  Social  Insurance  held  in  Washington  last  December 
under  the  auspices  of  the  Federal  Government,  and  upon  the  floor  it 
was  insisted  that  no  legislation  could  have  the  support  of  the  homoeopath- 
ic physicians  of  this  country  unless  the  insured  were  permitted  to  choose 
the  services  of  homoeopathic  physicians  and  unless  the  homoeopathic  pro- 
fession had  adequate  representation  upon  any  medical  boards  for  which 
provision  was  made. 

Through  the  influence  of  a  member  of  the  committee,  an  invitation 
was  extended  to  Dr.  Koyal  S.  Copeland  to  participate  in  a  Dinner  Con- 
ference on  Compulsory  Health  Insurance  arranged  by  the  Civic  Club 
of  New  York.  Dr.  Copeland  represented  those  physicians  who  are  op- 
posed to  legislation  of  this  character. 

The  Institute  was  represented  when  the  subject  of  Compulsory 
Health  Insurance  was  discussed  in  a  symposium  by  the  American  Medi- 
cal Editors'  Association  on  June  5th  last  and  also  at  a  similar  sympos- 
ium the  following  day  under  the  auspices  of  the  Section  of  Preventive 
Medicine  and  Public  Health  of  the  American  Medical  Association. 

Dr.  Van  Baun  says  "Compulsory  Health  Insurance  will  benefit  the 
poor  and  the  thriftless."  This  idea  was  expressed  in  the  resolutions 
adopted  by  the  Institute  a  year  ago;  as  the  result  of  a  year's  considera- 
tion of  the  question  the  committee  is  not  prepared  to  unqualifiedly  ex- 


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EDITORIAL  DEPARTMENT  389 

press  its  approval  of  such  legislation.  It  has  never  endorsed  the  Stand- 
ard Bill  put  forward  hy  the  American  Association  for  Labor  Legislation, 
not  feeling  satisfied  that  the  details  of  medical  service  promised  satis- 
factory care  of  the  sick-insured  or  provided  adequate  compensation  for 
the  physicians  engaged  in  the  work. 

This  Standard  Bill  was  introduced  in  about  sixteen  State  legis- 
latures, in  every  instance  at  the  request  of  the  American  Association  for 
Labor  Legislation  and  against  the  opposition  of  organized  labor  whose 
membership  would  be  the  alleged  beneficiaries.  In  California  and 
Massachusetts  the  advisability  of  such  legislation  was  a  subject  of  in- 
quiry by  commissions,  and  in  neither  instance  was  the  passage  of  the 
Standard  Bill  recommended.  In  the  New  York  legislature  the  oppos- 
ition of  the  medical  profession,  of  employers  of  labor,  and  of  organized 
labor  defeated  both  the  bill  and  the  endeavor  to  obtain  a  commission 
of  inquiry. 

The  President  of  the  Institute  suggests  that  "every  member  of  the 
profession  should  immediately  familiarize  himself  with  the  construction 
of  the  so-called  ^odel  BilL'"  The  committee  recommends  that  not 
only  should  every  member  read  the  bill  and  the  '^rief  issued  by  the 
American  Association  for  Labor  Legislation,  but  should  also  read  the 
arguments  of  the  other  side  as  set  forth,  for  instance,  in  Mr.  Frederick 
L.  Hoffman's  pamphlet:  ^Tacts  and  Fallacies  of  Compulsory  Health 
Insurance."  For  the  benefit  of  those  physicians  who  may  feel  this  100- 
I>age  pamphlet  too  lengthy  for  them  to  go  into,  the  summary  and  con- 
clusions found  in  the  closing  chapter  will  be  found  reprinted  in  the  July 
issue  of  the  North  American  Journal  of  Homoeopathy. 

The  situation  seems  to  be  that  Compulsory  Health  Insurance,  as 
far  as  this  country  is  concerned,  originated  not  from  those  who  would 
be  the  alleged  beneficiaries  of  the  legislation,  but  from  the  American 
Association  for  Labor  Legislation  as  a  piece  of  ^'social  uplift"  work. 
With  this  organization  behind  it,  it  will  continue  to  be  pushed  until  it 
is  adopted  or  imtil  the  Association  concludes  that  it  had  better  be  drop- 
ped in  favor  of  some  other  ^'social  legislation."  For  this  reason,  the 
President  of  the  Institute  is  right  in  saying  that  "our  State  Societies 
should  be  actively  at  work  supervising  and  shaping  these  bills  so  as 
protect  the  public,  the  physicians,  and  the  separate  schools  of  medicine. 
The  American  Institute  of  Homoeopathy  should  be  prepared  and  ready 
to  share  the  full  responsibility  in  framing  these  bills  and  throw  behind 
the  efforts  of  our  State  Societies  the  entire  influence  and  resources  of 
the  Institute."    One  of  the  organized  influences  to  be  watched  is  the 


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390  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL    OF    HOM(EOPATHY 

public  health  authorities,  and  particularly  the  U.  S.  Public  Health  Ser- 
vice and  the  various  State  departments  of  health.  These  have  shown 
themselves  to  be  sympathetic  to  this  movement  with  the  reservation 
that  the  health  authorities  are  to  have  a  very  large  measure  of  control> 
if  not  entire  control,  of  the  medical  side  of  the  work,  a  position  which 
the  practising  physician  cannot  support  for  a  minute.  The  Institute 
needs  to  watch  this  movement  with  the  idea  that  should  legislatures  seem 
likely  to  be  won  over  to  the  general  idea,  the  specific  details  of  the  legis- 
lation shall  not  be  adverse  to  the  interests  of  members  of  the  Institute 
in  particular  and  to  physicians  as  a  class  in  general. 


MALARIA 


THE  consideration  of  malaria  is  again  forced  upon  us  through  the 
recent  and  intense  malaria  outbreak  in  the  southern  states.  Some 
one  has  said  that  the  eradication  of  malaria  would  necessitate  covering 
the  face  of  the  entire  earth  except  the  polar  regions  and  the  mountain 
tops.  This  is  a  bold  statement  indeed  but  upon  reflection,  is  there 
not  considerable  truth  in  it? 

Control  of  malaria  has  been  maintained  to  a  considerable  degree 
through  the  reclaiming  of  mosquito  breeding  areas  and  intensive  study 
of  the  anopheles  and  its  larvae. 

In  Roanoke,  North  Carolina,  with  its  water  courses,  woods,  and  p 
mosquito-breeding  season  extending  from  May  to  October  or  November,, 
the  percentage  decrease  of  malaria  in  one  year  by  reclamation  of  mos- 
quito-breeding areas  was  sixty-seven. 

Derivaux's  determination  of  the  fact  that  the  whirligig  beetles 
(dineutes)  destroy  the  larvae  of  the  anopheles  mosquito  in  clear  and 
more  or  less  still  water  has  been  accepted  as  a  factor  in  favor  of  the 
beetles  and  their  propagation.  The  United  States  government  is  mak- 
ing some  effort  to  get  data  concerning  the  recent  malaria  outbreak  in 
the  south  already  referred  to,  and  it  will  prove  interesting  to  see  along 
what  lines  efforts  will  be  directed.  The  number  of  malaria  carriers  upon 
the  face  of  the  earth  is  endless.  The  Plasmodium  malariae  has  found  a 
good  culture  medium  in  the  human  body  but  the  human  culture  medium 
is  but  a  small  percentage  of  this  Plasmodium's  total  culture  medium  in 


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EDITORIAL   DEPARTMENT  391 

the  world  which  is  furnished  by  all  animals  which  haunt  malarious  dis- 
tricts including  snakes,  frogs,  lizards,  etc.  We  have  looked  upon  the 
anopheles  as  the  agent  of  transmission  of  the  infection  from  the  medium 
to  the  uninfected  body;  we  have  tried  to  exterminate  the  agent  of  trans- 
mission but  have  done  little  or  nothing  with  the  culture  m^ia.  The 
ideal  solution  of  the  problem  means  curing  the  malaria  patients  and 
the  malaria  carriers  and  eradicating  the  agents  of  transmission.  The 
welfare  of  the  human  family  is  not  yet  valued  sufficiently  highly  to  war- 
rant the  requisite  exx>enditure  of  time»  money,  and  energy  to  attain  this 
ideal. 

What  has  homoeopathy  to  say  of  the  results  of  the  symptomatic 
treatment  of  malaria?  We  know  there  are  those  who  claim  to  have 
cured  malaria  by  the  administration  of  the  homoeopathic  remedy.  How 
often  has  the  symptomatic  cure  been  verified  by  microscopical  findings? 
Again,  there  are  many  homoeopaths  who  say  they  have  failed  with 
symptomatic  prescribing  and  find  it  necessary  to  kill  the  Plasmodium 
with  quinine. 

The  therapeutic  agents  other  than  potentized  drugs  which  have 
been  recently  reported  are  salvarsan,  neo  salvarsan,  cacodylate  of  sod- 
ium and  mercuric  chloride.  Quinine  is  still  considered  the  standard  rem- 
edy and  investigation  concerning  its  various  modes  of  administration 
has  been  diligently  carried  on.  It  is  conceded  by  some  that  administra- 
tion by  mouth  meets  every  requirement  of  the  tertian  and  quartan 
types  of  malarial  fever,  provided  the  administration  is  not  made  in 
the  forms  of  tablet  and  pills.  In  order  that  quinine  be  absorbed  and 
taken  into  the  circulation,  it  is  necessary  for  the  quinine  to  come  in 
contact  with  an  acid  medium.  When  the  body  temperature  is  high, 
the  secretion  of  the  hydrochloric  acid  of  the  gastric  juice  is  decreased 
or  is  entirely  absent.  When  the  quinine  pill  or  tablet  passes  through 
the  alkaline  alimentary  canal,  it  is  undissolved  and  is  often  found  un- 
dissolved in  the  stools  of  malarial  patients;  although  quinine  given  in 
cachets,  tablet-triturates,  or  soluble  granules,  stands  a  better  chance  of 
being  dissolved  than  either  pill  or  tablet,  it  is  best  to  give  quinine  in 
solution. 

Concerning  the  intravenous  injection  of  quinine  there  seems  to  be 
considerable  difference  of  opinion.  The  danger  of  hemolysis  has  been 
set  forth  and  indeed  comparatively  little  has  been  written  in  favor  of 
intravenous  injection.  Dr.  W.  E.  Decks  who  for  seven  years  was  in 
attendance  in  the  wards  of  the  Ancon  Hospital  in  the  canal  zone  and 
saw  50,000  cases  of  malaria  has  used  intravenous  injection  of  quinine 


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392  NORTH   AMERIOAN   JOURNAL   OF    HOMCEOPATHT 

ui  very  grave  cases  and  maintains  that  with  strict  surgical  cleanliness 
and  a  dilution  of  the  quinine  solution  250  to  300  times  with  physiologic 
saline  solution  the  intravenous  injection  is  perfectly  safe  in  the  hands 
of  a  competent  physician. 

It  is  interesting  to  note  in  connection  with  the  above,  that  Surgeon 
A.  D.  McLean  of  the  United  States  Navy  in  a  communication  to  the  Uni- 
ted States  Naval  Bulletin  for  April,  1917,  advocates  intravenous  injection 
of  the  concentrated  solution  of  the  chlor-hydro  sulphate  with  blood  exam- 
ination before  and  after  the  injection  and  careful  daily  urine  examin- 
ation. The  intravenous  injection  has  been  found  to  be  extremely  val- 
uable in  the  cerebral  and  pernicious  types  of  malaria. 


THE  FOLLOW  UP  SYSTEM 

I  ^  UTY  to  posterity  is  recognized  in  the  ideals  set  by  the  University 
-*-^  of  Michigan  and  voiced  in  the  University  Homoeopathic  Observ- 
er under  the  heading, — "The  Follow  Up  System."  This  article  states, — 
Teaching  institutions  should  build  for  the  future  and  the  surest  method 
of  laying  a  good  foundation  is  the  accurate  tabulation  and  recording  of 
individual  exx>erience8  in  each  department  Not  only  should  therapeu- 
tic methods  and  various  clinical  states  be  described  for  the  benefit  of  the 
student  and  the  practitioner  but  the  final  outcome  of  the  diseased  state 
and  the  r^ult  of  the  therapeutic  measure  should  be  determined  to  the 
end  that  scientific  medicine  may  benefit  and  our  students  profit" 

At  the  Homoeopathic  Hospital  University  of  Michigan,  in  order  to 
determine  the  end  results,  from  therapeutic  measures  instituted  in  the 
various  clinics,  a  list  is  procured  each  day  from  the  register  in  the  hos- 
pital office  of  the  patients  who  were  discharged  exactly  one  year  before. 
To  each  individual  listed,  a  request  is  sent,  with  stamped  addressed  re- 
turn envelope,  for  information  concerning  the  present  condition  of 
health.    The  replies  have,  from  the  beginning  exceeded  fifty-per  cent 

By  such  a  system  as  is  outlined  above,  the  hospital,  wisely  conducted, 
truly  fulfills  its  function  not  only  to  teach  and  to  store  a  vast  amount 
of  information  but  to  have  that  information  which  is  stored  complete 
and  arranged  in  sequence  that  the  final  outcome  of  the  diseased  state 
and  the  end  result  of  whatever  therapeutic  measure  was  used  may  be 
determined  by  one  who  seeks  knowledge  concerning  any  particular  case. 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES 


CARDIAC  IMPAIRMENTS 

By  L.  D.  BROUGHTON,  M.D., 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

DURING  the  past  few  years  the  writer  has  made  a  large  number  of 
examinations  for  one  of  the  greatest  of  the  New  York  life  insur- 
ance companies  and  the  present  paper  is  to  chronicle  some  of  the  inter- 
esting facts  that  have  come  to  his  notice  in  the  quest  for  the  perfect  man. 

The  point  of  view  of  the  insurance  company  differs  from  that  of  the 
physician  only  in  so  far  as  the  object  of  the  examination  is  concerned. 
The  physician  studies  a  patient  to  determine  if  there  be  an  impairment 
and  if  present  its  possible  effect  on  a  particular  sickness.  The  insur- 
ance company  makes  the  same  study  to  determine  the  degree  of  im- 
pairment and  its  effect  on  the  length  of  life,  the  query  beimg :  "If  there 
be  an  impairment  what  is  the  likelihood  of  its  increase  and  what  will  it 
be  in  a  given  number  of  years"?  Many  insurance  companies  will  not 
issue  a  policy  to  an  applicant  who  shows  even  a  suspicion  ot  impairment. 
The  presence  of  a  cardiac  defect,  however  slight,  or  a  trace  of  albumen 
or  sugar  in  the  urine  being  siifficient  to  warrant  refusal  of  a  policy. 
But  by  some  companies  it  is  recognized  that  modem  impairments  are 
not  likely  to  break  down  an  applicant  for  a  definite  time  and  the  various 
degrees  of  impairments  have  been  so  classified  according  to  age,  envir- 
onment and  occupation,  that  they  can  be  rated  as  to  risk  as  compared 
to  applicants  in  presumably  perfect  health,  and  policies  are  issued  to 
such  impaired  risks  at  a  higher  rate  of  premium.  There  can  be  no  doubt 
as  to  the  justice  of  this  plan  for  it  is  not  always  the  physically  perfect 
man  who  lives  his  allotted  lengrth  of  life  as  judged  by  the  probabilities 
according  to  the  average  of  mortality.  Oliver  Wendell  Holmes  said  that 
the  way  to  live  to  a  green  old  age  was  to  have  something  the  matter  with 
you  and  nurse  it.    No  one  questions  the  wisdom  of  this  remark. 

The  heart  is  one  organ  of  the  body  that  never  ceases  its  work.  From 
the  earliest  date  of  fetal  life  when  the  circulation  is  primitive  and  the 
coming  heart  is  only  a  loop  of  an  artery,  to  the  time  wlien  the  living 

*Read  before  the  Hom.  Med.  Soc.  County  of  Kings,  March  27,  1917. 


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394  NORTH   AMERIOAN   JOURNAL   OP   HOMOEOPATHY 

person  begins  to  take  on  the  form  of  inanimate  things  the  heart  keeps 
unceasingly  at  its  duty,  during  waking  hours  or  sleeping  hours,  in  the 
stress  of  excitement,  in  overwork  of  the  body  and  in  the  resting  between 
these  periods,  it  never  ceases  in  its  rythmic  action,  and  upon  the  in- 
tegrity of  this  organ  depends  the  whole  mechanism,  for  the  blood  is  the 
life,  and  whether  it  be  the  sap  of  the  trees,  the  fluid  of  the  fishes,  or  the 
circulation  in  animals,  it  is  the  same  in  effect  Nothing  that  lives  can 
continue  to  live  when  that  circulation  is  cut  off.  Hence  the  vital  ques- 
tion is, — ^Is  the  heart-perfect,  of  if  it  is  not  perfect  is  the  impairment  of  a 
character  that  will  resist  the  constant  action,  one  might  say  friction, 
of  the  circulation.  The  strain  that  is  put  upon  the  heart  under  violent ' 
exercise  in  battle  with  the  elements  or  from  the  extraordinary  duties 
of  existence  is  enormous  at  times,  and  the  wonder  is  that  it  does  not 
more  frequently  break  doWn  under  the  strain.  That  it  does  give  way  is 
shown  by  the  large  number  of  deaths  that  are  chronicled  under  vital 
statistics  as  due  to  heart  conditions. 

A  very  good  comparison  can  be  made  between  the  heart  and  the  eye. 
One  does  not  study  the  eye  in  young  people  long  without  marveling  at 
the  character  of  troubles  that  are  not  discovered  until  middle  life,  the 
accommodation  being  so  perfect,  the  eye  ball  and  ciliary  muscles  having 
such  flexibility  that  their  duty  is  done  without  apparent  strain.  It  is 
so  with  the  heart,  but  instead  of  the  word  accommodation  describing 
the  adaptability  it  is  spoken  of  as  compensation.  One  does  not  examine 
many  hearts  without  having  the  same  feeling  regarding  the  remarkable 
power  of  compensation.  Many  impairments  seem  so  severe  that  one 
wonders  how  the  organ  can  do  its  work  and  yet  the  bearer  have  no 
consciousness  of  the  fact  that  he  is  different  from  others  of  his  kind. 

The  power  of  the  heart  to  develop  to  meet  an  emergency  is  not  un- 
like that  of  the  tree  that  produces  an  extra  growth  of  its  elements  at 
the  point  of  greatest  strain.  This  power  of  hypertrophy  is  frequently 
so  enormous  that  a  heart  will  be  out  of  proportion  to  the  rest  of  the 
chest  contents  and  yet  the  owner  have  very  little  if  any  discomfort. 
The  writer  recently  examined  a  man  with  an  aortic  regurgitation  that . 
was  apparent  to  any  practiced  eye  without  examination.  This  man  was 
nearly  fifty  years  of  age,  five  feet  ten  inches  in  height,  with  a  chest  of 
thirty-eight  inches  and  a  weight  of  about  one  hundred  and  seventy 
pounds.  He  was  forman  in  an  iron  foundry  and  he  said  there  wasn't 
a  man  in  his  place  who  could  do  more  work,  lift  more,  or  run  faster  than 
he  could.  Yet  every  pulsation  of  the  heart  could  be  seen  in  both 
carotids  as  they  bulged  with  the  systolic  pressure;  apparently  there  was 
no  aortic  valve.  The  blood  pressure  was  from  30  diastolic  to  150  sys- 
tolic, the  pulsation  could  be  heard  almost  as  soon  as  the  air  was  pumped 
into  the  pressure  bag.  Yet  this  man  said  he  believed  he  was  in  x>erfect 
health,  had  never  been  sick  and  felt  aggrieved  that  he  had  been  refused 
insurance  by  so  many  companies.  The  writer  has  followed  the  life  of  a 
patient  who  came  under  his  care  at  the  age  of  six;  she  is  now  sixteen. 
At  six  the  heart  sounds  could  not  be  distinguished;  there  were  a  lot  of 


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CONTRIBUTED   ARTICLES  395 

churning  sounds  in  the  cardiac  area  and  it  was  not  possible  to  analyse 
the  impairment.  She  was  delicate  and  the  writer  assured  the  mother 
that  she  could  not  live  through  a  severe  sickness.  This  child  had 
measles,  scarlet  fever,  a  severe  bronchitis,  and  numerous  light  colds 
and  lived  on  without  apparent  loss  of  strength.  She  was  babied  at 
school  and  allowed  to  do  as  she  pleased  and  grew  rapidly,  very  slim  and 
delicate.  She  is  now  sixteen,  she  shows  a  very  bad  mitral  regurgitation, 
clearly  defined,  the  churning  sounds  are  gone,  the  compensation  is  per- 
fect, and  while  she  is  very  nervous  and  requires  action,  she  finds  it  not 
difficult  to  fulfill  her  duties  as  a  telephone  girl  in  one  of  the  most  active 
of  the  New  York  city  exchanges,  and  the  probabilities  are  that  she  will 
marry  and  have  children.  An  instance  of  the  remarkable  tendency  of 
the  human  body  to  meet  its  weak  spots  and  strengthen  them  for  the 
emergencies  of  life. 

It  must  be  remembered,  however,  that  all  of  these  eases  of  severe 
impairment  with  peiiect  compensation  are  upon  the  left  side  of  the 
heart.  They  apply  only  to  defects  of  the  mitral  and  aortic  valves. 
Grave  impairments  of  the  tricuspid  and  pulmonary  valves  are  rare,  and 
the  reason  for  this  is  that  such  impairments  lead  to  severe  symptoms 
and  the  sufferers  do  not  last  long.  As  long  as  the  left  ventricle  de- 
velops to  meet  its  emergencies  and  drives  the  blood  along  there  is  no 
effect  upon  the  organs  back  of  this  ventricle.  When  the  left  ventricle 
ceases  to  control  the  output  of  blood  from  the  heart  and  the  left  auricle 
begins  to  feel  the  effects  of  the  retarded  blood  stream  and  the  pulmon- 
ary vein  is  affected  there  comes  at  once  a  congestion  of  the  lungs,  slight 
at  first,  perhaps,  but  surely  continuing  until  we  have  a  definite  cardiac 
asthma,  with  its  periods  of  suffocation,  gasping  for  breath  and  all  those 
symptoms  that  are  the  outcome  of  interference  with  pulmonary  circu- 
lation. Where  the  retardation  is  back  of  the  right  ventricle  and  right 
auricle  the  symptoms  of  impaired  circulation  are  soon  evidenced  by  the 
the  congestion  of  the  lower  extremities  and  the  portal  circulation,  en- 
largement of  the  abdominal  viscera,  edema  of  the  limbs  and  general 
dropsy  with  ascities,  usually  described  as  cardia  dropsy.  In  life  insur- 
ance examinations  right  side  cardiac  impairment  is  rarely  met  with  in 
a  form  that  can  be  discovered,  for  if  it  is  sufficiently  developed  to  be 
noticeable  the  applicant  bears  definite  signs  that  render  the  consider- 
ation of  the  application,  even  by  an  impecunious  agent,  not  probable. 

Study  of  the  cardiac  area  is  frequently  fraught  with  severe  jolts  to 
the  examiner.  For  a  time  he  will  think  perhaps  he  has  solved  the  prob- 
lem of  examination  so  perfectly  that  it  has  become  very  simple,  that  he 
knows  the  sounds  of  a  perfect  heart  so  intimately  that  it  is  only  neces- 
sary for  him  to  give  a  casual  ear  to  the  cardiac  cycle  and  his  discerning 
senses  will  detect  anything  that  borders  on  a  defective  sound.  He  soon 
learns  better  when  he  has  cases  sent  back  to  him  for  reexamination  with 
the  statement  that  other  examiners  have  been  more  painstaking,  for 
many  defects  do  not  become  apparent  until  the  heart  has  been  made 
less  deceptive  by  severe  exercise.    It  is  a  simple  matter  to  detect  mur- 


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396  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL    OF    HOM(EOPATHY 

murs  in  ill-health  and  disease  when  the  heart  muscle  feels  the  debilitat- 
ing effects  of  a  high  fever,  or  the  relaxed  state  that  is  felt  by  all  other 
muscles  from  a  long  continued  drain  upon  physical  strength.  And  here 
is  where  an  examiner  must  discriminate,  for  such  conditions  are  mat- 
ter of  judgment  of  the  individual  and  not  of  the  heart  alone.  In  de- 
bility and  disease  there  are  many  sounds  about  the  heart  that  are  due  es- 
sentially to  the  debilitated  state.  When  the  heart  muscle  is  relaxed  and 
the  valves  do  not  shut  with  the  vigor  of  their  normal  closure  there  will 
be  murmurs  and  swishing  and  friction  sounds  that  are  not  permanent, 
that  disapi)ear  with  the  return,  of  the  individual  to  normal  physical 
poise.  The  blood  as  it  passes  through  the  valve  openings  at  such  a  time 
will  produce  a  blowing  sound  not  dis-similar  to  the  actual  sound  of  an 
incompetent  valve  and  these  friction  sounds  will  be  heard  in  the  larger 
blood  vessels  of  the  neck.  Such  sounds  are  termed  hemic  and  anemic 
murmurs.  One  cannot  give  a  positive  opinion  as  to  the  condition  of  a 
heart  in  a  person  below  the  normal  level  of  health,  but  should  wait  until 
the  heart  has  had  time  to  renew  its  power  and  many  sounds  that  seemed 
pathological  will  be  found  to  have  been  merely  functional. 

The  writer  has  but  little  faith  in  functional  heart  sounds,  so-called 
exocardiac  sounds,  in  a  person  in  ordinary  health.  The  so-called  fric- 
tional  sounds  that  may  or  may  not  be  synchronous  with  the  usual  move- 
ments of  the  heart  as  it  rounds  out  its  circle  of  action,  and  which  may 
or  may  not  be  in  the  usual  areas  to  which  bounds  are  most  easily  trans- 
mitted have  some  definite  cause.  That  they  are  not  defined  shows  that 
the  cause  is  obscure  and  merely  because  it  is  obscure  is  not  a  proof  that 
it  is  of  no  moment. 

The  normal  sounds  of  the  heart  are  produced  by  the  sharp  closing 
of  the  valves,  and  the  impinging  of  the  apex  upon  the  chest  wall  the  lat- 
ter not  always  being  a  definite  sound  as  it  is  apt  to  be  in  unison  with  the 
closing  of  the  mitral  and  tricuspid  valves.  The  normal  first  sound  is 
from  the  closing  of  the  mitral  ad  tricuspid  valves,  the  second  sound  is 
due  to  the  rebound  of  the  blood  within  the  aorta  and  pulmonary  artery 
forcing  a  sharp  closing  of  the  valves  guarding  these  openings.  In  pro- 
ducing the  cardiac  contraction  the  heart  is  twisted  upon  its  axis  and 
the  blood  forced  from  its  cavities  much  as  a  person  would  wring  a  towel 
in  forcing  the  water  out  of  it.  It  is  during  this  twist  that  the  apex 
strikes  the  chest  wall.  A  study  of  the  heart  muscles  shows  a  most  in- 
teresting mechanism  by  which  the  greatest  efficiency  is  obtained  by  the 
least  structure,  the  muscles  being  arranged  in  straight  and  curving  form 
to  provide  for  the  twisting  of  the  heart  in  its  systolic  motion. 

The  principal  heart  impairments  may  be  arranged  in  two  general 
classes,  those  due  to  insufficient  closure  of  the  valves,  which  allows  of 
regurgitation,  and  those  due  to  stenosis  of  the  openings  causing  an  ob- 
struction to  the  passage  of  the  blood.  There  are  others  due  to  imperfect 
heart  muscle,  to  growths  upon  the  valve  edges,  to  displacement  ol  the 
heart  from  defects  in  the  form  of  the  bony  structures  which  enter  into  the 
formation  of  the  chest  walls,  as  in  hunchbacks,  and  due  to  displacements 


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CX)NTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  397 

of  the  diaphragm,  as  well  as  to  temporary  displacements  from  empyema 
and  fluids  within  the  pleura,  and  in  the  pericardium.  Very  few  of  these 
latter  conditions,  however,  are  met  with  in  the  ordinary  examination 
of  persons  in  apparent  health. 

It  is  am  interesting  f&ct  that  while  all  of  the  valve  openings  of  "the 
heart  are  at  the  base  and  are  situated  approximately  just  behind  the  ster- 
num, the  areas  in  which  the  sounds  are  most  perceptible  are  not  in  the 
same  locations.  This  difference  between  valve  locations  and  the  loca- 
tions of  the  sounds  is  termed  area  of  transmission  of  sounds,  and  the 
point  of  maximum  intensity  of  the  sound  of  a  closing  valve  may  be  at  a 
distance  from  the  valve  itself.  This  is  in  part  due  to  the  fact  that 
as  the  heart  lies  in  the  chest  the  right  auricle  and  ventricle  are  just  be- 
hind the  sternum  and  the  left  auricle  and  ventricle  are  towards  the 
spinal  column,  and  the  most  forcible  sounds  are  produced  by  the  clos- 
ure of  the  mitral  and  aortic  valves.  For  this  reason  it  is  easier  for  the 
sound  of  the  closure  of  these  two  valves  to  be  heard  indirectly  than  di- 
rectly through  the  body  of  the  heart.  The  actual  skin  area  above  the 
base  of  the  heart  that  would  include  a  portion  of  all  four  valves  approxi- 
mates a  space  of  about  one-half  inch.  The  point  of  maximum  intens- 
ity of  the  sound  of  the  closing  of  the  mitral  valve  is  in  the  region  of  the 
nipple.  Aortic  valve  sounds  are  heard  best  at  the  right  of  the  sternum 
at  the  second  interspace,  and  pulmonary  valve  sounds  at  the  second  in- 
terpace  to  the  left  of  the  sternum.  The  sound  of  the  closure  of  the 
tricuspid  valve  is  heard  in  a  broad  area  corresponding  with  the  area  of 
the  right  ventricle.  Necessarily  any  division  of  areas  must  be  accept- 
ed approximately,  depending  on  the  degree  of  impairment,  as  there  are 
some  sounds  where  the  defect  is  great  that  can  be  heard  all  over  the 
chest. 

The  writer's  method  of  examination  is  to  commence  with  the  stetho- 
scope on  the  bare  skin  just  below  and  to  the  outer  edge  of  the  left  nipple 
and  follow  up  the  outer  side  of  the  heart  edge  to  the  second  interspace 
on  the  left  side,  going  up  and  down  this  line  slowly  a  few  times.  It  is 
well  to  keep  away  from  the  apex  impulse  as  the  blow  is  apt  to  interfere 
with  the  sense  of  discriminating  hearing.  In  a  woman  the  breast  should 
be  lifted  and  the  stethoscope  placed  as  close  as  possible  to  the  ribs  be- 
neath the  nipple,  and  in  a  man  often  the  breast  can  be  pushed  up  out  of 
the  way  and  the  stethoscope  applied  directly  to  the  interspace  above  the 
outer  edge  of  the  heart.  Listening  through  the  breast  is  not  often  sat- 
isfactory. If  nothing  abnormal  is  found  then  the  stethoscope  is  car- 
ried from  the  second  left  interspace  to  the  same  right  interspace  and  the 
whole  of  the  surface  of  the  bony  and  intercostal  tissues  on  both  sides 
of  the  sternum  is  carefully  examined.  If  this  is  without  definite  issue 
the  stethoscox>e  is  carried  down  the  right  side  of  the  sternum  and  quickly 
across  the  apex  impulse  point  at  the  fifth  interspace  and  back  to  the 
starting  point.  Any  examination  cannot  be  considered  complete  with- 
out stimulating  the  heart  to  more  active  motion,  and  to  accomplish  this 
the  applicant  may  be  directed  to  stand  with  the  feet  close  together,  the 


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398  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL    OF    HOMCEOPATHY 

extended  hands  close  together,  and  the  arms  extended  ahove  the  head, 
bending  the  body  backward  and  then  bringing  the  arms  forward  and 
bending  the  body  so  that  the  finger  tips  touch  the  floor.  This  exercise 
must  be  done  with  a  swinging  motion  so  that  every  muscle  in  the  body 
will  be  exercised  and  the  number  of  times  will  depend  upon  the  result. 
Usually  five  or  six  such  active  swingings  of  the  body  backward  and  for- 
ward will  run  the  heart  action  up  to  above  one  hundred  beats  to  the 
minute,  and  the  defects  that  are  perfectly  compensated  will  become  ap- 
parent after  this  exercise  is  repeated  several  times.  The  points  to  be 
considerd  are  the  quality  of  the  sound  heard  at  various  places,  as  to 
rhythm,  loudness,  definite  distances  between  the  sounds,  and  whether 
the  lub-dub  differs  in  any  way.  The  person  examined  must  be  consid- 
ered, for  some  with  very  thick  chest  walls  and  a  large  abdomen  will 
have  such  weak  heart  sounds  that  no  matter  what  the  exercise  no  im- 
pairment will  be  found.  In  such  a  case  the  writer  depends  upon  the 
amount  of  dyspnea  caused  by  violent  exercise,  as  it  can  be  assumed  with 
a  reasonable  degree  of  certainty  that  a  stout  man  who  can  do  a  quick 
bending  of  the  body  so  that  the  hands  touch  the  ground  six  times  in 
rapid  succession  without  becoming  red  in  the  face  or  very  short  of 
breath  will  not  have  a  right  sided  impairment.  With  this  elimination 
the  rest  of  the  examination  of  the  stout  individual  is  as  to  whether  by 
patient  study  any  degree  of  impairment  can  be  found.  If  the  man  is 
over  forty  years  of  age  and  in  good  physical  condition  it  may  be  taken 
for  granted  that  there  cannot  be  much  if  any  impairment  as  detinite 
impairments  are  not  conducive  to  flesh.  The  writer  has  seen  a  number 
of  cases  of  aortic  regurgitation  in  stout  men  but  he  has  .never  seen  one 
who  did  not  bear  some  marks  of  impaired  health,  or  where  the  impair- 
ment even  if  well  compensated  was  not  easily  found. 

In  incompetence  of  the  valves  there  is  almost  always  an  absence  of 
part  or  whole  of  the  lub  or  dub.  In  aortic  regurgitation  where  the  im- 
pairment is  great  instead  of  the  normal  dub  there  will  be  a  sound  like 
the  sighing  of  the  wind  and  usually  one  hardly  puts  the  stethoscope  to 
the  cardiac  area  without  hearing  it  and  it  is  apt  to  drown  all  other 
sounds  during  its  continuance.  Occasionally  where  the  aortic  valve  is 
only  partly  affected  there  will  be  a  friction  sound  which  is  hard  to  de- 
fine and  is  often  taken  for  a  functional  sound.  The  best  means  of  dis- 
criminating is  by  allowing  the  person  to  lie  down.  Sometimes  the  sound 
will  disappear  and  then  we  are  apt  to  say  it  is  functional.  Occasional- 
ly the  sound  of  a  mitral  regurgitation  -is  sighing  but  in  the  majority  of 
cases  it  is  a  distinct  vibration  and  in  severe  cases  one  almost  gets  a 
thrill  at  the  time  of  the  systole.  In  about  three  thousand  examinations 
the  writer  has  felt  only  one  actual  thrill  as  described  in  the  books,  and 
it  was  a  very  difficult  condition  to  analyze. 

Obstruction  sounds  are  not  always  easily  determined.  In  obstruc- 
tion of  the  aortic  opening  of  any  moment  the  discriminating  point  is 
that  the  second  sound  followed  the  first  abruptly ;  it  is  termed  snappy, 
and  is  due  to  the  necessity  for  a  sharp  action  of  the  heart  to  force  the 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTIOLES  399 

blood  through  the  contracted  opening.  This  condition  is  made  very  ap- 
parent by  exercise  and  when  the  location  of  the  friction  sound  is  at  the 
base  of  the  heart,  heard  usually  at  both  sides  of  the  sternum,  is  systolic 
in  time,  it  may  be  accepted  as  this  leasion.  One  of  the  unusual  lesions 
is  a  mitral  stenosis.  It  is  not  easily  found  in  light  cases  but  in  advanc- 
ed conditions  it  produces  a  sound  like  a  vibration  just  before  the  systole 
and  runs  into  the  first  sound,  like  rrrb  dub,  rrrb  dub,  is  timed  presys- 
tolic. When  the  heart  action  is  rapid  it  is  sometimes  very  difficult  to 
define,  far  more  easy  to  describe. 

The  writer  has  seen  only  two  cases  of  combined  impairment  of  the 
mitral  and  aortic  valves.  Both  were  in  men.  The  first  was  a  man 
about  twenty  years  of  age  with  incompetence  of  both  aortic  and  mitral 
valves.  There  was  an  absence  of  both  lub  and  dub  and  in 
their  places  were  the  sighing  sound  of  an  insufficient  aortic  valve  and 
the  burr  of  the  passing  backward  of  the  blood  through  the  mitral  open- 
ing at  each  cardiac  cycle.  There  was  perfect  compensation.  He  be- 
lieved he  was  a  normal  man  and  in  perfect  health.  He  stood  the  ex- 
ercise well  and  it  merely  increased  the  heart  action  without  producing 
any  visible  effect  upon  his  breathing  or  greneral  circulation.  He  was  a 
linotype  operator  on  one  of  the  papers  and  probably  might  go  on  for 
years  without  feeling  the  effects  of  this  terrible  affliction.  He  was  not 
told  of  the  condition,  so  severe  a  trouble  is  one  in  which  ignorance  is 
bliss.  The  other  case  was  an  older  man  who  also  was  not  aware  of  his 
affliction. 

Statistics  show  that  the  mitral  valve  is  affected  in  about  80  per 
cent,  of  all  cardiac  impairments,  the  aortic  valve  in  perhaps  18  per  cent., 
and  the  right  side  of  the  heart  in  perhaps  2  per  cent.  By  far  the  most 
conmion  heart  lesion  is  mitral  regurgitation  and  this  is  probably  due 
to  the  fact  that  in  severe  exertion,  athletics  and  violent  exercise,  the 
greatest  effect  is  felt  by  this  valve  as  it  tries  to  force  the  blood  current 
along.  It  cannot  be  stated  as  to  the  cause  of  other  impairments  except 
in  a  general  way  that  hardening  of  the  valves  by  rheumatism,  and  by 
other  causes  of  endocarditis  must  have  detrimental  effects,  and  once  the 
lesion  is  commenced  it  is  like  an  aneurism,  the  steady  grind  will  in 
time  tend  to  increase  the  fault  It  is  probable  that  stenosis  is  more 
often  congenital  than  acquired,  though  it  is  frequently  due  to  scar  con- 
tractive tissue  following  inflammation. 

And  yet  I  have  two  patients  one  87  and  the  other  88  with  severe 
mitral  regurgitation.  In  both  men  the  very  easy  exertion  of  moving 
about  the  room  makes  a  rapid  increase  of  heart  action,  with  dyspnea, 
showing  that  the  lesion  is  further  back  and  affects  the  right  side  of  the 
heart.  They  live  on  year  after  year,  not  often  in  a  moderate  degree 
of  comfort,  but  still  not  anxious  to  die.  Cardiac  impairments  do  not 
always  break  men  down  early. 

If  a  cardiac  impairment  is  not  apparent  until  the  heart  has  been 
forced  to  increased  exertion  by  exercise  and  the  exercise  does  not 
cause  dyspnea  it  is  fair  to  assume  that  it  need  not  be  a  bar  to  anesthesia. 


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400  NORTH   AMERICAN   JOURNAL   OP    HOM(£OPATHT 

and  as  the  majority  of  patients  upon  whom  anesthesia  is  to  be  admin- 
istered are  in  bed  or  not  in  a  position,  and  frequently  not  in  condition 
to  be  exercised,  such  impairments  will  not  be  found  at  the  time  of  oper- 
ation. The  essential  point  in  judging  of  a  cardiac  lesion  as  a  factor 
to  be  considered  in  the  preparation  of  a  patient  for  anesthesia  is  the 
question  of  compensation.  Necessarily  a  stenosis  is  of  more  impor- 
tance than  a  regurgitation,  but  in  either  case,  provided  the  lesion  is  at 
the  mitral  or  aortic  orifice  and  there  is  no  irregularity  of  the  heart  ac- 
tion, if  the  rhythm  is  even  and  the  action  is  smooth  and  regular  there 
is  no  good  reason  to  believe  that  the  heart  will  not  take  care  of  itself 
just  as  it  would  under  some  severe  physical  exercise.  Even  in  cases 
of  irregularity  it  is  a  well-known  fact  that  under  anesthesia  the  heart 
will  steady  itself  and  the  patient  seem  better  under  the  vapor  than  be- 
fore it  was  administered.  If  it  be  a  lesion  of  the  right  side  of  the  heart 
the  whole  circumstance  must  be  considered  and  the  risk  judged  accord- 
ingly. 

The  heart  muscle  has  the  interesting  power  of  continuing  its  con- 
tractions after  it  has  been  removed  from  the  body.  Its  ganglionic 
nerve  cells  are  imbued  with  the  remarkable  quality  of  retaining  im- 
pulses from  the  brain  for  a  period  of  time  after  direct  communication 
has  been  cut  off,  and  the  constant  rhythmic  action  of  the  muscle  within 
the  body  after  consciousness  has  been  lost  under  anesthesia,  in  com- 
pression of  the  brain,  in  natural  or  enforced  sleep  from  narcotics,  all 
point  to  the  definite  conclusion  that  upon  this  organ  life  depends  more 
than  upon  any  other  of  the  physical  organs  of  the  body.  The  writer 
watched  a  patient  for  sixty  hours  after  consciousness  was  lost  before 
breathing  ceased  and  during  that  time  the  heart  action  was  as  rhythmic- 
al as  in  conscious  life.  She  could  not  be  roused  nor  could  nourishment 
be  forced  down  her  throat.  She  was  eighty  years  of  age,  every  organ 
was  in  good  condition  as  far  as  outward  examination  would  disclose, 
ahd  it  merely  appeared  that  as  long  as  carbonic  acid  was  generated  in 
the  lungs  and  the  irritation  could  be  transmitted  to  the  brain  the  breath- 
ing continued  and  the  heart  kept  going ;  like  ti  perfectly  geared  machine 
it  kept  on  to  the  last  extreme  of  energy. 

A  potent  factor  in  the  circulation  of  the  blood  through  the  car- 
diac cycle  is  the  force  from  behind,  the  vis  a  tergo.  In  the  on-going 
stream  there  is  the  ever  insistent  pushing  of  the  blood  from  the  veins 
seeking  its  oxygen.  As  the  cavities  of  the  heart  empty  the  blood  is 
waiting  at  the  portals  ready  to  fill  them  again;  there  is  no  cessation,  it 
is  nature's  way  of  averting  a  vacuum  by  having  something  ever  ready 
to  fill  the  vacant  spaces. 

One  of  the  most  interesting  anomalies  of  cardiac  sounds  is  the 
condition  idiomatically  termed  the  gallop  beat.  It  is  a  separation  of  the 
second  sound  into  two  more  or  less  equal  parts  and  resembles  the  hoof 
beats  of  a  galloping  horse.  The  writer  has  heard  several  of  this  form  of 
heart  sounds  and  the  solution  was  not  easy,  if  it  can  be  solved  to  the 
satisfaction  of  examiners.    The  books  refer  to  it  as  a  somewhat  grave 


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CONTRIBUTED    ARTICLES  401 

<3ondition  and  due  possibly  to  the  improper  distribution  of  blood  press- 
ure within  the  two  circles  of  circulation.  Normally  there  is  a  slight 
difference  between  the  closing  of  the  pulmonary  and  of  the  aortic  valves 
but  it  is  so  slight  as  not  always  to  be  distinguishable.  The  gallop  beat 
is  analysed  by  one  author  as  due  to  an  increase  of  pressure  in  the  pul- 
monary circulation  and  in  some  cases  where  there  is  a  mitral  stenosis  it 
is  on  account  of  the  mass  of  blood  being  held  back  by  the  mitral  ob- 
struction. It  would  appear  reasonable  if  there  were  sufficient  obstruc- 
tion to  the  entrance  of  blood  to  the  left  ventricle  to  increase  the  press- 
ure to  such  a  degree  as  to  interfere  with  the  proper  closing  time  of  the 
pulmonary  val^e  that  such  a  mitral  stenosis  would  be  apparent  to  the 
listening  ear,  but  this  is  not  always  the  case.  In  several  of  the  instances 
of  gallop  beat  which  have  come  under  the  writer's  observation  the 
rhythm  was  so  perfect  and  the  lack  of  effort  of  the  heart  so  certain  that 
one  would  be  loath  to  admit  the  presence  of  such  an  obstruction,  espec- 
ially when  the  tendency  of  all  obstruction  is  to  force  the  heart  to  sharper 
action.  One  is  almost  forced  to  the  belief  that  the  condition  is  one  of 
the  curious  instances  of  imperfect  formation  due  perhaps  to  difference 
in  length  of  blood  vessels,  or  difference  in  calibre  which  creates  a  differ- 
ence in  time  of  impact  of  the  valves.  It  is  stated  that  in  emphysema, 
tuberculosis,  bronchitis,  and  in  hypertrophy  of  the  right  ventricle  the 
increase  of  pressure  would  account  for  the  condition  of  separated  beat. 
In  every  caae  in  which  the  writer  has  met  the  gallop  beat  the  physical 
condition  q£  the  person  denied  the  presence  of  such  diseases. 

Hypertrophy  is  one  of  the  results  of  over  action  of  the  heart  muscle 
in,  trying  to  meet  the  extra  resistance  of  an  obstruction  or  to  exert 
stronger  power  in  doing  almost  double  duty  where  the  blood  is  thrown 
back  through  an  incompetent  valve.  In  such  a  condition  hypcrtri>phy 
appears  to  be  in  the  line  of  safety  and  not  a  detriment.  It  is  very  im- 
probable if  there  is  ever  true  hypertrophy  of  any  one  portion  of  the 
heart  without  such  necessity  to  overcome  resistance.  Enlargement  of 
the  heart  that  is  due  to  weakened  or  relaxed  muscle,  or  to  fatty  degen- 
eration, cannot  be  classed  as  true  hypertrophy,  as  the  term  itself  con- 
veys the  idea  of  increased  nourishment.  In  judging  of  the  size  of  the 
heart  necessarily  the  most  important  factor  is  the  location  of  the  apex 
impulse.  Where  there  is  no  anomally  in  the  formation  of  the  chest  or 
there  is  no  displacement  of  the  viscera  this  may  be  taken  as  the  proper 
landmark.  In  hypertrophy  of  the  left  ventricle  it  is  remarkable  how 
broad  this  apical  impulse  will  be,  often  covering  several  square  inches, 
as  though  the  side  of  the  heart  was  thrown  forcibly  against  the  chest 
wall.  In  irregular  action  of  the  heart  this  apical  point  will  sometimes 
be  found  to  vary  depending  upon  the  force  of  the  heart  contraction,  and 
a  variable  apex  impulse  will  be  found  in  obstruction  of  the  aortic  open- 
ing in  the  snappy  form  of  heart  contraction.  In  judging  of  the  apical 
impulse,  however,  cognizance  must  be  taken  of  the  changes  in  position 
of  the  heart  which  have  been  found  in  a  few  instances.  The  X-ray  has 
shown  that  such  changes  may  exist  without  the  possessor  of  the  anomal- 


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402  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL   OF    HOMCEOPATHY 

ly  being  aware  of  it.  Dr.  Roy  Upham,  of  Brooklyn,  has  several  radio- 
graphs taken  in  his  laboratory  showing  the  heart  hanging  just  behind 
the  sternum,  a  condition  which  has  been  termed  verticle  heart,  and  it 
is  said  that  a  horizontal  heart  is  sometimes  found,  with  the  apex  point- 
ing to  the  left  just  behind  the  nipple.  In  short  chested  individuals  with 
a  high  diaphragm  the  apex  point  may  be  higher  and  to  the  left  of  the 
usual  normal  point.  If  such  a  condition  can  exist  for  years  without 
the  person  being  aware  of  it  there  is  no  good  reason  to  consider  it  an 
impairment,  particularly  if  the  bearer  is  in  the  average  healthy  con- 
dition. 

In  conclusioti  it  may  be  stated  that  while  the  view  points  of  life 
insurance  and  medicine  are  in  some  ways  at  variance  the  general  line 
of  thought  is  the  same,  and  in  an  estimate  of  the  elements  of  the  cardiac 
cycle  the  same  rules  must  apply.  To  be  a  well-grounded  examiner  one 
must  have  a  knowledge  of  disease  and  the  effects  of  disease  on  the  cir- 
culation, particularly  the  ultimate  effects,  as  is  so  well  illustrated  by  the 
later  effects  of  rheumatism,  and  the  commencing  effects  of  arterio- 
sclerosis. In  the  beginnings  of  impairments  there  are  periods  when  they 
do  appear  to  be  present.  This  is  best  shown  by  the  fact  that  an  appli- 
cant may  be  rejected  by  one  examiner  for  an  impairment  which  a  second 
examiner  cannot  find,  and  yet  it  is  apparent  to  a  third  examiner.  A 
year  or  so  ago  the  writer  noted  a  cardiac  impairment  in  an  applicant 
and  at  the  request  of  the  agent  the  Applicant  was  sent  over  to  the  home 
office  for  another  examination.  Two  examiners  went  over  him  with  the 
result  that  one  agreed  with  the  writer  and  the  other  said  there  was  no 
impairment.  A  policy  was  offered  to  the  man  at  a  small  advance  in 
premium  which  he  refused.  The  writer  saw  him  again  about  a  y^r 
later  and  he  said  he  had  made  an  application  for  another  policy  and  was 
going  to  the  home  office.  The  writer  went  over  th©  heart  merely  to  sat- 
isfy his  curiosity  and  found  the  impairment  more  marked  than  it  was 
a  year  previously.  Th6  applicant  was  regretting  that  he  had  not  taken 
the  policy  offered  him  previously. 

It  is  not  unusual  for  an  examiner  to  receive  a  note  from  the  head 
of  the  medical  department  stating  that  a  certain  individual  who  was 
passed  had  been  called  to  the  home  office  on  a  previous  report  that  an- 
other company  had  rejected  him,  and  a  cardiac  lesion  found,  and  they 
usually  put  it  in  the  light  that  even  a  novice  might  be  expected  to  note 
the  lesion,  a  common  expression  being  **heard  all  over  the  precordium." 
In  the  lighter  forms  of  impairments  the  writer  is  of  the  opinion  that 
when  the  applicant  is  rested,  in  good  general  condition,  the  heart  will 
compensate  so  that  the  impairment  cannot  be  discovered  even  after  con- 
tinued exercise,  yet  after  hard  and  continued  overwork  for  a  period  of 
time,  or  after  dissipation  when  there  is  a  general  relaxation  the  condition 
will  be  apparent  to  ordinary  methods  of  search. 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  403 

THE  FOLLY  OF  THE  •TIRST  BORN"  THEORY* 

By  CASPER  L.  REDFIELD 
Chicago,  111. 

IT  is  sometimes  said  that  the  first-bom  child  is  inferior  or  handicap- 
ped in  the  struggle  for  existence.  At  other  times  it  is  said  that  he 
is  superior.  The  general  opinion  probably  is  that,  in  the  long  run,  there 
is  no  difference  between  the  first  child  and  any  other  one. 

The  superiority  or  inferiority  here  referred  to  relates  to  mental  or 
physical  x>owers  of  some  kind,  and  not  to  characteristics  of  form  and 
color  which  segregate  in  accordance  with  the  Mendelian  formula.  The 
idea  that  mental  and  physical  powers  are  Mendelian  characters  rests 
on  assumption  and  not  on  ascertained  fact.  There  is  abundant  evi- 
dence to  show  that  power  characteristics  belong  in  an  entirely  different 
order  of  things  from  those  considered  by  Darwin,  Mendel,  Weismann 
and  their  followers. 

If  the  heredity  of  the  first  bom  child  is  any  different  from  that 
of  any  other  child,  then  it  must  be  because  of  differences  in  the  parents 
at  the  time  when  the  different  children  were  conceived.  Yet  those  per- 
sons who  tell  us  about  the  relative  strength  or  qualities  of  the  first- 
born, the  seoond-born,  the  third-bom,  and  so  on,  do  not  connect  up 
their  investigations  with  an  inquiry  into  the  varying  conditions  exist- 
ing in  the  parent  when  these  different  children  were  conceived.  The 
failure  to  make  such  connection  and  comparison  leaves  these  investiga- 
tions in  the  realm  of  the  curious,  and  not  in  the  realm  of  science.        • 

From  birth  to  old  age,  man  is  a  continually  changing  animal. 
From  the  beginning  his  mental  and  physical  powers  develop,  and  the 
amount  or  extent  to  which  they  develop  is  determined  by  the  amount  or 
extent  to  which  he  exercises  them.  That  the  mental  powers  of  a  child 
develop  as  the  years  go  by  is  recognized  by  the  Binet  system,  and  that 
the  mental  powers  of  the  adult  also  develop  as  the  years  go  by  is  recog- 
nized in  the  ordinary  affairs  of  life.  When  we  choose  a  man  to  act  as 
president,  or  fill  any  other  x>osition  requiring  great  mental  power  to 
solve  unexpected  problems,  we  invariably  select  one  well  advanced  in 
years.  A  new  and  unexpected  problem  represents  something  not  before 
learned,  and  it  requires  a  well  developed  mental  jwwer  to  grapple  with 
such  situations.  That  physical  power  develops  during  youth  by  exercise 
is  well  illustrated  by  the  results  of  athletic  contests.  That  it  continues 
to  develop  by  similar  exercise  during  middle  and  later  life  will,  prob- 
ably be  denied  by  many  persons.  We  will  return  to  this  point  a  little 
later  in  considering  horses,  where  the  matter  of  developing  physical 
powers  has  been  very  extensively  investigated. 


*The  evidence  bearing  upon  the  facts  mentioned  in  this  article  has  been 
condensed  in  Redfield's  *T>ynamic  Evolution"  published  by  Putnam. 
The  evidence  in  detail  may  be  found  in  the  eighty-odd  contribu- 
tions listed  on  page  205  of  that  book. 


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404  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM<EOPATHY 

Man  is  a  continually  changing  animal,  and  from  sixteen  to  sixty, 
more  or  less,  germs  are  continually  being  given  off  from  this  chang- 
ing individual.  Some  of  these  germs  survive  to  become  new  individuals 
D^hile  others  die.  If  a  particular  surviving  germ  is  separated  from  the 
changing  parent  when  he  is  thirty  years  of  age,  how  can  calling  the 
child  developing  from  that  germ  number  one,  number  two,  number  ten 
or  any  other  number,  affect  its  heredity?  What  possible  relationship 
can  there  be  between  the  heredity  of  that  particular  germ  and  the  fate 
which  befell  previous  germs  after  they  were  separated  from  the  parent? 
Stating  the  exact  stage  of  the  changing  parent  when  the  separation 
took  place  is  giving  definite  information,  but  saying  that  a  particular 
germ  is  the  first  survivor  without  giving  further  particulars  is  griming 
no  information  whatever. 

Saying  that  a  person  is  his  father's  first  child,  belongs  in  this  in- 
definite class,  and  is  meanimgless,  as  far  as  heredity  is  concerned.  That 
father  may  have  been  either  fifteen  or  fifty  when  that  first  child  was 
bom.  Saying  that  a  person  is  the  first  child  of  a  large  family  raises 
the  presumption  that  the  mother  was  young,  but  it  raises  no  such  pre- 
sumption in  the  case  of  the  father.  Men  continue  to  reproduce  to  be- 
yond eighty  years  of  age,  but  women  usually  stop  at  forty-five  or  less. 
Saying  that  a  person  is  the  youngest  of  a  fgimily  of  unnamed  sizes  raises 
no. presumption  at  all,  but  saying  that  he  is  the  youngest  of  a  large  fam- 
fly  necessarily  implies  mature  parents  because  it  requires  time  to  pro- 
duce a  large  family.  More  than  half  of  all  children  are  bom  before 
their  fathers-  are  thirty-four  years  of  age,  and  it  would  be  a  very  un- 
usual large  family  which  was  completed  before  that  time,  especially  in 
communities  in  which  birth  control  is  not  practiced. 

Heredity  involves  the  relationship  between  parent  and  child,  and 
anything  which  does  not  state  that  relationship  with  as  much  accuracy 
as  possible  is  lacking  in  scientific  merit.  When  the  matter  under  con- 
sideration is  something  which  is  continually  changing  in  the  parent, 
as  mental  and  physical  power,  the  age  of  the  parent  at  the  birth 
of  the  child  should  be  given  as  a  means  of  determining  the  exact  point 
at  which  parent  and  germ  separated.  When  the  thing  investigated  is 
mental  power,  this  age  is  fairly  representative  because  the  mental  de- 
velopment of  parents  is  comparatively  uniform  in  normal  life  in  a  nor- 
mal community,  and  variations  may  be  ignored  when  large  numbers  are 
considered.  When  small  numbers  are  considered,  other  details  should  be 
considered  as  means  for  determining  exactly  what  the  parent  was  at  the 
time  the  germ  was  separated. 

Heredity  represents  what  the  person  is,  environment  the  opportun- 
ity he  has  for  letting  the  public  know  his  qualities.  Simply  because  one 
member  of  a  family  becomes  eminent  and  another  does  not  is  not  evi- 
dence that  either  is  superior  to  the  other.  Shakespeare  in  the  dry 
goods  business  would  have  been  the  same  individual,  but  the  public 
would  not  have  known  it.  While  we  cannot  take  a  single  case  and  com- 
pare a  known  man  with  an  unknown  one,  we  can  compare  a  known  man 


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CX>NTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  405 

with  the  general  public  and  arrive  at  fair  conclusions.  One  of  those 
fair  conclusions  is  that  the  eminent  men  of  the  world,  as  a  class,  are 
much  superior  to  the  javerage  run  of  humanity,  and  that  this  superior- 
ity lies  in  greater  mental  power. 

We  know  the  average  run  of  humanity,  and  we  know  the  average 
point  in  the  lives  of  their  changing  parents  at  which  the  germs  which 
produced  them  were  separated  from  those  parents.  We  also  know  the 
eminent  men  of  the  world  because  we  can  find  their  names  and  achieve- 
ments recorded  in  our  encyclopedias.  Were  those  eminent  men  develop- 
ed from  germs  which  were  separated  from  parents  at  the  average  time? 
They  were  not.  As  a  class  they  (*ame  from  germs  separated  more  than 
eight  years  later  than  the  average  time,  and  their  parents  and  gtand- 
parents  also  came  from  germs  separated  more  than  eight  years  later 
than  the  average  time.  In  other  words,  to  get  the  remarkable  man  it 
is  necessary  to  take  germs  which  come  from  the  later  years  of  the 
parents'  lives  and  to  continue  that  process  for  two  or  three  generations  in 
succession.  That  statement  is  not  negatived  by  the  fact  that  we  some- 
times find  an  eminent  man  who  was  the  son  of  a  comparatively  young 
father.  In  any  such  case,  an  attempt  to  push  the  investigation  to  the 
grandparents  and  the  great-grandparents  runs  into  such  extreme  ages 
that  the  averag^e  for  three  generations  is  far  above  the  average  for  the 
community. 

Trotting  races  represent  very  accurate  measurements  of  the  physic- 
.  al  powers  of  trotters.  No  horse  can  stand  the  strain  of  an  ordinary  race 
until  he  has  had  his  muscular  powers  developed  by  training.  Some 
trainers  train  their  horses  for  years  before  entering  them  in  races,  the 
object  being  to  ensure  a  high  degree  of  muscular  development  before  the 
horse  is  given  an  official  record.  Each  year  of  continuous  training 
adds  something  to  the  physical  powers  of  the  horse  as  is  seen  by  the  fact 
that  each  year's  official  record  is  usually  faster  than  the  previous  one. 
How  long  this  increase  of  power  will  continue  as  the  result  of  contin- 
uous training  is  not  known,  but  the  famous  Goldsmith  Maid  did  not 
reach  her  greatest  speed  until  she  was  seventeen  years  of  age.  This 
would  represent  more  than  sixty  years  in  the  life  of  a  man. 

How  about  the  germs  which  develop  into  trotters?  At  what  points 
in  the  lives  of  parents  do  we  get  those  germs  which  produce  trotters 
with  the  greatest  powers? 

About  fifteen  years  ago  a  prominent  horseman  wrote  an  article 
entitled  "The  First  Foal  the  Fastest,"  and  he  supported  his  thesis  by 
citing  many  cases  in  which  the  first  foal  of  a  sire  or  a  dam  had  proved 
faster  than  any  subsequent  one.  Those  cited  were  subjected  to  analysis, 
one  by  one,  and  each  and  every  one  of  them  showed  some  superficiality 
or  fallacy  which  corresponds  to  what  ordinarily  appears  in  what  is  said 
about  the  first-bom  child  in  human  beings.  Here,  however,  records 
gave  much  more  accurate  and  reliable  information  than  we  can  usual- 
ly get  when  considering  heredity  in  men.  My  review  of  those  cases  at 
that  time  involved  the  use  of  several  thousands  of  words  and  is  too 


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406  KORTH   AMERICAN    JOURNAL    OF    HOMCEOPATHY 

lengthy  to  be  given  here.  In  general,  those  fastest  first  foals  were  pro- 
duced immediately  after  years  of  hard  training  and  racing,  or  after 
many  years  of  hard  trotting  work  on  the  road.  The  later  foals  of  less 
speed  were  produced  after  the  horse  had  lost  his  or  her  muscular  de- 
velopment by  years  of  idleness. 

The  2:10  trotter  represents  the  standard  of  excellence,  and  was 
evolved  from  animals  much  inferior.  Owing  to  some  peculiarities  of 
the  racing  game  and  the  methods  followed  by  breeders  of  trotters,  and 
also  owing  to  some  technicalities  which  cannot  be  explained  in  a  short 
space,  there  is  difficulty  in  determining  the  facts  when  the  investigation 
extends  no  further  than  determining  the  times  when  germs  were  sep- 
arated from  sire  and  dam.  But  push  the  investigation  back  to  the  early 
half  of  the  nineteenth  century  and  examine  the  stages  by  which  these 
2:10  trotters  were  evolved,  and  the  whole  thing  becomes  as  plain  as  day. 
The  germs  which  carried  on  those  lines  of  descent  were  separated  from 
two  kinds  of  parents,  and  only  two  kinds.  One  of  those  kinds  is  an  old 
animal  (male  or  female)  which  had  previously  done  a  large  amount  of 
trotting  work  on  the  road,  but  had  not  been  specially  trained  for  rac- 
ing work.  The  other  is  a  comparatively  young  animal  which  had  been 
trained  and  raced,  the  germ  coming  from  that  animal  immediately  after 
the  completion  of  the  racing  career.  AH  those  germs  separated  during 
the  earlier  lives  of  the  animals  not  specially  trained  failed  to  produce 
something  which  would  breed  on  toward  improvement.  The  same  is 
true  of  those  germs  separated  from  the  trained  and  raced  animals  after 
they  had  lost  their  physical  development  by  several  years  of  idleness. 

There  is  nothing  secret  or  private  about  the  records  which  show 
these  facts.  They  are  published  official  records  open  for  the  inspection 
of  anyone  who  will  take  the  trouble  to  do  so.  Unfortunately  there  are 
many  persons  who  will  deny  these  facts  without  taking  the  trouble  to 
determine  the  truth  of  their  statements.  They  have  done  so  many 
times  in  the  past  and  may  be  expected  to  do  so  in  the  future.  However, 
by  continually  calling  attention  to  the  ease  with  which  the  facts  may  be 
determined,  it  may  be  possible  to  check  that  kind  of  misrepresentation. 


Do  not  look  for  the  classic  picture  of  any  skin  disease.  There  are 
so  many  other  symptoms  caused  by  intercurrent  troubles  that  it  is 
rather  a  rare  occurrence  to  find  a  classic  example  of  a  skin  disease. 

Never  look  at  a  cutaneous  eruption  too  closely,  as  this  makes  con- 
fusion. Stand  off  a  few  feet  and  thus  obtain  a  good  picture  and  the 
whole  matter  will  become  clear  and  easily  determined. 

Do  not  make  your  directions  a  punishment  and  much  less  a  tor- 
ture. Do  not  expect  a  human  being  to  do  the  impossible  but  make  him 
willing  to  follow  directions  and  better  results  will  bo  obtained. 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  407 

COMPULSORY  HEALTH  INSURANCE-SOME  CON- 
CLUSIONS AND  PRACTICAL  SUGGESTIONS* 

By  FREDERICK  L.  HOFFMAN,  LL.D., 

Statittlcian,  Prudential  Insurance  Co.  of  America 
Newark,  N.  J. 

TELE  subject  of  compulsory  health  insurance  and  its  suggested  adop- 
tion by  the  several  states  and  the  Federal  Government,  is  one  of 
extraordinary  complexity  and  involved  practical  and  theoretical  impor- 
tance. The  available  information  on  social  insurance  is  of  such  enor- 
mous extent  as  to  preclude  thoroughness  and  scientific  conclusiveness 
in  the  consideration  of  all  essential  matters  in  detail.  No  thoroughly 
qualified  and  impartial  investigation  of  European  social  insurance  sys- 
tems has  thus  far  been  made  with  special  reference  to  the  practical 
application  of  the  conclusions  arrived  at  as  to  American  conditions  of 
labor  and  life.  One  of  the  most  useful  of  recent  inquiries  was  made 
in  1914  by  the  social  insurance  committee  of  the  National  Civic  Federa- 
tion, but  unfortunately  this  inquiry  was  prematurely  terminated  by  the 
outbreak  of  the  European  war.  The  general  results  of  this  investiga- 
tion, however^  are  briefly  summarized  in  the  suggestive  conclusion  that 
"We  should  resist  any  spirit  of  impatience  in  America  to  copy  these 
doubtful  experiments;  but  should  urge  a  policy  of  watchful  waiting  un- 
til their  results  become  certain." 

All  European  experience  in  social  insurance  is,  however,  of  very 
limited  practical  value  to  American  labor  and  business  interests,  in  view 
of  the  fundamental  differences  in  the  political,  social  and  economic  con- 
ditions of  the  American  people.  Essentially  all  conceptions  of  com- 
pulsory health  and  invalidity  insurance  rest  upon  alien  governmental 
theories  more  or  less  opposed  to  American  ideals  of  liberty  and  democ- 
racy. Compulsory  insurance,  having  its  origin  in  Germany,  in  an  effort 
to  oppose  or  arrest  the  menacing  growth  of  socialism,  the  actual  results 
have  been  rather  to  strengthen  the  socialistic  movement  and  to  further 
the  plans  and  purposes  of  the  Socialist  Party.  That  the  propaganda 
for  compulsory  health  insurance  in  this  country  rests  largely  upon 
socialistic  conceptions  is  concisely  emphasized  by  one  of  its  most  strenu- 
ous advocates,  D.  I.  M.  Rubinow,  in  The  American  Year  Book  for  1016, 
in  the  words  that:  "Whether  health  insurance  is  to  become  a  real 
force  for  the  betterment  of  the  conditions  of  the  wage-worker^s  life,  or 
whether  it  is  to  remain,  like  the  American  compensation  legislation,  a 
mere  sop  to  the  wage-worker,  will  largely  depend  upon  the  activity  of 
the  socialistic  movement." 

There  exists  no  nation-wide  demand  for  the  adoption  of  a  system  of 
compulsory  health  insurance,  however  materially  modified  in  matters 
of  detail,  which  conforms  more  or  less  to  the  legitimate  sphere  and 

•Reprinted  from  the  Author's  Pamphlet,  'Tacts  and  Fallacies  of  Com- 
pulsary  Health  Insurance. 


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408  NORTH    AMERICAN   JOURNAL   OF    HOMCEOPATHT 

functions  of  the  American  State.  In  the  furtherance  of  the  propa- 
ganda reckless  utterances  have  been  given  currency  which  challenge 
contradiction  as  obviously  contrary  to  the  facts  which  are  a  matter  of 
official  record.  Whether  compulsory  health  insurance  is  desirable  and 
necessary  or  not  depends  primarily  upon  an  impartial  consideration  of 
the  existing  needs  for  the  establishment  of  such  a  system  in  this  coun- 
try, and  the  political,  social  and  economic  consequences  to  be  antici- 
pated, with  special  reference  to  the  needs  and  circumstances  of  our 
wage-workers  and  their  dependents.  It  is  exceedingly  regrettable  that, 
in  a  matter  of  such  far-reaching  importance,  the  fundamental  questions 
at  issue  should  have  been  obscured  by  a  truly  appalling  array  of  obvi- 
ously false  assertions  and  allegations,  which  it  has  been  the  present  pur- 
pose to  subject  to  critical  analysis  by  an  appeal  to  the  statistical  and 
other  evidence  accessible  to  those  wlio  desire  to  ascertain  the  truth. 
The  essential  conclusions  of  the  present  discussion,  which  is  based  upon 
extended  foreign  investigations  and  a  thorough  inquiry  into  the  past 
and  present  conditions  of  American  industrial  society,  are  restated  as 
follows.* 

1.     A  critical  and  partial  analysis  of  the  most  forcible  arguments 
which  have  been  advanced  in  favor  of  compulsory  health  insurance  •om- 


*As  early  as  1901  I  had  occasion  to  oppose  an  endorsement  of  com- 
pulse: y  sickness  insurance  with  special  reference  to  tuberculosis  insur- 
ance, in  a  discussion  before  the  Second  New  York  State  Conference  of 
Charities.  My  objections  were  based  upon  the  results  of  an  extended 
inquiry  into  the  feasibility  of  such  insurance  presented  by  me  earlier 
during  the  year  to  the  Britsh  Congress  on  Tuberculosis.  I  directed  at- 
tention to  a  plan  proposed  to  a  New  York  Friendly  Society,  suggesting 
as  an  alternative  to  sickness  insurance  the  encouragement  of  individual 
savings  and  the  accumulation  of  a  special  but  sufficient  fund  for  ordin- 
ary sickness  purposes.  In  1913  I  contributed  an  extended  discussion  on 
Systems  of  Wage-earners*  Insurance  to  the  First  Conference  on  Social 
Insurance.  This  discussion  concluded  with  the  statement  that  "evi- 
dently to  the  extent  that  the  needs  of  the  wage-earners  arising  out  of  the 
ever-present  contingencies  of  sickness,  invalidity,  old  age  and  death  are 
supplemented  by  the  voluntary  action  of  broad-minded  employers  in  re- 
sponse to  a  sound  sense  of  social  justice,  limited  to  the  minimum  re- 
quirements and  restrained  by  the  duty  not  to  discourage  the  habit  of 
voluntary  savings  and  insurance,  the  possible  need  for  social  or  com- 
pulsory insurance  is  successfully  met  by  the  co-operation  of  employers 
and  employees  and  the  attainment  of  a  higher  economic  standard  of  life 
and  well-being  among  our  wage-earners,  who  can  thus  provide  for  their 
own  needs  at  their  own  cost  and  in  their  own  way."  I  also  quote  from 
my  article  on  Social  Insurance  in  The  Spectator  of  September  14,  1911, 
concluding  wth  the  statement  that  "Maladministration  of  i)oor  relief, 
misdirected  philanthropy  and  ill-advised  legislation  in  the  matter  of 
employers'  liablity  for  industrial  accidents  and  industrial  diseases  lie 
at  the  root  of  a  world-wide  agitation  for  social  reform,  which  has  much 
to  recommend  it,  but  which  bids  fair  to  repeat  the  unfortunate  history 
of  the  43rd  Eliz.,  unless  it  is  wisely  directed  by  impartial  statesmanship 
and  governed  solely  by  the  real  necessities  of  the  people  and  not  by  their 
assumed  needs,  much  more  effectively  provided  for  through  existing 
agencies  of  self-help." 


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CONTRIBUTED   ARTICLES  409 

pletely  disproves  all  the  essential  assertions  and  allegations  concerning 
the  urgency,  practical  necessity,  and  political  expediency  of  such  legis- 
lation at  the  present  time. 

2.  All  the  arguments  advanced  in  favor  of  compulsory  insurance 
rest  upon  fundamentally  erroneous  assumptions  of  paternalism  and  co- 
ercion obviously  un-American  and  uncalled  for  by  the  social  or  economic 
problems  and  needs  of  our  wage-earners  and  their  dependents. 

3.  The  propaganda  throughout  rests  upon  seriously  misleading  as- 
sertions and  allegations  concerning  the  economic  condition  of  American 
labor,  the  insufficiency  of  average  incomes  for  such  medical  require- 
ments as  may  arise,  the  inadequacy  of  existing  facilities  fdr  medical  aid, 
and  the  prevailing  rate  of  sickness  in  industry,  all  of  which  are  con- 
trary to  common  knowledge  and  the  statistical  fact  which  are  a  mat- 
ter of  official  record. 

4.  Compulsory  health  insurance  is  strongly  opposed  by  organized 
labor  as  represented  by  the  American  Federation  of  Labor,  by  many 
State  labor  organizations,  and  other  important  labor  interests,  whether 
organized  or  not. 

5.  Compulsory  health  insurance  is  strongly  opposed  by  business 
interests  as  visionary,  dangerous,  and  unnecessary  class  legislation  un- 
questionably inimical  to  the  future  of  American  industry  and  the  gen- 
eral welfare  of  the  wage-earners  employed  therein. 

6.  Compulsory  health  insurance  has  not  been  officially  approved  or 
endorsed  by  either  the  American  Medical  Association,  or  the  American 
Public  Health  Association,  but,  quite  to  the  contrary,  the  proposed  state 
laws  in  New  York  and  Illinois  are  being  strongly  and  effectively  op- 
posed by  the  Medical  Society  of  the  County  of  New  York  and  the  Chi- 
cago Medical  Society,  two  of  the  largest  and  most  influential  .local 
medical  organizations  in  the  country. 

7.  Compulsory  health  insurance  is  grenerally  approved  of  by  those 
who  are  chiefly  concerned  with  the  problems  and  needs  of  the  poor  in 
large  cities  but  who  are  more  or  less  out  of  touch  with  the  social  and 
economic  problems  of  labor  and  industry.  Foreign  experience  under 
social  insurance  proves  conclusively  that  the  condition  of  the  very  poor 
is  not  materially  improved,  but  that  the  benefits  accrue  chiefly  to  those 
who  are  able  to  provide  for  their  own  needs  at  their  own  cost. 

8.  The  alarming  assertions  regarding  the  prevailing  rate  of  sick- 
ness in  American  industry  are  quite  contrary  to  the  evidence  revealed 
by  means  of  trustworthy  community  sickness  surveys  of  representative 
American  cities,  indicative  of  a  decidedly  lower  rate  of  incidence  than 
is  known  to  prevail  in  Germany  and  Austria,  regardless  of  nearly 
thirty  years  of  compulsory  sickness  insurance  experience.  Thus,  for 
Boston,  Mass.,  the  average  sickness  loss  for  males  is  only  6.5  day  per 
annum,  and  for  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  the  loss  is  7.0  days,  against  more 
than  9.2  days  for  Germany  and  9.6  days  for  Austria.  For  the  State 
of  Californa,  according  to  the  Social  Insurance  Commission,  the  loss 
is  only  six  days,  and  for  a  selected  group  of  workingmen  in  various 


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410  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL    OF    HOMCEOPATHY 

establishments  of  San  Francisco  and  Oakland,  only  2.9  days.  The 
assumed  general  average  loss  of  nine  days  by  the  United  States  Indus- 
trial Commission  is  merely  conjecture  and  guesswork  opinion. 

9.  The  alarming  assertions  regarding  the  alleged  physical  de- 
terioration of  the  American  people  are  grossly  misleading  and  contrary 
to  the  facts,  which  prove  that  in  the  registration  area  of  the  United 
States  there  has  been  no  very  marked  increase  in  the  mortality  from 
preventable  degenerative  diseases  during  the  working  period  of  adult  life. 
No  thoroughly  qualified  investigation  has  been  made  into  the  subject 
and  the  available  statistical  information  is  of  doubtful  intrinsic  value. 
A  material  reduction  in  the  adult  death  rate  depends  primarily  upon  a 
more  rational  mode  of  living,  improved  habits,  better  methods  of  early 
diagnosis,  and  further  progress  in  the  practice  of  medicine  and  general 
surgery.  There  is  no  evidence  to  prove  that  compulsory  sickness  insur- 
ance has  brought  about  a  measurable  decrease,  if  any,  in  the  mortality' 
from  degenerative  diseases  in  the  countries  in  which  such  insurance 
has  been  in  operation  for  many  years. 

10.  To  the  extent  that  industries  or  occupations  predispose  to 
physical  infirmity  and  premature  death,  the  solution  of  the  problem  lies 
largely  in  the  direction  of  adequate  compensation  for  such  diseases  in 
conformity  to  well-considered  modern  workmen's  compensation  laws. 
The  sanitary  control  of  work  places,  and  the  gradual  elimination  of 
occupational  diseases,  depend  chiefly  upon  the  more  regid  enforcement 
of  laws  of  safety  and  sanitation  in  their  specific  relation  to  industrial 
life.  Compulsory  health  insurance  is  not  required  for  the  attainment 
of  this  purpose,  but,  quite  to  the  contrary,  such  a  system  has  almost 
invariably  proved  an  inducement  to  indifference  and  neglect,  by  pro- 
viding adequate  pecuniary  relief  during  needlessly  prolonged  periods 
of  alleged  incapacity  for  work. 

11.  The  assertions  and  allegations  regarding  the  remarkable  health 
progress  of  Germany,  attributable  to  social  insurance,  are  contradicted 
by  the  fact  that  the  sanitary  advancement  of  the  United  States  has  been 
fully  as  satisfactory,  and  possibly  even  more  so,  as  regards  tuberculosis 
and  infant  mortality.  There  has  been  no  marked  decline  during  recent 
years  in  the  sickness  rate  of  German  wage- workers,  which,  as  a  matter  of 
official  record,  remains  considerable  in  excess  of  the  corresponding  rate 
of  sickness  known  to  prevail  among  the  wage-workers  of  this  country. 

12.  The  alleged  increase  of  twelve  years  in  the  longevity  of  the 
German  adult  male  population  under  social  insurance,  and  largely  in 
consequence  thereof,  is  a  thoroughly  misleading  statistical  assumption 
and  contrary  to  the  facts  of  the  German  official  life  tables  correctly 
interpreted  in  conformity  to  qualified  statistical  and  actuarial  judgment. 
At  the  present  time  the  white  male  expectation  of  life  at  age  30,  in  the 
United  States,  is  34.87  years,  against  34.55  years  in  Germany;  at  age 
70,  when  the  measurable  effects  of  progress  in  industrial  conditions  and 
public  health  should  be  most  perceptible,  the  white  male  expectation  of 
life  in  the  United  States,  without  social  insurance,  is  8.83  years,  against 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  411 

7.99  years  for  Germany,  notwithstanding  many  years  of  compulsory 
health  insurance  experience. 

13.  The  assertions  and  allegations  regarding  the  extraordinary 
social  progress  of  German  wage-earners  under  social  insurance,  and  in 
consequence  thereof,  are  contradicted  by  the  extremely  suggestive  fact 
that  tiie  adult  death  rate  of  Berlin  during  the  last  thirty  years  has  re- 
mained practically  stationary,  and  that  during  the  last  fifteen  years 
there  has  been  a  decided  increase  in  the  Berlin  suicide  rate,  in  contrast 
to  a  marked  decline  in  the  suicide  rate  of  the  city  of  New  York.  At 
the  present  time  the  suicide  rate  for  Berlin  is  almost  twice  the  suicide 
rate  for  the  city  of  New  York  I 

14.  The  assertions  and  allegations  regarding  the  health  progress 
of  England  under  national  insurance  are  equally  misleading  and  con- 
trary to  the  official  evidence  presented  in  the  recent  annual  reports  of 
the  Local  Government  Board,  and  the  Registrar-General,  proving  con- 
clusively that  under  compulsory  health  insurance,  and  without  refer- 
ence to  the  war,  there  has  been  no  decline  in  the  general  death  rate; 
in  infant  mortality;  the  notification  of  infectious  diseases;  in  puerperal 
fever,  and  the  case  frequency  and  mortality  from  pulmonary  tuber- 
culosis. 

15.  It  is  also  seriously  misleading  to  assert  that  compulsory  health . 
insurance  is  primarily  a  health  measure,  since,  as  a  matter  of  fact  and 
record,  it  is  essentially  a  method  of  providing  pecuniary  relief  during 
sickness,  which,  in  the  large  majority  of  cases,  is  entirely  unnecessary 
and  a  hindrance  rather  than  a  help.  Medical  attendance,  under  national 
health  insurance  in  England,  has  been  of  decidedly  secondary  impor- 
tance, and,  according  to  the  impartial  investigations  made  by  the  Re- 
search Department  of  the  Fabian  Society,  "It  is,  on  the  whole,  for  only 
the  minor  ailments  of  the  insured  persons  that  medical  treatment  is 
being  provided  under  the  Act." 

16.  Favorable  conclusions  regarding  the  alleged  beneficial  effects 
of  social  insurance  on  poor  relief  in  Germany  are  contradicted  by  the 
official  evidence,  which  indicates  no  very  material  improvement  in  the 
social  condition  of  the  lowest  labor  element  previous  to  the  outbreak 
of  the  war.  The  same  lamentable  conclusion  applies  to  the  United 
Kingdom,  for,  in  the  words  of  Mr.  Bonar  Law,  who  succeeded  Mr. 
Lloyd  George  as  chancellor  of  the  exchequer,  "There  is  not  the  least 
doubt  that  actually  a  large  number  of  the  poor,  or  those  who  have  the 
greatest  need  of  our  assistance,  do  not  receive  the  benefits,  although 
they  are  obliged  to  pay  the  contributions.  Under  voluntary  insurance 
the  insured,  if  they  do  not  receive  benefits,  are  at  least  dispensed  from 
paying  contributions.* 


*For  a  full  account  of  the  defects  and  deficiencies  of  the  British  Nation- 
al Health  Insurance  system,  see  the  Special  Supplement  to  The  New 
Statesman,  London,  March  14,  1914,  being  the  interim  report  of  the 
Committee  of  Inquiry  instituted  by  the  Fabian  Research  Department. 


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412  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL    OF    HOM(EOPATHY 

17.  The  propaganda  for  compulsory  health  insurance  rests  also 
upon  thoroughly  unsound  principles  of  insurance.  The  plan  proposed 
is  not  primarily  one  of  insurance  in  the  technical  sense  of  the  term, 
but  rather  one  of  arbitrary  taxation  and  a  skillfully  disguised  form  of 
poor  relief.  The  term  **health"  insurance  is  misleading  in  th^  the 
essential  and  financially  most  important  object  is  a  provision  for  ade- 
quate pecuniary .  relief  during  sickness,  which,  in  the  large  majority  of 
cases,  is  of  relatively  short  duration  and  therefore  not  of  economic 
importance.  The  amounts  expended  on  account  of  such  sickness,  how- 
ever, assume  enormous  aggregates,  to  the  detriment  of  the  development 
of  a  rational  State  medical  service  and  the  required  discouragement  of 
malingering  and  fraud. 

18.  The  argument  advanced,  that  the  fundamental  purpose  of  all 
insurance  is  prevention,  is  absolutely  misleading  and  quite  contrary  to 
accepted  insurance  theories,  methods  and  results.  The  essential  pur- 
pose of  all  insurance  is  the  distribution  of  losses  which  arise  out  of  the 
uncertainties  of  human  life;  and  while  the  prevention  of  destitution  is 
unquestionably  a  result,,  and  a  most  important  one,  it  cannot  properly 
be  said,  in  any  sense  of  the  term,  to  be  the  object  of  insurance  in  any 
one  of  its  multitude  of  forms. 

19.  Contrary  to  the  frequent  and  emphatic  assertions  that  the  in- 
terests of  the  medical  profession  have  been  measurably  advanced  under 
social  insurance,  the  evidence  presented  in  the  weekly  supplements  to 
the  British  Medical  Journal,  and  other  British  medical  publications, 
proves  conclusively  that  there  has  \>een  a  marked  degree  of  disorgani- 
zation and  deterioration  in  medical  practice,  with  serious  results  to 
physicians,  pharmacists,  and  the  general  public.  Equally  conclusive  of 
unfavorable  results  is  the  German  evidence,  which  is  indicative  of  a 
perceptible  lowering  of  the  status,  of  the  average  medical  practitioner, 
of  continued  conflicts  of  interest,  and  the  encouragement  of  mediocrity 
in  the  performance  of  professional  duties,  results  obviously  opposed  to 
the  best  interests  of  wage-earners  and  the  general  public. 

20.  It  is  decidedly  mischievous  to  assert  that  "The  physician  is  the 
guardian  of  the  public  health.*'  The  physician  in  private  practice  is 
directly  responsible  to  the  patient  for  the  results  of  the  treatment,  and 
only  indirectly  to  the  community.  The  efficient  discharge  of  public 
health  functions  is  primarily  a  question  of  centralized  power  and  re- 
sponsibility and  is  chiefly  concerned  with  the  elimination  and  control 
of  sanitary  nuisances  and  preventable  diseases.  To  burden  the  public 
health  administration  with  additional  and  conflicting  medical  duties,  as 
proposed  under  compulsory  health  insurance,  would  unquestionably 
result  in  a  lesser  degree  of  efficiency  in  the  enforcement  of  public  health 
laws  and  the  further  improvement  in  the  death  rate. 

21.  The  medical  and  sanitary  progress  of  the  United  States  with- 
out social  insurance  has  been  as  satisfactory,  if  not  more  so,  as  the*  cor- 
responding progress  of  Germany  and  other  European  countries.  The 
prevailing  death  rate  in  the  registration  area  of  the. United  States  is 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  413 

only  about  13.5  per  1,000,  or  the  lowest  on  record.  During  the  last 
fifteen  years  the  general  death  rate  of  the  more  concentrated  industrial 
section  of  this  country  has  decreased  16  per  cent.;  the  mortality  from 
tuberculosis  has  decreased  23  per  cent. ;  from  typhoid  fever,  65  per  cent. ; 
from  diphtheria  and  croup,  54  per  cent.,  and  from  diseases  of  early  in- 
fancy, 28  per  cent.  The  evidence,  therefore,  is  entirely  conclusive 
that  a  remarkable  degree  of  health  progress  has  been  attained  in  con- 
sequence of  a  rapidly  improving  Federal,  State  and  local  health  admin- 
istration, actively  and  intelligently  co-ordinated  to  the  work  of  volun- 
tary health-promoting  agencies. 

22.  It  is,  therefore,  seriously  misleading  to  assert  that  a  more 
effective  and  far-reaching  public  health  education  can  only  be  secured 
through  compulsory  health  insurance,  when,  as  a  matter  of  fact,  in  no 
country  in  the  world  has  more  been  done  in  this  direction  than  in  the 
United  States.  The  admirable  work  of  such  voluntary  health-promot- 
ing agencies  as  the  National  Association  for  the  Study  and  Prevention 
of  Tuberculosis,  the  American  Association  for  the  Study  and  Preven- 
tion of  Infant  Mortality,  the  American  Society  for  the  Control  of  Can- 
cer, the  National  Committee  for  Mental  Hygiene,  the  American  Social 
Hygiene  Association,  the  National  Committee  on  Malaria  Eradication, 
the  National  Organization  for  Public  Health  Nursing,  the  National 
Committee  for  the  Prevention  of  Blindness,  the  American  Posture 
League,  the  National  Ked-Cross,  the  National  Safety  Council,  and  the 
American  Museum  of  Safety,  is  conclusive  evidence  of  an  aroused  pub- 
lic interest  actively  and  intelligently  co-ordinated  to  Federal,  State 
and  local  health  activities. 

23.  Indifferent  to  these  conspicuous  results  of  commendable  gov- 
ernmental and  voluntary  efforts  in  the  vast  field  of  public  health  ad- 
ministration and  preventive  medicine,  the  arguments  advanced  in 
favor  of  compulsory  health  insurance  are  equally  unjust  to  the  social 
and  economic  achievements  of  American  labor  and  industry,  and  of  the 
many  voluntary  insurance  methods  and  agencies  serving  social  insur- 
ance purposes.  The  social  and  economic  progress  of  American  wage- 
earners  during  the  last  quarter-century,  and  without  social  insurance, 
is  a  verifiable  fact  which  challenges  the  admiration  of  mankind.  Fur- 
ther progress  is  more  likely  to  be  achieved  in  conformity  to  our  own 
methods  and  experience  than  upon  an  alien  basis  of  governmental  co- 
ercion and  state  paternalism.  The  anticipated  social  and  economic 
results  of  compulsory  health  insurance,  and  its  cost  and  benefits,  are  a 
matter  of  guesswork  opinion  and  unscientific  conjecture,  opposed  to 
rational  conceptions  of  American  labor  legislation  and  social  reform. 


*See  in  this  connection  the  address  on  "Trade-Unions,'*  by  G.  W. 
Perkins,  president  Cigar  Makers'  International  Union;  also  the  address 
on  ** Trade-Union  Benefit  Funds,"  by  Marsden  G.  Scott,  president  of  the 
International  Typographical  Union;  and  an  address  on  the  Massachus- 
etts System  of  Savings  Bank  Life  Insurance,  by  Alice  H.  Grady.  All 
of  these  were  read  before  the  Conference  on  Social  Insurance,  Wash- 
ington, D.  C,  1916. 


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414  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL    OF    HOMCEOPATHY 

Of  those  who  are  responsible  for  the  nation-wide  propaganda  for  com- 
pulsory health  insurance,  it  may  be  said  in  this  connection,  in  the  words 
of  Herbert  Spencer,  illustrating  a  curious  truth,  "that  while  an  evil  is 
very  great  it  attracts  little  or  no  attention;  that  when,  from  one  or 
other  cause,  it  is  mitigated,  recognition  of  it  brings  efforts  to  decrease 
it;  and  that  when  it  has  thus  diminished,  there  comes  a  demand  that 
strong  measures  shall  be  taken  for  its  extinction,  natural  means  having 
done  so  much,  a  peremptory  call  for  artificial  means  arises."* 

24.  No  adequate,  impartial  and  thoroughly  well-considered  investi- 
gation has  been  made  into  the  whole  subject  of  voluntary  thrift  de- 
velopment in  this  country.  The  statistical  and  other  evidence,  how- 
ever, is  entirely  convincing  that  truly  enormous  progress  has  been  made 
through  a  multitude  of  methods,  each  and  all  of  which  are  the  result 
of  normal  and  natural  development.  In  this  as  in  other  fields  of  social 
evolution  it  may  properly  be  said  that  "the  best  is  yet  to  be."  It,  however, 
is  conclusive  evidence  of  the  voluntary  thrift  development  that  trade 
unions,  fraternal  societies,  establishment  benefit  funds,  and  life  insur- 
ance companies  should  each  and  all  have  made  the  most  remarkable 
progress  in  the  history  of  insurance  during  the  last  quarter-century. 
At  the  present  time  the  approximate  number  of  policies  and  certificates 
in  force  with  voluntary  insurance  institutions  exceed  fifty  million,  and 
the  amount  of  insurance  protection  exceeds  thirty-two  billion  dollars. 
Approximately  two-thirds  of  this  amount  is  on  the  lives  of  American 
wage-earners  and  their  dependents,  representing  voluntary  thrift  in  its 
most  altruistic  form.  Voluntary  insurance  rests  upon  sound  actuarial 
and  financial  principles  and  generations  of  experience.  Compulsory 
insurance  in  any  and  all  of  its  forms  rests  largely  upon  actuarial  guess- 
work and  reckless  theories  of  public  taxation.* 

25.  Voluntary  sickness  insurance  has  not  been  extensively  devel- 
oped in  this  country,  largely  because  of  the  fact  that  there  has  been  no 
economic  necessity  for  such  insurance,  except  in  trades  more  or  less 
subject  to  a  relatively  high  sickness  rate.    In  such  trade,  for  illustra- 


*For  a  concise  account  of  American  progress,  see  my  address  on 
"The  Economic  Progress  of  the  United  States  During  the  Last  Seventy- 
five  Years,"  delivered  on  the  occasion  of  the  seventy-fifth  anniversary 
meeting  of  the  American  Statistical  Association,  Boston,  1914;  and  my 
earlier  address  on  "Fifty  Years  of  Life  Insurance  Progress,"  published 
in  the  Quarterly  Publications  of  the  American  Statistical  Association, 
September,  1911.  A  summary  account  of  the  development  of  "Indus- 
trial Insurance  Throughout  the  World"  was  published  in  the  Weekly 
Underwriter  for  July  22,  1911.  An  earlier  paper,  on  "Industrial  Insur- 
ance in  Germany,"  was  published  in  The  American  Underwriter,  New 
York,  1908,  concluding  with  the  statement  that  "The  fact  remains  th^t 
compulsory  insurance  has  not  materially  hindered  the  development  and 
progress  of  industrial  insurance."  An  address  on  "Principles  and  Ele- 
ments of  Industrial  Insurance,"  was  contributed  to  the  Fifth  Interna- 
tional Actuarial  Congress,  Berlin,  1906;  preceded  by  a  somewhate  more 
extended  account  contributed  to  the  Annals  of  the  American  Academy 
of  Political  and  Social  Science,  Philadelphia,  1905. 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  415 

tion>  as  that  of  the  International  Cigar  Makers'  Union,  a  moderate 
amount  of  pecuniary  sick  support  has  been  found  advantageous,  and 
more  than  four  million  dollars  has  been  distributed  for  this  purpose 
since  organization,  aside  from  about  four  and  a  half  million  dollars  paid 
in  the  form  of  death  claims,  etc.  In  other  words,  when  required  or 
desired,  wage-workers  in  their  own  way  and  at  their  own  cost  have  had 
no  difficulty  in  establishing  a  satisfactory  form  of  sickness  insurance. 
As  a  general  rule,  however,  pecuniary  support,  except  during  very  pro- 
longed sickness,  is  not  a  matter  of  economic  importance  to  the  average 
American  wage-worker,  more  properly  concerned  with  an  increase  in 
wages  and  a  decrease  in  working  hours  and*  other  matters  concerning 
the  maintenance  and  the  raising  of  his  standard  of  life.f 

26.  The  ideals  of  American  industry  have  undergone  material 
changes  during  the  last  generation,  and  employers'  welfare  work  on  a 
liberal  scale  is  now  of  such  common  occurrence  as  not  to  attract  much 
public  attention.  The  modern  American  factory  represents  truly  ad- 
mirable working  conditions,  in  glaring  contrast  to  the  common  neglect 
of  safety  and  sanitation  in  the  past.  To  an  increasing  extent  employers 
are  providing  first-aid  and  medical  service,  amplified  by  well-considered 
method^  of  instruction  in  the  essential  principles  of  i)ersonal  hygiene. 
The  practice  is  also  becoming  quite  general,  at  least  on  the  part  of  large 
corporations,  to  provide  sickness  and  disability  allowances  on  a  non- 
contributory  plan,  and  through  voluntary  group  insurance  for  death, 
and  superannuation  in  old  age.* 

27.  Social  insurance  has  been  investigated  and  reported  upon  by  a 
special  Commission  of  the  State  of  Massachusetts  in  1910,  which  unani- 
mously recommended  against  the  adoption  of  such  a  system  on  the  part 
of  the  commonwealth.  A  Commission  of  Inquiry  has  also  made  a 
report  to  the  State  of  California,  transmitted  to  the  Legislature  under 
date  of  January  26,  1917,  in  which  it  is  said  that  "the  Commission  is 

tThe  sickness  insurance  methods  of  the  Cigar  Makers'  Internation- 
al Union  have  been  fully  described  by  Mr.  G.  W.  Perkins,  president,  in 
an  address  read  before  the  Conference  on  Social  Insurance,  Washington, 
1916;  and  in  his  annual  report,  Baltimore,  September,  1912.  Accord- 
ing to  this  report  the  cost  of  this  form  of  sickness  insurance  during  1911 
was  $4.13  per  member  per  annum ;  and  of  death  and  disability  insurance, 
$5.03  per  member  per  annum ;  the  aggregate  cost  of  all  benefits  per  mem- 
ber per  annum  during  1911  was  11.14.  The  estimated  annual  cost  of 
compulsory  health  insurance,  according  to  Dr.  Warner,  is  $26.00 1 

*Much  valuable  information  on  employers'  welfare  work  and  social 
insurance  has  been  made  public  by  the  National  Civic  Federation,  in- 
cluding a  report  of  the  Social  Insurance  Committee  on  Foreign  Inquiry, 
issued  in  1914;  a  report  of  the  Welfare  Department  on  Profit  Sharing 
by  American  Employers,  issued  in  1916,  and  the  papers  on  Compulsory 
Health  Insurance  read  at  the  annual  meeting  on  January  22,  1917.  In 
addition  thereto  the  Federation  has  issued  a  Brief  prepared  by  the  Leg- 
islative Committee,  on  Compulsory  Health  Insurance,  with  special  refer- 
ence to  Senate  Bill  69,  State  of  New  York,  being  an  Act  to  establish  a 
system  of  compulsory  insurance,  etc.  See,  also,  "Criticism  of  a  Tenta- 
tive Draft  of  an  Act  for  Health  Insurance,"  by  P.  Tecumseh  Sherman, 
New  York  City,  1917. 


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416  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL   OP    HOMCEOPATHY 

uot  at  this  time  prepared  to  offer  a  plan  for  the  organization  of  health 
insurance,"  for  "it  tees  what  it  believes  to  be  serious  objections  to  the 
plan  of  the  American  Association  for  Labor  Legislation,  which  has 
been  given  the  greatest  publicity."  Contrary  to  this  emphatic  official 
statement,  which  is  a  matter  of  record,  the  members  of  the  American 
Association  for  Labor  Legislation,  under  date  of  March  1,  1917,  are 
informed  by  the  secretary  that  "The  first  two  official  State  Commissions 
(Massachusetts  and  California)  to  report  on  health  insurance  have 
recently  announced  conclusions  similar  to  the  recommendations  of  this 
Association."  As  a  matter  of  fact,  as  regards  the  State  of  California 
there  could  be  no  more  emphatic  conclusions  to  the  contrary.  Entirely 
free  from  partisan  bias,  the  conclusions  of  the  Massachusetts  State 
Commission  of  1910  remain  unchanged  as  the  most  convincing  argu- 
ment against  the  adoption  of  compulsory  health  insurance  system, 
based  largely,  if  not  exclusively,  upon  alien  theories  of  class  legislation 
and  labor  welfare. 

28.  In  its  final  analysis  the  problem  for  compulsory  health  insur- 
ance resolves  itself  into  fundamental  questions  of  taxation  and  govern- 
ment control  of  individual  medical  treatment  and  sickness  relief.  The 
administrative  exx>enses  would  be  enormous;  the  political  complications 
would  be  most  serious;  drastic  interference  with  personal  rights  and 
liberties  would  be  inevitable,  and  the  aggregate  direct  cost  for  medical 
attendance  and  relief  to  wage-earners  and  their  dependents,  employers, 
and  the  general  public  would  not  fall  below  three-fourths  of  a  billion 
dollars  a  year !  The  approximate  cost,  as  officially  stated  in  the  report  of 
the  United  States  Commission  on  Industrial  Relations,  and  the  bulletin 
on  health  insurance  issued  by  the  United  States  Public  Health  Service, 
is  placed  at  $26.00  per  wage-worker  per  annum.  Accepting  30,000,000 
eligible  wage-workers  as  a  minimum  for  the  entire  United  States,  the 
probable  minimum  total  cost  of  the  system  proposed  would  be  $780,- 
000,000.  This  amount,  however,  would  vary  more  or  less  according  to 
the  definition  or  limitation  of  the  benefits  granted  and  the  total  number 
of  beneficiaries  included  or  excluded,  according  to  local  rules  and  reg- 
ulations in  matters  of  detail.  In  addition  to  this  amount,  however,  a 
large  increase  would  result  in  general  governmental  cost  in  consequence 
of  the  contemplated  multitude  and  complexity  of  new  public  activities, 
making  it  a  reasonable  assumption  that  the  aggregate  annual  amount  in- 
volved would  in  course  of  time  be  not  far  from  a  billion  dollars. 
Twenty  per  cent,  of  this  vast  sum  ($200,000,000)  would  fall  upon  the 
general  taxpayer,  forty  per  cent.,  or  $400,000,000,  upon  industry,  and 
forty  per  cent.,  or  $400,000,000,  upon  wage-workers,  who  would  there- 
fore receive  one  dollar  in  value  for  a  payment  of  forty  cents.*     Since 


*For  the  state  of  Massachusetts  the  official  estimate  is  that  a  com- 
pulsory sickness  insurance  system  would  cost  the  people  of  the  state 
$23,000,000,  of  which  $4,600,000  would  require  to  be  raised  by  direct 
taxation.  On  the  basis  of  the  population  of  1915,  the  total  cost  would 
be  equivalent  to  $6.20  per  capita,  which,  applied  to  the  entire  United 
States  for  the  year  1917,  would  represent  a  total  cost  of  $641,700,000. 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  417 

there  is  no  trustworthy  evidence  that  industries  or  employments  are 
responsible  for  anything  like  forty  per  cent,  of  the  economic  burdens  of 
sickness  in  wage-earners'  families,  a  large  portion  of  the  benefits  repre- 
sents no  more  and  no  less  than  a  skillfully  disguised  form  of  poor  relief, 
which  is  incompatible  with  the  interests  and  desires  of  American 
wage-earners  and  their  dependents  and  with  the  social  and  political 
ideals  of  the  nation  at  large.  In  the  wise  and  thoughtful  words  of 
President  Hadley,  of  Yale  University,  ^'We  need  measures  which  shall 
increase  individual  responsibility  rather  than  diminish  it;  measures 
which  shall  give  us  more  self-reliance  and  less  reliance  on  society  as  a 
whole.  We  can  not  afford  to  countenance  a  system  of  morals  or  law 
which  justifies  an  individual  in  looking  to  the  community  rather  than 
to  himself  for  support  in  age  or  infirmity."  This,  in  brief,  is  the  point 
of  view  of  American  democracy  and  American  labor,  insisting  upon 
social  justice  and  freedom  of  action  wholly  inconsistent  with  German 
conceptions  of  state  paternalism  and  coercion  in  the  unceasing  struggle 
for  the  maintenance  and  improvement  of  the  American  wage-workers' 
standard  of  liberty  and  life. 

PRACTICAL  SUGGESTIONS 

The  following  practical  suggestions  may  be  advanced  as  pertinent 
to  the  discussion  of  a  problem  which  most  seriously  concerns  not  only 
American  labor  but  the  nation  at  large.  Every  agitation  of  this  kind 
rests  fundamentally  upon  social  or  economic  maladjustments  naturally 
inherent  in  every  industrial  society  at  the  present  period  of  social  evolu- 
tion: 

FIRST :  There  is  unquestionably  a  most  urgent  need  for  the  more 
intelligent  and  effective  medical  care  of  the  poor,  or  dependent  wage- 
earning  element.  Since  social  insurance  has  practically  failed  to  meet 
the  requirements  of  the  poor,  who  are  unable  out  of  their  own  small 
earnings  to  provide  adequate  medical  care  and  minimum  pecuniary 
support,  it  is  self-evident  that  the  solution  of  the  difficulty  is  a  more 
intelligently  conceived  state  medical  service  on  the  one  hand,  and  more 
systematic  and  weH-considered  poor  relief  on  the  other.  In  G^e^nany 
and  England  the  tendency  is  strongly  towards  the  establishment  of  a 
state  medical  service,  and  the  subject  might  well  receive  qualified  con- 
sideration in  this  country.  (For  thoughtful  discussion,  see  "The 
Future  of  Medical  Service,"  by  Gordon  Ward,  M.D.,  and  others;  Brit- 
ish Medical  Journal,  January  20,  1917.) 

second:  There  is  unquestionably  an  urgent  demand  for  a  material 
improvement  in  institutional  facilities  for  the  qualified  treatment  of 
disease  irrespective  of  the  social  or  economic  status  of  the  population 
concerned.  Hospital  treatment  of  at  least  the  more  serious  diseases  is 
decidedly  more  advantageous  to  the  patient  and  the  community  than 
domiciliary  treatment  even  under  favorable  conditions.  Particularly 
in  the  furtherance  of  rural  health  progress,  the  establishment  and  ade- 


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418  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL   OF    HOMCEOPATHY 

quate  maintenance  of  modem  community  hospitals  is  of  the  first  impor- 
tance. From  much  the  same  point  of  view,  the  dispensary  system  of 
k.rge  and  small  cities  requires  a  thorough  reorganization.  The  increas- 
ing demand  for  the  qualified  diagnosis  of  incipient  diseases  must  he 
met  in  conformity  to  the  most  modem  standards  of  medical  and  surgi- 
cal practice.  The  introduction  of  the  so-called  "Group  Study''  for  diag- 
nostic purposes  in  hospital  practice  also  suggests  far-reaching  improve- 
ments in  the  future  institutional  treatment  of  disease. 

THIRD :  The  ahiise  of  medical  charities  is  a  growing  evil  of  nation- 
wide importance.  The  interests  of  the  most  deserving  element  are 
frequently  sacrificed  to  the  wrongful  demands  of  those  who  are  able 
to  pay  for  whatever  medical  service  may  be  required.  The  strong 
recommendations  of  the  Chicago  Medical  Society  on  this  subject  are 
suggestive  of  unrealized  practical  possibilities  in  this  much  neglected 
field  of  medical  and  social  reform.  No  reasons  can  be  advanced  why 
those  who  are  able  to  pay  for  medical  and  surgical  services  should  not 
be  made  to  do  so,  any  more  than  why  those  who,  because  of  their  low 
economic  status,  are  unable  to  pay,  should  suffer  serious  medical  or 
surgical  neglect. 

FOURTH :  On  the  highest  grounds  of  social  justice  and  public  policy, 
the  so-called  industrial  or  occupational  diseases,  within  a  rational 
definition  of  the  term,  should  be  compensated  for  in  more  or  less  con- 
formity to  the  statutory  provisions  which  have  been  made  for  work- 
men's compensation  on  account  of  industrial  accidents,  in  the  more 
restricted  sense  of  the  term.  Such  compensation  would  not  impose 
a  wrongful  burden  upon  industry,  but  tend  directly  to  diminish  disease 
frequency  and  the  risk  of  economic  dependence  on  the  part  of  the 
wage-earners  injured  and  incapaciated  by  occupational  diseases  in  the 
course  of  their  employment. 

fifth:  Regardless  of  the  fact  that  the  general  death  rate  in  this 
country  has  been  reduced  to  remarkably  low  proportions,  and  that  the 
rate  of  sickness  is  not  abnormal,  much  remains  to  be  done  in  the  di- 
rection of  further  health  improvement,  suggestive  of  a  working  plan  of 
intelligent  co-operation  of  Federal  and  State  health  activities  on  the 
basis  of  a  substantial  Federal  appropriation  for  local  sanitary  purposes, 
perhaps  on  the  same  proportionate  basis  as  is  now  applicable  to  Federal 
aid  in  agricultural  extension  work  and  highway  improvements.  By 
avoiding  the  practically  prohibitive  expense  of  a  largely  unnecessary 
compulsory  health  organization,  the  funds  required  for  such  a  co- 
operative sanitary  service  would  be  available  and  utilized  to  the  direct 
and  truly  enormous  advantage  of  all  the  people. 

SIXTH :  Better  facilities  for  education  in  the  principles  of  personal 
and  public  hygiene  are  required  as  a  prerequisite  for  the  development 
of  a  more  resistant  physical  type  of  manhood  and  womanhood.  Ra- 
tional physical  education,  intelligent  instruction  in  food  values  and 
nutrition,  vocational  guidance,  etc.,  are  all  readily  available  means  to- 
wards the  attainment  of  ends  and  purposes  wrongly  asserted  to  be  at- 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  419 

tainable  only,  if  at  all,  through  compulsory  health  insurance. 

seventh:  Existing  and  numerous  forms  of  voluntary  insurance 
serving  social  insurance  purposes  are  obviously  susceptible  of  material 
improvement  and  enlargement  in  the  light  of  an  ever-increasing  ex- 
perience suggestive  of  more  effective  methods  of  state  supervision  and 
control  than  prevail  throughout  the  country  at  the  present  time.  State 
supervision  of  insurance  has  heretofore  been  too  exclusively  concerned 
with  the  long-established  and  thoroughly  sound  and  solvent  legal  re- 
serve institutions,  and  it  has  been  more  or  less  indifferent  to  the  in- 
terests of  the  membership  of  so-called  fraternal  and  beneticial  societies, 
which  are  most  urgently  in  need  of  wise  direction  and  official  examina- 
tion of  their  plans  and  purposes,  methods  and  results.  It  is  unques- 
tionably a  proper  function  of  the  State  to  supervise  and  direct  every 
form  of  insurance,  but  the  most  obvious  duty  concerns  the  numerous 
and  often  actuarially  defective  sickness  insurance  plans,  whether  cor- 
porate or  fraternal,  as  the  case  may  be. 

eighth  :  The  further  technical  and  practical  development  of  estab- 
lished insurance  funds  and  related  corporate  welfare  functions  offers 
most  promising  opportunities  for  a  material  improvement  in  the  social 
and  economic  security  of  American  wage-earners  and  their  depend- 
ents. The  most  suggestive  evidence  of  progress  in  this  direction  is  the 
recent  development  of  so-called  "group"  insurance,  which  in  some  in- 
dustries has  already  assumed  considerable  proportions.  To  the  extent 
that  employers  voluntarily  assume  the  insurance  protection  of  em- 
ployees, more  or  less  as  an  element  in  the  cost  of  production,  the  social 
and  economic  security  of  wage-earners  must  be  measurably  increased 
and  constitute,  to  that  extent,  a  most  desirable  contribution  to  the 
welfare  of  labor  and  industry,  and  the  country  at  large. 

ninth:  In  its  final  analysis  all  social  and  economic  progress  de- 
pends primarily  upon  the  highest  and  most  effective  development  of  the 
voluntary  thrift  function  in  the  form  of  savings,  investments  and  insur- 
ance, and  in  appreciation  of  the  truly  enormous  social  service  rendered 
the  State  by  life  insurance  institutions,  it  requires  no  argument  to  sus- 
tain the  conclusion  that  there  should  be  the  utmost  solicitude  on  the 
part  of  the  Government  towards  established  methods  of  insuraHce  pro- 
tection and  relief  from  needless  and  burdensome  taxation,  so  that  the 
best  possible  economic  results  may  be  realized  in  response  to  the  exer- 
cise of  the  highest  form  of  altruism,  which  reflects  the  true  civilization 
of  the  present  time. 

tenth:  The  demand  for  legislative  investigations  of  social  inswr- 
ance  rests  upon  erroneous  assumptions  of  practical  necessity  and  polit- 
ical expediency.  The  demand  comes  from  those  who  are  profession- 
ally interested  in  the  furtherance  of  the  propaganda  for  Compulsory 
Health  Insurance,  and  not  from  organized  labor,  organized  industry, 
or  the  organized  medical  profession.  Such  investigations  as  have  been 
made  fail  conspicuously  in  the  required  thoroughness,  impartial  and 
technical  qualifications.    The   elaborate  hearings   on  social   insurance 


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420  NORTH  ameriOan  journal  of  H0M(E0PATHT 

before  the  House  Committee  on  Labor  are  evidence  of  indifference  to 
well-considered  fundamental  principles  of  inquiry,  or  what  in  accord- 
ance with  Parliamentary  usuage  would  be  called  "the  terms  ot  refer- 
ence." The  report  of  the  Social  Insurance  Commission  of  California 
is  lar^ly  a  restatement  of  general  information  on  social  insurance 
already  available  through  the  official  reports  of  the  United  States 
Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics  and  through  other  sources.  The  report  is 
a  one-sided  presentation  of  carelessly  gathered  information  without  a 
due  regard  to  scientific  methods  of  inquiry  which  have  the  sanction  of 
long  experience.  To  multiply  such  investigations  would  obviously  be 
a  wrongful  waste  of  public  funds. 

For  each  and  every  state  to  investigate  a  subject  rather  of  academic 
than  of  practical  interest,  at  considerable  expense  to  the  public,  with 
the  certainty  of  unsatisfactory  results,  is  merely  to  please  the  demands 
of  those  who  for  professional  reasons  are  interested  in  the  making  of 
such  investigations  at  public  expense.  In  marked  contrast  to  the  unsat- 
isfactory results  of  the  investigation  of  social  insurance  by  the  House 
Committee  on  Labor  or  by  the  state  of  California  are  the  results  which 
have  been  secured  through  private  'investigations  made  by  the  Social 
Insurance  Committee  of  the  National  Civic  Federation,  which  in  1914 
issued  a  report  of  a  special  committee  on  preliminary  foreign  inquiry, 
and  the  far  more  extensive  and  conclusive  inquiry  of  the  Fabian  So- 
ciety into  the  subject  of  National  Health  Insurance,  issued  as  a  supple- 
ment to  The  New  Statesman  under  date  of  March  14,  1914.  This  com- 
mittee of  inquiry  consisted  of  ninety-five  members,  about  half  of  them 
living  in  London  and  half  in  other  parts  of  England,  including  eighteen 
medical  men,  six  actuaries,  sixteen  friendly  societies'  officials,  thirteen 
trade  union  officials,  about  twelve  lawyers,  and  a  number  of  public  offic- 
ials connected  with  poor  law  administration,  insurance  committees  and 
public  health.  The  preliminary  report  includes  every  essential  aspect 
of  National  Health  Insurance,  but  the  final  report  has  not  yet  been 
issued,  probably  on  account  of  the  war.  It  is  extremely  significant  that 
these  two  qualified  and  impartial  investigations  of  the  National  Civic 
Federation  and  the  Fabian  Society  are  not  even  referred  to  as  regards 
the  condusions  arrived  at  in  the  Brief  of  the  American  Association  for 
Labor  Legislation  and  in  the  report  of  the  Social  Insurance  Commission 
of  California.  If,  however,  a  governmental  investigation  is  desirable, 
it  would  seem  best  for  the  Federal  Gt)vemment  to  examine  into  the 
facts  through  its  existing  departmental  organization;  for  there  are  no 
reasons  why  the  United  States  Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics  should  not  be 
able  to  undertake  a  satisfactory  nation-wide  study  of  the  subject  and 
present  a  report  of  real  value  at  minimum  cost.  If  a  legislative  in- 
quiry is  considered  necessary,  it  would  seem  of  the  utmost  importance 
that  the  Commissioner  of  Insurance,  the  Commissioner  of  Labor,  the 
Commissioner  of  Health,  and  the  President  of  the  State  Medical  So- 
ciety, should  be  members  of  such  a  committee  or  commission,  includ- 
ing possibly  also  the  Stat^  Commissioner  of  Charities.    It  is  a  wrong- 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  421 

ful  procedure  to  imperil  the  public  interests  by  conducting  an  investi- 
gation of  this  kind  through  a  person  or  persons  obviously  under  a 
strong  personal  or  social  bias  and  determined  to  make  out  a  oase. 
This  suggestion  does  not  concede  the  urgency  of  expensive  state  investi- 
gations into  the  subject  of  Compulsory  Health  Insurance,  but  merely 
indicates  a  plan  of  rational  procedure  by  means  of  which  more  trust- 
worthy and  impartial  conclusions  would  be  arrived  at  than  by  the 
methods  which  have  been  followed  in  the  past.  Since  the  National 
Civic  Federation  through  its  Committee  on  Social  Insurance  is  engaged 
in  a  nation-wide  inquiry  upon  the  basis  of  a  thoroughly  well-considered 
plan,  recommended  after  mature  deliberation  by  the  Special  Committee 
on  Plan  and  Scope,  it  would  seem  best  to  delay  legislative  action  until 
the  results  of  this  investigation  are  available  for  public  discussion. 


AUTOPSY  ON  THE  BODY  OF  NAPOLEON  AT 
LONGWOOD,  ST  HELENA,  MAY  8,  1821* 

Report  of  Dr.  Antommarchi,  Charged  With  the  Opening  of  the 
Emperor's  Body. 

I,  the  undersigned,  Francois  Antommarchi,  surgeon  in  ordinary  to 
the  Emperor  Napoleon,  in  execution  of  the  orders  given  me  by  the 
Counts  Bertrand  and  Montholon,  proceeded  to  open  the  body  of  the  Em- 
peror. Having  opened  the  cavities  of  the  thorax  and  stomach,  I  ob- 
served what  follows: — 

1.  The  exterior  convex  surface  of  the  left  lung  adhering  at  differ- 
ent points  to  the  corresponding  costal  pleura. 

2.  About  three  ounces  of  lymphatic  humor  in  the  bag  of  the  left 
costal  pleura. 

3.  About  eight  ounces  of  the  same  lymphatic  liquid  in  the  bag  of 
the  right  costal  pleura. 

4.  The  lungs  in  a  natural  state. 

5.  The  heart  in  a  good  state,  enveloped  in  its  pericardium,  and 
covered  with  a  little  fat. 

6.  The  stomach,  intestines,  liver,  spleen,  and  large  omentum,  in 
their  natural  place. 

7.  The  upper  convex  surface  of  the  left  lobe  of  the  liver  adhering 
to  the  corresponding  part  of  the  concave  surface  of  the  diaphragm. 

8.  The  interior  concave  surface  of  the  lobe  strongly  adhering  to  the 
fore-surface  and  to  the  small  curve  of  the  stomach,  as  well  as  the  little 
omentum. 


*From  the  History  of  the  Captivity  of  Napoleon  at  St  Helena  by  Gen- 
eral Count  Montholon,  New  York,  1846,  and  offered  to  the  readers 
of  the  N.  A.  J.  H.  through  the  courtesy  of  E.  G.  Rankin,  M.  D. 
New  York. 


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422  NORTH   AMERICAN   JOURNAL   OP   HOMCEOPATHY 

9.  Having  carefully  detached,  partly  with  the  scalpel  and  partly 
with  the  fingers,  the  said  adherences,  I  observed,  that  the  adherence  of 
the  concave  surface  of  the  left  lobe  of  the  liver  formed  a  hole  of  about 
three  lines  in  diameter  in  the  fore-surface  of  the  stomach,  near  its  right 
extremity. 

10.  Having  opened  the  stomach  behind  its  large  curve,  I  observed 
that  it  was  partly  filled  with  a  liquid  blackish  substance,  which  had  a 
sharp  and  disagreeable  smelL 

11.  Havitfg  removed  the  said  liquid,  I  observed  a  very  extended 
cancerous  ulcer,  which  occupied  particularly  the  upper  part  of  the  in- 
ternal surface  of  the  stomach,  and  extending  from  the  orifice  of  the 
cardia  to  within  an  inch  of  the  pylorus. 

12.  On  the  edge  of  this  ulcer,  towards  the  pylorus,  I  perceived  the 
hole  above  mentioned  (Art  9),  produced  by  an  ulcerous  corrosion  of 
the  partitions  of  the  stomach. 

13.  The  ulcerous  partitions  of  the  stomach  were  considerably  swell- 
ed and  hardened. 

14.  Between  the  ulcer  and  the  pylorus,  and  contiguous  to  the 
ulcer,  I  observed  a  scirrhous  swelling  and  hardness  of  some  lines  in 
breadth,  which  circularly  occupied  the  right  extremity  of  the  stomach. 

15.  The  liver  was  obstructed,  and  of  an  unnatural  size. 

16.  All  the  intestines  were  in  a  good  state,  but  filled  with  air. 

(Signed)  Francois  Antommarchi. 
Longwood,  May  8,  1821. 


THE  RAINY  DAY 

The  Good  Book  bids  us  consider  the  lilies  of  the  field — they  toil  not, 
neither  do  they  spin,  yet  Solomon  in  all  his  glory  was  not  arrayed  like 
one  of  these.  Yet  the  somewhat  contradictory  counsel  to  lay  up  some- 
thing for  the  rainy  day  is  also  commendable.  It  is  the  strenuousness 
we  put  into  this  accumulation  and  the  anxiety  and  worry  we  indulge  in 
lest  we  have  not  enough  that  do  so  much  damage.  The  U.  S.  Public 
Health  Service  puts  the  lesson  very  neatly  in  a  recently  issued  bulletin 
by  saying: 

"No  bird  ever  tried  to  build  more  nests  than  his  neighbors;  no 
fox  ever  fretted  because  he  had  only  one  hole  in  which* to  hide;  no 
squirrel  ever  died  of  anxiety  lest  he  should  not  lay  by  enough  nuts 
for  two  winters  instead  of  one;  and  no  dog  ever  lost  any  sleep  over 
the  fact  that  he  didn't  have  enough  bones  laid  aside  to  provide  for 
his  declining  years." 

Some  of  these  days  enlightened  humanity  will  see  that  the  best  way 
to  avoid  worry  over  the  future  lies  through  insurance — insurance  against 
sickness,  against  unemployment,  against  death;  in  fact,  there  is  no 
hazard  for  which  insurance  cannot  be  written  for  rates  based  upon 
actuarial  calculations. 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  423 

Department  of  Homoeopathic 
Materia  Medica  and  Therapeutics 

Conducted  by        -       -        A.  R.  McMichael,  A.M.,  M.D. 


AN  EPITOME  OF  COMPARISONS  IN  HOMCEO- 

PATHIC  MATERIA  MEDICA  AND 

THERAPEUTICS 

By  A.  R.  MC  MICHAEL.  A.M.,  M.D., 

Professor  of  Clinical  Medicine  and  Applied  Materia  Medica  New  York 
Homoeopathic  Medical  College  and  Flower  Hospital 

New  York  City 
INTERMITTENT  FEVTER 

AKSENICUM  ALBUM 

Time  all  periods,  mostly  1  to  2  a.m.  and  1  to  2  p.m.  Chill  without 
thirst  or  thirst  for  hot  drinks.  Chill  irregularly  developed,  sometimes 
short;  sometimes  absent  and  sometimes  mingled  with  a  fever;  never 
clearly  defined;  irregular;  coming  not  twice  alike.  Heat.  Fever  in- 
tense, long  lasting  with  intense  thirst  for  c6ld  water,  little  and  often. 
Sweat  slight  or  absent;  if  present,  cold,  clammy,  offensive,  sour-smell- 
ing. Thirst  during  sweat  Hnquenchable  for  large  quantities  of  cold 
water  which  causes  vomiting.  Thirst  during  heat,  little  and  often; 
during  sweat,  large  quantities.  Apyrexia,  anxiety,  restlessness  and  great 
prostration;  face  pale,  sunken,  sallow.  Pulse  weak,  compressible.  Tongue 
clean.  The  longer  the  disease  has  lasted,  the  more  arsenicum  is  indicat- 
ed.    Antidotes  quinine. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 
Time  1  to  2  a.m,,  1  to  2  p.m.     Chill  without  thirst  or  thirst  for  hot 
drinks.    Thirst  for  small  quantities  and  often  during  hot  stage  and  for 
large  quantities  during  sweat.    Anxiety,  restlessness  and  great  prostra- 
tion.   ChUl  and  sweah  often  absent. 

ARANEA 

Time  at  precisely  same  hour  every  day  or  every  other  day.  Great 
regularity  of  paroxysm.  Chill  without  thirst,  long  lasting  often  twenty- 
four  hours.  Worse  on  rainy  days,  cold  days,  bathing  in  cold  water, 
damp  dwellings.  Chill  persistent  and  severe  and  not  >by  anything. 
Heat  slight  or  wanting.     Sweat  absent.     Spleen  enlarged. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 
The  paroxysm  of  aranea  is  often  unattended  by  either  heat,  sweat  or 
thirst.     Great  regularity  of  paroxysm.    Long  lasting  chill.    Hydrogen- 
oid  constitution. 


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424  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL   OF    HOMCEOPATHY 

APIS 

Time  3  to  4  p.m.  Chill  with  thirst  <in  warm  room.  Heat  without 
thirst.  Skin  burning  hot  all  over;  alternately  dry  and  moist.  Sweat 
imperfect  or  absent. 

Old  protracted  mismanaged  cases.  Prostration  during  apyrexia. 
Swollen  feet.  Scanty  urine.  Oppression  of  chest  as  if  he  would  smoth- 
er. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 

Time  3  ^o  4  p.m.  ChUl  with  thirst  Heat  without  thirst.  Sweat 
imperfect  or  absent, 

CEDRON 

Time  4  a.m.  and  4  to  6  p.m.     Clock-like  periodicity.     Chill  severe 
with  thirst  for  cold  water.     Chill  begins  in  back  and  limbs;  hands,  feet, 
tip  of  nose  icy-cold.     Excitement  before  chill.    Heat   with  thirst  for 
warm  drinks.     Red  face.     Sweat  profuse  with  thirst. 
Differentiating  Characteristics 

Clock-like  periodicity.  Thirst  during  all  stages.  Thirst  for  hot 
drinks  during  hot  stage.    Hands,  feet  and  tip  of  nose  icy-cold. 

CAPSICUM 

Chill  with  great  thirst  yet  drinking  causes  shuddering.  Chill  be- 
gins in  back  between  shoulder-blades  and  extends  over  whole  body;  > 
by  applying  heat  to  back  during  chill.  Heat  and  sweat  without  thirst. 
Sweat  violent,  copious.  Drowsy  during  fever.  Much  pain  in  back  and 
limbs.     Enlarged  spleen. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 

Chill  with  great  thirst  yet  drinking  causes  shuddering.  Chill  begins 
in  back.    Sweat  copious.    No  thirst  during  heat  or  sweat. 

EUPATORIUM  PERFOLIATUM 

Time  7  to  9  p.m.  Thirst  begins  several  hours  before  chill  and  ex- 
tends through  chill  and  heat  Chill  begins  in  back  between  shoulders 
or  small  of  back  not  >by  heat.  Pains  over  entire  body  as  if  every  bone 
in  body  were  broken.  Vomiting  of  bile  as  chill  passes  off.  Sweat  scanty 
or  absent;  sometimes  profuse  cold  sweat  at  night  which  >all  pain  ex- 
cept headache  which  is  worse.  Sometimes  a  double  periodicity,  chill 
one  day  in  morning,  next  day  in  evening.  Liver  strongly  affected. 
Jaundice;  vomiting  of  bile. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 

Time  7  to  9  p.m.  Thirst  before  and  continues  through  chill  and 
heat.    Pains  over  entire  body.    Sweat  absent.    Liver  involved. 

GELSEMIUM 

Time  5  p.m.  and  evening,  daily  at  same  hour.    Chill  without  thirst. 


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Chill  be^ns  in  the  feet  and  rune  up  the  back,  wants  to  be  held  in  order 
not  to  shake  so  much.  Pain  in  dorsal  vertebrae  on  pressure,  during  par- 
oxysm. Heat  without  thirst,  sleep  during  fever.  Sweat  with  thirst; 
sweat  moderate  or  profuse.  Great  prostration  of  whole  muscular  sys- 
tem during  apyrexia.     Simple  uncomplicated  cases  especially  in  children. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 
Time  6  p.m.    ChUl  begins  in  feet  and  runs  up  hack.     Wants  to  he 
held  in  order  not  to  shake  so  much.    Thirst  during  sweat  only. 

IGNATIA 

Time,  irregularity  of  hour  at  all  periods.  Chill  always  with  great 
thirst  for  large  quantities  of  water.  Chill  begins  in  upper  arms  and 
spreads  to  back  and  chest.  Shaking  chill  with  redness  of  face.  Chill 
>at  once  in  warm  room  or  by  hot  stove.  Heat  without  thirst,  <by  ex- 
ternal covering.  Sweat  without  thirst,  light,  warm,  chiefly  on  extrem- 
eties,  on  face.  Patient  is  able  to  resume  his  occupation  as  soon  as  par- 
oxsym  is  over.    Betums  each  spring  after  suppression  by  quinine. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 
The  only  remedy  having  thirst  during  chill  and  no  other  stage. 
Red  face  during  chUl.    Chill  begins  in  upper  arms  and  spreads  to  hack. 

IPECAC 

Time  9  or  11  a.m.  also  4  p.m.  Chill  short  without  thirst,  <in 
warm  room  or  from  external  heat,  hands  and  feet  icy-cold.  Chill  with 
great  prostration  and  pain  in  back  of  head.  Heat  long  lasting  with 
thirst,  fever  accompanied  with  gastric  symptoms.  Sweat  usually  miss- 
ing, profuse  only  after  abuse  of  quinine.  Nausea  through  all  stages, 
not  always  vomiting.  Ipecac  often  indicated  without  nausea  and  vomit- 
ing.   Apyrexia;  gastric  symptoms;  headache;  nausea  and  vomiting. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 
Persistent  nausea  most  important  guiding  symptom.    Short  chill. 
Long  lasting  fever.    Sweat  usudUy  missing,  profuse  only  after  abuse  of 
quinine. 

NATRUM  MURIATICUM 

Time  10  to  11  a.m.  Chill  with  thirst,  drinking  much  and 
often;  chill  long,  severe;  begins  in  feet,  toes,  fingers  or  small 
of  back  with  blue  lips  and  nails.  Chill  not  >by  heat  Vomiting  of 
bile  after  chill.  Intolerable  hammering,  bursting  headache.  Bones 
acho  as  if  they  would  break.  Heat  long  continued  with  increased  thirst 
and  excessive  weakness.  Fever  blisters  cover  lips  like  i)earls.  Sweat 
with  thirst,  profuse,  relieving  all  pains  except  headache.  Mapped  tongue. 
Anemic  and  emaciated  people.  Antidotes  quinine.  80  potency  given 
after  imroxysms. 


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426  NORTH   AHEBICAN   JOURNAL   OF    HOM(EOPATHT 

Differentiating  Characteristics 
Time  10  a.m.    Thirat  during  aU  stokges,    ChiU  begins  in  feet,  toes 
and  fingers.    Blue  lips  and  finger  nails.    Fever  blisters  on  lips. 

NUX  VOMICA 

Time  6  to  7  or  11  a.nL  AH  lypes  at  all  times.  Chill  without  thirst; 
violent,  shaking  with  blueness  of  face,  hands,  and  nails.  Coldness  re- 
lieved neither  by  warmth  of  stove  nor  by  covering  of  bed.  Heat  violent 
with  great  thirst  Long  lasting  heat.  Cannot  move  or  uncover  during 
heat  without  feeling  chilly.  Sweat  without  thirst  Adapted  to  people 
who  live  on  stimulants  and  drugs,  with  an  irritable,  touchy  disposition. 
Differentiating  Characteristics 

Blueness  of  face,  hands,  feet  and  nails.  Coldness  not  relieved  by 
heat.    All  types  at  all  times. 

QUININE 

Time  10  to  11  a.m.,  3  p.m.,  10  p.nL  Anticipating  one  to  three  hours. 
Chin  with  thirst;  violent  shaking.  Blue  lips  and  nails.  Spine  painful 
on  pressure  during  all  stages.  Heat  with  excessive  thirst  Sweat  pro- 
fuse with  great  thirst;  breaks  out  over  whole  body.  Exhausting.  Ex- 
cessive thirst  during  entire  apyrexia  which  is  short.      Clean  tongue. 

Time  10  a.m.,  3  p.m.,  10  p.m.  Thirst  during  all  stages,  also  during 
apyrexia,  spine  painful  on  pressure  during  all  stages.  Exhausting 
sweat.    Spleen  swollen  and  painful. 


THE  HEMORRHAGE  OP  PHOSPHORUS  KREOSOTE  AND 

LACHESIS 

PHOSPHORUS 

Hemorrhagic  constitution;  small  wounds  bleed  much;  even  prick 
of  needle  will  bubble  forth  much  bright  red  blood;  blood  disorganized, 
will  not  congulate,  always  red.  Hemorrhage  from  nose,  lungs,  bladder, 
uterus,  from  ulcers;  blood  settles  beneath  skin;  black  and  blue  spots 
from  slight  pressure;  blood  beneath  conjunctiva;  bloody  saliva;  bleeding 
of  polypi.  Hemorrhage  of  bright  red  blood  after  extraction  of  teeth. 
Gums  bleed  and  settle  away  from  teeth. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 

Hemorrhage  in  the  feeble,  emaciated,  anemic,  with  pale  face,  sick- 
ly looking. 

KREOSOTE 

Profuse  bleeding  from  small  wounds;  prick  of  pin  will  cause  ooz- 
ing of  bright  red  blood;  mucous  membranes  bleed  easily  from  slight 
pressure.  Hemorrhage  from  the  kidneys,  eyes,  nose,  uterus.  Tumors 
bleed  easily,  blood  bright  red. 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  427 

Differentiating  Characteristics 
All  discharges  are  excoriating  and  offensive, 

LACHESI8 

Small  wounds  bleed  easily;  prick  of  a  pin  will  ooze  great  drops 
of  blood.    Varicose  veins  blue  or  purple  and  mottled. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 
Blacic  blood  is  the  rule  with  lachesis,  red  blood  with  phosphorus  and 
hreosote. 


ALCOHOUSM 

HYOSCTAMUS 

Delirium  constant  and  loquacious;  hallucinations  and  illusions; 
sees  all  sorts  of  things;  raves  and  scolds  in  delirium  one  minute,  next 
moment  stupor.  Picks  constantly  at  bedclothes  or  objects  in  the  air. 
Visions  of  persecutions;  desires  to  escape.  Fear  of  poison;  will  not 
take  medicine.  Suspicious  of  everybody;  imagines  he  is  pursued.  Pa- 
tient tremulous;  tremor  of  hands;  twitching  of  muscles  in  all  parts  of 
body.  Constant  tossing;  averse  to  light  and  company.  Constant 
insomnia.  Laughter  alternating  with  weeping.  Pulse  small,  quick, 
compressible.  Skin  cold  and  clammy.  Marked  sexual  excitement,  de- 
sire to  expose  person. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 

Delirium  constant.  Loquacious.  Picks  bedclothes.  Suspicious  of 
everybody.  Fear  of  poison.  Constant  insomnia.  Oive  tincture  five  to 
ten  drops  in  ^2  glc^B  of  water;  teaspoonful  every  y^  hour. 

NUX  VOMICA 

Delirium  tremens  with  oversensitiveness  to  everything;  noise,  light, 
current  of  air,  surroundings;  touchy  in  regard  to  food.  <from  meat; 
milk  disagrees.  Craves  stimulants,  pungent,  bitter,  succulent  things, 
something  to  brace  him  up.  Old  debauchees  broken  down  with  stimu- 
lants; acute  results  of  a  spree,  the  morning  '%ig  head";  %rown-taste." 
Betches;  gags;  finally  vomiting;  bad  taste,  sensation  of  a  stone  in  the 
stomach  an  hour  after  eating.  Worse  3  to  4  a.m.  Intense  irritability; 
ugly,  uncontrollable  temper.  H<miicidal  and  suicidal  impulses.  Springs 
up  at  night  and  has  frightful  visions;  tremor.    Bed  face. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 
The  great  anti-alcoholic  remedy.    Oversensitiveness.    Craves  stim- 
ulants.     Retching  and  gagging.      Worse  3  ^o  4  a.m.      Uncontrollable 
temper.    Tremor 


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428  NORTH   AMERICAN    JOURNAL   OP    HOMCEOPATHY 

RANUNCULUS  BULBOSA 

Beginning  of  delirium  tremens  with  talkative  mania;  efforts  to 
escape  from  bed.  Delirium  tremens;  when  he  is  besotted,  has  hiccoughs. 
Epileptiform  convulsions  from  aloohoL  Confusion  of  head  as  if  in- 
toxicated; vertigo  going  into  cold  air  from  warm  room.  Fear  of 
ghosts.  Quarrelsome,  angry  mood.  Gastralgia;  paroxysms  of  neuralgia 
of  the  stomach.  Burning  in  the  cardiac  end  of  the  stomach;  pressure; 
nausea.  Tongue  white,  bitter;  sour  taste.  Hunger  early  in  morning. 
Thirst  in  evening.  Stitches  in  liver.  Dose  ten  drops  of  the  tincture 
in  half  tumbler  of  water;  one  teaspoonful  every  half  hour. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 
First  stage  of  delirium  tremens  with  besotted  look  and  hiccoughs. 
Confusion  of  head,    Oastralgia,    Worse  in  cold  air. 

SULPHURIC  ACID 

For  inebriates  on  their  last  legs;  pale,  shrivelled;  of  use  long  after 
nux  has  ceased  to  help.  Stomach  will  not  tolerate  the  slightest  amount 
of  food.  Great  thirst  but  cannot  drink  water  without  whisky  in  it, 
chills  the  stomach.  Sour  breath;  sour  belching;  sour  vimiting;  worse 
in  the  morning.  Heart  bum;  burning  in  esophagus  and  stomach,  sour 
foul  eructations.  Trembling  especially  mornings.  Cross  and  irritable; 
nothing  pleases  him;  fretful.  Liver  enlarged.  Quick  and  hasty  in  ev- 
erything; in  a  hurry,  if  doing  anything  or  going  anywhere.  Spasmodic 
hiccough  of  drunkards.    Constant  craving  for  brandy. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 
Chronic  alcoholism.    Inebriates  on  their  last  legs.    Thirst  but  can- 
not take  water  without  whisky  in  it.    Sour  breath,  sour  belching  and 
sour  vomiting.    Quick  and  hasty  in  everything. 

STRAMONIUM 

Delirium  tremens  with  frightful  hallucinations;  sees  strangers  and 
imagines  animals  are  running  after  him.  Shy;  hides  himself;  tries  to 
escape.  Talks  incessantly,  absurdly;  laughs;  alternately  merry  or  de- 
jected. Tremulous  motion  of  extremities.  Face  red,  hot  and  bloated. 
Eyes  wide  open,  staring.    Cough  of  drunkards. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 
Delirium  tremtcns  with  frightful  hallucinations.    Loquacious,  talks 
incessantly.    Face  red,  hot,  bloated.    Eyes  wide  open  staring. 


ALCOHOUC  SUGGESTIONS 

AGARICUS 

Often  controls  the  characteristic  tremor. 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES  429 

AESENICUM  ALBUM 

Vision  of  ghosts,  bugs,  and  vermin.  Great  tremulousness,  nervous 
weakness,  suicidal  tendency. 

CAPSICUM 

Ten  drops  of  the  tincture  will  stop  morning  vomiting,  sinking  at  the 
stomach  and  intense  craving. 

CANNABIS  INDICA 

Assists  brain  to  balance  again     after  a  debauch. 
COFFEA  CRUDA 

Delirium  tremens  with  trembling  of  hands. 

LACHESIS 

Vision  of  snakes.  Diarrhea  of  drunkards.  Craves  brandy;  >by 
coffee.     Choking  in  throat  which  awakens  him  suddenly. 

LAC  CANINUM 

Sensation  as  if  surrounded  by  snakes. 
LEDUM 

Pimples  and  boils  on  forehead  of  drunkards. 
OPIUM 

For  "old  sinners"  who  have  had  delirium  tremens  over  and  over 
again. 

PHOSPHORUS 

Sees  faces  peering  at  him  from  all  parts  of  the  room.  Often  cures 
tho  violent  craving  in  inebriates.    Unquenchable  thirst  for  cold  drinks. 

SPIRITUS  GLAUDIUM  QUERCUS 

Ten  drops  of  tincture  three  times  a  day  stops  craving  and  antidotes 
alcoholic  state,  causes  a  disgust  for  alcohol. 

STROPHANTHUS 

Functional  disturbance  of  the  heart  from  alcohol.  Given  in  one 
or  two  drop  doses  of  the  tincture  without  water,  several  times  a  day  will 
often  destroy  taste  for  alcohol. 


EARLY  MORNING  DIARRHEA 

BRYONIA 

Early  morning  diarrhea,  drives  patient  out  of  bed,  < moving  about. 


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430  '         NORTH   AMERICAN   JOURNAL   OP    HOMCEOPATHY 

Has  colic  and  must  hurry  to  stool.  Stool  brown,  thin,  fecal,  putrid, 
smelling  like  old  cheese;  gushing,  copious,  bilious  stool;  burning  of  anus 
with  every  passage.  Exhausted  after  a  profuse  stool,  cold  sweat;  < 
every  motion.  Stools  like  com  meal  mush  as  often  seen  in  typhoid. 
Chronic  diarrhea  <a.m.  or  several  times  a  day. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 
Diarrhea  from  cold  drinks  in  hot  weather,  or  suddenly  checked  per- 
spiration in  hot  weather. 

SULPHUR 

Early  morning  diarrhea,  patient  must  hurry  out  of  bed.  Stools 
thin,  brown,  watery,  white  or  green,  yellowish-green;  often  change  color; 
sometimes  with  bloody  streaks.  Frequently  without  pain.  Burning  in 
anus  before,  during  and  after  stool. 

Differentiating  Characteristics 

Diarrhea  from  taking  cold  in  damp  weather.  After  acids.  Sup- 
pressed eruptions.     Very  offensive,  odor  of  stool  follows  him  all  around. 


INFINITESIMALS 

By  S.  L.  GUILD-LEGGETT,  M.D., 
Syracuse,  N.  Y. 

DE.  A.  C.  Eankin,  bacteriologist,  of  McGill  College,  Montreal,  has 
announced  the  discovery  that  water  is  sterilized  and  bacteria 
killed,  in  many  cases,  by  the  presence  of  metals  in  minute  quantities; 
even  by  allowing  water  to  stand  in  a  metal  vessel. 

One  wonders  if  this  evidences  to  himself,  that  the  long  fought 
theory  of  infinitesimals,  as  applied  to  metals  and  other  crude  drugs, 
possesses  an  iota  of  truth. 

To  quote  from  the  London  Lancet,  among  the  demonstrations  made 
by  Dr.  Rankin  were  these:  "Sundry  metals  possess,  not  merely  a  dis- 
tinctly inhibitory  action  upon  the  growth  of  molds,  bacteria,  and  other 
micro  organisms,  but  exert  even  a  germicidal  power.  Water,  contain- 
ing typhoid  bacilli,  kept  in  a  clean  copper  bowl,  becomes  sterile. 

Contrary  to  the  belief  of  the  oxygenating  power  of  the  atmosphere 
upon  the  micro-organisms  generally,  he  states :  that  "air  passed  through 
water  containing  abundant  colon  bacilli  had  no  inhibitory  effect.  Rela- 
tively large  amounts  of  pure  zinc  with  large  surface  area,  placed  in  wa- 
ter contaminated  with  abundant  colon  bacilli,  and  allowed  to  stand  for 
one  hour,  brought  about  a  recognizable,  but  not  extreme,  destruction 
of  the  bacteria." 

Experiments  reported,  "with  the  oxygen  driven  out  of  the  water  by 
previous  boiling,  proved  that  none  of  these  metals," — alum,  zinc  and  cop- 
per,— "had  any  influence  upon  the  subsequent  growth  of  the  bacteria.'* 


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C50NTRIBUTED   ARTICLES  431 

He  also  found  that  ^'a  much  more  intense  bactericidal  action  was  pro- 
duced when  air  was  permitted  to  bubble  for  one  hour,  through  water  hold- 
ing colon  bacilli  in  suspension,  in  the  presence  of  alluminum,  zinc  and 
copper.**  Hence,  "with  the  sufficiency  of  pure  metal,  it  is  possible  to 
render  water,  containing  abundant  bacteria,  completely  sterile." 

The  editor  of  the  excerpt,  commenting  upon  the  probability,  in 
some  cases,  that  the  results  thus  obtained,  "might  be  due  to  chemical 
action,"  decided  that  "in  others  it  must  be  admitted  that  water  acted 
on  the  metal  purely  as  a  solvent,  though  the  quantity  dissolved  must 
be  extremely  small." 

Shades  of  Hahnemann,  have  they  found  it? — 11  Will  they  now 
acknowledge  that  mercury  in  the  mouth,  to  the  sensitive,  will  produce 
ailments,  due  to  its  solubility  in  the  saliva,  absolutely  incurable  except 
by  the  removal  of  the  mercury?  Will  the  discovery  prove  to  the  scien- 
tific searchers  after  '^ugs,"  that  Samuel  Hahnemann  discovered  the 
action  of  copper,  years  ago,  in  its  cure  of  ulceration  of  the  intestine, 
diarrhea,  cholera,  etc.,  etc.,  which  one  wing  of  medical  science  attributes 
to  the  activity  of  these  very  bacilli  ? 

Alumina,  has  been  proved  useful  in  severe  hemorrhage  induced  by 
typhoidal  conditions,  or — as  believed, — ^by  typhoidal  bacilli.  Zincum, 
with  its  curative  record  of  diarrhea,  cholera-morbus,  dysenteria,  cholera 
infantum,  was  all,  all,  learned  by  Hahnemann,  during  most  careful  ob- 
servations and  tabulations,  extending  over  a  period  of  years. 

Surely  it  will  be  but  a  short  time  when  some  one  will  have  invented 
some  wonderful  metal-plates  that  can  be  introduced  into  the  long  suf- 
fering intestine  to  prevent  the  activities  of  these  much  dreaded  *l)ugs." 

In  the  mean  time  I  am  impressed  by  the  leadings  of  the  laity,  who, 
all  unconsciously  have  been  "protecting"  themselves  by  keeping  water 
standing  in  tin  pails!  And  here  we  have  stannum,  proved  by  Hahne- 
mann to  have  remarkable  power  in  its  control  of  ulcerative  conditions, 
in  both  the  lungs  and  intenstines,  when,  presumably,  filled  with  the 
dreaded  tubercular  bacilli. 

Three  thoughts  are  here  presented:  the  unconscious  use  of  pro- 
tective measures  by  the  laity;  the  curative  action  of  infinitesimal  doses 
of  metals,  the  indications  for  whose  use  having  been  carefully  tabulated 
by  Hahnemann  years  ago;  and  the  late  discovety  by  modern  scientific 
method  of  the  bactericidal  effect  by  infinitesimal  solutions  of  metals  in 
plain  water,  contaminated  with  dangerous  bacilli.  Have  we  not  tried 
for  a  century  to  teach  the  effectual  cure  of  all  curable  conditions,  by  the 
infinitesimal,  or,  such  as  are  not  constantly  fed  from  a  well  of  poison  in 
the  system? 

The  main  question  is,  how  much  will  this  discovery  help  our  scien- 
tific friends  in  the  cure  of  the  sick  ?  I  am  reminded  of  a  quotation  from 
the  sayings  of  our  dear  Dr.  Grant :  that  "lines  parallel  to  and  equidis- 
tant from  each  other,  never  meet."  I  fear,  much,  we  shall  never  meet 
our  scientific  friends,  on  common  ground,  as  one  party  studies  but  the 
results  of  perverted  action  of  the  vital  force,  while  the  other  is  in- 


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432  NORTH    AMERICAN   JOURNAL    OF    HOMCEOPATHY 

telligently  bent  upon  the  perverted  action  itself,  and  its  various  mean- 
ings. It  is  so  much  easier  to  dose  a  microbe  than  to  study  the  indica- 
tions for  the  curative,  in  perverted  action. 

We  still  may  be  thankful  to  the  scientific  searcher,  for  added  proof 
and  stronger  reason  for  our  faith  in  the  wonderful  power  of  the  infinites- 
imal, discovered  by  him  in  metals,  and  known  by  us  as  pertaining  to 
all  sickmaking  and  curative  drugs. 

Plumbum,  known  to  homoeopaths  as  a  powerful  remedy  in  condi- 
tions resembling  those  mentioned,  owes  its  power  to  its  solubility  and 
divisibility.  A  lump  of  lead  in  the  stomach,  or  intestine  would  hardly 
present  sufficient  surface  to  the  intestinal  fluids  to  be  either  curative 
or  preventative  of  dysentery,  cholera,  painter's  colic,  etc.,  but  it  does 
both  effectually,  under  proper  indications,  through  its  solubility  and 
divisibility. 

Hoping  to  have  added  my  mite  in  urging  continued  attention  to  the 
action  of  this  vital  force  instead  of  the  results  effected  by  it,  I  may 
thank  you  for  your  kind  attention  and  leave  the  subject  to  your  further 
th  >ught. 


IONIZATION  OF  CICATRICES 

A  strong  plea  for  the  treatment  of  contracted  or  adherent  cicatrices 
of  the  limbs  by  ionization  with  potassium  iodide  is  made  by  Chiray  and 
Bourguignon,*  neurologists  to  one  of  the  French  military  regions.  They 
used  the  town  supply  reduced,  and  zinc  or  tin  electrodes  covered  pre- 
ferably with  asbestos.  The  solution  contained  1  per  cent,  of  potassium 
iodide  in  distilled  water.  The  current  was  localized  as  far  as  possible 
to  the  cicatrix.  A  negative  electrode,  with  its  covering  soaked  in  the 
iodide  solution,  was  applied  over  the  cicatrix,  and  a  positive  wetted  with 
water  only  was  placed  on  the  other  side  of  the  limb.  The  intensity  of 
the  current  used  with  an  electrode  60  cm.  square  was  generally  10  milli- 
amperes,  and  each  sitting  lasted  half  an  hour.  The  first  effect  noticed 
was  a  change  in  color;  the  cicatrix  became  paler  by  degrees.  At  the 
second  stage  of  treatment  the  cicatrix  became  thinner  and  less  indurated 
and  the  epidermis  more  supple.  At  the  third  stage  the  cicatrix  was 
loosened  from  the  deeper  parts  and  moved  easily  over  them.  At  this 
stage  it  might  be  necessary  to  use  other  means  to  relax  or  break  down 
adhesions  about  joints,  but  by  the  ionization  treatment  alone  the  muscles 
and  nerves  involved  in  the  cicatrix  might  be  freed  and  contractures 
might  then  disappear.  A  sitting  was  given  at  first  every  day,  and  from 
an  early  stage  the  surgeon  began  to  mobilize  the  skin  and  if  possible, 
the  joint.  In  some  cases  an  extraordinary  improvement  was  observed 
in  eight  or  ten  days,  but  in  the  majority  not  until  after  five  or  six  weeks ; 
in  some,  treatment  had  to  be  extended  over  three  or  four  months  be- 
fore improvement  was  marked,  and  it  is  said  that  as  a  rule  treatment 
should  be  discontinued  until  some  such  period  has  elapsed. — The  Brit- 
ish Medical  Journal. 


*La  Press  Medicale,  August  3rd,  1915. 


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INTERNATIONAL  HOMOEOPATHIC  REVIEW 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  TREATMENT  OF  ASTHMA* 

1. — Dr.  Percy  Purdom  contributed  the  following  remarks  and  cases. 
He  referred  to  asthma  as  one  of  the  very  common  diseases  to  be  met 
with  in  general  practice.  Every  practitioner  was  bound  to  have  many 
cases  to  treat  and  frequent  opportunities  for  testing  his  faculty  for 
successful  treatment.  He  believed  a  great  deal  could  be  done  by  means 
of  homoeopathy  plus  other  essential  things,  and  first  of  all  he  would  like 
to  say  a  few  words  with  reference  to  those  essential  things.  The  two 
most  important  points  in  connection  with  asthma  were:  (1)  The  con- 
dition of  the  digestive  organs  and  diet;  (2)  the  condition  of  the  naso- 
pharynx, which  was  an  extremely  important  point.  In  the  majority  of 
cases  of  asthma  in  adults  there  was  naso-pharyngeal  catarrh,  or  trouble 
in  the  nose  of  some  kind  or  another,  and  if  that  could  be  cured  it  went 
a  long  way  towards  the  cure  of  the  asthma.  That  was  a  point  he  would 
illustrate  later  by  his  own  cases,  and  was  also  borne  out  very  strongly 
by  Dr.  March,  of  Reading,  from  whom  he  had  received  a  letter  strongly 
upholding  that  point.  It  was  often  found  also  that  attacks  were 
brought  on  by  indiscretions  in  diet,  and  this  was  a  point  which  was  gen- 
erally known.  The  question  of  diet  was  almost  as  important  in  the 
treatment  of  asthma  as  medical  or  local  treatment  of  any  kind.  He  did 
not  know  that  he  had  much  to  say  as  to  making  any  strict  rules  for 
dietetic  treatment,  but  he  believed  potatoes  had  a  peculiarly  bad  effect 
on  asthmatical  patients.  Dr.  March  confirmed  this  opinion,  and  men- 
tioned that  he  always  prohibits  potatoes  and  carbo-hydrate  food  in 
general.  As  far  as  other  foods  were  concerned,  he  thought  that  milk, 
fish  and  eggs  seemed  to  suit  quite  well  without  bad  effect.  Limitation 
of  the  number  of  meals  taken  during  the  day  also  seemed  to  help  a  good 
deal,  and  Dr.  Purdom  mentioned  that  one  of  his  patients  now  only  took 
two  meals  a  day  and  greatly  benefited  by  this  rule.  He  took  a  cup  of 
coffee  only  in  the  morning,  a  good  square  meal  at  twelve  o'clock,  and 
another  at  six.  His  asthma  had  been  much  better  on  this  limited  diet- 
ary, but  he  noticed  that  if  he  ever  took  potatoes  he  had  an  attack  of 
asthma. 

With  reference  to  the  naso-pharyngeal  condition,  the  question  of 
adenoids  came  in  there.  This  applied  more  to  children  than  to  adults, 
but  occasionally  they  were  found  still  to  be  present  in  adults,  and,  if  so, 
they  should  be  at  once  removed.  Any  trouble  in  the  nose  or  throat 
which  could  be  attended  to  by  local  treatment  should  be  seen  to  at  once. 
Then  one  was  bound  to  come  up  against  the  question  of  asthma  powders. 
This  was  an  important  point,  for  it  concerned  everyone.  His  own  ex- 
perience was  that  a  patient  could  not  be  stopped  having  asthma  powders 
straight  away.  Patients  had  often  come  to  rely  on  their  powders, 
having  an  attack  of  asthma  every  night,  perhaps,  say  at  two  o'clock,  and 
unless  they  smoked  their  powder  they  would  not  go  to  sleep  again.  If 
the  condition  which  caused  the  asthma  could  be  cured  the  powders  could 

♦Presented  to  the  British  Homoeopathic  Society.    Reprinted  from  the 
British  Homoeopathic  Journal. 


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434  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHT 

gradually  be  left  off.  He  had  not  found  the  powders  interfere  with  med- 
ical treatment  on  homoeopathic  lines,  by  either  high  or  low  potencies. 

Another  thing  was  the  actual  treatment  of  the  spasm,  and  it  was 
most  important  that  something  should  be  done  to  relieve  this  condition. 
One  letter  which  he  had  received  from  a  provincial  doctor,  which  he 
would  read  later,  was  very  despondent  on  the  subject,  and  the  writer 
thought  that  nothing  homoeopathic  could  do  anything  to  relieve  the 
spasms  at  the  time.  Dr.  Purdom  said  he  could  not  agree  with  this. 
The  medicine  he  found  most  beneficial  in  relieving  the  spasms  was  kali 
hydriodicum.  Two  drops  of  a  1  in  2  solution  mixed  with  5  drops  of 
spirit  of  chloroform,  given  in  half  a  wine  glassful  of  water  every  half 
hour  would  often  relieve  the  spasm  in  a  remarkable  way,  and  the  pa- 
tient would  be  able  to  relax  his  muscles  and  go  to  sleep.  That  was  the 
medicine  he  generally  gave  to  the  patient  as  a  standby  to  be  taken  only 
during  the  attack.  The  cases  he  would  relate  later  all  had  that  medi- 
cine to  keep  by  them  in  case  of  need,  and  at  the  same  time  went  on  with 
the  treatment  between  the  attacks.  That  was  by  far  the  most  important 
medicine  he  had  to  suggest;  another  was  cupnun,  which  would  help  in 
the  simple  spasmodic  type  of  case,  and  was  often  the  only  medicine  need- 
ed at  all.  He  used  it  either  in  the  6th  or  30th  potency,  and  had  extreme- 
ly good  results  in  children,  where  one  often  got  cases  of  simple  asthma 
with  no  complications.  He  remembered  one  case  he  had  when  he  first 
went  to  Sutton.  He  was  called  in  by  a  friend  whose  little  girl  was 
thought  to  be  dying.  She  had  spasmodic  croup.  He  mixed  some  cup- 
rum 200  and  gave  this  every  ten  minutes,  and  in  half  an  hour  the  child 
was  asleep.  Dr.  Purdom  said  this  treatment  did  not  pay  financially, 
as  in  this  case  the  mother  always  kept  the  remedy  by  her,  and  it  was  so 
successful  that  he  was  never  caUed  in  to  see  the  child  again. 

Cuprum  arsenicosum  and  cuprum  metallicum  were  two  medicines 
which  were  of  great  value  in  the  treatment  of  the  simple  spasmodic  type 
of  asthma,  but  they  were  not  of  nearly  so  much  use  in  the  bronchial  type. 
Arsenicum  itself  was  of  course  a  great  remedy,  but  he  had  found  it  more 
useful  in  the  condition  which  led  to  asthma  rather  than  in  the  actual 
spasm  itseK.  Sambucus  Ix  or  2x  certainly  helped  in  some  cases,  but 
he  had  almost  given  up  using  other  remedies  in  favor  of  kali  hydriodi- 
cum, which  he  preferred  to  anything  else. 

The  following  case  notes  illustrate  the  treatment  of  asthma: — 

(1)  Gentleman,  aged  29.  Subject  to  asthma  since  4  years  old, 
when  it  followed  an  attack  of  influenza.  The  attacks  usually  started 
about  2  a.m.,  and  became  very  bad  between  3  and  4.  They  were  some- 
times continuous  for  two  or  three  weeks  and  he  would  then  be  free  for 
perhaps  months  at  a  time.  Hot  damp,  or  cold  damp  weather  would 
bring  on  an  attack,  while  he  felt  well  in  dry,  windy  weather.  He  had 
cough  with  yellow  phlegm.  Overwork,  worry  or  stomach  trouble  would 
always  bring  on  an  attack.  No  cough  between  attacks.  Slept  well  except  dur- 
ing attacks,  and  knew  when  they  were  coming  on  by  being  wakened  early 
in  the  morning.  The  patient  was  fond  of  fat,  and  drank  tea  three  times 
a  day.  Weak  tea  would  relieve  cough  and  asthma.  Not  a  nervous 
subject  until  the  war,  since  then  nervous  and  excitable.  Suffered  from 
eczema  on  and  off.  Worse  in  hot  weather  or  from  bathing.  Hot  bath 
in  evening  would  always  bring  on  attack  of  asthma.  Great  irritation 
of  the  skin  came  on  each  evening  and  lasted  till  midnight.  Skin  very 
sensitive. 

In  July,  1916,  a  dose  of  sulphur  200  was  given. 

August  21:  No  relief;  one  bad  attack  of  asthma  with  irritation. 
One  dose  of  arsenicum  Im.  Iji  October,  patient  wrote  saying  he  wlis 
much  better.    No  attack. 


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INTERNATIONAL   HOM(EOPATHIC   REVIEW  435 

December  17 :  No  asthma  for  a  whole  month,  in  spite  of  very  hard 
work.  (The  patient  was  manager  of  a  big  munition  firm  in  London, 
often  working  till  past  midnight) 

Two  weeks  ago  Dr.  Purdom  received  a  letter  from  him  saying  that 
he  had  had  no  trace  of  asthma  since  November  and  that  his  skin  trouble 
was  practically  well.  The  man  was  most  enthusiastic  about  homoeop- 
athy, whereas  at  first  he  had  been  very  skeptical,  and  said  he  had  never 
had  any  benefit  from  any  other  treatment  before.  The  only  medicines 
Dr.  Purdom  had  given  him  were  one  dose  of  sulphur,  which  did  no  good, 
and  one  dose  of  arsenicum,  which  seemed  to  clear  up  his  trouble  at  once. 

(2)  Man,  aged  56.  Subject  to  asthma  on  and  off  for  thirty  years. 
Had  bilious  attacks  as  child,  digestive  trouble  ever  since.  Had  catarrh 
of  the  nose,  throat  and  stomach  when  in  America  some  time  ago,  and 
ever  since  occasionally.  Very  chilly,  but  better  in  dry  cold  weather, 
worse  in  spring  and  autumn.  If  he  stayed  where  land  and  water  met 
(seaside,  by  river,  canal,  etc.),  an  attack  of  asthma  was  always  brought 
on.  Alcohol  in  any  form,  also  potatoes,  would  always  bring  on  attack. 
Bacon,  pork,  tinned  meat,  strawberries,  all  disagreed.  Tendency  to 
diarrhea,  stools  nearly  always  loose.  No  pain  or  discomfort  in  abdomen. 
Very  nervous  subject,  complained  of  inability  to  think  or  concentrate 
his  mind,  and  of  difficulty  in  thinking  of  right  words  to  say.  Great 
nervousness  before  speaking  in  public.  Patient  was  also  subject  to 
crops  of  boils  on  his  neck.  Dr.  Haye's  asthma  cure  had  been  tried,  and 
the  asthma  was  relieved,  but  the  medicine  made  him  very  sick.  The 
mental  condition  suggested  silica  as  the  possible  remedy.  There  being 
no  contra-indications  Dr.  Purdom  gave  silica  Im,  repeated  in  two 
months.  That  was  all  the  medicine  the  patient  had,  and  it  is  now 
eighteen  months  ago.  He  had  had  no  asthma  now  for  well  over  a  year. 
He  was  careful  about  his  diet,  never  took  potatoes,  and  the  dietarj'  no 
doubt  assisted  in  the  good  result.  This  was  the  patient  referred  to 
above,  who  only  took  two  meals  a  day. 

(3)  Married  lady,  aged  28.  History  of  asthma  for  three  years, 
no  known  cause.  Married  one  year  and  had  still-bom  child,  bom  the 
month  before  she  first  consulted  Dr.  Purdom.  Asthma  had  been  very 
bad  all  the  time  she  was  pregnant;  it  stopped  for  one  week  after  con- 
finement, returning  again  worse  than  ever.  Asthma  attacks  commenced 
at  2  a.m.,  the  patient  waking  with  a  sense  of  constriction.  Worse  be- 
fore and  after  menses.  Restless  disposition,  very  talkative,  felt  she  must 
talk  all  the  time.  Very  chilly,  feet  always  cold;  no  sweats.  Losing 
flesh,  lost  4  St.  in  four  years.  Had  been  carefully  dieted.  Nasal 
catarrh,  for  which  patient  had  been  cauterized.  Adenoids  removed  when 
17  years  of  age.  The  remedy  for  this  patient  worked  out  to  arsenicum. 
She  started  with  the  200th  potency,  working  upwards,  with  an  occasion- 
al dose  of  sulphur.  In  twelve  months  she  was  practically  well.  She  be- 
came pregnant  again,  went  full  time  without  any  asthma,  and  a  per- 
fectly healthy  baby  was  bom.  That  was  eighteen  months  ago;  since 
then  the  patient  kept  very  well  except  for  occasional  threatenings  of 
cough  and  suffocation  feelings,  and  she  had  had  no  medicine  now  for 
over  a  year.  She  had  recently  written  to  Dr.  Purdom  stating  that  she 
was  extremely  well  and  hoping  to  have  another  baby  in  four  months' 
time. 

Referring  to  simple  spasmodic  asthma  in  children,  except  in  per- 
haps half  a  dozen  cases  Dr.  Purdom  had  always  been  able  to  cure  this 
with  cuprum  metallicum  or  cuprum  arsenicosum.  Where  one  had  to 
deal  with  a  case  where  there  were  complications,  such  as  emphysema 
and  bronchitis,  a  complete  cure  in  the  same  way  could  not  be  expected, 
but  before  that  stage  was  reached  he  found  the  spasms  could  usually 


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436  NORTH   AMERICAN   JOURNAL    OF    HOMCEOPATHY 

he  removed  by  homoBopathic  remedies. 

n. — Dr.  March,  of  Reading,  had  written  to  Dr.  Purdom  as  fol- 
lows— 

'The  method  employed  by  me  in  the  treatment  of  a  case  of  asthma 
was  first  of  all  to  examine  for  adenoids  and  other  post-nasal  conditions, 
such  as  catarrh  due  to  septic  tonsils.  This  was  most  important.  Then 
the  patient  is  placed  on  a  dietary  allowing  considerable  quantities  of 
minced  beef,  hot  water,  whites  of  eggs,  fish  with  certain  restrictions, 
green  vegetables,  fruit  and  cheese.  Bread,  rice  and  potatoes  are  abso- 
lutely barred,  Callard's  kalari  biscuits  being  given  in  place  of  bread.  I 
seldom  give  any  medicine,  but  frequently  have  recourse  to  breathing  ex- 
ercises. Since  adopting  this  method  of  treatment,  I  have  never  failed 
to  effect  a  cure,  and  I  see  large  numbers  of  patients  sent  to  me  from  all 
parts  of  the  country." 

III. — ^Dr.  Cash,  of  Torquay,  contributed  the  following  cases  and 
remarks : — 

(1)  Miss  M.,  aged  70.  Bronchial  asthma  for  several  years,  and 
attacks  of  spasmodic  asthma.  In  winter  much  violent  cough  with  glairy 
sputum  containing  black  carbonaceous  particles.  During  winter  bron- 
chial type  prevailed  with  spasmodic  type  at  other  times.  The  exciting 
cause  was  gastric  disturbance.  In  this  case  aconite,  ipecacuanha  and 
nux  were  useful.  The  cough  got  less,  sputum  very  slight.  Cuprum 
metallicum  5  and  hyoscyamus  alternately  every  two  hours  were  also 
given  with  good  effect  The  patient  had  a  relapse  during  very  frosty 
weather  and  then  conium  tincture  alternated  with  ipecacuanha  Ix  was 
persevered  with  for  sixteen  days,  with  great  benefit,  followed  by  a  course 
of  arsenicum  6,  which  brought  her  to  good  convalescence,  a  mild 
touch  of  asthma  only  in  the  morning  remaining. 

(2)  Boy,  aged  9.  Bronchial  asthma  and  emphysema.  Ipecacuanha 
and  aconite  in  varying  strength  gave  good  results.  Patient  kept  in  bed. 
Severe  cough,  attacks  recurring  on  least  provocation.  Difficulty  of 
breathing  and  violent  cough  come  on  suddenly  and  last  for  hours  at  a 
time,  sometimes  accompanied  by  vomiting.  General  nutrition  poor;  im- 
proved by  virol  and  bynol  given  separately,  and  milk  freely.  Latterly 
a  good  mixed  diet.  Hyoscyamus  Ix  and  cuprum  metallicum  6  were 
given.  The  child  had  been  free  from  asthma  now  for  three  weeks ;  with- 
out cough  and  the  breathing  regular,  and  no  physical  signs.  The  child 
had  been  ill  for  some  time,  the  condition  of  the  lung  supervening  on  a 
cold  after  walking  in  a  damp  garden. 

(3)  Mrs.  W.,  aged  79.  Patient  had  been  under  treatment  for  at- 
tacks of  spasmodic  asthma  with  cough,  on  and  off  for  many  years.  When 
she  first  consulted  Dr.  Cash,  eleven  years  ago,  she  was  frequently  taken 
with  severe  asthmatic  dyspnea  and  cough.  The  patient  was  very  stout, 
and  although  there  were  no  actual  heart  symptoms,  her  condition  was 
precarious.  Under  treatment  she  gradually  became  better,  and  her 
asthmatic  attacks  less  frequent.  She  was  last  seen  in  January  of  this 
year,  and  had  then  gone  for  four  years  without  any  attack.  The  reme- 
dies used  in  her  case  had  been  aconite  and  ipecacuanha  alternately  for 
first  four  hours,  later  ipecacuanha  only.  She  was  practically  cured  now 
of  asthma,  and  from  this  her  heart  had  become  better.  She  could  walk 
and  take  exercise  much  better  than  when  she  first  came  for  treatment. 

Dr.  Cash  also  stated  that  he  had  found  in  his  experience  that  nux 
vomica  often  served  well  for  asthma,  especially  when  gastric  causes  were 
in  evidence  or  kept  up  the  attack.  This,  persevered  in  for  some  time, 
would  clear  up  clm)nic  tendency  to  recurrence.  Arsenicum  was  useful 
also  in  the  old  and  feeble,  and  helps  the  coincident  suffering  heart  and 
also  the  emphysema  induced  by  the  asthmatic  cough.    He  had  occa- 


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INTERNATIONAL    HOMCEOPATHIC   REVIEW  437 

sionally  found  lobelia  useful  where  vomiting  and  nausea  were  prominent. 
He  had  given  the  acetic  tincture  of  lobelia  with  good  results. 
rV. — Dr.  Newell,  of  Margate,  sent  the  following  letter : — 
Although  he  had  treated  a  number  of  asthma  cases,  he  was  sorry 
to  say  that,  candidly,  he  had  never  had  a  sucdessful  case  treated  on 
purely  homoeopathic  lines,  and  in  desperation  he  usually  gave  hypodermic 
injections  of  morphine.  He  had  hoped  great  things  of  homoeopathy  in 
this  connection,  but  it  had  failed.  Between  the  attacks  he  could  speak 
more  cheerfully  and  much  could  be  done  by  general  constitutional  treat- 
ment. Arsenicum,  cuprum  and  nux  vomica,  were  all  useful  in  prop- 
erly selected  cases 

DISCUSSION 

Dr.  Koberson  Day  read  the  notes  of  one  of  his  cases  of  asthma  of 
ten  years*  duration,  cured  by  nux  vomica. 

Miss  H.,  aged  36.  Had  suffered  from  asthma  for  ten  years,  inti- 
mately associated  with  digestive  disturbance.  First  consulted  July  5, 
1916,  complaining  of  much  indigestion,  full  of  wind,  eructations.  If 
she  could  not  bring  up  wind,  had  an  attack  of  asthma.  Bowels  act 
regularly,  but  has  taken  aperients  under  doctor's  advice.  Asthmatic 
attacks  always  came  on  at  3  a.m.  and  woke  her  up,  when  she  had  to  sit 
up,  wheezing  and  gasping  for  breath.  Attacks  last  twenty-four  hours, 
leaving  her  weak  and  quite  exhausted.  Attacks  had  recently  increased 
in  frequency,  with  palpitations  of  the  heart,  and  much  wheezing  in 
the  bronchial  tubes. 

PHYSICAL  EXAMINATION. — The  patient  is  a  tall,  thin  and  dark  woman, 
6  feet  7  and  one-quarter  inches  in  height,  8  st.  1  lb.  in  weight.  The  chest 
is  long  but  she  breathes  well  (used  to  sing  a  great  deal,  having  a  fine 
mezzo-soprano  voice.)  Heart,  normal.  In  abdomen  there  is  ptosis  of 
the  right  kidney.  Tongue  coated  at  back,  firm  and  well  pointed.  Most 
of  the  teeth  have  ben  removed  on  doctor's  advice  with  a  view  to  benefit 
asthma  (wears  artificial  ones).  She  is  of  a  bright  and  lively  tempera- 
ment, very  keen  on  sport  and  outdoor  exercise,  was  a  champion  tennis 
player,  but  on  doctors  advice  had  given  this  up.  Her  diet  had  been 
considerably  restricted  and  generally  her  life  had  been  made  miserable 
for  the  last  ten  years  by  unsuccessful  efforts  to  cure  the  asthma. 

Dr.  Day  at  first  prescribed  nux  vom.  12,  t.d.s.  ant.  cib  In  a  fort- 
night she  reported  that  she  was  much  better,  had  not  wheezed  once,  and 
there  had  been  no  attack  of  asthma.  The  weather  was  cold  and  damp — 
climatic  conditions  which  formerly  would  have  induced  an  attack.  She 
had  also  slept  well,  whereas  formerly  she  never  slept  without  recourse  to 
asthma  powders.  Felt  totally  different;  gained  3  and  one-half  pounds, 
and  lost  the  flatulence. 

Seen  again  on  August  2.  Had  not  had  a  wheeze  since  commencing 
treatment.  Could  wafi:  two  or  three  miles;  formerly  could  only  walk 
fifteen  minutes  at  a  time.  Appetite  better.  Very  little  flatulence.  Pre- 
scribed now  Pulsatilla  12,  on  account  of  some  dysmenorrhea. 

February  6:  No  asthma  whatever.  Formerly  the  patient  could 
not  lie  down  without  an  attack,  and  it  had  become  a  perfect  nightmare 
to  her.  The  flatulence  persisted  occasionally  still.  Cold  extremities 
and  chilblains.    Lycopodium  prescribed.    Weight  now  9  st. 

Dr.  Koberson  Day  remarked  that  this  was  a  case  that  might  be  put 
to  the  credit  of  nux  vomica  as  that  seemed  to  cure  the  patient  straight 
away. 

Asthma  was  a  large  subject,  and  in  general  practice  many  cases 
of  various  kinds  were  seen.  The  great  majority  of  these  patients  would 
be  found  to  be  suffering  from  some  form  of  indigestion.  At  the  same 
time  there  was  a  nervous  type  with  a  distinctly  hereditary  element,  and 


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438  NORTH   AMERICAN    JOURNAL  OF   HOM(EOPATHT 

there  was  also  a  well-known  connection  between  the  epileptic  and  the 
asthmatic;  one  generation  would  beget  the  other.  The  nervous  element 
must  always  be  kept  well  in  sight.  This  being  so,  climatic  conditions 
held  a  very  large  place  in  the  treatment  of  these  cases.  JSome  patients 
could  not  live  by  the  seaside,  others  were  benefited  by  the  sea.  He  had 
one  patient  who  could  not  live  by  the  sea  but  who  could  visit  the  sea 
during  the  day.  If  he  ever  slept  by  the  sea,  during  the  day  he  would 
be  certain  to  have  asthma,  and  he  therefore  got  over  the  difficulty  by 
going  down  daily  whilst  his  family  were  at  the  sea,  retiring  30  miles 
inland  at  night  to  sleep.  Some  patients  used  to  benefit  by  travelling 
on  the  underground  railway  before  it  was  electrified,  but  he  remember- 
ed one  patient  who  was  unable  to  travel  on  the  underground  railways 
because  the  hot  sulphur  fumes  nearly  choked  him.  What  was  a  cure  for 
one  patient  might  be  a  great  trial  for  another. 

Dr.  Koberson  Day  mentioned  the  case  of  one  patient  whose  duty 
it  was  to  sweep  out  a  church,  and  the  dust  and  germs  which  were  stir- 
red up  during  this  process  always  induced  asthma.  The  patient 
would  not  give  this  duty  up,  and  the  trouble  weis  overcome  by  wearing 
an  inhaler  something  like  a  gas  mask.  There  was  no  asthma  when  wear- 
ing this. 

The  connection  between  asthma  and  eczema  had  been  referred  to. 
He  had  observed  on  more  than  one  accasion  that  frequently  when  the 
eczema  was  fully  developed  the  asthma  seemed  to  be  better;  hence,  if 
one  tried  to  cure  the  eczema  by  external  measures,  very  often  attacks  of 
asthma  would  be  brought  on  in  the  case  of  asthmatic  subjects. 

With  regard  to  treatment,  besides  nux  vomica,  illustrated  in  the 
above  case,  he  had  found  arsenicum  one  of  the  best  remedies.  Arsenic- 
um either  given  alone  or,  where  there  was  much  wheezing  and  some 
bronchial  catarrh,  in  alternation  with  ipecacuanha,  had  often  proved  to 
be  extremely  beneficial.  Lobelia  and  cuprum  had  also  served  well  in 
some  cases. 

With  reference  to  the  use  of  palliatives  during  the  attack,  probably 
all  had  met  with  the  much  vaunted  remedy,  "Tucker's  Inhaler,"  which 
some  patients  were  never  without.  It  contained  some  adrenalin  which 
had  a  powerful  effect  and  would  check  the  spasms.  Burroughs  and 
Wellcome  had  a  similar  preparation  which  was  very  serviceable  and 
preferable  to  the  use  of  morphia.  Here  again,  one  must  remember  that 
it  was  liable  to  create  a  habit.  In  other  severe  cases  he  found  inhala- 
tion of  chloroform  useful.  These,  however,  were  only  given  during 
such  times  as  the  patient  was  actually  suffering  from  attack  and  spasm, 
and  in  most  cases  if  the  diet  was  attended  to  and  care  taken  in  the 
selection  of  the  proper  homoeopathic  remedy,  a  cure  could  be  effected. 

Dr.  Stonham  thanked  Dr.  Purdom  for  his  very  suggestive  paper  and 
the  valuable  hints  it  contained,  especially  with  reference  to  the  use  of 
kali  hydriodicum  in  acute  attacks.  In  acute  cases  of  asthma  one  was 
sometimes  quite  at  a  loss  to  know  what  to  give,  not  wishing  to  depart 
from  homoeopathy,  and  not  liking  to  resort  to  powders  and  other  things. 
He  had  sometimes  given  a  dose  of  adrenalin  by  hypodermic  injection 
with  good  effect,  as  it  would  cut  short  an  attack  in  ten  minutes,  perhaps 
less  than  that.  He  preferred  the  use  of  adrenalin  to  morphia.  Most 
patients  would  be  found  to  use  asthmatic  powders,  especially  Tucker's; 
in  fact  "Tucker"  seemed  to  have  become  a  household  god  and  it  certain- 
ly seemed  to  have  marvellous  effects  in  some  attacks.  If  patients  were 
constantly  using  it,  however,  it  seemed  to  become  less  efficacious  the 
more  it  was  used.  With  regard  to  limitation  of  meals,  this  was  a  very 
important  point.  He  liked  his  patients  to  take  no  heavy  meal  at  all 
after  2  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  especially  if  they  were  inclined  to  wake 


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INTERNATIONAL    HOMCEOPATHIC    REVIEW  439 

up  with  an  attack  between  1  and  4  a.m.  He  allowed  barley  water  in  the 
evening,  but  no  food,  and  if  the  patients  could  be  persuaded  to  do  this 
they  were  much  benefited  in  their  night's  rest.  Dr.  Stonham  was  very 
glad  of  the  suggestion  about  potatoes,  as  he  had  not  known  before  their 
effect  on  asthmatic  patients.  With  regard  to  medicine,  in  those  cases 
mentioned  by  Dr.  Purdom,  where  asthma  always  was  brought  on  at 
junction  of  land  and  water,  he  had  found  natrum  sulphuricum  6z  and 
80  of  great  value.  Other  remedies  were  arsenicum,  nux  vomica,  kali 
carbonica,  which  were  all  useful  for  asthma  which  woke  the  patient  be- 
tween 2  and  3  in  the  morning.  Dr.  Stonham  mentioned  the  case  of  a 
patient  recently  under  his  treatment  for  asthma.  The  patient  was  a 
gentleman,  aged  35,  who  had  suffered  for  many  years  from  asthma,  wak- 
ing up  at  4  o'clock  in  the  morning  very  short  of  breath.  The  patient 
had  led  an  open-air  life,  working  outdoors  all  day.  Very  sleepy 
in  the  evening  before  going  to  bed.  Dr.  Stonham  did  not  alter  the  diet, 
but  gave  him  nux  vomica  200,  one  dose,  with  beneficial  result,  the  patient 
having  a  good  night.  Two  months  later  he  was  still  quite  free  from 
asthma,  and  he  had  not  been  so  for  years  previously.  The  most  dra- 
matic case  he  had  ever  had  was  one  he  reported  some  time  ago  in  his 
paper  on  "Autogenous  Vaccines."  A  lady,  aged  nearly  60,  after  an  at- 
tack of  influenza  was  subject  to  constant  asthma  for  two  or  three  years. 
He  had  a  vaccine  made  from  the  sputum,  which  was  found  to  contain 
micrococcus  catarrhalis  and  influenza  bacillus.  One  dose  of  that  was 
given  by  the  mouth  in  the  30th  potency,  and  it  completely  cured  her. 
That  was  four  or  ^ve  years  ago  and  she  had  never  had  an  attack  since, 
and  was  now  perfectly  welL  This  case  of  course  did  not  quite  resemble 
the  general  type  of  asthma;  the  patient  was  aged  46.  and  had  not  had 
asthma  before  it  was  brought  on  by  the  infleunza,  and  it  was  definitely 
cured  by  influenza  vaccine;  it  could  not  therefore  be  put  in  the  stme 
category  with  most  asthma  cases. 

Dr.  Weir  said  there  were  one  or  two  points  mentioned  by  Dr.  Day 
he  would  like  to  refer  to.  Patients  often  came  to  the  doctor  expecting 
him  to  know  everything  about  suitable  climates  and  if  he  were  honest 
he  would  tell  them  he  did  not  know.  Some  patients  sufferinof  with 
asthma  were  better  at  one  place  and  some  at  another,  and  it  was  almost 
impossible  for  a  doctor  to  say  at  once  what  particular  place  would  suit 
the  patient — it  resolved  itself  into  a  case  of  personal  exx)eriment.  Re- 
ferring to  the  connection  between  asthma  and  suppressed  eruptions,  Dr. 
Weir  said  he  often  came  across  cases  of  asthma  with  a  previous  history 
of  skin-trouble  cured  (?)  by  ointments.  Some  doctors  go  so  far  as  to 
claim  a  distinct  relationship  between  asthma  and  eruptions  on  hands 
treated  in  this  way.  He  would  mention  a  case  which  brought  out  this 
point  very  well.  In  1912,  a  girl  aged  23,  was  brought  to  see  him,  com- 
plaining of  very  severe  asthma  which  had  been  in  existence  for  three 
and  a  half  years  on  and  off.  The  asthma  was  relieved  whenever  she 
lay  down.  (That  was  a  rather  peculiar  symptom  and  one  which  was 
marked  in  only  after  a  few  remedies,  chief  of  which  were  calc.  p., 
chel.,  dig.,  laur.,  nux  v.,  psor.).  He  asked  the  girl  if  she  had  told 
him  all  her  symptoms  and  history  and  she  replied  that  she  had.  He 
then  asked  her,  "When  did  you  have  that  eruption?"  The  girFs  reply 
was,  "How  could  I  have  forgotten  that  I  I  attended  St.  John's  Hospital 
for  eruption  on  my  hands  from  when  I  was  six  weeks  old  to  nineteen 
years  of  age."  The  asthma  had  not  appeared  until  after  the  eruption 
had  gone  and  was  evidently  due  to  suppressed  eruption.  He  told  the 
patient  that  before  the  asthma  could  be  cured  the  eruption  would  come 
back,  and  that  he  would  give  her  nothing  for  it.  He  gave  her  psorinum 
200,  two  doses  six  hours  apart  and  in  ten  days  the  eruption  returned  and 


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440  NORTH    AMERICAN    JOURNAL    OF    HOM(EOPATHY 

her  hands  and  fingers  were  covered  with  a  typical  psorinum  rash,  sim- 
ilar to  the  rath  the  girl  had  had  to  bear  for  nineteen  years  before  it 
was  cured.  As  soon  as  the  rash  came  out  the  asthma  disappeared. 
Then,  when  the  psorinum  was  beginning  to  lose  its  effect  (its  duration 
of  action  being  30-40  days)  the  rash  disappeared  and  back  came  the 
asthma  (less  severe).  He  repeated  the  psorinum  200  two  doses  and 
again  the  asthma  disappeared  with  the  reappearance  of  the  eruption 
(also  less  extensive).  This  see-saw  course  of  events  went  on  a  few 
months.  When  the  eruption  was  present  the  asthma  was  absent  and 
vice  versa,  each  time  getting  less  in  severity  until  finally  it  came  to  a 
standstill  when  there  was  neither  asthma  nor  eruption.  Altogether 
only  a  few  doses  of  i)6orinum  200  were  given  at  about  six  weeks'  interval. 
The  girl  had  been  well  ever  since  and  had  had  no  return  of  her  trouble. 
That  was  a  case  of  suppressed  eruption  in  connection  with  asthma,  and 
there  were  a  number  of  similar  cases.  Asthma  was  also  found  in  alter- 
nation with  gout  (benz.  ac,  lycop.,  sulph.)  and  with  nocturnal  diarrhea 
(kali  carb.)  Dieting  was  very  necessary  but  generally  that  had  been 
tried  before  the  patients  presented  themselves  to  us  for  treatment,  and 
what  they  wanted  was  the  homoeopathic  medicine. 

Another  case  of  his  was  a  man  aged  64,  who  first  consulted  him  in 
July,  1916,  suffering  from  an  attack  of  asthma,  which  had  lasted  almost 
two  years.  He  had  been  subject  to  asthma  on  and  off  all  his  life,  and 
had  had  various  treatments  including  inoculation,  but  had  derived  only 
temporary  relief.  He  gave  a  life-long  history  of  asthma  and  bronchitis, 
attacks  recurring  independently  of  seasons,  places  or  changes  ot  atmo- 
sphere. The  chief  symptoms  were  depression  and  fear  of  being  alone 
and  in  the  dark;  extremely  chilly.  The  asthma  was  especially  bad  be- 
tween 2  and  5  a.m.  Worse  from  motion  or  exertion.  Better  if  he  sat 
up  or  stood.  Had  had  adrenalin  injections.  Cough  not  troublesome 
unless  to  get  rid  of  very  tenacious  expectoration.  Signs  of  emphysema 
in  chest.  Headaches  and  neuralgia.  Slight  nasal  obstruction.  Blood 
pressure  220.  Arsenicum  and  kali  carb.  worked  out  to  be  the  remedies 
in  this  case.  Dr.  Weir  gave  arsenicum  alb.  30,  six  doses  at  four-hourly 
intervals.  After  waiting  six  days,  the  patient  returned  saying  he  was 
no  better.  He  was  then  given  kali  carb.  30,  three  doses  four-hourly. 
On  August  4  the  patient  returned  saying  he  was  much  better  and  had 
had  no  asthma  since.  On  August  8  there  was  a  bad  attack.  On  Sep- 
tember 30,  one  or  two  wheezing  attacks  but  no  real  asthma.  October 
20,  "asthma  very  much  better;  had  done  more  walking,  and  not  at  all  on 
level  ground,  than  for  a  long  time  previously."  In  November,  the  pa- 
tient reported  that  he  "was  quite  free  from  asthma  and  all  its  worries, 
in  spite  of  extremely  bad  weather  conditions."  In  January,  1917,  the 
patient  wrote  from  Scotland  saying  he  was  still  free  from  asthma  and 
had  been  able  to  go  out  shooting — a  good  forward  step  after  two  and  a 
half  years.  The  medicine — kali  carb.  30 — was  not  repeated  after  the 
initial  doses. 

Dr.  Weir's  third  case  was  that  of  a  boy,  aged  17.  First  seen  at 
school  in  April,  1914.  He  had  had  asthma  all  his  life,  the  attacks  last- 
ing three  or  four  days.  Tried  everything,  but  never  free  for  as  long 
as  three  weeks.  Would  often  go  well  to  bed,  but  would  wake  up  between 
2  and  4  a.m.  Worse  from  least  motion.  Better  with  high  pillow  or 
when  on  hands  and  knees.  No  special  craving  for  air.  Adenoids  re- 
moved when  8  years  old.  Always  better  during  cold  weather.  Usual, 
physical  signs  of  asthma.  The  chief  feature  of  this  case  was  the  relief 
from  the  knee-elbow  position,  which  was  so  marked  that  he  could  some- 
times ward  off  an  attack  of  asthma  by  assuming  that  position,  and  often 
on  waking  found  himself  in  that  attitude,  as  if  unconsciously  finding 


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INTERNATIONAL   HOMCEOPATHIC   REVIEW  441 

this  to  be  the  easiest  posture.  Dr.  Weir  gave  medorrhinum  30,  three 
doses,  six  hours  apart.  May  16:  Patient  had  mild  attack  but  slept 
on  till  7  in  the  morning  instead  of  waking  between  2  and  4.  If  one 
could  break  the  periodicity  it  showed  that  one  was  on  the  right  track, 
and  in  this  case  the  boy  went  on  sleeping  till  7  o'clock,  generally  waking 
up  on  his  hands  and  knees.  Able  to  play  cricket.  A  month  later  he 
had  a  slight  attack,  but  was  able  to  cycle  and  take  more  strenuous  ex- 
ercise than  he  had  hitherto  been  able  to  indulge  in,  and  never  felt  bet- 
ter in  himself.  A  few  days  afterward  Dr.  Weir  gave  him  his  other  three 
doses  of  medorrh.  30,  after  attack  of  hay  fever.  Formerly,  he  had  been 
prostrate  with  hay  fever,  but  now  he  was  able  to  keep  about  and  play 
cricket  on  some  afternoons.  In  July,  the  boy  hardly  felt  so  well  in 
himself  and  was  given  medorrh.  200,  three  doses.  On  September  18 
there  was  a  note  that  he  had  gone  through  the  term  without  going  to 
the  sickhouse  once,  first  time  he  had  ever  managed  that.  In  October  he 
had  two  slight  attacks  in  the  daytime,  which  did  not,  however,  prevent 
his  getting  about.  In  January,  1916,  he  was  able  to  play  football.  In 
May  there  was  a  note  that  he  had  continued  very  well,  not  having  had 
a  severe  attack  during  the  past  year,  and  that  he  never  found  himself 
on  hands  and  knees  on  waking.  Later,  he  got  a  Commission  in  the 
Army,  was  perfectly  free  from  asthma  even  while  in  the  trenches,  until 
he  had  a  cold,  for  which  Dr.  Weir  sent  him  a  dose  of  sulphur  200,  when 
there  was  a  slight  return.  After  cold  was  better,  medorrh,  200,  three 
doses,  was  given.  In  December,  1916— a  year  later — the  patient  said 
he  had  not  had  an  attack  since  Christmas  of  the  previous  year,  in  spite 
of  life  in  the  trenches.  The  importance  of  this  case  is  the  value  and 
verification  of  the  peculiar  symptom — asthma,  or  difficult  respiration 
relieved  by  lying  in  knee-elbow  position  (see  "Kent's  Repertory,''  p.  764). 

Dr.  Roche  said  t^at  among  the  various  remedies  prescribed  for 
asthma,  he  had  found  arsenicum  iodide -of  great  value.  He  remembered 
the  case  of  a  girl  who  had  been  ill  for  a  considerable  time,  and  who 
was  possessed  with  the  idea  that  she  was  consumptive.  He  had  the 
sputum  examined,  with  a  negative  result  and  treated  her  asthma  with 
arsenicum  iodide,  and  she  was  now  quite  well.  Another  case  oi  asthma 
was  that  of  a  master  at  the  Grammar  School,  who  was  suffering  from 
asthma  connected  with  enlargement  of  the  mediastinal  glands,  greatly 
benefitd  by  nux  vomica  Ix. 

Dr.  Margaret  Tyler  read  notes  of  a  case  of  asthma,  treated  at  the 
hospital  two  years  ago.  Asthma  began  in  the  autmun  of  1914.  Gets 
attacks  every  night,  and  sometimes  two  or  three  bouts  by  day.  It  wakes 
him  at  3  a.m.:  wakes  him  like  an  electric  shock,  and  he  has  to  sit  up. 
He  bums  a  powder  and  sleeps  again.  He  has  also  a  regular  attack  as 
soon  as  he  gets  up,  or  before  he  gets  out  of  bed.  Great  amount  of 
phlegm  of  a  salty  taste.  If  irritated  he  gets  an  attack.  Feels  the  cold 
very  much.  Good  appetite,  and  could  eat  a  jolly  fine  supper,  but  dare 
not;  afraid  to  eat  after  4  or  5  p.m.  G^ts  weight  and  fullness  p.c,  and 
is  then  breathless.  Loss  of  self-confidence;  apprehension  in  starting 
new  work.  Sweat  pours  off  while  coughing.  The  interesting  feature 
of  this  case  was  its  connection  with  malaria.  The  patient  had  suffered 
with  malaria  in  South  Africa  fourteen  years  before,  and  had  taken  much 
quinine.  He  had  continued  to  get  attacks  of  malaria,  for  which  he 
took  quinine  (gr.  xx).  The  quinine  upsets  him  and  makes  him  stupid : 
has  t^en  it  till  afraid  to  cross  the  road.  But  he  had  no  ague  since  he 
began  to  have  asthma,  or  none  to  speak  of.  On  February  14,  1915,  he 
was  given  one  dose  of  kali  carb.  30.  (The  symptoms  determinincr  the 
choice  of  the  remedy  being  asthma  at  3  a.m.,  desire  for  sweets,  lof^s  of 
self-confidence the  marked  3  a.m.  aggravation  being  very  diag- 


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442  NORTH    AMERICAN   JOUEtNAL    OF    HOMOEOPATHY 

nostic  of  the  remedy.)  A  fortnight  later  the  pt^tient  reported:  **Very 
much  better.  No  asthma  at  all  by  day  now.  Can  eat  freely ;  gets  home 
and  has  a  thorough  good  meal  now,  and  has  no  bad  effects.  Sleeps  now 
till  4  a.m.  (an  hour  later)  and  then  gets  a  very  slight  attack,  and  as  soon 
as  a  mouthful  or  two  of  phlegm  is  up,  the  attack  is  gone."  Says,  **this 
is  the  most  remarkable  thing  that  has  ever  happened  to  him  in  his  life." 
February  22:  Very  much  better.  Putting  on  flesh.  Practically  no 
asthma  at  all.  A  week  ago  he  got  an  attack  of  ague;  it  was  a  bad  attack, 
with  chill,  very  high  temperature,  then  sweat.  He  took  no  quinine  (he 
had  been  warned  that  he  might  get  an  attack  of  asthma,  and  that  he 
must  not  suppress  it,  so  he  had  destroyed  all  his  quinine).  This  time 
he  had  "terrible  fever"  for  one  night  only,  and  the  attack  only  lasted 
three  days,  and  he  had  "no  quinine  eflPects  to  battle  with  this  time." 
Sleeps  well  now.  Never  troubled  at  all  at  night  with  asthma.  April 
10 :  A  slight  relapse.  Kali  carb.  30,  one  dose.  May  11 :  No  return  of 
malaria;  able  to  eat  anything  at  any  time  of  day.  Has  had  a  cough 
for  three  weeks,  but  no  asthma;  not  the  least  breathless.  July  5:  No 
malaria.  No  asthma.  A  little  stuflFy  in  the  afternoon.  His  third  and 
last  dose  of  kali  carb.  30. 

This  patient  had  only  three  doses  of  kali  carb.  two  years  ago,  which 
had  apparently  cured  him.  Chlorum  was  proving  of  value  for  some 
cases  of  asthma ;  it  should  be  useful  in  the  cases  where  dyspnea  was  from 
difficulty  in  exhalation.  Dr.  Tyler  did  not  know  whether  others  had 
noticed  that  many  cases  of  asthma  were  associated  with  great  deformity 
of  the  chest,  which  was  contracted  and  drawn  down,  till  patient  was 
almost  hump-backed.  In  other  cases  there  was  no  deformity.  In  chil- 
dren, without  deformity,  she  had  cured  some  cases  with  single  doses, 
repeated  as  necessary,  of  ipec.  200. 

Dr.  Goldsbrough  said  he  felt  some  hesitation  in  taking  part  in  the 
discussion  as  he  had  been  prevented  from  hearing  Dr.  Purdom's  paper, 
and  also  had  been  unable,  owing  to  pressure  of  work,  to  look  up  notes 
of  asthma  cases.  Asthma  was  a  disease  in  which  all  were  keenly  inter- 
ested. There  were  three  aspects  of  the  treatment  of  it:  (1)  The  con- 
stitutional state  of  the  asthma  patient  to  which  Dr.  Weir  had  referred; 
(2)  asthma  in  children;  (3)  the  treatment  of  the  asthmatic  paroxysm 
which  was  frequently  both  urgent  and  necessary.  With  regard  to  the 
latter,  there  were  a  great  many  chronic  asthmatics  who  had  not  the  pa- 
tience or  endurance  to  undergo  constitutional  treatment.  They  had  be- 
come so  accustomed  to  rely  on  palliatives,  such  as  "Tucker's  specific," 
etc.,  that  they  had  lost  the  courage  to  submit  themselves  to  thorough  con- 
stitutional treatment.  What  was  the  homoeopath  to  do?  Was  he  not 
to  be  allowed  to  give  anything  during  the  paroxysm?  Dr.  Cooper's 
acetic  tincture  of  lobelia  was  the  drug  Dr.  Goldsbrough  found  most 
useful  in  such  cases.  It  had  given  good  results  and  the  greatest  possi- 
ble relief  on  many  occasions  with  no  ill-eflPects.  He  remembered  one 
case  where  the  patient  took  this  drug  during  the  attack  and  the  par- 
oxysm greatly  subsided  and  there  was  no  recurrence.  Sambucus  was 
another  drug  particularly  useful  in  asthma  in  children.  A  single  drop 
of  the  tincture  would  very  often  control  the  asthma  paroxysm.  Chronic 
asthma  in  children  needed  treating  carefully  and  constitutionally. 
Corallium  rubrum  was  very  valuable  in  this  connection.  In  the  case 
of  a  little  boy  with  bad  hereditary  asthma,  which  seemed  to  resist  all 
treatment  while  in  London  in  one  of  the  rather  over-crowded  districts, 
on  going  to  live  at  Leigh-on-Sea  the  trouble  entirely  cleared  up.  With 
regard  to  the  constitutional  treatment  of  asthma  the  chief  medicines 
Dr.  Goldsbrough  found  of  service  were  kali  carbonicum,  arsenicum,  and 
sulphur.  The  condition  calling  for  kali  carb.  was  simpler  and  milder  than 


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INTERNATIONAL    HOM(EOPATHIG    REVIEW  448 

that  calling  for  arsenicum.  Sulphur  was  the  chief  remedy  indicated  in 
asthma  following  nasal  catarrh.  Dr.  Gbldsbrough  remembered  a  case 
of  asthma  in  a  woman  who  was  having  periodic  attacks  of  nasal  catarrh 
which  were  evidently  not  hay  fever,  but  which  nothing  seemed  to  cure. 
She  did  not  have  a  bath,  and  he  advised  her  to  bathe  the  body  all  over 
every  day  with  nearly  cold  water,  from  which  she  received  marked  bene- 
fit. That  was  a  very  important  point  Dr.  Goldsbrough  thought  in  re- 
gard to  the  occurrence  in  nasal  catarrh.  The  temperature  of  the  water 
should  be  such  that  it  could  be  borne  with  a  comfortable  reaction. 

Dr.  Wheeler  said  the  Society  must  congratulate  itself  on  having 
had  the  opportunity  of  learning  a  great  deal  from  the  discussion  and 
various  interesting  cases  related.  Dr.  Cronin  had  mentioned  a  case  of 
urticaria  after  asthma,  and  that  reminded  him  of  one  of  the  most  un- 
usual things  he  had  seen  in  a  pathological  way.  A  young  lady  relative 
of  his  was  suddenly  taken  with  an  attack  of  dyspnea  of  a  typical  asthma 
type  one  afternoon.  She  had  never  had  an  attack  before  or  since,  but 
he  happened  to  be  present  at  the  time  and  the  attack  was  definitely  one 
of  asthmatic  dyspnea.  In  ten  minutes  it  had  quite  passed  oflF.  Ten 
minutes  after,  however,  her  whole  body  from  head  to  foot  was  covered 
with  urticara.  Urticaria  was  fairly  frequently  seen  in  relation  to 
asthma  cases,  but  as  stated  above,  in  the  present  case  the  patient  was 
not  subject  to  asthma.  With  reference  to  treatment,  he  had  often  found 
iodide  of  potassium  to  do  good;  the  asthma  sometimes  getting  great  benefit 
from  the  iodide,  and  he  had  also  tried  the  effect  of  giving  iodine  itself 
in  potencies.  In  one  particular  case  he  gave  iodide  of  potassium  to  re- 
lieve the  attack,  and  consequent  on  its  success  gave  iodine  in  low  poten- 
cies with  considerable  benefit.  He  had  also  found  lycopodium  in  unit 
doses  to  do  good.  The  iodide  was  a  drug  that  he  thought  would  be  found 
to  have  more  than  a  palliative  action.  Grindelia  was  also  of  use  in  some 
types  of  asthma,  and  this  was  the  drug  used  in  ''Veno's  Lightning 
Cough  Cure."  When  this  "Cure"  chanced  to  be  used  on  a  grindelia 
case  he  supposed  that  it  did  occasionally  work  a  cure,  but  he  could  not 
say  that  he  had  had  any  great  success  with  this  drug.  Adrenalin  cer- 
tainly would  cut  short  the  paroxysm,  and  would  sometimes  succeed  if 
given  by  the  mouth  instead  of  by  the  usual  method  of  injection.  An- 
other drug  that  had  not  been  mentioned  was  calcarea.  Corallium  rub- 
rum  was  also  his  favorite  remedy  in  cases  of  chronic  post-nasal  catarrh 
in  children. 

Dr.  Purdom,  in  reply,  thought  the  evening  had  been  a  distinctly 
profitable  one,  and  the  suggestions  given  should  be  of  help  in  the  future 
treatment  of  asthma.  He  agreed  with  Dr.  Weir  that  diet  was  not  the 
only  important  thing — ^the  average  man  with  common  sense  could  attend 
to  that — ^but  they  could  do  better,  and  although  they  would  certainly 
restrict  the  diet  they  could  go  still  further  and  give  a  constitutional 
remedy  to  cure  the  case. 


THE  PLACE  OF  TEACHING  IN  HOMOEOPATHY* 

BY   JOHN  MCLACHLAN,  M.A.  OXON,  B.C.L.,  M.D.,  EDIN.,  F.R.C.S.,  ENO. 

It  is  one  of  the  privileges  of  the  aged  to  be  allowed  to  be  reminis- 
cent. I  find  no  fault  with  the  "privileges"  but  the  "aged"  I  regret. 
Still,  perhaps,  you  will  allow  me  to  give  a  few  pages  from  my  own  ex- 
perience. The  late  Professor  David  Masson  used  to  draw  a  sharp  dis- 
tinction between  Autobiographies  and  Reminiscences.  In  autobiography 
a  man  tells  his  own  story  and  what  he  says  about  others  merely  defiiies 

*The  Introductory  Lecture  to  the  Educational  Sessions,  1916-1917. 

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444  NORTH   AHBRIGAN    JOURNAL   OF   HOMOEOPATHY 

his  relations  to  them.  In  reminiscences,  on  the  other  hand,  a  man  may 
to  a  considerable  extent  suppress  himself.  He  may  attempt  merely  to 
relate  what  he  knows  of  distinguished  personalities  with  whom  he  has 
come  more  or  less  in  contact.  But  perhaps  the  distinction  can  hardly 
be  so  sharp  as  Professor  Masson  fancied.  A  man  can  hardly  tell  how 
other  people  affect  him  without  telling  at  the  same  time  a  good  deal 
about  himself.  So  i)erhaps  my  remarks  are  more  autobiographic  than 
reminiscent.   • 

In  this  country,  at  least  till  a  few  years  ago,  it  has  always  been  a 
difficult  matter  to  gain  a  workable  knowledge  of  homoeopathy.  There 
were  no  schools,  no  lectures,  and  so  we  had  just  to  do  the  best  we  could. 
In  recent  years,  however,  much  has  been  done  to  remedy  this  grave  de- 
fect, of  which  more  anon.  When  first  I  was  licensed  to  kill  (or  cure)  I 
did  not  consider  that  I  had  sufficient  knowledge  to  do  either  in  a  work- 
manlike manner,  or  as  one  might  say,  secundum  artem.  For  this  reason 
I  stayed  on  in  Edinburgh  studying  and  teaching  for  some  five  or  six 
years  longer.  When  at  last  I  thought  I  might  venture  to  inflict  myself 
on  a  long-suffering  public,  I  received  my  first  knock-down  blow — in 
other  words  I  met  homoeopathy  face  to  face.  Up  till  that  time,  I  had 
merely  heard  the  word  mentioned  now  and  again  by  some  of  our  teach- 
ers, but  always  in  a  sneering  or  at  any  rate  in  a  belittling  sore  of  way.  I 
even  knew  some  men  who  were  said  to  practise  it;  but  I  always  tried  to 
keep  as  far  away  from  such  as  possible,  looking  upon  them  as  medical 
degenerates,  and  as  probably,  if  one  could  only  see  beneath  the  adven- 
titious wrappings,  possessing  cloven  hoofs  and  a  tail,  if  not  horns.  I 
hope  those  who  are  still  alive  and  remain  will  forgive  me.  In  ignorance 
I  did  it 

It  was  as  locum  tenens  to  one  of  our  men  that  I  first  met  homoeox>- 
athy.  Both  duty  and  honor  comi)elled  me  to  do  my  very  best,  so  far  as 
the  practice  of  homosopathy  was  concerned,  for  the  medical  man  whose 
locum  tenens  I  was.  I  need  not  tell  you  how  poor  that  best  was,  but 
the  patients  were  very  good,  and  I  remember  them  to  this  day  with  grati- 
tude. It  was  in  Yorkshire,  and  that  perhaps  explains  it,  for  the  people 
there  are  wonderfully  kindly.  The  great  difficulty  was  that  I  had  so 
little  to  guide  me  in  the  way  of  books.  I  still  remember  the  intense 
pleasure  and  relief  I  experienced  when  I  first  got  a  copy  of  the  late 
Dr.  Richard  Hughes'  "Manual  of  Therapeutics."  It  was  like  a  gleam 
of  sunshine  on  a  gloomy  day,  and  I  then  felt  I  could  do  the  work  I  had 
to  do  with  some  measure  of  success.  Some  years  later  Dr.  Hughes  and 
I  did  not  quite  see  eye  to  eye  about  certain  matters,  but  no  one  could 
regret  more  sincerely  than  I  did,  what  seemed  to  us,  his  untimely 
deceasa  His  "Manual"  may  or  may  not  be  the  best  way  of  presenting 
the  science  of  homoeopathic  therapeutics,  but  to  me,  at  that  crisis,  it 
was  a  veritable  God-send.  I  am  glad  to  make  this  acknowledgment  in 
justice  to  the  memory  of  my  old  friend;  for  that  incident  of  long  ago, 
to  me  is  still  like  the  aroma  of  some  withered  favorite  flower,  that  in  an 
instant  seems  to  roll  back  the  years,  and  make  me  live  over  again  some 
happy  hour. 

When  the  doctor,  whose  locum  tenens  I  was,  returned  he  was  good 
enough  to  offer  me  a  partnership  on  exceedingly  favorable  terms.  It 
practically  meant  a  moderate  income  at  once,  without  any  outlay  on  my 
part.  Such  a  generous  offer  to  one  who,  like  myself,  was  without  a  home 
and  very  little  in  the  way  of  hard  cash,  was  a  great  temptation.  Never- 
theless, on  looking  at  the  matter  from  all  points  of  view,  I  conceived  it 
my  duty,  much  to  my  regret,  to  decline  the  generous  offer,  both  for  my 
friend's  sake  and  my  own.  At  times  I  have  thought  that  I  made  a  mis- 
take in  acting  as  I  did  on  that  occasion.    But  in  one  whose  life  seems 


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INTERNATIONAL    HOMCEOPATHIC   REVIEW  445 

to  have  been  but  a  succession  of  mistakes  it  is  perhaps  scarcely  worth 
while  to  single  out  one  episode  for  special  reprobation.  Do  not  imagine 
for  an  instant  that  I  regard  my  embracing  of  homoBopathy  as  one  of 
these  mistakes.  That  is  one  of  the  few  things  in  life  that  I  am  per- 
fectly sure  about  To  one  whose  sole  object  and  ideal  in  life,  however 
imperfectly  that  ideal  has  been  realized,  was  to  heal  l^e  sick,  there  could 
not  possibly  be  any  other  alternative.  Whatever  the  results  might  be, 
I  could  do  no  other. 

Soon  after  this,  I  came  to  London  in  order  to  try  to  get  a  workable 
knowledge  of  homoeopathy.  I  stayed  at  that  excellent  institution  called 
Hampden  House.  There  with  great  care  I  could  manage  to  live  for 
about  a  pound  a  week,  though  tiiis  meant  that  I  must  do  without  any 
regular  evening  meal.  However,  a  small  matter  like  that  was  no  par- 
ticular hardship  to  me.  There  day  by  day,  in  the  excellent  reading 
room  of  the  Institution,  I  read  and  studied  Farrington's  "Clinicd 
Materia  Medica"  for  the  most  part,  also  paying  an  occasional  visit  to 
our  hospital*  esi)ecially  on  Saturdays,  as  on  that  day  my  old  friend.  Dr. 
Thomas  Skinner,  used  to  come  for  out-patients.  At  that  time  there 
were  no  lectures  on  materia  medica  or  therapeutics  available,  so  that  one 
had  to  do  the  best  one  could  under  the  circumstances.  Scotsmen,  from 
time  immemorial,  have  found  difficulties  in  the  pursuit  of  knowledge. 
In  the  old  days,  many  a  Skye  youth,  bent  on  studying  the  humanities 
at  Aberdeen,  would  mount  his  sheltie,  traverse  thereon  the  rough  roads 
of  his  misty  island  so  far  as  Kyleakin,  cross  the  ferry  there,  ride  on  east 
through  the  be-shadowed  track  of  Glen  Moriston,  and  finally  bear  down 
on  the  streets  of  the  Granite  City.  There  the  overworked  sheltie  would 
be  sold  to  pay  the  matriculation  fees. 

This  short  outline  gives  you  some  idea  of  the  methods  one  had  to 
adopt  in  order  to  gain  a  more  or  less  workable  knowledge  of  homoeop- 
athy, i.e.,  an  amount  of  knowledge  that  ought  to  prevent  one  making 
"howlers"  in  one's  practice,  for  after  all  that  is  all  one  can  hope  to  at- 
tain in  the  first  instance. 

But  this  is  all  changed,  now,  and  many  of  the  difficulties  have  been 
removed.  Considerable  progress  has  been  made  in  recent  years  in  the 
development  of  facilities  for  education  in  homoBopathic  theory  and  prac- 
tice by  the  Medical  Staff  of  the  London  Homoeopathic  Hospital  and  by 
the  British  Homoeopathic  Association,  so  that  the  teaching  of  homoeop- 
athy is  now  placed  on  a  firm  and  substantial  basis. 

We  have  (1)  Honyman  Gillespie  Lectureship  in  Medicine. 

After  a  considerable  fight  (if  I  remember  rightly)  but  a  fight  to  a 
successful  finish,  the  Honyman-Gillespie  Lectureships  were  established 
by  the  Trustees  of  the  late  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Honyman-Gillespie  of  Edin- 
burgh, in  co-operation  with  the  Board  of  Management  of  the  London 
Homoeopathic  Hospital,  in  accordance  with  the  terms  of  a  Trust  for  the 
purpose  of  founding,  or  contributing  to  found,  a  new  School  of  Medi- 
cine, which  shall  embrace,  as  well  as  ordinary  medical  studies,  the  teach- 
ing of  homoeopathy,  and  other  new  and  useful  medical  studies.  These 
lecture-ships  include  two  courses  of  lectures  for  the  systematic  teaching 
of  homoeopathy.  The  first  course  is  on  materia  medica,  the  second 
course  on  therai)eutics,  these  latter  being  supplemented  by  clinical  dem- 
onstrations. I  believe  each  course  consists  of  some  thirty  lectures  and 
demonstrations.  The  extent  and  scope  of  these  lectures  are  fully  set 
forth  in  the  pamphlet  which  gives  an  account  of  the  education  facilities 
for  the  Annus  Medicus  now  beginning. 

We  have  (2)  The  Compton-Bumett  Professorship  of  Homoeopathic 
Practice. 

This  professorship  has  been  foiinded  in  commemoration  of  the  life 


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446  NORTH   AMERICAN    JOURNAL   OF   HOHCEOPATHT 

and  work  of  the  late  Dr.  James  Compton  Burnett,  who  was  a  pioneer 
in  the  use  of  nosodes  in  the  treatment  of  disease.  The  course  consists 
of,  I  brieve,  some  ten  lectures.  These  lectures  deal  with  homoeopathic 
prescribing,  special  attention  being  given  to  the  selection  of  the  remedy, 
the  study  of  the  case  subsequent  to  its  administration,  and  the  repetition 
of  the  medicine.  The  varied  details  of  homoeopathic  philosophy  will  also 
be  dealt  with,  as  far  as  possible,  illustrated  by  clinical  cases. 

All  the  lectureships,  I  am  glad  to  say,  are  in  very  capable  hands. 
Dr.  Goldsbrough  takes  Therapeutics,  while  Dr.  Wheeler  has  the  Materia 
Medica  course,  and  Dr.  John  Weir  holds  the  Burnett  Professorship.  It 
will  be  observed  that  all  lectures  have  a  very  direct  bearing  on,  in 
fact  are  entirely  concerned  with,  therapeutics,  and  the  necessary  knowl- 
edge of  Materia  Medica  which  that  implies,  for  in  this  point  alone  do 
we  differ  from  the  other  school.  I  have  always  regretted  that  I  did  not 
have  the  pleasure  of  personally  knowing  Dr.  Compton  Burnett.  He 
seemed  to  me  to  be  a  man  apart,  not  easy  to  become  acquainted  with,  a 
pioneer,  who  perhaps  at  times  did  not  scruple  to  fling  aside  stereotyped 
methods  of  practice.  Such  men  are  apt  to  be  looked  upon,  by  some, 
with  suspicion  and  distrust,  for  the  simple  reason  that  they  are  not  un- 
derstood. It  has  been  like  this  from  the  beginning  of  time,  and  I  sup- 
pose it  will  be  so  to  its  end.  The  unvarying  sameness  of  the  methods 
adopted  under  similar  circumstances  from  age  to  age  towards  the  un- 
orthodox is  one  of  the  marvels  of  history  and  only  emphasizes  the  fact 
that  human  nature  is  unchanged  and  unchangeable.  Truly,  there  is  no 
new  thing  under  the  sun.  "You  do  not  do  as  we  do,"  say  they,  ''and 
therefore  you  are  not  one  of  us."  "Teacher,  we  saw  a  man  casting  out 
devils  in  Thy  name  and  we  forbade  him,  because  he  followeth  not  us." 
The  fiery-tempered  brother  bigots  got  a  marvellously  appropriate  rebuke 
from,  .to  adopt  Dekker's  designation,  "the  first  true  gentleman  that  ever 
breathed."  It  is  the  same  to-day.  You  do  not  follow  us,  you  do  not 
use  our  methods  and  therefore  we  forbid  you  to  heal  the  sick.  In  reply- 
ing to  such  let  us  never  forget  to  be  gentlemen.  I  am  afraid  that  we 
are  all  apt  at  times  to  let  our  anger  rise  (we  call  it  righteous  indigna- 
tion) when  we  are  misunderstood  and  unjustly  misrepresented.  But 
don't  let  us  call  down  fire  from  heaven  when  people  will  not  take  us  at 
our  own  valuation,  nor  even  believe  us  for  our  works'  sake.  Further, 
let  us  never  forget  that  the  application  of  the  principle,  similia  similibus, 
is  extremely  varied  and  susceptible  of  almost  endless  and  unlimited 
variations  and  development  and  that  too  along  the  lines  laid  down  by 
Hahnemann. 

This  great  principle  is  like  truth:  not  the  truth  represented  by 
a  plane  piece  of  glass  with  merely  two  sides:  not  even  like  a  finely 
facetted  sphere  reflecting  rays  of  light  from  each  facet:  but  like  a 
true  sphere,  smooth  and  polished  which  reflects  rays  from  every  point 
of  its  surface;  and  "point"  here  means  the  geometrical  point — that 
which  has  xx>sition,  but  not  length,  breadth,  or  thickness.  But  no 
human  being  can  possibly  catch  the  rays  from  every  point  of  such  a 
surface  at  once;  therefore,  do  not  let  \is  look  askance  at  one  another 
when,  perhaps,  what  we  may  regard  as  some  startling  innovation  is 
forthcoming.  It  is  true,  alas!  that  such  a  spirit  of  toleration  has  not 
always  ruled  in  the  past  (and  I  regret  to  say  not  even  altogether  in  the 
present)  either  in  theology  or  in  medicine. 

It  is  a  curious  and  most  singular  fact,  whereto  the  history  of  both 
religion  and  medicine  bears  abundant  and  deplorable  witness,  that  quar- 
rels are  ever  bitterest  where  differences  are  least  and  the  grounds  of 
toleration  most  ample.  Witness  the  oflScial  hatred  of  homoeopathy  by 
the  members  of  the  other  school.    Indeed  the  hatred  of  it  is  worse  than 


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INTERNATIONAL   HOMCEOPATHIC   REVIEW  447 

that  of  full-blown  quackery,  whose  professors  possess  no  medical  degree 
of  any  kind.  Yet  we  did  not  separate  ourselves  from  the  Old  School, 
but  they  repudiated,  and  do  stiU  repudiate,  us,  though  to  reasonable 
minds  surely  the  grounds  of  toleration  are  most  ample  in  every  way. 

How  then,  can  we  best  spread  the  knowledge  of  homoeopathy  ?  The 
great  obstacle  to  its  spread  and  acceptance  is  ignorance.  How  are  we 
to  combat  this  ignorance?  One  thing  is  quite  certain,  that  if  everyone 
knew  what  homoeopathy  is  and  what  it  can  do  there  would  be  no  trouble 
about  its  spreading.  I  doubt  if  we  can  expect  great  results  from  public 
lectures  and  besides  they  are  apt  to  give  occasion  to  the  enemy  to 
blaspheme.  Nor  can  we  all  hope  for  "a  place  in  the  sun"  and  lecture 
to  crowds  of  admiring  students.  Perhaps  it  is  just  as  well,  for  the 
days  of  preaching  are,  I  trust,  nearly  over — even  for  women.  The  world 
is  more  than  weary  of  it.  But  although  there  is  no  room  lor  preaching, 
there  is  an  urgent  demand  for  teaching — not  crowds,  but  individuals. 

In  the  later  days  of  Greece,  under  the  lame  and  laconic  king 
Agesilaus,  when  Sparta  was  predominant,  there  lived  two  famous  men. 
Their  names  were  Socrates  and  Plato.  Socrates  was  a  native  of  Athens, 
and  began  life  as  a  sculptor,  and  served  the  State  with  great  credit  as 
a  soldier.  He  was  hardy,  wore  only  the  lightest  of  clothes,  and  went 
barefoot  summer  and  winter.  In  time  he  became  known  as  one  of  the 
wisest  men,  of  deepest  of  thinkers  who  have  ever  lived.  He  did  not  write 
books  or  teach  in  school,  like  other  philosophers,  but  (and  this  is  the 
point)  he  mixed  familiarly  with  the  common  people  and  discussed  with 
them  all  things  hui^an  and  divine.  Like  most  great  men  he  made  many 
enemies  and  at  last  they  were  able  to  bring  him  to  trial  on  a  lalse  charge^ 
and  get  him  condemned  to  death.  He  accepted  his  fate  with  calmness, 
and  drank  the  cup  of  hemlock  juice  without  a  murmur  or  any  sign  of 
hesitation.  Had  it  not  been  for  his  devoted  pupil  Plato,  who  carried 
on  his  work,  in  a  plane-tree  grove  at  Athens,  and  wrote  many  books,  we 
should  have  known  but  little  of  this  great  a*d  good  man,  for  the  central 
figure  of  aU  Plato's  writings  is  his  master  Socrates. 

It  is  curious  how  like  in  their  methods  of  teaching  are  the  two 
men — the  Carpenter  of  Nazereth  and  Socrates.  No  hankering  after 
great  crowds,  but  each  content  to  talk  to  all  who  were  willing  to 
hear.  Neither  so  far  as  we  know  wrote  anything,  so  that  in  both  cases 
we  ha^e  to  thank  devoted  followers  for  an  account  of  the  doings  and  for 
a  report  of  the  sayings.  Let  these  methods  be  our  model:  we  can  at- 
tain to  no  higher.  We  have  all  some  confiding  patients,  and  surely 
some  of  them  will  be  glad  to  be  taught,  though  many  will  not  trouble 
and  will  not  care.  Those  who  are  **keen"  I  have  always  made  it  a  point 
to  tell  them  all  I  know  or  at  any  rate  as  much  as  they  could  be  expected 
to  understand  without  special  training.  I  avoid  scientific  jargon  and 
talk  in  a  language  they  can  understand.  We  must  never  forget  that  in 
a  very  real  sense  he  who  teaches  is  himself  taught,  I  think  I  hear  some- 
one say,  "That  is  all  very  fine,  but  if  one  teaches  one's  patients  too 
much,  the  patients  will  soon  learn  to  do  without  the  teacher.  Further, 
suppose  patients  are  at  some  distance  from  the  doctor,  there  is  a  big 
chance  that  they  will  call  in  the  nearest  allopath,  in  case  of  illness,  to 
give  them  his  diagnosis  and  then  they  will  treat  the  patient  homceopath- 
ically  themselves.''  All  this  is  quite  true  and  there  is  even  a  more  ser- 
ious danger,  and  that  is  the  energetic  lasrman  may  think  he  knows 
enough  for  anything,  and  go  on  treating  till  the  case  goes  from  bad  to 
worse  and  may  ultimately  become  quite  hopeless.  Nevertheless,  though 
I  freely  admit  all  these  objections  and  have  suffered  fiom  them,  I  still 
think  this  method  is  the  best.  Is  like  sowing  seed;  some  may  fall  by 
the  wayside,  or  on  the  rock,  or  among  thorns;  but  some  will  fall  into 


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448  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OP  HOMCEOPATHT 

good  ground  and  bear  fruit  for  generations  yet  to  come.  But  we  our- 
selves must  be  faithful  and  honest:  our  words  and  works  must  agreel 
Disappointments  and  unkindnesses  both  from  friend  and  foe  we  must  be 
prepared  for;  for  such  are  sure  to  come  some  time  or  other,  and  often 
too  from  a  quarter  we  least  expected.  At  such  times,  when  weary  and 
disheartened,  we  are  inclined  to  cry  with  the  poor  old  patriach  Jacob, 
when  about  to  be  (as  he  thought)  deprived  forever  of  his  beloved  baby, 
Benjamin,  "All  these  things  are  against  me."  But  let  us  rather  dog- 
gedly stand  by  our  guns,  and  take  up  the  cry  of  the  great  apostle  of 
the  Gentiles — "None  of  these  things  move  me."  But  to  do  so  we  must 
be  like  him,  not  merely  possess  an  idea,  we  must  be  possessed  by  an  idea 
which  is  quite  a  different  matter. 

I  think  the  method  I  have  advised  must  have  been  that  used  by  the 
old  stalwarts  of  homoeopathy — "the  boys  of  the  old  brigade."  I  have 
often  been  surprised  at  the  accuracy  of  the  knowledge  possessed  by  some 
old  patient,  dating  from  the  "globule"  days;  a  knowledge,  too,  one  could 
easily  see  not  derived  from  the  usual  ruck  of  domestic  works  on  homceop- 
athy.  The  advocacy  of  this  method  is  a  plea  for  individual  effort — that 
each  of  us  should  do  our  bit.  Further,  we  may  rightly  expect  that  pa- 
tients who  are  homoeopaths  will  be  much  more  intelligent  than  the  ordin- 
ary rank  and  file  of  allopathic  patients.  In  carrying  out  the  method  we 
shall,  in  effect,  be  adopting  a  policy  of  "peaceful  penetration" — a  policy 
the  least  likely  to  court  active  opposition. 

But  we  must  exercise  a  wise  discretion  in  the  knowledge  we  im- 
part. It  would  be  quite  useless  to  tell  patients  about  the  more  abstruse 
facts  of  anatomy  and  physiology,  for  such  they  could  not  be  expected  to 
understand.  It  would  be  equally  useless,  as  well  as  unwise,  to  tell  a 
patient  who  comes  to  consult  me  regarding  a  discharge  that  drops  from 
the  back  of  the  nose  into  the  throat,  along  with  earache  and  deepseated 
pain  behind  the  eyes,  that  it  probably  means  disease  of  the  sphenoidal 
sinuses,  and  that  this  is  apt  to  affect  the  interior  of  the  skull,  setting  up 
meningitis,  thrombosis  of  the  cavernous  sinus,  and  cerebral  abscess,  and 
that  such  a  condition  is  often  due  to  the  pneumococcus,  the  micro-or- 
ganism so  often  present  in  pneumonia. 

One  thing  is  quite  certain,  that  it  is  not  all  loss  to  teach  patients 
to  understand  the  meaning  of  symptoms,  for  depend  upon  it,  the  more  a 
patient  knows,  the  less  likely  he  is  to  trust  to  his  own  devices  and  the 
more  likely  he  is  to  call  in  a  medical  man  as  soon  as  he  possibly  can. 
It  is  the  knowledge  to  know  when  to  do  this  that  he  needs. 

It  is  said  that  everyone  should  know  enough  of  law  to  keep  out  of 
it ;  and  so  our  patients  should  know  enough  of  the  signs  of  disease  and 
their  meaning  to  avoid  any  attempts  to  treat  serious  cases,  or  only  "till 
the  doctor  comes." 

There  is  an  unreasoning  fear  of  a  "temperature,"  and  most  patients 
fly  at  once  to  aconite.  But  to  do  so,  in  many  cases,  is  quite  wrong. 
I  always  teach  my  patients  not  to  trouble  about  the  temperature,  that 
it  is  merely  a  symptom  among  other  symptoms,  and  that  within  com- 
mon-sense limits  the  higher  the  temperature  the  better.  The  temper- 
ature is  merely  the  heat  of  the  conflict  between  the  power  that  make  for 
life  and  health  and  the  powers  that  make  for  death.  Forcibly  to  lower 
temperature,  by  any  means,  is  to  play  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  and 
instead  of  helping  hinders  recovery.  I  do  not  mean  that  a  patient  with 
a  temperature  should  be  ignored;  far  from  it,  but  the  temperature 
should  be  ignored  and  the  patient  treated,  the  temperature  being  allow- 
ed to  look  after  itself.  If  a  person  with  some  serious  microbic  infec- 
tion has  no  temperature,  that  means  that  the  body  has  ceased  to  fight 
and  has  succumbed  to  the  poison,  and  the  end  thereof  is  death. 


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^I^^l^^^^^ll^ 


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The 

North  American 

Journal  of    ♦    -• 

Homoeopathy 


August,  1917 

65th  Year 

No.  8 


OtHcUl  Orgui  of  tb« 

AMERICAN  MEDICAL  UNION 

1 

DEPARTMENTS 

Homoeopathic  Materia  Medica  and  Therapeutics. 

n 

Sero  Therapy,  Physical  Therapy  and  Internal 
Medicine. 

III 

Surgery,  Obstetrics  and  Gynecology. 

IV 

Eye,  Ear,  Nose  and  Throat. 

V 

Mental  and  Nervous  Diseases,  Psycho-Therapy. 

VI 

Dermatology  and  Ucology. 

VII 

Dietetics  Hygiene  and  State  Medicine. 

vra 

Editoriids  and  Correspondence. 

IX 

Current  Medical  Literature. 

\, 

X 

Book  Reviews.                                  ; 

■ 

1 

Poblbhad  monthly  tt 

Tuckahoe,  N.  Y. 


•     <Tecipor«ry) 
Editorial  Office: 

|||2  N.  Clark  Street 
^   Chicago,  ni. 
U.  S.  A. 


Thre*  OdlUrs 
a  yetr, 

EaiondstthoPoM 
OfficoatTlickalioe, 
N»  Y»  ••  ••cond 
claMtMitt«r. 


• 


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North     American 

Journal  of  Homoeopathy 


EDITORIAL 


IT  was  recently  asserted  thht  honKBopathic  physicians  were  not  nearly 
so  ready  to  volunteer  to  enter  the  army  as  the  "regular"  physicians. 
The  explanation  offered  was  the  fact  that  the  homceopathic  physician  on 
the  average  was  earning  $3,000  a  year  in  his  practice,  while  the  "regu- 
lar" physician  was  earning  only  $700.  It  occurred  to  us  that  if  this  is 
true,  and  we  have  no  reason  to  douht  it,  why  don't  the  "regulars"  be- 
come homoeopaths  and  earn  four  times  as  much  as  they  are  earning  now  ? 
In  the  commercial  world  the  business  man  is  always  ready  and  quick 
to  adopt  the  methods  of  his  more  successful  competitors,  especially 
where  he  sees  a  chance  to  increase  his  income  400  per  cent.  The  only 
explanation  we  can  see  why  more  "regulars"  do  not  study  homoeopathy 
and  become  skillful  practitioners  of  a  method  of  treatment  that  will  in- 
crease their  financial  returns  400  per  cent,  is  because  they  are  instilled 
during  their  college  days  and  in  their  society  associations  by  a  down- 
right, stupid,  assinine,  shortsighted  prejudice  unknown  and  incom- 
prehensible to  level-headed  shrewd  business  men. 


ANNOUNCEMENT 


The  North  American  Journal  of  Hqmceopathy  is  now  in  its  65th 
year.  During  the  greater  part  of  the  time  (if  not  all  the  time)  it  has 
been  published  in  the  East.  For  many  years  it  has  been  edited  in  New 
York.    It  is  still  printed  and  published  at  Tuckahoe,  N.  Y.,  but  the  old 


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450  NORTH  AHEBICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

editor  has  taken  a  much  needed  vacation  and  may  **help  a  bit"  in  the 
war.  In  the  meantime  the  editorial  and  business  office  will  be  tempor- 
arily at  2812  N.  Clark  Street,  Chicago,  where* all  communications  should 
be  sent. 

The  present  editor  has  had  only  a  few  days  notice  to  mobilize  his 
editorial  powers  to  get  out  the  August  number.  He  begs  the  charitable 
criticism  of  its  old  readers  and  seeks  their  aid  in  making  subsequent 
issues  superior  to  this  one.  Let  the  slogan  be  "FtZZ  the  Journal  brimful 
of  stuff  that  tvUl  help  the  doctor  to  cu/re  his  patients." 


The  American  Institute  of  Homoeopathy  at  last  is  doing  splendid 
constructive  work.  Its  official  Journal  is  a  highly  commendable  pub- 
lication. 

The  Montana  State  Board  of  Medical  Examiners  have  announced 
that  they  will  admit  no  one  to  examination  before  them  who  is  not  a, 
graduate  of  a  class  A  college,  as  determined  by  a  certain  one-sided  or- 
ganization. This  is  a  rank  injustice  to  a  number  of  good  colleges  and 
to  the  public.  It  is  high  time  that  progressive  medicine  was  asserting 
itself  and  adopting  a  classification  of  schools  in  accordance  with  modem 
and  progressive  ideas. 

Dr.  Eugene  Hubbell  of  St.  Paul,  Minn.,  was  elected  last  September, 
very  much  against  his  will.  President  of  the  American  Association  of 
Orifidal  Surgeons.  Last  May  he  was  elected  President  of  the  Minnesota 
State  Homoeopathic  Medical  Society.  Last  June  at  Rochester,  N.  Y., 
he  was  elected  President  of  the  American  Society  of  Physical  Therapeu- 
tics. He  surely  has  had  greatness  thrust  upon  him.  We  vbuch  for  the 
fact  that  he  is  not  an  office  seeker. 


DON'T  MKS  THESS  THREE  MEDICAL  CGlSrVENTlONS 


We  hftve  just  received  the  notice  below  of  three  coming  meetings 
in  immediate  succession  to  be  held  at  the  Congress  Hotel,  Chicago,  be- 
ginning Sept  24  and  ending  Oct.  3.  Each  lasting  three  days.  The  physic- 
ian who  would  keep  up  can  not  afford  to  miss  these.  The  Progressive 
Association  seeks  men  with  new  ideas  and  invites  them  to  appear  before 
them.  To  every  man  a  respectful  and  impartial  hearing  is  given.  If 
you  would  familiarize  yourself  with  the  very  latest  attend  these  meet- 
ings. The  only  credential  required  to  join  is  your  state  license.  Come 
any  way  if  you  do  not  join. 

NOTICE 

St  Louis,  Mo.,  August  9,  1917. 
Dear  Doctor : 

Your  Secretary  has  just  returned  from  a  flying  trip  to  Chicago  and 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY  451 

completed  and  **cinched'*  all  arrangements  for  the  Big  Meet,  September 
24,  25  and  26  at  Congress  Hotel. 

The  American  Association  of  Orificial  Surgeons  also  conferred  with 
us  and  a  thorough  co-operative  plan  is  assured  with  their  clinic  to 
which  all  are  invited. 

Their  dates  are  the  3  days  following  ours  at  same  hotel. 

The  American  Association  Spondylotherapy,  meet  1st  3  days  week 
following  at  the  Auditorium,  which  adjoins  the  Congress. 

If  you  have  not  sent  in  title  of  your  paper — Do  it  Now! 

if  you  desire  to  become  familiar  with  Bio-Dynamics  &  Zone-Ther- 
apy. (White),  Autogenous,  (Duncan),  Auto-Hemic,  (Rogers),  Goitre 
Cure  with  Lenses,  (Baldwin),  Cancer  Cures  in  30  days,  (Ottofy),  Se- 
lection of  the  indicated  remedy  with  Screens,  (Enos),  and  some  of  the 
best  curative  Therapeutic  Agents,  whether  Eclectic,  Homoeopathic,  Al- 
lopath, any  other  (**path")  or  no  path  at  all — if  you  fail  to  familiarize 
yourself  with  these  methods,  you  are  doing  an  injustice  not  only  to  your- 
self but  your  patients. 

Make  this  your  vacation.  Make  your  reservation  at  the  Congress 
early. 

Fraternally, 
L.  M.  Ottofy,  Sec'y-Treas.,  L.  D.  Rogers,  President, 

•  New  Grand  Central  Theatre  Bldg.,  Chicago. 

St.  Louis. 


MEETINGS  YOU  MUST  ATTEND 


Commencing  Monday  molming,  September  24,  1917,  the  American 
Association  of  Progressive  Medicine  will  hold  a  three  days'  session  at 
Chicago  in  the  Congress  Hotel. 

Commencing  Thursday  morning,  Sept.  27,  1917,  the  next  day  after 
the  close  of  the  Progressive  Convention,  the  American  Association  of 
Orificial  Surgeons  will  hold  a  three  days'  session  ending  Saturday  even- 
ing, the  29th. 

On  Monday,  October .  1,  1917,  the  American  Association  for  the 
study  of  Spondylotherapy  is  scheduled  to  begin  a  three  days'  session  at 
the  Auditorium  Hotel. 

On  Wednesday  evening.  Sept  26,  1917,  there  will  be  a  joint  banquet 
under  the  auspices  of  Chicago  Physicians'  Good  Fellowship  Club. 

On  the  first  day  of  the  Progressive  Convention  Dr.  L.  D.  Rogers,  of 
Chicago,  President  of  the  Association,  will  explain  and  demonstrate 
with  clinical  cases  his  system  of  Auto-Helnic  Therapy,  which  is  undoubt- 
edly destined  to  become  a  universal  and  every-day  treatment. 

Editors  of  magazines  and  newspapers,  quicker  ^han  the  rank  and 
file  of  the  regular  profession  to  scent  methods  that  are  bound  to  become 


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452  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

popular,  have  already  given  Dr.  Rogers'  discovery  a  publicity  so  great 
that  it  is  estimated  that  thirty  million  people  of  the  United  States  have 
read  about  it.  The  demand,  therefore,  from  the  public  for  this  treatment 
is  far  greater  than  the  supply  of  doctors  that  are  capable  of  administer- 
ing it,  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  Dr.  Rogers  has  already  explained  in  de- 
tail the  preparation  of  the  serum  and  the  technique  of  giving  it,  at  ten 
different  conventions. 

On  Tuesday,  the  second  day  of  the  Progressive  Convention,  Dr. 
George  Starr  White  of  Lc«3  Angeles,  Cal.,  will  explain  and  demonstrate 
with  clinical  cases  his  method  of  Bio-Chromo-Dynamic-Diagnosis.  By 
his  method  of  diagnosis  cancer,  tuberculosis  and  many  other  constitu- 
tional diseases  can  be  detected  months  before  they  can  be  discovered  by 
any  other  means,  at  a  time,  perhaps,  before  the  disease  has  advanced 
beyond  a  curable  stage.  It  is  impossible  to  over-emphasize  the  impor- 
tance of  this. 

On  Wednesday,  the  third  and  last  day  of  the  Progressive  Conven- 
tion, Dr.  D.  V.  Irelan6  of  Columbus,  Ohio,  will  explain  and  demonstrate 
with  clinical  cases  that  the  Sigmoid  and  descending  colon  is  the  seat  of 
the  cause  of  many  supposedly  incurable  troubles.  He  will  illustrate  the 
use  of  a  Sigmoidoscope  that  will  present  to  the  vision  some  twenty  inches 
of  the  lower  end  of  the  bowel.  He  will  also  give  the  proper  treatment 
of  lesions  in  this  region  that  is  often  followed  by  the  most  brilliant  re- 
coveries. 

Dr.  C.  H.  Duncan  of  New  York,  is  scheduled  to  be  present  and  give 
practical  demonstrations  of  his  system  of  Autotherapy,  which  has  al- 
ready received  wide  recognition  yet  unknown  to  thousands  of  practic- 
ing physicians. 

Dr.  Z.  L.  Baldwin  of  Kalamazoo,  Mich.,  will  report  some  extraor- 
dinary cures  of  goitre  by  means  of  prisms  fitted  to  overcome  eye  strain, 
and  also  some  rertiarkable  results  in  treating  diabetes  by  the  same  means. 

Dr.  L.  M.  Ottofy  of  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  will  report  some  cases  of  skin 
cancer  cured  by  Auto-Hemic  serum  radiumized. 

Dr.  J.  W.  Parker  of  Peoria,  111.,  is  scheduled  to  report  a  number  of 
supposedly  incurable  cases  of  insanity  cured  by  surgery. 

Dr.  J.  W.  Enos  of  Jerseyville,  HI.,  will  illustrate  some  radically 
new  discoveries  that  he  has  made  along  the  line  of  vibrations.  He 
claims  to  have  determined  the  rate  of  vibration  of  some  64  drugs.  The 
doctor  determines  the  rate  of  vibration  of  his  patient,  and  gives  that 
drug  which  has  a  corresponding  vibration.  Dr.  Enos  will  also  demon- 
strate by  means  of  the  colored  plates  devised  by  Dr.  White  how  the  pulse 
is  affected  by  different  colors  and  what  diseases  are  thus  diagnosed. 

A  number  of  othelr  original  thinkers  and  progressive  physicians  are 
expected  to  be  present  and  give  the  profession  the  benefit  of  their  dis- 
coveries. 

Dr.  W.  A.  Guild,  of  Des  Moines,  la.,  Chairman  of  the  Bureau  of 
Surgery,  is  scheduled  to  give  some  of  the  biggest  things  in  war  surgery. 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY  453 

Dr.  J.  W.  King  of  Bradford,  Pa,,  in  charge  of  the  Bureau  of  Electro 
Therapeutics,  will  present  some  new  and  practical  ideas  in  that  field. 

The  American  Association  of  Orificial  Surgeons  will  have  daily 
clinics  and  will  illustrate  by  actual  operation  upon  the  living  subject 
how  many  supposedly  incurable  cases  may  be  cured  by  some  simple  oper- 
ation upon  some  one  or  more  of  the  orifices  of  the  body.  This  Society 
was  organized  in  1886,  has  had  a  steady  growth,  and  many  of  the  ideas 
originally  promulgated  by  Dr.  F.  H.  Pratt,  the  father  of  Orificial  Surg- 
ery, are  now  commonly  accepted  and  utilized,  though  thirty  years  ago 
they  were  ridiculed,  but  there  are  still  many  things  of  very  great  prac- 
tical value  in  orificial  surgery  that  are  wholly  unknown  to  the  great 
mass  of  the  profession  who  are  either  too  conservative  or  too  indifferent 
to  investigate. 

It  is  in  the  realm  of  spinal  therapeutics  that  the  Osteopath,  the  Chir- 
opractor and  other  similar  cults  have  captured  an  immense  patronage 
that  would  have  come  to  the  doctor  of  medicine  had  he  been  prepared 
to  properly  take  care  of  this  immense  class  of  cases.  The  importance 
of  the  study  of  Spondylotherapy  and  body  reflexes  generally,  can  hardly 
be  overestimated. 

The  physician  who  can  possibly  attend  these  conventions  and  ne- 
glects to  do  so  is  not  doing  his  solemn  duty  to  his  patient  nor  himself. 

Scores  of  physicians  who  in  the  past  when  they  began  to  attend 
these  progressive  conventions  had  but  little  fame,  but  few  patients,  and 
only  a  small  bank  account,  now  have  all  of  these  in  abundance. 

Physicians  who  desire  cases  diagnosed  or  treated  by  any  of  these 
new  methods  during  the  convention  should  make  application  early. 


NO  MORE  DRUGS. 


ONE  of  the  leading  medical  schools,  we  are  informed,  has  discon- 
tinued the  teaching  of  materia  medica  and  drug  therapeutics. 
This  is  another  great  boost  for  Christian  Science  and  Drugless  Healing. 
The  policy  of  these  so-called  leading  medical  schools  has  already  cost 
the  profession  within  the  last  twenty  years  fully  one-third  of  its  legiti- 
mate patronage.  If  the  example  of  this  so-called  leading  medical  school 
is  followed  by  other  so-called  leading  medical  schools  the  profession 
will  soon  lose  another  third  of  its  patronage.  There  never  was  a  time 
when  the  good  of  the  profession  at  large  needed  an  alliance  of  all  the 
progressive  elements  in  the  profession  with  those  who  know  how  to  use 
drugs.  Only  by  a  federation  of  the  numerous  general  and  special  so- 
cieties that  are  following  progressive  lines  in  medicine  can  this  de- 
generative process  initiated  by  a  so-called  leading  medical  college  be 
arrested. 


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CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES 


AUTO-HEMIC  THERAPY. 


(Note)  As  some  of  our  readers  may  not  be  familiar  with  Auto- 
Hemic  Therapy,  by  the  way  of  brief  explanation  we  would  say,  that  on 
October  9,  1910,  Dr.  L.  D.  Rogers  of  Chicago,  extracted  from  a  vein  of 
an  incurable  case  of  cancer  a  few  drops  of  blood,  incubated  it,  attenuat- 
ed it,  potentized  it,  and  then  injected  a  few  drops  of  the  solution  into 
the  vein  of  the  same  patient.  The  results  were  astonishing.  The  treat- 
ment undoubtedly  prolonged  the  life  of  the  patient  several  months. 
This  led  Dr.  Rogers  to  try  the  treatment  upon  a  large  number  of  other 
patients,  including  both  those  with  malignant  and  non-malignant  trou- 
bles. The  general  results  proved  to  be  better  than  he  had  even  been 
able  to  obtain  by  any  other  treatment.  He  named  this  system  of  treat- 
ment Auto-Hem ic  Therapy. 

Many  progressive  physicians  in  various  parts  of  the  United  States 
are  employing  this  treatment,  and  in  many  cases  getting  results  that 
are  well  nigh  incredible. 

Some  of  the  following  reports  we  copy  from  the  July  number  of 
the  American  Journal  of  Progressive  Medicine  published  in  St.  Louis, 
edited  by  Dr.  L.  M.  Ottofy,  Secretary  of  the  American  Association  of 
Progressive  Medicine. 

Under  recent  date  Dr.  J.  W.  King,  of  Bradford,  Pa.,  writes  as  fol- 
lows :  The  other  day  I  gave  a  fellow  a  preparation  of  Auto-Hemic  serum 
after  33  hours  of  inoculation.  I  gave  it  simply  because  I  thought  he 
needed  it,  and  for  two  days  he  had  something  more  than  he  needed  or 
desired.  I  gave  him  the  injection  at  11:30  a.m.  At  4  o^clock  in  the 
afternoon  he  became  nauseated  and  suddenly  exhausted.  He  took  two 
or  three  drinks  of  whiskey  to  steady  him,  but  it  did  not  steady  him  at  all. 
At  6  p.m.  he  took  to  his  bed,  after  severe  vomiting  of  the  booze.  Then 
came  the  usual  muscle  and  bone  pains,  exactly  like  those  of  grippe,  and 
he  could  find  no  place  where  he  was  easy  for  more  than  a  minute.  Oc- 
casionally he  would  fall  into  a  light  nap,  and  on  awakening  would  find 
himself  wringing  wet  He  was  chilly  and  cold,  necessitating  heavy 
blankets.  He  did  not  sleep  more  than  a  few  minutes  at  a  time  during 
that  night,  on  account  of  the  pain.  He  got  up  the  next  morning  at  6 
.o'clock,  as  he  felt  that  further  lying  in  bed  was  impossible.  He  had 
sweat  through  everything  on  the  bed.  He  went  to  his  oflSce,  but  felt 
cold  all  day,  and  sick.    At  6  o'clock  he  was  back  in  bed  again,  painless. 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY  466 

but  sweat  more  the  second  night  than  the  first  night.  He  slept  several 
hours  at  a  time.  In  the  morning  he  jumped  into  the  bath  tub  to  wash 
off  the  polecat  odor.  He  then  went  to  his  office  feeling  good,  but  a  little 
weak.    For  two  days  now  he  has  been  feeling  fine. 

[Editor — ^We  have  had  several  reports  of  very  profuse,  foul  sweat 
following  the  first  injection;  the  sweating  the  second  night  being  worse 
than  the  first.  As  a  rule,  which  has  many  exceptions,  the  longer  the 
incubation  of  the  serum  the  more  severe  the  reaction.  Cases  in  which 
the  first  injection  has  been  followed  by  a  very  profuse,  foul  sweating, 
have  usually  been  followed  by  very  good  results.] 

Dr.  Chas.  Dunn  of  Nephi,  Utah,  under  date  of  June  9th  writes: 
"A  pregnant  woman  under  my  observation  has  been  so  greatly  benefited 
by  Auto-Hemic  Therapy  that  I  want  to  express  my  appreciation  through 
the  columns  of  the  Journal  of  Progressive  Medicine,  hoping  thereby  to 
encourage  more  physicians  to  utilize  this  method  of  relieving  the  com- 
mon complaints  of  expectant  mothers.  During  her  former  pregnancy 
this  lady  suffered  excessively  from  nausea,  vomiting  and  neuritis.  The 
latter  trouble  frequently  kept  her  awake,  in  pain,  the  greater  part  of 
the  night.  During  this  pregnancy,  now  six  months  advanced,  she  suffer- 
ed but  little  nausea  but  causing  her  no  annoyance.  She  is  comparative- 
ly strong,  well,  and  in  good  spirits.  She  does  all  her  own  housework. 
She  sings  the  praises  of  Auto-Hemic  Therapy  to  everyone  who  will  lis- 
ten to  her." 

Dr.  J.  W.  King,  Bradford,  Pa.,  under  date  of  June  1st,  writes: 
"About  two  weeks  ago  I  gave  a  gentleman  an  Auto-Hemic  treatment  on 
account  of  a  tired,  played-out  feeling.  He  has  just  reported  that  he  is 
feeling  better  generally,  but  is  astonished  that  a  **weeping  sinew"  that 
had  existed  on  his  wrist  for  a  long  time  and  had  resisted  many  kinds 
of  treatment  was  completely  healed.  This  is  in  harmony  with  observa- 
tions made  by  other  physicians,  that  Auto-Hemic  Therapy,  likt  the  in- 
dicated homoeopathic  remedy,  often  makes  unexpected  cures  of  un- 
thought  of  and  unnoticed  condition3  when  the  prescription  was  made." 

Dr.  C.  C.  Waltenbaugh,  of  Canton,  Ohio,  under  date  of  June  28th, 
1917,  writes  as  follows:  I  am  treating  several  very  stubborn  cases 
with  Auto-Hemic  Therapy,  and  I  am  getting  very  good  results.  A  case 
of  locomotor  ataxia  is  greatly  pleased  with  his  improvement  He  has 
gained  in  weight  and  feels  better  generally  than  he  has  for  a  long  time. 
He  can  now  stand  alone  when  his  eyes  are  closed.  His  friends  com- 
ment upon  his  improved  looks. 

I  have  just  begun  to  treat  two  other  cases  of  locomotor  ataxia  with 
Auto-Hemic  Therapy.  Also  two  other  cases  witE  spinal  cord  trouble, 
and  still  two  other  cases  with  nervous  trouble.  Also  one  of  Bright's  and 
one  of  bowel  trouble.  All  of  these  patients  are  pleased  with  the  treat- 
ment so  far. 

A  woman  who  has  had  diabetes  four  years  has  greatly  improved  on 
Auto-Hemic  Therapy.    Specific  gravity  has  fallen  from  1040  to  1028. 


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456  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

The  perecentage  of  sugar  is  greatly  reduced.  Her  eyes  have  brightened, 
and  her  complexion  is  like  a  rose.  She  says  she  is  feeling  better  than 
for  a  long  time. 

A  young  lady,  a  public  stenographer,  was  so  tired  out  that  she  had 
tendered  her  resignation  from  her  position,  but  after  a  few  treatments 
she  felt  like  a  new  person,  and  now  has  no  idea  of  quitting  her  job. 

A  case  of  eczema  of  twelve  years'  standing  was  so  bad  that  the 
patient  at  times  contemplated  suicide.  Within  30  days,  under  Auto- 
Hemic  Therapy,  the  case  has  been  to  all  appearances  completely  cured. 

I  am  greatly  interested  in  the  reports  published  in  the  Journal  of 
Progressive  Medicine  from  Other  members  of  the  National  Society  for 
the  study  of  Auto-Hemic  Therapy. 

It  is  hardly  two  months  since  I  went  to  Chicago  and  took  a  thorough 
course  in.  practical  Auto-Hemic  Therapy.  Already  I  note  a  marked  in- 
crease in  my  practice,  and  a  higher  percentage  of  successes  in  my  treat- 
ment of  chronic  cases. 

Dr.  G.  E.  Sandstedt  of  Chicago,  under  date  of  June  1st  writes  as 
follows:  About  four  months  ago  I  administered  Auto-Hemic  serum 
to  a  pregnant  woman,  which  brought  her  considerable  relief.  Shortly  af- 
ter she  left  my  office  a  child  about  a  year  old  was  brought  in  suffering 
from  eczema  extending  from  the  left  wrist  to  the  elbow,  involving  the 
entire  skin  covering  the  outer  aspect  of  the  arm.  This  was  very  red, 
angry  looking  and  "weeping."  It  occurred  to  me  to  give  it  an  injection 
of  the  serum  made  from  the  pregnant  woman,  of  which  I  had  1  cc  re- 
maining. This  I  injected  under  the  skin  between  the  shoulder  blades. 
Within  ten  days  every  trace  of  the  eczema  had  disappeared,  and  the 
child  was  greatly  improved  generally. 

Dr.  J.  M.  Wyland,  of  Moline,  111.,  under  date  of  August  3rd  sends 
the  following  as  a  preliminary  report,  treated  according  to  Auto- 
Hemic  Therapy: 

The  patient,  a  man  of  59,  had  been  a  remarkably  strong  man  from 
boyhood;  in  fact,  he  had  always  been  regarded  as  an  athlete,  possessing 
great  muscular  power  and  physical  endurance.  He  has  always  been 
temperate  in  every  thing  but  hard  work.  Early  in  the  year  1916  he 
noted  a  loss  of  weight  and  a  shrinking  of  his  muscles.  He  also  noticed 
some  unsteadiness  while  walking  and  a  loss  of  sensation,  es- 
pecially in  the  finger  tips.  On  July  21st,  1917,  he  was  unable 
to  walk  alone,  could  not  tell  whether  he  held  in  his  hand  a  match-box 
or  a  silver  dollar.  Could  not  feel  silver  coins  in  his  pocket,  could  not 
hold  a  cigar,  could  not  hold  a  lighted  match,  could  not  turn  over  the 
pages  of  a  newspaper,  because  of  the  loss  of  feeling  in  his  finger  tips. 
Could  not  count  his  fingers  in  the  dark.  If  his  feet  were  crossed  while 
sitting  it  was  absolutely  impossible  for  him  to  unlock  them.  His  case 
had  been  diagnosed  as  pernicious  anemia  and  f  Iso  as  anemic  sclerosis. 
His  knee  reflexes  were  greatly  exaggerated,  but  retarded.  His  bowels 
were  constipated  for  the  first  time  in  his  life.  On  July  21st  the  patient 
was  taken  to  Chicago  and  given  an  Auto-Hemic  treatment.    Four  days 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHY  457 

later  he  could  cross  and  uncross  his  feet  as  well  as  ever  he  could  in  his 
life.  He  could  also  count  his  fingers  while  not  looking  at  them.  On 
July  27th,  six  days  after  the  first  treatment,  he  took  a  second  injection 
of  Auto-Hemio  serum.  About  twelve  hours  aftor  taking  it  he  suffered 
pain  apparently  in  every  muscle  of  the  body.  His  temperature  reached 
101,  and  his  bowels  moved  very  freely  and  copiously  without  aid.  Per- 
spiration was  very  profuse.  Patient  was  generally  very  uncomfortable 
and  somewhat  out  of  humor.  On  July  29th-  temperature  was  normal 
again  and  the  patient  was  feeling  fine,  and  was  taken  back  to  his  home 
in  Moline.  At  this  writing,  two  weeks  after  the  first  injection,  the  pa- 
tient is  gaining  a  little  every  day.  His  friends  comment  upon  his  mark- 
ed improvement,  and  appearance. 

A  few  months  ago  when  Br.  L.  D.  Rogers,  of  Chicago,  in  an  ad- 
dress before  the  Minnesota  State  Homoeopathic  Institute  said 
"Auto-Hemic  Therapy  is  the  youngest  offspring  of  Homoeopathy  and 
will  convert  the  world  to  Hahnemannian  philosophy,"  I  regarded  his 
statement  as  somewhat  extravagant,  but  subsequent  events  and  observa- 
tions have  led  me  to  believe  that  the  merits  of  this  new  treatment  orig- 
inated by  him  cannot  be  overstated.  The  astounding  results  obtained 
in  such  a  great  variety  of  cases  by  this  method  of  treatment  are  at- 
tracting the  attention  of  the  whole  medical  profession.  Wide-awake, 
progressive  physicians  who  travelled  hundreds  of  miles  to  take  a  course 
in  Auto-Hemic  Therapy  under  the  personal  instruction  of  Dr.  Rogers 
are  now  reporting  clinical  results  that  equal  anything  that  Dr.  Rogers 
has  recorded  in  his  book  "Auto-Hemic  Therapy."  The  demand  by  so 
many  other  physicians  for  instruction  by  mail  is  so  great  that  at  last 
Dr.  Rogers  has  reluctantly  yielded  to  their  requests.  After  a  complete 
mastery  of  the  technique  of  making  and  administering  the  serum,  ac- 
quired during  a  number  of  visits  to  Chicago,  and  after  a  wide  exper- 
ience in  the  practical  application  of  this  treatment,  I  am  convinced  that 
there  is  no  system  of  therapeutics  that  so  favorably  impresses  the  public, 
that  has  a  wider  range  of  usefulness  or  brings  a  higher  percentage  of 
successes: — Dr.  L.  M,  Otiofy,  St,  Louis,  Mo.,  Secretary,  American  Asso- 
ciation of  Progressive  Medicine. 

Dr.  E.  F.  Larkin  of  Bellingham,  Wash.,  in  a  private  letter  dated 
August  9,  1917,  writes  concerning  Auto-Hemic  Treatment  as  follows* 
The  Hodgkin's  case  that  I  have  under  treatment  is  getting  along  quite 
well,  though  rather  slow:  his  strength  is  improved,  the  pain  is  about 
gone,  the  glands  are  materially  reduced.  He  has  had  the  injections 
rather  irregular  because  he  has  been  away  from  the  city  part  of  the 
time. 

The  other  case  of  melancholia  has  not  responded  to  the  treatment 
to  any  great  degree.    There  is  but  littJe  change  for  the  better  so  far. 

Another  case  of  Hogkin's  disease  will  likely  come  for  treatment  in 
the  near  future,  as  well  as  another  case  of  nervous  trouble. 


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458  NORTH  AMEBICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

[Editor. — ^While  this  report  is  encouraging,  we  feel  quite  certain 
that  persistency  in  the  treatment  will  bring  greater  improvement.] 

In  a  private  conversation  with  the  Editor,  a  physician  whose  name 
we  have  not  yet  permission  to  publish,  told  us  the  following :  Man,  50, 
marked  tremor  of  tongue,  great  trembling  of  the  hands,  wabbly  gait, 
almost  tottering,  hyperacidity  marked^  genitals  greatly  shrunken  and 
sexual  powers  practically  lost,  marked  eye  strain.  The  patient  came 
to  me  on  account  of  the  trembling.  He  was  wearing  glasses,  had  astig- 
matism, hyperopic,  manifest  exophoria  6  degrees  in  each  eye.  I  used 
the  eye  repression  method,  also  gave  Aulde's  powder  for  hyperacidity. 
This  powder  consists  of  Calcarea  Carb.  41  parts.  Magnesia  Carb.  7 
parts,  Silicea  2  parts,  ,Sugar  of  Milk  59  parts.  In  addition  to  this  I 
gave  the  patient  four  injections  of  Auto-Hemic  Serum.  .  Within  less 
than  three  months  all  symptoms  have  improved.  There  is  no  more 
trembling  of  the  tongue  or  the  hands.  The  anatomy  and  physiology  of 
the  sexual  system  has  become  normal.  The  patient  has  not  felt  so  well 
for  many  years,  and  one  of  his  friends  observing  the  great  improvement 
has  also  become  my  patient. 

Dr.  A.  B.  Collins  of  Linesville,  Pa.,  under  date  Aug.  10,  1917,  re- 
ports the  following  to  the  Editor: 

Case  No.  14,  Mrs.  B.  age  43,  mother  of  five  children,  presented  her- 
self at  our  office  for  treatment  of  eczema  of  the  palms.  Her  history 
gave  a  report  of  recurrence  of  attacks  of  eczema  of  the  dorsal  surfaces 
of  hands,  feet  and  ankles,  for  several  years  past. 

On  May  15,  1917,  the  palms  of  both  hands  were  involved :  red,  swol- 
len and  fissured;  so  sore  that  she  could  not  do  any  housework,  or  even 
close  the  hands.  I  gave  this  patient  on  May  15th  5  c.c.  Auto-Hemic 
serum,  25  hours  incubation,  intravenously,  at  7  ;30  p.m.  But  very  slight 
reaction  followed  the  treatment.  On  May  21st  the  case  reported  at  our 
office.  The  soreness  was  less,  swelling  subsiding,  and  less  redness.  On 
June  1st  case  reported  by  'phone  and  said  "My  hands  are  fine,  soreness 
all  gone  and  the  palms  are  nice  and  soft;  they  are  well."  On  June  5th 
patient  called  at  our  office.  The  hands  were  entirely  well,  and  no  sign 
of  eczema  to  be  found.  Patient  stated  she  had  been  cleaning  house, 
washing  dishes  and  doing  her  own  housework  for  the  last  week.  At  this 
date,  August  10th,  the  hands  are  well  and  the  patient  says  she  is  feeling 
better  than  for  two  or  three  years  past.  Only  one  treatment  was  given 
in  this  case. 

Case  No.  17.  Mrs.  G.,  age  25,  mother  of  three  children.  Diagnosis 
atrophy  of  the  nails,  finger  and  toe  nails  involved.  On  May  21,  1917, 
gave  this  patient  Auto-Hemic  serum,  5  c.c.  6x  in  usual  manner.  On 
May  24th  patient  reported  at  office;  no  reaction  and  no  apparent  change 
in  the  nails;  sore  as  ever.  On  June  1st  I  gave  a  second  treatment,  5  c.c. 
6x,  24  hours  incubation.  Reaction  began  on  June  3rd.  Borders  of 
eyelids  began  to  itch,  followed  with  redness  and  swelling  of  lids,  back- 
ache, and  pain  under  the  nails  became  worse.    These  aches  and  pains 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY  459 

gradually  passed  off  and  finely  disappeared  about  June  13th,  patient 
being  at  the  time  able  to  sleep  and  eat  well.  Said  she  was  feeling  much 
better  and  could  do  more  work  and  not  feel  so  tired  in  the  evenings. 
Within  a  few  days  the  nails  began  to  improve,  and  as  the  case  contin- 
ued to  gain  I  did  not  repeat  the  Auto-Hemic  serum  treatment  until 
July  30th.  At  that  time  the  nails  looked  to  be  in  a  healthy  or  normal 
condition  and  the  patient  wfell  pleased  and  looking  fine.  However,  I 
gave  a  third  Auto-Hemic  treatment  on  July  30th  for  the  purpose  of 
determining  whether  the  treatment  would  react  and  continue  to  improve 
the  resistance  and  prevent  a  recurrence  of  the  atrophy  later  on.  At  this 
writing,  Aug.  10th,  the  patient  is  to  all  appearances  well,  and  mighty 
grateful  for  what  has  been  done  for  her. 

Dr.  Eugene  Hubbell  of  St.  Paul,  Minn.,  under  date  of  June  14, 
1917,  reports  the  following  two  cases:  treated  with  Auto-Hemic  Therapy. 

Case  1.  Mrs.  C,  age  21,  pregnant  6  1-2  months,  met  with  a  fall  on 
the  steps  three  weeks  previous  to  calling  on  me:  was  not  severely  in- 
jured but  complained  of  considerable  pain  in  the  back.  About  May 
1st  she  called  on  me,  placed  herself  in  my  care  during  her  confinement, 
which  was  to  occur  about  July  15th.  She  felt  somewhat  tired,  slightly 
indisposed,  but  otherwise  in  pretty  fair  condition  except  a  severe  back- 
ache. After  explaining  to  her  the  benefits  of  Auto-Hemic  treatment  to 
herself  and  offspring  she  decided  to  take  the  treatment,  which  was  given 
May  3rd.  About  a  week  later  she  called  up  and  said  that  he  back- 
ache had  vanished  like  the  dew  before  the  morning  sun,  and  that  she 
never  felt  better  in  her  life.  May  29th  I  was  called  to  her  home,  and 
found  her  in  labor.  She  was  removed  to  a  hospital,  where  she  was  de- 
livered of  a  dead  foetus,  about  six  months  advanced.  It  was  already  in 
a  condition  of  decomposition,  so  that  the  skin  would  easily  slip  off  by 
a  little  rubbing.  Evidently  had  been  dead  since  her  fall  six  weeks  prev- 
ious. She  passed  her  lying-in  period  in  most  excellent  shape.  At  no 
time  was  there  any  rise  of  temperature  or  acceleration  of  pulse  above 
the  normal.  She  said  she  never  felt  better  in  her  life,  and  could  not 
see  the  need  of  lying  in  bed  the  usual  length  of  time. 

At  first  the  writer  thought  it  was  not  a  favorable  outcome  for  Auto- 
Hemic  treatment,  but  when  he  gained  the  whole  history  it  certainly 
speaks  well  for  the  treatment  on  account  of  the  excellent  condition  of 
the  patient  during  her  confinement  and  since  that  time. 

Case  2.  Mrs.  B.,  age  72,  very  fleshy.  Suffers  a  great  deal  with 
neuritis,  hot  flashes,  sweats  and  a  thousand  and  one  troubles,  scarcely 
able  to  leave  her  room  at  times,  suffers  severely  most  of  the  time.  June 
1st  received  her  first  Auto-Hemic  treatment.  She  was  able  in  a  fqw  days 
to  walk  six  or  eight  blocks.  Was  almost  entirely  free  from  her  pain, 
was  bright  and  cheerful  as  a  girl  of  sixteen.  She  is  advertising  Auto- 
Hemic  Therapy  wherever  she  goes. 


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460  NORTH  AMEBICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

HAY  FEVER  AND  AUTO  HEMIC  THERAPY. 


Dr.  J.  F.  Roemer  of  Waukegan,  111.,  reports  under  date  of  August 
15,  1917,  as  follows : 

Albert  G.,  English,  weight  147  lbs.,  blond,  had  Hay  Fever  for  10 
years — a  beautiful  example  of  it.  Nose  crooked.  Two  years  ago  I 
examined  his  nose  and  found  it  full  of  spurs;  advised  their  removal. 
He  had  one  of  Chicago's  finest  do  the  work,  and  it  was  well  done.  He 
could  breathe  so  very  much  better,  could  fill  his  lungs,  and  was  in  every 
way  benefitted:  but  the  Hay  Fever  was  there.  Had  him  get  a  Nathan 
A.  Tucker  outfit,  which  kept  him  in  good  shape :  a  few  whiffs  of  the  in- 
halant and  he  could  go  to  work  in  any  dust. 

Last  week  he  came  up  and  said  **My  Hay  Fever  is  worse  than  ever : 
that  inhalant  does  no  good,  and  I  just  hate  to  go  to  bed;  cannot  sleep 
at  all,  and  I  am  so  nervous;  and  I  can't  do  my  work  as  usual."  Gave 
him  an  Auto-Hemic  intravenous  injection  Saturday  night  and  told  him 
to  go  home  at  once  and  be  ready  for  anything  coming  his  way.  He 
came  back  Tuesday,  and  said  "It  came."  One  hour  and  fifteen  minutes 
after  I  had  given  him  the  injection  he  began  to  chill,  and  he  had  to  hur- 
ry to  get  to  bed.  An  awful  chill,  then  fever,  with  a  full  feeling  in  his 
head,  then  sweat :  saturated  all  the  bed  clothes ;  a  very  foul  odor  to  the 
perspiration;  then  bowels  ran  off,  very  loose  stool  with  a  very  offensive 
odor.  All  day  Sunday  he  was  sick:  awful:  just  like  he  was  when  he 
was  seasick  for  three  days  coming  over  to  America.  Did  not  want  to 
see  any  one;  did  not  care  to  talk  to  his  wife;  wanted  to  be  left  entirely 
alone;  no  appetite.  Monday  up,  and  felt  better,  and  at  noon  went  to 
work.  Monday  night  he  said  "O,  how  I  slept,  and  now  I  feel  real  fine; 
so  different." 


s.  o.  s. 

By  J.  W.  KING.  M.  D. 

Bradford,  Pa. 

ON  July  1st  a  young  woman  consulted  me  for  relief.  She  had 
Dengue  fever  several  years  ago,  and  shortly  after  her  recovery 
began  to  lose  her  hair  on  head,  eyebrows  and  lashes.  Lately  the  hair  in 
axillary  and  pubic  region  is  dropping  out.  Today  she  is  as  bald  as  a 
billiard  ball — head,  eyebrows  and  eyelashes.  A  deplorable  state  1  I  im- 
mediately put  her  under  the  leucodescent  2000  c.p.  light,  and  gave  her 
an  injection  of  Auto-Hemic  serum.  Altogether  I  have  given  her  a 
dozen  light  treatments  and  several  Auto-Hemic,  but  as  yet  no  improve- 
ment is  noted.  Can  you  suggest  anything?  I  am  down  on  my  knees 
begging  for  help  on  account  of  the  patient's  unfortunate  state.    I  can't 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMOSOPATHY  461 

find  anything  in  the  books  under  Dengue  Fever  that  suggests  any  line 
of  treatment.  All  that  I  find  in  the  literature  at  my  command  is  that 
the  fever  is  an  infectious  one.  Under  "alopecia"  we  are  told  in  the 
books  that  the  loss  of  hair  is  often  due  to  imperfect  breathing  or  auto- 
intoxication. Faulty  breathing,  if  that  ever  existed  in  her  case,  has 
been  correcteed.  The  urine  shows  no  indican,  which  fact  reduces  the 
probability  of  a  toxemia  from  intestinal  origin.  What  can  any  of  the 
readers  of  this  Journal  tell  me  that  offers  any  hope  of  a  restoration  of 
the  hair  in  this  case.  I  certainly  will  appreciate  suggestions  from  any 
source. 
^Editor: — Continue  your  treatment  ninety  days  yet,  with  the  addition 

of  orificial  surgery.] 

Dr.  J.  W.  King,  of  Bradford,  Pa.,  under  date  Aug.  5,  1917,  writes 
a&  follows :  A  woman,  school-teacher,  age  60,  was  told  late  in  June  not 
to  return  to  her  school  work  unless  her  high  blood  pressure  was  reduced. 
I  found  it  on  two  examinations  210,  which  she  informed  me  had  been 
the  condition  for  some  time.  I  gave  her  an  injection  of  Auto-Hemio 
serum  July  2nd,  and  the  pressure  dropped  to  165.  I  also  administered 
auto-qondensation  and  in  two  weeks  I  gave  her  a  second  Auto-Hemic 
injection.  Following  this  the  blood  pressure  went  down  to  135.  I  also 
used  the  auto-condensation  just  as  I  did  before.  A  few  days  ago  I  found 
the  pressure  at  129,  and  gave  her  another  injection  of  the  Auto-Hemic 
serum.  The  second  and  third  injections  were  not  given  for  the  purpose 
of  reducing  the  pressure,  but  for  other  reasons.  She  is  now  beginning 
to  feel  normal. 

Dr.  J.  W.  King  of  Bradford,  Pa.,  under  date  Aug.  6,  1917,  reports 
the  case  of  a  boy  11  years  old  who  has  had  epilepsy  from  the  time  he 
was  four  years  old.  From  June  Ist,  1917,  until  July  7,  1917,  he  had 
twelve  convulsions.  On  July  7th  he  was  given  an  injection  of  Auto- 
Hemic  serum.  •  On  the  9th  of  July  he  had  two  slight  convulsions.  Up 
to  August  5th,  29  days,  there  has  been  no  repetition  of  convulsions. 
Many  reports  of  the  Auto-Hemic  treatment  of  ej)ilepsy  justify  the  state- 
ment that  the  interval  between  the  convulsions  can  be  very  greatly 
lengthened,  and  we  have  no  doubt  that  many  cases  can  be  cured  if  the 
treatment  be  continued  for  a  long  time. 


MORE  DAY  LIGHT. 


THE  eye  requires  and  consumes  more  nervous  energy  than  any^ 
other  organ  of  the  body.  Specialists  tell  us  that  if  conditions  are 
such  as  to  produce  a  strain  of  the  eyes  the  amount  of  energy  required 
is  still  greater  than  normal,  and  other  organs  suffer.  A  large  number 
and  a  great  variety  of  diseases  we  are  told,  are  produced  by  eye  strain. 


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462  NORTH  amebicaX  jourkal  of  homceopatht 

Some  claim  that  the  majority  of  headaches  and  stomach  troubles  may 
be  traced  to  eye  strain.  Many  cases  of  Epilepsy  have  been  cured  by 
removing  the  excessive  strain  upon  the  eyes.  Goitre  and  Diabetes  have 
been  relieved,  or  even  cured,  in  the  same  way. 

It  is  a  fact  that  artificial  light  produces  a  greater  strain  than  is 
natural  upon  the  eyes.  It  is  estimated  that  more  than  one-half  of  the 
population  of  the  United  States  are  compelled  fo  focus  their  eyes  upon 
a  point  from  a  foot  to  twenty  inches.  Kal/  of  Uie  population  therefore, 
are  subjected  every  day  to  a  strain  far  above  the  normal,  and  results 
in  increased  consumption  of  nerve  energy  at  the  expense  of  other  organs 
of  the  body.  The  least  strain  upon  the  eyes  is  experienced  when  they  are 
focused  upon  objects  at  a  long  distance.  Loss  or  excessive  use  of  nerve 
energy  demoralizes  the  individual  physically,  mentally  and  morally. 
The  individual  who  is  bankrupt  in  nerve  energy  is  necessarily  below 
par  morally  as  well  as  physically  and  intellectually.  Any  movement, 
any  custom  that  will  reduce  the  amount  of  eye  strain  will  contribute  to 
the  health  and  morals  of  the  people.  The  avoidance  as  much  as  possible 
of  artificial  light,  will  contribute  to  this.  More  hours  of  daylight  for 
workers  and  fewer  hours  of  night  work  or  work  by  strong  artificial  light, 
is  a  commendable  movement,  and  should  have  the  hearty  support  of 
those  who  are  looking  to  the  welfare  of  present  nnd  future  generations. 


ORinCIAL  SURGERY 

By  W.  A.  GUILD,  «|.  D. 
Des  Moines,  la. 

Abstract  from  "The  Common  Sense  of  Orificial  Surgery,"  by  W. 
A.  Guild,  M.S.,  M.D.,  read  before  the  Chicago  Society  of  Medical  Re- 
search, February  17,  1917 : 

1.  Introduction.  1.  Orificial  principles. — OrificwJ  surgery  is  con- 
structive, not  destructive;  physiological  rather  than  pathological;  active 
not  passive ;  progressive  not  traditional  It  has  no  dogmas,  sect  or  creed. 
It  is  a  rival  of  no  other  therapeutic  measure.  It  serves  equally  well  alo- 
paths,  eclectics,  homoeopaths,  osteopaths,  in  fact,  all  schools  and  physic- 
ians and  surgeons  of  all  ranks  and  locations. 

2.  Definition. — Orificial  surgery  is  that  branch  or  division  at  the 
gi^t  healing  art  which  recognizes  the  special  importance  of  the  inde- 
pendent function  of  the  sympathetic  nervous  system,  and  teaches  the 
recognition,  treatment  and  repair  of  defects  of  the  sympathetic  nerve 
itself,  or  defects  or  other  tissue  causing  functional  derang^nents  of  the 
sympathetic  nervous  system.  An  orificialist  (or  orificial  surgeon)  is  a 
physician  or  surgeon  who  adds  to  his  general  knowledge  of  medical  and 
surgical  therapeutics,  an  understanding  of  the  sympathetic  functions  and 
reflexes,  and  learns  how  to  recognize,  treat  end  repair  nerve  imping- 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHY  463 

ments,  inhibitions,  or  other  conditions  causing  sympathetic  waste  and 
functional  derangements. 

II.  Discussion.  1.  The  orificial  idea  has  grown  in  thirty-two 
years  from  the  discovery  of  the  respiratory  rectal  reflexes,  until  it  now 
heads  the  list  of  therapeutic,  adjuvant,  prophylactic  and  hygienic  meas- 
sures.  In  moral  prophylaxis  its  stands  alone.  Thousands  and  thous- 
ands of  wonderful  and  sometimes  almost  miraculous  cures  have  been  re- 
ported, following  the  practical  application  of  orificial  philosophy.  Its 
failures,  critics  and  enemies  constantly  have  helped  to  strengthen  its 
world-wide  position. 

III.  The  orificial  philosophy  far  removed  from  superstitions  and 
traditions,  and  clearly  explained,  was  from  the  first  readily  accepted  by 
the  laity,  but  was  slow  in  finding  favor  with  any  but  progressive,  liber- 
al-minded, common  sense  physicians.  ■< 

Orificial  surgery  is  "irregular"  in  that  it  is  entirely  independent  in 
thought  and  organization  from  all  political  medical  organizations  and 
is  affiliated  with  none,  and  in  its  own  and  only  exponent.  The  former 
strong  prejudice  against  orificial  surgery  has  been  almost  wiped  out  by 
tjie  work  and  study  of  thoroughly  scientific  men.  i 

The  most  modern  and  practical  of  our  most  recent  medical  works 
give  it  a  prominent  place. 

IV.  Basic  Facts  of  Orificial  Surgery. — Summarized  they  are  as 
follows:  The  blood  stream  is  the  basis  of  i'll  bodily  growth,  activity, 
pathology  and  repair.  Remedial  measures  act  curatively  only  when  they 
influence  the  blood  stream.  The  circulation  of  the  blood  is  under  the 
immediate  control  of  the  vaso-motor  nerves,  composed  of  both  sympath- 
etic and  cerebro-spinal  fibres,  "fhe  sympathetic  fibers  alone  are  constant 
and  tireless  and  are  the  mainstay  of  the  circulation.  The  sympathetie 
nerve  is  the  sole  stimulus  of  all  involuntary  muscular  structures.  All 
peristaltic  action  is  furnished  by  the  involuntary  muscular  fibers.  The 
normal  circulation  of  all  solids,  liquid^  and  gases  of  the  body  depend 
upon  peristaltic  action.  Health  therefore  demands  a  normally  function- 
ipg  sympathetic  nerve.  Disease  implies  waste  or  inhibition  of  sympath- 
etic power.  The  predisposing  cause  of  chronic  disease  must  be  symp- 
athetic waste  or  inhibition. 

Clonic  spasms  of  sympathetic  involuntary  muscular  fibers  cause 
sympathetic  nerve  waste.  Morbid  or  abnormal  conditions  of  mucus 
membranes  in  the  grasp  of  involuntary  muscles  produce  irritation  and 
continuation  of  the  tension  as  surely  as  if  foreign  substances.  Thus  ir- 
regularity may  cause  congestion  or  congestion  with  consequent  irregu- 
larities produce  undue  sphincter  tension  and  consequent  nerve  waste. 
Where  there  is  a  reflex  of  irregularity  there  is  also  a  reflex  of  conges- 
tion. Severe  irritation  at  the  lower  openings  are  distinguished  as  local 
troubles.  But  the  congestion  produced  by  atrophied  conditions  is  re- 
flected elsewhere  and  local  symptoms  are  subjectively  indiscemable.  The 
removal  of  atrophic  an4  abnormal  irregularities  of  the  lower  openings 
of  the  body,  together  with  the  relief  of  undue  muscular  tension  stopping 


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464  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHY 

the  sympathetic  nerve  waste  and  relieving  the  inadequacy  of  peristaltic 
action  generally  flushes  the  capillaries  universally,  and  improves  nutri- 
tion and  elimination.  The  success  of  orificial  surgery  work  depends 
upon  its  being  properly  and  thoroughly  done. 

V.  Conclusion. — Orificial  surgery  has  grown  beyond  circumcision 
and  rectal  dilation  into  a  broad  system  of  many  uses  and  methods  of 
application.  Orificial  surgery  is  not  a  specific  for  any  one  named  dis- 
ease. Its  scope  is  broad.  It  fits  many  cases.  It  is  easily  understood 
and  full  of  common  sense  and  works  curatively  with  any  and  all  other 
remedial  measures.  The  more  recent  developments  of  orificial  surgery, 
among  them  vaginal  hysterectomy,  the  American  operation,  coecal  surg- 
ery and  the  reduction  of  the  coecal  pouch.  The  correction  of  the  colonic 
kinks  and  intestinal  defects;  the  treatment  of  syphilis,  tuberculosis,  the 
neurosis,  dementia  praecox,  epilepsy,  sexual  adolescent,  hypochondriacal 
and  even  maniacal  insanity.  The  reclamation  to  citizenship  and  use- 
fulness of  the  insane,  delinquent  and  incorrigible.  The  restitution  of 
society  to  him  and  the  criminal  to  society,  would  fill  a  volume  interest- 
ing from  cover  to  cover.  However  the  basic  principles  here  recited,  an- 
atomical, physiological  and  clinical,  bring  to  you  the  common  sense 
foundation  of  orificial  surgery. 


PRO-RATA  ASSESSMENT  FOR  SOCIETY 
SUPPORT 


A  UNIQUE  plan  of  per  capita  assessment  for  maintenance  of  the 
•*'  ^  work  of  a  society  was  presented  recently  to  the  Ohio  State  Med- 
ical Association.  This  minimum  assessment  per  member  is  put  at  three 
dollars  a  year,  and  this  is  to  be  the  total  assessment  for  all  whose  aver- 
age gross  annual  income  from  professional  practice  during  the  preced- 
ing three  years  did  not  exceed  $3,000.00.  A  super-tax  of  $1.00  per 
$1,000.00  is  laid  on  all  incomes  in  excess  of  $3,000.00 ;  thus  the  man  col- 
lecting $6,000.00  per  annum  gross,  would  pay  $5.00  into  the  Society's 
treasury.  In  every  case,  the  individual  member  is  left  to  fix  his  assess- 
ment, and  no  one  may  question  the  amount  of  the  assessment  that  *i 
member  lays  upon  himself:  if  a  physician  with  an  income  of  $10,000.00 
wants  to  limit  his  membership  assessment  to  $3.00,  he  has  only  to  declare 
that  his  income  was  only  $8,000,00  and  he  will  get  his  receipt  in  full; 
similarly,  if  the  $2,500.00-a-year  man  wants  to  pose  as  a  $5,000.00  man, 
he  can  do  so  by  assessing  himself  five  dollars  for  Society  dues. 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHY  465 

DISEASES  OF  THE  COLON  AND  THEIR  ETIOLOGI- 
CAL RELATION  TO  OTHER  DISEASES 
OF  THE  BODY. 

By  D.  V.  IRELAND,  M.  D. 
Columbus,  Ohio. 

AFTER  some  two  thousand  examinations  of  the  human  colon,  I 
am  convinced  that  the  importance  of  this  work  is  not  appreciated 
and  that  the  gravity  of  the  pathological  conditions  found,  is  not  realized 
by  the  medical  profession. 

The  multiplicity  of  ills  that  affect  the  colon,  the  relation  they  bear 
to  diseases  of  other  organs  of  the  body  combined  with  the  vast  percent- 
age of  persons  who  suffer  from  such  ills,  opens  a  field  for  the  specialist 
in  colon  work  that  surpasses  all  others  as  a  means  to  conserve  the  health 
of  mankind  and  to  restore  to  health  many  whose  condition  would  seem 
hopeless  by  any  other  method  of  treatment. 

I  know  of  no  other  line  of  work  that  yields  such  magnificent  divi- 
dends in  the  way  of  grateful  patients,  yet,  those  who  specialize  along 
this  line  can  be  counted  upon  the  fingers  of  your  two  hands. 

I  believe  it  has  been  established  beyond  dispute  that  95  per  cent,  of 
human  ills  result  from  imperfect  elimination  of  the  body  waste,  yet, 
what  is  the  medical  profession  doing  to  correct  this  state  of  affairs  ?  We 
look  after  the  sanitary  conditions  of  the  cities,  the  towns  and  the  farms, 
yet  allow  patients  to  leave  our  oflSces  carrying  a  cess-pool  that  is  a  death 
trap  in  their  own  bodies  which  we  have  passed  over  undetected,  which 
is  not  only  a  menace  to  the  patient  but  to  the  community  in  which  he 
resides. 

The  only  reason  I  can  assign  for  this  dereliction  is:  we  are  too 
prone  to  work  along  lines  of  least  resistance.  We  get  into  grooves  and 
there  we  stay  until  they  are  worn  so  deep  we  can  no  longer  see  over 
their  sides.  We  are  walled  in  by  precedent,  even  the  surgeon  whom  we 
cannot  live  without,  follows  precedent;  he  must  see  how  things  look; 
he  has  grown  much  wiser  than  his  brother  medic  because  he  will  not 
make  his  diagnosis  until  he  has  seen  and  handled  the  diseased  organ. 
Now  this  is  all  well  and  good  providing  the  patient  makes  a  good  re- 
covery from  the  exploratory  incision,  incision  becomes  his  slogan:  he 
thinks  and  talks  as  lightly  of  opening  the  thorax  or  abdomen  as  some 
of  us  do  of  opening  a  cold  bottle  these  torrid  days,  yet,  I  often  wonder 
how  he  would  feel  about  it  if  it  were  his  own  belly  that  was  to  De  ex- 
plored. I  do  know,  that,  it  sometimes  makes  all  the  difference  in  the 
%rorld  whose  bull  is  being  gored.  Tne  strictly  medical  man  looks  through 
his  monocle  and  sees  nothing  but  pills;  everything  must  be  accomplish- 
ed with  pills  and  soon  be  becomes  a  veritable  pill-shooter  to  the  exclus- 
ion of  everything  else. 

There  is  great  dissension  however  in  the  exclusive  pill-shooter  fac- 
tion oi  the  profession.  One  faction  must  have  nothing  but  the  tiny- 
bird-shot  »)ill  that  tastes  sweet  and  looks  clean  and  will  not  kill  the  baby 


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466  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OP  HOMCEOPATHY 

when  he  eats  more  than  four.  Another  faction  will  use  only  that  large, 
soft-nosed  explosive  variety  that  tears  a  hole  that  you  can  throw  your 
hat  through.  Then,  there  is  the  middle  man  who  seeks  to  compromise 
the  difference  by  using  a  little  pill  with  a  large  dosage;  be  stands  aside 
the  groove  and  looks  in  constantly,  like  the  others,  he  can't  spend  much 
time  looking  around.  Then  again  we  have  a  purely  mechanical  branch 
of  healers  who  will  have  nothing  of  pills;  they  see  everything  out  of 
joint;  if  a  fellow  has  a  pain  in  his  toe  or  a  green  apple  stomach-ache  he 
looks  wise  and  says  the  spine  is  sub-luxated  which  sounds  reasonable  to 
the  patient  because  he  has  a  largo  pain  in  his  belly  and  that  is  a  large 
word.  He  doesn't  know  what  sub-luxation  means  of  course,  neither 
does  he  know  the  doctor  has  nothing  on  him,  as  the  doctor  himself 
does  not  know.  He,  the  doctor,  just  knows  that  something  is  sub-lux- 
ated or  you  would  not  have  the  pain,  and  that  it  is  up  to  him  to  pound 
that  sub-luxation  into  submission.  Now  this  is  one  of  the  deepest  of 
all  grooves  ,a  deep  "Still"  groove,  yet  there  is  perhaps  no  one  who  makes 
more  noise  about  a  little  matter  of  sub-luxation  than  he  does.  Last 
and  least  of  all  is  that  Christian  Science  groove,  so  called  because  it 
lacks  both  Christianity  and  Science.  There  is  nothing  that  appeals 
to  me  as  being  farther  from  Christianity  or  Science  than  to  see  some  old 
believers  sitting  down  and  appealing  to  the  Lord  to  cure  his  piles  or  to 
try  to  pursuade  himself  that  he  has  no  piles  when  he  actually  has  them. 
These  fads  all  have  a  certain  element  of  good  in  them,  I  know  they  have 
because  I  use  all  of  them,  myself,  except  the  last  named  stunt  and  I 
never  could  get  that  through  my  calvarium  sufficiently  to  impress  m^ 
little  knot  of  gray  matter. 

I  steal  everything  in  the  line  of  therapeutics  that  I  can  compre- 
hend and  use  whatever  good  I  can  gleam  from  any  source  just  as  consist- 
ently as  if  it  had  originated  with  me.  As  I  have  stated  I  have  found 
some  good  in  all  of  them,  but  none  of  these  cults  cover  the  whole  field; 
they  all  fall  far  short  of  being  a  science;  each  new  cult  has  taught  its 
predecessor  something;  the  mechanical  healers  have  taught  the  medical 
men  that  there  are  sensitive  areas  along  the  spine  which  need  looking 
after — ^that  the  spine  is  seldom  equally  sensitive  at  all  points — that  these 
specific  centers  of  tenderness  mean  the  disease  of  certain  organs.  WTien 
they  try  to  explain  these  sensitive  areas,  then  is  where,  in  my  judgment, 
they  fall  down. 

They  attribute  this  tenderness  to  impingement  of  certain  spinal 
nerves  due  to  sub-luxation.  I  have  found  these  sensitive  spines  are 
due  to  poisoning  of  the  specific  nerve  centers  and  that  the  intoxication 
in  perhaps  90  per  cent,  of  the  cases  comes  from  a  "rotten"  colon.  If 
you  will  clean  up  and  disinfect  the  colon,  the  spinal  sensitiveness  will 
pass  away  in  every  case.     This  being  true,  what  about  the  sub-luxation? 

Now,  I  hope  that  neither  my  medical  nor  mechanical  friends  will 
swallow  this  bolus  without  first  having  given  it  a  trial.  All  that  is 
necessary  is  a  fair  and  unbiased  trial  and  I  will  have  more  converts 
than  "Billy"  Sunday.     For  some  time  I  have  been  seeing  things — not 


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NORTH  A^IERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY  467 

having:  visions,  understand,  but  seeing  actual  pathological  lesions  in 
the  colon  through  that  ingenious  little  device  the  sigmoidoscope  which 
have  not  only  surprised  me  but  made  me  feel  more  keenly  than  I  can 
tell  how  hopelessly  I  have  groped  in  the  dark  all  these  thirty-six  ydars 
seeking  the  light.  The  sigmoidoscope  which  requires  a  cultivated  sense 
of  ^  touch  and  a  degree  of  skill  that  can  only  be  acquired  by  long  ex- 
perience brings  into  view  the  whole  twenty-six  to  twenty-eight  inches 
of  intestine  which  goes  to  make  up  the  rectum  and  sigmoid  flexure  of 
the  colon  in  such  a  way  that  the  various  pathological  conditions  found 
there  can  be  studied  and  treated  intelligently  and  the  progress  noted 
from  day  to  day. 

The  digestive  process  in  the  colon  is  normally  putrefactive;  it  ia 
carried  on  by  myriads  of  physiological  bacteria  which  from  some  slight 
exciting  cause  may  be  replaced  by  toxic  germs  whose  toxins  create  havoc 
both  locally  and  constitutionally.  Locally  we  find  all  the  varieties  of 
catarrhal  troubles  that  affect  the  mucous  tracts  in  other  parts  of  the 
body.  It  rtiay  be  either  fluent  or  dry  catarrh.  In  the  fluent  variety  the 
patient  voids  large  quanties  of  mucous  and  thinks  he  has  diarrhoea  and 
so  does  the  occasional  doctor  who  does  not  know  better;  but  the  fact  is, 
this  extreme  flux  of  mucous  means  a  vicious  case  of  constipation;  that 
the  buckets  or  hustra  of  the  colon  are  filled  with  hardened,  ancient  scy- 
bala  that  irritate  and  inflame  the  mucous  membrane  and  thereby  causes 
this  excess  of  secretion.  Constipation  in  some  form  is  usually  attend- 
ant upon  every  case  of  colon  disease. 

The  color  of  the  mucous  membrane  in  the  normal  colon  is  a  beau- 
tiful rose-pink.  In  catarrhal  conditions  I  have  found  colors  varying 
all  the  way  from  a  shade  of  pink  darker  than  the  normal  showing  a 
high  degree  of  acute  inflammation,  to  the  dark  red  color  of  chronic  in- 
flammation, and  beyond  that  the  dark  purple  which  the  membrane  ac- 
quires after  long  years  of  inflammatory  action.  Frequently  I  find  caseg 
in  which  the  toxic  germs  have  burrowed  through  the  mucous  membrane 
and  destroyed  the  connective  tissue  between  the  mucous  and  muscular 
coats,  allowing  the  muscular  coats  to  slide  down  like  a  sock  without  a 
supporter,  filling  the  lumen  of  the  colon  with  a  corrugated,  inflamed 
mass  which  resembles  a  ball  of  angle  works  hidden  there.  We  also 
meet  with  many  other  conditions  in  the  rectum  or  colon  such  as  ulcer- 
ation, stricture,  acute  angulation,  dilatation,  atrophy,  etc.  With  local 
conditions  like  these  one  can  readily  understand  how  profound  con- 
stitutional symptoms  arise  from  absorption  of  toxines  into  the  blood 
stream.  The  organs  of  elimination  may,  and  do  maintain  a  reasonable 
degree  of  equilibrium  for  a  time,  but,  eventually  some  organ  or  tissue 
must  yield  to  the  overload  of  toxines  and  cry  out  in  distress.  The  abso- 
lute folly  of  trying  to  treat  a  case  of  rheumatism,  Bright's  disease,  tu- 
berculosis, asthma,  or  what  not,  with  local  conditions  like  these  present, 
must  be  apparent  to  the  most  casual  observer. 

Kight  here  I  wish  to  emphasize  one  important  point  with  reference 
to  the  treatment  of  hemorrhoids.       The  fact  that  this  condition  is  so 


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468  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHT 

prone  to  recur  after  usual  methods  of  treatment  demonstrates  the  fact 
that  the  etiology  is  overlooked.  The  etiological  factor  is  a  disturbance 
of  the  circulation  in  the  rectum  and  colon  above  the  hemorrhoidal  area 
by  fecal  impaction  and  thickening  of  intestinal  walls  from  chronic  in- 
flammatory action.  The  cause  is  usually  overlooked  which  when  remov- 
ed is  sufficient  of  itself  to  cure  the  hemorrhoids,  thus  dispensing  with 
both  the  pain  and  danger  attending  the  usual  methods  of  treatment. 

In  the  treatment  of  chronic  diseases  to  which  I  confine  my  work 
exclusively,  I  give  special  attention  to  the  colon  in  every  case  that  in  my 
judgment  requires  such  attention.  I  apply  specific  medication  directly 
to  the  diseased  areas  through  the  sigmoidoscope  from  two  to  three  times 
per  week.  I  see  that  the  colon  is  cleaned  out  and  kept  clean;  by  lavage 
through  a  colon  tube  that  is  applied  high  up  in  the  colon,  a  thing  which 
is  absolutely  impossible  by  the  ordinary  methods  of  procedure.  If  one 
ever  passed  beyond  the  rectum  it  was  an  accident  and  not  skill  on  the 
part  of  the  manipulator.  I  first  passed  the  sigmoidoscope  and  get  the 
sigmoid  flexure  straightened  out,  then  pass  the  colon  tube  through  the 
sigmoidoscope  as  high  up  as  I  like,  then,  with  a  return  flow  am  prepared 
to  do  business.  Don't  get  the  impression  that  you  can  clean  out  the 
colon  in  those  old  chronic  cases  with  the  use  of  laxatives.  Along  with 
this  treatment  I  use  massage,  electricity  ,concussion  to  definite  spinal 
areas,  high  candle  power  light  and  internal  medication. 

The  beauty  of  this  work  is,  there  is  no  mirage  about  it.  You  are 
not  obliged  to  accept  anything  on  faith  alone — ^you  can  see  just  what 
you  are  to  treat  and  you  can  treat  what  you  see  and  know  to  be  a  path- 
ological condition.  For  twenty  year?  I  have  sought  some  satisfactory 
means  for  examining  and  treating  this  part  of  the  alimentary  tract,  but 
it  is  only  within  the  past  two  years  that  I  have  succeeded  in  both  and 
I  flatter  myself  that  I  have  not  sought  in  vain.  Have  been  able  to 
restore  to  health  cases  that  I  know  must  have  been  hopeless  under  other 
And  approved  lines  of  treatment.      To  illustrate  I  will  cite  a  few  cases. 

Case  No.  1 

Mr.  M.  a  farmer,  58  years  of  age,  applied  for  treatment  April  4th 
1916.  He  gave  the  following  history :  had  not  been  up  to  his  usual  stand- 
ard of  health  for  the  past  few  years :  during  the  last  winter  he  had  no- 
ticed a  rapidly  increasing  shortness  of  breath  upon  exertion  or  when 
lying  down.  Could  walk  only  a  short  distance  when  he  was  obliged  to 
stop  for  want  of  breath :  on  retiring  at  night  would  soon  drop  off  to  sleep 
but  would  awake  immediately  to  find  himself  struggling  for  breath. 
He  would  then  arise  and  spend  the  night  in  a  chair.  His  feet  and  limbs 
were  dropsical.  He  had  been  treating  in  his  home  town  for  organic 
heart  trouble.  I  found  the  heart  normal  in  every  way,  except  that  its 
pulse  beat  ranged  from  140  to  150  per  minute.  Examination  of  the  urine 
revealed  albumen,  granular  and  hyaline  casts  with  a  specific  gravtiy 
of  1008:  a  typical  case  of  intersticial  nephritis.  Examination  of  the 
colon  showed  a  detachment  of  the  mucous  membrane  extending  from 
the  internal  sphincter  up  into  the  sigmoid  flexure  a  distance  of  ten 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHY  469 

inches.  It  presented  a  corrugated,  inflamed  mass  bathed  in  an  ichorous 
secretion  that  was  poisoning  the  whole  system.  The  kidneys  had  been 
overworked  in  throwing  off  the  toxines  and  were  breaking  down  under 
the  stress.  There  was  an  eczematous  rash  covering  the  sacral  region; 
the  skin  was  covered  with  thick  scales  and  there  was  much  itching.  Af- 
ter four  or  five  treatments  to  the  colon  the  patient  could  sleep  all  night 
with  no  shortness  of  breath.  After  six  weeks  the  urine  was  free  from 
albumen  and  casts;  the  effusion  and  eczema  had  disappeared.  One  of 
the  most  interesting  features  of  this  case  was,  that  during  the  treatment 
the  heart  action  dropped  suddenly  to  thirty  beats  per  minute  which  I 
could  account  for  only  on  the  theory  that  the  treatment  had  caused 
temporary  increased  flow  of  toxins  into  the  blood  which  had  overstimu- 
lated  the  Vagee  and  depressed  the  heart  action.  As  the  patiout  improv- 
ed the  pulse  gradually  resumed  a  normal  beat  and  what  looked  like  a 
fatal  condition  was  converted  into  a  state  of  health. 

Case  No,  2 

L.  I.,  aged  65  years,  treated  during  past  winter,  had  suffered  from 
chronic  enlargement  of  the  prostate  gland  for  several  years ;  was  obliged 
to  void  the  urine  from  five  to  twenty  times  every  night.  During  the 
past  year  it  had  become  necessary  to  resort  to  the  catheter  to  obtain  re- 
lief. A  burning  pain  in  the  region  of  the  prostate  almost  drove  him 
to  distraction;  he  was  exceedingly  nervous,  had  lost  about  twenty -five 
lbs.  in  weight,  appetite  gone,  bowels  constipated,  tongue  coated  with  a 
thick  yellow  fur;  he  stated  he  would  suicide  if  he  could  not  find  relief 
soon.  It  was  up  to  me  to  get  busy.  On  examination  I  found  a  sub- 
acute attack  of  procto-colitis  and  grafted  upon  a  chronic  state.  Mucous 
membrane  was  as  red  as  fire,  the  secretions  excessively  acid,  the  prostate 
very  large  and  tender.  Under  colon  treatment  and  massage  of  the  pros- 
tate he  made  a  steady  improvement,  was  soon  able  to  discard  the  catheter 
and  could  pass  the  urine  freely.  This  was  a  case  that  one  time  I  should 
have  sent  to  a  surgeon  but  never  again  if  I  can  be  forgiven  for  the  times 
I  have  advised  operation  for  hypertrophy  of  the  prostate  I  shall  never 
sin  again  in  that  way.  I  say  this  with  no  reflection  on  surgery;  surg- 
eons do  sometimes  make  life  tolerable  in  these  cases  when  medicines 
have  fallen  short  of  it.  The  last  case  that  came  under  my  observation 
was  so  shocking,  so  terrible  that  it  hangs  over  me  like  a  night-mare;  it 
was  a  case  of  homicide,  pure  and  simple.  I  hope  that  I  have  found  a  bet- 
ter and  more  humane  treatment  for  these  conditions. 

I  might  report  a  number  of  interesting  cases  of  rheumatism,  high 
blood  pressure,  eczema,  arterial  sclerosis,  obscure  headaches,  vertigo,  etc., 
but  I  realize  this  article  is  already  too  long.  I  hope  in  a  future  article 
to  continue  this  subject. 

165  1-2  N.  High  St.,  Columbus,  O. 


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470  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHY 

THE  PATHOLOGY  OF  PNEUMONIA. 

By  J.  LIEBAU,  M.  D. 
Chicago. 

IN  a  talk  before  the  Chicago  Society  of  Medical  Research,  April  10, 
1917,  said :  The  severity  of  an  attack  of  Pneumonia  depends  upon 
the  virulence  of  the  germ,  the  susceptibility  of  the  host,  the  environment 
and  general  hygienic  conditions  present.  In  epidemics,  as  a  rule,  the  cases 
occurring  during  the  earlier  part  are  more  severe  than  those  occurring 
during  the  time  of  epidemical  decline.  The  severe  chill  of  pneumonia 
is  due  to  the  rapid  reproduction  and  multiplication  of  the  pneumococcus, 
the  rapid  production  of  antibodies  and  other  protective  forces,  resulting 
in  great  destruction  of  the  germ  and  other  cellular  material,  with  liber- 
ation of  large  quantities  of  toxins  to  be  absorbed  and  eliminated. 

Pneumonia,  usually  but  not  always,  begins  in  a  certain  focus  and 
spreads  around  it,  often  confined  to  a  single  lobe, — yet  may  disappear 
from  one  spot  and  occur  in  another.  The  early  stage  is  one  of  hyper- 
aemia  and  engorgement,  with  the  air  vesicles  collapsed  but  opening  at 
the  end  of  inspiration  with  a  little  smacking  noise,  resulting  in  the 
well-known  pneumonic  crackle,  and  which  does  not  disappear  on  cough- 
ing. This  is  followed  by  exudation  into  the  alveoli  and  minute  bron- 
chioles which  are  now  filled  with  blood,  bacteria  and  epithelium,  this 
part  of  the  lung  becoming  consolidated  and  resembling  liver  tissue; 
hence  the  term,  "Red  hepatization."  A  cross-section  of  this  part  of  the 
lung  will  no  longer  float  in  water.  Because  of  the  good  vibration  trans- 
mitting power  of  this  consolidation  we  now  have  tubal  and  bronchial 
breathing,  and  an  exaggeration  of  both  vocal  and  tactile  fremitus.  The 
blood  within  the  air  vesicles  and  minute  bronchioles  soon  disintegrates. 
The  red  cells  disappear  and  their  hemoglobin  undergoes  various  changes. 
Leucocytes  now  predominate,  and  muco-purulent  matter,  becoming  yel- 
lowish gray,  now  fills  the  alveoli.  The  lung  has  a  red  and  gray  mottled 
appearance,  gradually  becoming  more  and  more  gray.  This  is  the 
stage  of  "Gray  hepatization."  Zymolytic  forces  of  the  body  take  care  of 
the  matter  in  the  air  cells,  cytolytic  ferments  breaks  up  the  cells,  lique- 
faction takes  place,  some  of  the  matter  is  taken  care  of  by  the  leuco- 
cytes, other  parts  are  exx)ectorated,  toxins  are  to  a  great  extent  neutral- 
ized, and  absorption  and  elimination  finally  end  the  much  dreaded  dis- 
ease, the  lung  gradually  recovering  its  former  elasticity. 

The  most  important  complications  are  those  of  the  heart.  Because 
of  the  obstruction  in  the  lung  it  is  obvious  that  the  right  ventricle  must 
suffer  the  most.  Pericarditis,  endocarditis,  and  parenchymatous  de- 
generation in  the  kidney  and  to  some  extent  in  the  liver,  may  occur. 

2435  Armitage  Avenue. 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOFATHY  47l 

BIO-DYNAMO-CHROMATIC  DIAGNOSIS  DIS- 
COVERY  AND  DEVELOPMENT. 

By  GEORGE  STAR  WHITE,  M.  D. 
Los  Angeles,  Calif. 

(Note — This  brief  article  is  a  condensation  from  my  book  of  sev- 
eral hundred  pages  on  natural  and  physical  diagnosis  and  therapeu- 
tics.) 

Early  Observations 

MY  observations  of  physical  phenomena  date  back  to  my  boyhood. 
About  forty  years  ago  an  old  trapper  called  my  attention  to  the 
fact  that  pigeons  knew  the  points  of  the  compass,  and  to  demonstrate 
this  he  liberated  some  wild  pigeons  from  his  snares.  They  flew  straight 
up  in  the  air,  made  a  few  turns,  and  then  "made  a  bee  line"  for  their 
homing  places. 

This  experiment  made  such  an  impression  upon  my  mind  that  I 
became  interested  in  nature  study.  My  study  of  carrier-pigeons  showed 
that  they  made  flights  by  night  as  well  as  by  day.  This  seemed  to 
prove  that  the  magnetic  fields  of  the  earth  influenced  a  ''natural  mag- 
netic tendency^'  in  animal  life.  I  found  a  sick  pigeon  that  could  not 
orient  itself.  It  died  and  I  examined  it,  finding  a  condition  that  I  now 
know  was  tuberculous.  My  perceptor  said  he  thought  "weakness  had 
changed  the  bird's  emanations  in  such  a  manner  that  the  earth's  mag- 
netic fields  could  not  be  correctly  reported  to  the  brain." 

As  time  went  by,  I  found  very  many  animals  that  seemed  to  possess 
a  psychic  compass.    I  also  found  some  humans  who  were  able  to  tell 
in  which  direction  they  were  facing  when  blindfolded. 
Rates  and  Modes  of  Motion 

According  to  the  world's  greatest  scientists,  "matter"  is  only  "a 
rate  and  mode  of  motion."  As  soon  as  its  "rate'  'and  "mode"  are 
changed,  the  form  of  matter  is  changed.  According  to  this  recognized 
theory,  each  cell  or  group  of  cells  in  the  bbdy  has  its  own  characteristic 
rate  and  mode  of  motion,  which  is  normally  constant.  In  other  words 
each  part  of  the  body  has  its  normal  rate  and  mode  of  motion. 

On  the  other  hand,  if  any  part  of  the  body  becomes  diseased,  there 
is  a  change  in  the  rate  and  mode  of  motion  on  the  part  affected  and  in 
turn  of  the  whole  body. 

It  is  a  generally  conceded  fact  that  one  form  of  motion  interferes 
with  or  changes  another  form  of  motion.  Therefore  an  abnormal 
rate  and  mode  of  motion  in  one  part  of  the  body  must  manifest  itself 
more  or  less  in  any  other  part  of  the  body.  It  is  a  proven  fact  that 
motions  from  the  surface  of  the  body  are  influenced  by  the  motions  or 
emotions  within  the  body.  It  seems  as  the  emotions  of  all  varieties 
temporarily  change  the  normal  rate  and  mode  of  motion  of  the  individ- 
ual 


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472  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

From  this  reasoning,  we  can  more  easily  explain  the  effect  of  all 
motions  upon  the  animal  organism. 
Natural  Phenomena 

Every  phenomenon  in  nature  is  a  matter  of  motion.  Light,  color, 
sound,  electricity,  and  radio-active  energy  are  differentiated  from  each 
other  by  their  rates  and  modes  of  motion. 

The  effect  of  Light  is  seen  in  all  forms  of  vegetable  and  animal  life. 
The  reflex  action  by  means  of  the.  skin  and  eye  effects  the  change  in 
matter.  Pigmentation  is  simply  a  reaction  and  acconunodation  of  pro- 
toplasm to  the  action  of  light  or  other  energy — motion. 

Colors  also  produce  a  far-reaching  effect  upon  the  development  of 
all  forms  of  life.  Some  rays  will  change  bacilli  from  one  species  to 
another.  Other  rays  will  coagulate  egg  albumen  and  solutions  of  serum 
protein.  Butterflies  can  be  changed  from  one  color  to  another  if  reared 
under  certain  radiant  colors.  It  is  well  known  that  chameleons,  alam- 
anders,  newts,  lizards,  and  some  species  of  frogs  and  toads  are  changed 
in  color  by  reflex  irritation  through  the  eye,  and  if  blinded  in  one  eye 
that  side  of  the  body  does  not  change  in  color. 

The  effect  of  Sound  upon  the  sympathetic  system  has  been  well 
shown  by  its  influence  on  insects,  birds,  fish,  animals,  and  people. 

The  effect  of  other  rates  and  modes  of  motion  or  energy  have  not 
been  so  well  known,  but  they  have  recently  been  shown  in  the  change  of 
vegetable  and  animal  development,  when  under  certain  forms  of  high 
frequencies. 

We  know  that  the  ear  responds  to  sound  energy  and  the  eye  to  light 
and  color  energy.  It  can  be  shown  that  other  organs  in  the  body  respond 
to  energy  produced  by  light,  color,  sound,  and  other  rates  and  modes  of 
motion,  and  from  this  we  may  infer  that  every  organ  in  the  body  re- 
sponds to  every  rate  and  mode  of  motion. 
Energy  Changes  the  Tension  of  the  Viscera 

In  the  body  we  have  a  nervous  organism  which  might  be  likened 
to  a  telephone  system,  of  which  the  brain  is  the  central  office  and  the 
ganglia  the  substations.  This  nervous  system  is  the  most  accurate  in- 
dex of  external  energy.  The  internal  organs  are  controlled  by  the 
sympathetic  and  vagus  nerves.  Any  stimulation  of  the  vagus  pro- 
duces what  is  termed  "vagal  tone,"  and  with  a  change  in  "vagal  tone" 
there  is  a  change  in  the  tension  of  the  viscera. 

It  can  be  proved  that  the  magnetic  meridian;  energy  from  a  mag- 
net; human  energy;  and  light,  color,  and  sound  energy,  will  all  produce 
a  change  in  the  tonicity  or  tension  of  the  viscera.  In  other  words,  they 
will  elicit  what  I  call  the  Sympathetic-Vagal  Reflex,  if  a  certain  technic 
is  followed. 

As  the  sympathetic-vagal  tone  of  the  body  is  changed,  so  is  the  ten- 
sion of  the  vascular  system  changed  in  proportion  to  the  susceptibility 
of  the  subject  and  the  energy  employed.  This  can  be  shown  by  various 
tests  and  can  be  proved  by  anyone. 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHY  473 

The  Magnetic  Meridian 

The  earth  as  a  whole  is  a  great  magnet  and  all  matter  in  or  on 
this  earth  is  subject  to  the  influence  of  the  Magnetic  Meridian  which 
seems  to  be  a  flow  of  energy  from  the  south  geographical  pole  to  the 
north  geographical  pole  over  the  earth  and  then  back  through  the  earth 
to  its  starting  point — a  constant  current  of  energy. 

A  compass  needle  points  north  and  south,  and  the  north-seek inp: 
pole  is  drawn  in  its  definite  direction  by  some  unseen  energy.     I  have- 
discovered  that  this  same  energy  will  also  change  the  tonicity  or  tension 
of  the  organs  of  the  body,  if  a  certain  technic  is  followed. 

After  having  examined  very  many  persons  to  see  how  the  magnetic- 
meridian  affected  them,  I  found  that  I  must  learn  why  it  would  in- 
fluence some,  and  not  all.  By  carefully  collecting  data  and  making 
comparisons,  I  found  that  only  "healthy"  individuals  gave  the  change 
in  capillary  tension  (sympathetic- vagal  reflex)  while  they  faced  parallel 
with  the  magnetic  meridian,  that  is,  north  or  south. 

Among  the  first  I  found,  who  would  show  no  change  when  facing 
in  the  magnetic  meridian,  was  a  lady  who'  had  tuberculosis  fairly  well 
advanced.  Later  I  found  that  cancer,  syphilis,  and  many  other  dis- 
eases had  the  same  power  of  inhibiting  the  effects  of  the  magnetic  meri- 
dian upon  the  body.  ^^^\ 
Colors  to  Diagnose  Disease                                                                    '    ^^ 

I  reasoned  that  as  the  tension  of  a  healthy  body  was  changed  by 
turning  from  east  or  west  to  north  or  south,  that  is,  facing  in  the 
magnetic  meridian,  some  other  energy  must  be  able  to  act  upon  animal 
energy,  or  life  force,  to  at  least  temporarily  normalize  it. 

After  trying  sound  waves  of  all  kinds,  I  began  to  work  with  colors. 
The  first  color  I  used  was  the  ruby  employed  in  my  photographic  dark 
room.  This  I  found  obliterated  the  effect  of  the  magnetic  meridian  on 
a  healthy  subject;  and  it  would  also  enable  the  magnetic  meridian  to  act 
upon  one  suffering  with  tuberculosis  the  same  as  if  he  were  healthy. 

Many  persons  gave  this  "ruby  reflex"  when  they  complained  only 
of  being  tired,  nervous,  etc.,  and  later  it  was  found  they  had  tubercu- 
losis. I  also  found  that  a  person  with  cancer  gave  this  "ruby  reflex." 
Later  I  found  that  a  certain  shade  of  orange  would  differentiate  cancer 
from  tuberculosis. 

I  found  that  tuberculosis  could  be  diagnosed  by  this  method  at  the 
very  inception  of  the  disease,  and  before  a  diagnosis  could  be  made  by 
any  other  known  method.  Time  would  prove  that  the  diagnosis  was 
correct,  and  the  patient  could  have  been  more  readily  cured  had  others 
believed  my  findings  were  reliable. 

By  degrees  I  found  that  other  radiant  colors  would  enable  me  to 
diagnose  other  diseases,  until  now  I  have  a  well-defined  plan  of  diagnos- 
ing the  most  prevalent  and  the  most  dangerous  toxemias. 

I  am  now  able  to  show  the  exact  stage  of  the  disease  by  using  var- 
ious tints  of  the  diagnosing  color. 


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474  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMOEOPATHY 

This  method  I  have  termed  the  Bio-Dynamo-Chromatic  method 
(Bios,  meaning  life;  Dynamis,  meaning  force;  Chroma,  meaning  color). 
Not  a  One-Man  System 

The  fact  that  several  doctors  diagnosing  the  same  case  will  find 
the  same  color  necessary  to  elict  the  sympathetic  vagal  reflex,  shows  that 
the  Bio-Dynamo-Chromatic  system  is  not  a  one-man  system  but  that  it 
is  exact  and  reliable  in  the  hands  of  anyone  who  has  learned  it. 
Bio'Dynamo-Chromatic  Therapy 

Following  out  the  law  of  similars,  I  have  developed  a  system  of 
therapy  in  accordance  with  the  color  findings  in  the  diagnosis.  For 
example,  if  ruby  is  required  to  elicit  the  sympathetic-vagal  reflex  in  the 
individual,  that  color  is  used  for  treating  him — following  out  a  certain 
technic  based  on  physical  laws. 

I  believe  this  phase  of  the  law  of  similars  is  as  true  as  gravitation 
or  any  other  natural  law,  but  one  must  know  and  understand  the  laws 
governing  it  the  same  as  they  would  any  other  physical  phenomena. 
Like  other  natural  laws,  thi?  Magnetic-Meridian  Law  is  so  simple  that 
anyone  can  demonstrate  it  to  hi«  satisfaction  without  the  use  of  elab- 
orate and  expensive  instruments;  and  there  is  a  scientific  explanation 
of  it  all. 

The  far-reaching  effect  that  this  law  has  on  humanity  cannot  be  ex- 
pressed in  words.  The  fact  that  it  enables  the  physician  to  diagnose 
tuberculosis,  cancer,  syphilis,  etc.,  at  their  very  inception,  gives  him 
an  opportunity  to  act  at  the  most  propitious  time  and  in  the  most 
propitious  manner. 

327  South  Alvarado  Street. 


FOOD,  ITS  USE  AND  ABUSE  IN  THE  HUMAN 

BODY. 

By  IRVING  J.  EALES,  M.  D. 

Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Food  and  Diet  of  the 

Chicago  Society  of  Medical  Research 

Chicago,  Illinois. 

44  A^VER  600,000  human  lives  are  needlessly  sacrificed  in  the  United 
V^  States  every  year."  This  is  the  appalling  statement  of  the 
President  of  the  Provident  Savings  Life  Assurance  Society  of  New 
York.  The  statement  is  based  on  ''The  report  on  National  Vitality,"  by 
Prof.  Irving  Fischer,  of  Yale  University,  which  was  published  in  July, 
1909. 

Prof.  Fischer  estimates  that  there  are  constantly  3,000,000  i)ersonB 
seriously  ill  in  the  United  States  of  whom  500,000  are  consumptives  and 
that  fully  half  of  this  illness  is  preventable. 

I  agree  with  Prof.  Fischer  that  half  of  this  illness  is  preventable 
and  entirely  unnecessary. 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHY  475 

I  belieTe  that  more  than  half  of  these  3,000,000  constant  sufferers 
from  serious  illness  are  made  ill  by  dietetic  irregularities;  by  this  I 
mean  the  overingestion  of  food,  too  much  carbonaceous  food,  or  the 
'wrong  combination  of  food,  or  imperfect  mastication,  insalivation,  di- 
gestion, assimilation  and  elimination;  that  the  food  factor  is  the  basic 
factor  in  the  causation  of  disease  in  more  than  half  of  aU  cases  of  illness. 

Commencing  with  the  new  bom  babe  we  note  the  very  first  trouble 
we  have  among  them  is  gastric  disturbances  and  the  cause  is  from  over- 
feeding or  improper  food  and  we  can  trace  this  same  cause  all  through 
child  life;  the  cause  of  their  various  forms  of  disease  is  dietetic;  I  care 
not  for  the  specific  name  given  to  the  disease. 

We  may  continue  our  investigations  all  along  through  life  and 
trace  every  disease  condition  back  to  its  origin  and  if  we  are  careful  in 
our  tracings  they  will  lead  us  back  to  the  mother's  breast,  the  nursing 
bottle  or  the  table.  They  are  caused  by  the  overingestion  of  food  and 
especially  concentrated  foods,  as  proteids  and  fats,  sweets  and  starches. 
Now  these  may  appear  to  be  startling  statements,  but  we  will  submit  the 
proof. 

The  Human  Body  and  Food  Compared 

A  normal  human  body  of  about  150  pounds  weight  contains  fourteen 
chemical  elements  in  about  the  following  proportions,  vix: 

Oxygen,  72  per  cent.;  Carbon,  13.5  per  cent.;  Hydrogen,  9.1  per 
cent.;  Nitrogen,  2.5  per  cent.;  Calcium,  1.3  per  cent.;  Phosphorus,  1.1 
per  cent.  These  six  elements  constituting  99.5  per  cent,  of  the  body,  the 
other  one-half  per  cent,  being  compounds  of  Sulphur,  Sodium,  Chlor- 
ine, Fluorine,  Potassium,  Iron,  Magnesium,  and  Silica.  Note  that  over 
97  per  cent,  of  the  body  is  composed  of  the  first  four  elements,  Oxygen, 
Carbon,  Hydrogen  and  Nitrogen.  Oxygen  is  a  food,  and  the  principal 
food  of  the  body ;  every  cell  of  every  tissue  of  every  structure  Doth  liquid 
and  solid  of  the  vital  domain  must  have  Oxygen  and  it  is  supplied  by 
breathing,  eating  and  drinking.  Carbon  comea  second  in  the  list  as  a 
food  requirement  but  it  probably  stands  first  in  the  list  as  a  disease 
producer.  A  normal  human  body  requires  only  13.6  per  cent,  of  Car- 
bon but  it  is  a  rarity  to  find  a  person  carrying  only  this  13.5  per  cent.; 
nearly  every  person  we  meet  is  overloaded  with  Carbon,  it  is  the  prin- 
cipal element  of  fat,  sugar,  and  starch.  Hydrogen  comes  third,  in  the 
proportion  of  9.1  per  cent,  and  is  supplied  by  food  and  drink. 

Nitrogen  comes  fourth  in  the  proportion  of  2.5  per  cent.  This  is 
one  of  the  elements  that  is  a  disease  producer  in  large  amounts  long 
continued.  It  is  supplied  by  our  food  and  as  the  air  is  four  to  five  4/6 
Nitrogen  there  is  a  probability  that  the  body  absorbs  Nitrogen  from  the 
air  although  it  has  not  been  proven.  Now  with  these  four  elements, 
O.  C.  H.  and  N.,  we  have  the  entire  constituents  of  over  97  per  cent  of 
the  body.    The  other  ten  elements  are  in  very  small  proportions. 

What  is  a  Food 
Now  let  us  examine  our  foods.    Food  is  that  substance  or  combin- 


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476  ifORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMOEOPATHY 

ation  of  elements  which  when  taken  into  the  body  is  made  use  of  by  the 
Vital  Force  to  build  up,  maintain  and  repair  the  human  body.  All 
agree  that  food  builds  up  the  tissues  and  repairs  the  waste  of  the  body. 
As  to  the  claims  that  food  supplies  heat  and  energy  of  the  body  there* 
is  some  disagreement  but  we  cannot  discuss  that  question  here  . 

Foods  are  usually  classified  as,  1st,  Proteids,  2nd,  Fats,  and  3rd, 
Carbohydrates. 

1.  Proteid  or  Nitrogenous  or  Albuminous  food  (all  meaning  the 
same)  are  the  foods  from  which  we  obtain  our  supply  of  Nitrogen  and 
may  be  either  animal  or  vegetable.  All  animal  food  is  classed  as  Nitro- 
genous, also  milk  and  eggs.  The  principal  Nitrogenous  vegetable  foods 
are  peas,  beans,  lentils  and  some  varieties  of  nuts.  The  chemical  com- 
position of  the  principal  Nitrogenous  food  is  Carbon  53  per  cent..  Oxy- 
gen 22  per  cent.,  Nitrogen  16  per  cent..  Hydrogen  7  per  cent.,  Sulphur, 
Phosphorus  and  cell  salts  .02  per  cent.  The  proteid  foods  supply  all  of 
the  elements  of  the  body,  but  contain  too  large  a  percentage  of  Nitrogen 
for  a  well  balanced  diet.  The  end  products  of  Oxidization  of  Proteids 
are  Urea,  Uric  Acid,  Sulphuric  Acid,  Carbon  Dioxide,  water  and  salts 
set  free  and  are  excreted  principally  by  the  kidneys.  Proteids  from  the 
principal  solids  of  the  muscular,  nervous  and  glandular  systems,  the  ser- 
um of  the  blood,  and  other  serous  fluids  and  the  lymph.  About  four 
ounces  of  Proteid  food  are  required  every  twenty-four  hours  to  supply 
the  necessary  Nitrogen  for  the  body  which  is  usually  estimated  at  20 
grams  per  24  hours,  but  Prof.  Chittenden,  of  Yale,  insists  that  10  grams 
is  amply  sufficient.  Proteid  food  taken  in  excess  promotes  the  uric  acid 
diathesis  manifesting  itself  in  gout,  gravel,  rheumatism  and  disease  of 
the  kidneys  and  nervous  system. 

2.  Fat  foods  are  derived  from  the  animal  and  vegetable  kingdoms 
and  include  butter,  lard,  vegetable  and  nut  oils.  They  contain  Carbon 
76  per  cent.,  Oxygen  12  per  cent.,  and  Hydrogen  12  per  cent.  The  end 
products  of  their  oxidization  are  Carbon-dioxide  and  water.  The  aver- 
are  daily  requirements  is  labout  58  grams,  a  little  less  than  two  ounces.  Fat- 
ty or  Carbonaceous  food  in  excess  gives  rise  to  bilious  diathesis  while  a 
deficiency  tends  to  promote  the  scrofulous. 

3.  Carbohydrate  or  non-Nitrogenous  or  starchy  foods  are,  all  cer- 
eals, fruits  and  vegetables  and  their  derivaties  as  sugar,  starch,  gum, 
glucose,  etc.  They  contain  on  an  average  Carbon  45  per  cent.  Oxygen 
49  per  cent.,  and  Hydrogen  6  per  cent.  The  end  products  are  Carbon 
dioxide,  water,  and  cell  salts  set  free.  The  amount  required  every  twenty- 
ty-four  hours  is  about  480  grams  or  one  pound.  Starchy  food  in  ex- 
cess, long  continued,  favors  the  rheimiatic  diathesis  by  the  development 
of  lactic  acid. 

In  each  of  the  above  classes  of  food  is  also  found  the  mineral  ^b- 
ments  or  cell  salts,  the  five  phosphates,  the  two  chlorides,  three  sulphates 
Calcarea  Fluoride  and  Silica,  which  while  amounting  to  but  five  per 
cent.,  are  just  as  necessary  in  our  food  as  the  other  95  per  cent.;  th^ 
are  the  workers,  the  tissue  builders.     They  must  be  supplied  in  organic 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY  477 

form  and  care  should  be  exercised  in  cooking  food  or  the  mineral  ele- 
ments will  be  lost  in  the  water  in  boiling  them.  In  comparing  the  com- 
position of  the  human  body  with  the  composition  of  the  various  foods, 
we  find  that  the  body  and  the  foods  contain  the  same  elements.  From 
a  chemical  analysis  we  find  that  a  kernel  of  wheat  contains  all  of  the 
fourteen  elements  in  about  the  proper  porportion  in  whole  wheat  flour 
to  constitute  a  nearly  perfect  food.  But  when  the  wheat  is  ground  and 
bolted,  or  sifted,  the  nitrates  and  phosphates,  brain  and  muscle  food, 
are  extracted,  and  principally  starch  remains. 

Beef,  mutton  and  the  flesh  of  other  animals,  contain  as  does  a  grain 
of  wheat,  all  of  the  fourteen  elements  of  which  the  human  body  is  com- 
posed, but  in  different  proportions.  The  r^-uscle  making  principles, 
proteids  in  wheat  are  albumen  and  gluten;  while  in  beef  they  are  fibrin 
and  albumin;  but  in  chemical  composition  the  principles  of  each  agree 
so  perfectly  as  to  be  considered  mere  modifications  of  the  same  sub- 
stance, and  when  dried  contain  precisely  the  same  elemenis  and  in  about 
the  same  proportion.  In  wheat,  the  heat  and  fat  producing  principles 
are  starch  and  sugar — principally  starch,  with  a  little  fat ;  while  in  beef, 
it  is  only  fat;  but  there  is  very  little  difference  in  the  heat  producing 
powers  of  wheat  and  beef. 

A  chemical  examination  of  the  various  tissues  of  the  body  shows  the 
elements  to  be  distributed  as  follows :  viz :  The  Nerve  ceils  contain  the 
Phosphates  of  Potassium,  Sodium,  Magnesium,  Ferrum  and  Calcarea. 
The  muscle  cells  contain  Phosphates  of  Magnesium,  Potash,  Sodium  and 
Ferrum,  also  Chloride  of  Potash  and  a  trace  of  the  Phosphate  of  lime. 
Connective  tissue  cells  contain  Silica  and  a  trace  of  the  Phosphate  of 
lime.  Elastic  tissue  cells  contain  Calcarea  Fluoride.  Bone  cells  con- 
tain Phosphate  of  Calcium  and  Magnesium  and  Fluoride  of  Calcium. 
Cartilage  and  Mucus  cells  contain  Natrum  Muriate,  which  is  also 
found  in  all  solid  and  fluid  tissues  of  the  body. 

Thus  we  find  that  these  fourteen  chemical  elements  are  used  in  con- 
structing the  various  tissues  of  the  human  body  as  we  use  the  twenty- 
six  letters  of  the  alphabet  to  construct  different  words  and  sentences. 
As  we  must  have  certain  letters  to  proi)erly  speU  the  different  words 
so  we  must  have  certain  chemical  elements  to  properly  (spell)  construct 
the  different  tissues  of  the  body. 

Physiology  teaches  that  the  blood  is  formed  from  the  food  we  di- 
gest and  is  the  fluid  that  nourishes  and  supplies  all  the  elements  of  the 
body.  This  being  true,  then  by  the  introduction  of  proper  food  and  wa- 
ter into  the  stomach,  exercise,  pure  fresh  air  and  sunlight,  and  the  ex- 
cise of  pure  and  healthful  thoughts,  all  physical  ills  would  be  unknown, 
except  such  as  are  caused  by  accident  or  contractions  of  the  muscles, 
etc.  It  has  been  the  custom,  however,  to  introduce  into  the  system  all 
kinds  of  minerals  and  poisonous  drugs  for  the  avowed  purpose  of  curing 
disease  and  purifying  the  blood.  How  disease  can  be  cured  or  the  blood 
purified  by  an  element  that  is  not  a  constituent  of  the  body,  is  a  ques- 
tion that  has  never  been  and  never  can  be  answered.    Impurity  or  de- 


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478  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

ficiency  of  the  blood  consists  in  some  of  the  elements  bein^ 
in  excess  and  other  elements  being  deficient  and  by  absorbing  pois- 
ons from  the  alimentary  canal,  etc.  By  comparing  the  list  of  elements 
required  by  the  body  with  a  list  of  those  which  have  been  habitually 
supplied,  it  may  be  easily  ascertained  what  elements  are  deficient;  and 
having  an  analysis  of  the  different  articles  of  food  in  common  use  which 
contains  all  of  the  fourteen  elements  of  the  body  in  different  proportions, 
we  may  readily  select  the  food  that  will  supply  the  deficient  elements  or 
avoid  the  excessive.  It  has  been  ,and  is  now,  the  practice  of  physic- 
ians to  prescribe  iron,  phosphorus,  sulphur  and  other  unorganized  ele- 
ments, in  cases  where  the  system  seemed  to  require  them,  but  it  is  now 
known  by  scientists  that  all  elements  must  first  be  organized  by  the 
vegetable  kingdom  before  they  can  be  assimilated. 

Now  the  feeding  of  the  body  becomes  a  matter  of  the  feeding  of  the 
cells  of  the  various  tissues  of  the  body,  always  remembering  that  every 
cell  requires  Oxygen,  Carbon,  Hydrogen  and  Nitrogen  in  the  proper 
quantity,  as  well  as  the  different  inorganic  elements  or  cell  salts,  and  if 
these  are  not  supplied  the  Vital  Force  cannot  build  a  normal,  healthy 
body  and  by  feeding  a  one-sided  or  unbalanced  diet  some  of  these  four- 
teen elements  are  lacking  and  disease  must  necessarily  arise  in  the  body. 
The  proper  elements  must  be  supplied  in  the  proper  quantity  in 
order  to  have  a  perfect  product,  be  it  a  chemical  compound  or  a  human 
body.    If  we  do  not  breathe  sufficiently  the  body  soon  becomes  poisoned 
with  Carbon  compounds.    In  small-pox,  boils,  carbuncles,  abscesses  and 
other  pus  producing  disease  conditions,  nature  is  but  cleansing  the  sys- 
tem of  an  over-abundance  of  Carbon  by  throwing  it  off  in  the  form  of 
pus,  which  contains  a  large  percentage  of  Carbon.    Watch  the  emacia- 
tion of  the  sick  while  nature  is  burning  up  and  ridding  the  body  of  Car- 
bon compounds.     Overingestion  of  Nitrogen  and  Carbon  and  their  im- 
perfect elimination  is  the  cause  of  heart,  kidney,  liver  and  many  other 
forms  of  disease.     Note  the  enormously  increased  death  rate  of  131 
per  cent,  in  the  United  States  from  disease  of  the  kidneys  from  1880 
to  1908.    In  Chicago,  the  increase  death  rate  from  disease  of  the  kidneys 
from  1880  to  1908  was  167  per  cent.    In  Connecticut  139  per  cent.    From 
heart  disease  the  United  States  had  an  increase  death  rate  of  57  per  cent, 
from  1880  to  1908.    Massachusetts  from  1880  to  1907  an  increase  of 
105  per  cent.     Massachusetts  an  increase  death  rate  from  apoplexy  from 
1880  to  1907  of  135  per  cent.     The  United  States  as  a  whole  from  1880 
to  1908  an  increase  death  rate  from  apoplexy  of  84  per  cent.    In  the 
United  States  from  1880  to  1908  the  increase  death  rate  from  apoplexy, 
kidney  and  heart  disease  was  83  per  cent.    These  statistics  are  of  course 
only  from  the  registration  areas  and  are  taken  from  the  report  of  the 
President  of  the  Provident  Savings  Life  Assurance  Society  of  New 
York,  published  very  recently.     The  proportion  of  death  in  the  reg- 
istration area  of  the  United  States  from  specified  causes  are  given  in 
said  report  as  follows  in  1908:    From  diseases  of  the  heart  and  blood 
vessels,  11.5  per  cent.;  Consumption,  10  per  cent.;  Pneumonia,  6.5  per 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMOEOPATHY  479 

cent. ;  Kidneys,  6.5  per  cent. ;  Cancer,  5  per  cent. ;  Apoplexy,  5  per  cent. ; 
other  Nervous  Diseases,  except  Meningitis,  4.5  per  cent. ;  Typhoid  Fever, 
2.6  per  cent. ;  Influenza,  1.6  per  cent.  Total  53  per  cent.  What  natural 
conclusion  can  there  be  for  this  enormously  increased  death  rate  from 
non-communicable  degenerative  disease  other  than  that  it  is  caused  by 
dietetic  errors;  wearing  out  the  vital  organs  from  overwork  due  to  ex- 
cessive eating  of  concentrated  foods  and  poisoning  of  the  system  trom 
imperfect  elimination. 

Dr.  Hill,  professor  of  chemistry  in  the  University  of  Denver,  Colo., 
says :  "The  poisons  generated  in  the  body,  which  lead  to  abnormal  cell- 
reactions  of  disease,  are  generally  of  intracellular  (Katabolic)  or  gastro- 
intestinal origin  and  are  formed  by  autolysis  ,dissimilation,  abnormal 
secretion,  fermentation  and  putrefaction.  A  general  rule  is  that  the 
waste  products  of  any  organism  are  deleterious  to  it  and  may  cause  death 
— the  toxicity  of  these  products  varies  in  proportion  with  the  complexity 
of  their  molecules.  By  vitiation  of  the  interstitial  plasma  they  cuuse 
arterio-sclerosis  and  degeneration  of  protoplasm  with  increase  of  nitro- 
gen output.  Auto-intoxication  creates,  by  depraving  nutrition,  the  mor- 
bid opportunity  essential  for  the  pathogenic  action  of  the  nearly  always 
omni-present  germs,  which  poison  the  body  by  means  of  their  toxins. 
Conversely,  autogenic  poisons  are  augmented  in  infected  organisms 
through  increased  febrile  dissimilation  and  alimentary  putrefaction. 
The  varying  susceptibility  of  different  individuals  to  toxic  substances 
depends  probably  on  peculiar  cell  reaction  and  especially  on  defective 
elimination.  "Auto-intoxication  is,  in  my  opinion,  the  chief  underlying 
factor  in  most  chronic  pathogenic  conditions  and  in  the  acute  form  of 
food  poisoning  is  encountered  more  frequently  than  any  other  syndrome," 
The  italics  are  ours.  This  view  of  the  cause  of  disease  is  becoming  quite 
general  among  the  more  prominent  physicians  and  they  consequently 
are  broadening  their  views  and  must  eventually  accept  and  endorse  our 
entire  theory,  for  if  disease  is  caused  by  the  overingestion  of  food  with 
the  consequent  ingestion  and  malassimilation  of  the  same,  with  the  con- 
sequent trend  to  intoxication  of  the  nervous  system,  then  to  cure  disease 
we  must  commence  with  the  diet.  See  that  the  proper  amount  is  prop- 
erly eaten  and  contains  the  proper  elements.  This  is  the  cause  and 
cure  of  over  90  per  cent  of  disease  in  a  nutshell,  and  all  must  come  to 
the  knowledge  of  it  sooner  or  later. 

**Truth  is  mighty  and  will  prevail."  Wherever  there  is  being  per- 
formed the  chemistry  of  life,  there,  toxins  will  be  found,  for  they  are 
being  constantly  formed  in  every  cell  of  the  body  and  their  accumula- 
tion in  the  body  would  soon  destroy  life.  The  urine  of  fifty-two  hours 
or  the  bile  of  eight  hours  would  kill  a  man.  The  Carbon  Dioxide  ex- 
haled in  one  day  would  kill  many  times  if  retained.  Varnish  the  skin 
of  a  child  and  stop  the  insensible  perspiration  and  the  child  will  die. 
This  was  discovered  accidently  when  a  child  was  guilded  over  at  an 
ancient  festival  to  represent  an  angel  and  the  child  became  an  angel  ^ 
died.     When  the  bowels  or  skin  become  clogged  the  system  is  quickly 


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480  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMOEOPATHY 

saturated  with  poison.  That  is  the  reason  daily  exercise  is  required  to 
keep  the  blood  in  circulation  and  all  of  the  organs  and  tissues  of  the 
body  at  work  throwing  ofF  poisons.  To  give  an  idea  of  the  amount  of 
work  that  must  be  performed  by  the  stomach  and  other  organs  during 
a  life-time  we  give  the  estimate  of  Soyer,  who  has  computed  tables  of 
the  quantity  of  food  consumed  by  an  ordinary  man  during  sixty  years 
of  life  after  early  childhood.  He  places  the  total  at  33  3-4  tons  of  meal» 
vegetables  and  farinaceous  food  (water-free  food)  during  that  time.  He 
further  states  that  an  ordinary  man  by  the  time  he  has  attained  70 
years  of  age  has  eaten  30  oxen,  200  sheep,  100  calves,  200  lambs,  50  pigs, 
1200  fowl,  300  turkeys,  24,000  eggs,  4  1-2  tons  of  bread  (9,000  loaves  of 
one  lb.  each)  3,000  gallons  of  tea  end  coffee.  A  vegetarian,  of  course^, 
would  consume  other  than  flesh  foods.  Another  writer  estimates  that  a 
healthy  adult  male  would  consume,  including  all  food  materials,  solids, 
water  and  respiratory  oxygen,  1  1-2  tons  each  year.  These  computations 
are  made  according  to  ordinary  standard  dietary  tables,  which,  according 
to  the  latest  investigations,  are  all  too  high,  but  they  give  an  idea  of  the 
amount  of  work  performed  by  the  cells  of  the  body.  It  is  considered, 
that  the  body  requires  each  twenty-four  hours,  320  grams  of  Carbon  and 
20  grams  of  Nitrogen.  A  diet  containing  this  average  would  be  about 
as  follows:  viz: 


1      lb.  of   bread    

1-2  lb.  of  meat   

1-4  lb.  of  fat 

1      lb.  of  potatoes    _. 

1-2  pt.  of  milk   

1-4  lb.  eggs  (2  eggs) 

1-8  lb.  cheese   


ams 

Grams 

bon. 

Nitrogen. 

118 

5. 

35 

7 

85 

0 

45 

1.3 

20 

1 

15 

2 

20 

3 

338 

19.3 

338 

19.3 

3  5-8  lbs.  or  58  oz  .in  24  hours 

This  is  entirely  too  high,  as  we  will  prove  later  on.  According  to  a 
comparison  of  fifteen  different  dietary  tables  by  that  many  different 
writers  in  various -parts  of  the  world  we  find  the  average  to  be  as  fol- 
lows for  each  twenty- four  hours  (all  computations  in  diet  are  made 
for  24  hours.) 

Oz.  Carbon.  Nitrogen 

Proteids    4.  3-30  contain        65.6  grams        19.5  grams 

Fats    2.24-30      "  63.8      "  0 

Carbohydrates    14.15-30       "  195.7      "  0 


21.12-30  324.1  19.5 

This  diet  would  supply  324.1  grams  of  Carbon  and  19.5  grams  of 
IN'itrogen. 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMOEOPATHY  481 

The  diet  table  of  Prof.  Carl  Voit,  of  Munich,  is  generally  quoted 
as  being  a  fair  average.  He  allows  118  grama  of  proteids,  56  of  fat 
and  500  of  Carbohydrates  food  for  each  24  hours  giving  18.88  grams  of 
nitrogen  and  320.1  grams  of  carbon,  which,  you  will  notice,  varies  but 
little  from  the  average  of  the  fifteen  different  writers  as  given  above, 
figuring  30  grams  to  the  ounce. 

The  daily  allowance  of  food  as  given  by  Prof.  Chittenden,  director 
of  Sheffield  School  of  Yale  University,  and  professor  of  physiological 
chemistry,  after  several  years  of  test  experiments,  lately  closed,  show 
that  the  Nitrogen  allowance  in  all  the  former  standard  dietary  tables 
is  altogether  too  high  and  that  health,  strength  ,nerve  force,  blood  and 
every  bodily  function  is  improved  under  a  low  proteid,  with  a  heat 
value  of  2,679  calories: 

Oz.        Grm.    Carbon  Nitrogen  Calories 

Proteids    2.  60  31.8        9.6  246. 

Fats    1.66  50  38.0        0.  465. 

Carbohydrates    16.  480        216.  0.  1,968. 

Total    _— 19.66        590        285.8        9.6        2,679. 

The  Vpit  standard  has  a  heat  value  of  3,055  calories,  which  is  un- 
necessarily high.  To  give  an  idea  of  what  an  allowance  as  indicated 
above  will  consist  of  we  will  submit  the  following  as  a  diet  for  24  hours : 

Proteid :  meat,  2  oz.  or  60  grm. ;  fat :  butter  and  fat  of  meat,  1.66  oz., 
or  50  grm.;  carbohydrates:  bread,  8  slices,  8  oz.;  iwtatoes,  4  oz.;  rice, 
turnip,  carrot,  etc.,  4  oz.,  or  480  grms.  Total,  19.66  oz.,  or  590  grms. — 
2,679  calories. 

The  principal  difference  between  the  new  standard  and  the  Voit 
standard  is  that  of  Nitrogen,  the  Voit  standard  giving  118  grams  of 
proteid  and  the  new  standard  giving  60.  There  is  only  a  little  differ- 
ence in  the  fat  and  the  carbohydrates  in  the  old  and  new  standards. 
But  how  few  there  are  that  will  confine  themselves  to  any  standard. 
Instead  of  eating  less  than  4  ounces  or  118  grams  of  meat  or  other  pro- 
teid food  in  three  meals,  as  allowed  by  the  Voit  standard,  they  are  more 
likely  to  eat  four  ounces  of  meat  three  times  a  day  and  the  same  with 
the  fat  and  carbohydrate  food,  hence  they  will  eat  three  or  four  times 
more  than  is  required  by  the  body  according  to  the  highest  standard  we 
have,  to  say  nothing  about  lunches  which  are  aften  eaten,  containing 
as  much  as  a  full  meal.  Stop  and  consider  this  matter — how  long  do 
you  think  the  system  can  stand  the  overwork  imposed  upon  it  daily? 
Remember  that  every  mouthful  of  food  eaten  means  work  and  strain 
on  the  nervous  system.  That  every  mouthful  eaten,  over  and  above  the 
necessary  requirement  of  the  body,  is  not  only  a  waste  of  money  and 
food  but,  what  is  more,  a  waste  of  energy,  overwork  for  the  stomach, 
liver,  bowels,  kidneys,  skin,  heart,  pancreas,  spleen  and  every  organ  and 
gland  in  the  body;  and  it  is  the  predisposing  cause  of  innumerable  dis- 
ease conditions. 


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482  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMOEOPATHY 

Dr.  Walter  says  in  "The  Exact  Science  of  Health"  "Stuffing,  stim- 
ulating, bleeding,  purging,  toning  and  all  duch  treatments  deplete  the 
patient,  obstruct  the  vital  processes,  and  aggravate  or  produce  the  dis- 
eases they  are  supposed  to  cure.  With  bleeding  and  purging  came  blood 
and  bowel  diseases,  just  as  nervous  disease  follow  present  day  processes 
of  stimulating  and  stuffing.  Food  being  materials  of  organization,  re- 
quiring by  its  very  within  presence  the  vital  domain  to  be  cared  for, 
digested  and  assimilated,  necessarily  calls  up  the  vital  forces  to  control, 
if  not  to  do,  this  work,  and  consequently,  instead  of  communicating  the 
power  of  life  to  an  organism,  it  takes  away  a  modicum  of  power  in  the 
act  of  doing  the  work.  The  use  of  food  is  the  means  of  inciting  the 
organism  to  continued  activity  and  consequent  expenditure.  Its  effect 
is  the  opposite  of  that  of  sleep.  Sleep  recuperates,  because  of  its  con- 
dition of  inactivity;  food,  on  the  contrary,  compels  work  and  expends 
and  exhausts  power.  More  sleep  and  less  food,  and  not  the  contrary, 
is  a  rule  for  invalids;  increasing  the  food  increases  the  labor,  reduces 
the  sleep,  and  exhausts  the  patient.  Another  important  reason  why 
food  is  a  necessity  to  living  things  is  the  fact  that  activity  is  the  lead- 
ing characteristic  of  all  living  things,  and  as  we  have  seen,  power  as  an 
existence,  being  wholly  and  always  passive,  can  become  active  only  as 
occasions  call  it  into  activity.  Food  is  such  an  occasion.  And  activ- 
ity, being  a  primal  fact  of  living  existence,  necessitates  that  the  occa- 
sions for  the  activity  shall  be  as  universally  present  as  the  power  is. 
No  amount  of  plant  life  would  produce  plants  except  for  the  necessary 
conditions  of  air  and  sunlight  and  soil,  which  make  the  force  previously 
passive  to  become  active  to  grow  the  plants.  Per  contra,  no  amount 
of  air,  sunlight  or  soil  can  grow  the  plant  unless  the  power  of  its  life 
is  present.  So  no  amount  of  vital  power,  primarily  passive  in  any  germ 
of  life,  could  develop  an  organism  except  as  the  materials  of  organization 
are  supplied  with  which  not  only  to  build  but  to  call  into  action  the  ex- 
isting power.  Food  and  air  to  men  and  animals  (with  water  as  a  con- 
necting medium)  are  such  materials.  They  are  the  natural  agencies 
for  promoting  development  and  consequent  changes  in  the  vital  organ- 
ism. They  are  the  normal  conditions  for  making  active  the  inherent 
forces  of  the  organism.  But  they  do  not  supply  the  force;  they  only 
call  it  forth,  a  fact  which  is  at  least  suggested  by  an  equally  important 
one,  viz:  they  can  never  get  out  of  an  organism  what  is  not  in  it,  any 
more  than  they  can  give  to  an  organism  what  they  do  not  have.  No 
amount  of  food  or  air  will  keep  up  activity  of  heart  and  lungs  in  a  dead 
or  dying  man,  even  if  it  is  predigested  and  injected.  Even  transfusion 
of  blood  or  an  injection  of  conamon  salt,  or  anything  else,  will  at  best 
excite  into  action  the  power  already  possessed.  From  the  dead  man 
there  is  no  response  because  there  is  no  power  to  respond,  making  the 
proof  complete  that  no  application  from  without  can  supply  the  power. 
Food,  drink,  air,  heat,  light,  etc.,  are  all  agencies  to  call  forth  the  i)ower 
already  present;  they  are  occasions — conditions  for  making  the  power, 
which  is  otherwise  passive,  to  become  active  to  do  work  and  carry  for- 


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ward  change.  It  were  easy  to  show  in  other  ways  that  what  we  seem  to 
get  from  food  is  not  supplied  from  the  food.  No  one  can  doubt  that  the 
digestion  and  assimilation  of  food  requires  the  expenditure  of  power, 
which  expenditure  begins  as  soon  as  the  food  begins  to  be  eaten;  but  no 
one  is  so  ignorant  as  not  to  know  that  we  receive  no  real  strength  from 
the  food  until  it  is  assimilated.  The  strength,  therefore,  that  a  recently 
eaten  meal  seems  to  give  us  is  not  real  strength  derived  from  the  meal. 
It  is  strength  made  manifest  by  the  meal,  but  the  power  comes  from  the 
individual  and  not  from  the  food.  Let  no  man  conceive  that  we  are  ar- 
guing against  food  as  a  necessity  of  living  existence,  and  no  honest  man 
will  try  to  make  it  so  appear.  Food  is  a  condition  necessary  to  life 
on  earth,  first  by  supplying  materials  for  building  up  vital  structures, 
and  second  by  constituting  the  occasion  for  development  and  use  of  our 
powers  as  we  can  never  dispense  with.  But  the  insane  attempts  of 
medical  empiricism  to  communicate,  or  even  sustain  life  by  this  means 
is  one  of  the  most  destructive  errors  of  medical  practice.  If  one  will 
work  he  must  also  eat,  and  as  all  vital  action  is  work,  all  must  eat; 
but  how  much  he  shall  eat  should  be  determined  by  how  much  he  works. 
When  vital  action  is  vigorous  the  food  should  be  abundant;  when  it  is 
feeble,  food  should  be  reduced.  Food  compels  vital  activity,  as  long  as 
there  is  power  to  respond,  which  may  proceed  to  exhaustign  and  death; 
it  never  gives  the  power.  Tonics  stimilate,  all  excitements  do  precisely 
the  same,  and  so  prevent  rest;  it  is  rare  that  any  of  them  answers  to 
the  needs  of  men  for  recuperation  and  health.  Food,  therefore,  takes 
its  place  among  all  the  other  environing  influences  of  existence.  It  is  an 
occasion,  never  a  cause  of  vital  activity;  it  is  a  condition  of  animal  life. 
Its  forces  are  always  extrinsic  to  the  eater,  even  though  intrinsic  to  the 
food,  and  the  chances  for  life  to  most  patients  are  in  inverse,  not  direct, 
ratio  to  the  amount  of  food  eaten.  The  relation  of  the  living  organism 
to  food  may  be  summed  up  in  the  aphorism  of  all  time,  "Let  good  di- 
gestion wait  on  appetite  and  health  on  both."  "Enough  is  a  feast"  for 
both  man  and  beast.  "Give  me  food  convenient  for  me"  is  the  prayer  of 
the  ages.  If  we  can  learn  to  put  our  trust  in  the  real  source  of  life  in- 
stead of  cultivating  dependence  upon  things  which  can  never  give  us 
what  they  do  not  have,  we  will  get  better  results." 

We  submit  a  few  quotations  from  different  writers  to  prove  our  con- 
tention that  disease  is  produced  by  overeating  and  eating  the  wrong 
combination  of  food : 

Dr.  Ernest  H.  Van  Someren,  M.R.C.P.,  L.R.C.P.,  Venice,  Italy,  in 
writing  to  Horace  Fletcher  says :  "Three  years  ago,  when  I  first  met  you, 
though  under  thirty  years  of  age,  and  myself  a  practicing  physician  and 
surgeon,  I  was  suffering  from  gout,  and  had  been  under  the  regime  of  a 
London  specialist  for  the  treatment  of  that  malady.  Though  vigorous- 
ly adhering  to  the  prescribed  diet,  I  suffered  from  time  to  time.  My 
symptoms  were  typical — ^paroxysmal  pain  in  my  right  toe  and  in  the 
last  joints  of  both  little  fingers,  the  right  one  being  tumefied  with  the 
well  known  *node'.     From  time  to  time,  generally  once  a  month,  I  suf- 


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484  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMOEOPATHY 

fered  from  incapacitating  headaches.  Frequent  colds,  boils  on  the  neck 
and  face,  chronic  eczema  of  the  toes,  and  frequent  acid  dyspepsia  were 
other  and  painful  signs  that  the  life  I  was  leading  was  not  a  healthy  one. 
Yet  I  was  accounted  a  healthy  person  by  my  friends,  and  was,  withal, 
athletic.  I  fenced  an  hour  daily,  took  calisthenic  exercises  every  morn- 
ing, forcing  myself  to  do  them,  and  I  rowed  when  I  obtained  leisure  to 
do  so.  In  spite  of  this  exercise  and  an  inherent  love  of  fresh  air,  which 
kept  all  the  windows  of  my  house  open  throughout  the  year,  I  suffered 
as  above.     Worse  still  I  was  losing  interest  in  life  and  in  my  work. 

"In  one  or  two  conversations  you  laid  down  your  simple  principles 
of  economic  nutrition.  You  told  me  that  food  ought  to  be  masticated 
thoroughly,  until  taste  was  eliminated,  and  that  (my)  liquid  nourish- 
ment, if  taken,  ought  to  be  similarly  treated.  You  also  told  me  that, 
taking  food  in  this  way,  I  might,  without  fear  of  consequences,  give  free 
reign  to  my  appetite."  To  shorten  my  story,  I'll  say  that  in  three 
months  after  the  practice  of  these  principles  my  symptoms  had  disap- 
peared. Not  only  had  my  interest  in  my  life  and  work  returned,  but 
my  whole  point  of  view  had  changed,  and  I  found  a  pleasure  in  both 
living  and  working  that  was  a  constant  surprise  to  me.  J?'or  this,  my 
dear  Mr.  Fletcher,  I  can  never  repay  you.  My  only  desire  has  been  and 
is,  to  try  and  do  for  others  in  my  practice  what  you  did  for  me." 

Dr.  E.  H.  Van  Someren,  again  speaking  of  an  experiment  in  econ- 
omic dietetics  on  Fletcherism,  says,  page  37  of  "A.B.Z.  of  our  Nutrition :" 
*'A  state  of  complete  nutritive  equilibrium  was  maintained  by  individ- 
uals of  about  the  same  weight,  on  widely  different  quantities  of  food 
similar  in  quality.  The  subjects  of  experiments  were  a  laboratory  as- 
sistant of  Dr.  Synder,  of  the  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture, 
and  the  writer.  The  experiment  of  the  former  was  made  primarily  to 
show  the  relative  digestibility  of  the  several  articles  of  diet,  potatoes, 
eggs,  milk  and  cream.  The  daily  diet  of  Dr.  Snyder's  subject  consist- 
ed of  three  and  one-half  pounds  of  potatoes,  eight  eggs,  and  a  pint  and  a 
half  of  milk,  and  half  a  pint  of  cream.  The  writer's  diet  of  twelve 
ounces  of  solid  food  (like  Luigo  Cornnro)  consisted  of  three  eggs,  the 
remainder  of  twelve  ouces  in  potatoes,  and  equal  quantity  of  similar 
liquid  food  to  that  taken  by  Dr.  Snyder's  subject.  The  exercise  of  the 
laboratory  assistant  comprised  his  daily  routine  of  laboratory  work 
while  that  of  the  writer  consisted  of  six  sets  of  tennis,  or  an  hour  and 
a  half  on  horse  back,  with  an  hour  to  an  hour  and  a  half  s  walk  or 
daily  climb,  in  addition  to  much  reading  and  writing. 

In  each  case  complete  nutritive  equilibrium  was  maintained  al- 
though the  author  subsisted  on  three-sevenths  of  the  solid  food  taken 
by  the  other  subject. 

Again,  cannot  one  infer  that  better  assiniiliation  and  less  waste  re- 
sulted from  the  better  preparation  of  the  smaller  quantity  of  food  by  in- 
salivation?  Surely,  too,  there  paust  be  less  daily  strain  on  the  intestinal 
canal,  and  body  generally,  and  getting  rid  of  18.9  grammes  of  inoffens- 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHY  485 

ive  dry  waste,  than  in  getting  rid  of  204  grammes  of  humid,  decompos- 
ing, and  oflFensive  matter. 

Considerable  importance  has  been  attached  to  the  normal  action 
of  the  bacteria  in  the  intestines;  and  it  has  even  been  supposed  that  the 
presence  of  the  bacteria  is  essential  to  life.  Such  a  view  has  recently 
been  shown  to  be  erroneous  by  an  elaborate  and  painstaking  research 
carried  on  by  Nuttal  and  Thierfelder. 

I  quote  from  an  article  by  Francis  Gano  Benedict,  M.D.,  director 
of  the  Carnegie  Nutrition  Laboratory,  Washington,  D.  C,  in  the  Amer- 
ican Journal  of  Physiology,  Volume  16,  No.  4,  on  "The  Nutritive  Re- 
quirements of  the  Body."  "Of  all  the  studies  made  on  professional  men, 
that  made  by  Chittenden  on  himself  is  by  far  the  most  remarkable.  For 
over  two  years  he  has  subsisted  on  a  diet  that  is  markedly  more  in  its 
protein  content  than  was  his  former  diet.  He  maintains  that  in  re- 
spect to  a  rheumatic  trouble  and  general  physical  and  mental  condition 
he  is  much  better  than  on  his  former  diet.  Nowhere  in  the  literature 
of  nutrition  do  we  find  an  experiment  so  painstaking  and  accurate,  cov- 
ering so  long  a  period,  and  with  a  diet  of  so  low  a  protein  content  fol- 
lowing a  normal  diet.  It  has  justly  been  cited  as  "a  monument  of  fidel- 
ity." Of  the  other  men,  none  reached  so  low  an  absolute  nitrogen  level 
as  did  Chittenden,  but  the  weight  of  this  subject  is  small,  57  kilos,  125 
lbs.  (with  clothes)  and  consequently  the  absolute  amount  of  nitrogen  re- 
quired by  a  person  of  his  body  weight  would  be  less  than  that  required 
by  a  larger  subject ;  yet  on  the  basis  of  per  kilogram  of  body  weight  one 
of  the  men  showed  a  slightly  smaller  metabolism  of  protein  than  did 
Professor  Chittenden. 

Professor  Chittenden  assures  me  that  he  still  metabolizes  no  more 
protein  than  he  did  during  the  period  of  the  experiment,  and  so  far  as 
the  other  men  are  concerned,  I  am  further  assured  that  while  they  all 
are  excreting  somewhat  more  nitrogen  per  day  than  during  the  exx>eri- 
ment,  their  dietetic  habits  are  still  such  as  to  include  but  a  small  amount 
of  protein  per  day." 

"The  studies  with  the  thirteen  soldiers  from  a  hospital  corps  gava 
results  very  similar  to  those  obtained  with  the  professional  men;  the 
soldiers  were  able  to  live  on  a  diet  with  a  greatly  reduced  protein  content, 
and  showed  marked  improvement  in  general  conditions." 

"The  studies  with  eight  athletes,  representing  different  kinds  of 
competitive  sports,  were  in  the  main  very  much  the  same  as  those  with 
the  other  two  groups.  A  large  number  of  dietary  studies  made  with 
athletes  have  shown  that  this  class  consume  rather  larger  amounts  of 
protein  than  is  found  in  the  diet  of  men  at  ordinary  muscular  labor. 
The  athletes  studied  by  professor  Chittenden  were  able  to  reduce,  by  a 
very  material  proportion,  the  quantity  of  protein  in  their  diet;  at  the 
same  time  they  gained  in  strength  (some  of  them  enormously,  as  in- 
dicated by  tests  with  the  dynamometer)  and  won  in  intercollegiate 
games  and  other  athletic  contests.  It  is  reported  that  all  the  men  felt 
better  and  were  convinced  that  the  lower  protein  supply  was  beneficial." 


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486  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

Alexander  Haig,  M.M.D.F.R.C.P.,  of  London,  England,  an  accepted 
authority  on  uric  acid  as  a  cause  of  disease  says  in  his  "notes  on  diet" 
for  those  who  suffer  from  bronchitis  ,gout  and  rheumatism,  the  arthritic 
group  or  headache,  epilepsy,  mental  depression,  asthma,  Bright's  disease, 
diabetes  and  anemia ;  the  circulation  group  of  uric  acid  disease. 

"The  prevention  or  cure  of  these  diseases  require  that  the  body  and 
blood  be  cleared  of  all  excess  of  uric  acid,  but  it  is  obviously  impossible 
to  do  this  while  these  substances  are  continually  introduced  with  every 
meal  that  is  eaten.  And  in  contradiction  of  old  theories  we  know  now 
by  experience,  that  all  uric  acid  diseases  can  be  prevent^  or  cured  by 
refusing  to  swallow  it.  In  fact  they  are  not  diseases  but  poisoningrf  by 
unnatural  food.  Those  who  swallow  8  to  10  grains  per  day  (equal  to 
nearly  8  to  10  ounces  in  a  year)  are,  and  remain  diseased;  those  who 
cease  to  swallow  it  in  the  above  named  poisonous  foods  gradually  draw 
free,  in  eighteen  months  to  two  years,  from  uric  acid  and  its  effects.  It 
is  also  necessary  not  to  eat  much  more  than  the  above  physiological  al- 
lowance of  albumens,  for  if  this  is  exceeded,  uric  acid  will  be  formed  in 
some  slight  excess,  and  part  of  this  excess  may  be  retained  in  the  body. 
There  is  however,  one  animal  food,  namely,  milk  and  its  products,  as 
cheese,  that  contains  little  or  no  uric  acid  or  xanthin,  and  the  chief 
foods  available  for  a  uric-acid  free  diet  are  as  follows:  Breadstuffs  as 
bread,  macaroni,  rice  and  other  cereals,  biscuits  and  puddings.  And 
these  with  a  small  quantity  of  milk  and  cheese,  and  some  nuts  or  al- 
monds, form  an  amply  sufficient  diet  for  anyone.  About  three  ounces 
of  bread,  or  seven  to  eight  ounces  of  milk,  are  equal  to  one  ounce  of  meat, 
and  one  ounce  of  cheese  is  equal  to  1  1-2  ounces  of  meat,  almonds  are 
equal  to  their  own  weight  of  meat,  dried  fruits,  as  figs,  dates,  raisens  and 
plums,  with  potatoes,  vegetables  and  fresh  fruit,  are  to  be  regarded  as 
sauces  or  additions.  As  whole  nations  are  often  practically  dependent 
on  a  single  one  of  these  substances,  those  who  cannot  live  on  a  mixture 
of  them  all  must  be  hard  indeed  to  feed." 

Dr.  Hubert  Higgins,  M.A.M.R.,  C.S.,  L.R.C.P.,  late  house  surgeon 
to  St.  Georges  Hospital,  London,  writing  to  Mr.  Horace  Fletcher  says: 
"For  about  ^ve  years,  till  the  end  of  1901  when  I  first  met  you,  I  fluct- 
uated considerably  in  health,  on  the  whole  I  am  bound  to  say ;  in  a  stead- 
ily downward  direction,  till  I  was  overloatded  with  the  excessive  weight 
of  282  pounds.  I  commenced  under  your  advice,  masticating  my  food 
thoroughly;  at  the  end  of  Dec.  1901.  After  practicing  this  method  until 
the  present  date,  Sept.  1903,  I  have  lost  104  pounds  in  weight  and  con- 
sider that  I  have  gained  considerably  in  mental  and  physical  fitness. 
Dr.  Higgins  cured  himself  of  constant  suffering  from  headache,  lum- 
bago, rheumatism,  pains  and  gout. 

Harry  Campbell,  M.D.,  F.R.C.P.,  in  the  London  Lancet,  July  25, 
1903,  in  an  article  entitled  "Evils  Resulting  from  Insufficient  Mastica- 
tion," says  that  tonsilitis,  rhinitis-nasopharingytis  and  hypertrophy  of 
the  faucial  tonsils,  and  of  the  pharyngeal  tonsil  (adenoids)  and  catarrh 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OP  HOMCEOPATHY  487 

are  largely  of  dietetic  origin,  that  it  is  essentially  a  disease  of  pap-fed 
people  caused  by  a  pappy  supersaccharide  diet. 

Dr.  A.  Rabagliata,  M.A.M.D.,  F.R.C.S.,  Edinburgh,  in  "Air  Food 
and  Exercise,"  says:  "I  have  now  mentioned  a  considerable  number  of 
kinds  of  disease  which  affect  humanity  that  are  amenable  to  dietetic 
treatment,  that  can  be  prevented  by  proper  modes  of  living,  and  that  can 
be  cured,  if  they  have  not  advanced  too  far,  by  proper  dietetic  measures. 
I  have  shown  that  these  considerations  are  true  for  bronchitis,  for 
broncho-pneumonia,  for  asthma  and  for  pneumonia;  for  rehumatism 
and  gout;  for  neurosis  and  hysteria,  and  brain-fag,  neuralgia,  and  even 
for  many  forms  of  insanity;  for  the  fevers  and  the  specific  inflamma- 
tions, like  erysipelas  of  the  face,  and  sycosis  of  the  chin  and  cheeks;  for 
senile  and  juvenile  struma  and  scrofula;  for  ulceration  and  for  other 
forms  of  disease.  I  have  shown  that  the  cause  or  the  main  cause  of  all 
these  various  forms  of  disease  being  improper  feeding,  they  can  all  be 
prevented  and  even  cured  by  having  recourse  to  proper  feeding.  And 
the  curious  and  simple  consideration  has  been  forced  on  our  attention 
that  the  particular  form  of  improper  feeding  which  is  causing  so  many 
of  our  diseases  is  not  too  little  food,  but  too  much.  So  that  the  cure  in 
all  cases  or  at  least  in  so  large  a  majority  of  cases  as  practically  to 
amount  to  all  (say  two-thirds  to  nine-tenths  of  all  cases  of  illness) 
is  not  to  increase  but  to  restrict  the  diet.  Do  we  suffer  from  recurring 
attacks  of  bronchitis,  broncho-pneumonia,  pneumonia  or  asthma,  then  let 
us  see  what  dissiteism,  to  the  amount  of  about  a  pound  of  mixed  diet 
daily  will  do  for  us.  Do  our  children  keep  taking  colds  or  catching  fev- 
ers, getting  enlarged  tonsils,  or  adenoids  in  the  nose?  Let  us  see  what 
we  can  do  for  them,  after  their  recovery  on  a  fluid  diet,  by  putting  them 
on  two  daily  meals  consisting  of  say  an  ounce  of  mixed  diet  daily  for 
each  eight  pounds  of  their  body  weight,  or  on  three  meals  at  the  outside." 

The  question  in  fact  arises:  Are  there  any  diseases  to  which  these 
principles  are  not  applicable? 

Disease  of  the  heart,  of  the  circulation  of  the  brain,  of  the  respira- 
tion of  the  nerves,  of  the  intestines  and  of  the  kidneys,  are  all  due  to 
changes  in  nutrition,  and  depend  more  on  digestion,  and  therefore  on 
food  supply,  than  on  any  other  one  cause,  and  probably  more  than  on  all 
other  causes  put  together." 

Elmer  Lee,  A.M.,  M.D.,  of  New  York  City  says :  "The  human  cell  is 
easily  damaged;  if  only  a  few  are  affected,  it  may  not  be  noticed,  if 
many,  disease,  even  death  may  follow.  If  the  foods  are  favorable,  mild, 
neutral,  bland,  the  cells  thrive,  grow,  health  and  development  proceed. 
It  is  unfavorable  eating  that  is  at  the  bottom  of  cell  derangement  and 
disease.  Bad  foods  unfavorably  affect  the  cell  nourishment,  either  the 
walls  or  the  contents  of  the  cell  thicken,  swell,  harden,  shrink,  or  de- 
compose ;  such  is  a  picture  of  the  first  sighs  of  disease.  When  used  cor- 
rectly, the  daily  foods  are  effective  in  removing  disease,  there  are  no 
remedies  equal  to  them.  Every  plant  of  the  garden,  every  fruit  of  the 
orchard,  contains  ingredients  in  accordance  with  the  needs  for  cell  life. 


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488  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHY 

The  foods  favoable  for  cell  nutrition  are  not  to  be  found  in  the  flesh 
of  animals.  The  individual  cell  is  the  unit  of  the  bodily  life,  the  physic- 
l1  body  is  dependent  on  the  health  of  the  cell  body.  Deranged  cell 
nutrition  accounts  for  infirmity,  mania,  insanity,  diseases  of  children 
and  women.  Venereal  infection,  also  a  factor  in  human  destruction, 
has  its  beginning  in  cell  poisoning  arising  in  consequence  of  cell  starva- 
tion or  cell  derangement.  True  nutrition  is  of  prime  importance  in  the 
prevention  and  the  cure  of  every  form  and  degree  of  cell  disease." 

Perhaps  some  of  the  ideas  of  the  writer  herein  set  forth  are  as  new 
and  startling  to  the  reader  as  was  the  hypothesis  of  Christopher  Colum- 
bus to  the  then  popular  scientists  of  Europe,  when  he  announced  that  by 
the  analogies  of  Nature,  and  in  order  for"  a  proper  adjustment  of  mun- 
dane balances,  there  should  be  another  continent  in  the  far  west.  To 
these  respectable  and  aristocratic  philosophers,  Columbus  was  but  a 
theorist,  a  speculator,  a  visionary,  a  lunatic. 

Thus  has  it  ever  been  when  genius  has  dared  to  break  the  moss 
covered  shell  of  conservatism. 

When  Dx.  Harvey  announced  the  theory  of  the  circulation  of  the 
blood,  his  brother  physicians  met  him  and  his  demonstrations  with  con- 
tempt and  ridicule.  The  young  doctors  investigated,  reflected  and  final- 
ly accepted  the  theory ;  but  not  even  one  physician  who  had  attained  the 
age  of  forty,  would  listen  to  this  new-fangled  nonsense,  but  all  died 
in  their  bigotry,  protesting  that  Harvey  was  a  quack  and  empiric.  The 
same  may  be  said  of  Dr.  Mesmer  who  first  introduced  under  the  name 
of  Animal  Magnetism  what  is  now  taught  in  medical  colleges  as  Sug- 
gestive Therapeutics.  The  name  has  been  changed  a  dozen  times  per- 
haps, but  the  essential  truths  taught  under  the  various  names  have  been 
the  same.    Dr.  Mesmer  was  like  Dr.  Harvey  a  much-abused  man. 

Dr.  Samuel  Thompson,  who  was  founder  in  fact  of  the  Physio- 
Medical  School  of  Medicine,  in  which  all  poisons  are  discarded,  was  an- 
other man  who  was  almost  a  martyr  to  the  truths  he  taught  and  which 
still  live,  and  will  always  live.  Samuel  Hahnemann,  the  founder  of 
Homoeopathy,  is  another  who  was  called  everything  but  a  man.  The 
truths  they  fought  for  are  eternal  and  will  live  forever. 

5681  South  Boulevard. 


NON-TOXIC  VACCINES. 

By  FRANK  M.  WOOD,  M.  D. 
Chicago,  111. 

Abstract  of  a  paper  read  before  the  Chicago  Society  of  Medical 
Research  at  its  November  meeting,  1916,  by  Frank  M.  Wood,  M.D.,  on 
"Studies  in  Immunization  by  the  Use  of  Non-Toxic  Vaccines :" 

"The  process  of  immunization  has  been  but  imperfectly  understood 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHY  489 

up  to  the  present  time.  The  problems  of  the  processes  involved  in  the 
natural  recovery  from  an  infection,  are  those  involved  in  three  factors, 
natural  resistance,  pathogenicity  and  virulence.  Nature  herself  is  able 
to  overthrow  at  least  70  per  cent,  of  the  infections  which  attack 
us.  Our  efforts  at  immunization  are  now  confined  to  two  lines  of  en- 
deavor, those  which  involve  the  use  of  certain  drugs,  like  quinine,  which 
is  known  to  destroy  certain  protozoa  and  neo-salvarsan  which  destroys 
Spirochaeta  Pallida.  Such  scientific  treatment  is  known  as  chemio- 
therapy.  The  other  means  of  cure  is  by  and  the  use  of  the  biological 
products;  the  serums  and  vaccines.  There  is  one  other  side  of  our  ef- 
forts to  protect  human  life,  which  is  largely  preventive  of  infection,  and 
that  is  the  securing  of  a  perfect  environment  for  the  race,  by  providing 
fresh  air,  sunshine,  good  housing,  sanitation  and  the  proper  cure  foods. 
Every  one  of  these  factors  are  important  in  our  struggle  with  disease. 
Over  emphasis  on  any  one  of  these  disturbs  the  balance,  and  excludes 
the  valuable  in  the  treatment  of  the  diseased  conditions,  which  harass 
the  race.  But  as  long  as  we  have  impure  foods,  as  long  as  we  have  dirty 
cities,  so  long  as  we  have  badly  ventilated  buildings  and  bad  hygiene, 
we  will  have  infection,  and  we  must  find  the  best  weapons  to  combat  it. 

**We  must  not  forget  any  of  the  factors,  if  we  wish  to  meet  the  con- 
ditions intelligently,  but  when  we  are  treating  an  infected  individual, 
what  are  the  most  successful  measures  to  secure  immunization  in  such 
an  inidividual? 

Immunization  by  Serums 
"The  efforts  at  indirect  immunization  by  the  use  of  animal  serums 
have  been  successful  in  the  two  diseases  in  which  the  bar*tor:  i  produce 
toxins  which  are  soluble  in  the  blood;  that  is,  in  Diphtheria  and  Tetanus, 
when  the  serums  are  given  in  time,  but  this  is  only  an  antitoxic  im- 
munization, not  anti-bacterial. 

Anti-Bacterial  Immunization 

*'Anti-bacterial  immunization  may  be  secured  by  the  proper  use 
of  bacterial  vaccines..  Our  efforts  at  anti-bacterial  immunization  have 
been  progressive.  New  methods  of  use  of  bacterial  toxines  and  of  pre- 
paring vaccines  have  been  numerous  during  the  past  decade.  Living 
viruses  are  in  use  in  small  pox  and  tuberculosis.  These  are  attenuated 
by  passage.  Devitalized  autogenous  vaccines  are  effective  in  most  acute 
and  many  chronic  infections.  The  attempt  to  avoid  their  toxicity  and 
the  toxines  which  are  liberated  by  the  lysis  of  the  infecting  germs,  may 
be  secured  in  several  ways.  One  way  is  to  use  very  small  doses,  repeated 
at  short  intervals.  Another  new  method  is  to  attempt  to  eliminate  the 
toxic  element  in  the  vaccines.  This  is  the  problem  to  which  we  may  now 
address  ourselves.  New  methods  of  preparing  vaccines  so  as  to  secure 
immunization  with  a  minimum  of  toxic  effects.  This  will  lead  us  first 
to  the  study  of  pathogenicity  and  virulence  with  especial  reference  to 
the  preparation  of  vaccines  by  new  methods,  so  as  to  secure  rapid  and 
most  effective  immunization." 


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490  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHY 

Dr.  Wood  then  made  some  observations  on  Pathogenicity  and  Vir- 
ulence, with  special  reference  to  the  production  of  Immunity  by  the  use 
of  improved  non-toxic  vaccines. 

"Our  deductions  from  the  above  may  be  well  formulated  as  follows : 

"1.  The  former  heat  killed  vaccines  contain  toxic  proteids  and  are 
less  effective  on  that  account. 

*'2.  The  lytic  action  of  a  vaccine  on  the  bacteria  causing  a  given 
infection,  depends  on  its  power  to  produce  certain  bacteriolytic  enzymes, 
by  virtue  of  its  digestion  by  the  cells  which  produce  these  enzymes,  and 
the  consequent  overproduction  of  these  enzymes  by  the  cells  so  stimu- 
lated. This  is  secured  more  rapidly  by  inoculation  of  vaccines  which 
contain  no  toxic  proteid.  Toxic  proteid  engages  the  ferment  receptors 
of  the  cells,  if  the  vaccine  contains  partly  split  proteid,  these  receptors 
of  the  second  order  must  complete  the  digestion  of  this  proteid.  When 
the  vaccine  is  non-toxic,  the  receptors  of  the  second  order  are  left  free 
to  digest  the  bacteria  in  the  foci.    Hence  immunization  is  enhanced. 

*'3.  The  problems  of  agglutination  and  bacteriolysis  may  be  ex- 
plained by  the  laws  governing  the  action  of  electrolytes  in  solution  and 
also  by  considering  the  mechanism  of  osmosis. 

**4.  Proteid  split  by  bacterial  action  is  in  the  form  of  toxic  acids. 
Kormal  blood  alkalinity  is  lost  by  their  action  and  the  advance -of  in- 
fection is  favored.  Unfavorable  action  of  vaccines,  advancing  infec- 
tion, swelling  of  tissues,  congestion  of  organs,  edema  of  the  lungs  and 
the  phenomena,  accompanying  anaphylaxis,  may  be  explained  by  their 
action  on  the  tissues. 

"5.  Non-toxic  vaccines  inhibit  these  processes  by  their  action  in 
favoring  rapid  bacteriolysis,  and  complete  digestion  of  bacterial  proteid, 
rendering  it  inert  and  therefore  harmless." 


HOW  MUCH  CAN  WE  DEPEND  UPON  ORIFICIAL 

SURGERY  IN  THE  TREATEMENT  OF 

CRIMINALS  AND  INSANE?* 

p.  S.  REPLOGLE,  M.  D., 
Champaign,  Iliinois. 

IN  trying  to  answer  this  question,  it  will  not  be  digressing  materially 
from  the  subj*K;t  to  ask  how  much  is  being  done  by  present  so-called 
scientific,  approved  methods  of  reforming  criminals  and  caring  for  the 
insane  ? 

Quite  recently  I  went  through  one  of  our  large  jails.  In  one  depart- 
ment I  saw  several  hundred  prisoners  all  huddled  together  like  so  many 
cattle — ^young  men  associated  with  old  criminals.    Those  boys  were,  no 


*From  the  Journial  of  the  American  Association  of  Orificial  Surgery, 
June,  1917. 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OP  HOMCEOPATHY  491 

doubt,  susceptible  to  the  influence  of  those  who  were  trained  in  crime. 
Crime  is  as  contagious  as  is  diphtheria,  scarlet  fever  or  small-pox  and 
should  be  treated  accordingly. 

Several  years  ago  while  in  Chicago  I  officed  with  one  of  the  leading 
alienists,  who  received  the  greater  part  of  his  education  in  Germany, 
and  who  is  now  a  professor  of  nervous  diseases  in  one  of  the  leading 
medical  colleges  of  the  city.  In  the  office  bookcase  he  kept  a  half  gal- 
lon bottle  full  of  bromide  of  ammonia  tablets,  and  no  other  medicine.  I 
asked  him  one  day  why  he  used  so  much  bromide  ammonia  and  he  an- 
swered, "To  quiet  my  patients."  But,"  I  said,  ,  "does  that  cure  them?" 
Certainly  not."  "Then  what  else  do  you  do  for  them?"  "Why,  noth- 
ing; there  is  nothing  in  therapeutics  for  the  treatment  of  nervous  dis- 
eases." **Well,  doctor,  why  do  you  practice  medicine?"  "Oh,  to  study 
dis(  ases  and  to  be  able  to  diagnose  disease."  "Well,  what  good  does 
that  do?  When  I  am  sick,  I  do  not  care  for  diagnosis  if  you  cannot 
help  me.     I  want  to  get  well. 

While  visiting  our  State  Insane  Asylum  at  Kankakee,  I  asked  one 
of  the  doctors  there  what  methods  or  treatment  they  used  to  cure  the 
insane  and  he  answered,  "None.  If  patients  get  too  bad  we  give  them 
a  hot  bath  and  bromides."  Not  long  ago  a  professor  and  alienist  in 
Chicago,  while  on  the  witness  stand,  under  oath,  stated  that  disease  or 
abnormality  of  the  body  could  never  produce  insanity. 

I  refer  to  these  statemients  to  show  the  weakness,  the  admitted  in- 
ability of  the  medical  profession  today  in  the  treatment  of  criminals 
and  insane;  also  to  show  thai;  any  system  of  treatment  that  can  produce 
better  results  than  the  present  accepted  standard,  deserves  recognition 
and  has  a  wonderful  field  in  which  to  work. 

Now,  then,  how  much  can  we  depend  upon  orificial  surgery  in  the 
treatment  of  criminals  and  insane?    This  depends. 

It  is  difficult  to  define  criminality  as  it  is  to  define  insanity.  No  two 
normal  men  are  exactly  alike;  neither  are  the  criminals  and  insane  alike. 
A  condition  that  will  produce  criminality  or  insanity  in  one  man  will 
not  necessarily  produce  the  same  result  in  another. 

Sir  Matthew  Hale,  one  of  the  first  authors  of  Criminals  laws,  and 
himself  the  greatest  lawyer  of  his  age,  declared,  "Most  persons  that  are 
felons  are  under  a  degree  of  partial  insanity  when  they  commit  these 
offenses."  The  truth,  noted  by  Sir  Hale,  is  just  as  true  of  the  criminals 
in  our  day.  It  is  supported  by  experience  in  handling  criminals.  A 
penitentiary  official  who  has  handled  over  fifteen  thousand  convicts, 
gave  as  his  opinion,  "They  are  all  crazy."  Dr.  Frank  Lydston,  in  his 
investigations  of  autotoxemia  in  its  relation  to  crime,  says  "That  the 
organic  and  inorganic  poisons  of  greater  or  less  degree  of  toxicity  are 
developed  or  retained  in  the  human  body  as  a  consequence  of  perverted 
metabolism,  improper  foods,  defective  respiration,  faulty  elimination, 
deranged  glandular  action,  or  bacterial  action  in  the  tissues  and  viscera, 
especially  in  the  gastro-inteatinal  tract,  is  now  generally  accepted.  The 
application  of  various  toxemias  thereby  produced,  to  the  etiology  of 


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492  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMOEOPATHY 

vice  and  crime  may  seem  at  first  sight,  far-fetched ;  but  tolerant  and  crit- 
ical reflection  should  put  it  in  a  different  light  Unstable  will  and  emo- 
tion, erratic  impulses,  acute  mania,  melancholia,  suicidal  tendencies, 
etc.,  have  long  been  known  to  be  produced  by  organic  poisons  introduced 
from  without.  Modem  science  is  gradually  developing  the  fact  that 
they  can  be  produced  by  poisons  elaborated  in  the  body." 

I  suggest  here  it  would  be  appropriate  to  ask  by  what  are  these 
toxines  caused  but  impinged  nerves  of  some  of  the  orifices  of  the  body 
or  in  the  spinal  column?  If,  therefore,  criminality  and  insanity  gener- 
ally speaking,  originate  from  the  same  causes,  namely  improper  develop- 
ment of  the  brain  and  some  pathological  condition  of  the  body,  what  at- 
titude should  we  assume  toward  the  criminals  and  insane?  Certainly 
that  of  kindness  and  compassion.  They  should  be  treated  as  are  other 
sick  persons. 

The  medical  profession  should  become  intensely  interested  in  this 
subject.  While  there  are  many  causes  that  may  produce  criminals  and 
insane,  it  has  been  positively  proven  that  the  intelligent  application  of 
the  Orificial  Philosophy  will  probably  prevent  and  cure  more  criminals 
and  insane  than  any  other  method  now  known. 

I  say  again,  the  INTELLIGENT  and  SCIENTIFIC  application 
of  orificial  surgery.  The  removal  of  pockets,  papillae  and  hemorrhoids, 
the  stretching  of  sphincters,  trachelorrhaphy,  perineorrhaphy,  hysterec- 
tomy, removal  of  adenoids,  tonsils  and  turbinates  will  probably  cure 
more  than  half  of  our  criminals  and  insane;  but  this  is  not  all  of  orific- 
ial surgery.  These  alone  will  bring  better  results  than  any  other  meth- 
ods, but  the  after  treatment  is  most  important.  The  testimony  and  ex- 
perience of  many  able  physicians,  in  the  treatment  of  hundreds  of  cases, 
will  bear  me  out  in  this  statement. 

How  much,  then,  can  we  depend  upon  orificial  surgery  intelligently 
applied  ?  I  know  no  limit  to  its  application  in  these  cases.  While  it 
will  not  cure  all,  it  will  certainly  benefit  all. 

Personally  I  can  say  I  have  CURED  cases  of  insanity  and  changed 
the  courses  of  so-called  criminals. 


HAHNEMANN'S  BIRTHDAY 


The  Chicago  Society  of  Medical  Research  held  its  monthly  meeting 
for  April  on  the  10th  and  devoted  the  evening  to  Homoeopathy.  Dr.  L. 
D.  Rogers  presided  and  made  the  following  remarks  extemporaneously : 

No  physician  can  be  considered  broadly  educated  in  medicine,  no 
matter  what  his  personal  belief  and  practice  may  be,  who  is  not  lamiliar 
with  the  life,  theory  and  practice  of  Dr.  Samuel  Hahnemann,  the  Father 
of  Homoeopathy.  He  was  born  in  Saxony,  Germany,  April  10,  1755.  He 
was  highly  educated,  and  his  early  life  was  spent  in  teaching  and  trans- 
lating.   He  was  a  chemist  of  recognized  ability  in  his  day.    While  trans- 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHY  493 

lating  a  standard  work  on  Materia  Medica,  be  noted  the  fact  that  large 
and  small  doses  of  the  same  drug,  had  opposite  effects  on  the  human 
system. 

In  1796  he  published  an  "Essay  on  a  New  Principle  for  Ascertain- 
ing the  Curative  Power  of  Drugs."  This  brought  down  upon  him  an 
avalanche  of  criticism  and  abuse. 

Before  this  he  enjoyed  a  good  reputation,  but  from  this  time,  he 
began  to  be  ridiculed  and  ostracized.  In  fact  he  was  driven  from  city 
to  city  by  persecution,  until  he  was  80  years  old ;  when  he  left  his  native 
country  and  took  up  his  residence  in  Paris,  where  he  died  July  2,  1843^ 
in  his  89th  year. 

All  his  life  until  he  left  Germany,  he  had  known  nothing  but  pover- 
ty and  persecution.  During  his  residence  in  Paris  he  was  highly  honor- 
ed, and  his  clientele  belonged  to  the  best. 

During  the  eight  years  previous  to  his  death,  it  is  said  that  he  de- 
rived something  like  a  million  francs  from  his  practice. 

Few  physicians  have  written  as  much  as  he  did,  and  no  one  even 
studied  the  action  of  so  many  drugs  upon  the  healthy.  These  observa- 
tions he  carefully  recorded.  They  have  been  preserved  to  this  day,  and 
verified  by  thousands  and  thousands  of  physicians,  as  being  absolutely 
correct  and  reliable. 

These  observations  constitute  the  bulk  of  the  Homoeopathic  Materia 
Medica.  His  record  of  the  effects  of  Aconite,  Belladonna,  Arsenic,  Nux 
Vomica,  Opium  and  hundreds  of  other  drugs  upon  the  healthy,  corre- 
spond exactly  to  the  effects  of  these  drugs  that  may  be  noted  today  when 
given  to  the  healthy  in  appreciable  doses. 

Thus  his  observations  are  of  lasting  value,  and  will  be  just  as  use- 
ful a  hundred  years  hence,  as  they  have  been  in  the  hundred  years  past. 

He  demonstrated  the  principle  that  '*Like  cures  Like"  is  true.  In 
its  practical  application  during  the  last  hundred  years,  it  has  saved  and 
relieved  millions. 

It  is  in  accordance  with  the  principle  that  all  medicinal  cures 
today  are  made. 

Vaccine  and  Sero  Therapy  is  based  on  the  same  principle.  The 
same  can  be  said  of  Auto-Hemic  Therapy,  the  latest  offspring  of  Hahne- 
mann's theory  and  practice,  which  consists  of  giving  to  the  sick  person, 
in  small  doses,  that  drug  which  when  given  t6  a  well  person  in  large 
doses,  will  produce  symptoms  similar  to  those  possessed  by  the  patient. 

In  honor  of  Dr.  Samuel  Hahnemann — the  Father  of  Homoeopathy — 
The  Chicago  Society  of  Medical  Research  held  its  regular  monthly  meet-'' 
ing  on  April  10th,  1917,  the  162nd  anniversary  of  his  birthday.  In  the 
absence  of  the  President,  Dr.  Charles  J.  Lewis,  the  Vice-President,  Dr. 
L  .D.  Rogers,  presided.  Dr.  A.  H.  Grimmer  r6ad  a  paper  on  the 
**Homoeopathic  Indications  for  Remedies  in  Pneiunonia,"  and  Dr.  E.  S. 
Antisdale  read  a  paper  on  ''Reasons  Why  a  Greater  Number  of  the  Sick 
are  not  Healed." 


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494  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCBOPATHY 

Both  of  these  papers  possess  superior  merit  and  should  be  read  when 
they  appear  in  print. 

In  the  absence  of  Dr.  Edwin  A.  Taylor,  the  Chairman,  Dr.  Rogers 
gave  a  brief  and  extemporaneous  sketch  of  the  life  and  influence  of 
Hahnemann.  The  papers  of  the  evening  were  discussed  by  Dr.  J.  W. 
King,  of  Bradford,  Pa.,  Dr.  C  C.  Waltonbaugh,  of  Canton,  Ohio,  Dr.  F. 
J.  Roemer,  of  Wauegan,  111.,  and  Dr.  A.  B.  Collins,  of  Linesville,  Pa., 
Dr.  H.  W.  Pearson,  of  Chicago,  Dr.  Irving  J.  Eales,  of  Chicago,  Dr. 
Richburg,  of  Chicago,  Dr.  Virginia  Johnson,  of  Chicago,  Dr.  W.  A. 
Klopfenstein,  of  Detroit,  Dr.  J.  W.  Kingston,  of  Chicago,  and  Dr.  G. 
Frank  Lydston,  of  Chicago,  Dr.  John  Liebau,  of  Chicago,  and  others. 

Dr.  Lydston  commented  upon  the  optimism  of  the  essayists  and  oth- 
ers  who  treated  pneumonia  homoeopathically.     He  spoke   of  the  dire 
pessimism  of  the  other  school.     As  he  said  this  he  pointed  his  finger  to 
himself.     He  said :    "That  some  of  the  speakers  who  preceded  him  had 
given  the  impression  that  pneumonia  was  such  a  harmless  disease  that 
he  felt  almost  inclined  to  have  an  attack  and  send  for  the  essayist  to 
treat  him.    He  said  he  was  not  in  sympathy  with  the  pessimism  ol  Osier, 
which  he  said  had  done  more  damage  to  'regular'  medicine  than  any  ten 
men  in  their  teachings,  and  had  been  one  of  the  greatest  boosts  to  Chris- 
tian Science.    He  added  that  if  he  knew  that  the  HomoBopathic  physic- 
ian had  nothing  superior  to  regular  medicine,  he  would  be  inclined  to 
prefer  a  Homoeopath  because  of  his  great  faith  in  his  treatment.    He 
thought  that  alone  would  be  a  point  in  his  favor,  over  the  prevailing  drug 
nihilism  of  the  other  school.    He  was  strong  in   his  assertions  that 
therapeutics  was  not  properly  and  fully  taught  in  the  medical  colleges; 
that  the  student  was  taught  everything  else  but  a  practical  way  to  heal 
the  sick.     Less  time  should  be  devoted  to  bugs  and  more  time  to  drugs 
and  other  up  to  date  therapeutic  agents.     He  complimented  the  Society 
upon  its  objects  and  purposes  and  said  he  heartily  endorsed  them.     Said 
if  he  had  had  his  way  the  Medical  Department  of  the  State  of  Illinois 
would  have  had  a  chair  of  Homoeopathy  in  it.     He  believed  that  the 
schools  should  teach  all  recognized  methods  of  therapeutics.    Dr.  Lyd- 
ston's  remarks  were  in  perfect  harmony  with  the  spirit  of  the  Society 
and  were  heartily  approved  by  the  audience.    He  made  a  very  favor- 
able impression  as  is  evidenced  by  the  way  his  remarks  were  received. 
The  chairman  of  the  evening.  Dr.  Rogers,  replied  to  Dr.  Lydston  by 
saying  that  he  had  expressed  the  sentiments  of  the  members  of  the  So- 
ciety; that  the  organization  was  non-sectarian;  that  it  was  endeavoring 
to  bring  out  and  draw  the  attention  of  the  profession  to  every  phase  of 
therapeutics  and  everything  that  was  new  that  promised  to  be  of  value, 
to  the  physician ;  while  this  meeting  was  given  to  Homoeopathy  the  prev- 
ious one  was  largely  devoted  to  eclecticism;  the  one  previous  to  that  of 
orificial  surgery  and  spondylotherapy ;  the  one  before  that  to  sero-ther- 
apy,  and  the  one  previous  to  that  to  food;  one  before  that  to  epilepsy, 
byo-dinamic  diagnosis  and  Auto-Hemic  Therapy. 


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NOBTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY  495 

INSANITY,  FUNCTIONAL  HEART  TROUBLE* 

Reported  by  J.  D.  GBORGE,  M.  D., 
Indianapolis,  Indiana. 

I  desire  to  strew  some  roses  while  the  originator  of  the  orificial  idea  is 
living,  and  not  follow  the  usual  custom  of  waiting  until  they 
can  be  appreciated  only  by  the  relatives,  and  this  tribute  is  due,  al- 
though unknown  to  him. 

A  few  years  ago  a  relative,  a  mother,  dear  to  her  family,  lost  an  only 
son.  As  a  result,  she  gradually  became  melancholly  and  finally  was  de- 
clared incurable  and  her  relatives  notified  by  the  family  physician  that 
if  they  wanted  to  see  her  alive  to  come  at  once  as  she  could  last  but  a 
few  weeks.  I  wrote  her  physician  that  I  believed  she  had  morbid  anat- 
omy, uterine  and  rectal,  which  caused  her  insanity.  His  retort  was  that 
I  must  be  a  fool  as  she  had  "paranoia"  (note  the  name)  and  hence  was 
incurable.  I  directed  her  brother  to  bring  her  to  Chicago,  if  possible, 
and  I  would  meet  them  there.  He  followed  my  advice  and  we  took  her 
to  Streeter  Hospital,  where  we  were  met  by  Dr.  E.  H.  Pratt.  He  exam- 
ined her  and  found  a  lacerated  cervix  uteri,  rectocele,  cystocele  and 
hemorrhoids,  but  added  that  to  operate  then  would  be  suicidal.  He, 
therefore,  dilated  the  rectum  carefully,  thus  helping  to  arouse  and  equal- 
ize the  blood  current,  and  stated  that  probably  in  ten  days  he  could 
operate  with  safety.  This  slight  preparatory  work  produced  encourag- 
ing results  and  within  four  days  she  smiled  and  manifested  some  inter- 
est in  her  family.  Ten  days  after  the  first  work,  the  doctor  did  the  final 
operation.  The  hemorrhoids  were  removed,  the  lacerated  cervix  and 
rectocele  put  in  repair  and  a  period  of  several  weeks  intervened  before 
the  cystocele  was  corrected,  and  thorough  rectal  dilation  performed. 

Her  recovery  was  gradual,  but  sure,  although  it  took  more  than  a 
year  to  regain  her  normal  condition.  Today,  after  seven  years,  she  is 
the  happy  mother  and  adviser  of  her  family.  Shortly  after  the  work  by 
Dr.  Pratt,  her  family  physician  insisted  that  inside  of  a  year  she  would 
relapse  into  her  former  condition  regardless  of  what  was  done.  I  have 
no  doubt  he  is  still  blind  to  the  wonderful  results  of  ORIFICIAL 
WORK. 

Now,  suppose  our  beloved  Dr.  Pratt  had  saved  only  this  mother  with 
his  work,  would  he  not  deserve  a  few  flowers  ? 

Case  2.  A  physician  had  functional  heart  trouble,  palpitation, 
dyspnoea,  irregular  action,  and  often  was  compelled  to  sit  up  in  bed  in 
order  to  breathe  freely.  Several  physicians  examined  him,  among  whom 
was  his  own  brother,  and  gave  the  opinion  that  a  year  would  be  the  limit 
of  his  life.  He  finally  journeyed  to  Chicago  and  underwent  careful 
operative  work  at  the  hands  of  the  originator  of  the  orificial  philosophy, 
the  operation  consisting  of  rectal  dilation,  slit  operation  for  hemorr- 


*From  Journal  of  American  Association  of  Orificial  Surgeons. 


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496  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

holds,  and  widening  of  the  meatus  urinarius.  In  thirty  minutes  after 
awakening  from  the  influence  of  the  anesthetic  his  heart  was  normal 
in  action  and  has  REMAINED  so  for  ten  years.  I  am  the  aforesaid 
M.D.,  so  know  what  I  am  talking  about. 


THE  USE  OF  HIGH  FREQUENCY  FOR  THE  RELIEF 
OF  NASAL  TURGESCENCE   AND  CAULI- 
FLOWER GROWTHS  UPON  THE 
INFERIOR  TURBINATE. 

MARGARET  M.  JONES,  M.  D. 
Chicago,  lUinois. 

THE  idea  of  using  the  high  frequency  cuirent  for  the  shrinking  of 
exuberant  lymphoid  and  g^^anulation  tissue  is  not  a  new  one.  It 
was  from  the  study  of  its  use  in  such  conditions  as  papillomata  of  the 
bladder  and  benign  epitheliomata  that  I  first  conceived  the  idea  of  us- 
ing it  for  the  purpose  of  giving  greater  breathing  space  to  those  suffer- 
ing from  turgescence  or  overgrowths  not  of  polypus  nature. 

Technique. — The  nose  must  be  thoroughly  cocainized  or  alypinized. 
The  machine  must  be  regulated  to  give  a  spark  of  1-8  to  1-4  inch  and  an 
insulated  fulgu ration  electrode  provided  with  a  make  and  brake  attach- 
ment in  the  handle  for  easy  and  steady  control.  A  nasal  speculum  is 
then  placed  and  the  electrode  adjusted  so  that  the  area  to  be  treated  can 
be  easily  reached  by  the  exposed  end  of  the  electrode  which  should  be 
placed  in  contact  with  the  tissue.  The  handle  contact  is  then  closed 
and  if  the  anaesthetic  is  sufficient  there  is  only  a  slight  sense  of  vibra- 
tion and  no  i^ain.  Each  area  should  be  treated  from  15  to  45  seconds. 
The  electrode  can  be  moved  slowly  without  turning  off  the  current. 
There  is  no  odor  of  burning  flesh — no  after  sloughing  of  tissue  and  no 
discharge. 

Each  area  is  usually  only  treated  once  and  the  results  are  more  per- 
manent than  those  of  the  cautery. 

Have  had  cases  treated  by  this  method  under  observation  for  four 
years  with  no  return  of  the  old  trouble. 

30  North  Michigan  Avenue. 


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JUL  ''■''!  192' 


The 

North  American 

Journal  of   ^    ^ 

Homoeopathy 


September,  1917 

t 

65th  Year 
No.  9 


Official  OMran  of  th# 

AMERICAN  MEDICAL  UNION 


DEPARTMENTS 

I    Homoeopathic  Materia  Medica  and  Therapeutics. 

n    Sero  Therapy,  Physical  Therapy  aad  Internal 
Medicine. 

in  Surgery,  Obstetrics  and  Gynecology. 

IV  Eye,  Ear,  Nose  and  Throat. 

V  Mental  and  Nervous  Diseases,  Psycho-Therapy. 

VI  Dermatology  and  Urology . 

VII  Dietetics  Hygiene  and  State  Medicine. 

VIII  Editorials  and  Correspondence. 

IX  Current  Medical  Literature. 

X  Book  Reviews. 


Publhhed  moi|thly  m 

Tuckahoe,  N.  Y. 

(Temporary) 
Editorial  Office: 

2812  N.  Clark  Street 

Chicago,  ni. 

U.  S.  A. 


Thre«  Dollars 
a  year. 

Entered  at  the  Poat 
OfficeatTuckahoe, 
N.  Y.  aa  aecond 
claaa  matter. 


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North     American 

Journal  of  Homoeopathy 


EDITORIAL 


OUR  EDITORIAL  POLICY. 

ON  the  25th  day  of  July,  1917,  the  editor  of  The  North  American 
Journal  op  Homceopathy  for  the  past  eight  years  resigned  in 
favor  of  the  present  incumbent,  who  exx)ects  to  occupy  the  editorial 
sanctum  only  for  a  brief  period. 

It  was  far  into  August  before  he  could  mobilize  his  forces,  and 
without  a  page  of  copy  he  began  the  task  of  getting  out  the  Augrust 
number  which  got  into  the  mails  before  the  last  day  of  the  month. 

He  has  had  but  little  time  to  think  of  a  policy  beyond  his  deter- 
mination to  fill  the  journal  with  matter  that  will  be  helpful  to  the  phys- 
ician in  curing  his  patients. 

The  North  American  Journal  or  Hom(Eopathy,  now  in  its  66th 
year,  has  always  been  a  highly  respectable  and  influential  publication. 
At  first  thought  on  seeing  the  title  the  reader  might  think  that  nothing 
but  homoeopathy  would  be  found  within  its  covers,  but  that  is  not  the 
case.  The  scope  of  its  discussions  are  indicated  by  the  departments 
listed  on  the  first  page  of  the  cover.  Old  subscribers  may  be  surprised 
to  see  such  a  variety  of  therapeutic  methods  proposed  for  discussion. 
To  such  we  would  simply  say  that  the  official  definition  of  a  homoeopath- 
ic physician  formulated  by  the  American  Institute  of  Homoeopathy 
many  years  ago  is  in  substance,  briefly  stated,  a  physician  who  in  addi- 
tion to  all  the  knowledge  possessed  by  other  physicians  has  a  thorough 
practical  working  knowledge  of  homoeopathy. 


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498  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

In  order  to  be  a  homoeopathic  physician  according  to  the  above 
definition,  the  physician  must  keep  up  with  all  the  other  therapeutic 
methods  as  well  as  continually  add  to  his  store  of  homceopathic  knowl- 
edge and  experience. 

Homoeopathy  is  the  oldest  and  most  stable  system  of  therapeutics, 
but  in  recent  times  many  new  methods  have  developed  that  the  homoeop- 
athic physician  cannot  afford  to  ignore. 

Reflexology,  largely  the  essence  of  Osteopathy,  Chiropractic, 
Spondylotherapy,  etc.,  is  one  of  these.  The  stubborn  stupidity  of  the 
dominant  school  to  absorb  these  methods  has  caused  the  regular  pro- 
fession the  loss  of  an  enormous  patronage,  estimated  to  be  all  the  way 
from  30  to  60  per  cent. 

Dr.  S.  E.  Bond,  of  Richmond,  Indiana,  Secretary  of  the  Associa- 
tion of  Spondylotherapy,  has  prepared  an  article  for  us.  Orificial 
surgery  in  a  large  percentage  of  chronic  cases  is  simply  invaluable.  We 
are  promised  articles  upon  this  subject  by  competent  practitioners.  Dr. 
George  Starr  White,  of  Los  Angeles,  Cal.,  in  our  August  number  gave 
a  brief  outline  of  his  method  of  diagnosing  and  treating  disease  by 
colored  lights.  Dr.  D.  V.  Ireland,  of  Columbus,  Ohio,  undoubtedly  gave 
the  readers  something  new  in  the  August  number,  and  he  has  still  more 
to  give  us.  Dr.  White  also  has  much  in  reserve  that  will  be  very  val- 
uable. 

Auto-Hemic  Therapy  is  one  of  the  newest  and  most  remarkable  of 
therapeutic  methods.  Dr.  L.  D.  Rogers,  of  Chicago,  its  author  and  origi- 
nator, declares  that  it  is  the  youngest  offspring  of  homoeopathy  and 
will  convert  the  world  to  Hahnemannian  philosophy.  We  shall  give 
considerable  space  to  this  new  method  which  has  such  a  wide  range  of 
usefulness  and  such  a  high  degree  of  efficiency. 

In  brief,  our  editorial  policy  so  far  as  mapped  out  is  to  include  in 
the  journal  anything  and  everything  believed  to  be  of  value  to  the  phys- 
ician in  curing  his  patient. 

It  will  be  noted  that  every  substantial  advance  in  science  and  in 
therapeutics  largely  confirms  the  doctrine  of  Hahnemann. 

Serotherapy  is  unquestionably  founded  on  the  principle  of  **like 
cures  like." 

The  charge  is  made  that  homoeopathy  is  on  the  decline.  Whether 
this  is  true  or  not  depends  upon  the  way  you  look  at  it.  During  the 
Civil  War,  when  the  editor  was  a  small  boy,  there  was  a  prominent  polit- 
ical party  called  the  Abolitionists.  That  party  declined,  and  has  gone 
out  of  existen<».      The  object  for  which  it  fought  and  bled;  that  is,  the 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF   HOMCEOPATHY  499 

abolition  of  slavery,  was  accomplished,  and  there  was  no  further  occa- 
sion for  that  party's  existence. 

During  the  last  quarter  of  a  century  we  have  heard  a  great  deal 
about  the  Prohibition  Party,  but  the  day  is  rapidly  coming  when  there 
will  be  no  Prohibition  Party  because  the  object  of  the  party  according 
to  present  indications  will  soon  be  attained,  and  there  will  be  no  furth- 
er excuse  for  its  exiatence  as  the  United  States  will  undoubtedly  be 
"dry". 

It  seems  to  us  that  the  principle  of  Hahnemann  is  gradually  and 
unconsciously  being  adopted  by  the  whole  medical  profession,  however 
much  outwardly  they  may  deny  the  fact.  The  question  frequently  oc- 
curs to  us,  why  are  there  not  more  homoeopaths  and  why  is  homoeopathy 
not  more  generally  accepted  and  practiced?  Prejudice  on  the  one  hand 
and  insufficient  propoganda  on  the  other  has  been  the  cause.  Notwith- 
standing homoeopathy  is  over  a  hundred  years  old  yet  today  not  more 
than  one  physician  in  ten  throughout  the  United  States  has  a  clear 
conception  of  what  homoeopathy  is. 

The  present  editor  of  the  North  American  Journal  of  Homceopathy 
claims  that  he  has  made  more  converts  to  homoeopathy  than  any  other 
living  man  today,  yet  perhaps  he  has  received  correspondingly  less 
credit.  His  method  of  propoganda  has  been  diametrically  opposed  to 
that  of  the  rank  and  file  of  the  homoeopathic  profession. 

How  to  make  homoeopathic  physicians,  is  a  practical  question  be- 
fore us.  It  requires  a  great  deal  of  courage  on  the  part  of  any  phys- 
ician who  has  graduated  from  an  old  school  college  and  practiced  old 
school  methods  for  many  years  to  stop  now  and  study  homoeopathy  how- 
ever much  he  might  secretly  desire  to  understand  it 

A  number  of  articles  prepared  by  some  of  our  readers,  with  such 
titles  as  **How  to  become  a  homoeopathic  physician,"  "How  I  became  a 
homoeopath,"  "First  lessons  in  homoeopathy,"  etc.,  will  be  gratefully  re- 
ceived by  the  editor  and  gladly  published  in  the  North  American  Jour- 
nal OF  Homceopathy,  the  oldest  homoeopathic  periodical  in  America. 


IF  you  would  keep  up  with  the  times  in  medicine,  don't  fail  to 
attend  the  three  medical  conventions  to  be  held  in  Chicago  beginning 
September  24th  and  ending  October  3rd. 

Three  conventions  will  be  held  in  succession.  The  first  three 
days,  the  American  Association  of  Progressive  Medicine,  at  the  Con- 


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500  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHY 

gress  Hotel;  the  second  three  days,  the  American  Association  of  Ori- 
ficial  Surgery,  at  the  Congress  Hotel;  the  third  three  days  (excluding 
Sunday)  the  American  Association  for  the  study  of  Spondyiotherapy, 
at  the  Auditorium  Hotel  across  the  street  from  the  Congress. 


THE  new  edition  of  Auto-Hemic  Therapy  by  Dr.  L.  D.  Rogers 
is  promised  before  September  15,  1917.  It  will  contain  at  least  twice 
as  much  matter  as  the  first  edition,  and  the  price  per  copy  will  be  $2.00. 
Published  by  Ideal  Life  Extension  Press,  2812  North  Clark  St.,  Chicago. 


MEETINGS  YOU  MUST  ATTEND 


Commencing  Monday  morning,  September  24,  1917,  the  American 
Association  of  Progressive  Medicine  will  hold  a  three  days'  session  at 
Chicago  in  the  Congress  Hotel. 

Commencing  Thursday  morning,  Sept.  27,  1917,  the  next  day  after 
the  close  of  the  Progressive  Convention,  the  American  Association  of 
Orificial  Surgeons  will  hold  a  three  days'  session  ending  Saturday  even- 
ing, the  29th. 

On  Monday,  October  1,  1917,  the  American  Association  for  the 
study  of  Spondyiotherapy  is  scheduled  to  begin  a  three  days'  session  at 
the  Auditorium  Hotel. 

On  Wednesday  evening,  Sept.  26,  1917,  there  will  be  a  joint  banquet 
under  the  auspices  of  Chicago  PhysiciniF*  Good  Fellowship  Club. 

On  the  first  day  of  the  Progressive  Convention  Dr.  L.  D.  Rogers,  of 
Chicago,  President  of  the  Association,  will  explain  and  demonstrate 
with  clinical  cases  his  system  of  Auto-Hemic  Therapy,  which  is  undoubt- 
edly destined  to  become  a  universal  and  every-day  treatment. 

Editors  of  magazines  and  newspapers,  quicker  than  the  rank  and 
file  of  the  regular  profession  to  scent  methods  that  are  bound  to  become 
popular,  have  already  given  Dr.  Rogers'  discovery  a  publicity  so  great 
that  it  is  estimated  that  thirty  million  people  of  the  United  States  have 
read  about  it.  The  demand,  therefore,  from  the  public  for  this  treatment 
is  far  greater  than  the  supply  of  doctors  that  are  capable  of  administer- 
ing it,  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  Dr.  Rogers  has  already  explained  in  de- 
tail the  preparation  of  the  serum  and  the  technique  of  giving  it,  at  ten 
different  conventions. 

On  Tuesday,  the  second  day  of  the  Progressive  Convention,  Dr. 
George  Starr  White  of  Los  Angeles,  Cal.,  will  explain  and  demonstrate 
with  clinical  cases  his  method  of  Bio-Chromo-Dynamic-Diagnosis.     By 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF   HOM(EOPATHY  501 

his  method  of  diagnosis  cancer,  tuberculosis  and  many  other  constitu- 
tional diseases  can  be  detected  months  before  they  can  be  discovered  by 
any  other  means,  at  a  time,  perhaps,  before  the  disease  has  advanced 
beyond  a  curable  stage.  It  is  impossible  to  over-emphasize  the  impor- 
tance of  this. 

On  Wednesday,  the  third  and  last  day  of  the  Progressive  Conven- 
tion, Dr.  D.  V.  Ireland  of  Columbus,  Ohio,  will  explain  and  demonstrate 
with  clinical  cases  that  the  Sigmoid  and  descending  colon  is  the  seat  of 
the  cause  of  many  supposedly  incurable  troubles.  He  will  illustrate  the 
use  of  a  Sigmoidoscope  that  will  present  to  the  vision  some  twenty  inches 
of  the  lower  end  of  the  bowel.  He  will  also  give  the  proper  treatment 
of  lesions  in  this  region  that  is  often  followed  by  the  most  brilliant  re- 
coveries. 

Dr.  C.  H.  Duncan  of  New  York,  is  scheduled  to  be  present  and  give 
practical  demonstrations  of  his  system  of  Autotherapy,  which  has  al- 
ready received  wide  recognition  yet  unknown  to  thousands  of  practic- 
ing physicians. 

Dr.  Z.  L,  Baldwin  of  Kalamazoo,  Mich.,  will  report  some  extraor- 
dinary cures  of  goitre  by  means  of  prisms  fitted  to  overcome  eye  strain, 
and  also  some  remarkable  results  in  treating  diabetes  by  the  same  means. 

Dr.  L.  M.  Ottofy  of  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  will  report  some  cases  of  skin 
cancer  cured  by  Auto-Hemic  serum  radiumized. 

Dr.  J.  W.  Parker  of  Peoria,  HI.,  is  scheduled  to  report  a  number  of 
supposedly  incurable  cases  of  insanity  cured  by  surgery. 

Dr.  J.  W.  Enos  of  Jerseyville,  111.,  will  illustrate  some  radically 
new  discoveries  that  he  has  made  along  the  line  of  vibrations.  He 
claims  to  have  determined  the  rate  of  vibration  of  some  64  drugs.  The 
doctor  determines  the  rate  of  vibration  of  his  patient,  and  gives  that 
drug  which  has  a  corresponding  vibration.  Dr.  Enos  will  also  demon- 
strate by  means  of  the  colored  plates  devised  by  Dr.  White  how  the  pulse 
is  affected  by  different  colors  and  what  diseases  are  thus  diagnosed. 

A  number  of  other  original  thinkers  and  progressive  physicians  are 
expected  to  be  present  and  give  the  profession  the  benefit  of  their  dis- 
coveries. 

Dr.  W.  A.  Guild,  of  Des  Moines,  la..  Chairman  of  the  Bureau  of 
Surgery,  is  scheduled  to  give  some  of  the  biggest  things  in  war  surgery. 

Dr.  J.  W.  King  of  Bradford,  Pa.,  in  charge  of  the  Bureau  of  Electro 
Therapeutics,  will  present  some  new  and  practical  ideas  in  that  field. 

The  American  Association  of  Orificial  Surgeons  will  have  daily 
clinics  and  will  illustrate  by  actual  operation  upon  the  living  subject 
how  many  supposedly  incurable  cases  maj  be  cured  by  some  simple  oper- 
ation upon  some  one  or  more  of  the  orifices  of  the  body.  This  Society 
was  organized  in  1886,  has  had  a  steady  growth,  and  many  of  the  ideas 
originally  promulgated  by  Dr.  F.  H.  Pratt,  the  father  of  Orificial  Surg- 
ery, are  now  commonly  accepted  and  utilized,  though  thirty  years  ago 
they  were  ridiculed,  but  there  are  still  many  things  of  very  great  prac- 


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502  NORTH   AMERICAN   JOfRNAL  OF   HOMCEOPATHY 

tical  value  in  orificial  surgery  that  are  wholly  unknown  to  the  great 
mass  of  the  profession  who  are  either  too  conservative  or  too  indifferent 
to  investigate. 

It  is  in  the  realm  of  spinal  therapeutics  that  the  Osteopath,  the  Chir- 
opractor and  other  similar  cults  have  captured  an  immense  patronage 
that  would  have  come  to  the  doctor  of  medicine  had  he  been  prepared 
to  properly  take  care  of  this  immense  class  of  cases.  The  importance 
of  the  study  of  Spondylotherapy  and  body  reflexes  generally,  can  hardly 
be  overestimated. 

The  physician  who  can  possibly  attend  these  conventions  and  ne- 
glects to  do  so  is  not  doing  his  solemn  duty  to  his  patient  nor  himself. 

Scores  of  physicians  who  in  the  past  when  they  began  to  attend 
these  progressive  conventions  had  but  little  fame,  but  few  patients,  and 
only  a  small  bank  account,  now  have  all  of  these  in  abundance. 

Physicians  who  desire  cases  diagnosed  or  treated  by  any  of  these 
new  methods  during  the  convention  should  make  application  early. 


CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES 


AUTO-HEMIC  THERAPY. 


DR.  W.  A.  Klopfenstein,  Detroit,  Mich.,  under  date  of  September  3, 
1917,  reports  the  following  cases : 
Case  1.  Mrs.  K.  ECZEMA.  Age  42.  Duration  20  years.  Hands 
involved.  Intense  itching.  Cracking,  bleeding,  unable  to  use  water  or 
soap  on  hands  without  great  aggravation.  Five  auto-hemic  treatments 
during  a  period  of  three  months,  hands  cleared  for  the  first  time  in  20 
years.  Able  to  use  soap  and  water  without  annoyance.  Long  standing 
constipation  relieved. 

Case  2,  John  J.  Age  37.  EPILEPSY  from  childhood.  Lately 
having  six  to  ten  attacks  a  day.  Also  had  gastric  ulcer  diagnosed  by 
laboratory  methods.  Six  auto-hemic  treatments  from  June  9  to  August 
16.  No  fits  since  July  1st.  Symptoms  entirely  relieved.  Working  at 
a  steady  job. 

Case  3,  Mr.  K.  Age  43.  HAY  FEVER  for  20  years.  Have  not 
missed  a  season.  Very  severe  asthmatic  form  the  last  few  seasons. 
Seven  auto-hemic  treatments  from  May  15th  to  September  1st.  Ob- 
stinate constipation  of  ten  years'  standing  relieved.  Gained  ten  pounds 
in  weight,  and  general  health  much  improved. 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF   HOM(EOPATHY  603 

Case  Jf,  Mr.  L.  Age  48.  Insanity.  Severe  nervous  breakdown,  fol- 
lowing overwork.  The  crisis  came  July  1,  1917.  This  was  followed 
rapidly  by  insanity.  Lost  50  lbs.  in  weight.  Wasserman  positive. 
Oonsulting  neurologist  gave  a  hopeless  progrnosis,  saying  his  mind  would 
never  clear  up.  Auto-hem ic  treatments  were  given  August  3rd,  12th 
and  26th.  The  third  day  after  the  first  auto-hemic  injection  the  mind 
cleared.  Able  to  sleep  and  eat  well,  neither  of  which  he  did  before. 
Gaining  three  to  five  pounds  per  week.  Will  soon  be  able  to  go  back  to 
work. 

I  have  other  cases  under  treatment.  Diabetes,  two  oases,  improv- 
ing. Sugar  entirely  gone  in  one  case  for  one  month.  Arthritis  de- 
formans improving.  Scrotal  eczema  improving.  Kheumatism  includ- 
ing one  case  of  gonorrheal  improving.  Another  case  of  epilepsy.  No 
fits  for  a  month.    Was  having  from  two  to  five  a  day. 

I  am  having  some  failures.  It  will  take  time,  and  the  reporting 
of  thousands  of  cases  for  us  to  be  able  to  get  a  definite  outline  for 
this  form  of  treatment, — ^Auto-Hemic  Therapy. 


DR.  A.  B.  Collins,  Linesville,  Pa.,  under  date  of  September  2, 
1917,  reports  as  follows: 

Since  June  21,  1917,  I  have  been  treating  Mrs.  H.,  age  23,  for  a 
condition  following  uraemia.  Last  January  when  she  was  eight  months 
pregnant  she  developed  uraemic  symptoms,  so  severe  that  her  physician 
produced  premature  birth,  regarding  this  procedure  as  necessary  to  save 
her  life. 

The  patient  made  only  a  partial  recovery,  and  was  told  it  would 
take  a  very  long  time  for  her  to  regain  her  health. 

When  she  first  called  at  our  office  on  the  above  date  she  was  a  great- 
ly discouraged  woman,  seeking  to  be  relieved  of  an  awful  tired  feeling 
with  an  extremely  severe  headache  and  backache.  She  said  there  were 
constantly  flashes  of  light  before  her  eyes,  of  many  different  colors. 
Her  eyes  were  very  prominait.  Pupils  dilated:  Severe  pains  through 
the  temples.  Very  anemic  Feet  and  hands  swollen  in  the  morning, 
with  a  boggy  condition  of  body  and  extremities. 

She  was  wearing  glasses  fitted  by  a  reputable  oculist.  He  had  told 
her  that  the  lenses  that  he  had  prescribed  would  give  her  the  best  vision 
possible  for  one  in  her  condition.  With  these  glasses  she  could  not 
read  type  four  inches  high  fifteen  feet  distant.  She  could  not  see  to 
write,  nor  to  read  the  largest  type  in  the  daily  newspapers.  I  pre- 
scribed BelL  6x,  and  gave  her  5  cc.  auto-hemic  serum  6x  incubated  24 
hours.  The  first  injection  was  given  June  21st  Patient  reported  but 
slight  reaction.  On  July  6th  I  gave  the  second  auto-hemic  treatment 
5  cc.  6x  24  hours  incubation.  Upon  reaching  her  home  in  a  neighbor- 
ing city  she  noticed  a  slight  dizziness.  On  July  7th  developed  a  train 
of  symptoms  similar  to  a  very  severe  attadc  of  grip,  causing  her  to 
remain  in  bed  nearly  all  day.    Towards  evening  felt  better,  got  up,  did 


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604  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

gorae  slight  work,  and  wondered  what  had  become  of  the  grip.  How- 
ever, she  did  not  feel  real  comfortable  for  two  or  three  days.  From 
that  time  she  began  to  improve.  On  July  16th  she  wrote:  "I  am  feel- 
ing as  good  as  can  be.  The  flashes  of  light  before  my  ^es  have  passed 
away.  Pain  in  head  and  back  nearly  gone."  About  July  24th  patient 
appeared  to  be  relapsing  so  on  July  26th  she  came  to  our  office,  and 
on  the  27th  I  gave  her  5  cc.  7x,  24  hours'  incubation.  A  very  good  re- 
action followed  this  treatment,  and  general  improvement  resulted.  She 
lost  eight  pounds  in  weight,  the  bogginess  having  lessened.  Color  of 
skin  very  much  improved,  color  returning  to  the  ears  and  cheeks.  Eyes 
not  so  prominent.  Could  read  ordinary  type  without  glasses.  She  said 
she  was  feeling  76  per  cent,  better  in  every  way;  eating  well,  sleeping 
soundly,  much  stronger,  and  very  cheerful.  This  was  her  r^ort  Aug- 
ust 20th  when  I  gave  her  the  fourth  auto-hemic  treatment  '6  cc.  6x 
four  hours*  incubation.  On  August  26th  she  reported  by  letter:  "Feel- 
ing good,  and  contemplating  going  on  a  vacation."  Had  she  not  re- 
ceived auto-hemic  treatment  I  feel  sure  that  a  vacation  would  not  have 
had  any  charm  for  her,  because  she  stated  during  her  first  call  on  June 
21st,  "Nothing  looks  good  to  me." 

I  have  given  the  facts  as  near  as  I  can.    You  are  at  liberty  to  pub- 
lish it  if  you  choose.     It  may  help  some  other  doctor  in  a  similar  case. 


DR.  A.  B.  Collins,  of  Linesville,  Pa.,  under  date  of  August  24th, 
1917,  writes: 

I  am  now  using  serum  made  after  three  and  four  hour  incubation, 
and  am  getting  less  profound  reaction  than  I  did  when  I  incubated 
24  hours.  Once  in  a  while  I  get  a  pronounced  reaction  from  serum 
made  after  a  short  incubation,  but  generally  lighter  than  from  the 
longer  period  of  incubation.  I  am  wondering  what  caused  the  severe 
reaction  from  the  24-hour  incubation.  So  far  I  am  not  convinced  that 
it  is  due  to  changes  taking  place  in  the  distilled  water.  One  reason 
making  me  think  this  is  the  fact  that  not  all  cases  treated  from  the  same 
bottle  of  water  had  the  profound  long-lasting  reactions.  One  or  two 
did  not  notice  any,  while  others  had  mild  symptoms.  I  took  a  treat- 
ment on  August  19th  of  serum  made  with  distilled  water  from  the 
same  bottle  that  the  water  was  drawn  to  make  the  serum  for  patients 
who  got  very  severe  reaction.  I  took  a  treatment  at  10  a.m.,  6x,  four 
hours'  incubation.  That  evening  I  felt  unusually  sleepy.  That  night 
I  slept  like  a  top.  Monday  morning  arose  feeling  fine,  and  have  been 
so  since. 

It  would  appear  to  me  that  if  the  water  was  the  cause  I  would 
get  more  uniform  results,  in  the  reactions.  I  also  wonder  if  warm 
weather  does  not  cause  certain  changes  in  the  human  system,  thereby 
rendering  it  most  susceptible  to  the  action  of  the  auto-hemic  serum.  I 
have  noticed  that  the  reactions  I  got  in  cold  weather  from  24  hours' 
incubation  were  about  equal  to  what  I  am  now  getting  from  three  hours 


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NORTH   AMERICAN   JOURNAL  OF   HOM(EOPATHY  505 

with  3  cc.  instead  of  5  cc.  for  a  dose.  Dr.  J.  W.  King,  of  Bradford,  Pa., 
blames  it  on  the  water.  I  am  inclined  to  blame  it  on  the  change  in  the 
patient  Who  is  right, — is  the  question.  I  would  be  pleased  to  have 
the  opinion  of  other  members  of  the  American  Association  for  the 
Study  of  Auto-Hemic  Therapy. 

I  now  have  60  cases  under  observation  that  are  receiving  auto-hemic 
treatment.  Some  are  charity  cases.  Most  of  them  are  good  pay,  from 
fifty  to  one  hundred  dollars  each.  Only  one  at  fifty  dollars  so  far. 
Others  are  coming  who  will  pay  the  regular  price.  I  am  more  enthused 
over  this  treatment  now  than  at  any  time  since  I  took  the  course  of  in- 
struction in  Chicago  last  winter.  I  am  telling  people  that  in  many 
cases  each  treatment  is  worth  $500.00  to  the  patient,  and  it  really  does 
look  that  way.  With  auto-hemic  therapy  I  reach  cases,  help  them  out, 
and  put  them  on  the  road  to  recovery  that  I  could  not  help  with  drugs. 
Of  course  I  am  not  up  on  Dr.  Enos'  pole  changes  and  his  dead-sure 
method  of  selecting  the  indicated  remedy  by  matching  up  the  radio- 
activity of  the  patient  with  the  predetermined  radio-activity  of  the 
drug.  Yet  I  believe,  after  30  years  of  practice  I  am  a  fair  homoeopathic 
prescriber,  but  for  downright  getting  after  hard  cases  and  helping  them 
to  get  well,  making  them  comfortable,  limbering  up  old,  stiff,  sore 
muscles,  auto-hemic  therapy  certainly  stands  at  the  extreme  head  of  the 
class.  I  believe  it  to  be  the  greatest  discovery  that  has  been  handed  to 
us  in  the  treatment  of  chronic  and  subacute  diseases.     It  is  invaluable. 

Editor. — Any  one  of  six  factors  may  enter  into  the  production 
of  severe  reaction  following  the  administration  of  auto-hemic 
serum:  1.  Long  period  of  incubation.  2.  Low  attenuation. 
3.  Large  dose.  4.  Bacterial  contamination  of  d:st!'lpd  water 
used  in  making  the  serum.  5.  Number  of  previous  injections, 
whether  it  be  auto-hemic  or  bacterial  vaccine.  6.  The  condition 
of  the  patient, — whether  rested  or  fatigued  at  the  time  the  sample 
of  blood  is  drawn  of  which  the  auto-hemic  serum  is  made. 

Any  one  of  these  six  factors,  or  any  combination  of  them, 
may  account,  we  believe,  for  the  violent  reaction.  As  a  rule,  the 
longer  the  incubation  the  more  profound  the  reaction,  but  we 
have  noticed  marked  exceptions.  The  2x  attenuation  is  almost 
certain  to  produce  a  profound  undesirable  reaction.  Yet  high 
attenuations  have  produced  marked  reaction.  A  large  quantity  at 
a  dose  is  more  likely  to  produce  marked  reaction  than  a  small. 
The  bacterial  contamination  of  distilled  water  is  quite  commonly 
and  rightly  blamed,  we  believe,  for  marked  reaction.  Number  of 
previous  injections,  whether  it  be  auto-hemic  or  bacterial  vaccine, 
must  not  be  forgotten.  Patients  who  have  been  taking  injections 
of  bacterial  vaccine  are  more  likely  to  have  a  more  pronounced 
reaction  after  the  auto-hemic  injection.  The  condition  of  the 
patient,  whether  rested  or  fatigued,  is  probably  the  most  common 
factor.    A  patient  suffering  from  a  cold  is  more  likely  to  have  a 


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506  NORTH   AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF   HOMCEOPATHY 

pronounced  reaction  than  one  who  is  not.  A  thorough  study  of 
the  chemistry  and  the  action  of  protein  will  throw  much  light  up- 
on this  problem. 

Before  giving  auto-hemic  treatment  to  any  patient  the  phys- 
ician should  inquire  whether  or  not  the  patient  has  received  any 
vaccine  or  bacterial  treatment.  If  so,  treatment  should  be  com- 
menced cautiously. 


A  REAL  ECLECTIC  MEETING 


THE  40th  annual  meeting  of  the  State  Eclectic  Medical  Association 
for  Michigan  was  held  at  the  Baldwin  Sanitarium,  Kalamazoo, 
August  22-23,  with  the  usual  attendance  of  the  members  and  a  goodly 
number  of  visitors  from  outside  the  state. 

This  meeting  was  unique  and  out  of  the  ordinary,  as  the  Sanitarium 
management  had  invited  outside  speakers  who  royally  entertained  the 
meeting  by  bringing  out  some  of  the  newer  things  in  medicine  which 
were  eminently  practical  and  received  the  enthusiastic  appreciation  of 
all  present.  x 

Dr.  L  .D.  Rogers,  of  Chicago,  gave  two  lectures  on  Auto-Hemic 
Therapy,  fully  describing  his  method  of  removing  a  small  portion  of 
blood,  diluting  it  in  distilled  water,  fermenting  it  and  re-injecting  it 
intravenously,  demonstrating  the  same  upon  several  clinical  cases;  at 
the  same  time  showing  in  well  chosen  clinical  reports  its  great  range  of 
usefulness  in  a  large  number  of  chronic  diseases  and  in  pregnancy. 

Dr.  S.  E.  Bond,  of  Richmond,  Indiana,  a  man  of  ripe  and  ample 
experience  in  spondylo  therapy  showed  the  great  practicability  of  watch- 
ing a  case  for  spinal  reflexes  and  their  results  in  many  chronic  diseases, 
carefully  demonstrating  on  many  clinical  cases  the  technique  and,  in 
some  cases,  showing  immediate  results  obtained. 

Dr.  B.  A.  Bullock,  of  Detroit,  presented  some  very  interesting  data, 
showing  the  positive  efficiently  of  a  colonic  injection  of  a  formula  emit- 
ting free  oxygen  and  chlorine  in  cases  of  tuberculosis,  pelvic  inflammation 
and  in  general  systemic  toxemia  depending  upou  auto-toxemia.  His 
method  was  also  demonstrated  upon  clinical  material. 

The  Sanitarium  presented  a  large  number  of  chronic  cases,  both 
cured  and  under  treatment;  showing  the  benefit  of  intravenous  work  in 
tuberculosis  and  other  blood  dyscracias  and  the  eye  repression  treatment 
in  goitre,  high  blood  pressure,  diabetes,  migraine,  etc. 

The  management  also  gave  a  banquet  and  a  musical  entertainment 
which  was  fully  enjoyed  by  all  present.    The  features  of  this  meeting 


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NORTH  AMERICAN   JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHY  607 

were  so  thoroughly  enjoyed  by  the  physicians  present  that  the  coming 
season  the  Sanitarium  proposes  to  hold  a  medical  chautaqua  for  a  week, 
inviting  speakers  on  subjects  not  usually  considered  in  medical  col- 
leges but  which  are  eminently  practical  in  every  day  work. 


THE  DISCOVERY  OF  AUtO-HEMIC 
THERAPY. 

By  BENNETT  CHAPPLE 
In  the  July  number  1917  of  the  National  Mas<^n«  of  Boston. 

IN  a  little  red  book  called  "Auto-Hemic  Therapy,"*  Dr.  L.  D.  Rogers, 
of  Chicago,  president  of  American  Association  of  Progressive  Medi-^ 
cine,  has  written  an  intensely  interesting  account  of  his  discovery  of 
Auto-Hemic  Therapy,  which  advances  the  theory  that  practically  all  dis- 
eases can  be  cured  by  the  use  of  blood  serums. 

For  years  Dr.  Rogers  had  been  seeking  a  serum  to  cure  cancer,  and 
although  only  partially  successful,  his  experiments  resulted  in  a  new 
system  of  blood  treatment  which,  it  is  believed,  will  revolutionize  many 
old-time  practices  in  the  medical  world.  He  began  his  experiments 
at  the  National  Emergency  Hospital,  Chicago,  under  the  same  roof 
where  only  seven  years  before  it  was  his  privilege  as  dean  of  the  college 
to  give  over  his  experiments  and  demonstrations,  laboratory  and  oper- 
ating facilities  to  Dr.  Alexis  Carrel-Plater  of  the  Rockefeller  Institute 
and  winner  of  the  Nobel  prize  of  forty  thousand  dollars. 

The  new  system  of  blood  treatment  as  described  by  Dr.  Rogers  con- 
sists in  making  a  serum  which  contains  some  of  the  patient's  own  blood. 
Five  drops  of  the  blood,  or  some  multiple  of  five,  are  taken  from  the 
finger  tip  and  added  to  nineteen  times  as  much  absolutely  pure  water. 
This  is  then  subjected  to  certain  degrees  of  heat,  extended  over  a  certain 
length  of  time,  and  further  dilutions  made  according  to  its  condition 
and  the  condition  of  the  patient.  Nothing  is  added  to  the  solution  ex- 
cept what  naturally  belongs  in  the  blood;  no  poisonous  chemicals  or 
disease-producing  germs  either  alive  or  dead.  The  serum,  when  made, 
is  colorless,  odorless  and  tasteless. 

In  describing  the  theory  of  action.  Dr.  Rogers  says : 

"Just  as  the  latent  energy  residing  in  water  may  be  converted  by 
the  application  of  heat  into  an  expansive  vapor,  namely,  steam,  having 
a  force  to  drive  great  engines  and  draw  long,  heavy  trains  of  freight, 
and  just  as  the  latent  energy  residing  in  gasoline  may  be  transformed 
by  little  sparks  of  fire  into  an  expansive  gas,  having  a  force  capable  of 
propelling  automobiles  and  flying  machines  at  a  wonderful  speed,  so. 


*" Auto-Hemic  Therapy."  By  L.  D.  Rogers,  M.D.  Chicago:  2812  North 
Clark  Street,  New  Edition,  Sept.  1,  1917,  Price  $2.00.  The  Ideal 
Life  Extension  Press. 


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608  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHY 

likewise,  the  latent  energy  in  the  blood,  by  the  injection  of  a  few  drops 
of  this  serum  directly  into  the  vein,  seems  to  be  converted  into  "anti- 
bodies," which  manifest  their  power  and  activity  in  a  thousand  ways. 

"The  ferments  in  the  blood  and  tissues  are  numerous  and  vary  in 
their  function;  a  fraction  of  a  drop  of  a  ferment  as  illustrated  by  the 
poison  of  the  honey-bee  or  the  rattlesnake,  may  within  a  few  hours  set 
into  commotion  all  the  blood  in  the  body." 

Dr.  Kogers  supports  his  contention  with  the  arguments  of  others 
showing  its  scientific  basis.  He  quotes  Stewart,  an  up-to-date  authority 
on  physiology : 

"The  blood  contains  at  one  time  or  another  everything  which  is 
about  to  become  part  of  the  tissues  and  everything  which  has  ceased 
to  belong  to  them.  It  is  at  once  a  scavenger  and  the  food  provider  of 
the  cell." 

Surprising  progress  of  his  serum  treatment  in  clinics  and  hospitals, 
covering  a  period  of  two  years,  is  recorded  by  Dr.  Rogers.  He  has  ad- 
dressed many  medical  societies  in  America  and  great  interest  has  been 
aroused  in  his  new  method  of  combating  disease,  because  of  the  un- 
deniable results  which  have  been  obtained.  The  merits  of  this  new 
treatment  have  also  been  verified  by  many  progressive  physicians  in 
various  parts  of  the  United  States. 

Writing  of  his  work  in  a  highly  entertaining  way,  Dr.  Rogers  has 
not  hesitated  to  indulge  in  a  little  humor — when  based  on  the  facts  of 
the  case.    He  says: 

"Some  have  called  this  new  system  of  blood  treatment  The  Anti- 
Lazy  Beauty  Serum'  because  of  its  energizing  and  beautifying  action 
upon  both  body  and  mind;  *Lazy  Serum'  because  of  its  action  upon  per- 
sons disinclined  to  work.  Many  who  were  semi-invalids  for  years  and 
considered  lazy  by^  the  unsympathetic  have  quickly  responded  to  the 
treatment  and  become  ambitious,  energetic  and  tireless  workers,  having 
acquired  seemingly  unlimited  endurance.  This  feature  has  afforded 
much  amusement  through  forecasting  the  agitation  and  restlessness  that 
would  take  place  in  the  labor  world  if  this  treatment  was  applied  uni- 
versally to  'hoboes.'  With  equal  propriety  it  might  also  be  called  the 
'An ti -Fatigue'  or  the  *Anti -Hook worm'  Treatment.  On  account  of  the 
clearer  complexion,  smoother  skin,  better  spirits,  good  nature  and  gen- 
eral rejuvenation  that  usually  follows  the  treatment,  the  name  ^Beauty' 
Serum  also  seems  fitting." 

Dr.  Rogers,  in  common  with  most  pioneers  in  medical  science,  has 
declared  that  the  reason  many  new  and  efficacious  theories  are  not  in 
more  general  use  is  because  the  people  are  not  educated  up  to  them — 
that  the  doctors  usually  treat  people  as  they  wish  to  be  treated,  not  as 
they  really  should  be  treated.  It  is  for  this  reason  he  has  written  the 
book  describing  the  wonderful  results  of  his  new  treatment. 

Dr.  Rogers  believes  it  is  only  a  question  of  time  until  the  whole 
world  wakes  up  to  the  fact  that  "treating  your  blood  with  your  own 
blood"  is  the  only  simple  and  scientific  method  of  combating  the  diseases 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OP  HOM(EOPATHY  609 

of  the  human  body.     Already  recognized  by  many  physicians  who  rank 
high  in  the  profession,  and  who  are  using  his  discovery  with  excellent 
results,  it  may  some  day  be  universally  accepted  that  every  man  carries 
his  own  drug  store  with  him  in  his  own  veins. 
Stranger  things  have  happened. 


CONCUSSION. 

By  S.  EDGAR  BOND,  M.  D. 
Richmond,  Ind. 

CONCUSSION  is  one  of  the  most  emphatic  methods  of  crude 
physical  therapeutics. 

In  speaking  of  concussion  we  usually  think  of  vibration.  However, 
these  two  methods  of  treatment  are  distinct  in  their  therapeutic  results; 
concussion  being  the  more  specific. 

Vibration  may  be  likened  more  to  massage  than  concussion.  With 
vibration  we  stimulate  superficial  structures  admitting  new  vital  fluids 
and  impulses  to  the  integument  and  incidentally  stimulate  deeper  mus- 
cular and  nerve  centers.. 

Concussion  is  usually  applied  to  specific  centers.  These  centers  are 
usually  through  the  spine.  The  method  of  their  use  is  of  two  kinds: 
Instrumental  and  Hammer. 

In  our  office  we  use  preferably  the  Hammer  method.  This  is  ap- 
plied by  a  rubber-covered  mallet  or  hammer  striking  against  a  metallic 
shield,  likewise  covered  with  rubber.  The  physician  selects  the  specific 
point  or  organ  that  he  wishes  to  stimulate  and  delivers  a  rapid  stroke  or 
slow  stroke  according  to  the  results  desired ;  as  to  whether  there  is  need- 
ed rapid  stimulation  or  mere  minor  stimulation,  or  sedation. 

The  other  method  is  instrumental:  For  this,  it  has  been  found,  a 
long  stroke  was  necessary  to  produce  results.  It  has  been  hard  to  find 
a  machine  that  would  deliver  a  true  concussion  stroke  because  few  of 
them  are  able  to  give,  with  the  leverage  obtained  in  the  cylinders,  the 
necessary  three-quarter  inch  stroke.  We,  however,  in  our  office,  have  a 
machine  which  gives  a  fairly  true  concussion  stroke  but  lac^s  some  of 
the  power  which  is  given  by  the  Mcintosh  Concussor,  Abrams  Con- 
cussor,  and  especially  the  Concussor  made  by  Dr.  George  Starr  White. 

The  White  Concussor  has  the  strongest  stroke  of  any.  It  is  also 
provided  with  an  additional  stimulation  through  the  idea  of  magnetic 
further  stimulation  over  the  special  centers.  The  difficulty  may  further 
be  emphasized  by  stating  that  concussion  is  delivered  at  a  stroke  of  120 
to  150  a  minute.  The  muscles  and  structures  beneath  these  strokes 
have  time  to  return  to  rest  before  the  succeeding  stroke.  In  vibration 
this  does  not  occur. 


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610  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

Ooncussion  methods  have  advantages  of  the  greatest  importance  in 
the  pursuit  of  the  study  of  Reflexology.  It  is  by  its  use  that  we  are 
able  to  induce  the  sympathetic  Vagal  reflex  as  well  as  the  special  re- 
flexes through  the  spinal  centers.  When  you  once  get  into  the  work  of 
spinal  or  reflexology  you  will  be  able  to  distinguish  the  difference  be- 
tween vibration  and  concussion  by  the  mere  application  difference.  It 
is  scarcely  conceivable  that  you  will  be  able  to  induce  the  sympathetic 
vagal  reflex,  the  stomach  reflex,  or  the  spinal  reflexes  with  vibration, 
that  you  do  with  concussion.  One  of  the  things  which  vibration  can  do 
is  to  exhaust  a  reflex  hence  it  is  used  sometimes  to  produce  sedation. 
Quick,  firm  blows  cause  stimulation.  Rapid,  prolonged,  stimulation 
produces  sedation. 

Stimulating  energy  always  by  intermittent  concussion  can  be  over- 
done. Many  of  the  reflexes  are  transient  can  be  exhausted.  The  use 
of  concussion  in  physical  and  reflex  therapeutics  is  easily  mastered,  pro- 
viding the  student  has  a  careful  study  of  principles  on  which  to  work. 

The  first  requisite  is  a  thorough  study  of  the  spine  and  its  nerve 
ramifications  to  organ  and  periphery.  Its  range  of  application  varies 
from  sedation  to  the  quidt,  active  stimulation  necessary  to  contract  an 
enlarged  heart  or  empty  an  engorged  stomach. 

Another  method  of  inducing  results  similar  to  the  hammer  stroke 
in  use  by  students  in  Reflexology,  which  is  first  cousin  to  concussion, 
is  the  electric  modality  now  becoming  so  popular,  known  as  the  Sinus- 
oidal Current.  According  to  Dr.  White,  the  most  beneficial  results 
are  obtained  when  the  patient  is  grounded  and  faces  north  or  south,  in 
other  words,  is  in  the  Magnetic  Meridian.  There  is  now  doubt  that  the 
situation  of  the  individual  as  regards  direction  has  much  to  do  with 
the  results  obtained  with  the  reflex  methods.  It  is  necessary  for  the 
future  student  to  take  yet  greater  consideration  of  the  effect  of  the 
magnetic  meridian  upon  the  patient's  condition.  This  is  a  study  in  it- 
self yet  full  of  practical  return.  Each  vertebral  segment  has  nerves, 
which  our  physiology  teaches  us,  lead  to  certain  organs  of  the  body. 
Practical  students  have  found  that  concussion  or  hammer  stroke  or 
sinusoidalization  or  the  long  armed  for  reaching  penetrating  stroke  of 
electricity  applied  to  these  centers  have  wide  effect  upon  these  organs 
in  stimulating  or  relaxing  these  organs  or  structures.  The  results  ob- 
tained are  sometimes  startling  to  the  point  of  miraculous.  For  in- 
stance: concussion  methods  applied  at  second  and  third  cervical  spine 
processes  is  indicated  in  diseases  of  the  eye,  nose  and  throat  and  has  an 
effect  in  reducing  high  blood  pressue. 

Concussion  at  the  fourth  and  fifth  cervical  is  used  in  bronchial 
asthma,  in  emphysema,  in  hiccough,  and  where  it  seems  necessary  to 
produce  a  long  reflex  of  contraction. 

We  remember,  about  two  years  ago,  of  listening  to  the  persistent 
cough  of  an  aged  pati^it  of.  mine  over  the  'phone  as  she  tried  to  tell  me 
the  ailments  of  memb^cs  of  her  family.  On  inquiry,  we  found  the  pa- 
tient for  thirty  years  had  been  troubled  with  asthmatic  cough  together 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF   HOMiEOPATHY  511 

with  the  asthma.  The  slightest  exertion  or  excitement,  or  even  talking 
over  the  'phone,  was  sufficient  to  produce  these  paroxysms.  A  few  days 
after  this,  she  presented  herself  to  the  office  for  some  relief.  This  was 
in  March.  By  concussion  of  the  fourth  and  fifth  cervical  vertebra  for 
ten  treatments,  we  succeeded  in  stopping  this  thirty-year  cough  from 
March  30th  until  September  30th  when  she  took  a  severe  cold  with  pneu- 
monia afterward  said  she  was  too  old  and  not  worth  a  re-trial  of  the 
method.     She  has  not,  however,  been  as  bad  as  before. 

In  cases  of  pulmonary  hemorrhage,  we  believe  that  we  have  on  two 
occasions  greatly  assisted  the  relief  of  the  patient  by  concussing  at  this 
point,  however,  one  must  be  careful  in  using  this  in  cases  of  tubercu- 
losis because  of  the  tendency  to  produce  anemia,  of  the  lungs — the  op- 
posite is  what  we  are  striving  for. 

Concussion  of  fourth  and  seventh  is  indicated  in  numbness  of  the 
arms,  brachial  monoplegia,  paralysis  about  the  waist  in  poliomyelitis. 
We  well  remember  a  case  which  came  into  the  office.  For  a  number  of 
years  he  complained  of  numbness  in  the  fingers  and  hands  extending 
up  into  the  arms.  On  examination  we  found  much  tension  of  liga- 
ments and  muscles  from  the  fourth  to  the  seventh  cervical.  We  pro- 
ceeded by  manipulation  measures  to  loosen  up  these  structures  and 
followed  with  concuesion  of  the  sixth  and  seventh  cervical,  which  com- 
pletely relieved  the  numbness  of  the  hands. 

Its  application  in  paralysis  aids  your  patient  also  from  a  suggest- 
ive standpoint  for  in  securing  the  reflex  the  patient  feels  the  tingling 
extending  to  the  very  tips  of  the  fingers.  It  is  of  real  value  in  stirring 
up  those  dead  centers  in  the  spine  and  arm. 

Concussion  of  the  sixth  and  seventh  cervical  affects  the  nerves  to 
heart,  causing  contraction,  increases  vagal  tone,  reduces  blood  pressure, 
— especially  when  due  to  heart  weakness — it  will  inhibit  the  pulse  at 
least  temporarily.  Concuesion  or  sinusoidalization  of  the  cervical  con- 
tracts and  tones  the  abdomintil  viscera.  It  is  especially  of  value  in 
cases  of  hyperthyroidism.  In  hyperthyroidism  we  have  a  runaway 
gland.  There  is  a  lack  of  control  of  the  vagal  nerves  over  this  gland. 
Here  stimulation  whips  or  increases  vagal  tone  and  causes  more  control 
through  the  vagal  branch  of  the  sympathetic  nervous  system.  Very 
frequently  we  find  in  cases  of  palpation  and  weakened  heart  action  con- 
cussion has  toned  this  heart  and  hence  reduced  immediate  danger  and 
made  for  permanent  restoration. 

The  hyperemic  condition  of  the  brain  is  often  caused  by  runaway 
vagal  and  sympathetic  nervoue  system.  Here  concussion  of  the  sixth 
and  seventh  cervical  has  changed  the  hyperemic  condition  into  one  of 
anemia.  It  also  affects  various  conditions  of  the  eye,  and  since  it  will 
reduce  palpitation  in  the  heart  it  will  control  the  arrhythmia  of  goitre. 
It  will  contract  aneurism  and  at  least  symptomatically  cure  this  here- 
tofore uncured  disease,  relieve  dyspnea  oftimes  stopping  congestion  of 
the  eye,  ear,  nose  and  lungs. 


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512  NORTH  AMERICAN   JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHY 

At  the  third  thoracic  we  find  the  stomach  center  of  contraction  of 
the  pylorus  and  sometimes  dilates  the  cardiac  end.  The  oldest  method 
of  treating  stomach  trouble  especially  the  old  herbalist  and  others,  was 
through  the  emetic.  Its  more  refined  and  even  more  trying  method  is 
the  stomach  pump.  A  few  experiences  with  this  last  method  has  con- 
vinced me  of  its  barbarity.  We  henceforth  empty  the  stomach  by 
methods  of  concussion.  You  have  a  patient  who  has  inability  to  digest 
food  in  the  stomach  or  because  of  hyperchlorhydria  or  ulceration  you 
wish  the  stomach  to  rest.  We  find  after  eating  a  meal,  from  two  to 
four  hours  are  required  for  the  process  of  digestion  before  the  intestine 
receives  its  full  load.  We  now  pay  attention  to  those  foods  which  are 
easily  digested  in  the  intestine.  Let  the  patient  chew  the  food  well, 
for  mastication  with  saliva  is  the  first  step  of  digestion  of  the  starches 
and  then  by  concussion  at  the  fifth  thoracic  we  rapidly  empty  the  stom- 
ach contents  into  the  intestine,  where  the  process  of  digestion  is  car- 
ried on  without  disturbing  the  irritated  stomach  mucosa.  Likewise 
when  emesis  is  hard  and  straining,  we  can  concuss  the  third  thoracic, 
causing  dilatation  of  the  cardiac  end  of  the  stomach,  and  emesis  is 
carried  forward  easier.  At  the  same  time  we  contract  the  pyloric  end 
and  the  stomach  can  be  easily  cleaned  of  its  chemical  poisons  or  dis- 
turbing contents.  We  believe,  from  reports  received,  that  concussion 
at  the  third  and  fourth  dorsal  vertebra  will  relieve  cardiac  spasm.  It 
will  dilate  the  esophagus.  It  is  of  value  where  regurgitation  of  food 
oftimes  takes  place.  But  better  still  in  a  case  of  the  latter  kind. 
Sinusoidalization  because  of  its  possibility  of  continued  application, 
will  be  the  best  modality  of  the  two. 

It  has  been  found  that  concussion  of  the  third  and  fourth  thoracic 
or  sinusoidalization  of  the  same  produces  an  increased  flow  of  the 
mammary  glands  by  dilating  the  mammal  vessels,  it  thus  increases  the 
size  of  the  bust.  The  fourth  thoracic  can  be  concussed  in  gall-stone 
colic  and  pancreatic  congestion  and  inaction.  Here  it  will  increase  pan- 
creatic secretion  and  excrete  same  and  will  often  aid,  as  we  believe,  in 
the  cure  of  the  diabetic  patient,  or  cure  duodenal  ulcer  by  reason  of  the 
pancreatic  juices  overcoming  the  excessive  acidity,  the  real  cause  of 
gastric  and  intestinal  ulcer.  Hence  in  cases  of  gall-bladder  trouble 
or  passing  of  gall-stone  or  jaundice  or  hepatic  enlargements  of  various 
kinds,  the  physician  should  be  careful  of  concussion  at  the  fourth  thor- 
acic because  of  the  congested  condition  which  would  take  place  increas- 
ing the  pain  and  trouble.  Rather  would  it  be  best  for  him  to  concuss 
the  ninth  dorsal,  which  would  dilate  the  gall-bladder,  relieve  his  jaund- 
ice or  hepatic  congestion  and  would  even  permit  of  the  passing  of  a 
gall-stone.  We  have,  upon  at  least  two  occasions  tested  to  our  satis- 
faction the  truth  of  this  contention  by  the  almost  immediate  relief  of 
gall-stone  colic,  by  concussion  at  the  latter  point. 

Concussion  of  the  sixth  and  seventh  dorsal  vertebras  dilate  the 
kidneys  and  are  principally  beneficial  in  cases  of  congestion  of  kidneys 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY  513 

and  even  of  surrounding  structures.    It  also  seems  to  be  of  benefit  in 
cases  of  pseudo-appendicitis. 

In  case  of  lung  trouble  of  tubercular  nature  where  increased  sup- 
ply of  blood  is  desired  for  the  lungs,  concussion  at  the  seventh  and  eighth 
dorsal  is  indicated.  Some  of  our  greatest  results  have  been  obtained  in 
general  asthenic  conditions,  which  is  usually  of  abdominal  origin,  by 
concussion  or  the  use  of  sinusoidal  current  through  seventh  or  eighth 
thoracic. 

This  does  several  things  of  importance  to  the  run-down  condition 
of  the  average  business  man  or  woman,  with  their  continued  daily  drain 
upon  their  system.  Nearly  all  of  these  cases  have  an  enteroptosis  thus 
producing  a  condition  in  the  system  similar  to  a  stagnant  pool  in  the 
front  door-yard,  causing  anemia  of  the  brain  and  general  impoverished 
condition  of  the  body,  tired  nerves,  a  neurasthenic  picture.  Here  stim- 
ulation of  the  seventh  and  eighth  dorsal  contracts  the  abdominal  ptosis, 
squeezes  out  the  surcharged  blood,  distributes  it  to  the  anemic  centers 
and  makes  for  the  well-being  of  the  man. 

One  of  our  physicians  attending  a  convention  which  was  com- 
posed of  two  or  three  hundred  students  of  reflex  work,  acknowledged  he 
had  what  had  been  diagnosed  as  a  duodenal  tumor  or  ulcer.  His 
emaciated  condition  indicated  an  even  more  serious  systematic  trouble. 
After  the  proper  diagnosis  had  been  made,  confirming  this  condition  to 
all  outward  measures,  it  was  suggested  that  the  tenth  dorsal  be  con- 
cussed as  a  further  proof  of  the  diagnosis.  If  the  tenth  dorsal  stimu- 
lated pancreatic  secretion,  then  this  would  overcome  the  excessive  acid- 
ity of  the  intestine  which  was  causing  the  pain  and  the  pain  would  be 
relieved.  Concussion  was  given  over  a  period  alternately  for  several 
minutes.  A  year  later  this  same  physician  returned  looking  much  bet- 
ter and  saying  that  the  results  obtained  from  the  concussion,  at  that 
meeting,  lasted  for  six  weeks  before  any  noticeable  pain  and  continued 
concussion  had  resulted  in  his  entire  relief. 

At  the  tenth  thoracic  we  also  find  relief  from  high  blood  pressure, 
especially  when  attendant  with  kidney  conditions,  as  in  nephritis,  con- 
tracts. Here  concussion  relieves  one  cause  of  high  blood  pressure  by 
dilating  kidneys  and  stimulates  renal  activity  to  eliminate  irritating 
poisons. 

Some  time  ago.  Dr.  Anderson,  a  former  professor  of  pediatrics  in 
Louisville  Medical  College,  and  myself  were  delivering  a  series  of  lec- 
tures before  about  fifteen  physicians,  at  our  State  capitol.  In  order 
to  illustrate  our  contention  as  to  the  possibility  of  stimulation  with 
concussion,  we  asked  for  a  case  with  hypertrophy  of  the  heart  We 
placed  this  case  before  the  X-ray  and  by  concussing  the  seventh  cervical, 
we  were  able  to  cause  contraction  of  a  very-much  enlarged  heart  so  that 
it  was  seemingly  but  little  larger  than  normal,  much  to  the  relief  of  the 
patient 

The  eleventh  cervical,  on  the  contrary,  dilates  the  heart,  stomach, 
liver,  spleen,  arteries,  intestine,  uterus,  ureters,  gall-bladder,  the  aorta 


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514  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHY 

of  the  thoracic  and  seems  to  increase  the  supply  of  red  corpuscles  and 
hemoglohin  in  the  blood.  By  the  possibility  through  the  one  vertebra 
alone,  we  can  readily  understand  the  ease  with  which  the  ignorant 
osteopath,  chiropractor,  or  what-not  is  able  to  get  results  or  damage  his 
patient  by  too  great  reflex  interference  at  this  great  nerve  center. 
However,  this  center  if  stimulated  according  to  indications,  returns  to 
the  physician  a  vast  amount  of  good.  In  fact  much  of  the  so-called 
vertebral  "reductions''  results  are  explained  through  stimulation  or 
inhibition  of  spinal  centers. 

We  And  cases  of  constipation  and  spastic  contractions,  internal 
spasm  of  the  bowels  are  relieved,  contracted  os,  at  this  point,  we  have 
congestion  of  the  brain,  concussion  or  sinusoidalization  will  relieve  the 
brain  of  its  congestion  through  the  relaxation  of  other  structures.  It  is 
this  center  that  we  frequently  have  splendid  results  in  stimulating  re- 
newed functioning  in  infantile  paralysis.  If  you  have  a  patient  who 
is  passing  a  renal  stone,  do  not  concuss  twelfth  dorsal  for  by  so  doing 
you  will  increase  the  pain,  however,  should  your  patient  find  difficulty 
in  urinating  because  of  enlarged  prostating  gland,  then  concuss  the 
twelfth  thoracic  and  you  will  contract  the  prostate  and  relieve  the  pa- 
tient of  catheterization.  Dr.  D.  V.  Ireland,  now  of  Columbus,  Ohio, 
has  cured  a  series  of  cases  for  prolapsed  kidney  by  sinusoidalization  and 
concussion  of  the  twelfth  dorsal.  If  your  patient  has  a  kidney  which 
is  enlarged,  the  twelfth  dorsal  will  contract  the  kindey,  increase  func- 
tion, and  oftimes  relieve  a  severe  backache. 

The  first  and  third  lumbar  are  important  centers  in  that  they  con- 
trol the  uterus  and  its  appendages.  It  is  here  we  use  concussion  to  con- 
trol uterine  hemorrhage.  It  is  believed  to  get  spledid  results  in  many 
phases  of  motor  insufficiency  as  in  ptosis,  or  dilated  stomach  and  espec- 
ially the  treatment  of  atonic  constipation,  enlarged  spleen,  intestinal 
auto-intoxication  and  neurasthenic  conditions  resulting  therefrom. 

The  third  lumbar  is  concussed  in  ovarian  d^ciency.  The  fourth 
and  fifth  lumbar  is  especially  indicated  in  irritable  bladder,  bed-wet- 
ting. It  contracts  the  bladder  and  has  an  effect  in  stimulating  the 
sexual  incapacities  of  the  male. 

Many  of  the  hints  here  given  are  unbelieved  because  they  are  con- 
cerned with  so-called  incurable  diseases. 

But  one  of  the  things  which  students  of  reflexology  pride  them- 
selves on  is  their  exactness  in  arriving  at  conclusions. 

The  methods  employed  would  fill  a  book.  Most  of  the  findings  here 
mentioned  are  backed  by  mature,  scientific,  advanced  medical  men. 

It  is  our  purpose  to  merely  excite  an  r.ctive  interest  in  the  work 
for  advantage  of  the  profession  of  medicine. 

211  North  8th  Street. 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OP  HOMCEOPATHY  515 

PHYSICAL  METHODS  IN  THE  TREATMENT  OF 
STOMACH  DISORDERS. 

By  HENRY  OLIVER  WELLS,  M.  D. 
Fort  Wayne,  Indiana. 

WITHOUT  decrying  the  efficacy  of  drug  therapy  I  would  like  to 
urge  the  physicians  of  all  schools  to  give  greater  heed  to  the 
use  of  physical  methods  for  the  alleviation  of  certain  diseases. 

There  are  many  diseases,  or'**pathological  conditions,"  if  you  prefer, 
that  can  be  quickly  and  easily  removed  by  physical  therapy  that  utterly 
refuse  to  yield  to  drug  therapy,  either  homoeopathic  or  physiological. 

Functional  stomach  disorders  and  sick  headaches  due  to  the  same, 
are  a  class  of  diseases  that  yield  quickly  to  physical  methods,  in  many 
instances,  when  drugs  fail. 

I  have  treated  many  subacute  and  chronic  disorders  of  the  stomach 
with  gratifying  results,  after  having  run  the  gauntlet  of  drug  therapy 
from  alpha  to  omega. 

It  must  not  be  inferred  from  these  remarks  that  all  cases  of  curable 
stomach  disease  are  more  amenable  to  physical  methods  than  to  drugs, 
but  I  would  urge  all  physicians  to  try  both  methods  if  the,  first  does  not 
succeed. 

When  I  treat  a  chronic  case  of  stomach  trouble  that  has  gone  the 
rounds  I  seldom  give  them  medicine  of  any  kind,  thereby  verifying  my 
belief  that  physical,  instead  of  drug  therapy  is  needed. 

The  various  methods  for  the  treatment  of  stomach  diseases  are 
manual  massage,  vibration,  concussion,  electricity,  spinal  tension,  heat 
and  cold,  and  the  so-called  "adjustments." 

I  object  to  the  word  "adjustment",  just  as  the  reader  may  object 
to  my  use  of  the  term  "stomach  disorder."  But  I  use  this  term  because 
I  know  of  nothing  better.  It  is  a  very  difficult  matter  to  classify  many 
of  the  cases  of  "disorders  of  the  stomach."  Perhaps  the  half  dozen  phys- 
icians who  have  treated  the  case  have  called  it  by  as  many  different 
names.  The  term  "indigestion,"  which  covers  a  multitude  of  sins,  may 
be  used,  if  you  prefer. 

One  great  error  among  physicians  uninitiated  in  use  of  physical 
methods,  is  the  belief  that  the  treatment  is  applied  over  the  region  of 
the  stomach  and  bowels,  whereas,  the  treatment  of  greatest  efficacy  is 
applied  to  that  region  of  the  spine  from  whence  the  nerves  originate, 
which  supplies  the  disordered  organs. 

The  two  methods  which  have  given  me  the  most  radical  results,  are 
the  "spinal  thrust,"  and  the  slow  sine  wave,  one  of  the  most  useful  of 
all  electrical  currents. 

For  the  benefit  of  any  physician  who  does  not  know  just  what  is 
meant  by  the  "spinal  thrust,"  I  will  say  briefly,  that  it  is  done  by  mak- 
ing a  quick  thrust  with  the  palm  of  the  hand  on  the  spine  of  the  vertebra 
which  is  to  be  **moved."    We  say  it  is  moved  when  it  "clicks"  or  makes  a 


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516  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHV 

sound  similar  to  that  made  by  the  fingers  when  pulled,  or  pressed  down 
on  the  palm.  It  might  seem  superfluous  in  this  day  and  age  T)f  progress 
to  make  this  explanation,  but  I  have  run  across  many  well  informed 
physicians  who  have  never  seen  it  done,  or  knew  that  it  had  any  ther- 
apeutic significance.  It  is  astonishing  how  little  the  old  school  physic- 
ian knows  of  the  other  cults.  There  are  thousands  of  physicians  who 
have  never  seen  a  masseur,  an  osteopath  or  a  chiropractor  operate.  It 
is  the  very  fact  that  these  irregular  cults  make  use  of  these  methods 
that  prevents  the  "regulars"  from  making  use  of  them,  however  much 
virtue  there  may  be  in  them. 

I  was  one  time  called  to  see  an  old  physician  who  derived  much 
relief  from  some  indifferent  spinal  manipulation  which  I  gave  him,  bat 
was  much  offended  at  my  suggestion  tjiat  he  employ  an  osteopath  with 
whom  he  had  been  in  competition  for  several  years. 

If  our  schools  would  only  teach  the  methods  practiced  by  the  irreg- 
ular cults  we  would  soon  have  no  cults  with  which  to  compete.  But, 
just  as  the  day  has  come  when  the  "old  school"  physician  recognizes  and 
fraternizes  with  the  homoeopath,  so  the  day  will  come  when  all  physic- 
ians will  recognize,  teach,  preach  and  practice  the  good  things  in  the 
practice  of  the  other  cults. 

In  order  to  illustrate  the  results  that  may  be  derived  from  some  of 
the  physical  methods  I  will  enumerate  a  few  cases  I  have  treated  by 
these  methods : 

Case  1.  Married  lady  aged  34,  previously  in  robust  health,  taken 
suddenly  with  a  severe  jaundice.  She  was  as  yellow  as  any  case  I -ever 
saw.  When  I  saw  her  she  had  been  in  the  hands  of  a  competent  physic- 
ian for  six  weeks,  and  presumably  had  been  given  the  best  recognized 
medical  treatment.  She  had  lost  thirty  pounds  in  weight  and  had 
been  constantly  sick  at  the  stomach,  with  much  wretching  and  pain. 
She  had  tried  to  vomit  on  an  average  of  overy  half  hour  most  all  of  this 
tima  I  loosened  up  the  spine  (poped  the  vertebral  articulations)  from 
the  sixth  to  ninth  dorsal,  and  squeezed  the  liver  by  making  as  much 
compression  over  the  ribs  as  I  could  do  without  hurting  her.  The  re- 
lief was  instantaneous.  The  nausea  stopped  immediately,  all  pains 
stopped,  and  in  half  an  hour  she  felt  like  eating.  The  treatment  was 
given  the  next  day,  and  she  went  on  to  a  rapid  and  uninterrupteed  re- 
covery. The  only  medicine  given  was  cholecystitis  tablets,  but  the  re- 
covery was  fairly  on  before  any  medicine  was  given.  I  will  leave  the 
diagnosis  and  the  **how"  of  the  results  derived  to  the  reader. 

Case  2.  A  married  lady  with  one  child  complained  for  about  a 
year  with  "stomach  trouble."  Various  physicians  who  had  treated  her 
had  diagnosed  it  as  indigestion,  catarrh  of  the  stomach,  gall  stones, 
cancer  of  the  liver  and  cancer  of  the  stomach.  As  the  pain  was  severe 
and  constant  in  the  last  two  or  three  months  several  of  the  physicians 
-who  saw  her  had  recommended  a  surgical  operation  as  the  only  hope  of 
relief. 

I  found  her  in  bed  complaining  of  great  pain  and  nausea.    I  "ad- 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY  517 

justed''  the  fifth  and  sixth  dorsal  vertebra  and  had  them  put  a  hot  pack 
over  that  region  of  the  back  to  relax  contracted  muscles  and  ligaments 
which  I  figured  might  be  making  nerve  pressure.  Her  pain  was  re- 
lieved in  a  short  time,  never  to  return  and  the  next  day  she  was  able  to 
come  to  my  office  feeling  good.  She  was  soon  well  enough  to  eat  any 
thing  she  chose.  The  office  treatment  consisted  of  applications  of  the 
slow  sine  wave,  one  pad  over  the  fifth  and  sixth  dorsal  vertebra  and  the 
other  over  the  stomach.    What  was  it  and  how  was  it  ? 

Case  3.  A  farmer  aged  50  had  sour  stomach,  fermentation  and 
nausea  after  every  meal.  At  the  time  he  consulted  me  he  claimed  not 
to  have  eaten  a  single  meal  for  a  month  without  more  or  less  vomiting. 
He  had  previously  had  a  like  illness,  but  the  physician  who  cured  him 
before  could  not  help  him  this  time.  Although  the  symptoms  were 
practically  the  same,  the  same  medicines  seemed  to  have  no  effect.  After 
the  first  treatment  I  gave  him  he  retained  every  meal,  and  all  symptoms 
rapidly  disappeared.  I  treated  him  twice  a  week  for  three  weeks  and 
he  pronounced  himself  eptirely  well.  In  fact,  he  was  practically  well 
after  the  first  treatment,  which  consisted  mostly  of  "adjustment"  of 
the  fifth  dorsal  vertebra  and  the  slow  sine  wave,  with  one  pad  over  the 
fifth  and  sixth  dorsal,  and  the  other  over  the  stomach. 

Case  4.  A  railroad  conductor,  aged  37,  severe  pains  in  the  stom- 
ach, sour  stomach  and  headaches  much  of  the  time  for  two  years.  Al- 
most constant  medication  during  this  time  yielded  no  results. 

I  gave  him  practically  the  same  treatment  as  was  given  in  case  3 
with  quick  and  positive  results. 

Case  5.  A  lady  aged  35,  in  good  general  health,  but  with  more  or 
less  pain  in  the  stomach  and  around  the  region  of  the  heart  for  about 
three  years.  The  pain  came  on  mostly  after  eating,  sometimes  severe, 
and  at  other  times  mild.  No  medical  treatment  had  done  any  apprec- 
iable good  and  she  began  to  despair  of  ever  getting  well. 

In  this  case  I  gave  several  treatments  with  electricity,  vibration, 
adjustments,  etc.,  with  very  little,  if  any  benefit.  I  then  decided  to  try 
spinal  tension,  although  in  this  case,  contrary  to  the  rule,  there  was  no 
spinal  tenderness.  (There  is  usually  a  sore  or  tender  spot  at  the  fifth 
dorsal  vertebra  in  chronic  disorders  of  the  stomach.)  The  first  stretch- 
ing consisted  of  a  six  minute  treatment,  stretching  and  relaxing  alter- 
nately eight  times  a  minute,  on  an  automatic  stretching  machine.  A1-: 
most  complete  relief  followed  this  treatment,  and  a  few  more  like  treat- 
ments, given  three  times  a  week,  has  apparently  effected  a  complete  cure. 

It  is  possible,  in  fact,  most  probable  that  in  this*  case  I  did  not  ad- 
just the  vertebra  that  was  causing  the  pressure,  but  the  stretching  ma- 
chine got  them  all.  I  could  give  some  interesting  cases  of  other  con- 
ditions wliere  the  stretching  machine  did  the  work  that  every  thing  else 
failed  to  do,  but  I  am  afraid  I  have  already  taken  up  too  much  space. 

229  East  Berry  Street. 


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518  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

INDICATIONS  FOR  RESHAPING  COECUM  AND 

COLON. 

By  W.  A.  GUILD,  M.  D. 
Des  Moines,  Iowa. 

THE  operations  on  the  Coecum  and  Sigmoid  proposed  and  perfected 
by  Doctors  E.  H.  Pratt  and  O.  S.  RunneUs,  have  now  become 
classical  surgery.  The  technique  is  known  and  applied  by  all  leading 
abdominal  operators.  However,  it  is  difficult  for  the  diagnostician  to 
point  out  with  certainty  the  definite  indications  for  this  surgical  work. 

It  is  true,  indeed,  that  only  a  very  small  per  cent,  of  cases  needing 
this  work  is  ever  suspected  of  the  mechanical  defects  for  which  the  oper- 
ation is  so  valuable.  For  there  is  rarely  any  local  symptoms  directing 
any  attention  to  Mai- Anatomy.  The  general  symptoms  have  not  been 
classified  sufficiently  to  direct  us  to  the  abdominal  trouble.  It  is  true 
that  once  suspected,  the  X-ray,  if  conditions  are  favorable,  will  give  us 
an  index  to  the  Pouching,  Ptosis  and  Angulations.  However,  if  the 
symptoms  point  to  the  necessity  of  an  X-ray  examination,  a  careful 
study  of  the  patient  will  give  a  definite  answer  to  the  question  of  surg- 
ical procedure  ,even  though  a  thorough  X-Ray  diagnosis  were  impossible. 

In  cases  of  Dementia,  Epilepsy,  Insanity  not  clearly  emotional. 
Non-specific  Paralysis,  Torticolis,  Talipes,  Paralysis  Agitans,  Melan- 
cholia, Hypochondriasis,  etc.,  we  may  generally  suspect  Mal-formations 
of  the  Coecum  and  Colon.  In  these  cases  there  is  rarely  any  tempera- 
ture rise,  but  rather  a  subnormal  temperature,  often  as  low  as  96  de- 
grees.   Complications  may  give  rise  to  a  temperature  above  normal. 

In  very  thin  individuals  a  Pouched  Coecum  may  be  palpated 
and,  sometimes  an  abnormal  angulation  of  the  Hepatic  or  Splenic  Colonic 
Flexure  may  be  determined  by  the  sense  of  touch.  This  is  easier  of  de- 
termination when  Feces  pack  the  parts.  Percussion  is  of  valuable  as- 
sistance in  the  diagnosis,  particularly  when  gaseous  distention  presents. 

There  is  no  localized  pain,  except  when  Coecum  or  Colon  is  loaded. 
There  may  be  a  sensitiveness  on  deep  pressure. 

The  chief  diagnostic  point  as  pointed  out  by  Doctors  Pratt  and  Run- 
nells,  and  found  most  reliable  in  my  own  experience  is  a  real  or  apparent 
over-development  of  the  right  or  both  Recti  Muscles.  This  is  not  the 
tenseness  or  rigidity  looked  for  in  appendicitis,  and  is  an  entirely  differ- 
ent finding.  There  is  at  least  an  apparent  comparative  enlargement  of 
the  Rectus  or  Recti  disportionate  to  the  other  abdominal  muscles.  This 
diagnostic  point  together  with  other  clinical  data  should  always  enable 
us  to  decide  in  favor  of  Coecal  and  Colonic  reconstruction.  The  per- 
centage of  operative  cases  substantiating  this  diagnostic  point  warrants 
its  constant  recognition. 

Utica  Building. 


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NOBTH  AMERIOAX  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY  519 

THE  PREVENTION  OF  CANCER. 

By  £.  M.  PERDUE,  A.M.,  M.D.,  D.P.H. 

ProfMsor  of  Preventive  Medicine,  Eclectic  Medical  University;  Direc- 
tor Johnson's  Pathological  Laboratory  for  Cancer  Research. 

Kansas  City,  Missouri. 

CANCER  or  carcinoma  is  a  chronic  alkaline  auto-intoxication  caus- 
ed by  the  faulty  dimination  and  retention  of  body  wastes.  This 
intoxication  is  of  organic  poisons.  The  essential  of  this  intoxication  is 
the  retention  of  00  2.  The  retained  carbon  dioxid  makes  insoluble, 
irreversible  colloidal  compounds  with  the  proteid  substance  of  the  tis- 
sues. Compounds  of  00  2,  wherever  made  are  carbonates.  The  car- 
bonates of  the  materials  of  which  the  human  body  is  composed  are  most- 
ly alkaline.  The  result  of  the  retention  of  carbon  dioxid  and  its  colloid- 
al combination  with  the  tissue  cells  is  hyperalkalinity.  In  cases  of 
cancer  this  hyperalkalinity  is  manifest  in  the  blood,  the  body  juices  and 
the  tissues.  The  blood  plasma  is  raised  from  its  normal  0.85  per  cent! 
sodium  chlorid  equivalent  to  above  a  1.0  per  cent  equivalent.  The 
erythrocytes  are  markedly  reduced  in  resistance  so  that  they  may  all  be- 
come of  K  3.  Chlorids  and  alkalies  are  withdrawn  from  the  urine  and 
the  gastric  juice.  In  bad  cases  of  cancer  the  chlorid  content  falls  al- 
most as  low  as  in  pneumonia.  Dialysis  is  decreased,  the  flow  of  diges- 
tive juices  is  diminished,  absorption  and  assimilation  are  defective,  and 
the  amount  of  urine  eliminated  is  smalL 

Hyperalkalinity  is  the  essential  of  new  growth.  Without  it  can- 
cers will  not  develop.  With  it  cancers  may  and  may  not  develop.  The 
secondary  cause  is  irritation.  Oiven  hyperalkalinity  as  a  condition 
precedent^  and  then  a  local  irritation  to  determine  the  locus  or  the  tumor 
growth,  trophic  control  is  broken  and  lawless  hypertrophy  takes  place. 

The  development  of  hyperalkalinity  generally  conmiences  in  con- 
stipation. It  can  be  truly  said  in  the  majority  of  cases  that  cancer  or- 
iginates in  the  colon.  The  absorption  of  toxic  gases  affects  the  whole 
eliminative  system.  The  amount  of  urine  is  decreased  and  shows  a  red 
line  in  contact  with  cold  nitric  acid.  The  hyperalkalinity  produces 
arteriosclerosis.  Oxidation  is  decreased  with  the  fall  of  the  oxygen  car- 
rying capacity  of  the  erythrocytes.  The  cancer  patient  has  an  alkaline 
blood  plasma,  the  resistance  of  the  erythrocytes  is  diminished,  he  is 
constipated,  has  a  high  blood  pressure,  a  sub-normal  temperature,  passes 
a  small  amount  of  urine  low  in  chlorids,  and  if  a  blond,  has  a  dry  scaly 
skin  on  the  face,  neck  and  hands.    He  is  also  past  middle  age. 

The  irritation  which  determines  the  locus  of  the  cancerous  tumor 
may  be  of  any  kind.  It  may  be  acute  or  chronic,  it  may  be  direct  or 
reflex.  The  epitheliomas  are  most  commonly  found  upon  the  face,  neck 
and  hands.  They  are  very  rare  below  the  collar  and  above  the  wrist 
band.  When  th^  occur  elsewhere  on  the  body  they  always  present  a 
history  of  a  definite  irritation  in  addition  to  the  general  condition  of 


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620  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OP  HOMCEOPATHY 

hyperalkalinity  which  always  determines  the  'precancerous  stage** 
Epitheliomas  of  the  face,  neck  and  hands  are  much  more  common  on 
men  than  on  women.  When  found  on  women  it  will  be  found  that  the 
women  led  an  outdoor  life,  frequently  bare  headed.  The  epitheliomas 
of  the  face,  neck  and  hands  are  found  almost  exclusively  on  blond  men. 
They  are  exceptionally  rare  on  brunetts.  In  many  thousands  of  cases 
I  have  not  seen  an  epithelioma  of  the  face  upon  a  negro,  and  not  over 
a  half  dozen  upon  women  or  upon  men  of  dark  complexion.  The  reason 
is  this: — The  alkalinity  being  of  the  tissues  is  subject  to  concentration 
by  drying  in  those  parts  of  the  body  exposed  to  the  air  and  sunlight. 
Dark  skins  are  moist  and  protected  much  more  than  light  skins. 
Hence  the  rarity  of  these  tumors  in  persons  of  dark  complexion  and 
their  gn^eat  frequency  in  persons  of  light  complexion  who  lead  an  out- 
door life.  Other  irritations  commonly  found  are  the  pipe  stem,  the 
jagged  tooth,  the  barbed  wire  cut,  the  puncture  of  a  splinter  or  thorn, 
the  bruise.  In  the  patient  of  hypoalkalinity  or  acidity,  these  irritations 
result  in  ulceration;  in  cases  of  hyperalkalinity,  they  either  heal  very 
ireadily  without  suppuration,  or  become  the  seat  of  a  new  growth. 

The  most  striking  illustration  of  reflex  irritation  is  the  high  in- 
cidence of  cancer  of  the  breast  in  women  who  have  suffered  a  laceration 
of  the  cervix  uteri.  In  these  laboratories,  after  examining  many  thous- 
ands of  cases,  we  no  longer  find  it  necessary  to  ask  a  mother  with  a 
tumor  of  the  breast  whether  or  not  she  was  lacerated  at  childbirth;  we 
ask  her  when  she  was  lacerated.  She  always  gives  the  history.  Women 
who  are  not  mothers  often  give  a  history  of  chronic  endometritis.  Only 
a  very  few  give  a  history  of  injury  to  the  breast,  such  as  the  prod  of 
the  end  of  the  broom  handle,  bumping  against  the  door,  bumping  by  a 
nursing  child,  too  rough  handling  by  the  husband,  or  breast  inflamed 
during  lactation. 

Lacerated  cervix  uteri  can  be  the  whole  cause  of  cancer.  It  is  rich- 
ly supplied  with  nerves.  It  is  at  one  of  the  lower  orifices  of  the  body. 
It  contracts  and  shuts  down  on  the  laceration.  Delicate  nerve  endings 
are  caught  up  in  the  hard  scar.  For  years,  day  and  night  the  reflex 
irritation  goes  on.  The  rectum  and  colon  respond  in  sympathy  and 
lose  their  tone  and  rythm.  Constipation  and  alkaline  intoxication  re- 
sult. The  uterus  is  very  resistent.  Nature  permits  no  interference  with 
its  function  during  the  reproductive  period.  After  death  it  is  the 
last  organ  to  survive  dissolution  except  the  bones.  It  resists  the  in- 
fluences which  would  produce  cancer.  The  breasts  are  very  sensitive. 
They  respond  to  every  stimulation  and  irritation  of  the  uterus.  They 
develop  with  it,  are  .excited  at  every  menstruation,  coitus,  abortion  and 
pregnancy.  They  functionate  after  parturition.  Their  very  function 
is  hyi)ertrophy  of  epithelium.  The  woman  with  these  conditions  has 
also  arrived  at  the  cancerous  age.  She  is  thirty  to  thirty-five  years  old. 
The  incidence  is  higher  even  at  greater  age. 

Another  fact  of  great  importance  in  considering  the  etiology  and 
pathogenesis  of  human  cancer  from  the  clinical  standpoint  is  that  it  is  a 


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NORTH   AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY  521 

disease  of  past  middle  life,  when  the  powers  of  elimination  are  not  so 
active  and  when  the  tendency  to  retention  of  body  wastes  is  greater. 

Cancer  is  not  a  parasitic  disease.  Cancer  is  not  a  communicable 
disease.  Cancer  is  not  a  chronic  intoxication  due  to  the  ingestion  of 
any  toxic  material  of  general  distribution.  In  this  latter  sense  it  dif- 
fers entirely  from  pellagra.  Its  cutaneous  manifestations  on  the  head, 
face,  neck  and  hands  are  analogous  to  those  in  pellagra,  in  that  they  are 
both  caused  by  the  concentration  of  the  intoxication  by  drying  in  air 
and  sunlight,  but  the  intoxication  of  pellagra  from  colloidal  silica  is 
acid  and  tends  to  desquamation  and  ulceration,  while  the  intoxication  of 
cancer  is  alkaline  and  tends  to  new  growth. 

Since  the  intoxication  of  cancer  is  a  matter  of  retention  of  organic 
wastes,  and  each  case  of  cancer  is  individual,  the  prevention  of  cancer 
is  a  matter  entirely  without  the  domain  of  general  preventive  medicine. 
The  prevention  of  cancer  becomes  a  question  of  personal  prophylaxis. 
The  knowledge  of  its  cause  and  the  means  of  its  prevention  should  be 
the  common  property  of  every  physician.  When  patients  pass  middle 
age,  when  the  marks  of  senility  are  in  any  sense  present,  when  there 
are  special  irritations  in  persons  of  constipated  habit,  elimination  is  the 
watchword. 

By  proper  elimination  of  organic  wastes  the  fixing  of  the  mineral 
alkalies  in  the  tissues  will  be  avoided.  The  colon  should  be  evacuated 
completely  at  least  once  in  every  twenty-four  hours.  Measure  the  quan- 
tity of  urine  passed  in  twenty-four  hours,  make  a  quantitative  analysis 
and  note  especially  the  small  quantity,  the  high  specific  gravity  and  the 
low  percentage  of  chlorids.  Suit  the  internal  remedies  to  the  condition 
so  as  to  increase  the  output  of  urine  to  1600  c.c.  in  twenty-four  hours 
and  keep  it  at  this  point  with  its*  content  normal.  See  to  it  that  the 
whole  system  is  thoroughly  cleaned  out  and  that  a  high  degree  of  elim- 
ination is  kept  up  for  many  months. 

As  retained  carbon  dioxid  makes  organic  combinations  with  the 
tissue  cells,  many  of  which  are  both  irreversible  and  insoluble,  the  only 
remedy  is  oxidation.  In  early  life  oxidation  is  sufficient.  In  later  life 
at  the  time  of  the  reduction  of  the  activity  of  the  sexual  and  ductless 
glands,  oxidation  conunences  to  decline.  This  is  first  evidenced  by  fat 
and  obesity,  later  by  emaciation,  arteriosclerosis  ,wrinkling,  senile  ker- 
atoses and  senility.  During  this  period  there  is  increased  retention 
of  organic  wastes  and  increased  alkalinity.  To  increase  oxidation  and 
to  bum  out  the  effete  combination  there  is  nothing  better  than  thyroid 
extract  in  men,  with  the  addition  of  ovarian  extract  in  women.  By  this 
means  the  insoluble  and  irreversible  compounds  are  broken  down  into 
simpler  compounds  which  can  be  eliminated.  As  a  result  of  elimination, 
hyperalkalinity  will  disappear,  the  resistance  of  the  erythrocytes  will 
become  normal,  the  skin  will  clear  up  and  become  smooth,  the  complex- 
ion will  improve,  and  the  evidences  of  approaching  senility  and  old  age 
will  be  no  longer  apparent.  The  red  blood  corpuscles  will  carry  their 
allotted  amount  of  hemoglobin,  the  chlorids  and  alkalies  will  again  sup- 


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522  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OP  HOMCEOPATHY 

ply  the  digestive  juicee>  and  aBsimilation  and  nutrition  will  supply  the 
needs  of  the  body  in  new  and  fresh  materiaL 

The  other  requisite  in  the  prophylaxis  or  prevention  of  cancer  is 
the  removal  of  irritation.  Irritation  alone  will  not  cause  the  growth  of 
a  cancerous  tumor.  The  hyperalkalinity  is  a  condition  precedent.  But 
a  :ondition  of  hyi)eralkalinity  may  be  insidious  in  its  development  It 
may  be  present  and  not  recognized.  Certain  irritations  by  their  reflex 
influences,  set  up  conditions  which  produce  hyperalkalinity.  This  is 
specially  true  of  piles  and  lacerations  of  the  uterus. 

Persons  leading  an  outdoor  life,  especially  if  they  be  blonds  with 
thin  dry  skin,  liable  to  sunburn,  chapping,  cracking  and  blistering, 
should  know  that  with  constipation  and  general  low  elimination  they 
are  liable  to  epithelioma.  This  is  especially  true  if  they  go  with  the 
head  and  arms  bare.  The  other  irritations  mentioned  in  the  first  pages 
of  this  article  are  equally  worthy  of  attention. 

Under  our  present  knowledge,  there  is  very  little  excuse  for  cancer 
of  the  breast.  An  unrepaired  cervix  is  due  to  the  carelessness  or  igno- 
rance of  the  obstetrician  or  gynecologist,  or  both.  For  the  physician 
who  still  holds  to  the  statement  or  dogma  that  there  is  no  relation  be- 
tween laceration  of  the  cervix  and  cancer  of  the  breast,  there  is  little 
hope.  There  are  none  so  blind  as  those  who  won't  see.  If  uterine  lacer- 
ations were  promptly  repaired,  and  uterine  irritations  removed  or  cured, 
cancer  of  the  breast  would  be  rare. 

The  foregoing  observations  are  made  after  twelve  years  of  research 
in  the  largest  laboratories  for  cancer  research  in  America.  They  are 
the  conclusions  drawn  from  a  record  of  over  20,000  cases  of  human 
cancer. 

We  conclude,  therefore,  that  the  prevention  of  cancer  or  carcinoma 
consists  in: — 

1.  The  proper  elimination  of  toxic  wastes. 

2.  The  removal  of  local  irritation. 
Baymond  Building. 


SYMPATHETIC  NERVE  WASTE 


The  following  is  the  substance  of  a  talk  before  the  February  meet- 
ing of  the  Chicago  Society  of  Medical  Research  by  Dr.  Eugene  Hubbel, 
of  St.  Paul,  President  of  the  American  Association  of  Orificial  Surgeons : 

The  able  paper  by  Dr.  Guild  and  the  discussion  by  Dr.  Pratt  have 
so  fully  covered  the  essentials  of  orificial  philosophy  that  there  remains 
but  little  for  me  to  say,  except  to  emphasize  this  fact,  that  the  funda- 
mental principles  of  orificial  work  is  the  removal  of  irritation  causing 
sympathetic  nerve  waste  wherever  it  may  be  found  . 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  UF  HOMCEOPATHY  523 

Remember,  every  organ,  tissue  and  cell  of  the  body  is  built,  main- 
tained and  repaired  by  the  sympathetic  nerves,  which  operate  and  con- 
trol the  blood  stream  and  all  that  pertains  thereto.  Also  remembering 
that  the  subconscious  or  universal  mind  has  its  home  and  operates  in 
and  through  the  sympathetic  nervous  system,  while  the  conscious  mind 
operates  through  the  cerebro-spinaL  Therefore,  all  therapeutic  measures 
must  appeal  to  the  subconscious  mind,  arousing  it  to  renewed  activity 
and  restoring  the  cells,  tissues  and  organs  of  the  body  to  a  normal  con- 
dition, resulting  in  health.  The  orificialist  aims  to  remove  these  impedi- 
ments and  restore  to  nonnal  action  the  sympathetic.  At  the  first  lower 
orifices  were  foTind  to  be  a  fruitful  field  for  nerve  impingements,  later  the 
upper  orifices  were  sought  out,  then  the  abdominal  cavity,  the  millions 
of  orifices  on  the  skin,  and  last  but  not  least  the  bony  openings  of  the 
spine.  These  parts  of  irritation  causing  sympathetic  nerve  waste  are 
removed  by  physical,  manual,  mechanical  or  surgical  measures.  These 
will  be  practically  and  scienrtifically  demonstrated  at  the  orificial  clinic 
held  in  Chicago  next  September  27th,  28th  and  29th,  to  which  you  are 
all  invited  to  see  the  work. 


RESULTS  FOLLOWING  HOM(EOPATHIC  PRE- 
SCRIBING. 

By   VIRGINIA  M.  JOHNSON,  M.  D. 
Chicago. 

Pulmonary  Tuberculosis  Treated  Successfully 

BOY  16  years.  First  called  Feby.  23,  1914.  Found  him  in  bed  shiv- 
ering, windows  wide  open  and  door  closed  with  a  below  zero  tem- 
perature outside,  pupil  of  ^e  dilated  and  serrated,  temperature  sub- 
normal, pulmonary  hemorrhage,  craving  for  cold  drinks  and  cold  foods, 
great  prostration.  Two  large  vessels  stood  by  the  bed  filled  with  a  green- 
ish yellow  slime  with  a  putrid  odor.  The  mother  said  that  they  had 
both  been  filled  over  night.  As  one  younger  sister  was  reported  tuber- 
cular the  health  department  physician  visited  the  house  and  made  a  test 
of  this  boy  as  well  as  the  sister  and  reported  both  tubercular,  and  order- 
ed the  usual  fresh  air  and  milk  and  egg  cure.  The  mother  told  the  doc- 
tor that  neither  milk  or  eggs  had  ever  agreed  with  the  boy.  His  illness 
dated  from  the  previous  November,  when  he  worked  in  a  bakery  and 
was  sent  for  beer  many  times  a  day,  going  from  a  hot  room  to  a  saloon 
with  no  heat  and  wearing  just  his  short-sleeved  cotton  underwear. 

He  was  given  Bryonia  Alb.  SOX;  improved,  but  the  cold  sweat  on 
the  forehead  and  the  cravings  for  cold  food  and  drink  became  most 
prominent  so  he  was  given  two  doses  of  Yeratrum  Alb.  SOX.  On  the 
25th  I  changed  his  diet  to  ice  cream,  jello  and  arrowroot  biscuits.    I 


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524  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

ordered  the  room  warmed,  the  upper  sash  of  the  window  open  about  2 
inches  and  the  opening  covered  with  cheese-cloth,  hot  water-bottles  and 
the  bedding  warmed.  It  took  five  days  to  get  him  warmed  through. 
The  improvement  was  rapid.  On  March  1st  he  was  given  one  dose  of 
Sulphur  2M.  March  9th  he  came  to  the  office.  The  pulmonary  hemor- 
rhages had  reappeared.  He  was  given  Oalcarea  Garb.  200.  On  the 
16th  he  came  to  the  office  with  wet  feet  and  in  a  state  of  great  fear  be- 
cause his  mother  was  intoxicated  and  had  tried  to  kill  him.  He  was 
given  Aconite  SOX.  March  23rd  he  was  given  Oalcarea  Carb.  cm. 
The  first  week  in  April  he  went  to  work  on  a  delivery  wagon  in  spite 
of  the  stormy  weather.  He  came  to  my  office  over  a  year  and  a  half 
later  and  reported  that  he  was  working  hard  and  in  robust  health. 

Pyrogen  in  Diphtheria 

Helen  B.  aged  11,  was  called  first  on  June  4,  1917.  Temperature 
104.5.  Both  tonsils  and  uvula  OBdematous,  almost  filling  the  throat  so 
that  she  had  to  struggle  for  breath.  A  grayish  green  exudate  covered 
the  posterior  throat,  eyes  glossy,  stupor  for  three  days  previous,  grayish 
expectoration,  odor  putrid,  both  cheeks  fiery  led,  constipation.  The 
culture  proved  diphtheria  positive.  Belladonna  SOX  was  given  the 
first  day.  High  eenmatea;  the  second  day  she  perspired.  The  health 
officer  asked  the  parents  to  have  antitoxin  given  as  he  considered  the 
case  hopeless.    The  father,  a  lawyer,  told  him  that  **he  didn't  believe  in 

the  d horse  dope;  have  seen  enough  of  it  in  two  previous  cases  when 

we  had  two  weeks  of  hell  on  earth  after  its  administration."  On  the  7th, 
Pyrogen  200,  two  doses  were  given  and  on  the  lOth  one  dose  of  Pyrogen 
Im.  The  culture  on  the  11th  proved  negative  and  the  health  department 
was  ready  to  lift  the  quarantine  when  the  mother  was  taken  with  a  sore 
throat  and  symptoms  quite  similar  to  those  of  the  daughter,  so  she  was 
given  Pyrogen  200th.  The  quarantine  was  lifted  on  the  22nd  of  June. 
Lowel  S.,  aged  5  and  one-half.  Light  hair,  fair  complexion,  larger 
than  most  children  at  8  years  of  age,  has  been  ^'n  poor  health  since  he 
was  a  baby.  I  was  first  called  July  23,  1917.  Temp.  104.5,  stupor;  had 
slept  for  three  or  four  days  almost  constantly;  tongue  pointed,  tip  red. 
Body  sore  to  touch,  posterior  throat  OBdematous,  both  sides  swollen  exter- 
nally and  internally,  dry  skin,  grayish  green  exudate,  odor  putrid.  The 
culture  proved  Diphtheria  positive.  The  health  officer  requested  them 
to  use  antitoxin  but  the  mother  told  him  that  she  had  confidence  in  her 
doctor  and  she  didn't  use  antitoxin.  Pyrogen  200th  potency  was  given 
on  the  first  day  with  a  marked  improvement;  the  second  day  he  was  up 
walking  around.     The  quarantine  was  lifted  on  the  31st  of  July. 

1518  North  Washtenaw  Avenue. 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY  525 

LET  SURGERY  REMARRY  ITS  DIVORCEE, 
MEDICINE. 

By  JAMES  WEST  HINGSTON,  M  J>. 
Chicago. 

LIKE  strange  dogs  in  an  alley  we  had  sniffed  noses,  recognized  our 
similarity  of  breed,  and  concluded  to  be  friendly.  We  were  be- 
tween Pocatella  and  Boise  City.  Crossing  the  hot  and  arid  lands  of 
southern  Idaho,  coats  were  thrown  over  the  seats,  collars  were  melted 
down,  sogged  handkerchiefs  were  mopping  red  faces  and  sweaty  brows. 
We  were  trying  to  forget  our  misery  through  scientific  discussioin  in 
rasping  words  that  came  from  throats  too  dry  to  utter  sounds  louder 
than  a  hoarse  whisper  and  too  hot  to  be  cooled  by  what  had  once  been 
ice-water  but  was  now  an  offense  to  the  palate. 

He  said  he  had  a  patient  back  in  the  land  of  ^spuds,"  Colorado, 
with  unimited  fracture  of  the  neck  of  the  femur.  He  had  given  her 
Hensel's  Tonicum,  Fellow's  Hyi>ophosphite8,  Somebody's  Manganese 
Compound;  but  whether  he  had  prescribed  Peruna  or  Mrs.  Winslow's 
Soothing  Syrup  he  did  not  say — ^yet  all  to  no  purpose.  The  leg  refused 
to  become  a  useful  member  of  her  body^s  household.  **What  would  I 
suggest  to  do  for  her?" 

"What  sort  of  woman  is  she  ?"  I  inquired. 

He  looked  at  me  as  if  he  thought  I  was  oasting  aspersions  upon  her 
character. 

**Her  age,  general  physique,"  I  explained. 

"She  is  neither  fair,  fat  nor  forty,"  said  he,  mollified,  "but  about 
sixty-two;  thin,  choleric,  restless,  and  rich.  She  thinks  she  is  going  to 
die,  but  she  isn't.  She  won't  take  cod-liver  oil  because  she  don't  like 
fats.  I  didn't  know  what  more  to  do,  so  I  was  glad  to  get  away  on  this 
trip  to  Portland  and  leave  her  in  the  hands  of  another  doctor." 

'Toung  man,"  I  quoth,  "turn  back.  She  has  ducats.  You  may 
need  some  of  them  in  your  old  age;  she  needs  you  now — and  a  good 
leg.  Put  her  leg  in  an  ambulatory  splint,  give  her  Arsenic — and  watch 
her  leg  get  welL    You  will  get  both  her  bank  bills  and  her  blessing." 

^'Well,  Doctor,"  he  replied,  "I  am  not  going  back  over  this  desert 
till  I  see  the  dashing  Dalles  of  the  Columbia  and  sniff  the  brine  of  the 
Pacific  But  when  I  do  get  home  I  will  give  her  Fowler's  Solution  as 
a  beverage  if  it  will  make  that  leg  grow  whole." 

"Don't  do  it,"  I.  advised,  "give  her  the  30th  or  200th." 

He  demurred,  "Oh,  I  haven't  any  faith  in  those  high  potencies." 

"Young  man,"  I  exclaimed  again,  "the  trouble  is  your  faith  in 
medicine  is  more  wabbly  than  that  leg.  Your  Homoeopathy  is  less  stable 
than  senile  bone.  Thin,  choleric,  restless,  thinks  she  is  going  to  die, 
and  don't  like  fats.'  What  better  picture  do  you  want  of  Arsenicum 
than  that  ?    Give  her  the  200th  and  have  faith." 


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526  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

He  assured  me  he  would  do  the  former,  hut  douhted  attaining  the 
latter. 

We  sniffed  noses  again  and  slapped  paws.  I  dropped  off  at  the  next 
station  and  turned  my  hlistering  face  towards  the  snow-capped  peaks  of 
the  Seven  Devils,  while  my  pseudo-scientific  friend  proceeded  oceanward. 

I  have  recited  this  incident  as  an  introductory  illustration  of  the 
methods  of  many  of  our  surg^eons.  One  of  our  materia  medica  teach- 
ers has  said  of  the  Surgeons  of  our  Homoeopathic  School:  "The  most 
we  can  exi)ect  of  them  is  that  they  shall  not  antagonize  us." 

There  was  a  time  in  the  history  of  our  school,  when  the  lessons 
learned  by  hard  experience  were  new,  clean  cut  and  clear,  and  faith 
was  budded  deep,  and  when  our  surgeons  were  students  of  our  materia 
medica.  In  those  days  they  gave  Hypericum,  Arnica,  Chamomilla, 
Aconite,  Conium  instead  of  Morphia,  Opium,  Chloral,  Bromidia  and  the 
products  of  a  dozen  other  proprietary  and  non-proprietary  formulae. 

Today  surgically  there  is  little  neglect  in  cleanliness,  aseptics,  and 
antiseptics.  In  fact  the  thing  is  rather  over-done.  There  is  little  ne- 
glect in  technique  of  operation,  of  proper  closure  of  wound,  and  a  hun- 
dred and  one  details.  But  the  gn^eat  neglect  of  the  day  is  in  the  appli- 
cation of  the  Homoeopathic  remedy  to  the  surgical  case. 

In  the  case  quoted  the  doctor  did  not  say  how  much  Morphia  or 
other  anodynes,  soporifics  or  hypnotics  had  been  given  in  the  first  pain- 
ful hour.  What  a  horrible  habit  the  great  majority  of  surgeons  have 
of  sticking  a  quarter  of  a  grain  of  Morphia  into  the  leg  or  arm  of  every 
emergency  case.  And  if  the  tide  of  life  runs  low  they  are  as  ready 
with  their  strychnine  and  brandy  and  other  so-called  svimulants.  Did 
they  but  know  that  in  Aeon.,  Coffea,  Gels.,  and  Hypericum,  we  have  a 
^'big  four"  that  is  incomparable  in  soothing  pain,  alaying  excitement, 
quieting  restlessness,  and  inducing  sleep,  they  would  not  be  so  ready 
with  their  hypodermic  needle.  A  not  less  incomparable  "big  four"  for 
various  conditions  of  shock  is  found  in  Arnica,  Camphor,  Lachesis  and 
Opium.  A  careful  selection  from  amongst  these  eight  remedies,  to- 
gether with  Arsenic,  Chamomilla,  Carbo  Veg.,  Digitalis,  Veratrum  Alb., 
and  a  few  others,  will  be  of  ten-fold  more  benefit  to  your  patients  than 
all  the  anodynes,  soporifics,  and  stimulants  that  you  can  infuse  into 
your*  patient's  blood  with  point  and  piston  or  pot  and  potion,  it  may 
well  be  asked  what  is  the  ultimate  difference  to  the  imtient  whether  a 
pain  is  soothed  by  Hypericum  or  annulled  by  Opium;  whether  sleep 
is  induced  by  Aconite  or  compelled  by  Chloral;  whether  shocked  nerve 
centers  are  revivified  by  Camphor  or  the  sluggard  heart  is  driven  by  the 
whip  of  strychnine  to  counterfeit  the  return  of  vigor. 

The  differences  are  that  Hypericum  heals  the  bite  of  pain — normal- 
izes (if  I  may  coin  an  expression)  the  nerve  vibration;  while  Opium 
merely  induces  such  stupid  slumber  that  the  patient  cannot  feel  the 
pain  that  still  saps  the  vitality  through  the  sympathetic  nervous  sys- 
tem ;  and  at  the  same  time  locks  up  the  secretions,  destroys  the  power  of 
the  body  to  repair  the  sustained  damage  of  the  injury,  delays  ultimate 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF   UOMOSOPATHT  527 

recovery,  and,  in  severe  cases,  throws  the  balance  where  the  tide  of  life 
ebbs  to  death.  Aconite  relaxes  the  nervous  tension  and  permits  normal 
sleep — **tired  Nature's  sweet  restorer;"  while  Chloral  produces  an  in- 
hibiting stupor  and  leaves  the  economy  oppressed  with  a  poison,  the 
elimination  of  which  is  a  burden  added  to  that  already  imposed  by  the 
injury.  Camphor  is  a  dynamic  stimulant  to  the  dying  sympathetic 
brain  without  reaction;  while  Strychnia  acts  like  a  whip  to  the  over- 
burdened horse,  speeding  the  object  of  its  lashings  for  the  hour,  only  to 
have  its  victim  drop  by  the  wayside  when  irritation  results  in  inevitable 
exhaustion.  The  difference  is  that  the  action  of  the  HomoBopathic  reme- 
dies is  curative  in  the  derangements  of  injury  and  surgical  interference 
as  in  every  disturbance  of  the  human  economy — they  restore  the  bal- 
ance of  perturbed  nerve  force ;  while  the  results  of  the  unscientific  meth- 
ods of  the  numerous  school  and  aped  by  so  many  of  ourselves  are,  at  best, 
but  a  mask  upon  the  real  conditions  and  are  on  the  wrong  side  of  the 
balance  sheet  in  the  final  accounting.  The  difference  between  the  two 
methods  is  the  difference  between  following  the  light  of  science  and 
groping  in  the  befogged  darkness  of  ignorance.  The  difference  is  often 
the  saving  of  lives  by  the  application  of  truth  or  letting  death  come  in 
by  deception. 

As  brilliant  as  are  the  results  obtained  by  the  well  selected  remedy 
in  the  early  hours  of  surgical  cases,  more  marvelous  yet  are  its  effects 
during  the  after  course  of  the  healing  process.  Let  the  remedy  be  chos- 
en in  accord  with  any  pre-existing  or  co-existing  symptoms  manifested 
independent  of,  or  stirred  up  by,  the  nervous  shock  of  the  accident  or 
the  operation,  and  the  process  of  repair  will  be  uninterrupted,  complete 
and  satisfactory.  The  failure  of  wounds  to  heal,  the  occurrence  of  ab- 
scess from  internal  infection,  the  existence  of  ununited  fracture,  the 
appearance  of  foul  ulcers,  would  indeed  be  rare  if  the  patient  were  con- 
sidered an  object  of  thought  instead  of  the  attention  being  fixed  ex- 
clusively upon  the  seat  of  injury. 

If  so  much  may  be  done  with  the  appropriate  remedy  in  emergency 
and  recent  cases,  what  may  not  be  accomplished  in  that  increasing  class 
of  cases  where  surgical  interference  is  made  necessary  by  the  insidious, 
subtle,  long-working,  and  underlying  force,  call  it  what  you  will — ^psora, 
perverted  nerve  force,  mal-nutrition — which  brings  forth  the  local  mani- 
festations we  call  fibroid,  carcinoma,  epithelioma,  sarcoma,  cyst,  ulcer, 
tuberculosis,  lupus,  fungoid,  wart,  etc  ? 

There  is  not  a  so-called  Hahnemannian  (let  us  use  the  term  with 
reverence,  not  ridicule)  today  but  what  will  undertake  to  remove  warts, 
dissolve  fungoids,  heal  ulcers  and  cure  lupus  by  administration  of  the 
similimum.  Others  will  go  further  and  attempt  to  cause  the  absorption 
of  cysts,  the  resolving  of  fibroids  and  the  healing  of  cancers.  The  most 
liberal  surgeon  will  scarcely  go  further  than  to  admit  the  occasional 
possibility  of  curative  results  of  the  remedied  in  the  minor  troubles  of 
warts,  fungoids  and  ulcers.  But  they  will  draw  the  line  fast  and  firm 
with  these  and  hold  in  derision  those  who  essay  results  in  the  more 


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628  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

formidable  tumors  and  malignant  growths. 

If  we  stop  to  consider  the  matter  for  a  moment  we  must  admit  that, 
reasoning  from  analogy,  the  Hahnemannians  have  foundation  for  their 
faith.  For  if  all  local  growths  are  but  restdU  of  underlying  causes, 
and  some  of  the  results  will  fade  away  or  cease  to  exist  when  the  cause 
is  corrected,  why  will  not  the  others,  they  ask,  respond  to  the  same 
dynamic  forces?  But  I  am  not  here  to  argue,  or  to  give  evidence  to- 
ward the  proof  of  any  extreme  doctrine.  I  wish,  however,  to  impress 
upon  you  the  possibilities  in  the  way  of  thwarting  malignant  growths  oi; 
of  preventing  a  return  of  their  kind  at  the  same  or  a  distant  point  after 
their  removal  by  surgical  measures. 

From  personal  observation,  from  the  word  of  some  of  our  best  pre- 
scribers,  from  the  recorded  cases  of  superior  men  amongst  us,  1  am 
convinced  that  if  the  surgeon,  who  usually  knows  little  of  the  path- 
ogenisis  or  the  symptomatology  of  the  remedies,  would  call  in  a  '^master 
of  materia  medica"  to  prescribe  for  his  patient  before  the  operation, 
there  would  be  far  fewer  cases  of  return  of  these  growth  than  are  seen 
today. 

In  recent  months  I  have  had  opportunity  to  observe  the  action  of 
the  remedy  upon  an  undoubted  carcinoma  of  the  breast — the  patient  of  a 
fellow  physician.  From  a  wonderfully  ill  condition  of  health,  the  pa- 
tient has  become  well  in  all  her  subjective  symptoms,  the  tumor  has 
decreased  in  size,  soreness  and  pain  have  subsided — the  progress  of  the 
disease  is  in  abeyance.  If  the  remedy  will  do  so  much  while  the  tumor  is 
upon  the  body,  is  it  not  reasonable  to  believe  that,  in  all  probability,  if 
the  tumor  shall  be  removed  by  the  knife  the  malignant  condition  will 
be  much  less  likely  to  return  than  if  the  remedy  had  never  been  given? 
I  contend  that  this  patient  is  in  far  better  condition  for  operation  now 
than  she  was  before  the  Homoeopathic  remedy  was  given — that  the 
chances  for  post-operative  reappearance  of  the  disease  are  many  times 
lessened. 

The  neglect  to  apply  Homoeopathy  to  surgical  cases  is  the  greatest 
surgical  neglect  of  the  day.  I  make  a  plea  for  more  and  better  Homoeo- 
pathy among  the  surgeons.  There  was  a  time  when  Homoeopathy  mar- 
ried the  surgery  of  our  school  to  our  materia  medica,  and  under  the 
guidance  of  such  men  as  Franklin,  Gumsey,  Gatchell  and  Helmuth  there 
was  harmony  and  much  fruitfulness.  But  surgery  became  arrogant  and 
thought  there  was  a  fairer  partner  amongst  the  tribe  across  the  line. 
The  false  charms  of  Allopathy  wooed  too  well.  Surgery  become  a 
polygamist  and  took  unto  itself  a  number  of  false  claimants  as  help- 
meets. They  have  too  often  proved  to  be  millstones  about  the  neck. 
It  is  time  for  surgery  in  our  school  to  throw  off  these  harlots  of  destruc- 
tion and  again  take  unto  itself  the  true  partner.  Homoeopathic  medi- 
cine. 

The  emergency  surgeon  may  readily  master  the  essentials  of  first 
prescriptions.  The  expert  surgeon  has  not  time  to  encompass  the  ma- 
teria medica  sufficiently  to  apply  it  to  those  underlying  causes  of  chronic 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF   HOMCEOPATHT  529 

diseases  and  malignant  and  non-malignant  growths.  It  is  admitted 
that  the  physician  who  applies  himself  to  the  mastery  of  our  materia 
medica  is  not  fitted  to  perform  a  difficult  surgical  operation.  Is  it  not 
as  reasonable  to  admit  that  the  surgeon  who  expends  his  time  perfect- 
ing himself  in  his  art  is  not  competent  to  prescribe  for  a  patient  suffer- 
ing unto  death  from  a  hydraheaded  dyscrasia  ?  If  it  be  the  duty  of  him 
who  knows  more  of  materia  medica  and  less  of  surgery  to  call  to  his  aid 
the  best  skill  of  the  surgical  art  to  remove  the  jeopardizing  product  of 
disease,  is  it  not  the  greater  duty  of  him  who  knows  more  of  surgery  and 
less  of  materia  medica  to  call  to  his  aid  the  best  skill  of  the  science  of  medi- 
cine to  remove  the  greater  jeopardizing  and  underlying  cause  of  that 
product  which  he  is  about  to  remove?  Why  shall  the  surgeon  in  his 
arrogance  deny  his  patient  the  double  chance  for  his  or  her  life  and  shall 
not  bring  to  that  patient  the  scientific  prescription  which,  had  it  been 
given  early  enough,  might  have  prevented  the  condition  that  called  for 
the  knife  and  which,  in  all  probability,  will  go  far  to  prevent  a  future 
necessity  for  surgery?  Let  surgery  remarry  its  divorcee,  medicine; 
and  let  the  surgeon  at  least  as  often  call  to  his  assistance  the  Master  of 
Materia  Medica  as  he  himself  is  called  for  master  skill. 
30  Xorth  Michigan  Avenue. 


REASONS  WHY  MORE  OF  THE  SICK  ARE  NOT 

HEALED* 

By  E.  S.  ANTISDALE,  M.  D. 
Chicago. 

EIGHT  years  in  college,  graduating  an  Allopath,  and  twenty-six 
years  of  practice,  including  eighteen  years  of  medical  and  surgic- 
al teaching,  should  enable  an  earnest  seeker  after  best  means  of  cure, 
to  speak  with  some  degree  of  helpfulness  to  unprejudiced  minds. 

This  paper  is  not  written  just  to  find  fault,  but  to  call  to  mind  better, 
and  too  often  unused  means  of  cure — unusedf  because  not  understood 
and  taken  at  their  real  value  . 

We  have  heard  we  do  not  need  to  go  to  Osteopathy,  Chiropractic 
or  Homoeopathy  to  get  ideas  outside  of  Allopathy,  for  our  Allopathic 
code  teaches,  **We  believe  in  using  anything  which  experience  has  prov- 
ed to  be  the  best  with  which  to  cure  disease."  Surely  that  is  the  declar- 
ation in  our  code  of  ethics,  but  we  don't  know  how  to  do  what  we  pro- 
fess to  believe. 

There  is  much  of  value  in  each  one  of  these  Schools,  which  no  prac- 
titioner of  the  healing  art  can  afford  to  ignore.  No  one  covers  the  entire 
field.    Parts  of  all  are  needed  to  cure  all  who  are  curable. 

In  the  spine  and  upper  and  lower  orificea  are  found  mechanical 

*Read  before  the  Chicago  Society  of  Medical  Research,  April  10,  1917 


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530  NORTH  AMEBICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHT 

irritants  not  recognized  by  those  trusting  wholly  in  medicine.  Again, 
mechanical  means  will  forever  fail  to  do  for  the  vital  force  what  indi- 
cated drugs  can  do.  Judicious  diet  is  indispensable  in  gaining  and 
keeping  health  of  highest  grade. 

Doctors  are»  unfortunately,  not  always  qualified  to  dictate  appro- 
priate food.  More  Nitrogen  and  Phosphorus  and  some  salts  are  needed, 
and  less  Carbon  should  be  consumed.  Oarbon  is  largely  a  load  to  be 
eliminated  ,8o  why  overwork  the  eliminative  organs  with  what  may  be 
omitted  from  the  menu? 

Fruit  juice  will  abundantly  sustain,  one,  while  nature  is  catching 
up  with  the  elimination  process. 

Diaphragmatic  breathing  has  a  most  healthful  effect  upon  the 
sympathetic  nerve  system.  This  system  of  nerves  controls  all  the  vital 
functions.  The  mind,  both  conscious  and  subconscious,  the  disposition 
and  sense  of  well-being,  the  respiration,  circulation,  digestion,  assim- 
ilation, elimination,  the  process  of  growth,  repair  and  healing  are  all 
dependent  upon  healthful  action  of  this  wonderful  sympathetic  nerve 
system.     See  to  its  blood  supply  and  conserve  its  energy. 

Eliminate  all  interference  with  normal  sympathetic  nerve  action. 
By  orificial  manipulation  and  surgery,  by  education  of  patients  and 
by  use  of  suitable  medication  (to  which  the  sympathetic  system  is  sus- 
ceptible) help  nature  keep  in  order  this  most  complicated  vital  system, 
for  out  of  it  are  the  issues  of  life. 

Failing  to  be  cured  and  to  cure  many  who  should  have  been  cured, 
and  knowing  doctors  so  often  disagree  in  names  of  diseases,  and  these 
names  seldom  cover  a  case,  and  same  names  are  subterfuges,  which,  if 
read  about,  do  not  enable  the  case  to  be  cured,  (I  observed  thousands  of 
uncured  patients  leave  physicians  and  try  various  cults  and  isms). 

It  is  foolish  to  say  they  do  not  make  a  good  exchange,  for  some 
get  along  as  well  or  better.  Others  die  uncured,  because  some  one  did 
not  possess  and  apply  the  aggregate  needed  knowledge  of  these  Schools, 
but  applied  only  the  fraction  his  School  taught. 

Search  ^or  a  reason  why  uncured  patients  leave  physicians  sup- 
posed to  know  how  to  cure,  recalls  the  story  of  "The  handwriting  on  the 
wall."  People  now  read  writing  on  the  wall,  and  interpret  what  it  says 
of  many  doctors  in  the  language  of  old,  **Weighed  in  the  balance  and 
found  wanting." 

Knowing  sick  people  have  symptoms,  and  believing  Homoeopaths 
treat  symptoms,  the  teachings  of  this  system  were  investigated.  To 
my  surprise  it  was  learned  a  true  Homoeopath  never  treats  symptomSy 
and  Samuel  Hahnemann  taught  not  to  treat  symptoms,  but  to  treat  the 
patient. 

Further  investigation  into  Homoeopathy,  against  which  I  have  said, 
read  and  been  told  much,  proved  interesting  and  fortunate.  Fortunate, 
for  it  freed  my  mind  of  prejudice  and  opened  the  way  to  help  nature 
really  to  cure  many  patients  of  diseases  which  were  only  palliated  by 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHT  531 

any  Allopathic  means  and  remedies  learned  in  college  and  by  over  twenty 
years  in  its  practice  and  teaching. 

The  patient  referred  to  by  Hahnemann  is  the  personality  or  vital 
force  within,  "The  master  of  the  Inn,"  who  is  manifesting  conditions 
by  sign  language  called  symptoms. 

Each  crystal  in  nature,  while  crystallizing,  formed  on  certain  lines 
and  angles  peculiar  only  to  its  kind.  The  force  directing  this  is  within, 
yet  evades  all  search  of  scientists,  for  it  is  not  riaterial,  but  an  intangi- 
ble force. 

The  urge  in  every  living  thing  which  causes  growth  can  never  be 
seen,  yet  who  is  stubborn  enough  to  deny  its  existence?  To  the  force 
existing  in  water  only,  to  expand  when  it  freezes  instead  of  contracting, 
is  due  all  life  on  this  planet.  Did  not  this  force  in  water  differ  from 
all  other  known  forces,  ice  would  shrink  instead  of  expand — would  sink 
instead  of  float.  All  bodies  of  water  would  exist  as  solid  ice,  for  heat 
does  not  go  down  in  water.  These  well-known  laws  can  never  be  ex- 
plained to  the  satisfaction  of  those  thinking  only  in  the  material  realm, 
yet  by  experience  we  know  them  to  be  facts. 

"By  a  mere  effort  of  the  mind  we  could  nover  discover  this  innate 
and  hidden  faculty  of  medicines — this  spiritual  virtue  by  which  they 
can  modify  the  state  of  the  human  body  and  oven  cure  disease.  It  is 
by  experience  only,  and  observation  of  the  effects  produced  by  their 
influence  on  the  general  state  of  the  economy,  that  we  can  either  dis- 
cover or  form  to  ourselves  any  clear  conception  of  it."  (Hahnemann — 
Organon— Art.  20). 

Columbus  was  denounced  for  teaching  that  the  world  is  round. 
Hahnemann  was  denounced  and  still  is,  by  the  ignorant  and  prejudiced, 
for  demonstrating  that  pounding  and  separating  of  particles  of  drugs 
farther  from  each  other  increases  their  healing  properties. 

Com  in  the  husk  could  be  used  as  a  club,  but  not  until  it  has  lost 
its  outer,  material  covering  and  its  material  identity  can  it  become  a 
miracle  of  flesh,  or  stalk  and  "full  corn  in  the  eat." 

So,  too,  with  drug  material  as  it  is  potentized  and  becomes  less  in 
material,  it  becomes  a  miracle  of  medicinal  force.  Experience,  not  rea- 
son, leads  to  this  knowledge. 

No  examination  of  material  substance  gives  any  hint  of  its  medicin- 
al properties.  These  healing  powers  are  due  to  Force,  and  Force  cannot 
be  seen. 

Recorded  experiments  upon  well  and  ill  sho^^*  characteristic  actions 
of  one  drug  differ  from  those  of  all  other  drugs. 

The  infiinite  variety  of  single  remedies  makes  it  possible  to  find 
the  curative  counterpart  of  each  disease  to  be  healed. 

Sufficient  knowledge  and  well-directed  enerfj^y  of  competent  physic- 
ians will  cure  most  diseases — ^millions  more  of  the  sick  than  now  are 
healed. 

What  we  know  about  God  is  what  we  know  about  Nature's  laws, 
manifest  all  about,  and  what  is  sensed  within  o\irselves. 


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532  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

All  we  know  about  electricity  is  some  of  the  laws  of  electricity. 
Those  knowing  best  the  laws  of  electricity  may  make  it  their  useful 
servant.  So,  too,  with  the  laws  of  healing.  Knowledge  is  power.  We 
fail  of  their  curative  powers,  if,  because  we  fail  to  learn  these  laws,  or 
fail  to  comprehend  them,  we  deny  their  truth. 

There  is  in  each  individual  an  innate,  inherent  vital  force.  By 
virtue  of  this  life  force,  material  unlike  organs  and  cells  of  the  body 
is  taken  from  the  blood  current,  and  converted  into  material  like  these 
organs  and  cells;  and  by  this  same  life  force  these  organs  and  cells 
are  governed  in  the  performance  of  their  functions. 

Mechanical  means  influence  the  blood  flow,  but  more  tangible 
factors  are  required  to  affect  the  quality  of  the  vital  force. 

When  this  vital  force  is  impaired,  mental  states  are  the  first  to 
show  symptoms.  Next,  organs  functionate  imperfectly.  Later,  their 
structures  may  be  changed.  Mental  changes  may  be  detected  before 
pathology  is  detectable  in  a  laboratory.  Study  of  the  patient  before 
studying  his  pathology  gives  more  ability  to  heal. 

If  we  desire  an  oak  board,  we  may  go  to  a  mill  where  lumber  is 
made  and  examine  the  sawdust  and  shavings.  These  will  derao'istrate 
if  pine,  mahogany  or  oak  lumber  be  made  there;  but,  if  we  go  to  the 
office  of  this  lumber  plant,  and  ask  the  one  in  charge,  we  learn  more  of 
importance  than  the  end  products  alone  could  tell  us. 

Studying  the  patient,  we  learn  the  sensitiveness  to  conditions: 
Heat  and  cold,  bathing,  eating,  sleeping,  position,  motion,  location  and 
kind  of  pain,  location  and  qualities  of  perspiration,  etc.  We  learn  the 
actual  working  conditions  under  which  this  life  force  is  acting;  also 
mental  states. 

To  heal  the  sick — not  palliate  disease — this  life  force  must  be  act- 
ed upon  by  a  force  to  which  it  is  susceptible — similar  in  plane  of  ac- 
tion. This  force  is  not  material  to  be  reen,  but  invisible  force  able  to 
be  sensed.  Not  drug  materials,  but  s  b  le  properties  developed  during 
their  potentization,  affect  the  vital  force. 

The  physician  who  best  detects  the  variations  from  the  normal,  be- 
fore pathology  is  detectable  in  the  laboratory,  is  by  virtue  of  his  training 
and  type  of  mind,  a  real  Homoeopath. 

It  is  not  the  fault  of  the  millinery  business  that  some  women  can 
never  learn  to  trim  hats.  It  requires  a  certain  type  of  mind  to  create 
a  hat.  Education  does  not  necessarily  make  one  a  success  in  any  line — 
surely  not  in  medical  practice. 

In  affecting  organs,  one  may  use  material  diugs.  Example:  To  a 
constipated  alimentary  canal  is  supplied  an  irritating  drug.  Result — 
quick  evacuation,  and  following  reaction.  No  cvre,  but  palliation.  The 
constipated  bowel  is  the  last  of  a  series  of  tubes  misgoverned  by  an  im- 
paired vital  force.  One,  who  in  such  a  case  administers  a  physic,  is 
dealing  with  end  products,  and  not,  in  the  most  efficient  way,  using 
the  most  appropriate  hey  to  unlock  the  vital  force,  which,  if  used,  helps 
nature  more  effectually  to  restore  normal  functions.    The  right  hey 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHY  533 

is  the  indicated  remedy  potenized,  which  does  not  physic,  but  arouses  the 
vital  force  to  normal  action  without  faulty  reaction. 

To  treat  a  vital  force  with  an  unpotentized  remedey  is  as  reasonable 
as  to  try  to  "feed  a  microbe  with  a  teaspoon." 

The  odor  of  apple  blossoms  can  neither  bs  seen  nor  weighed,  yet 
we  know  it  affects  the  one  sense  susceptible  to  it,  and  through  this  sense 
of  smell  even  changes  our  very  thoughts,  moods  and  acts, — a  miracle 
in  high  potency  illustrating  the  power  of  potencies  to  affect  the  ap- 
propriate organs.  A  small  amount  of  the  material  apple  blossom  put  in 
the  nose  would  be  smelled  but  uselessly  irritate  the  organ,  and  through 
it,  the  mind. 

To  understand  better  the  vital  force  in  drugs,  let  us  think  of  other 
forces  in  nature.  In  an  acorn  is  the  possibility  of  an  oak  tree.  This 
could  not  be  determined  by  any  analysis  or  examination.  Add  heat  and 
and  moisture  to  the  acorn,  the  latent  power  within  becomes  manifest — 
power  to  split  a  rock,  produce  a  tree  and  acorns  like  itself.  How  devoid 
of  reason  would  they  be  who  would  state  they  knew  no  tree  could  thus 
be  produced ! 

Those  denying  the  powerful  effects  of  potentized  drugs  are  equally 
in  error,  and  delay  the  day  when  all  who  are  curable  will  be  cured. 

No  examination  of  material  drugs  gives  any  hint  as  to  their  medi- 
cinal properties.  Modes  of  preparation  and  recorded  experiments  have 
proved  peculiarities  in  each  substance  differing  from  all  others. 

It  hinders  the  sum  total  of  healing  to  deny  and  denounce  and  ignore 
demonstrated  curative  facts  because  one  does  not  comprehend  them. 
People-  are  progressive  and  a  great  medical  authority  recently  wrote, 
**We  have  lived  to  see  the  day  when  medical  lext-books  must  be  re- 
written."    (Charles  H.  Mayo.) 

Would  that  truth  unadulterated  by  prejudice  be  published  in  these 
books  I 

A  thimble  can  be  as  full  as  a  washtub,  yet  not  hold  so  much. 

Of  two  people,  one  thinks  in  the  material  plane  only.  The  other 
thinks  in  the  material  plane,  also  in  terms  beyond  the  material  plane. 
His  mind  grasps  more  than  the  other  one  less  developed,  who  thinks  only 
in  the  material  terms  he  believes  he  can  explain.  This  accounts  for 
opinions  against  the  abundantly  recorded  curative  powers  of  potentized 
remedies. 

After  over  twenty  years  studious  practice  as  an  Allopath  I  studied 
and  practiced  Homoeopathy,  and  though  able  to  prescribe  according  to 
either  School,  yet  it  seems  to  me,  the  Homoeopathic  law  is  the  only  one 
offering  a  reasonable  hope  of  cure  for  the  great  majority  of  patients 
needing  medical  aid.  Those  who  do  not  comprehend  it,  and  those  who 
are  prejudiced  against  it,  make  up  for  lack  of  knowledge — not  by  investi- 
gating it,  but  by  much  so-called  argument  against  the  force  most  able 
to  cure  disease. 

The  master  mind  to  discover  the  similarity  of  drug  actions  and 
disease  symptoms  was  Samuel  Hahnemann.       He  taught  the  funda- 


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534  NORTH  AMERICAN   JOURNAL  OF   HOMCEOPATHY 

mental  truth:  all  growth  and  healing  come  from  within.  Doctors  fail- 
ing to  abide  by  this  profound  law  of  nature  palliate  disease,  and  fail  to 
cure  the  sick  who  are  curable.  Patients  suffer  because  their  doctors 
ignore  better  means  of  cure  than  they  know;  means  which  have  been 
published  and  taught  for  more  than  one  hundred  years. 

Doctors,  by  suppressing  discharge  in  systijmic  gonorrhea  in  men 
and  women,  are  the  inexcusable  ignorant  causes  of  many  a  woman's  ill 
health,  suffering  and  mutilation. 

Potentized  remedies  fitting  suc^  diseased  states  prove  curative.  The 
vital  point  is  to  select  the  remedy  whose  action  is  like  the  case  to  be 
cured. 

A  round  peg  may  go  into  a  square  hole,  but  only  a  peg  of  definite 
sides  and  angles  will  fit  said  square  hole.  This  accounts  for  failure 
in  practice  and  discredit  to  the  profession. 

The  indicated  remedy  administered  to  a  curable  case  acts  curatively- 
This  selection  of  the  indicated  remedy  requires  more  time,  knowledge 
and  wisdom  than  most  physicians  devote  to  it,  hence  the  failure  to  cure 
should  not  be  laid  to  "the  will  of  God,"  but  to  inefficiency  of  the  at- 
tending physician. 

The  Homoeopathic  law  is  true  as  any  law  in  nature,  but,  in  practice 
the  methods  used  in  the  name  of  Homoeopathy  are  too  often  faulty. 

Iodine  added  to  a  colorless  starch  solution  turns  it  blue  every  time. 
If  you  fail  while  trying  the  experiment  you  .lo  not  disprove  the  law, 
but  show  your  method  faulty. 

A  remedy  is  not  Homoeopathic  because  of  its  mode  of  manufacture, 
but  only  if  it  fit  the  case. 

Only  a  person  of  an  analytical  type  of  mind,  trained  to  get  char- 
acteristic symptoms,  need  hope  to  cure  uniformly  with  potentized  reme- 
dies. An  Allopathic  physician  untrained  in  Homoeopathy  should  no 
more  expect  cure  by  a  potentized  drug  he  selects  to  ''try  on  a  case"  than 
would  he  expect  a  key  picked  at  random  to  unlock  his  Yale  lock. 

To  unlock  a  door  requires :  the  right  key,  put  in  right  end  first,  right 
side  up,  entered  far  enough,  turned  in  the  right  direction,  and  turned 
far  enough.  To  unlock  activity  in  a  vital  force  in  a  curative  way  is 
possible  by  using  potentized  remedies,  but  requires  as  much  accuracy 
as  is  required  to  unlock  your  door. 

The  healing  art  is  no  place  for  one  who  is  more  bent  on  saving 
time  and  money  than  in  saving  the  lives  of  patients. 

Disease  cannot  be  cut  away.  Removal  of  diseased  tissue — for  ex- 
ample :  tonsils  or  tubercular  glands — is  not  curing,  but  is  a  confession  of 
inability  to  cure.  Only  the  results  of  disease  arc  removed  by  operation. 
The  disease  remains  to  affect  what  is  left.  Eruptions  caused  to  disap- 
pear by  using  ointments  are  suppressed — rarely  eo  cured. 

Imagine  a  woman  covering  with  -gapeT  the  dirt  she  swept  together 
on  the  floor  and  stating  that  the  dirt  is  removed.  The  dirt  cannot  be 
seen,  true;  but  it  is  still  in  the  room.  So,  too,  the  disease  which  caused 
the  eruption  is  still  in  the  person.    Proof:     Th«^  indicated  remedy  will 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY  636 

bring  out  the  eruption,  cure  it,  and  cure  the  asthma,  stomach  ulcer  or 
other  internal  disease  which  has  been  caused  by  suppressing  the  erup- 
tion by  ointment 

In  syphilis,  under  Homoeopathy,  the  initial  lesion  is  cured,  not 
suppressed  by  cauterization.  So,  no  terrible  tertiary  symptoms  follow 
this  treatment  if  used  from  the  beginning.  No  dangerous  injections 
are  needed  or  used. 

The  tubercularly  inclined  and  psoric  are  so  from  impaired  vital 
force.    Arouse  this  force  and  cure  with  potentizeil  remedies. 

Pneumonia  treated  entirely  by  Homoeopathic  means  is  only  very 
seldom  fatal.  The  indicated  remedy  controls  the  vital  force,  no  heart 
depressing  rugs  to  lower  temperature  are  ever  needed  or  given.  Pneu- 
monia thus  treated  runs  a  mild,  quick  course  to  recovery. 

Auto-hemic  and  some  serum  therapy,  seemijigly  pure  potentization, 
act  curatively,  astonishing  those  unacquainted  with  the  results  of  po- 
tentized  remedies. 

There  is  greater  danger  of  infection  and  complications  by  external 
vaccination  and  anti-toxin  injections  than  by  taking  the  prophylactic 
or  curative  dose  on  the  tongue. 

In  small  pox,  scarlet  fever  and  diphtheria  ,we  find  by  experience 
the  indicated  remedy  placed  on  the  tongue  prevents  those  exposed 
from  having  these  diseases.  Also,  the  sick  are  healed.  Hence  we  be- 
lieve this  is  the  exi>edient  way,  thus  eliminating  th  elements  of  dis- 
comfort and  dangerous  after-effects  of  ill  health  and  untimely  death. 

Patients  demand  relief  from  pain  and  blemish — not  cure — until 
educated  to  understand  the  difTerence  between  palliation  and  cure. 

Hahnemann  discovered  that  in  pounding  and  grinding  his  drugs 
their  medicinal  activities  were  multiplied.  He  then  diluted  them  and 
ground  them  more»  making  them,  he  discovered,  still  more  powerfully 
active.  He  called  the  process  potentization  or  dynamitization.  Now, 
mark  you,  potentization  is  not,  as  so  many  believe,  merely  diluting. 
The  applied  force  is  the  factor  of  greater  importance. 

Light,  heat  and  sound  are  manifestations  of  different  rates  of  vi- 
bration. Pounding  a  metal  heats  it;  then  its  vibrations  are  increased 
by  pounding.  I  believe  vital  force  is  sensitive  to  high  vibrations  as 
are  eyes  and  ears. 

To  me  it  appears  a  profound  truth  that  foro?  applied  in  the  manu- 
facture of  potentized  remedies  converts  their  latent  energies  into  pow- 
erfully vibrating  energetic  remedies,  to  which  vital  forces  in  patients 
are  more  susceptible  than  they  are  to  unpotentized  drugs.  It  is  no 
more  difficult  to  believe  this  without  fully  understanding  it,  than  it  is 
to  believe  that  heat  comes  from  the  sun  and  makes  plants  grow. 

Among  the  important  reasons  why  more  of  the  sick  are  not  healed 
are: 

Lack  of  comprehension  as  to  what  disease  really  is; 

Lack  of  gumption  on  the  part  of  the  physician  to  seek  for  truth 
with  an  open  mind; 


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536  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHT 

Lack  of  desire  to  let  the  truth  lead  wherever  it  may,  regardless  of 
whatever  theories  and  pet  ideas  may  be  overthrown; 

Prejudice  against  ideas  not  accepted  by  a  dominating  majority ; 

Physicians  are  selected  for  nearly  every  other  reason  than  the  one 
essential — the  ability  to  help  nature  heal  the  si^k. 

Suite:  1701  Marshall  Field  Annex. 


CLINICAL  OBSTETRICS. 

By  GEORGE  W.  ROGERS,  M.D., 
Columbus,  Ohio. 

I  RECENTLY  (Sept  2),  had  an  obstetrical  case,  with  a  blood  press- 
ure of  200.  A  number  of  convulsions  occurred.  These  came  on 
almost  unexpectedly,  because  frequent  examinations  of  the  urine  were 
negative.  Sent  her  to  the  hospital.  Gave  her  16  to  20  drops  of  tincture 
of  veratrum  viride,  1-2  teaspoonful  of  soda  every  two  hours,  also  good 
saline  physic.  Gave  her  veratrum  viride  in  sufScient  quantity  to  keep 
the  pulse  down  to  60  or  75.  On  the  second  day  dilated  the  cervix  some- 
what, and  packed  with  gauze.  Twenty  hours  later  removed  packing. 
Dilatation  was  complete.  Gave  6  minims  pituitrin.  30  minutes  later 
baby  bom  natural.  Mother  and  baby  doing  well.  Baby  three  weeks 
premature.     Urine  showed  about  50  per  cent,  albumin  by  volume. 

I  treated  a  case  last  April  that  showed  80  per  cent,  of  albumin  by 
volume.  She  recovered.  I  used  the  same  line  of  treatment.  The  baby 
was  still-bom.  I  had  never  met  patient  until  night  previous.  Blood 
pressure  in  that  case  was  180. 

Had  a  case  yesterday  one  month  overdue.  Patient  presented  facts 
that  I  believe  she  was  correct  as  to  the  length  of  pregnancy.  She  had 
pains  at  various  times.  This  was  her  second  pregnancy.  There  was  but 
little  dilatation.  Gave  her  chloroform.  Made  bimanual  dilatation. 
Packed  her  with  gauze.  Gave  5  minims  of  pituitrin.  Eepeated  the  dose 
in  half  hour.  Labor  came  on  regularly  four  hours  later.  Removed 
gauze,  and  then  gave  more  pituitrin  in  small  doses.  Delivered  her  of  a 
normal  live  child. 

255  West  Fifth  Avenue.— (September  6,  1917.) 


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NORTH  AMEBICAN  JOURNAL  OF   HOMCEOPATHY  537 

SOME  REMARKABLE  RESULTS  WITH  ULTRA 
VIOLET  RAYS. 

By  T.  HOWARD  PLANK,  M.  D. 
Chicago. 

SIMILIA  SIMILIBUS  CUKENTUR  is  the  keynote  of  all  homceo- 
pathic  practice,  but  the  success  of  that  practice  depends  upon  the 
minimum  dose.  At  the  present  day  a  few  practitioners  have  found  that 
infinitesimals  in  other  lines  are  also  of  value  and  this  is  particularly 
true  of  the  ultra-violet  rays.  We  see  them  not,  yet  how  potent  for  good 
in  the  treatment  of  the  sick — ^be  the  lesion  where  it  will — superficial  or 
deep. 

The  foUowing  cases  give  but  a  few  glimpses  of  their  rej.l  value. 

Case  1 

M.  A.  Female — Age  50.  Came  to  my  office  on  the  14th  of  Febru- 
ary, 1917,  with  an  eruption  which  covered  the  anterior  and  posterior 
surface  of  the  chest  and  abdomen  and  the  itching  and  burning  were  in- 
tense. It  had  started  in  December  1916  on  the  abdomen  and  had  been 
spreading  rapidly  for  sometime  previous  to  her  coming  to  me  for 
treatment. 

She  was  given  a  three  minute  treatment  with  an  Alpine  Lamp  on 
February  14th;  a  four  minute  treatment  on  the  15th  and  a  four  minute 
treatment  on  the  16th.  When  she  returned  on  the  19th  the  rash  was 
decidedly  improved  and  she  was  given  a  six  minute  treatment;  on  the 
2l8t  and  23rd  she  had  eight  minute  treatments  and  on  March  Ist  and 
5th  she  had  10  minutes  each.  No  other  treatment  was  given  and  she 
has  continued  well  from  that  time  to  the  present — August  1st,  1917. 

Case  2 

G.  R.  Male — Age  45.  Has  had  an  irritable  prostate  for  20  years. 
It  has  interfered  with  both  his  work  and  his  f;leep;  in  fact,  he  has  not 
had  a  good  night's  sleep  in  many  years. 

I  examined  him  on  June  10th,  1917;  found  the  prostate  somewhat 
enlarged  and  very  sensitive;  the  seminal  vesicles  were  distended  and 
painful. 

I  gave  him  a  four  minute  treatment  with  the  Kromayer  Lamp,  fol- 
lowing a  two  minute  massage  of  the  prostate.  This  was  given  through 
a  small  sphincteroscope,  the  rays  directed  upon  the  wall  of  the  rectum 
over  the  prostate.  On  June  12th  he  had  a  tre.'^tment  of  five  minutes; 
on  the  14th  one  of  seven  minutes,  after  which  he  noticed  a  decided 
improvement  in  his  sleeping  and  in  his  irritability.  He  had  treatments 
about  every  three  to  five  days  during  July  and  the  improvement  was 
very  pronounced  following  each  treatment.  The  time  was  gradually  ex- 
tended until  the  treatments  were  ten  minutes  in  length.  The  prostatic 
massage  preceding  each  treatment  was  four  minutes  in  length. 


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538  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

Case  3 

p.  C.  Age  28— Male.  October  11th,  1916  this  man  came  to  me  with 
an  infected  right  index  finger;  axillary  glands  Rwollen;  hand  and  wrist 
swollen.  He  was  given  a  two  minute  treatment  with  the  Kromayer 
Lamp  and  told  to  report  next  day.  On  the  12th  he  was  given  a  two 
minute  treatment,  with  the  hand  much  improved.  On  the  13th  he  was 
given  a  two  minute  treatment,  with  the  hand  practically  well;  the 
axillary  glands  normal  and  no  pain  anywhere  in  the  extremity. 

Ccue  4 

H.  H.  Male — ^Age  45.  Had  been  ill  with  Neisserian  infection  for 
six  weeks.  He  had  lost  forty  pounds  in  weight  and  felt  and  looked  de- 
cidedly ill.  He  was  given  a  two  minute  treatment  with  a  Kromayer 
Lamp  on  October  26th,  1916.  At  this  time  there  was  a  very  thick,  yd- 
low  discharge ;  on  the  27th  there  was  very  little  discharge,  at  which  time 
he  was  given  a  three  minute  treatment ;  on  the  28  th  a  three  minute  treat- 
ment and  on  the  3(>th  a  three  minute  treatment.  On  November  2nd  he 
was  given  a  three  minute  treatment,  at  which  time  there  was  no  dis- 
charge, and  the  discharge  never  recurred.  At  this  time  he  was  gain- 
ing in  weight  at  the  rate  of  a  pound  a  day  and  in  general  felt  decidedly 
well.  From  this  time  there  was  no  recurrence  of  the  discharge.  I  saw 
him  several  months  later,  when  I  found  him  in  perfect  health.  No  other 
treatment  was  given. 

Case  6 

P.  H.  Male — Age  12.  Had  the  inner  surface  of  the  right  arm  op- 
posite the  elbow  torn  by  a  splinter  from  a  broken  seat  in  a  Movie.  The 
wound  extended  inwards  to  the  ligaments  surrounding  the  joint  and 
was  about  three  inches  in  length.  I  saw  him  on  May  26th,  1916,  twen- 
ty-four hours  after  the  injury,  with  the  wound  filled  with  dirt  and 
shreds  of  clothing. 

At  this  time  he  was  given  a  six  minute  treatment  with  the  Alpine 
lamp  and  the  wound  dressed  as  an  open  sore.  He  had  treatments  on 
the  27th  and  29th  and  31st  and  on  June  5th,  7th,  9th,  12th,  14th  and 
17th.  The  wound  began  to  heal  from  the  first;  there  was  very  little 
pus  after  the  second  treatment  and  no  symptoms  of  infection. 

He  was  discharged  on  the  22nd  with  full  use  of  the  arm. 

Case  6 

R.  G.  M.  Male — Age  25.  Came  to  me  on  July  2nd,  1917  with  four 
penial  sores  of  six  weeks'  standing.  He  had  been  repeatedly  cauterized 
with  nitric  acid,  chromic  acid  and  argentum  nirricum,  full  strength. 

The  diagnosis  at  this  time  was  doubtful  because  of  the  repeated 
cauterizations.  However,  I  gave  him  a  two  minute  treatment  with  the 
Kromayer  Lamp  and  had  him  report  next  day,  at  which  time  the  sores 
showed  improvement.  He  was  then  given  another  two  minute  treat- 
ment and  the  same  on  the  5th,  at  which  time  the  sores  were  healing 
rapidly ;  other  treatments  were  given  on  the  7th,  9th,  11th,  13th  and  14th, 
when  he  was  discharged  with  all  sores  healed.    Diagnosis  Ohancroid. 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY  539 

Case  7 
Mrs.  W.  0. — Age  64.  Widow  six  years.  Lust  menstrual  period  at 
48.  For  the  past  six  years  has  had  trouble  with  the  left  breast,  which 
has  been  getting  worse  for  the  past  four  months.  Three  months  ago  the 
axillary  glands  became  inflamed  and  swollen  until  one  was  about  the 
size  of  a  hen's  egg.  The  nipple  was  retracted  almost  within  the 
breast  and  it  looked  like  a  case  of  true  carcinoma.  There  was  some 
swelling  of  the  upper  portion  of  the  left  arm. 

This  case  had  been  seen  six  years  before  by  Drs.  J.  B  .Murphy, 
Fitzhugh  and  Fowler,  who  pronounced  it  cancer  and  insisted  upon 
operating.  She  refused  the  operation,  therefore '  I  started  treatment 
with  the  ultra-violet  light  on  June  20th,  1916.  On  June  24th  the  axil- 
lary glands  were  much  better  and  by  July  3rd  ghe  was  doing  a  portion 
of  her  housework.  On  September  2l8t^ — two  months  after  taking  the 
first  treatment — the  axillary  glands  were  normal;  the  lower  half  of 
the  breast  was  normal ;  the  nipple  nearly  so  and  ;:  mass  of  about  the  size 
of  a  small  hen's  egg  in  the  upper  half  of  the  breast  . 

After  taking  the  treatment  one  month  she  began  gaining  in  weight 
and  on  July  22nd,  1917  I  saw  her  and  she  stated  that  she  was  in  the 
best  health  she  had  been  in  for  years.  The  breast  was  practically  nor- 
mal and  no  symptoms  of  the  disease. 

Diagnosis :     Cysto-adenoma. 

Case  8 

This  case  was  not  treated  with  the  ultra-violet  rays,  but  with  a  de- 
cidedly potent  infinitesimal;  autohemic  5  x.  Remember  not  all  good 
things  grow  in  the  ground. 

O.  L.  Female — ^Age  29.  For  the  past  year  she  has  been  running 
down  in  health  and  especially  so  since  December  1916.  Had  a  numb 
spell  one  month  ago;  another  one  two  weeks  ago  and  a  third  one  ten 
days  ago.    These  lasted  from  a  few  minutes  to  several  days. 

She  came  to  my  office  on  April  12th,  1917,  at  which  time  she  reacted 
to  B-D-0,  screen  B.  A  blood  analysis  was  made  at  this  time,  showing 
85  per  cent,  hemoglobin;  erythrocytes  4;250,000;  leucocytes  7,800;  Poly. 
Neutro.  67  per  cent;  lymphocytes  small  19  per  cent.;  large  monos  10 
per  cent.;  transitionals  3. 

The  urinary  findings  were  negative;  the  diagnosis  was  auto-intox- 
ication. 

On  April  12th,  1917  she  was  given  5  c.c.  of  the  5x  autohemic.  This 
was  repeated  on  the  23rd,  at  which  time  there  was  some  improvement. 
She  was  given  another  injection  of  the  same  strength  on  May  7th,  at 
which  time  she  was  feeling  fine.  The  next  was  given  on  the  18th  and 
29th,  at  which  time  there  were  no  symptoms.  The  last  injection  was 
given  on  June  9th  and  the  case  has  since  remained  well. 

Case  9 
Mrs.  J.  A. — ^Age  61.    Game  to  me  on  February  7th,  1917.    In  Decem- 
ber 1916  she  noticed  a  small  pimple  on  the  ^Ide  of  her  nose,  which 


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540  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(£OPATHY 

grew  rapidly.  On  January  25th  she  was  operated  at  the  Lakeside  Hos- 
pital and  a  portion  removed,  which  proved  to  be  epithelioma.  FoUow- 
ing  this  oi)eration  it  spread  rapidly,  so  that  when  she  came  to  me  on 
February  7th  it  was  considerably  larger  than  a  quarter,  covering  the 
whole  side  of  the  nose  and  up  on  to  the  bridge.  At  this  time  I  gave 
her  a  two  minute  treatment  with  the  Kromayer  Lamp;  on  the  8th  she 
was  given  a  three  minute  treatment  and  on  the  9th  a  four  minute  treat- 
ment; on  the  10th  a  five  minute  and  on  the  12th  a  six  minute  treatment. 
From  this  time  on  the  nose  began  to  heal,  so  that  by  March  5th  it  was 
practically  well.  When  last  treatment  was  given — April  2nd — ^there 
was  no  sign  of  the  growth  or  of  any  extension  or  return.  This  case 
was  seen  the  latter  part  of  May  and  had  remained  well. 
Heyworth  Building,  Chicago. 


WHAT  I  DID  AND  WHAT  SHE  DID. 

By  J.  F.  ROMER,  M.  D. 
Waukegan,  lU. 

A  YOUNG  lady  of  26  was  sent  to  me  for  relief.  Her  left  ankle  was 
stiff,  rigid,  white  and  cold,  as  a  result  of  inflammatory  action 
and  results  of  Bier  treatment  and  casts  for  Iwo  tubercular  abscesses 
resulting  from  a  bruise  on  antero-exterior  aspect  of  left  foot. 

The  second  abscess  had  developed  six  years  after  the  first  original 
injury,  and  was  below  the  ankle  joint  on  outer  iispect  of  foot. 

She  had  been  under  treatment  for  ten  years,  and  had  been  walking 
with  crutches  and  was  unable  to  bear  any  weight  on  limb,  due  to  pain 
and  weakness.  Had  an  iron  knee  ankle  brace  fastened  to  sole  of  shoe 
for  sense  of  security,  but  put  no  weight  on  foot  whatever,  as  evidenced 
by  shoe  sole.  Could  only  touch  heel  to  floor  by  extending  limb  forward 
full  length.  Ankle  white  as  marble  and  almost  as  cold.  No  blood  ves- 
sels discernible.  Calf  four  inches  smaller  and  thigh  six  inches  smaller 
than  the  right  limb.    A  very  nervous,  i)etted,  only  daughter. 

The  parents  were  heart-sick  over  the  fact  thit  she  suffered  so  much 
pain  which  could  not  be  relieved,  and  that  she  was  unable  to  get  about 
like  others,  and  while  she  had  been  to  see  the  **Very  Best*'  no  hope  had 
been  extended  to  them  that  she  would  ever  be  able  to  walk.  In  fact  all 
had  to  tell  them  "No  hope"  and  she  must  always  go  with  the  crutches  as 

everything  had  been  done  that  could  be  done,  and  seven  of  C 's  finest 

had  concurred  in  that  opinion. 

What  I  Did 

(1)  Tested  her  Bio-Dynamically  to  prove  that  the  trouble  was 
tubercular.    It  was. 

(2)  If  my  theory  that  the  Blood  is  the  Life  thereof,  and  my  rea- 
soning correct  that  ALL  the  blood  muct  be  pure  to  get  pure 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY  541 

blood  to  a  part,  then  I  must  purify  her  blood.  So  I  put  her 
in  the  dark  room  twice  each  day,  half  an  hour  each  time,  un- 
der the  ruby  flashlight,  breathing  oxyolene  vapor  from  a  Neil- 
Armstrong  machine. 

(3)  Hot  blood  is  better  than  cold,  so  she  was  under  a  2000 
c.p.  lamp  two  seances  of  one-half  hour  each  day. 

I  have  learned  that  tension  on  the  spine  has  a  wonderful  effect 
on  circulation,  so  she  was  on  the  tension  table  15  minutes 
daily. 

(4)  Massage  is  beneficial,  so  she  had  30  minutes  massage  on  her 
foot  and  leg  daily;  and  most  important  of  all  is  Nerve  Im- 
pulse through  a  nerve  to  a  part,  so  we  put  her  on  stunts. 

This  is  Whnt  8he  Did 

First,  after  the  massage  and  manipulations  of  foot  would  lie  on  a 
couch  and  exercise  the  brain  and  foot.  A  box  to  contain  the  limb,  a 
spring  on  either  side  attached  to  a  cross  rod  on  which  was  a  pedal  to 
which  was  a  string  on  which  she  pulled  to  flex  .inkle,  and  at  the  same 
time  try  to  flex  ankle,  between  times  allowing  the  springs  to  flex  leg 
or  knee,  and  then  she  would  force  leg  to  extend  against  the  pull  of  the 
springs.     And  we  soon  had  life,  then  motion,  then  more  motion. 

Then  she  was  given  lessons  in  shorthand  to  keep  her  at  work. 
These  were  very  distasteful  to  her,  but  when  she  had  mastered  that  a 
typewriter  was  ordered :  that  was  a  chore,  but  she  did  it. 

She  wanted  to  drive  an  auto,  so  we  ordered  a  clutch  pedal  and  as- 
sembled it  under  her  typewriter  desk,  and  then  she  was  ordered  to  throw 
out  the  clutch  after  every  four  lines;  18  lbs.  pull  was  given  the  pedal, 
and  it  was  increased  as  her  strength  increased. 

Her  "Menu"  for  the  day  was,  1  tension,  hot  light.  Ruby  light,  oxygen 
vapor,  massage,  stunts,  typewriter,  clutch  pedal,  shorthand:  from  8:30 
to  5 :30  p.m.,  all  the  time  emphasizing  nerve  impulse  to  those  toes. 

In  four  months  she  laid  aside  her  crutches  and  used  one,  then  a 
cane,  and  in  six  months  went  home  and  went  to  work,  not  that  she  need- 
ed the  money  but  that  she  needed  incentive  to  do,  to  put  energy  into 
those  muscles. 

So  I  ordered  her  to  take  the  management  of  her  father's  garage  to 
chase  the  nimble  nickle  and  find  the  lost  chord  that  would  attune  her 
entire  system  into  harmony.  She  did  it,  and  the  report  comes  back 
that  she  goes  without  any  assistance  at  all. 

How  flexible  the  ankle  is  I  will  let  you  determine  when  next  you 
see  her  in  the  garage,  for  she  is  now  the  Oasoline  Oid, 

122  Genesee  Street 


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542  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

HOMCEOPATHIC    INDICATIONS    IN  PNEUMONIA 

By  A.  H.  GRII4MER,  M.D. 
Chicago. 

IN  the  early  stages  of  Pneumonia  following  the  chill  we  have  a  group 
of  remedies,  which,  given  on  strict  homoeopathic  indications  will 
delight  and  astonish  those  not  familiar  with  the  '*LAW"  by  the  positive 
and  rapid  action  obtained  in  the  subsidence  of  alarming  symptoms,  and 
the  gentle  and  easy  return  to  health.  To  illustrate,  I  will  present  a 
brief  picture  of  an  ACONITE  case: 

Generally,  but  not  always,  the  aconite  patient  is  fuUblooded,  and 
prone  to  arterial  plethora. 

His  complaints  come  on  suddenly,  and  with  great  violence  and  per- 
turbation. 

Fear  of  death  and  extreme  restlessness  are  the  keynotes  that  are 
always  present  if  aconite  cures.  Also  there  is  i  high  state  of  irritabil- 
ity and  excitement  in  a  typical  aconite  case.  Sc^nsitive  to  music,  noise, 
pain,  etc.,  and  oh,  the  anguish  and  fear  ramifying  all  through  the  symp- 
tom picture. 

Commonly,  complaints  follow  exposure  to  dry,  cold  winds  that  often 
predominate  in  the  early  fall.  Sudden  chillini?  after  becoming  over- 
heated, in  the  full-blooded  red-faced  individual,  is  apt  to  develop  into 
an  aconite  case. 

The  pneumonia  of  infants  is  often  aborted  with  aconite  if  the 
symptoms  are  present,  and  they  frequently  are. 

The  expectoration  is  blood-streaked,  and  with  bright  red  blood. 
Pains  are  intense  and  unbearable,  and  accompanied  with  fear  of  death, 
and  restlessness.  You  can  not  fail  to  recognize  an  aconite  case  in  the 
early  stages  of  Pneumonia. 

BELLADONNA  is  another  remedy  frequently  indicated  in  the 
early  stages  of  Pneumonia: 

The  complaints  and  symptoms  come  on  rapidly,  and  attain  to  more 
or  less  violence,  but  the  anguish  and  fear  ar-3  not  so  marked  as  in 
aconite. 

The  mental  symptoms  show  derangement  of  the  intellect  in  the  form 
of  iUusions,  delusions,  and  even  hallucinations.  At  times  insane  anger 
is  present,  which  causes  the  patient  to  bite  and  strike,  or  attempt 
violence  to  himself  or  his  attendants. 

The  fever  is  very  high,  the  pulse  bounding  and  full,  the  carotids 
are  throbbing. 

The  face  is  fiery  red,  the  eyes  brilliant,  pupils  widely  dilated,  also 
the  si>ecial  senses  show  a  marked  degree  of  sensitiveness,  so  that  light, 
noise,  and  odors  disturb  profoundly. 

The  typical  BeUadonna  Tongue  is  known  as  the  strawberry  tongue, 
from  the  appearance  caused  by  the  raised,  red  and  swollen  papilla.  The 
whole  buccal  cavity,  including  the  throat,  is  often  dry  and  parched, 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHY  543 

which  causes  intense  thirst,  but  often  it  is  accompanied  with  difficult 
swallowing  of  fluids. 

VERATRUM  VIRIDE: 

In  the  sudden  and  violent  congestion  to  the  head,  lungs,  abdominal 
and  pelvic  organs,  it  is  often  like  Aconite  and  Belladonna,  but  there 
is  less  of  the  fear  of  Aconite  and  less  of  intellectual  disturbances  of 
Belladonna. 

Irritability  and  even  anger  may  be  present,  with  suspicious  of  being 
poisoned ;  in  the  febrile  stage  loquacity  and  exalted  ideas  are  often  pres- 
ent, but  more  commonly  a  stupor  or  confusion  of  mind  prevails  . 

The  chill  is  more  protracted  and  intense  in  Aconite,  but  it  is  ac- 
companied by  cyanosis,  heart's  action  intermittent  and  weak,  and  pro- 
fuse cold  clammy  sweat. 

In  the  febrile  state  the  pulse  is  full  and  bounding,  and  very  tense. 

The  most  reliable  indications  are  found  in  nausea  and  vomiting, 
accompanying  the  sudden,  violent  and  long-lasting  chill,  and  this  vom- 
iting may  continue  even  into  the  fever  stage.  The  tongue  presents 
guiding  symptoms  of  a  red  streak  down  the  center,  and  a  coating  of 
white  or  yellow. 

One  of  the  most  frequently  indicated  remedies'  in  Pneumonia,  and 
one  with  very  positive  indications  is  BRYONIA  ALB: 

Indications  are  more  often  found  to  persist  from  the  congestive 
into  the  inflammatory  stage,  and  even  into  tl«e  stage  of  hepatization. 
This  patients  wants  to  be  quiet,  and  is  aggravated  by  jar,  motion  and 
cough. 

The  pains  are  sharp,  sticking  or  cutting,  aggravated  markedly  by 
the  least  inspiration, — showing  a  pleuritic  involvement. 

And  this  indeed  is  a  banner  remedy  in  pleuro-pneumonia  . 

Where  the  patient  lies  on  the  affected  side,  and  is  aggravated  in 
any  other  position,  with  the  symptoms  above  mentioned,  you  need  look 
no  further  for  your  curative  remedy. 

Bryonia  thirst  is  one  for  large  amounts  at  rather  long  intervals, 
being  exactly  opposite  to  the  thirst  in  Arsenicum  Alb.,  which  is  for 
small  amounts  at  frequent  intervals. 

IPECAC  is  frequently  a  useful  remedy  in  the  Bronchial  pneumonia 
of  infants- 
Oppressed  asthmatic  breathing,  with  more  or  less  rattling  of  muous 
in  the  bronchia,  together  with  grass-green  stools,  and  persistent  nausea 
and  vomiting.  Weakness  and  pallor  of  face  are  all  good  ipecac  condi- 
tions. 

AMMONIUM  TART  is  much  like  ipecac,  only  it  comes  in  later  in 
the  case,  and  has  a  few  symptoms  not  noted  in  ipecac, — a  x>eculiar  one 
being  the  flapping  of  the  ali  nasi.  This  remedy  is  complimentary  to 
and  follows  ipecac. 

PHOSPHORUS  is  a  remedy  with  positively  and  frequently  ob- 
served indications  which  may  not  be  noted  until  the  case  is  well  ad- 
vanced. 


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576  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHY 

mentative  indigestion.  It  stimulates  as  does  whiskey,  but  with  more 
available  N  and  P  (associated  with  which  is  enough  C.)>  the  person  is 
better  nourished  so  less  stimulation  is  needed.  Enough  good  oats  make 
a  horse  need  the  whip  less. 

We  are  in  more  need  of  nourishment  than  of  stimulation,  so  why 
longer  advocate  four  or  five  times  as  much  carbonaceous  as  proteid  food  ? 
Equal  amounts  is  more  nearly  correct. 

That  proportion,  four  or  five  to  one,  of  carbonaceous  to  proteid  food 
was  arrived  at  by  burning  the  various  foods  and  obtaining  the  relative 
amount  heat  caloric  produced  during  the  burning. 

Knowing  that  fence  rails  make  a  very  hot  fire,  and  that  butter  fat  if 
burned  make  many  calories  of  heat,  would  not  make  a  farmer  conclude 
that  fence  rails  are  good  food  for  cows.  Yet  scientists  arrive  at  food 
values  by  that  substitute  for  reason  and  experience. 

I  believe  a  better  way  to  arrive  at  food  value  is  to  feed  the  food 
instead  of  burning  it,  then  collect  data  as  to  the  results  of  its  consump- 
tion. 

By  consuming  only  the  needed  amount  of  C,  thereby  wasting  no  N 
in  eliminating  excess  of  C,  one  is  better  nourished  by  less  food.  Judi- 
cious selection  means  greater  efficiency  in  mind  and  body,  and  great  sav- 
ing in  food. 

At  a  restaurant  one  who  puts  several  teaspoonfulls  of  sugar  in  tea 
or  co/i'ee  or  uses  much  butter  injures  himself  trying  to  get  the  worth  of 
his  money,  or  to  satisfy  his  taste. 

By  taking  into  the  mouth  less  food  at  a  time,  and  masticating  it 
more  thoroughly,  a  greater  proportion  of  it  is  assimilated,  so  requires 
less  food  to  be  consumed,  also  conserves  energy  and  health,  and  lowers 
the  cost  of  living.  Food  digests  only  by  surface  contact,  so  masticate 
until  lumps  are  disintegrated. 

Among  the  good  foods  to  select  from,  a  few  will  be  named  and  the 
reasons  for  their  selection  given. 

Whole  wheat  contains  four  times  as  much  N  and  P  as  does  white 
flour.  It  also  contains  1-6  less  C,  so  is  about  five  times  as  valuable  for 
nourishment  as  is  white  bread. 

In  oats  are  found  greater  proportions  of  N  and  P  than  in  wheat. 

Beef  contains  more  N  and  P  than  C. 

Chicken  contains  a  still  greater  proportion  of  N  and  P*  than  does 
beef. 

Lean  ham  is  also  rich  in  N  and  P. 

Pineapple  has  no  C  but  much  N  and  P. 

Entire  apple  is  also  in  good  class,  very  rich  in  N  and  P. 

Eggs  are  a  good  substitute  for  meat. 

Such  foods  with  milk  and  some  other  foods  containing  more  0  will 
make  a  well  balanced  wholesome  diet. 

Waters  abound  in  nutritious  edible  fish.  Every  fish  meal  eaten  is 
the  equivalent  of  producing  meat  enough  for  a  meal, — conserves  meat. 

Suite  1703  Marshall  Field  Annex. 


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The 

North  American 

Journal  of    *    ^ 

Homoeopathy 


November,  1917 

65th  Year 

No.  11 


Official  Orctfn  of  th* 

AMERICAN  MEDICAL  UNION 


DEPARTMENTS 


I 

n 


Homceopathic  Materia  Medica  and  Therapeutics. 

Stfo  Therapy,  I^hysical  Therapy  and  Internal 
Medicine. 

III  Sorgery,  Obstetrics  and  Gynecology. 

IV  Eye,  Ear,  Nose  and  Throat. 

V    Mental  and  Nervous  Diseases,  Psycho-Therapy. 
VI  ^Dermatology  and  Urology. 
VII    Dietetics  Hygiene  and  State  Medicine. 
VIII    Editorials  and  Correspondence. 
IX    Current  Medical  Literature. 
X    Bodk  Reviews. 


Published  monthly  «t 

Tuckahoe,  N.  Y. 


Editorial  Office: 

2812  N.  Clark  Street 

Chicago,  ni. 

U.  S.  A. 


TUret  Dollars 
a  year. 

Entered  at  the  Pom 
OfficeatTuckahoe. 
N*  V.  as  second 
class  matter. 


n. 


J. 


^<.<<<:S::X<itili:X^^ 


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North     American 

Journal  of  Homoeopathy 


EDITORIAL 


CORRESPONDENCE  SCHOOL  OF 
HOMOEOPATHY 

W£  Tenture  to  say  that  there  are  50,000  Loneev,  conscientious 
physicians  in  the  United  States  who  would  be  thankful  as  long 
as  they  lived  if  they  acquired  a  thorough,  practical  knowledge  of  Hom- 
eopathy. In  fact,  we  have  a  feeling  of  pity  for  the  doctor  who  lacks  this 
knowledge. 

We  are  convinced  that  many  lives  can  be  saved  by  Homeopathic 
treatment  that  cannot  by  other  means ;  at  the  same  time  we  believe  there 
are  other  methods  of  treatment  that  can  accomplish  what  Homeopathy 
can  not. 

Our  plea  is  for  the  physician  to  become  thoroughly  acquainted  with 
all  recognized  methods  of  treatment. 

We  are  further  convinced  that  there  are  thousands  of  physioian? 
who  are  sufficiently  independent  and  broad-minded  enough  to  look 
into  Homeopathy  and  acquire  a  thorough,  practical  knowledge  of  it  if 
th^  could  only  have  the  opportunity. 

To  meet  the  want  in  this  direction  that  we  believe  to  exist  it  is  our 
intention  to  establish  a  Correspondence  School  of  Homeopathy.  We  are 
ready  even  now  to  register  the  first  student. 


OUR  PAN-PATHIC  POLICY 

THE  slogan  of  the  Editor  of  the  North  American  Journal  of 
Homeopathy  is  to  fill  its  pages  with  material  that  will  help  the 
physician  to  cure  or  relieve  his  patients.  This  should  be  the  primary 
and  principal  object  of  any  strictly  medical  journal. 


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578  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(£OPATHT 

The  Physician  who  hears  of  or  sees  the  name  oC  this  journal  for  the 
first  time  might  at  once  get  the  impression  that  on  account  of  its  name 
it  was  devoted  entirely  and  ezdusively  to  homeopathy,  hut  that  is  not 
the  case,  heoause  the  official  definition  of  a  homeopathic  physioian  is  in 
substance  as  follows:  A  practitioner  of  medicine  who  has  in  addition 
to  the  knowledge  and  skill  commonly  possessed  by  other  physicians,  a 
thorough,  practical  knowledge  of  homeopathy. 

According  to  this  definition  the  homeopathic  physician  must  be  per- 
fectly familiar  with  all  other  methods  of  treatment.  In  general,  we  may 
say  that  that  physician  is  unethical  and  a  quack  who,  whenever  he  has 
the  opportunity,  does  not  make  himself  familiar  with  any  and  every 
method  of  treatment  which  has  brought  about  good  re«?alts  in  the  treat- 
ment of  the  sick. 

The  most  dangerous  quacks  are  not  the  few  so-called  advertising 
specialists,  but  those  who  are  legalized  physicians  and  pose  as  ethical,  and 
who  blindly  close  their  eyes  to  any  and  every  other  method  of  treatment 
which  was  not  taught  in  the  college  from  which  they  graduated. 

When  the  state  licenses  an  individual  to  practice  medicine  it  is  pre- 
sumed, and  should  be  taken  for  granted,  that  he  possesses  a  knowledge 
of  all  recognized  methods  of  therapeutics,  and  if  he  does  not  he  is  sailing 
under  false  colors  when  he  holds  himself  out  as  a  regular  duly  author- 
ize physician,  fully  prepared  to  treat  the  sick. 

This  spirit  of  not  investigating  other  methods  of  therapeutics  be- 
sides those  acquired  in  the  individual's  Alma  Mater  has  cost  the  medical 
profession  from  30  to  50  per  cent,  of  the  patronage  that  properly  belongs 
to  it.  The  short-sightedness  of  medical  colleges  in  refusing  to  investi- 
gate and  incorporate  into  thir  curriculum  new  therapeutic  methods  is 
becoming  more  apparent  every  day. 

The  so-called  physician  who  is  so  ready  to  depreciate  and  discount 
homeopathy,  reflexology,  spinal  therapy,  psycho-therapy,  auto-hemic  ther- 
apy, natural  methods,  etc.,  may  be  honest,  but  he  does  not  realize  that 
he  is  unethical  and  a  most  dangerous  quack ;  that  practically  he  is  identi- 
cal with  the  fakir,  because  he  claims  to  be  a  physician,  one  who  is  sup- 
posed to  know  the  best  methods  of  treating  the  sick,  when  he  does  not. 

In  view  of  these  facts  the  policy  of  the  North  American  Journal  of 
Homeopathy  is  to  convey  all  kinds  of  therapeutic  knowledge  that  is 
likely  to  be  useful  in  curing  or  relieving  the  sick.  Within  its  columns 
will  be  found  from  time  to  time  everything  in  the  realm  of  therapeutics, 
regardless  of  its  origin  or  its  followers,  the  crucial  test  being,  'Will  it 
help  the  sick?"  and  in  doing  so  it  does  not  under-estimaie  the  value  of 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHY  570 

homeopathy,  the  oldest  and  best  method  of  intenial  medication,  with- 
out a  proper  knowledge  of  which  no  man  is  prepared  to  practice  medi- 
cine to  the  best  advantage. 

A  practical  knowledge  of  homeopathy  is  so  very  important  that  we 
urge  every  honest  physician  to  acquire  it,  who  does  not  already  possess  it. 

On  the  other  hand,  we  urge  just  as  strongly  the  homeopathic  physi- 
cian unacquainted  with  some  of  the  other  new  and  recognized  methods 
of  treatment  to  become  proficient  in  their  use. 

To  all  seekers  of  the  truth  we  gladly  offer  our  assistance. 


NARROW,    ILLIBERAL    AND    NON-PROGRESSIVE 

THE  Subscription  Department  of  the  North  American  Journal  of 
Homctopathy  called  our  attention  to  letters  from  three  old  sub- 
scribers who  ordered  that  the  Journal  sent  to  their  address  be  discontin- 
ued at  once.  Of  course  there  was  something  in  the  Journal  under  the  new 
editorship  that  displeased  them,  so  we  at  once  communicated  with  these 
gentlemen  kindly  asking  them  what  was  the  cause  of  their  actions.  Their 
replies  displayed  a  narrowness  that  we  did  not  believe  existed  in  this  pro- 
gressive age.  Had  these  men  lived  in  the  days  of  Christ  they  certainly 
would  have  shouted  loudest,  "Crucify  Him."  Had  they  lived  in  the 
days  of  Hahnemann  th^y  would  have  been  in  the  front  ranks  of  those 
who  persecuted  him.  These  poor  men  do  not  realize  that  they  have  be- 
come encysted,  and  are  bade  numbers  in  these  progressive  times.  They 
do  not  realize  that  within  ten  years  more,  unless  they  wake  up,  that  the 
progressive  element  in  medicine  will  pass  laws  that  will  forbid  them  to 
practice.  At  the  present  rate  of  decline  in  the  number  oi  Hom<Bopathic 
"schools  as  well  as  in  the  number  of  HomoDopathic  students,  the  Hom- 
oeopathic physician  will  be  as  scarce  as  horses  upon  the  streets  of  a  great 
city.  However,  we  do  not  expect  any  such  great  misfortune,  because 
there  will  be  enough  progressive  men  in  the  Homoepathie  school  before 
that  to  avert  such  a  calamity.  Had  these  gentlemen  attended  the  con- 
vention of  the  American  Association  of  Progressive  Medicine  held  in 
Chicago  last  September  th^y  would  lutTe  been  amased,  and  perhaps  would 
have  been  liberated  from  the  mental  prison  in  whioh  they  are  confined. 
We  prophecy  that  within  a  dozen  years  more  the  so-called  dominant 
school  will  no  longer  dictate  the  medical  laws.  They  will  be  completely 
submeiiged  by  the  progressive  elements. 


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580  NOBTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM<EOPATHY 

NATURE  CURE  IN  HIP  JOINT  DISEASE 

By  L.  D.  ROGERS,  M.D. 
Chicago,  111. 

IN  S^tember,  1917,  I  was  consulted  as  a  surgeon  as  to  the  advisabil- 
ity of  operating  upon  the  ease  described  below.  The  child  was  so 
emaciated  and  the  infiltration  was  so  diffuse  that  I  advised  against  op- 
erating until  the  abscess  would  become  more  localized.  This  case  had 
been  under  the  care  of  a  Chiropractic  doctor  at  that  time  for  ^ve  wedcs. 
Just  two  months  later  I  again  met  by  accident  this  doctor,  Waldemar  A. 
Huboi,  D.  C,  907  Belmont  Av.,  Chicago.  He  told  me  that  the  child  was 
apparently  cured.  I  would  have  been  far  less  surprised  if  he  had  told  me 
that  the  child  was  dead.  I  then  requested  him  to  make  a  statement  of 
what  his  treatment  consister.    It  is  as  follows: 

"Thirteen  weeks  ago  a  girl  five  years  of  age  came  under  mj  care 
suffering  from  acute  tubercular  affection  involving  the  right  hip.  The 
child  was  very  pale  and  very  emaciated.  The  right  thigh  was  flexed  al- 
most upon  the  chest,  and  any  effort  to  extend  it  was  accompanied  by  ex- 
treme pain,  and  it  could  not  be  extended.  It  was  strongly  suggestive  of 
ankylosis,  but  this  was  not  the  case.  In  the  gri*oin  there  was  a  diffuse 
puffiness  extending  down  to  the  vulva.  The  patient  was  given  a  few 
chiropractic  treatments  throughout  the  course  of  the  disease  but  I  do  not 
attribute  results  directly  due  to  this  treatment.  The  mother  was  advised 
to  manipulate  the  limb  to  some  extent  each  day  and  whenever  the  fever 
went  over  100  degrees  to  apply  cold  padcs  to  the  body.  The  temperature 
of  the  patient  most  of  the  time  ranged  between  99  1-2  and  103  degrees. 

'^During  the  first  six  wedcs  of  treatment  the  child  was  placed  on  a 
very  carefully  arranged  diet,  consisting  of  raw  fruits  and  vegetables, 
eaten  with  the  skins  in  all  cases ;  whol^  wheat  bread,  one  soft  boiled  egg 
a  day,  and  a  vegetable  stew  which  was  the  principal  item  of  diet  each  day. 
This  vegetable  stew  consisted  of  a  miscellaneous  mixture  of  seasonable 
vegetables  cooked  without  water  in  a  double  boiler,  skins  and  all,  in  or- 
^er  to  retain  the  organic  mineral  elements  so  essential  for  bone  building 
and  elmination  of  waste  matter.  The  child  seemed  *  to  get  worse 
during  the  first  six  weeks,  the  limb  becoming  more  and  more  drawn  upon 
the  thorax,  with  an  abscess  forming  in  the  right  groin.  The  sixth  we^ 
the  abscess  burst  open  of  its  on  accord,  and  evacuated  one  or  two  cups 
of  thin  yellow  pus.  This  was  followed  by  immediate  relief  of  all  symp- 
toms to  a  great  extent,  and  the  sore  healed  probably  within  two  or  three 
days.  From  this  time  on  the  child  improved  rapidly  and  within  three 
weeks  was  able  to  move  around  quite  freely,  and  after  five  weeks  more 
had  regained  full  use  of  her  limb,  leaving*  absolutely  no  trace'  of  the 
disease  except  a  few  swollen  lymph  nodes  in  the  groin,  which  now,  the 
13th  week,  have  disappeared.  During  the  entire  thirteen  weeKs  the  child 
was  kept  on  the  rigid  diet  The  13th  week  a  little  discharged  from  the 
nostrils  commenced,  and  lasted  about  a  week.'* 


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NORTH   AMERICAN   JOURNAL  OF  HOMOEOPATHY  581 

This  case  is  interesting  in  view  of  the  fact  that  it  is  a  typical  case 
of  Nature  Cure  treatment.  The  theory  of  nature  cure  involves  the  law 
of  periodicity  and  operation  of  the  law  of  sevens.  In  correct  nature  cure 
treatment  the  patient  will  improve  for  five  weeks,  but  the  inception  of 
the  6th  week  brings  on  an  acute  reaction  during  which  nature  endeavors 
to  remove  from  the  system  through  inflammation,  eruptions,  purulent 
dischargee,  diarrheas,  fevers,  etc.,  any  chronic  latent  poisons  which  may 
be  present.  This  eliminative  reaction  usually  lasts  about  one  week,  and 
the  following  week,  the  seventh,  is  devoted  to  recuperative  and  construct- 
ive healing. 

The  treatment  outlined  for  this  child  would  apply  to  almost  any  case, 
and  almost  any  physician  desiring  to  experiment  will  be  highly  gratified 
if  he  prescribes  the  same  diet  for  any  chronic  condition,  and  a  healing 
crisis  will  occur  during  the  sixth  week  without  fail,  and  a  wonderful 
improvement,  if  not  a  cure,  will  be  the  result  Cold  sponge  baths  taken 
daily  are  also  a  great  help. 

The  foregoing  report  of  this  Chiropractic  doctor  is  interesting  to  me 
and  no  doubt  will  be  to  a  number  of  other  physicians  who  have  had  a 
large  experience  with  joint  tuberculosis,  every  one  of  whom  knows  that 
the  treatment  of  hip  joint  disease  is  not  an  easy  one  and  that  cures  are 
not  speedily  obtained  with  the  usual  treatment.  My  personal  experience 
with  this  class  of  cases  is  such  that  I  consider  this  treatment  well  worth 
remembering.  However,  I  imagine  that  after  reading  this  there  will  be 
some  old  subscriber  who  will  write,  "Stop  the  Journal  at  once.  It  does 
not  contain  my  kind  of  Homoeopathy."  I  would  remind  such  that 
Hahnemann  emphasized  the  importance  of  diet  and  hygiene  in  connec- 
tion with  the  indicated  Homoeopathic  remedy. 

546  Surf  Street. 


CONTRIBUTED  ARTICLES 


A  Homeopathic  Physician  it  one  who  adds  to  hia  knowledge  of  medicine  a 
apecial  knowledge  of  Homropathic  Tnerapeutica  and  obarrvea  the  law  of  Similia. 
All  that  pertaina  to  the  great  field  of  medical  learning  ia  hla  by  tradition,  by  in- 
heritance, by  right. 


AUTO-HEMIC  THERAPY 


DIRING  THE  CONVENTION  OF  THE  \MERICAN  ASS(K'lATION  OF  PROGRESSIVE 
MEDICINE  HELb  IN  CH1CA(U>  LAST  SEPTEMBER,  ABOUT  SIXTY  PHYSICUNS  FORM- 
ED THE  NATIONAL  LEAGUE  FOR  THE  STUDY  OF  AUTO-HEMIC  THERAPY,  AGREE- 
ING TO  REPORT  THEIR  OBSERVATIONS  FAITHFULLY,  SAME  TO  BE  PUBLISHED  IN 
THE  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMOEOPATHY.  THIS  DEPARTMENT  HAS 
BEEN  CREATED  FOR  THIS  VERY  COMMENOVBLE  RESEARCH  WORK. 

PHYSICIANS  IN  REPORTING  RESULTS  SHOULD  ALWAYS  MAKE  CONSERVATIVE 
STATEMENTS.  IF  THEY  ACTUALLY  KNOW  AND  BELIEVE  THAT  THE  PATIENT  HAS 
IMPROVED  100  PER  CENT.  IT  MIGHT  BE   TO  THE  INTEREST  OF  AUTO-HEMIC  THER- 


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58:^  NORTH   AMEHICAX   JOURNAL  OF   HOM(EOPATHV 

APY  TO  MAKK  THE  STATEMENT  READ  MORE  THAN  50  PER  CENT.  ALREADY  RE- 
SULTS ARE  BEING  REPORTED  SO  REMARKABLE  THAT  THEY  ARE  INCREDIBLE  Tt) 
THOSE  WHO  HAVE  NO  PRACTICAL  KNOWLEDGE  OF  AUTO-HEMIC  THERAPY.  IN- 
STEAD OF  ENtX)URA(iIN(J  MANY  HONEST  BUT  OVER-CONSERVATIVE  PHYSICIANS  TO 
INVESTIGATE  THESE  REMARKABLE  REPORTS  IT  ONLY  TENDS  TO  MAKE  THEM  RE- 
JECT THEM    ENTIRELY. 

FOR  i^VlCK  REFERENCE  THE  PHYSICIAN  SHOULD  DESIGNATE  EACH  CASE  BY 
INITIALS  OR  BY  NUMBER;  SHOULD  ALSO  STATE  GENERAL  APPEARANCE,  AGE,  SEX. 
NATIONALITY,  OCCUPATION,  HEIGHT.  NORMAL  AND  PRESENT  WEIGHT,  DURATION 
OF  ILLNESS  SUPPOSED  CAUSE  OF  ILLNESS,  DUGNOSIS,  AND  PREVIOUS  TREAT- 
MENT; ALSO  RESULTS  OF  ALL  PHYSICAL  AND  LABORATORY  TESTS  MADE;  DATES 
OF  EACH  AUTO-HEMIC  TREATMENT,  DUIUTION  OF  INCUBATION,  POTENCY'  USED. 
AND  SIZE  or  dose;  reactions  noticed,  >ND  also  the  interval  BETWEEN 
THE  GIVING  OF  THE  TREATMENT  AND  THEIR  APPEARANCE. 


AN  EXTRACT  FROM 

A  GROWING  DEARTH  OF  DOCTORS* 

By  H.  M.  STEVENSON,  M.D. 
Baltimore,  Md. 

THERE  is  great  need  for  more  Homoeopatliic  dectors  in  the  South. 
We  should  have  more  laboratory  men  and  specialists  in  the 
southern  cities,  but  internists,  general  practitioners,  are  needed  every- 
where. 

Steadily,  year  by  year,  our  forces  have  decreased  in  this  great  sec- 
tion. Did  we  now  claim  that  our  numbers  total  cne-half  of  those  who 
practiced  here  twenty  years  ago,  the  estimate  would  be  liberal.  This 
depletion  is  general  and  unless  measures  are  promptly  executed  to  check 
it,  at  a  not  far-distant  day  our  School  will  have  passer  in  the  South. 

Fifteen  years  ago,  one  great  city  possessed  three  HomcBopathic  hos- 
pitals. Today  it  has  none.  In  two  other  cities  the  number  of  HomoBo- 
pathic  physicians  has  decreased  to  fifty  and  forty  per  cent  respectively 
of  those  practicing  there  in  1898.  This  situation,  existing  throughout 
the  South,  is  not  because  those  who  labor  there  are  unsuccessful.  It  is  a 
paradox  that  this  numerical  reduction  comes  at  a  time  when  the  School 
of  Homoeopathy  is  better  established  and  producing  better  results  than 
at  any  time  in  its  history.    Other  circumstances  are  responsible. 

Fifty  years  ago,  the  South  was  about  wrecked  by  a  great  war.  All 
industries,  all  projects,  were  at  a  low  ebb  of  vitality,  but  during  the  past 
thirty  years  the  South  has  been  rebuilding.  In  that  period,  many  phys- 
icians of  our  School  located  there,  but  there  was  made  no  adequate  pro- 
vision to  maintain  their  numbers.  Homoeopathic  colleges,  in  locating, 
sought  the  more  closely  peopled  North  and  West,  and  their  graduates 
remained  to  practice  in  those  regions.  So,  after  the  wave  of  emigra- 
tion southward  had  passed,  there  came  in  the  number  of  our  forces  a 
stand-still,  then  a  dwindling  which  has  continued  ever  since. 

The  School  at  large  would  probably  have  made  an  effort  to  prevent 
this,  but  about  the  time  a  need  was  showing,  our  School  had  thrust  upon 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY  583 

it  a  fight  for  its  very  existence.  Upon  both  great  Schools  of  medicine, 
involying  their  educational  resources,  was  placed  a  handicap,  a  load  of 
conditions  which  were  unjust  as  they  were  impractical.  Upon  medical 
students  were  placed  requirements  that  prohibit  many  from  undertaking 
the  study  of  medicine.  As  the  net  result  of  this  propoganda,  the  yearly 
output  of  doctors  soon  lessened,  and  the  process  continued  to  a  degree 
that  now  has  brought  to  the  nation  a  grave  situation,  which  must  grow 
graver  still  before  relief  is  effected. 

For  whatever  reason,  with  whatever  justice  or  capable  management, 
there  was  begun  some  years  ago  a  movement  that  resulted  as  was  fore- 
told, only  in  destroying  from  one  end  to  the  other  of  this  land,  many  of 
our  most  serviceable,  practically  useful  medical  colleges ;  in  surrounding 
medical  schools  with  circumstances  that  add  unnecessary  hardship  and 
prevent  them  from  securing  their  full  quota  of  students;  in  making  it 
impossible  for  many  capable  men  and  women  to  prepare  for  work  in  our 
profession;  in  establishing  methods  that  fail  to  afford  students  the  effic- 
ient training  required  for  success  in  medical  practice.  Our  profession 
was  at  no  time  greatly  overcrowded,  so  quickly  and  forcibly  the  effect 
of  that  destructive,  hindering  propaganda  was  felt  The  single  reason 
offered  for  that  unwarranted  crippling  of  our  educational  structure,  for 
a  dangerous  depletion  of  our  ranks,  was  a  desire  to  improve  the  stand- 
ard of  medical  education.  To  such  a  reason,  such  a  desire,  were  this 
the  single,  disinterested  intention^  we  bow  in  reverence,  for  always  in 
every  line  of  endeavor  there  is  need  for  improvement. 

But  we  cannot  believe  there  was  just  warrant  for  the  widespread 
waste  of  excellent  material  practiced  by  that  propaganda.  To  remove 
a  few  spots  from  the  wall,  a  wise  man  does  not  tear  down  his  house. 
Spots  there  were,  as  there  are  today,  but  had  thoio  at  the  head  of  that 
movement  been  prompted  only  by  a  earnest  desire  to  search  out  the 
spots,  repair  the  weak  places  and  preserve  imdamaged  the  valuable 
structure,  had  they  exercised  enough  ability  and  foresight  to  avoid  prod- 
igal destruction,  realizing  that  even  then,  resources  for  medical  educa- 
tion were  not  over  abundant,  the  results  would  have  been  far  different. 

In  the  establishment  of  preliminary  requirements  for  medical  stu- 
dents there  seems  to  have  been  little  consideration  concerning  the  time 
involved  by  the  long  course  prescribed.  Likewise,  is  indicated  an  im- 
perfect realization  of  what  the  student  may  compass  during  his  term 
in  medical  college,  for  in  many  schools  the  wide-range  potpourri  of 
branches  taught  serves  to  give  him  but  a  superficial  knowledge  of  each, 
encroaching  seriously  upon  the  time  that  should  be  allowed  for  gaining 
a  good  working-knowledge  of  the  essentials.  The  less  vital  branches 
are  taught  thoroughly  enough,  too  thoroughly,  for  altogether  they  com- 
pose a  load  too  great  for  the  human  mind  to  carry. 

Prior  to  the  advent  of  that  propaganda,  able  educators  were  ac- 
complishing much  in  the  raising  of  standards,  but  they  worked  in  a  way 
that  sacrificed  nothing  of  importance.  They  advised  against  the  rad- 
ical movement  pending  and  had  its  leaders  been  willing  to  work  in  the 


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684  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM<EOPATHY 

i-Iearer  light  of  what  ex];>enence  had  taught,  co-operating  with  those, 
who  at  least  as  well  as  they,  understood  the  needs  and  possibilities,  the 
result  would  have  been  a  blessing  to  the  profession  and  to  the  public 
Needless  destruction  would  have  been  less  likely,  they  would  have  build- 
ed  where  they  must  destroy,  have  fostered  and  developed  all  useful  re- 
sources, giving  helpful  assistance  instead  of  arbitrary  interference, 
thus  utilizing  their  great  power  to  assist  those  who  long  had  been  work- 
ing earnestly  for  the  same  object.  In  the  end  they  truly  would  have 
accomplished  the  establishment  of  higher  standards  in  medical  educa- 
tion. A  practical,  applicable,  useful  curriculum  would  now  be  in  force 
in  all  medical  schools,  instead  of  the  chaotic,  uncertain  condition  in  this 
respect  which  exists  today.  Instead  of  an  alarming  depletion,  our  num- 
bers would  be  equal  to  the  public  need,  and  at  the  heart  of  our  educa- 
tional structure  there  would  not  have  been  delivered  a  blow  that  will 
require  years  of  time  and  a  supreme  effort  to  recover  from. 

It  is  easy  to  criticise  any  movement  at  its  end,  easy  to  find  flagrant 
flaws.  Often  such  criticism  is  unjust  because  it  is  easier  to  understand 
what  is  behind  us  than  ahead.  But  the  danger  in  this  movement  was 
so  apparent  at  its  launching,  so  many  earnest  protests  were  voiced 
against  its  radical  methods,  the  bad  results,  accurately  foretold,  came 
swiftly  to  pass,  hence,  condemnation  is  fully  warranted.  But  we  must 
offer  a  charitable  conclusion  concerning  those  responsible,  for  it  is  diffi- 
cult to  believe  that  members  of  our  profession  would  deliberately  wreck  " 
the  foundation  of  its  educational  resources  and  bring  upon  this  nation 
the  grave  condition  which  exists  today. 

For  already,  were  the  times  normal,  there  is  a  growing  inadequacy 
in  the  number  of  physicians  necessary  to  the  needs  of  our  people.  Un- 
less prompt  measures  are  executed  to  remedy  this  shortage,  the  situa- 
tion will  rapidly  become  more  serious.  Now  a  great  war  is  upon  us, 
with  both  branches  of  the  military  service  pleading  for  doctors  and 
more  doctors.  The  Surgeon  General's  Office  writes :  "The  medical  pro- 
fession is  top-heavy  with  age.  Let  all  medical  schools  function  to  their 
fullest  capacity  and  give  us  doctors."  With  our  ranks  depleted  as  they 
are  today,  with  the  supplying  source  vitally  weakened,  where  are  those 
doctors  to  come  from  ?  If  for  military  purposes  enough  medical  officers 
are  finally  secured,  who  will  take  care  of  the  millions  at  home  ?  The  war 
has  served  to  augment  and  make  us  realize  sooner  the  bad  results  of 
this  vital  blow  to  the  maintenance  of  our  professional  numbers. 

Had  the  quality  of  what  is  now  produced  been  improved,  there  would 
be  something  to  balance  the  reduction  in  quantity.  But  many  of  the 
colleges  existing  today,  colleges  which  were  favored  by  that  propaganda 
by  its  lessening  of  competition,  are  making  men  for  research  work,  for 
the  hospital  staff,  material  for  the  teaching  corps,  and  many  again  who 
enter  the  specialities.  They  produce  few  doctors,  men  and  women  fitted 
to  work  in  the  field  of  general  practice,  who  are  thoroughly  grounded 
in  the  principles  of  diagnosis  and  broad  treatment  of  disease,  and  with 
practical  training  therein. 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF   HOMCEOl'ATHY  585 

No  thoughtful  member  of  our  profession  wants  less  than  the  l>est 
standards  of  training,  but  those  standards  must  be  practicable,  must 
not  be  prohibitive.  Has  improvement  really  been  effected  by  this  limit- 
less piling  of  requirements,  this  reign  of  destruction?  Do  our  schools 
now  give  a  better  training,  one  more  applicable  to  the  needs  of  this  pro- 
fession than  they  did  prior  to  1907?  We  would  like  to  believe  so,  if 
only  because  of  the  price  paid  therefor.  But  facts  in  evidence  indicate 
with  unwelcome  conviction  that  the  plan  of  education  as  executed  by 
many  colleges  is  far  less  efficient  than  that  of  a  former  day,  at  least  in 
fitting  for  work  as  general  practitioners,  which  is  by  far  the  greatest 
need  of  our  profession  and  of  the  public. 

Colleges  which  because  of  prohibitive  handicaps  were  compelled  to 
close,  and  a  number  that  are  yet  at  work  in  spite  of  almost  impossible 
conditions,  are  the  schools  which  would  compose  the  bulwark  of  our  edu- 
cational resources  in  this  matter  of  doctors.  Always  these  schools 
sought  every  chance  for  improving  the  standard  of  medical  education. 
The  course  of  study  in  medical  colleges  was  increased  from  two  to  three, 
and  then  to  four  years.  Hospital  training  was  made  more  and  more 
general.  Eealizing  that  no  school  can  accord  brains  to  its  students, 
and  that  in  the  time  available  for  study  only  a  certain  number  of 
branches  may  be  learned  properly,  their  authorities  wisely  restricted 
the  curriculum  to  include  only  those  mose  essential  to  capable  work  af- 
ter graduation,  and  these  they  taught  thoroughly. 

There  are  still  excellent  schools  which  give  this  kind  of  training, 
preparing  students  for  general  practice,  while  their  course  also  offers 
an  efficient  ground- work  for  those  who,  after  post-graduate  .-^t^dy,  wish 
to  specialize.  Their  yearly  production  of  doctors  would  be  mncli  great- 
er in  numbers  had  they  a  fair  chance  before  the  public  to  show  their 
excellent  ability  as  training  schools,  for  then  they  would  be  able  to  se- 
cure much  larger  classes.  But  the  well  known  practice  in  the  classifica- 
tion of  medical  colleges,  as  followed  by  the  Council  of  Education  of 
the  American  Medical  Association,  places  these  splendid  institutions 
in  a  false  position  before  the  people.  So  when  they  go  forth  to  demon- 
strate the  advantages  which  they  have  to  offer,  as  all  schools  must  in  one 
way  or  another  do  to  secure  students,  these  capable,  much  needed  insti- 
tutions, if  not  fortunate  enough  to  possess  the  8U[)erlative  classification 
of  "A",  must  for  their  very  existence  apologize. 

The  public  is  aware  that  there  are  A  and  B  and  C  classes  among 
medical  colleges.  No  explanation  nor  qualifying  statement  goes  out 
from  the  Council  regarding  those  receiving  the  lesser  designations.  The 
public  is  not  informed  that  in  these  schools  the  teaching  corps  is  made 
up  of  the  best  material,  of  these  well  able  to  train  the  student  efficiently 
for  general  practice  and  to  give  the  grroundwork  that  must  precede  study 
for  work  in  the  specialties. 


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5M)  NORTH  AMERICAN   JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

Prospective  students,  thinking  them  inferior,  turn  away  from  B  and 
C.  Some,  then,  may  apply  to  A,  find  that  financial  requirements  are 
beyond  their  means  and  give  up  entirely  their  plan  to  study  medicine, 
thus  losing  to  our  profession  good  material,  while  the  dwindling  in  our 
numbers  continues.  If  not  as  a  matter  of  justice  to  those  institutions, 
then  because  of  the  great  need  for  their  product  should  th^  be  aided 
to  extend  their  efforts.  Some  of  our  institutions  are  included  amon£^ 
them.  Put  them  right  before  the  public  and  the  result  will  be  an  in- 
creased production  of  efficiently  trained  doctors.  In  view  of  the  great 
need,  this  cannot  occur  too  soon. 

Now  there  is  a  movement  developing  to  forbid  students  other  than 
those  who  have  trained  in  Class  A  colleges  the  privilege  of  taking  the 
examination  of  certain  State  Boards.  At  least,  the  cards  are  coming  on 
the  table,  but  would  the  medical  profession,  would  the  people  of  this 
nation  if  they  knew  the  truth,  permit  the  exertion  of  this  further  effort 
at  destruction?  The  making  of  several  classifications  in  medical  col- 
leges has  no  tenable  basis.  Seconds  in  some  things  are  allowable  for 
those  who  want  less  than  the  best.  But  this  matter  of  efficiency  among 
medical  colleges  concerns  hiunan  life  and  health.  Medical  schools  are 
either  capable  or  not  capable  of  training  doctors.  Inferior  schools  have 
no  place  among  them  under  any  circumstances.  If  there  is  sincerity 
behind  this  classification  movement,  why  do  not  those  in  authority 
make  one  clear-cut  decision  as  to  whether  a  college  is  or  is  not  capable 
of  giving  efficient  training? 

Cannot  our  School  force  the  challenge  and  make  sure  that  the  bat- 
tle, for  a  battle  there  must  be,  is  fought  out  in  the  open,  in  God's  sun- 
light where  the  people  of  this  country  who,  after  all,  are  the  main  ones 
concerned,  may  know  the  facts  and  help  us  make  sure  that  decisions 
are  fairly  rendered?  The  character  of  work  being  done  by  our  Homoeo- 
pathic colleges  surely  warrants  the  desire  for  such  a  decision,  if  they  can 
be  sure  that  the  umpire  is  able  and  just.  If  any  of  our  colleges  are 
not  as  proficient  as  the  best,  our  School  does  not  want  them  to  continue. 
Just  as  much  we  deplore  the  ambiguous,  often  unfair  classification  that 
seriously  interferes  with  the  work  of  excellent  colleges  that  would  be 
far  more  useful  without  it. 

Upon  medical  students,  requirements  were  placed  which  make  the 
study  of  medicine  a  luxury.  The  extensive  preliminary  work  demanded 
and  a  year  in  hospital  following  graduation,  make  so  late  the  average 
age  for  beginning  work,  that  it  with  many  is  prohibitive.  Only  people  of 
means  can  afford  this  undertaking.  Not  so  many  of  those  are  inclined 
to  enter  our  profession  and  while  there  are  honorable  exceptions,  it  is 
not  from  this  class  that  the  material  came  which  made  our  profession 
what  it  is.  The  average  age  of  graduation  is  given  as  from  26.7  years 
to  28.5.  The  twelve  months  in  hospital  are  too  important  to  be  fore- 
gone, so  another  year  must  be  added  to  this  graduation  age.  What 
other  profession  holds  off  it  aspirants  so  long  before  actual  entrance  in- 
to work  ?    So  many  attractive  opportunities  are  offered  to  young  people. 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHY  587 

many  that  they  may  more  quidcly  prepare  for,  that  the  profession  of 
medicine  loses  in  comparison. 

There  is  no  question  regarding  the  growing  depletion  in  our  ranks, 
in  the  profession  generally  and  as  it  concerns  our  School.  Whoever 
cares  to  investigate  may  confirm  this.  It  was  noticed  first  when  the 
hospitals  not  connected  with  medical  colleges  began  to  find  difficulty  in 
securing  internes,  resident  physicians,  material  for  their  house  staff. 
In  former  times  there  were  many  applicants;  today,  men  are  sought 
for  these  positions.  Then,  from  country  towns  came  appeals  for  doctors. 
Before  this  dearth,  when  a  physician  died,  his  place  was  easily  filled. 
Now  there  are  many  sections  entirely  without  a  practitioner,  and  in 
town  and  country,  doctors  are  working  over  a  wider  and  wider  area. 
This  is  {ilready  causing  hardship  to  profession  and  public  and  as  the 
condition  continues,  there  must  follow  a  less  careful  supervision  over 
the  health  of  people. 

A  recent  report  from  the  Commissioner  of  Education  states  that  in 

1908,  there  were  graduated  4802  medical  students.  In  1916,  the  report 
states,  the  total  number  in  this  entire  country  was  3436.  This  means 
a  decrease  of  1366,  a  reduction  of  nearly  one-third.  Instead  of  this 
lessening  of  the  supply,  there  should  have  been  an  increase  of  nearly 
one-half  more  graduates  in  1916  than  in  1908,  for  the  population  has 
multiplied  rapidly,  and  the  added  complexities  of  life  demand  even 
greater  attention  to  health. 

By  the  Commissioner  of  Education,  we  are  informed  that  in  1908 
there  were  152  medical  colleges  of  both  schools  in  the  United  States. 
That  in  1916,  there  were  but  92  in  all,  a  decrease  of  about  forty  per  cent, 
in  our  educational  resources.  Nor  in  this  time  was  any  building-up 
process  accomplished  in  places  where  the  often  unjustly  regarded  thorn 
was  uprooted.  From  the  same  source  comes  the  information  that  in  two 
years  prior  to  1908,  six  medical  colleges  were  established.  Merges  were 
executed,  combining  two  and  three  medical  schools  into  one.  But  see 
what  followed  such  combinations. 

In  Baltimore  City,  there  were  in  1908,  at  least  six  medical  col- 
leges. Today  there  are  two.  Several  years  ago,  the  University  of 
Maryland  combined  with  two  local,  average  size  medical  schools.    In 

1909,  before  this  combination  was  effected,  and  with  our  full  quota  of 
colleges  functioning  actively,  the  University  graduated  89  students.  In 
1917,  this  combination  of  three  college?,  with  all  other  medical  schools 
but  one  gone  from  the  town,  conferred  but  82  diplomas.  By  all  rules 
which  govern  combinations  in  the  business  world,  the  University  of 
Maryland  which  now  represents  three  medical  schools  should  show  a 
marked  increase  in  the  size  of  its  graduating  class  instead  of  doing  less 
of  this  work  than  when  it  stood  alone  and  with  competition  on  every 
hand. 

The  Johns  Hopkins  Medical  School  graduated  89  students  in  1911. 
In  1916,  it  graduated  89.  With  wealth,  power  and  the  best  in  its  teach- 
ing force,  if  this  great  school  produces  so  few  doctors,  showing  even 


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588  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHT 

a  badcward  going  in  this  respect,  may  we  look  hopefully  to  present  re- 
sources to  check  the  depletion  which  has  already  become  a  menace  to 
the  work  of  our  profession  and  at  this  early  date  is  working  hardship 
upon  our  people  and  upon  the  nation?  Instances  similar  to  these  may 
be  found  by  whoever  studies  the  situation. 

Many  colleges  which  were  compelled  to  close,  drew  large  classes 
from  the  populous  region  of  their  location.  So  many  doors  were  closed 
that  the  effect  is  material.  Also,  many  splendid  colleges  which  are  pro- 
ducing but  moderately,  would  produce  more  abundantly  were  their  true 
value  known  to  the  public.  The  one  bad  effect  of  that  damaging  prop- 
aganda would  be  rectified,  if,  where  most  needed,  some  of  these  schools 
were  brought  back  into  useful,  living  being.  The  other  may  be  cor- 
rected, if  to  a  number  of  colleges  those  whose  excellent  efficiency  is 
wrongly  represented  by  present  methods  of  classification,  with  some  of 
ours  among  them,  is  accorded  a  rightful  understanding  before  the 
medical  profession  and  the  public. 

Once  more  we  will  say  that  our  School  stands  only  for  the  high- 
est, mose  efficient  training.  No  thoughtful  man  or  woman  among  its 
followers  will  be  satisfied  with  less.  But  this  training  must  meet  the 
needs  of  our  professional  work,  must  not  make  the  required  time  pro- 
hibitive by  including  studies  that  are  unnecessary  and  which  jeopardize 
thorough  training  in  the  essentials.  It  may  come  that  by  special  plan- 
ning of  studies  in  preparatory  schools,  by  correlating  the  work  done 
there  with  that  of  the  medical  college,  the  student  may  secure  all  that 
is  needed  to  prepare  him  properly  for  medical  college,  and  yet  save  two 
valuable  years  of  time.  By  subscribing  to  nothing  less  than  the  highest 
standard  of  education,  by  striving  for  a  practical  plan  which  will  secure 
this,  and  by  maintaining  our  Homceopathic  colleges  at  a  standard  of 
efficiency  that  will  give  the  best  there  is  to  be  given,  our  School  will 
merit  the  wide  development  that  we  wish  for  it. 

When  the  full  truth  of  all  circumstances  pertaining  to  the  present 
situation  becomes  known  to  the  people  they  will  give  valuable  aid  and 
the  work  of  rehabilitation  will  grow  easier.  With  increasing  frequency 
the  lay  press  now  refers  wonderingly  to  the  dearth  of  doctors.  Various 
causes  are  assigned,  but  with  characteristic  persistence  and  sincerity, 
the  press  of  this  country  is  casting  about  for  facts.  When  they  are  fin- 
ally obtained  the  people  will  be  fully  informed.  When  once  the  truth 
is  understood,  the  public  will  do  its  part.  But  now,  with  vision  long 
enough  to  realize  what  will  come  tomorrow,  we  must  lay  our  plans  and 
accomplish  the  work  of  preparation  under  conditions  not  so  favorable. 
Without  waiting,  we  must  do  what  is  to  be  done  so  that  in  this  public 
effort  our  School  may  occupy  its  rightful  place  in  the  forefront,  and  to 
develop  and  utilize  capably  for  it  the  full  benefit  of  this  first,  more  equal 
opportunity  to  demonstrate  before  the  people,  the  able  efficiency  of  our 
Homoeopathic  colleges  in  training  doctors,  together  with  the  great  value 
to  the  people  of  the  Homoeopathic  system  of  treatment. 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHY  589 

It  truly  seems  that  the  circumstances  which  for  a  time  threatened 
to  crush  our  School,  are  reacting  now  to  give  the  best  opportunity  in 
its  history  for  wide  development  through  an  exceptional  chance  to  in- 
form the  people  more  understandingly  regarding  its  merits.  It  is  the 
only  school  which,  to  help  suffering  humanity  in  the  diagnosis  and  treat- 
ment of  disease,  utilizes  every  measure  that  a  world-wide  science  of- 
fers, and  then  adds  to  this  the  well  proven  benefit  of  the  HomcBopathic 
materia  medica,  the  only  materia  medica  which  rests  upon  a  scientific 
foundation.  Since  ours  is,  because  of  these  undeniable  facts,  the  broad- 
est of  all,  it  should  be  every  honest,  sane  re-^son  be  the  dominant  school. 
And  through  a  clearer  understanding  of  these  facts  by  the  people,  sup- 
ported by  the  capable,  united  efforts  of  its  adherents,  it  will  become  so. 

Concerning  the  situation  exisiting  in  medical  education  following 
the  radical  regime  of  the  past  decade,  a  reaction  is  upon  us.  Sincere, 
thoughtful  members  of  our  profession  have  long  hoped  for  a  change,  but 
recently  there  have  come  more  emphatic,  definite  expressions  to  that  ef- 
fect. At  Chicago  last  February  was  held  a  conference  of  medical  edu- 
cational bodies  of  both  schools,  and  in  that  conference  about  the  first 
public  expression  of  the  kind  was  made.  Following  are  some  of  the  ex- 
tracts from  a  report  of  that  meeting: 

"From  the  Congress  of  Medical  Education,  Public  Health,  and 
Medical  Licensure,  came  a  report  that  will  forever  be  interesting,  since 
these  experienced  educators  and  authorities  expressed  an  opinion  por- 
tentous to  the  future  status  of  medical  education. 

"The  marked  contrast  in  views  over  those  of  other  years  regarding 
medical  education  and  the  general  attitude  of  medical  educators  and 
members  of  state  licensing  boards  toward  the  mandates  of  the  Council 
of  Education,  were  interesting  to  say  the  least. 

"Chairman  Bevan  presented  a  study  of  the  graduation  age  in  75  col- 
leges that  showed  an  average  of  26.7  years.  In  view  of  this,  the  Council 
urges  a  proaganda  toward  lessening  the  time  required  in  educating 
physicians,  to  the  end  that  men  and  women  may  be  able  to  enter  th^ir 
chosen  field  two  years  earlier. 

'^on-medical  educators  discussed  Chairman  Bevan's  paper  and  ad- 
vised re-organization  of  primary  and  secondary  schools  so  that  students 
may  go  from  the  high  school  directly  into  medical  college.  The  report 
of  the  National  Board  of  Medical  Examiners  brought  fort  a  discussion 
which  made  clear  the  function  of  that  body  as  only  advisory,  with  no 
legal  status. 

'The  Federation  Committee  for  the  classification  of  medical  col- 
leges, made  a  report  which  does  not  coincide  with  that  of  the  Council  of 
the  American  Medical  Association.  It  was  made  quite  clear  that  the 
Council  would  be  regarded  only  in  an  advisory  capacity  and  there  was 
evidenced  some  trend  away  from  the  dicates  of  said  Council.  From  the 
Association  of  American  Medical  Colleges  came  the  conclusion  that  ^t 
would  seem  wise — that  a  standard.be  adopted  for  admission  (of  colleges) 


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590  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHT 

to  membership  in  the  Association,  since  heretofore  the  only  standard  has 
been  that  of  the  American  Medical  Association. 

"A  motion  passed  referred  to  the  inspection  of  coUegfes  by  the 
Oouncil  of  the  American  Medical  Association.  An  assessment  of  each 
college  in  membership  was  decided  upon  to  cover  the  expenses  of  dele- 
gates who  should  accompany  the  Council  on  their  tours  of  inspection, 
to  protect  the  rights  of  colleges  in  membership  or  that  expected  to  be- 
come members  of  the  Association.  On  the  whole,  the  attitude  of  the 
various  bodies  composing  the  Congress  resulted  in  n  situation  more  fa- 
vorable to  HomoBopathic  colleges." 

The  first  question  which  concerns  this  Association  in  connection 
with  the  present  situation  is,  What  may  we  do  to  bring  more  Homoeo- 
pathic physicians  to  the  South?  What  we  do  here  will  help  also  the 
School  at  large.  If  we  can  recognize  the  great  need  to  check  the  grow- 
ing depletion  in  our  section,  if  we  can  look  far  enough  ahead  to  realize 
that  unless  the  depletion  is  checked  this  wearing  process  will  in  not  a 
long  while  mean  the  extermination  of  our  School,  at  least  in  the  South, 
then  we  will  be  spurred  to  capable  action.  If  we  can  see  that  this  grow- 
ing dearth  of  doctors  affects  both  Schools,  is  rapidly  affecting  a  vital 
interest  of  the  people,  that  because  of  this  the  public  will  soon  recognize 
more  fully  the  great  value  of  our  Homoeopathic  colleges  and  the  work 
generally  of  our  School,  if  we  consider  the  situation  in  a  way  to  in- 
clude these  true  circumstances  we  shall  regard  it  as  an  exceptional  chance 
to  develop  the  interests  and  spread  the  benefits  of  our  School. 

At  the  best,  the  undertaking  is  a  vast  one.  It  will  require  the  most 
able  brains  and  every  resource  that  we  possess.  At  this  session  of  the 
Southern  Association  we  can  only  make  a  start  in  the  matter,  but  that 
start  should  be  made  and  be  of  a  kind  that  during  the  interval  between 
meetings  of  the  Association  will  work  capably  and  unremittingly  to  ac- 
complish the  object  desired.  To  expedite  the  launching  of  this  move- 
ment as  much  as  possible  through  forming  a  working  basis  to  starf  from . 
we  wish  to  offer  a  specific  plan. 

(1)  Appoint  a  permanent  conmaittee  at  this  annual  meeting,  with 
the  wide  scope  of  devising  and  executing  means  for  the  up-building  of 
our  School  in  the  South. 

(2)  Compose  the  committee  of  representatives  from  every  state 
under  the  jurisdiction  of  this  Association,  of  representatives  from  every 
Homoeopathic  college  in  the  country,  from  the  American  Institute  of 
Homoeopathy,  the  College.  Alliance  of  the  American  Institute  of  Homoeo- 
pathy, the  official  organ  of  the  Southern  Homoeopathic  Medical  Asso- 
ciation, the  Journal  of  the  American  Institute  of  Homoeopathy  and 
every  State  Society  and  other  Homoeopathic  organizations  in  the  South. 

(3)  Give  the  committee  the  power  to  effect  all  other  details  of 
its  organization  and  to  act  finally  upon  all  matters  that  come  under  its 
jurisdiction. 

(4)  Provide  financial  means  at  this  meeting  whereby  the  commit- 
tee may  carry  its  work  to  a  point  of  self  support. 


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NOBTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OP  HOMCEOPATUY  591 

(5)     Offer  to  the  committee  the  following  suggestions : 

(A)  That  they  make  a  systematic  effort  to  hring  the  greatest 
pbBsihle  number  of  Homoeopathic  physicians  into  membership  and  active 
participation  with  the  Southern  Association. 

(B)  To  solicit  co-operation  for  their  object  from  all  State  So- 
cieties and  other  HomoDopathic  organizations  in  the  Soutn. 

(C)  To  study  thoroughly  the  practical  needs  of  medical  graduates 
when  entering  practice.  Consider  the  highest  standard  of  teaching 
that  may  be  given  them  in  preparatory  schools  and  medical  colleges, 
that  may  be  co-ordinated  in  a  way  to  give  the  best  training  and  to  save 
the  most  time,  and  to  make  this  the  basis  of  an  effort  to  set  the  average 
age  for  beginning  work  at  a  practicable  degree. 

(D)  To  give  the  College  Alliance  of  the  American  Institute  of 
Homoeopathy  the  full  support  of  this  Association  in  every  way  its  aid 
may  be  needed  in  securing  a  fair  and  just  classification  tor  our  schools. 

(E)  To  demonstrate  to  the  public  the  value  of  such  institutions 
as  training  schools  for  doctors  and  as  part  of  the  medical  educational 
structure  of  this  country. 

(F)  To  enlist  the  co-operation  of  Homoeopathic  doctors  in  the 
South  in  securing  students  for  these  colleges. 

(G)  To  inform  students  in  southern  preparatory  schools  concern- 
ing the  exceptional  opportunity  just  now  being  offered  in  the  profession 
of  medicine  to  those  who  are  in  earnest  and  who  possess  the  necessary 
qualifications.  To  acquaint  them  with  the  reasons  why  our  School 
in  its  breadth  possesses  decided  advantages  as  a  system  of  treatment  and, 
therefore,  special  advantages  to  those  who  practice  this  School,  and  that 
students  who  are  trained  in  our  colleges  receive  broader  training  tliau 
may  be  secured  in  any  school. 

(H)  To  make  every  effort  to  establish  Homoeopathic  colleges  in 
the  South,  in  connection  with  State  Universities,  as  a  pare  ot  independ- 
ent universities  that  are  without  a  medical  department,  or,  if  advisable, 
when  already  an  Allopathic  college  is  established.  Also,  to  establish 
an  independent  college  and  hospital  wherever  a  favorable  location  is 
offered. 

(I)  To  place  the  full  influence  of  the  committee  and  of  this  Asso- 
ciation behind  an  effort  to  secure  for  Homoeopathic  physicians  in  the 
South  a  proportionate  quota  of  public  positions  that  require  professional 
training.  This  suggestion  is  not  made  to  secure  positions  tor  our 
physicians,  but  because  for  various  reasons  our  School  should  be  so 
recognized. 

(J)  To  utilize  the  press,  lay  and  medical,  wherever  it  is  possiblo 
in  a  judicious  way  to  state  facts  favorable  to  the  Homoeopathic  School, 
concerning  its  work  generally  and  the  advantages  of  our  colleges. 

Some  of  these  suggestions  offer  a  little  opportunity  for  accomplish- 
ing the  purpose  desired,  others  of  them  offer  more.  Thus  far  the  power 
and  influence  of  this  Association  has  not  been  enlisted  for  such  a 
movement,  so  by  making  the  effort,  by  utilizing  every  means  available^ 


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592  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHT 

with  the  aid  and  support  of  the  Southern  Homceopathic  Medical  Asso- 
ciation,  results  must  surely  follow. 

The  first  important  consideration  is  the  organization  of  a  committee 
composed  of  capahle  men  and  women  who  will  see  the  need  for  this  effort 
and  who  will  give  some  of  their  time  to  its  accomplishment.  Organi- 
zation of  the  committee  should  be  begun  at  once,  so  that  during  these 
sessions  there  will  be  full  opportunity  to  perfect  that  organization  and 
to  get  the  work  started,  since  another  year  will  go  by  before  the  active 
members  of  this  Society  are  again  together.  Since  writing  the  above, 
the  lay  press  more  and  more  frequently  is  publishing  articles  rogardin^r 
the  scarcity  of  doctors,  some  going  so  far  as  to  point  out  the  great  need 
for  more  general  practitioners,  showing  that  they  are  beginning  to  learn 
the  truth.  A  better  understanding  of  those  matters  by  the  press  and 
people  will  let  them  realize  more  fully  the  value  of  our  HomoBopathic 
colleges  as  a  source  of  supplying  well  trained  doctors,  as  also  the  good 
work  of  our  School  and  its  value  directly  to  the  people.  The  future  of 
Homoeopathy  seems  to  depend  upon  whether  we  are  now  able  to  look 
ahead  and  prepare  for  this  coming  era  which  will  afford  our  School  a 
better  chance  for  development  than  ever  in  its  history. 

1022  West  Lafayette  Avenue. 


Dr.  Benoni  A.  Bullock,  Ex-Secretary  of  the  American  Association 
of  Orificial  Surgeons,  211  Stevens  Building,  Detroit,  Mich.,  under 
date  October  26,  to  the  Editor  writes  as  follows : 

There  was  one  thing  which  impressed  me  most  forcibly  at  the  Chi- 
cago meetinji: ;  that  was  the  intense  interest  displayed  by  all  in  the  hunt- 
ing for  some  thing  or  treatment  which  would  do  away  with  drug  medica- 
tion.   Some  one  at  home  wanted  it  or  they  would  not  be  looking  for  it 

I  am  sending  you  herewith  a  short  write-up  on  the  case,  which  was 
decided  in  my  favor  in  the  Recorder's  Court  on  April  18th.  It  is  as 
follows : 

Dr.  B.  A.  Bullock,  of  Detroit,  was  arrested  in  July,  1916, 
while  the  A.  M.  A.  was  in  session  in  Detroit,  on  a  charge  of 
practicing  Medicine  and  Surgery  without  a  license.  Was  bound 
over  to  the  Recorder's  Court  for  trial.  The  case  was  taken  up  in 
April,  1917,  and  the  plaintiff  admitted  all  of  tha  charges,  being, 
that  he  had  performed  a  trachelorrhaphy  circumcision  and  al- 
so a  rectal  operation. 

The  Osteopathic  law  in  Michigan  gives  the  Osteopathic 
physician  the  right  to  practice  his  profession  in  all  of  its 
branches  as  taught  in  the  recognized  schools.  He  produced  sur- 
geons from  the  different  colleges  which  told  how  surgery  was 
taught  in  the  schools.  They  all  being  graduates  in  Medicine, 
and  testified  that  as  complete  a  course  was  taught  in  the  Osteo- 
pathic school  as  in  the  Regular.  The  Judge  charged  the  Jury, 
that  if  they  found  this  to  be  the  case,  a  verdict  of  acquittal 
should  be  rendered,  which  verdict  was  given  April  18,  1917. 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM<EOPATHY  593 

A  REPORT  OP  C\S£S  DIAGNOSED  BY  THE 

BIO-DYNAMO-CHROMATIC  METHOD  OF 
DR.  GEORGE  STARR  WHITE 

By  T.  HOWARD  PLANK, 
Chicago,  111, 

ONE  of  the  certain  things  in  diagnosis  of  diseased  conditions  today 
is  the  Bio-dynamo-chromatic  method  and  not  only  is  this  method 
certain  when  the  disease  is  apparent  to  all,  but  in  the  incipient  stage 
when  it  is  impossible  to  diagnose  it  with  any  certainty  by  clinical  or 
laboratory  methods,  and  this  is  the  stage  when  it  is  most  important  to 
have  a  correct  diagnosis,  for  at  this  time  there  is  every  hope  oi  a  cure, 
while  if  the  disease  has  progressed  to  a  destructive  degree,  there  is  little 
hope  of  any  more  than  relief. 

To  the  uninitiated  these  statements  may  seem  to  be  the  work  of  an 
over-active  imagination,  but  to  those  of  us  who  have  used  and  proven  thi«^ 
method,  there  is  nothing  more  certain,  and  we  are  willing  to  stake  our 
reputations  upon  it. 

The  details  of  this  method  are  too  well  known  to  give  them  here— 
suffice  it  to  say  that  they  were  worked  out  by  Dr.  (Jeorge  Starr  White  of 
Los  Angeles,  who  has  proven  the  method  by  the  examination  oi  thous- 
ands of  cases. 

Personally,  I  have  been  using  this  method  for  about  two  years  and 
the  longer  I  use  it  the  more  faith  I  have  in  it 

Case  No.  1 — ^W.  K.  Female,  aged  25 :  Has  been  sick  for  over  a  year 
In  August,  1916,  she  began  running  a  temperature,  which  at  one  time 
went  as  high  as  105.  She  coughed  a  great  deal  and  was  tired  all  the 
time.  She  went  to  Denver  in  September,  and  from  there  to  Wyoming. 
While  West  (which  was  for  one  year),  she  coughed  up  blood  at 
two  different  times. 

She  came  to  me  on  the  13th  of  July,  1917.  I  ran  thru  the  screens 
and  found  that  she  reacted  to  A,  A2  and  A4.  The  physical  examination 
showed  consolidation  of  the  upper  lobe  of  the  right  lung,  which  confirm- 
ed the  B-D-C  diagnosis  of  T.  B. 

She  began  treatment  at  once  and  within  a  week  had  lost  her  tired 
feeling;  within  two  weeks  her  cough;  and  was  doing  a  normal  amount 
of  work  within  three  weeks  and  has  continued  to  do  so  ever  since. 

Case  No.  2 — ^R.  A.,  age  15,  Female :  Came  to  me  on  October  17th, 
1916.  Had  been  running  a  temperature  for  jtwo  weeks  and  for  six  weeks 
her  appetite  had  been  poor  and  she  had  been  extremely  irritable. 

I  ran  her  through  all  the  screens  and  found  that  she  reacted  to  but 
one — A.  It  was  three  weeks  before  I  was  able  to  determine  the  location 
of  the  trouble,  which  proved  to  be  the  middle  and  lower  lobes  of  the 
right  lung.  Within  one  week  she  showed  improvement  under  the  Al- 
pine Lamp  treatment,  which  improvement  continued,  so  that  she  was 
running  a  normal  temperature  within  thirty  days. 


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594  NORTH  AMERIOAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMOSOPATHT 

This  case  was  in  my  office  in  An^st^  1917,  when  I  found  her  B-B-C 
normal  and  she  is  well  clinically. 

Case  No.  3 — ^Mrs.  J.  A.,  age  61 :  Came  to  me  on  February  7th,  1917, 
with  an  open  sore  upon  the  left  side  of  the  nose,  which  was  in  extent 
somewhat  larger  than  a  quarter.  I  ran  through  all  the  screens  I  have 
and  she  reacted  to  but  two— A  and  B. 

This  case  had  been  diagnosed  at  the  Lakeside  Hospital  as  Epithel- 
ioma. 

She  yielded  rapidly  to  treatment  with  the  Kromayer  Lamp  and  was 
practically  well  in  thirty  days.  Two  months  later  I  examined  her  again 
with  the  screens  and  her  reflexes  were  normal. 

Case  No.^  4 — ^B.  C,  Female,  age  31 :  Stomach  trouble  began  ten 
years  ago,  at  which  time  she  had  an  exploratory  operation  at  Rochester, 
Minn.,  which  revealed  nothing  and  the  abdomen  was  closed  without  fur- 
ther operative  interference.  Five  years  ago  she  had  an  operation  for 
appendicitis. 

She  came  to  me  February  15th,  1917,  with  the  history  that  she  had 
been  more  or  less  ill  for  the  past  three  years  (stomach  trouble  practically 
all  the  time).  She  returned  to  me  on  July  3rd,  and  on  the  12th  I  ran 
thru  the  B-D-C  screens  and  she  reacted  to  two — A  and  B.,  B  giving  a 
typical  reaction.  Following  this  I  had  an  X-Ray  examination  (both 
floroscopic  and  plate)  by  Dr.  Maximilian  Hubeny  of  29  Washington  St , 
which  showed  a  filling  defect  at  the  pyloric  end  of  the  stomach  (greater 
curvature)  of  about  three  inches  in  extent.  I  began  Alpine  treatments 
on  July  5th,  1917  ,and  within  one  week  she  had  improved  and  has  con- 
tinued to  do  80.  The  second  week  she  gained  two  pounds,  and  in  seven 
weeks,  14  pounds. 

August  Ist,  1917,  I  began  treatments  with  the  intermittent  B-D-C 
-B  screen  and  since  then  her  improvement  has  been  much  more  rapid. 

The  X-Ray  makes  clear  the  diagnosis  of  B-D-C  of  carcinoma  graft- 
ed upon  the  site  of  an  old  ulceration  and  think  how  much  easier  and 
simple  the  method,  but  possibly  the  simplicity  is  what  keeps  it  from  he- 
coming  popular. 

Case  No.  5 — E.  G.  Male,  age  51 :  Has  had  "stomach  trouble"  for 
twenty  years;  intestinal  fermentation  for  the  past  eight  years;  has  had 
large  quantities  of  mucous  in  stools  for  the  past  seven  months;  has  lo??t 
flesh  rapidly  for  the  past  three  months. 

In  this  case,  as  in  the  preceding,  he  reacted  to  screens  A4  and  B. 
This  was  followed  by  X-Ray  (both  floroscopic  and  plate)  examinations  by 
Dr.  Hubeny  of  24  Washington  St.,  which  showed  filling  defects  at  the  py- 
loric end  of  the  stomach  (both  the  lesser  and  greater  curvature)  and  in 
the  upper  portion  of  the  duodenum,  and  confirms  the  diagnosis  of  car- 
cinoma. 

I  began  treating  him  with  B  screen  intermittent  light  and  ultra- 
violet rays  on  July  26th,  1917.  After  the  first  treatment  he  could  tell 
(blindfolded),  by  the  fullness  of  the  pulse,  when  the  light  came  on,  but 
could  not  tell  when  it  went  out. 


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NOBTH  AMERICAN   JOUBNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY  596 

September  1st,  1917»  there  is  much  less  mucous  in  the  stools,  and 
he  is  gaining  in  weight  and  strength. 

Case  No.  6 — H.  H.,  Male,  age  40:  Came  to  my  office  on  October 
26th,  1916.  He  had  been  ill  with  Neiserian  infection  for  six  weeks 
when  he  came  to  me.  The  discharge  was  still  thick,  creamy  and  dripped 
— no  need  to  squeeze  it  out.  He  had  lost  40  lbs.  in  weight.  His  reaction 
to  D  screen  was  decidedly  positive.  When  I  re-exaaiined  him  on  August 
1st,  1917,  his  reactions  were  normal. 

The  case  was  cured  with  the  Leucodescent  and  Kromayer  Lamps. 
His  discharge  stopped  after  six  treatments,  and  in  a  week  was  gaining  a 
pound  a  day.    The  discharge  never  returned.    No  drugs  were  used. 

Case  No.  7 — M.  A.,  Female,  age  24:  Has  been  having  a  great  deal 
of  pain  in  the  lower  abdomen  and  pelvis  for  the  past  year.  B-D-C  ex- 
amination showed  reaction  to  but  one  screen — D.  At  this  time  there  was 
no  vaginal  discharge;  no  involvement  of  the  Bartholin  or  Skenee  Glands. 
Local  examination  showed  two  pus  tubes  down  iu  the  cul-de-sac  A 
Douglas. 

Case  No.  8 — S.  M.,  Female,  age  35 :  Came  to  my  office  on  August 
Ist,  1917.  She  has  been  flowing  most  of  the  time  for  the  past  two  years, 
and  has  leucorrhea  when  not  flowing — some  abdominal  tenderness — no 
pain.  B-D-C  reaction  to  D.  only.  Pelvis  examination  shows  both  tubes  en- 
larged and  bound  down  by  the  side  of  and  posterior  to  the  cervix. 

I  operated  this  case  August  6th,  1917,  at  the  Hahnemann  Hospital, 
Chicago,  removing  both  tubes  and  a  cystic  ovarj'.  She  made  an  un- 
eventful recovery,  going  home  on  the  18th  day  post-operative. 

Case  No.  9 — N.  F.,  Male,  age  37 :  Came  to  me  on  the  22nd  of  Jul^ 
1917.  Ten  weeks  ago  he  noticed  a  sore  on  the  side  of  the  glands  penis. 
He  had  a  Wasserman  examination  made  at  the  Presbyterian  Hospital, 
New  Orleans,  on  the  2nd  of  June,  1917;  on  the  23rd  of  June  the  sore 
had  refused  to  heal,  so  he  had  scrapings  taken  for  dark  field  examination 
and  another  Wasserman  made.  These  also  at  the  Presbyterian  Hospital, 
in  New  Orleans.    All  reports  were  negative. 

At  the  time  he  came  to  me  the  sore  was  of  the  size  of  a  silver  dime; 
the  edges  and  surface  soft;  it  had  a  doubtful  appearauce  of  chan- 
roid. 

I  gave  him  three  treatments  with  the  Kromayer  Lamp,  which  did 
not  start  the  healing  process.  I  then  run  him  through  tne  B-D-C  screens 
and  he  reacted  to  C  only,  but  this  reaction  was  typical.  I  then  started 
giving  him  sodium  cacodylate  and  within  three  days  the  sore  had  com- 
menced to  heal,  proving  the  diagnosis  by  B-D-C-.  On  August  11th  the 
sore  was  entirely  healed  and  his  general  health  greatly  improved. 

Case  No.  10 — S.  C,  Female,  a 2:0  4*^ :  W?p  bronaht  to  my  office  JuV 
13th,  1917,  by  Dr.  Lillian  Thompson,  at  which  timo  there  was  a  swollen 
edematous  area  of  about  10x15  C.  M.  midway  on  her  left  leg  inner  sur- 
face. She  had  been  in  the  hospital  for  three  weeks  without  a  diagnosis. 
She  was  unable  to  be  on  her  feet  for  any  length  of  time.  She  reacted  to 
C  and  D  screens,  tho  she  denied  any  history  of  either  disease.    I  put  her 


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-596  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

on  sodium  cacodylate  intravenously,  running  up  rapidly  to  7  grains 
daily,  and  in  two  weeks  had  her  back  at  work,  but  the  point  is  the  im- 
provement in  the  ease  proved  the  B-D-C-  correct 

Case  No.  11— T.  J.,  Male,  age  33:  Came  to  me  August  3rd,  1917. 
Said  he  had  an  open  sore  for  60  days  in  1907,  and  that  he  has  been 
treated  for  syphilis  and  wanted  to  know  if  he  still  had  it.  B-D-C  method 
was  used  to  gain  this  information  and  he  reacted  but  slightly  to  C,  but 
strongly  to  D.  I  then  asked  him  if  he  had  ever  had  gonorrhea  and  he 
said :  **0h,  yes,  some  six  years  ago,  but  no  sign  of  it  since."  I  said : 
**Well,  you  have  it  still."  I  then  massaged  his  prostate  and  had  him 
urinate,  when  I  obtained  shreds  over  an  inch  long.  He  is  coming  in 
soon  to  take  treatment  for  it    Another  record  case  for  B-D-C-. 

Case  No.  12 — ^K.  H.,  Female,  age  26 :  Has  lost  flesh  for  the  past 
year  to  the  extent  of  ten  or  fifteen  pounds.  Has  not  been  feeling  well, 
and  was  suspicious  of  T.  B. 

On  the  16th  of  July,  1917,  I  made  a  thorough  physical  examination, 
which  was  negative.  I  then  used  the  B-D-C,  which  was  normal,  and  she 
did  not  react  to  a  single  screen. 

This  shows  the  beauty  of  the  B-D-C  examination.    Diagnosis  nega- 
tive except  for  worry. 
1612  Heyworth  Building. 


BLOODLESS  SURGERY  IN  CHRONIC 
DISEASES 

By  J.  F.  ROEMER,  D.  D. 
Waukegan,  III. 

I  WILL  answer  two  questions  this  A.  M.  which  I  know  are  very 
prominent  in  your  minds,  and  which  have  been  asked  several  times 
by  each  of  you. 

First — ^How  to  keep  or  get  a  line  on  chronics  coming  to  your  office, 
and  second.  How  to  treat  them  after  coming. 

I  can  best  answer  that  by  illustrating  it  with  work  done.  Last 
Monday,  Mrs.  B.,  her  mother  and  an  aunt  or  half-aunt,  came  up  to 
see  me,  having  been  sent  by  a  friend  in  the  city. 

Mrs.  B.  was  the  patient,  and  her  malady  was  that  d,ear  old  friend — 
i.  e.,  rheumatism.  She  had  been  suffering  for  nine  years.  Had  been 
through  various  hands  or  offices,  from  the  specialist,  who  said  "broken 
arches,"  to  the  one  who  said,  "tonsils;  have  them  out."  From  the  one 
who  said  "Pain,"  "Aspirin,"  and  gave  IT  till  she  rebelled;  to  the  Os- 
teopath who  said  "Back — ^let  me  rub  it  out,"  and  she  was  surely  a  picture. 

I  examined  back,  knees  and  feet.  Found  one  limb  3-4  inch  longer 
than  the  other,  which  was  to  blame  for  the  curve  in  the  back.  The  ro- 
tating ankle  made  a  sore  foot,  and  so  it  was  an  arch.  The  IRRITATED 
and  sore  spine  prevented  proper  function,  and  so,  of  course,  she  was 
anemic,  and  had  taken  Blaud's  Pills  for  six  weeks. 


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NOBTH  AMERICAN   JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY  597 

While  she  was  under  treatment,  the  half -aunt  said:  **Better  look  at 
me  also  while  I  am  here/' 

"What  is  it?" 

"Stomach.'' 

^^All  right    Get  on  the  table,"    And  she  GOT. 

Now  here  is  where  I  am  coming  back  to  my  story..  Beg  your  pardon 
for  wandering. 

I  turned  on  the  light  and  began  to  tell  her  a  few  things.  I  found 
the  2nd,  3rd,  4th  and  5th  dorsal  deviating  to  the  left,  and  of  course, 
those  below  had  to  go  to  the  right  to  bring  an  upright  young  lady.  She 
was  just  60  years  old. 

Just  at  the  close  of  the  15  minutes'  treatment,  I  called  Mrs.  B.  and 
said  :  "Some  day  I  am  going  to  go  just  like  this  to  you,"  and  I  did  it. 
^Vhere  did  I  put  my  hanci?  If  I  was  in  the  hair-splitting  business  I 
would  tell  you  exactly,  but  being  just  a  plain  M.  D.  I  put  it  at  the  prop- 
er place — "where  the  bend  was  the  greatest" — and  made  a  quick  move, 
and  she  yelled  and  said  "That  hurt  like  the  Devil,"  and  a  lew  more  such 
complimentary  things,  and  got — not  mad — ^but  up.  I  told  her  to  breathe 
a  few  times,  as  it  would  make  her  dizzy  and  I  did  not  want  her  falling  all 
over  the  office. 

She  then  went  into  the  dressing  room,  and  Mrs.  B.'s  mother  and  T 
went  to  the  reception  room  to  look  at  a  sympathetic  nerve,  and  in  less 
than  two  minutes  we  heard  her  calling,  "Mary !  Mary !  Mary  I"  The  of- 
fice girl  came  out  and  said,  "She  wants  Mary,  whoever  that  is." 

It  was  Mrs.  B.  who  went  in;  so  did  the  office  girl.  I  did  not.  T  go 
when  called,  as  I  know  some  things.  When  she  came  out  she  asked, 
"What  can  I  eat?"  I  said,  "Anything  you  can  get,  or  want."  She  paid 
me  and  went  home,  and  came  back  Thursday,  and  said  "I  want  to  show 
you  something."  The  SOMETHING  was  an  address  of  a  prominent 
lady  who  is  suffering  with  neuritis,  and  said  she,  "That  lady  needs  you. 
You  send  her  literature." 

**How  are  you  ?"  "Oh,"  said  she,  "I  did  what  you  said.  Ate  every- 
thing, and  my,  it  seemed  good  to  be  able  to  do  it." 

What  did  she  want  Mary  for?  My  office  girl  heard  her  say,  "Th^t 
man  is  a  wizard.    I  feel  better  already." 

Do  you  think  aspirin  would  do  it  that  quickly? 

Now,  what  was  the  matter  with  her  stomach?  This  is  what  she 
vsaid  in  rather  a  disjointed  way:  It  would  seem  to  be  all  right  and  all 
at  once  it  would  distend  with  gas  and  cause  her  pain  to  make  her  yell. 
Must  unloosen  her  clothes  and  try  to  get  it  out.  A  very  hard  matter 
for  her  to  vomit.  One  time  when  a  dose  of  apomorphine  had  been  in- 
jected, she  remembered,  that  the  berries  she  had  eaten  for  breakfast  came 
up  just  as  she  had  eaten  them,  with  her  noon  meal,  at  2  P.  M.  Just  as 
soon  as  the  stomach  was  empty  the  pain  was  all  gone,  and  she  felt  fine, 
all  right,  O! 

She  had  been  examined  for  ulcer  and  cancer,  for  acidity,  etc.  Had 
been  diagnosed  as  auto-intoxication,  as  well  as  acute  indigestion,  and 


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598  NORTH   AMERICAN   JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

she  had  been  getting  worse  for  6  1-2  years.  The  picture  of  health,  if 
you  did  not  look  deep,  or  deeply,  as  you  please.  Never  constipated,  never 
a  coated  tongue,  never  any  eructations,  never  any  heartburn,  never  tlie 
taste  of  food  in  her  mouth,  etc. 

What  was  the  real  trouble?  It  was  only  a  nervous  stomach,  a:*<J 
the  nerve  has  its  origin  in  the  spinal  cord. 

During  the  last  six  years  she  had  lost  her  husband,  grown  son  niid 
daughter,  mother,  and  her  money.  Would  you  call  that  "Shock?"  Sur- 
gical shock?  Shock  produces  what?  Just  think,  while  I  give  you  sonu^ 
theory.  Bombardment  after  bombardment,  and  the  nerves  grew  tense. 
Impulse  made  muscles  tense,  and  after  while  a  tetanus  of  the  spinal 
muscles — rigidity — ^pressure — reflex  action — ^lack  of  tone,  or  spasm;  and 
when  the  spinal  irritation  was  just  right  the  nerves  said  "grip,''  and  the 
cardiac  and  pyloric  orifices  of  the  stomach  said  'Tialt,"  "no  going  for- 
ward or  backward,"  which  was  why  she  could  not  vomit,  nor  could  she 
get  rid  of  it  downward. 

Apomorphine  was  the  only  thing  which  would  give  quick  njlief, 
except  loosening  the  irritation  of  the  spinal  muscles,  which  would  allow 
the  stomach  muscles  to  relax. 

Did  you  ever  experience  the  relief  of  a  tetanus  of  the  Platysma 
Myoides?  If  so,  then  you  know  how  she  felt  wh^n  t\.c  tetanus  of  the 
spinal  muscles  were  relaxed.    SHE  KNEW. 

Will  she  have  a  return  of  the  symptoms?  Surely.  Until  the  cause 
and  condition  is  entirely  removed  there  will  be  a  return.  Digging  into 
her  mental  condition,  her  real  self,  and  learning  all  that  could  be  learn- 
ed, will  decide  us  to  give  her  Ignatia  SOX,  and  expect  a  perfect  cure; 
but,  it  would  take  too  long  for  Ignatia  to  relax  those  muscles  and  con- 
gestion of  six  years  or  more  standing,  so  we  will  apply  the  tension  and 
pressure  in  conjunction  with  radiant  heat,  and  all  pulling  together  we 
can  expect  a  much  more  rapid  relief  and  recovery  than  if  only  one  was 
used  alone. 

Waa  she  grateful  ?  Will  she  return  ?  Did  I  tell  you  she  said  "Here 
is  the  name  and  address  of  one  who  is  worse  even  than  I  was.  Write  her." 
122  Genesee  Street. 


PHYSICIAN  HEAL  THYSELF 

By  DR.  J.  W.  BUSH, 
Columbus,  Ohio 

ALL  Doctors  are  not  healthy  and  happy.  Many  are  8i<^.  Somo 
have  the  **blues,"  others  are  afflicted  with  hatred,  envy,  and  jeal- 
ousy, while  a  few  have  some  chronic  ailment  Are  you  afflicted  with  any 
of  these  ailments  ?  Would  you  like  to  get  rid  of  them  ?  The  purpose  of 
this  paper  is  to  show  you  how  to  begin — ^how  to  cure  yourself. 


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NOBTH  AMERICAN   JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHY  599 

In  the  first  place  you  must  have  a  mental  house-cleaning.  Your 
body  can  never  get  well  while  there  is  anything  the  matter  with  your 
mind. 

The  physical  body  is  greatly  dependent  upon  the  moral,  mental  and 
spiritual  faculties,,  as  to  health.  It  makes  little  difference  what  your  ail- 
ment is,  if  you  will  get  first  right  mentally,  morally  and  spiritually,  you 
have  done  much  more  than  all  your  professional  colleges  can  do  for  you. 

Of  course  there  are  chronic  invalids  who  have  some  physical  ail- 
ment that  neither  through  mental,  moral  nor  spiritual  powers,  can  a 
cure  be  effected.  But  the  large  majority  of  chronic  invalids,  especially 
among  physicians,  can  cure  themselves  simply  by  cleaning  up  mentally, 
morally  and  spiritually. 

Do  you  hate  any  of  your  fellow  practitioners?  Are  you  jealous  of  a 
brother  physician  because  he  has  a  larger  practice  and  is  more  success- 
ful than  yourself?  Are  you  harboring  revenge  or  malice  toward  the 
chiropractic  physician  or  towards  the  osteopath  because  some  of  your 
patients  have  left  you  and  gone  to  these  doctors  and  were  cured?  In 
fact,  have  you  a  grudge  against  anyone? 

No  matter  what  the  provocation  may  have  been  to  cause  you  to 
have  these  feelings  against  anyone,  you  can  never  get  well  as  long  as  you 
allow  them  to  remain  imbedded  in  your  life.  As  long  as  there  is  anyone 
beneath  the  stars  whom  you  wish  ill,  you  will  try  in  vain  to  find  a  cure 
for  your  physical  ailment.  Your  jealousy,  envy  and  hatred  operate  as  a 
perpetual  waste  of  vitality.  It  weakens  the  sources  of  vital  energy  and 
deranges  the  nutritive  processes. 

The  man  who  '^osee  his  head"  and  who  immediately  resents  an  in- 
sult and  without  a  moment's  hesitation  punishes  the  offender,  is  not 
so  mudi  injured  by  the  act,  although  it  may  have  been  wrong. 

But  the  man  who,  for  any  reason,  is  not  able  to  square  himself  with 
his  antagonist,  but  just  goes  on,  day  after  day,  week  after  week,  month 
after  month  and  year  after  year,  hating  the  one  who  injured  him,  such 
a  man  or  woman  need  not  expect  to  be  well,  even  though  they  be 
physicians. 

Have  you  allowed  the  'little  devil  microbe"  called  jealousy  in  any 
form  to  creep  into  your  lifei  If  so,  neither  the  most  wholesome  food,  nor 
proper  exercise,  nor  the  closest  observance  of  hygenic  rules,  nor  the  most 
skillful  treatment  will  make  good  your  loss. 

Green-eyed  jealousy  saps  the  vitality  faster  than  the  most  putrid 
ulcer.  It  eats  into  the  vitals — the  very  core  of  life — ^like  a  malignant 
cancer. 

I  must  also  speak  further  of  envy,  for  envy  is  another  enemy  to 
health,  happiness  and  prosperity. 

Honestly  now,  have  you  allowed  yourself  to  believe  that  your  com- 
petitor, who  has  a  larger  practice  and  happens  to  be  more  prosperous 
than  you,  is  not  entitled  to  his  large  practice  and  prosperity?  That  you 
are  just  as  worthy  as  he  is  and  ought  to  have  the  same  or  more  than  he 
hast    Have  you  allowed  yourself  to  believe  such  things  and  gone  on 


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600  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHT 

year  after  year  envying  him  ?  Don't  you  know,  that  such  a  state  of  mind 
is  a  disease  that  will  derange  your  body  and  finally  destroy  your  life? 
You  cannot  be  healthy,  happy  and  prosperous  with  your  mind  in  such  a 
state. 

You  have  got  to  have  a  house-cleaning  WITHIN  YOU.  You  have 
got  to  get  rid  of  jealousy,  envy,  hatred  and  revenge  before  you  can  get 
welL  And  you  must  be  well  yourself  if  you  would  build  up  a  successful 
practice  and  cure  others.  So  then  search  out  all  the  weak  spots  in  your 
life  and  eradicate  them. 

Dr.  Oliver  Wendell  Holmes,  in  his  wonderful  "One  Hoss  Shay,"  sets 
forth  the  danger  of  having  anywhere  a  weak  spot. 

"Now  in  building  of  chaises,  I  tell  you  what. 

There  is  always  somewhere  a  weak  spot — 

In  hub,  tire,  felloe,  in  spring  or  sill, 

In  screw,  bolt,  thoroughbraee,  lurking  still. 

Find  it  somewhere  you  must  and  you  will — 

Above  or  below,  within  or  without — 

And  that's  the  reason  beyond  a  doubt, 

A  chaise  breaks  down  but  never  wears  out." 

And  that  is  as  true  of  a  physician,  or  any  other  man,  as  it  is  of  -i 
chaise. 

Would  you  be  healthy,  happy  and  cure  your  patients? 

Look  into  your  life  for  weak  spots — see  if  there  is  anything  crook- 
ed there.  Are  you  doing  things  that  you  are  ashamed  of?  Are  you 
withholding  from  your  patients  anything,  whether  it  ue  called  Chiro- 
practic or  other  physical  means,  that  may  help  them,  simply  because  you 
are  afraid  to  use  anything,  tho  it  contains  merit,  that  your  colleges  call 
"irregular"? 

Are  you  compelled  to  hide  from  your  family  or  associates  any  hab- 
its or  business  transactions  ?  Concealing  carefully,  from  those  who  have 
a  right  to  know  what  your  conduct  is,  the  things  you  have  been  doing? 

You  cannot  get  well,  have  a  good  practice  and  be  happy  as  long  as 
this  thing  continues.  Lay  aside  at  once  the  notion  that  your  remedies 
will  cure  you  or  that  nature  will  come  to  your  rescue  so  long  as  you 
are  skulking  and  crouching  with  fear  behind  the  moral  shadows  which 
you  have  created. 

Until  you  make  your  life  so  honorable  and  open  that  you  have 
nothing  to  fear,  that  no  disclosure  will  cause  you  to  tremble,  until  you 
have  made  your  life  so  clean  that  you  have  nothing  to  hide,  there  is  pos- 
itively no  hope  that  you  will  ever  get  any  better. 

You  may  consult  the  most  skillful  surgeon  and  call  to  your  aid 
the  most  noted  fellow  physician,  but  the  arm  of  man  will  fail  you. 
Science  cannot  make  the  outer  man   right  until  the  inner  man  is  clean. 

I  am  not  preaching  to  you.  These  things  are  cold  facts,  only  this  and 
nothing  more.  Just  true  and  stubborn  facts  with  which  you  have  to 
deal.  There  is  no  possible  way  to  dodge  them.  You  must  become 
healthy  within  before  you  can  have  a  pure,  strong  body. 


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NORTH  AMERICAN   JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY  601 

You  should  be  able  to  boneetly  say,  "I  can  look  the  whole  world 
squarely  in  the  face  and  have  the  whole  world  look  in  upon  the  setirets  of 
my  life  and  lay  bare  the  innermost  wish  of  my  heart,  for  I  have  noth- 
ing to  fear,  nothing  to  be  ashamed  of." 

Of  course  no  man  can  perpetually  bring  his  life  up  to  this  high 
moral  standard.  A  slip  of  the  tongue  may  happen  or  a  passion  temporar- 
ily gain  advantage,  all  of  which  he  sincerely  regrets. 

But  the  wish  to  be  rid  of  all  these  things  and  to  rise  above  thcni 
all,  this  can  be  the  perpetual  possession  of  each  physician.  Unless  it  is, 
there  can  be  no  such  thing  as  perfect  health,  perfect  happiness  and  per- 
fect success. 

Oome  now,  sit  down  and  think  it  over.  Look  squarely  at  your  in- 
ner life.  Take  an  inventory  of  your  moral  possessions.  Are  you  jealous 
of  any  one?  Have  you  wronged  any  one?  Are  you  envious?  Have  you 
a  skeleton  in  your  closet  that  you  guard  with  fearful  anxiety  i  Be  honest 
with  yourself. 

Ask  yourself  all  these  questions  and  eradicate  everything  of  this 
sort  with  the  same  care  and  determination  as  if  they  were  festering 
sores  or  contagious  eruptions. 

If  you  do  not  do  this  there  is  no  hope  for  you.  But  if  you  will  do 
this  courageously,  honestly,  thoroughly,  the  chances  are  that  you  will 
need  no  other  treatment,  at  least  it  will  prepare  the  way  so  that  you  will 
derive  the  full  benefit  of  any  other  treatment  that  may  be  necessary. 

And  so  this  brings  me  back  to  the  proposition  I  started  out  with, 
*Thysican  heal  thyself."  Thus  spake  the  GREAT  PHYSICIAN  two 
thousand  years  ago. 

This  was  good  advice  then  and  it  is  good  advice  now. 
232  Columbus  Savings  &  Trust  Bank. 


THE  CATHETER 


The  Catheter  unskillfully  or  carelessly  employed  is  a  dangerous  in- 
strument, and  before  its  use  it  is  better  where  there  is  a  retention  of 
urine  to  resort  to  all  palliative  measures  first,  and  hot  sitz  baths,  suppos- 
itories of  belladonna  and  opium,  hot  rectal  injections  ana  colonic  flush- 
ings, and  to  the  administration  of  sanmetto  in  teaspoonful  doses  every 
hour  for  first  three  or  four  hours  and  then  every  two  hours  until  reason- 
able time  for  relief.  Never  withdraw  the  entire  amount  of  urine  at 
once,  as  it  might  be  followed  by  hemorrhage  from  the  bladder  or  kid- 
neys or  a  complete  suppression  of  urine  ending  fatally.  Always  follow 
urethral  or  bladder  instrumentation  with  irrigation  or  injections  of  the 
milder  silver  salts,  and  the  administration  of  sanmetto  to  soothe  and  re- 
lieve  the  irritation  or  inflammation  of  the  urinary  canal. 


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602  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHT 

THE  TREATMENT  OF  EXTERNAL  CANCER 

By  ROBERT  A.  PATTERSON,  M.  D. 
Philadelphia,  Penna. 

IX  the  following  brief  discussion  of  Cancer  and  its  successful 
treatment,  I  shall  have  to  limit  myself  to  a  mere  outline  of  a  few 
of  the  salient  features,  the  necessary  limitation  of  space  precluding  any 
attempt  at  completeness. 

Cancer,  the  most  dreaded  of  modem  diseases,  and  one  that  has  been 
the  object  of  research  of  Physicians  since  medicine  has  become  an  exact 
science,  is  curable  in  many  of  the  external  forms  by  the  method  employed 
by  the  Author. 

The  multiplicity  of  "Cures"  for  Cancer  that  have  been  proposed  during 
the  last  decade  has  done  much  to  confuse  practitioners  of  medicine,  and 
make  them  undecided  as  to  the  method  of  treatment  to  advise  patients 
suffering  from  this  disease. 

Of  the  many  new  discoveries  of  the  last  few  years,  the  following 
were  exploited  to  the  public  as  wonderful  cures,  and  raised  the  hopes  of 
thousands  of  patients  suffering  from  Cancer. 

Coley's  fluid,  by  which  Cancer  was  combatted  by  the  use  of  the 
Kerms  of  Erysipelas.  Dr.  Beard's  much  talked  of  Trypsin  serum.  The 
serum  used  by  Dr.  Hodenpyle  of  New  York,  which  was  made  from  the 
fluids  of  a  Cancer  patient 

The  profession  has  not  forgotten  the  wonderful  merit  claimed  for 
the  X-Ray  and  Radium  in  the  treatment  of  Cancer.  Wonderful  cures 
were  claimed  for  these  agents,  but  it  is  now  known  that  instead  of  cur- 
ing, they  only  aggravate  the  disease. 

Wonderful  merit  has  also  been  claimed  for  Carbon  dioxide  snow, 
but  every  case  that  I  have  examined  that  had  been  treated  by  this  method 
was  aggravated  by  the  treatment,  and  I  have  yet  to  see  one  case  that  was 
cured  by  it  Of  the  cautery,  liquid  air  and  etc.  comments  are  unneces- 
sary, as  most  Physicians  are  familiar  with  the  results  of  these  forms  of 
treatment 

Of  surgery,  little  can  be  said  that  is  favorable.  A  well  known  sur- 
geon is  quoted  as  follows:  'Tersuading  ourselves  that  there  is  a  bare 
possibility  of  a  cure,  we  are  apt  to  forget  that  the  high  mortality  and 
the  very  small  proportion  of  cures  cannot  but  have  a  strong  influence  on 
the  laity  in  destroying  their  confidence  in  all  operations  for  Cancer." 

The  concensus  of  opinion  of  many  eminent  surgeons  is  that  the 
disease  should  not  be  removed  unless  there  is  a  strong  probability  of  be- 
ing able  to  remove  the  growth  in  its  entirety;  in  other  words,  where 
tissues  can  be  sacrificed  in  a  *^rfectly  merciless  manner"  tfa^re  is  a 
probability  of  a  cure. 

The  treatment  of  Cancer  by  the  above  methodi  all  have  ardent  ad- 
vocates for  the  time  being.  These  methods  strongly  appeal  to  the 
physician  and  the  patient  alike,  for  the  reason  that  they  cause  little 
discomfort  as  a  rule,  and  do  not  require  the  use  of  an  anaesthetic  or  pro- 


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NORTH  AMERICAN   JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY  603 

longed  stay  in  the  hospital.  It  is  to  be  regretted,  however,  that  the  too 
hasty  and  enthusiastic  recommendation  of  newly  discovered  methods  of 
treatment  has  led,  among  physicians  and  laity,  to  a  fatalistic  tendency 
to  delay,  and  the  senseless  running  after  false  gods.  In  most  cases  all 
that  these  methods  accomplish  is  the  superficial  destruction  of  the 
disease. 

It  is  my  belief  based  upon  seventeen  years  i^perience  in  treating 
Oancer,  that  the  high  mortality  rate  is  dependent  upon  two  causes :  First, 
the  ignorance  of  the  public  relative  to  the  early  symptoms  of  the  disease, 
and  Second,  the  premature  announcement  of  so-called  new  cures,  which 
raise  the  hopes  of  those  afflicted,  only  to  have  them  dashed  to  the 
ground  in  a  short  time  by  finding  them  useless. 

So  much  has  appeared  in  the  press  of  late  years  m  reference  to 
Ciiiaer  cures,  the  public  has  become  skeptical  and  hesitate  a  long  time 
before  seeking  advice.  Because  of  the  delay  in  seeking  aid  the  case 
often  becomes  hopeless.  It  is  my  belief  if  more  publicity  were  given  the 
early  symptoms  of  Cancer,  the  mortality  rate  vould  show  a  decided 
decrease. 

In  reference  to  this  subject,  I  wish  to  quote  from  a  paper  read  be- 
fore the  Penna.  State  Homoepathic  Society  last  year:  "The  Author 
states  that  the  days  of  professional  duping  and  legerdemain  are  gone. 
Professional  exclusiveism  has  given  place  to  a  more  intimate  relation- 
ship in  matters  of  gresit  mutual  interest  and  concern  between  the  pa- 
tient and  doctor.  It  has  in  the  past,  been  a  great  mistake  on  the  part 
of  the  profession  not  to  take  the  public  into  its  confidence  regarding 
the  causes,  symptoms  and  prevention  of  certain  diseases,  esi)ecially 
those  of  a  chronic  character  and  high  mortality." 

The  method  of  treatment  that  I  employ  is  not  new  or  an  experi- 
ment It  was  used  by  my  father  for  over  thirty  years  and  by  myself 
for  over  seventeen  years.  Over  6000  cases  of  Cancer  have  been  cured 
permanently,  many  of  them  after  all  the  other  known  methods  had 
failed.  For  example,  I  wish  to  present  a  brief  record  of  the  following 
case:  On  April  dOth,  1917,  an  eminent  Episcopal  minister  presented 
himself  at  my  office  for  consultation. 

The  history  of  the  case  was  as  follows:  Fifteen  years  ago,  he  had 
an  Epithelioma  of  the  lower  right  eye  lid.  The  growth  was  removed 
by  an  operation  followed  by  skin  grafting.  Five  years  later  there  ap- 
peared below  the  same  eye  on  the  cheek,  a  small  growth  which  was 
diagnosed  at  Epithelioma.  Treatment  was  begun  at  once,  and  for  a 
period  of  ten  years  the  patient  was  treated  with  X-Kay,  Radium,  electric 
needle  and  other  forms  of  treatment,  without  success. 

When  applying  to  me  for  treatment,  the  growth  was  ulcerated  about 
the  size  of  a  quarter,  and  there  was  considerable  X-Ray  bum  of  the  right 
side  of  the  face.  In  exactly  ten  weeks  after  beginning  treatment,  the 
wound  was  completely  healed,  the  first  time  in  ten  years,  and  only  a 
faint  scar  remains.  The  case  is  especially  interesting  from  the  fact 
that  the  patient  is  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Oncologic 


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604  NORTH  AMERICAN   JOURNAL  OF  HOMiEOPATHY 

(Cancer)  Hospital  of  Philadelphia,  where  he  received  nearly  ali  of  the 
treatment 

It  may  be  said  that  not  sufficient  time  has  elapsed  to  show  a  re- 
currence. The  patient  has  been  pronounced  cured  by  four  eminent 
physicians,  and  I  am  confident  from  my  experience  in  treating  hun- 
dreds of  similar  conditions,  that  the  disease  will  not  return. 

The  method  is  only  applicable  for  external  cases,  and  those  that 
are  accessible,  but  I  am  hopeful  that  with  proper  experimentation,  the 
remedies  can  be  used  for  Internal  Cancer.  Not  all  cases  of  External 
Cancer  are  curable  by  the  method,  as  many  of  those  afflicted  delay- 
treatment  until  a  large  amount  of  tissue  becomes  involved.  It  is  es- 
pecially useful  in  Epithelioma  of  the  Face  and  Lip,  and  eradicates  the 
disease  without  destroying  large  amounts  of  tissue.  It  is  also  very  bene- 
ficial in  Tumors  of  the  female  breast. 

The  formula  and  method  of  treatment  follows:  The  plaster  is 
composed  of  Arsenicum,  Sulphur,  Dog  Fennel  and  Crowfoot. 

Dog  Fennel  is  an  herb,  growing  abundantly  in  Europe.  It  is  also 
known  as  Crawtea  or  Dog  Southerwood,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Eupator- 
ium  family.    The  finely  ground  stems  and  leaves  are  the  parts  used. 

Crowfoot  is  also  an  herb  growing  in  Europe.  It  is  a  species  of 
Ranunculus  and  is  prepared  in  the  same  manner  as  the  Dog  Fennel. 

Method  of  applying  the  plaster :  Equal  parts  by  weight  of  Arsenic 
and  Sulphur  are  mixed  thoroughly.  The  same  applies  to  the  Dog  Fen- 
nel and  Crowfoot.  Two  parts  by  weight  of  the  Dog  Fennel  and  Crow- 
foot are  then  mixed  with  one  part  of  the  Arsenic  and  Sulphur. 

Enough  of  the  powder  to  cover  the  Cancer  thoroughly  and  about  a 
quarter  of  an  inch  thick  is  then  mixed  with  sufficient  amount  of  yolk  of 
an  egg  to  make  a  stiff  plaster.  This  is  then  placed  on  a  piece  ot  gauze 
and  thoroughly  moulded  over  the  Cancer. 

No  adhesive  plaster  is  necessary  to  hold  the  plaster  in  position.  If 
ulceration  has  taken  place,  the  plaster  will  take  hold  in  a  lew  hours. 
Cantharidal  plaster  is  applied  for  twenty  four  hours  previous  to  the 
application  of  the  plaster,  where  the  skin  has  not  become  ulcerated. 

The  plaster  is  allowed  to  remain  in  place  until  it  drops  off.  This 
may  take  anywhere  from  two  to  eight  weeks,  according  to  the  size  of 
the  Cancer.  After  the  plaster  comes  off,  poultices  are  applied  every  hour 
for  five  or  six  hours.  The  poultices  are  made  from  equal  parts  of 
ground  slippery  elm  and  flaxseed,  and  should  be  applied  hot. 

The  daily  application  of  the  following  salve  will  allow  the  wound 
to  granulate  without  leaving  a  large  amount  of  scar  tissue. 

Calaminae,  1  Part;  Zinc  Oxide,  1  Part;  Boric  Afeid,  1  Part;  Lano- 
line,  2  Parts;  Petrolatum,  2  Parts. 
2032  Spring  Garden  Street. 

(Editor:  We  have  recently  heard  of  a  case  of  Sarcoma  in  which 
Coley's  fluid  was  successfully  used.  There  have  been,  no  doubt,  a  few 
cases  of  cancer  cured  by  the  X-Ray  and  Radium;  also  by  Nature  cure.) 

Dr.  E.   S.  Antisdale,  of  Chicago,  says:     'Tutting  food  into  the 


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NORTH  AMERICAN   JOURNAL  OP  HOMOEOPATHY  606 

Stomach  is  not  necessarily  feeding  one.  The  vital  force  may  be  so  im- 
paired that  the  imperfect  digestive  fluids  are  not  able  to  digest  all  the 
digestible  elements,  or  food,  though  digested,  fails  to  be  ussmiiiated.  In 
each  case  food  is  wasted.  To  such  persons  should  be  administered  ac- 
cording to  individual  needs,  wisely  selected,  potentized  remedies  (Hom- 
eopathic), or  injections  of  potencies  of  their  own  blood  ( Autohemic  Ther- 
apy) and  certain  spinal  treatment,  and  sometimes,  needed  Orificial  work : 
thereafter  these  people  assimilate  a  larger  percentage  of  food,  thus  less 
food  nourishes  more." 

INDICATIONS  FOR  ARSENICUM 
The  complete  Homeopathic  Materia  Medica  enumerates  hundreds 
of  symptoms  calling  for  Arsenicum,  but  no  one  can  or  pretends  to  re- 
member all  of  them.     The  following  are  a  few  that  serve  as  reliable 
guides : 

1.  Pale,  pinched,  wrinkled,  cadaverous  look. 

2.  All  complaints  better  by  warmth  and  worse  by  cold. 

3.  All  discharges  of  a  carrion-like  odor. 

4.  Great  anxiety  and  great  restlessness  combined. 

5.  All  complaints  worse  soon  after  midnight. 

6.  Intense  burning  sensation  in  various  parts. 

7.  Very  thirsty,  but  water  sidcens. 


BIO-DYNAMO-GHROMATIG  DIAGNOSIS 
AND  THERAPY 

(RxperiMiced  io  Hospital  Pnctica) 

By  ORIN  ^ .  JOSLIN,  M.D. 

Preaideiit  and  Medical  Director  of  the  DodgevUle  General  Hoapltal 

Dodgeville,  Wia. 

As  given  before  the  convention  of  the  American  Asso- 
ciation of  Progressive  Medicine  at  Chicago,  Septem- 
ber 24,  25,  26,  1917 

THREE  years  ago  I  opened  a  hospital  at  Dodgeville,  Wis.,  with  a 
capacity  of  eight  beds.  I  was  using  drug^  electro-therapy,  me- 
chano-therapy,  and  all  of  the  other  therapies  now  common  to  modem 
hospitals,  and  with  the  average  success  common  to  such  methods.  Fin- 
ally I  investigated  Dr.  George  Starr  White's  Bio-Dynamo-Chromatic 
method  of  diagnosis  and  today  we  are  a  $50,000  corporation,  enlarged  to 
a  capacity  of  25  beds  and  a  record  of  easily  85  to  90  per  cent,  of  cures 
to  our  credit,  all  as  a  result  of  having  gone  deeply  into  Bio-Dynamics. 
As  extravagant  as  it  may  sound,  I  can  honestly  state  that,  according  to 
contingent  developments,  the  admissions  of  other  physicians  and  the  pa- 
tients and  the  checking  up  in  every  way  possible,  every  diagnosis  we 
have  made  in  the  past  year  by  Bio-Dynamo-Chromatics  has  been  cor- 


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606  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHY 

rect.  We  have  taken  them  as  they  came,  and  I  think  we  have  been  able 
to  make  a  Bio-Dynamo-Chromatic  diagnosis  in  about  90  per  cent,  of 
the  cases. 

Our  treatment  has  for  the  most  part  consisted  of  the  use  of  the 
chromatic  screen  that  diagnosed  the  case,  oxygen  vapor,  3000  candle 
power  light,  Alpine  Sun  and  concussion  or  a  sinusoidal  current.  Re- 
gardless of  the  disease,  our  results  in  treatment  have  been  surprisingly 
uniform.  We  now  use  practically  no  drugs,  and  still  we  have  cured  the 
very  worst  cases  of  so  called  incurables.  Our  latest  sensation  is  the 
cure  of  a  case  of  pulmonary  and  laryngeal  tuberculosis  that  was  given 
up  by  a  state  tuberculosis  sanatorium.  When  he  came  to  us  he  had  large 
cavities  in  both  lungs,  he  was  terribly  emaciated  and  weak  and  his 
voice  was  entirely  gone.  Today,  after  8  months  of  treatment,  he  is 
cured.  He  says  he  never  felt  so  well  and  was  never  able  to  work  like 
he  is  now.  Cancer  is  responding  to  the  same  treatment  in  the  same 
manner,  and  we  have  a  case  of  gastric  cancer  now  nearly  cured  after  8 
months  of  treatment  When  she  came  to  us,  she  was  also  terribly  emac- 
iated, was  having  hemorrhages  from  the  lungs  every  day,  pains  through- 
out the  lungs  and  stomach,  could  not  eat  or  sleep.  She  has  improved 
from  the  first  day,  her  improvanent  has  been  steady  until  today  she 
is  the  picture  of  health,  has  had  no  hemorrhages,  no  pain,  and  the  tumor 
in  the  stomach  that  was  plainly  palpable  even  by  the  patient  has  dis- 
aiypeared. 

This  line  of  diagnosis  has  called  so  many  cases  of  tuberculosis  and 
cancer,  along  with  ever  other  kind  of  case,  that  it  became  necessary  to 
open  a  sanatorium  for  the  exclusive  treatment  of  those  two  diseases ;  and 
now  we  have  a  General  Hospital  very  busy,  owing  easily  80  per  cent,  of 
its  reputation  to  Bio-Dynamics,  and  a  Cancer  and  Tuberculosis  Sana- 
torium that  owes  100  per  cent,  of  its  reputation  to  the  same  thing. 

I  consider  it  revolutionary  to  the  practice  of  medicine,  and  there 
seems  to  be  limit  to  its  possibilities.  Formerly  T  did  as  every  other 
physician  did,  namely;  In  taking  a  new  case  I  would  get  a  carefully 
studied  history  and  all  the  data  in  every  other  way  that  I  could  that 
might  give  a  clue  that  I  might  at  least  give  the  disease  a  name.  Then 
I  would  frequently  make  a  long  range  guess,  and  prescribe  a  treatment 
that  would  come  as  near  to  the  other  guess  as  I  could.  I  would  get  the 
average  small  percentage  of  results  and  hold  about  the  same  percentage 
of  my  patients  proportionate  to  the  results. 

Now  as  a  routine,  I  invariably  warn  my  patients  when  they  first 
come,  not  to  tell  me  anything  more  than  the  name  and  address,  and  the 
fact  that  they  came  for  diagnosis.  I  want  to  first  detetrmine  what  I 
can  by  Dio-Dynamo-Chromatics,  uninfluenced  by  any  other  aid  such 
as  history  or  any  suggestion  whatever.  Of  course  not  all  cases  can  be 
diagnosed  by  this  method,  but  practically  any  toxemia,  even  many  drug 
toxemias  can  be,  and  if  one  does  not  realize  the  extremely  high  per- 
centage  of  diseases  that  are  or  should  be  classed  as  those  of  the  toxemias, 
he  will  find  in  this  method  of  diagnosis  the  one  and  only  method  by 


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NORTH  AMERICAN   JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY  (>()T 

which  he  can  detect  toxemias  whereupon  he  will  then  be  possibly  as- 
tounded to  see  how  really  few  diseases  there  are  left  after  those  of  the 
.toxemias  are  filtered  out.  Having  made  the  bio-dynamic  diagnosis,  I 
take  the  history  and  anything  else  I  can  get  bearing  upon  the  case  and 
invariably  find  the  history  checks  up  with  the  bio-dynamic  findings — 
and  many  are  the  surprises,  both  to  me  and  the  patient;  but  greatest  and 
most  pleasant  are  the  surprises,  also  to  both  me  and  the  patient  when 
it  comes  to  the  treatment. 

In  addition  to  the  foregoing,  a  few  cases  briefly  reported  will  suf- 
fice to  show  some  of  the  possibilities  of  diagnosis  by  the  B-D-C  method. 

Case  1 :  Hetired  business  man  age  53,  brought  by  a  physician  for 
diagnosis.  No  questions  asked  and  no  information  relating  to  the 
case  was  given.  Had  just  received  some  of  Dr.  White's  latest  screens 
along  with  a  chart  stating  what  they  would  diagnose.  Tried  them  on 
this  case  before  looking  at  chart.  Found  a  reflex  with  one  of  the  scrc^ens 
and  afterward  looked  at  the  chart  which  read  "Nicotine  poisoning."  T 
told  the  patient  and  the  doctor  that  that  was  my  diagnosis.  A  smile  of 
the  greatest  satisfaction  came  over  both  of  them  and  they  told  me  that 
the  patient  had  been  an  inveterate  user  of  tobacco  and  had  just  recently 
had  to  give  it  up  as  his  stomach  gave  out;  but  they  had  not  thought  of 
that  as  being  his  trouble,  though  he  gave  a  history  of  no  other. 

Case  2:  Single  lady,  age  26  came  for  diagnosis.  No  other  infor- 
mation advanced.  B-D-C  diagnosis  of  "Tonsilitis  poisoning  with  blad- 
der complications".  History  very  interesting.  College  bred,  highly  edu- 
cated and  with  that  keenness  and  high  quality  of  intellect  that  is  seldom 
found.  She  has  been  doing  social  investigation  work  in  New  York 
City  for  the  past  three  years.  She  is  the  picture  of  health,  is  5  feet  9 
inches  and  weighs  154.  Had  been  feeling  lanquid  and  consulted  the 
best  tuberculosis  specialists  she  could  find  in  New  York  who  told  her 
they  thought  she  had  tuberculosis.  She  went  from  one  to  another.  Some 
would  not  say,  and  others  "thought"  so.  One  made  a  positive  diagnosis 
of  tuberculosis  of  the  lungs.  In  every  instance  the  diagnosis  was  based 
on  radiograms  and  the  fact  that  she  has  a  temperature  every  afternoon 
of  99.  (Of  course  the  toxemia  she  has  is  sufficient  to  cause  easily  that, 
but  this  toxemia  had  not  been  discovered).  On  making  our  diagnosis 
she  told  us  that  she  had  tonsilitis  during  her  last  year  in  high  school, 
and  has  felt  languid  ever  since — and  that  she  has  had  bladder  trouble 
since  childhood — and — that  she  knew  of  no  other  trouble  she  had  over 
had. 

Case  3 :  Woman  aged  46.  Treated  for  pulmonary  tuberculosis  for 
12  years,  mostly  based  on  the  fact  that  she  had  frequent  hemorrhages. 
B-D-C  plainly  showed  strong  cancer  reaction.  Physical  findings  easily 
revealed  large  cancer  of  stomach  and  involvement  of  pulmonary  region. 
She  immediately  responded  to  cancer  treatment  and  her  improvement 
has  had  no  interruptions. 

Case  4:  Farmer  age  22.  Said  his  doctor  told  him  he  had  only 
pleurisy*  but  as  he  was  coughing  and  getting  no  better  he  wanted  to 


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608  NORTH   AMEKICAK  JOURNAL  OF  HOH(EOPATHY 

know.  B-D-C  plainly  showed  pulmonary  tuberculosis.  His  parents  did 
not  believe  it  and  would  not  allow  him  to  take  treatments.  5  months 
have  now  passed,  and  his  parents  and  all  doubting  friends  admits  he  has 
it. 

Case  5:  Woman  married,  aged  27.  Terribly  emaciated  and  came 
into  hospital  on  two  crutches.  Said  she  had  been  to  Rochester  and  every 
other  good  place  she  could  think  of  but  no  diagnosis  had  been  made. 
Energy  conducted  from  the  swollen  knee  joints  showed  strong  gonorrheal 
reflex;  subsequent  historj'  obtained  with  much  difficulty  proved  of  its 
having  been  acquired,  and  treatment  further  proved  the  diagnosis  to  be 
correct. 

Case  6 :  Man  age  6G.  Daignosis  gonorrheal  toxemia.  He  then  ad- 
mitted that  he  **liad  it  good  and  plenty"  at  21  and  had  never  been  well 
since.  A  course  of  treatments  put  him  in  better  condition  according  to 
his  statement,  than  he  had  been  for  many  years. 

If  it  be  admitted  that  the  foregoing  be  true,  or  even  half  true,  what 
is  there  to  compare  with  the  B-D-C  for  diagnosis?  Nothing  has  been 
claimed  for  it  that  cannot  be  convincingly  demonstrated,  and  it  is  indeed 
interesting  and  entertaining  to  demonstrate  to  skeptics.  They  invar- 
iably leave  the  diagnostic  room  as  converts  to  B-D-C. 


DIAGNOSING  AND  PRESCRIBING  BY 
A  NEW  METHOD 

By  J.  W.   ENOS 

Jerseyville,  III. 

FOUR  years  ago  we  became  desperate  and  made  a  vow  that  we  would 
quit  medicine  if  we  could  not  learn  how  to  diagnose  the  underly- 
ing specific  cause  of  the  different  diseases  and  stop  pains  without  resort- 
ing to  opiates.  In  order  to  learn  this,  we  had  to  investigate  and  study 
every  system,  method  and  fad  we  could  hear  of.  The  research  woric  we 
had  to  do  to  attain  our  end  resulted  in  a  new  technic  which  gave  re- 
sults far  beyond  my  expectations. 

It  is  wonderful  to  sit  and  listen  to  a  system  and  a  sure  cure,  and 
one  would  think  his  very  life  would  depend  on  using  his  treatment  or 
his  technic  in  certain  diseases.  One  becomes  bewildered  and  does  not 
know  which  way  to  turn.  The  fact  is  that  we  are  not  curing  very  many 
of  our  cases,  but  are  patching  up  a  great  number.  We  can  not  cure  a 
disease  by  curing  the  results.  We  have  to  get  at  the  primary  cause. 
Make  our  cases  normal  first,  and  then  Nature  will  cure  every  condition 
or  disease,  unless  that  disease  has  progressed  beyond  the  cure  point. 
Then  is  the  time  we  can  get  busy  with  our  surgery  and  other  methods. 

When  I  was  in  Chicago,  it  was  my  good  fortune  to  get  the  chance 
to  examine  three  cases  of  X-ray  bums,  and  they  all  gave  a  cancer  re- 


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NORTH  AMERICAN   JOURNAL  OP  HOM(EOPATHY  609 

action.  These  bums  had  existed  a  great  many  years,  and  could  be  heal- 
ed. Cure  the  cancer  toxemia,  and  there  will  be  no  trouble  to  heal  the 
bums.  AmonpT  the  great  nimiber  of  physicians  I  have  examined  in 
Chicago,  I  find  that  the  percentage  of  neuroses  is  much  greater  than 
in  the  laity.  I  found  only  three  that  did  not  have  neurotic  blood,  and 
one  of  these  afterwards  showed  up  a  neurotic  condition.  Neuroses  in 
some  way  comes  or  has  the  pancreas  as  the  primary  cause.  In  all  neur- 
otics, we  have  an  energy  from  the  pancreas,  and  it  takes  a  pancreatic 
remedy  to  cure  them. 

We  believe  in  the  law  of  similars  as  the  only  law  of  cure.  "Similia 
Similibus  Curantur,"  which  means,  "similars  are  cured  by  similars." 

The  aura  given  off  from  a  person  is  a  halo  of  many  colors,  there  be- 
ing both  normal  and  abnormal  aura.  Every  abnormal  aura  given  off 
has  a  different  number  of  vibrations  per  second  from  the  normal  aura. 
The  curative  remedy  must  have  the  same  number  of  vibrations  as  the 
pathological  conditions  to  be  cured.  If  the  vibrations  of  the  remedy  are 
not  the  same  as  the  vibrations  from  the  disease,  the  remedy  will  have 
no  effect  in  a  curative  way. 

There  are  a  great  number  of  chromatic  screens  gotten  out  by  Dr. 
George  Starr  White,  that  give  off  a  different  number  of  vibrations  per 
second.  When  we  get  a  chromatic  screen  that  will  neutralize  the  reflex 
from  a  pathological  condition,  we  can  detect  it  in  the  pulse.  Now,  if 
we  can  select  a  remedy  with  the  same  number  of  vibrations  as  the  chro- 
matic screen,  we  believe  the  remedy  will  stimulate  the  nerve  centers 
that  are  at  fault,  thereby  bringing  about  a  cure. 

In  my  exi>erimenting,  I  have  worked  out  94  remedies  that  vibrate 
in  harmony  with  150  different  chromatic  screens.  When  you  get  a 
chromatic  screen  that  will  neutralize  the  reflex  from  any  disease,  the 
remedy  worked  out  for  that  screen  will  cure  that  reflex.  The  technic 
has  been  worked  out  to  the  point  where  all  we  have  to  do  now  is  to  get 
the  proper  chromatic  screen,  look  on  the  list  and  give  the  remedy  cor- 
responding to  the  number  or  the  letter  on  the  screen.  These  remedies 
for  the  different  screens  have  been  tested  hundreds  of  times,  and  proved 
to  be  correct 

Radiation  is  a  mode  of  motion  or  vibration.  One  dose  of  the  indi- 
cated remedy  will  cure  the  available  radiations  of  the  disease.  We  may 
have  to  repeat  the  remedy  until  all  the  latent  toxemias  have  come 
forward  and  are  eradicated. 

We  always  use  the  pulse  in  getting  the  reflexes.  We  do  not  ground 
the  patient,  nor  use  a  light  back  of  the  screen,  for  the  reason  that  we  are 
likely  to  get  distorted  reflexes.  There  is  no  more  reason  to  have  a  light 
back  of  the  chromatic  screen,  to  get  the  radiation,  than  there  is  a  neces- 
sity to  have  a  light  back  of  the  pathological  radiation  of  any  disease. 
We  can  get  the  radiation  in  the  dark  as  well  as  in  the  light  We  do  not 
bare  the  chest  nor  darken  the  room.  After  hundreds  of  tests,  this  has 
proved  to  be  the  true  technic  We  do  not  treat  the  patient  with  the  in- 
termittent indicated  chromatic  screen.    We  use  the  indicated  remedy 


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610  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHT 

internally,  which  has  proved  to  be  the  better  way. 

Neurosis  has  been  about  the  worst  condition  we  had  to  deal  with, 
but  at  the  present  time  it  is  about  one  of  the  easiest:  No  neurotic  can 
be  either  diagnosed  or  cured  until  the  neuroses  are  cured.  We  have 
found  that  every  case  of  neuroses  has  a  reversed  polarity.  That  is,  a 
male  has  a  female  type  of  polarity,  and  the  female  has  a  male  tyx>e. 
Ignatia  will  reverse  abnormal  polarity,  and  if  given  for  a  time,  will  cure 
it. 

The  cause  of  every  disease  can  be  removed  and  the  patient  will  get 
well,  if  the  vitality  is  not  too  low,  or  the  tissue  destruction  gone  beyond 
repair.  Some  of  my  statements  may  seem  to  be  pretty  strong,  but  I 
have  repeatedly  proved  them  to  be  correct. 

In  epilepsy,  we  find  all  kinds  of  abnormal  energy.  Where  there 
is  no  energy  given  off  from  either  hand,  with  an  energy  from  both  psycho- 
motor regions,  which  is  dissipated  by  chromatic  screen  No.  20,  Berberis 
Vulgaris  is  the  remedy.  An  energy  from  the  right  psycho-motor  region 
and  the  left  frontal  region,  dissipated  by  X  screen,  Bufo  is  the  remedy. 
When  a  male  has  a  maximum  energy  from  the  right  hand,  or  a  female 
the  maximum  energy  from  the  left  hand,  Ignatia  is  the  remedy.  With 
a  deep-seated  pain  in  the  head,  mostly  from  some  part  of  the  right  side, 
with  an  energy  that  is  dissipated  by  the  129  screen,  Arsenicum  is  the 
remedy.  An  epileptic  convulsion  is  supposed  to  be  an  explosion  of  an 
overloaded  energy  in  some  portion  of  the  brain.  As  long  as  the  polar 
energies  are  kept  normal  in  an  epileptic,  so  long  are  the  convulsions 
lessened. 

The  most  important  reflexes  we  get  are  from  chromatic  screen  Bz, 
cancer;  E.  liver;  No  .8,  gonorrhea;  No.  114,  syphilis;  No.  12,  bad  effects 
from  vaccination;  No.  24,  pancreatic;  No.  24,  patient  facing  east  of  west, 
neuroses;  No.  26,  adrenal  trouble;  No.  40,  tuberculosis;  No.  49,  eczema; 
No.  63,  liver;  Nos.  67  and  47,  impotency;  No.  84,  internal  secretions; 
No.  128,  liver;  last,  but  not  least.  No.  83,  all  the  organs  of  internal 
secretions.  In  this  reflex,  we  get  an  energy  from  the  pituitary  body, 
thyroid,  liver,  spleen,  pancreas,  adrenals.  All  these  energies  are  dis- 
sipated by  No.  83.     The  remedy  is  Geanothus  Americanus. 

This  is  the  greatest  remedy  in  the  materia  medica.  It  will  cure 
the  cause  of  more  diseases  than  any  other  remedy  known.  It  acts  on  the 
entire  adrenal  system.  It  will  sometimes  take  the  place  of  Leptandrium 
in  liver  trouble,  usually  with  dark  green  or  black  stools.  Chelidonium 
in  liver  trouble,  usually  indicated  by  light  stools;  Berberis  Vulgaris 
in  adrenal  trouble;  Podophylium  in  liver  trouble;  Kali  Hydrojodicum 
in  pancreatic  trouble;  Ignatia  in  all  neurotic  troubles;  Natrum  Muriat- 
icum  in  chronic  malaria;  Spongia  in  thyroid  troubles.  Ceanothus 
Americanus  will  cure  any  reflex  or  disease  that  has  its  origin  in  the 
the  organs  of  internal  secretion,  which  is  the  adrenal  system,  that  is  un- 
der control  of  the  pituitary  body.  This  remedy  is  to  the  organs  of  in- 
ternal secretions  what  Iris  Versicolor  is  to  the  secretions  themselves. 


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NORTH   AMERICAN    JOURNAL  OF   HOM(EOPATHY  611 

We  want  to  explode  the  much  advertised  theory  of  determining 
the  sex  in  utero  by  the  polarity  of  the  mother.  There  is  nothing  to  it. 
Why  not  the  foetus  have  the  reversed  polarity,  instead  of  the  mother? 
Any  pregnant  woman  carrying  a  male  or  abnormal  type  of  polarity 
can  be  changed  back  to  a  female  or  normal  type  of  polarity  to  remain 
that  way.    What  becomes  of  the  sex  in  utero  f 

No  one  is  full  normal,  even  though  they  show  a  full  normal  re- 
flex, (that  is,  chromatic  screen  A  shows  48  more  pulse  beats  per  minute 
than  chromatic  screen  A4)  unless  there  is  no  screen  that  will  not  bring 
the  reflex  up  to  chromatc  creen  A.  Very  few  old  chronics  can  attain 
perfection  and  hold  it.  In  my  own  case,  I  can  attain  perfection,  but 
my  mode  of  living  is  not  conducive  to  perfection;  consequently,  I  have 
to  look  myself  over  occasionally,  which  is  of  no  great  trouble.  I  keep 
myself  normal.  Any  doctoSr  can  do  the  same  thing,  and  there  is  no  tell- 
ing how  long  one  may  live  and  retain  all  his  faculties. 

Hydrophobium  in  a  high  dilution  is  the  true  remedy  for  hydro- 
phobia. While  we  have  no  screen  for  hydrophobia,  we  have  demonstrat- 
ed the  wonderful  curative  power  bf  this  remedy.  We  can  tell  whether 
a  dog  has  hydrophobia,  or  not,  by  the  effect  of  this  remedy  on  the  reflex 
of  a  person  bitten  by  the  dog.  To  determine  whether  or  not  a  dog  has 
rabies,  take  the  energy  from  the  wound  of  a  person  bitten,  and  if  ri 
dose  of  hydrophobium  on  the  tongue  will  neutralize  the  energy,  the  dog 
had  rabies  when  that  person  was  bitten. 

We  do  not  claim  anything  new  as  to  the  principles,  for  they  are  as 
old  as  the  hills.  They  have  been  waiting  all  the  centuries  for  some  one 
to  put  his  finger  on  and  develop  a  system  that  would  ^>e  faultless  in  its 
application  of  the  indicated  remedy.  What  we  claim  as  new  is  the 
technic  in  the  diagnosis  and  selecting  the  indicated  remedies. 

Sulphur  is  not  the  remedy,  nor  is  it  indicated  as  often  as  Hahne- 
mann thought  it  was.  A  few  remedies  that  are  more  often  indicated 
are  such  remedies  as  Hepar  Sulphuris,  Eczema,  Nux  Vomica,  Bryonia, 
Xatrum  Muriaticum,  Ceanothus  Americanus,  Kali  Hydrojodicum,  Ig- 
natia,  Arsenicum,  Berberis  Vulgaris,  Thuja,  Rhus  Toxicodendron, 
Medorrhinum,  Syphilinimi,  Psorinum,  Cantharis,  Cuprum  Metallicum, 
Pulsatilla  Nigrians,  etc. 

Natrum  Muriaticum  is  indicated  in  typhoid  germs  with  an  energy 
from  the  entire  colon,  dissipated  by  the  chromatic  screen  F,  also,  in 
malaria  with  an  energy  from  the  spleen  which  is  dissipated  by  the  chro- 
matic screen  F,  and  not  indicated  in  any  other  way. 

I  am  going  to  spend  one  year,  and  perhaps  my  entire  lifetime,  in 
teaching  physicians  my  new  method  of  diagnosing  the  real  cause  of 
diseases,  and  how  to  select  the  true  remedv  For,  if  something  like 
this  is  not  done,  the  entire  human  race  will  become  degenerate  in  about 
four  generations.  Some  have  figured  it  out  and  placed  the  time  at  three 
generations. 

If  you  get  an  energy  from  the  apex  of  the  heart,  digitalis  will  neu- 
tralize that  energy.     If  you  get  an  energy  from  the  lower  part  of  the 


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612  NORTH  AMBBIOAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMOBOPATHT 

stomachy  caffein  will  cure.  Pancreatic  remedieB  are  Ignatia  in  reversed 
polarity.  Kali  Hydrojodicum,  screen  24;  £upatorium  purp.,  screen  112, 
Merc  Sol  H,  screen  127.  Nervous  headaches,  Ars.  screen  129,  Bufo  C, 
screen  X,  Pyrogen,  screen  115.  Each  one  of  theso  last  three  remedies 
have  a  peculiar  vertigo.  Sulphuric  acid,  screen  61  is  the  real  remedy 
for  vertigo.  Liver  remedies  are:  Chelidonium,  screen  £,  Leptandrium, 
screen  63,  Pod.,  screen  128,  Auto-intoxication  and  Ptomaine  poisoning, 
Psorium,  screen  72.  Psorium  is  the  remedy  for  infantile  paralysis. 
There  is  an  auto-intoxication  with  this  disease  that  is  readily  cured  by 
Psorinum.  We  are  going  to  make  an  instrument  that  will  record  all 
these  reflexes,  thereby  placing  all  my  findings  on  a  scientific  basis. 


HIGH  BLOOD  PRESSURE 

Case  Ripoti 

By  DR.  D.  v.  IRELAND 

Columbus,  O. 

AN  old  friend  of  mine  from  a  former  field  of  practice  called  on  me 
July  2nd.  As  he  entered  my  office  I  was  shocked  at  the  marked 
change  in  his  personal  appearance  since  I  saw  him  last,  some  two  years 
ago. 

He  is  63  years  of  age,  had  never  been  seriously  sick  before,  but  on 
the  other  hand  had  been  an  unusually  fine  specimen  of  physical  man- 
hood. His  color  was  an  ashy  gray;  the  luster  had  gone  from  his  eyes 
and  the  elasticity  from  his  step.  While  iojourning  in  Florida  last  win- 
ter he  was  attacked  with  a  peculiar  typo  of  vertigo.  When  lying  down 
if  he  would  turn  to  his  right  side  this  vertigo  would  strike  him  with  a 
suddenness  of  a  rifle  shot :  I  insisted  upon  his  turning  to  the  right  while 
reclining  upon  my  treatment  table,  which  he  did  very  reluctantly. 
One  desmonstration  was  sufficient  to  satisfy  my  curiosity:  his  cheeks 
blanched,  his  eyes  converged  and  the  rectus  muscles  went  into  a  state  of 
clonic  spasm. 

While  in  Florida  he  had  consulted  an  Ohio  doctor  of  considerable 
repute  who  found  his  blood  pressure  220  mm.  hg.  He  diagnosed  arter- 
iosclerosis and  put  him  on  a  rigid  diet  and  medication. 

On  his  return  home  his  physician  confirmed  the  diagnosis  and  con- 
tinued the  restricted  diet.  His  blood  pressure  dropped  to  180  mm  where 
it  stubbornly  remained:    the  vertigo  however,  showed  no  improvement 

On  examination  I  found  a  chronic  Hyx>6rtrophic  Procto-sigmoiditis 
with  a  very  large  and  sensitive  prostate  gland. 

His  treatment  consisted  in  the  application  of  fid.  ext  of  Krameria 
through  the  sigmoidoscope  three  times  weekly  for  the  first  three  weeks : 


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NOBTH  AMKRIOAN   JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHT  (513 

after  that  twice  per  week.  Massage  of  the  prostate  both  by  finger  method 
and  the  slow  sinusoidal  current:  concussion  at  the  tenth  dorsal  spine 
to  relieve  vaso-constriction  and  lower  the  blood  pressure.  He  showed 
steady  improvement  from  the  time  he  began  treatment  until  he  was  die- 
missed  as  cured  September  1st.  The  vertigo  was  gone:  his  blood 
pressure  at  135  mm,  the  soreness  and  enlargement  of  the  prostate  had 
all  subsided.  He  stated  that  his  friends  had  all  remarked  upon  his 
wonderful  change  in  appearance. 

I  report  this  case  to  impress  upon  those  who  may  find  time  to  read 
it  one  salient  point,  viz.  in  cases  of  high  blood  pressure,  the  importance 
of  a  thorough  examination  of  the  Sigmoid  Flexure. 

It  is  now  generally  conceded  that  high  blood  pressure  is  due  to 
auto-intoxication  and  I  find  the  Sigmoid  is  generally  the  seat  of  the 
toxemia. 

165  1-2  N.  High  Street. 


SURGICAL  TREATMENT  OF  THE  INSANE 

By  JAMES  W.  PARKBR,  M.D. 
Peoria,  III. 

IN  my  mind,  there  is  left  no  previously  existing  doubt,  that  many  cases 
of  apparently  incurable,  or  what  used  to  be  called  incurable,  cases 
of  insanity  can  be  completely  and  permanently  cured  by  surgical  means. 

Patients  are  treated  without  a  definite  knowledsre  of  their  exact  phys- 
ical condition  while  they  gradually  become  cranky,  peculiar  and  in- 
8ane.  When  they  get  so  violent  that  they  are  dangerous  to  have  about, 
or  so  p€K?uliar  that  life  is  unendurable  with  them  in  the  home  a  com- 
mission is  appointed  and  they  are  bustled  off  to  an  asylum.  There  they 
are  the  tenants  of  a  living  grave.  Little  is  done  for  them  in  the  way 
of  personal  treatment  in  these  large  public  hospitals  for  the  insane. 
The  number  of  assistant  physicians  is  inadequate,  their  training  is  in- 
adequate, the  funds  appropriated  by  the  state  is  inadequate.  The  pa- 
ti«»nt8  are  simply  herded  together  by  the  shepherds  who  are  their  broth- 
er's keepers. 

When  the  patient  becomes  sick,  other  than  that  of  insanity,  they 
are  placed  in  the  hospital  for  sickness  and  treated  more  or  less'  scien- 
tifically. If  they  recover  of  the  acute  ailment  they  go  back  to  their 
cottage  or  ward;  if  they  die  they  are  hauled  out  from  among  the  other 
sick  ones  and  the  bed  is  made  up  for  a  new  guest. 

These  poor  mortals  are  only  examined  as  to  their  mental  condition 
before  being  passed  upon  as  rational  or  irrational  and  freed  of  the 
charge  of  being  insane  or  sent  to  an  asylum  as  the  case  may  be.  It  is 
an  injustice  to  them  and  to  society  in  general  that  they  are  not  given 
a  thorough  physical  examination  and,  peihaps,  submitted  to  such  surgic- 


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614  NORTH  AMERICAN   JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

al  procedures  as  seems  advisable  in  the  light  of  those  who  have  restored 
similar  cases  to  a  normal  mentality  before  being  committed  to  an  asylum. 

The  writer  and  his  associates  have  taken  an  unselected  list  of  in- 
sane cases,  some  from  asylums  after  four  years  incarceration,  and  re- 
stored more  than  eighty  per  cent,  to  normal  mentalities  making  useful 
and  happy  citizens.  What  we  could  have  done  had  we  had  the  oppor- 
tunity before  the  victims  were  sent  to  the  asylums  must  remain  a  con- 
jecture. 

That  there  is  a  central  pathology  rendering  some  cases  incurable, 
is  not  doubted.  Functional  insanity,  due  to  remote  reflexes  which  are 
very  common;  and  curable,  is  also  not  doubted. 

Irritations,  particularly  of  the  various  orifices  of  the  body,  of  the 
clitoris  and  glands,  ovaries  and  gastro-intestinal  tract  are  commonly 
found  to  attend  these  cases  and  their  correction  often  restores  the  mental 
equilibrium.  The  equalizing  of  the  circulation  of  the  blood  by  the  well 
known  method  of  treating  the  rectum,  particularly  when  the  other  ir- 
ritations have  been  corrected  or  removed  is  of  inestimable  benefit  This 
is  just  a  gentle  touch  at  the  great  subject. 

It  is  incomprehensible  to  the  writer  that  mankind,  apparently  so 
anxious  to  learn,  absolutely  refuses  to  accept  anything  new.  And  this 
newness  is  that  of  a  quarter  of  a  century  to  us.  It  is  painful  to  believe 
that  a  large  per  cent,  of  all  those  inclosed  in  our  great  public  institutions 
could  be  cured  if  properly  treated,  and  yet  it  is  not  done.  It  is  appall- 
ing that  those  in  charge  have  so  little  love  for  mankind  and  such  disre- 
gard for  scientific  facts. 


Dr.  T.  A.  Dean,  of  Casper,  Wyo.,  under  date  of  October  17,  1917, 
writes  as  follows: 

"I  was  in  attendance  at  the  recent  annual  conventions  of  the  three 
medical  associations  held  in  Chicago,  viz.,  the  American  Association  of 
Progressive  Medicine,  the  American  Association  of  Orificial  Surgeons, 
and  the  American  Association  for  the  Study  of  Spondylotherapy,  at 
each  of  which  I  picked  up  a  number  of  useful  ideas.  The  thing  that 
interested  me  most,  however,  was  Auto-Hemic  Therapy.  The  reason  I 
was  interested  in  it  the  most  of  all  the  good  things  reported  was  the  fact 
that  the'  idea  at  once  struck  me  that  it  would  be  good  for  my  wife's  con- 
dition, her  trouble  being  Exophthalmic  goitre;  and  in  order  to  properly 
prepare  myself  to  try  it  out  thoroughly,  I  at  once  entered  the  classes  ar- 
ranged for  giving  instruction  to  doctors.  I  am  giving  her  the  treatment 
and  she  is  improving  immensely.  She  has  had  three  treatments  thus 
far  and  is  a  hundred  per  cent,  better.  I  am  also  using  it  on  myself,  and 
that  is  *going  some'  for  a  doctor  to  treat  himself.  1  have  been  troubled 
with  rheumatism  of  small  joints  for  years.  All  the  f o-called  specifics  for 
that  have  signally  failed  to  relieve.  I  have  already  improved  considerably. 


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NORTH  AMERICAN   JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY  616 

I  have  had  but  two  treatments  so  far,  but  shall  try  it  out  to  a  finish.  I  am 
starting  the  treatment  on  a  number  of  other  patients  and  will  report 
later." 


Dr.  W.  A.  Hulen,  of  816  Gloyd  Bldg.,  Kansas  Oity,  Mo.,  writes  as 
follows,  under  date  of  October  18th : 

'^ou  can  imagine  my  joy  today  on  receiving  a  letter  which  reads  as 
follows:  *Well,  Doctor  Hulen,  I  will  tell  you  about  myself.  You  gave 
me  the  first  and  only  Auto-Hemic  Treatment  I  have  taken  to  this  date. 
Since  then  ten  days  have  elapsed.  My  boweb  have  moved  every  day 
once  and  some  days  twice,  a  thing  not  known  to  me  in  my  life  heretofore, 
and  I  am  now  30  years  old.  I  have  had  a  very  distressing  headache  al- 
most constantly.  So  far,  I  have  not  had  it  once.  You  know  I  have 
had  a  very  sore  and  painful  side  about  the  liver  and  appendix,  which 
threatened  several  times  to  drive  me  to  the  hospital.  That  soreness  has 
all  disappeared.  Last,  but  not  least,  I  have  always  had  such  a  dreadful 
time  with  my  monthly  sickness.  I  am  delighted  to  say  that  it  came  on 
me  this  week  wholly  unawares.  I  must  say  that  your  trip  to  Chicago  re- 
cently was  a  God-send  to  the  sufferers  in  your  care.  My  sincere  prayers 
shall  go  up  for  your  continued  success  in  the  use  of  the  new  treatment, 
and  for  the  man  who  originated  this  wonderful  method  for  relieving  the 
suffering  of  humanity.  (Signed)  Mrs.  C.  F.  S.,  Centralia,  Mo.'  I  have 
18  patients  already  started  and  no  discouragements  so  far." 

In  a  later  letter.  Dr.  Hulen  states  that  he  has  treated  26  patients, 
and  in  only  one  has  he  failed  to  get  desirable  results.  This  is  96  per 
cent,  of  successes. 


Dr.  A.  B.  Collins,  LinesviUe,  Pa.,  under  date  of  Nov.  1,  1917,  re- 
ports as  follows: 

^^I  have  been  too  busy  since  writing  you  last  to  rt$iK>rt  sooner.  I 
have  over  a  hundred  different  persons  on  my  list  who  are  taking  Auto- 
Hemic  Treatment,  and  there  are  good  prospects  for  several  muru.  £«ASt 
but  not  least  by  any  means,  are  the  many  gratifying  results  obtained 
for  the  patients  and  myself.  Results  in  varicosed  veins  of  the  legs  are 
in  many  cases  wonderful.  It  has  been  my  good  fortune  to  have  within 
the  last  two  months  some  very  bad  cases  of  this  nature  to  treat  as  the 
results  have  been  most  gratifying,  and  so  far  uniform.  Patients  are 
singing  praises  for  Auto-Hemic  Therapy,  and  for  the  discoverer  of  a 
method  of  treatment  that  brings  such  happy  results.  I  will  report  some 
of  these  cases  at  a  later  date,  as  I  now  wish  to  furnish  the  report  of  case 
No.  19,  that  appears  on  pages  98  and  99  of  the  second  edition  of  Auto- 
Hemic  Therapy.  Taking  up  this  case  from  June  16  to  the  present :  From 
June  16th  the  case  improved  gradually  until  July  27th,  when  the  trouble 


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616  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOH<EOPATHY 

began  to  show  signs  of  getting  worse.  On  that  date  I  gave  the  second 
treatment,  6  e.  c.  7X,  3  hours'  incubation.  Following  this  treatment  I 
got  a  good  reaction,  similar  to  the  reaction  following  the  first  treatment) 
but  no  so  severe,  yet  severe  enough  to  cause  considerable  discomfort  This 
reaction  was  followed  hy  a  more  rapid  improvement,  and  as  the  case  con- 
tinued to  improve  I  did  not  rei>eat  the  treatment  until  September  6th, 
when  I  gave  the  third  treatment,  3  c.  c  6X,  7  hours'  incubation.  This 
treatment  caused  the  eruptions  to  reappear  worse  on  thts  urms  and  fore- 
arms, yet  it  did  not  cause  any  disturbance  on  the  face,  ears  or  neck ;  that 
had,  by  this  time,  nearly  cleared  up  (September  12th)  when  the  patient 
reported  at  our  office.  Improvement  continued  until  October  6th,  when 
the  eruption  again  began  to  itch  and  bum  on  the  arms  and  wrists,  al- 
though the  upper  part  of  the  face  showed  no  eruption,  and  there  was 
only  a  slight  eruption  on  the  lower  part  of  the  face  and  neck;  the  skin 
on  the  upper  part  of  the  face  appeared  normal  in  every  way.  Eyes  clear, 
and  no  sign  of  irritation  in  or  about  them.  However,  there  followed  the 
third  treatment  a  breaking  out  on  the  lower  extremities  to  quite  an  ex- 
tent, but  by  the  9th  of  October  was  much  better  and  gradually  disappear- 
ing. On  October  18th  I  gave  the  fourth  treatment,  3  c.  c  6X,  8  hours' 
incubation.  A  very  slight  reaction  ensued,  but  the  improvement  was 
more  rapid  than  that  which  followed  any  of  the  former  treatments.  At 
present  the  eruption  is  gone  from  the  ears,  face  and  neck.  The  arms 
are  improving  rapidly,  as  well  as  the  hands.  The  patient  has  improved 
in  her  general  health  ever  since  beginning  the  Auto-Hemic  treatment, 
and  says  she  feels  the  best  she  has  in  years.  At  the  present  time  the 
case  looks  promising  for  a  complete  cure." 


The  Dennos  Food  Sales  Company  of  Chicago,  who  manufacture 
Dennos  Food,  Malted  Denn-0  and  Denny's  Milk  of  Magnesia  are  ac- 
quiring another  product. 

This  product  is  the  Tee  Cream  Cone.  This  article  is  very  much  in 
demand  and  can  be  supplied  satisfactorily  only  by  use  of  automatic  pat- 
ented machinery.  The  Dennos  Food  Sales  Company  are  acquiring  basic 
patents  necessary  for  the  machinery  and  are  taking  over  one  of  the 
largest  Ice  Cream  Cone  factories. 

The  product  of  Ice  Cream  Cones  can  be  manufactured  very  con- 
veniently together  with  Malted  Denno — and  Dennos  Food,  the  Whole 
Wheat  Milk  Modifier. 

It  is  the  idea  of  the  Dennos  Food  Sales  Company  that  "The  Sani- 
tary Cone"  should  be  developed.    The  cone  not  touched  by  human  hands. 


A  great  many  physicians  who  have  been  in  private  practice  are  now 
or  shortly  will  be  in  the  service  of  the  United  States  Government. 
Practically  all  of  them  are  familiar  with  Antiphlogistine,  and  a  great 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY  617 

number  will  continue  to  employ  this  preparation  in  their  field  work,  as 
it  is  supplied  by  the  Government  on  special  requisition. 

Since  the  beginning  of  the  war  tens  of  thousands  of  packages  of 
Antiphlogistine  have  been  used  in  the  hospitals  of  France,  at  base  hos- 
pitals in  England,  and  in  garrison  and  camp  service  in  Canada,  Aus- 
tralia and  New  Zealand. 

The  medical  men  who  see  service  in  France  should  remember  that 
Antiphlogistine  obtained  from  The  Denver  Chemical  Mfg.  Co.,  No.  IIB 
Rue  de  la  Convention,  Paris,  is  composed  of  the  same  C.P.  ingredients 
and  compounded  according  to  the  same  formula  as  the  American  product. 


URINARY  ANTISEPSIS 


In  the  opinion  of  many  practitioners  sanmetto  offers  the  nearest 
approach  to  the  ideal  inhibitor  to  bacterial  growth.  It  is  not  only  non- 
toxic and  non-irritating  but  rather  soothing  to  the  urinary  tract,  while 
not  strongly  antiseptic  yet  suflSciently  bacteriostatic  for  common  routine 
cases.  It  is  largely  excreted  by  the  kidneys.  In  prostatic  cases  it  tends 
to  relieve  incontinence,  clears  up  the  urine,  and  is  useful  as  soother  be- 
fore and  following  instrumentation.  It  is  of  positive  value  in  urethritis 
and  cystic  conditions.  It  is  never  accompanied  by  the  untoward  condi- 
tions so  often  following  the  use  of  more  powerful  germicidal  and 
bactericidal  antiseptics.     Sanmetto  is  safe. 


LITTLE  PURE  ZINC  OXIDE  OX  THE  MARKET 


Washington,  1).  C. — Examinations  made  by  the  Bureau  of  Chemis- 
try of  the  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture  show  that  very  little 
zinc  oxide  on  the  market  in  the  United  States  coJiiplies  with  the  stand 
ards  of  the  tJ.  S.  Pharmacopoeia.  Nearly  all  of  the  samples  examined 
contained  an  axcessive  amount  of  lead.  The  samples  were  labeled  "Not 
U.  S.  P — Containing  Small  Quantities  of  Lead,"  and  therefore  complied 
with  the  Food  and  Drugs  Act.  The  labels  on  the  packages  in  most  in- 
stances will  probably  come  to  the  attention  of  the  druggists,  but  not  to 
the  attention  of  physicians.  The  medical  profession  will  therefore  not  be 
advised  as  to  whether  or  not  zinc  oxide  preparations  are  made  from  stand- 
ard ingredients.  Conditions  may  arise  where  a  zinc  oxide  preparation 
contaminated  with  lead  may  do  in  jury.  A  limited  supply  of  U.  S.  P. 
zinc  oxide  is  available  and  physicians  may  protect  themselves  and  their 
patients  from  i>06sible  injury  by  calling  for  such  material  on  their  pre- 
scriptions. 


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618  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMOEOPATHY 

CUNICAL  THERMOMETRY  IN  DRUG  PATHOGENESY 


BY  GILES  F.  GOLDSBROUGH^  M.D. 

Senior  Physician  to  the  London  Homceopathic  Hospital 
(Continued  from  p.  400,  1916— The  British  Horn.  Jour.) 

BAPTISIA  TINCTORIA 

Experiments  with  baptisia  in  healthy  subjects  which  have  furnished 
the  record  of  its  pathogenesis  exhibit  clinical  thermometric  observa- 
tions in  very  few  of  the  subjects  experimented  upon.  In  provers  ex- 
hibiting most  symptoms  the  temperature  was  not  taken.  This  seems 
very  remarkable  considering  the  already  ascertained  value  of  baptisia 
in  febrile  conditions,  and  the  omission  points  certainly  to  defect  of 
method  in  the  conduct  of  the  provings.  Two  thermometric  results  only 
are  recorded  in  the  "Cyclopedia  of  Drug  Pathogenesy."  In  one  (vol. 
iv,  p.  511),  the  temperature  rose  to  100  degrees  F.  twice  on  repetition 
of  the  dose,  and  in  Dr.  Sutherland's  case  the  maximum  recorded  was 
99.5  degrees  F.  In  provers  in  whom  the  thermometer  was  not  used, 
liowever,  the  symptoms  produced  are  such  as  to  indicate  that  careful  ther- 
mometric observations  would  certainly  record  rise  of  temperature,  with 
siibstHjuent  fall  to  below  the  normal  with  lysis  of  the  symptoms.  The 
chief  symptoms  produced  were  restlessness,  heat  as  a  dominating  sen- 
sation, increase  of  pulse-rate,  dryness  of  tongue,  and  excitement  of  brain. 
On  repetition  of  the  doses,  oppression  of  the  chest  was  produced  with  the 
same  symptoms,  and  later  intolerance  of  pressure  on  the  muscles  with 
aching  in  them.  Looseness  of  bowels  followed,  the  fauces  and  tonsils 
became  congested,  and  the  color  of  a  menstrual  flow  was  changed  to 
chocolate  brown.     Diarrhea  was  a  marked  symptom. 

In  connection  with  the  use  of  baptisia  in  the  enteric  class  of  fevers, 
the  experiments  of  Dr.  Mellon  in  America,,  and  Dr.  Wheeler  in  this 
country,  with  reference  to  its  power  of  affecting  the  opsonic  index*  are 
exceedingly  interesting  when  considered  in  comparison  with  the  symp- 
toms producible  by  the  drug.  The  results  of  those  experiments  are  prob- 
ably not  final,  but  as  far  as  they  have  been  carried,  they  indicate  a 
genuine  power  of  baptisia  to  affect  the  agglutinating  reaction  of  the 
blood,  but  they  indicate  also  that  the  duration  of  that  reaction  is  evan- 
escent. There  appears  a  distinct  lesson  in  this  which  may  be  learned 
in  comparision  with  common  and  well  known  results  from  the  em- 
ployment of  the  drug  in  febrile  states.  With  a  reservation  that  future 
experiments  under  more  fully  developed  methods  may  indicate  a  more 
durable  reaction  than  that  already  observed,  the  latter  indicate  that  the 
prospective  value  of  baptisia  in  developed  typhoid  fever  is  not  so  gpreat 
as  that  of  inoculation  to  prevent  or  vaccination  to  cure  it  This  re- 
mark refers  to  the  question  of  principle  and  not  to  questions  of  dosage 
or  method  of  administration.     There  is  probably  much  to  be  done  in 


*See  British  Homoeopathic  Journal,  June,  1914. 

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NORTH  AMERICAN   JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHY  619 

these  latter  realms  to  produce  the  most  satisfactory  results,  but  the  use 
of  vaccines  and  inoculation  sera  is  thoroughly  sound  in  principle  and 
more  in  accordance  with  nature  than  the  employment  of  a  drug  which 
would  in  the  healthy  produce  only  an  evanescent  reaction  and  one  less 
profound  than  that  of  the  natural  disease. 

In  the  conduct  of  experiments,  scarcely  sufficient  emphasis  is  usually 
laid  on  the  idiosyncrasy  of  the  patient,  whether  in  reference  to  his  re- 
action to  drugs  supposing  him  to  have  been  a  prover,  to  his  suscepti- 
bility to  the  disease,  supposing  him  to  have  been  exposed  to  the  infec- 
tion, or  to  his  power  of  sustaining  a  reaction  against  an  infection  when 
once  contracted.  But  these  considerations  are  of  little  weight  in  refer- 
euco  to  the  use  of  baptisia  as  a  believed  prophylactic  against,  or  remedy 
for  typhoid;  they  simply  point  to  the  direction  in  which  the  variable 
n»sults  observed  are  to  be  explained.  The  agglutinating  reaction  is 
evidence  of  inherent  vital  process  rather  than  being  merely  the  conse- 
quence of  something  introduced  from  without  to  excite  it.  The  problem 
of  prophylaxis  and  treatment  of  typhoid  is  mostly  concerned  with  the 
best  means  of  exciting  the  agglutinating  reaction  in  a  particular  patient 


Another  condition  that  ought  to  be  always  very  carefully  investi- 
gated is  when  a  child  does  not  like  to  be  touched.  This  may  arise  from 
many  conditions,  but  ear^  rickets,  syphilitic  periostitis,  osteochondritis, 
trauma,  e.g.,  a  fractured  collor-bone,  and  infantile  scurvy  are  the  chief. 
Again,  mothers  should  be  warned  as  to  the  real  meaning  of  frequent  at- 
tacks of  tonsillitis  and  of  chorea,  and  their  i)ossible  relation  to  endo- 
carditis. 

Before  closing,  I  wonder  if  the  lectures  themselves  will  suffer  a 
word  of  exhortation! 

(1)  Don't  overload  your  lectures  with  "strong  meat,"  and  don't 
expect  your  hearers  to  assimilate  too  many  facts  at  once.  That  is  a 
mistake  the  enthusiastic  lecturer  is  very  apt  to  make  and  thereby  to 
lessen  the  usefulness  of  the  lecture.  Too  concentrated  food  is  not  good 
either  for  stomach  or  brain.  The  stomach  wants  bulk  even  though  some 
of  it  is  quite  useless  for  the  purpose  of  nutrition.  It  is  the  same  with 
the  mental  digestion.  It  is  not  what  is  put  in  but  what  is  assimilated 
that  makes  body  or  mind  grow.  Few  acts  are  more  injudicious,  more 
unkind  or  more  destructive  than  that  of  "overloading"  one's  lectures. 
"The  last  straw"  will  break  the  back  of  the  keenest  of  students  not 
alone  of  a  camel. 

(2)  It  is  necessary  to  be  dogmatic  and  definite,  even  though  you 
may  have  some  mental  reservations  on  the  subject  when  teaching  be- 
ginners.   With  men  well  up  in  their  work  it  may  be  different. 

(3)  All  materia  medica  lectures  should  be  largely  comparative.  I 
have  sometimes  thought  that  the  lectures  of  Dr.  Kent — whose  death  we 
all  deplore — might  have  been  a  little  more  comparative  than  they  are 
with  advantage. 

(4)  In  illustrating  your  lectures  do  not  lay  too  much  stress  upon, 
or  use  too  often,  the  semi-miraculous  examples  of  the  action  of  medi- 
cines you  may  have  known.  Such  are  very  useful  to  us  personally,  but 
I  think  should  be  used  very  sparingly  as  illustration,  lest  a  wrong  im- 


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620  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

pression  be  conveyed  to  the  hearers  at  the  outset  of  their  study.  A  word 
of  caution  here :  before  giving  the  credit  to  the  medicine  for  the  appar- 
ently marvellous  result,  first  make  sure  that  the  patient  has  taken  it. 
The  pleased  medicine  man  says,  '^Ahl  I  thought'  that  medicine  would 
soon  put  you  right,"  while  the  patient  innocently  remarks,  '*But,  Doc- 
tor, I  did  not  take  the  medicine  I"  I  have  never  been  'Tiad"  in  this  way 
myself  but  I  like  to  be  cautious. 

(5)  Do  not  be  afraid  to  mention  the  need  for  a  repertory,  explain- 
ing what  it  really  means,  and  how  to  use  it  It  is  quite  impossible  for 
a  human  memory  to  remember  something  like  a  quarter  of  a  million 
necessary  points  -about  our  materia  medica.  Other  sciences  have  to 
I  dopt  similar  devices.  Take  the  science  of  botany.  The  known  species 
of  plants  are  something  like  100,000;  even  the  general  are  above  6,000, 
and  these  are  still  far  too  numerous  to  study  without  further  arrange- 
ment, and  80  we  have  the  Natural  Orders,  of  which  there  are  about  200. 

I  myself  am  very  fond  of  wild  flowers,  but  not  quite  in  the  spirit 
of  Peter  Bell— 

"A  primrose  by  the  river's  brim, 

A  yellow  primrose  was  to  him, 

And  it  was  nothing  more." 
Nor  yet,  I. trust  in  that  of  an  acquaintance  described  by  La  Bruyere, 
who  was  swept  off  his  feet  by  the  seventeenth  century  craze  for  tulips. 
"God  and  Nature,"  says  La  Bruyere,  "are  not  in  his  thoughts,- tor  they 
do  not  go  beyond  the  bulb  of  his  tulip,  which  he  would  not  sell  for  a 
thousand  pounds,  though  he  will  give  it  you  for  nothing  when  tulips  are 
no  longer  the  fashion  and  carnations  are  all  the  rage.  This  rational 
being,  who  has  a  soul  and  who  professes  some  religion,  come  home  tired 
and  half-starved,  but  very  pleased  with  his  day's  work.  He  has  seen 
some  tulips." 

Now  I  make  no  claim  to  such  enthusiasm,  nevertheless  I  am  not 
satisfied  unless  I  can  place  the  flowers  in  their  proper  natural  order, 
and  still  further  indicate  the  genus  and  name  the  species  and  variety. 
For  this  purpose  we  must  have  some  sort  of  analytical  key.  Such  a 
key  is  necessarily  artificial,  just  like  our  repertories,  and  it  is  solely 
intended  to  assist  us  in  finding  out  the  name  of  the  plant  and  its  place 
in  the  system,  I'ke  the  letters  of  an  alphabet  in  an  index.  To  take  an 
example — we  will  suppose  we  have  an  unknown  flower  to  examine  and 
identify : — 

1.  The  perianth  is  double,  i.e.,  the  floral  envelopes  consists  of  a 

calyx  and  corolla. 

2.  The  corolla  consists  of  several  distinct  petals. 

3.  The  ovary  is  free,  within  or  above  the  petals. 

4.  The  ovary  is  solitary  (simple  or  compound). 

6.     The  corolla  is  regular,  the  petals  being  equal  and  similar  to 
each  other. 

6.  The  stamens  are  fewer  than  ten. 

7.  The  leaves  are  alternate,  or  radical  or  none. 

8.  It  is  a  herb,  not  a  tree  or  a  shrub. 

9.  The  petals  are  four. 

10.     The  stamens  are  six,  of  which  two  are  shorter  than  the  others. 
The  plant  in  question,  therefore,  must  belong  to  the  natural  order 
Cruciferffi. 

In  this  particular  case  we  might  have  used  the  '*key-note"  method, 
when  the  four  petals  and  the  six  stamens  of  which  four  are  long  and 
two  are  short,  wo^ld  tell  us  at  once  what  we  want  to  know.  But  our 
plant  is  not  yet  identified  by  any  means.    We  have  only  found  the  nat- 


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ural  order.  The  eight  tribes  of  this  order  must  now  be  examined,  these 
comprise  twenty-seven  genera,  which  in  turn  represent  sixty-six  species 
at  least  But  for  this  purpose,  we  must  consult  a  treatise  on  Systematic 
Botany,  just  as  we  must  consult  our  materia  medica  when  the  repertory 
has  enabled  us  to  limit  the  likely  remedies  for  any  particular  case  to  a 
few  medicines,  or  perhaps  to  one  only. 


All  the  idiosyncrasy  involved  in  the  term  particular,  and  all  the  vari- 
ation of  method  adopted  to  adapt  external  means  to  secure  the  desired 
reaction  are  concerned  in  the  result  eveni-^ally  obtained.  Success  in 
the  treatment  will  accordingly  most  probably  depend  on  the  earliest 
diagnosis,  more  especially  from  the  fear  that  the  patient  may  have  been 
severely  infected  and  be  lacking  in  power  to  effect  a  durable  reaction. 
Once  the  diagnosis  of  typhoid  fever  is  established,  reliance  on  baptisia 
in  a  positive  case  would  be  scarcely  likely  to  be  followed  with  success  as 
a  consequence  thereof.  But  this  is  no  denial  to  the  ^cacy  of  baptisia 
in  many  febrile  states  less  profound  than  that  of  developed  typhoid.  In- 
deed, it  is  in  the  latter,  in  the  absence  of  a  positive  diagnosis  of  typhoid 
'that  this  drug  shines  out  as  a  medicine.  Febrile  conditions,  with  pain 
and  tenderness  of  muscles,  coated  tongue,  congestion  of  fauces  with  or 
without  diarrhea  and  abdominal  pains,  clear  up  promptly  with  a  few 
doses  of  the  drug.  These  symptoms  are  indicative  of  the  sphere  of  the 
drug  as  a  possible  medicine.  This  is  markedly  the  case  with  influenza 
exhibiting  such  a  clinical  picture,  with  cases  of  hospital  throat  (follicu- 
lar tonsillitis),  and  gastric  or  enteric  irritation  attended  with  fever.  AU 
homceopathists  are  aware  of  and  use  baptisia  in  these  states  with  great 
success.  There  is  nothing  new  in  the  statement  of  them,  but  a  consid- 
eration of  temperature  with  recent  experiments  seems  to  have  precision- 
ed  the  xkse  of  tibe  drug  somewhat  from  a  negative  point  of  view. 

BORAX  AND  BORACIC  ACID 

The  popular  lay  use  of  borax  and  boracic  acid  might  readily  lead 
to  the  conclusion  that  these  drugs  were  innocuous  in  continued  and  suc- 
cessive do&es,  but  such  is  anything  but  the  case.  The  following  para- 
graph from  the  Medical  Annual,  1906,  enforces  this  view.  "Chevalier 
acid  dressings  especially  when  the  drug  is  applied  to  wounds  in  the  form 
of  powder.  Toxic  symptoms  always  arise  when  the  drug  is  absorbed  in 
considerable  quantity  and  the  elimination  is  interfered  with.  The 
symptoms  are  variable,  e.g.,  cutaneous  eruptions,  or  there  may  be  nerv- 
ous or  gastro-intestinal  trouble.     The  heart  is  rarely  implicated."* 

Four  cases  of  poisoning  are  quoted  in  the  "C.D.P."  (vol.  i,  p.  586) 
in  one  of  which  the  temperature  rose  to  38.6  degrees  C.  (101.5  degrees 
points  out  that  intoxication  symptoms  may  occur  after  the  use  of  borio 
F.).  This  latter  was  a  man  already  suffering  from  catarrh  of  the  stom- 
ach and  proctitis,  and  got  for  the  latter,  twice  daily  from  December  8 
to  24,  a  clyster  of  boric  acid  gr.  300  in  a  2  and  one-half  per  cent,  solu- 
tion. With  the  rise  of  temperature  there  was  loss  of  appetite  and  weak- 
ness and  on  the  following  day  the  patient  appeared  pale  and  collapsed, 
was  apathetic,  complained  of  headache,  vertigo,  tinnitus,  great  weak- 
ness, loading  and  sweat  in  scrobiculns  cordis,  with  occasional  vomiting 
of  greenish  stuff.  Tongue  dry  and  furred,  difficulty  in  moving  it,  dry- 
ness of  throat.    Urine  showed  albumin  and  boracic  acid.    These  symp- 


♦Rev.  franc,  de  Med.  et  de  Chir.,  June  9,  1905. 

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622  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM<EOPATHY 

toms  gradually  subsided  after  discontinuance  of  the  acid. 

In  another  series  of  cases  ("C.D.P.,"  vol.  iv,  p.  519),  a  state  of 
erythism  of  skin  and  mucous  membranes,  was  produced  by  borax,  ac- 
companied in  one  case  with  a  condition  of  what  now  might  be  called 
anaphylaxis,  or  general  ill-health. 

Now  obviously  the  rise  of  temperature  produced  by  boric  acid  or 
borax,  in  the  cases  recorded,  formed  one  of  the  series  of  symptoms  of 
the  erythism  produced,  and  it  has  no  special  significance  of  itself  as 
indicating  the  employment  of  boric  preparations  as  therapeutic  meas- 
ures. But  the  whole  state  produced  illustrates  so  well  that  the  use  of 
these  preparations  is  homoeopathic,  that  is,  that  unhealthy  tissues  react 
favorably  to  small  doses  of  drugs,  which  in  large  doses  would  prove  ir- 
ritating and  toxic.  The  illustration  suggests  also  that  in  aphthous  con- 
ditions, and  ophthalmia,  for  example,  the  doses  which  should  be  employ- 
ed are  the  minimum  required  to  produce  the  desired  effect,  with  a  dis- 
continuance when  the  desired  effect  is  attained. 

BRYONU 

As  bryonia  has  been  used  largely  in  acute  rheumatism,  and  in  in- 
flammations of  serous  membranes  in  which  a  moderate  rise  of  temper- 
ature is  usually  an  accompanying  symptom,  an  exceptional  interest 
might  attach  to  the  symptom  rise  of  temperature,  as  exhibited  in  the 
records  of  provings  or  poisonings  by  this  drug.  But  the  production  of 
fever,  as  indicated  by  the  thermometer,  is  recorded  only  in  one  ease 
("CD-P.,"  vol.  i,  p.  646),  that  of  a  child  who  had  eaten  some  of  the 
berries  and  suffered  violent  abdominal  pains  with  vomiting  and  copious 
actions  of  the  bowels.  The  temperature  rose  to  103  degrees  F.,  and  kept 
up  three  days,  and  the  pulse  was  very  feeble  until  after  the  vomiting 
ceased.  The  observation  of  fever  in  this  instance  is  significant  only  in 
the  light  of  the  pathogenesis  of  bryonia  as  exhibited  in  provings  and 
poisonings  in  which  the  fever  was  or  was  not  observed,  and  where  pre- 
sumably the  thermometer  was  not  used,  as  no  other  temperature  obser- 
vations are  recorded  in  numerical  terms.  We  have  in  bryonia  a  tissue 
irritant,  scarcely  in  the  sense  of  acrid  poison,  but  in  the  sense  that  in  its 
presence  the  tissnes  are  stimulated  to  an  excessive  activity  beyond  their 
normal.  For  example,  mucous  and  serous  membranes  are  thus  stim- 
ulated amounting  to  heightened  irritability  in  their  response  to  the 
drug;  gland  tissue  also  as  in  the  effect  on  the  liver  and  mamary  glands. 
Changes  in  metabolism  are  thus  observed  because  of  irritation,  and 
hence  the  possibility  of  fever.  When  the  thermometer  was  used  in  the 
provings  there  was  most  commonly  reduction  of  temperature,  although 
heat  followed,  and  thus  we  can  conclude  that  actual  heat  production  was 
affected  indirectly  and  the  heat  regulating  mechanism  not  at  all.  And 
thus  also  it  appears  that  fever  per  se  is  not  an  indication  for  bryonia, 
and  that  probably,  as  a  rule,  the  higher  the  temperature,  say  above  102 
degrees  F.  for  an  example,  the  less  it  will  be  indicated.  Conversely 
where  tissue-reactions  are  producing  symptoms,  as  from  the  mucous  or 
serous  membranes  and  glands  for  example,  the  drug  will  be  indicated 
on  selection  according  to  the  correspondence  of  symptoms  with  their 
modalities,  such  as  aggravation  by  movement,  and  accompanied  with 
irritability  of  mind.  And  if  the  view  of  tissue  irritation  is  correct  the 
order  in  which  the  symptoms  are  manifested  will  not  be  unimportant. 
Possibly  the  same  view  may  also  suggest  the  appropriate  dose  of  medi- 
cine. In  simple  non-complicated  acute  articular  rheumatism  single 
doses  of  the  pure  tincture,  as  recommended  by  the  late  Dr.  Edward 
Madden,  may  be  of  most  service,  while  if  the  mucous  membranes  or 
glands  are  affected,  or  other  more  highly  organized  tissues,  the  lower 
or  higher  dilution  may  prove  of  greater  service. 


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The  ■^^''-  '"^  ^^^'' 

North  American 
Journal  of  ^  ^ 
Homoeopathy 


December,  1917 

6StfaYear 

No.  12 


OfteudOrgiaaftlM 
AMERICAN  MEDICAL  UNION 

DEPARTMENTS 

I 

Homceopatihic  Materia  Medioa  and  Therapeutios. 

u 

Sero  Therapy,  Physical  Therapy  and  Internal 
Medicine. 

in 

Surgery,  Obstetrics  and  Oynecolo^. 

IV 

Eye,  Ear,  Nose  and  Throat 

V 

Mental  and  Nervous  Diseases,  Psycho-Therapy. 

VI 

Dermatology  and  Urology 

VII 

Dietetics  Hygiene  and  State  Medicine. 

vin 

Editorials  and  Correspondence. 

IX 

Current  Medical  Literature. 

X 

Book  Reviews. 

PablithMl  monthly  st 
Chicago,  111. 


Bditoriftl  Ofioe: 

2812  N.  Clark  Street 

Chicago,  HI. 

U.S.  A 


Thrse  Dolkrs 
s  yssr 

Entered  at  the  Pott 
Office  St  Chicago, 
HL,  ai  second  class 
matter. 


:^^.^.w.v.^v.v.^^^v.v.v.^•.^«.^^:«.^^^:<.^^^^^^^!.x•!♦^yx♦»^^ 


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CHICAGO 

Correspondence  School 

of 

HOMEOPATHY 

Is  an  effort  to  meet  the  wants  of  many  physicians  ¥rho  know 
nothing  of  Homeopathy  and  vdio  have  never  had  an  opportunity 
to  know  an3rthing  about  it,  but  are  sufficiently  liberal-minded  to 
impartially  investigate  any  and  every  method  of  treatment  likdy  to 
benefit  dieir  patients  regardless  of  its  source  or  its  name. 

Homeopathy  is  the  only  mediod  of  internal  treatment  diat  has 
remained  permanent  for  a  hundred  years.  Whether  he  ever  prac^ 
tices  this  sjrstem  or  not,  no  man  is  justified  in  holding  himself 
out  as  a  general  practitioner  vdio  does  not  acquire  a  dioroogh 
knowledge  of  Homeopathy  when  die  opportunity  is  presented 
to     him. 

A  training  in  Homeopadiy  is  a  splendid  mental  drill,  and  will 
enable  the  physician  to  see  many  medical  problems  in  a  different 
light  It  may  be  stated  as  a  fact  that  no  physician  can  acquire  a 
thorough  practical  knowledge  of  Homeopathy  widiout  becoming 
convinced  that  in  die  treatment  of  a  large  variety  of  consdtutional 
troubles  it  is  superior  to  all  others. 

When  he  has  become  perfecdy  familiar  with  Homeopadiy  he 
is  bound  to  have  some  regrets  that  he  did  not  acquire  a  working 
knowledge  of  it  earlier,  and  is  more  than  likely  to  feel  some  resent- 
ment because  it  was  omitted  from  his  college  curriculum. 

In  consolation  it  may  be  stated  that  those  vrho  appreciate 
Homeopathy  the  most  are  those  who  previously  have  had  experi- 
ence in  the  practice  of  medicine  by  other  methods. 

A  dire  99  Secretary 9 

North  American  Journal  of  Homeopathy 

2812  North  Qark  Street,  Oucatfo 


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North   American 

Journal  of  Homoeopathy 

Editor:  L.  D.  Rogbrs,  MJ).,  546  Surf  St^  Chiealo 


Editorial 


our  editorial  policy— a  word  to  old 
Subscribers 

THE  concern  manifested  by  a  number  of  influential  homoeopathic 
physicians  and  old  friends  of  the  North  Americcm  Journal  of 
Homceopaihy  in  the  editorial  policy  of  its  new  management  has 
been  noticed  with  much  gratification  at  the  editorial  desk.  At  the 
outset,  let  it  be  acknowledged  that  any  misgivings  entertained  by 
these  good  friends,  were,  on  the  face  of  it,  justified.  Every  homcBO- 
.  pathic  physician  has  a  right  to  point  with  the  finger  of  pride  at 
the  ** North  American'' — for  more  than  sixty  years  the  standard 
bearer  of  homoeopathy  and  the  leader  among  its  journals.  Many 
of  the  present  generation  of  homoeopaths  have  subscribed  for  this 
journal  since  they  graduated  from  medical  college,  and  have  ac- 
quired a  sort  of  proprietary  interest  in  it.  Then  came  the  change 
in  editorial  management,  and  an  apparent  break  with  all  the  tradi- 
tions of  the  past,  and  an  apparent  use  of  the  publication  to  exploit 
a  personal  scheme. 

That  was  the  subscriber's  side  of  the  question,  but  every  ques- 
tion has  two  sides.  The  editor's  side  is  that  when  he  learned  that 
the  former  management  of  the  journal  were  having  difficulty  in 
bringing  about  a  necessary  change  in  location  of  the  editorial  desk, 
out  of  sentiment  and  loyalty  to  the  journal  that  was  responsible 
for  his  taking  up  the  study  of  homoeopathy,  he  stepped  into  the 
breach  and  offered  to  assume  the  responsibilities  of  an  editor.  But 
an  editor  is  supposed  to  edit — not  to  write  all  the  material  that 
appears  between  the  covers  of  a  journal.  And  an  editor  is  sup- 
posed to  get  his  publication  into  the  hands  of  its  readers  within  rea- 
sonable limits  of  the  announced  date  of  issue — ^in  the  case  of  the 


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626  NOETH  AHXRIGAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOHOOPATHT 

North  American  Journal  of  Homoeopathy,  the  first  day  of  the 
month.  When  then  an  editor  unexpectedly  becomes  an  editor  about 
the  twentieth  of  the  month  with  absolutely  no  copy  in  hand,  what 
can  he  do?  Complicate  the  situation  by  the  fact  that  the  editor 
was  also  president  of  a  medical  society  that  was  within  six  weeks 
to  hold  its  annual  convention,  the  success  of  which  depended  very 
largely  upon  his  personal  efforts.  Still  further  complicate  it  by  a 
distance  of  a  thousand  miles  between  the  printer  who  had  handled 
the  job  for  a  number  of  years  and  the  editor  who  was  new  to  it — 
and  the  reader  will  see  that  the  editor  has  spent  no  hours  of  idle 
ease  on  a  bed  of  roses  since  he  took  over  the  journal.  He  recog- 
nized his  obligations  to  the  subscribers,  but  had  to  declare  a  "mora- 
torium'' after  the  fashion  of  many  others  in  these  times  having 
obligations  which  they  can  not  possibly  fulfill.  The  only  thing 
to  do  was  to  use  available  copy — and  as  there  was  none  of  the 
strictly  homoeopathic  variety,  and  data  relating  to  auto-hemic  ther- 
apy was  at  hand,  this  had  to  be  used  for  an  issue  or  two  until  the 
deficiencies  could  be  met  and  the  situation  was  in  hand,  so  to  speak. 

The  new  editorial  policy,  if  it  be  new,  was  disclosed  to  some 
extent  in  the  November  issue.  The  editor  is  a  thorough-going  be- 
liever in  homoeopathy,  and  holds  that  no  physician  has  the  moral 
right  to  undertake  the  care  of  a  patient  until  he  has  a  knowledge 
of  homoeopathic  principles  and  practice.  The  North  American 
Journal  of  Homa3opathy  will  express  this  belief  so  long  as  it  re- 
mains under  the  present  management.  But  the  disciples  of  Hahne- 
mann who  do  nothing  for  their  patients  except  prescribe  homoeo- 
pathically  are  happily  few  and  far  between  in  this  day  and  age  of 
the  world :  all  the  science  and  art  of  medicine  belongs  to  the  homoeo- 
pathic physician  **by  tradition,  by  inheritance,  by  right.'*  Hence, 
articles  dealing  with  departments  of  medicine  or  phases  of  prac- 
tice other  than  the  strictly  homaeopathic,  should  and  will  find  a 
place  in  the  North  American  Journal  of  Homoeopathy.  And  inas- 
much as  there  is  much  in  common  between  homoe-therapy  and  auto- 
hemic  tJierapy,  and  no  other  journal  features  this  latter  sphere 
of  therapeutic  endeavor,  some  pages  of  the  journal  will  be  de- 
voted to  it. 

As  stated,  the  editor  believes  that  a  doctor  is  not  fully  equipped 
unless  he  knows  how  to  use  homoeopathy,  but  he  recognizes  the  fact 
that  the  majority  of  the  practicing  physicians  of  today  are,  for 
one  reason  or  another,  thus  not  fully  equipped.  He  believes,  how- 
ever, in  the  Golden  Rule  and  credits  the  average  physician  of  any 
school,  be  it  regular  or  irregular,  orthodox  or  unorthodox,  catholic 
or  sectarian,  with  having  the  best  interests  of  his  patients  at  heart 


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NORTH  AMSBIOAN  JOURNAL  Or  HOH<IOPATHT  627 

and  with  being  not  only  willing  but  desirous  of  learning  anything 
that  will  enable  him  to  restore  his  patient  to  health,  it  may  be,  or 
prolong  his  life,  if  the  disease  be  incurable.  The  editor  knows  that 
many  a  physician  whose  name  is  not  listed  in  any  homoeopathic 
directory  and  is  not  on  the  roster  of  membership  of  any  homoeo- 
pathic society,  buys  homoeopathic-  pharmaceuticals  from  homoeo- 
pathic pharmacies,  and  prescribes  them  according  to  the  indica- 
tions laid  down  in  the  ** literature**  issued  by  these  commercial 
propagandists.  These  physicians  he  wants  to  reach  with  the  North 
American  Journal  of  Homoeopathy  in  order  to  give  them  a  fur- 
ther insight  into  homoeopathy  and  to  encourage  them  in  a  wider 
use  of  it  for  the  sake  of  their  patients.  And  he  wants  to  reach  the 
many  others  who  have  not  yet  taken  this  first  step,  to  suggest  the 
reasonableness  of  the  dictum — ** prove  all  things;  hold  to  that  which 
is  true' ' — and  to  so  present  homoeopathy  to  them  that  they  will  be 
attracted  to  rather  than  repelled  by  it.  In  spite  of  its  acknowl- 
edged shortcomings  the  journal  has  gained  aboiit  two  himdred  new 
subscribers  in  the  last  few  months — many  of  them  homoeopathic 
physicians  who  had  not  been  among  its  readers,  but  most  of  them 
doctors  who  will  make  their  first  acquaintance  with  homoeopathy 
as  they  read  the  pages  of  the  North  American, 

Homoeopathy  has  its  ''oflScial  organs'*  whose  business  it  is  to 
support  the  organizations  and  institutions  of  the  school ;  these  have 
committed  themselves  to  propaganda  to  increase  the  membership 
of  homoeopathic  societies  and  the  number  of  students  in  homoeo- 
pathic colleges.  It  is  a  laudable  endeavor  and  deserves  encourage- 
ment; the  North  American  Journal  of  Homoeopathy,  however,  will 
work  in  another  field  and  believes  it  will  be  entitled  to  the  sup- 
port of  every  true  well-wisher  of  homoeopathy  as  it  cultivates  this 
fallow  ground.  It  is  glad  to  acknowledge  the  encouragement  and 
assistance  already  given  it  by  practical  homoeopathic  physicians; 
it  solicits  the  co-operation  of  all  homoeopaths,  for  every  one  can 
contribute  at  least  one  clinical  verification  a  year,  many  can  fur- 
nish a  report  of  the  treatment  of  a  case  showing  the  value  of  homoeo- 
pathic prescribing,  and  others  can  describe  the  specific  action  of  a 
drug  in  a  way  that  will  be  intelligible  to  and  comprehensible  by 
those  not  familiar  with  homoeopathy.  If  the  editor  falls  down 
on  his  job  of  getting  out  the  ideal  journal  he  has  in  mind,  it  will 
be  because  those  who  should  be  interested  in  procuring  homoeo- 
pathic treatment  for  sick  people  have  not  supported  him  in  his  en- 
deavor to  carry  on  the  campaign  of  education  mapped  out. 

And  now  a  final  word  to  old  subscribers — ^be  good  fellows,  be 
patient,  give  us  a  chance  to  make  good.    Constructive  criticism  will 


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628  NORTH  AMERICAN   JOURNAL  OF  HOMOEOPATHT 

always  be  most  cordially  welcomed;  but  if  you  don't  see  eye  to 
eye  with  the  editor  in  every  detail  of  journalistic  policy,  give  him 
the  benefit  of  the  doubt  and  say,  perhaps  he  is  doing  the  best  he 
can  under  the  circumstances,  and  don't  sit  down  and  write  an  im- 
perative— **stop  the  journal  at  once.''  Be  good  fellows,  then;  give 
the  editor  a  chance ;  send  in  your  subscriptions  for  1918  promptly 
after  the  first  of  the  year  6n  the  understanding  that  your  money 
will  be  returned  to  you  on  demand  if,  at  any  time  within  the  next 
six  months  you  considei:  that  the  editor  is  not  living  up  to  his  an- 
nounced policy,  and  that  the  journal  is  not  worthy  of  your  sup- 
port. And  don't  forget  your  own  obligations;  we  are  co-workers 
and  you  must  do  your  share  of  the  work  or  you  have  no  right  to 
criticize. 


SHOULD  WE  OPERATE  FOR  GOITER? 

THE  idea  of  operating  for  Goiter  has  always  been  repugnant 
to  us  and  has  grown  more  repugnant  with  increasing  obser- 
vations. I  do  not  say  that  operation  for  (Joiter  is  never  justifiable. 
I  do  say,  however,  that  large  percentage  of  operations  are  unneces- 
sary and  unjustifiable.  No  doubt  the  average  surgeon  operates  for 
Goiter  because  he  does  not  know  of  any  other  way  of  relieving  the 
patient.  We  are  convinced  that  Goiter  can  be  cured  in  more  ways 
than  one.  When  we  consider  the  nature  of  Goiter,  surgical  pro- 
cedure seems  very  irrational.  Prom  the  thirteenth  edition  of 
Anders'  Practice  of  Medicine,  issued  during  1917,  we  quote  the 
following  paragraphs: 

^^ Definition  and  Nature:  Although  the  view  can  not  be  un- 
reservedly accepted,  exophthalmic  goiter  is  probably  of  thyroid 
origin  and  is  dependent  upon  an  abnormal  action  (or  over-action  i 
of  the  thyroid  gland;  it  is  characterized  clinically  by  tachycardia, 
tremors,  enlarged  thyroid,  and  exophthalmos.  Among  other  lead- 
ing theories,  the  following  may  be  briefly  stated:  (1)  that  endog- 
enous or  exogenous  poisons,  or  shock,  either  physical  or  emotional, 
of  the  centers  which  govern  the  thyroid  and  adrenal  glands  cause 
over-activity  of  these  organs  (Sajous) ;  (2)  that  the  presence  in 
the  blood  of  abnormal  amounts  of  amiijo-acids,  resulting  from  an 
increased  rate  of  metabolism,  is  a  stimulus  to  the  activity  of  the 
thyroid;  (3)  that  the  greater  thyroid  secretion  is  dependent  upon 
an  excess  of  iodized  protein  circulating  in  the  blood,  and  (4)  that 
it  is  a  disease  of  the  central  nervous  system  associated  with  a 
chronic  intoxication. 


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JfOBTH  iHnSBIOAN  JOURNAL  Or  HOHCEOPATHT  629 

** Etiology:  It  is  more  common  in  women  than  in  men.  A  table 
of  200  cases  showed  161  females  and  39  males  (Escher) ;  and  al- 
though it  has  been  met  with  at  both  extremes  of  life,  it  is  usually 
seen  in  adults.  The  influence  of  heredity  is  undoubted,  and  several 
members  of  a  family  may  suffer,  persons  who  possess  a  sensitive 
nervous  organization  being  especially  prone  to  the  disease.  Exoph- 
thalmic goiter  may  develop  after  a  trauma.  The  adrenals  often 
are  insuflScient  in  this  disease  (Matti).  Among  the  direct  causes 
are  emotional  disturbance,  worry,  severe  acute  disease  (noted  in  two 
of  my  cases),  and  prolonged  mental  or  physical  strain. 

**  Among  belligerent  soldiers  in  the  European  War  an  incomplete 
form  of  the  disease  due  to  the  emotions  of  the  campaign,  and  the 
overuse  of  tea,  coffee,  and  tobacco  has  been  observed.  The  disease 
may  also  occur  as  a  secondary  complication  in  the  course  of  simple 
goiter,  affections  of  the  nose,  and  pregnancy;  this  variety,  how- 
ever, is  to  be  distinguished  from  the  primary  or  essential  form. 
Evans,  Middleton  and  Smith  found  an  exciting  focus  of  toxin  for- 
mation in  the  tonsillar  crypts  in  22.8  per  cent,  and  nasal  together 
with  tonsillar  lesions  in  90  per  cent,  of  362  goitrous  individuals. 
Again,  in  23  individuals  to  whom  emetin  was  administered,  a  reduc- 
tion of  the  bulk  of  the  goiter  was  appreciable  in  18,  though  endame- 
bae  could  not  be  demonstrated  in  the  thyroid  gland.'' 

In  the  matter  of  treatment  Anders  places  the  medicinal  sec- 
ondary to  hygienic  and  operative  measures.  Serum  treatment,  X- 
ray  treatment,  Salvarsan,  change  of  climate.  Hydropathy,  Elec- 
tricity, and  the  ice-bag  are  all  mentioned.  Among  the  drugs  Ar- 
senic is  emphasized.  Anders  makes  no  mention  of  several  meas- 
ures that  we  know  have  been  beneficial. 

For  instance,  Dr.  Thomas  A.  Irwin,  of  Franklin,  Pa.,  claims  to 
have  been  very  successful  in  the  treatment  of  all  forms  of  Goiter 
with  the  indicated  Homoeopathic  remedies  together  with  attention 
to  diet  and  hygiene.  Dr.  Irwin  admits  a  failure  of  1  per  cent.  He 
states  that  to  secure  the  desired  results  the  patient  should  be  under 
treatment  for  a  year. 

We  know  from  personal  observation  that  Auto-Hemic  Therapy 
is  a  very  valuable  method  of  treatment.  My  observations  have  been 
confirmed  by  many  other  physicians.  Dr.  C.  C.  Wallenbaugh,  of 
Canton,  Ohio,  reports  several  cases  cured  by  auto-hemic  treatment. 

We  also  know  that  eye  repression  by  means  of  prisms,  as  used 
by  Dr.  Z.  L.  Baldwin,  Kalamazoo,  Mich.,  have  been  successful  in 
some  extra6rdinary  cases.  We  have  investigated  this  treatment 
by  ascertaining  the  after  effects  in  cases  reported  cured  by  Dr. 
Baldwin.    Our  investigation  was  prompted  by  many  inquiries  and 


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630  NOBTH  AMSBICAN  JOURNAL  Or  HOMOOPASHT 

our  own  desire  to  learn  the  truth  after  some  one  had  expressed  a 
doubt  as  to  its  eflSeacy. 

Answers  from  a  number  of  his  patients  from  whom  we  made 
inquiry  were  very  encouraging.  We  quote  from  a  letter  written 
by  a  lawyer  in  a  distant  city,  which  is  in  a  general  way  a  fair  sample 
of  the  other  letters: 

**0n  February  26,  1913,  I  was  attacked  with  Exophthalmic 
Gtoiter.  I  continued  going  to  my  office  for  aibout  two  or  three  weeks 
but  did  no  work,  but  sat  by  an  open  window  most  of  the  time  as 
the  cold  air  seemed  to  help  me.  During  this  time  I  consulted  my 
family  physician  and  he  said  it  was  biliousness  or  something  of  that 
kind.  After  the  first  two  or  three  weeks  I  stayed  at  home  most  of 
the  time  for  two  weeks,  when  I  became  so  weak  and  uncomfortable 
that  I  went  to  bed.  After  that  the  case  was  diagnosed  as  Grave's 
Disease,  and  I  was  treated  for  about  two  weeks  when,  after  a  con- 
sultation it  was  decided  that  an-  operation  was  the  only  thing.  The 
operation  was  performed  and  the  left  side  of  the  gland  was  ligated. 
I  grew  much  worse  after  the  operation,  and  while  I  seemed  to  be 
all  right  mentally  in  the  daytime  I  was  accused  of  doing  many 
things  at  night  of  which  I  had  not  the  slightest  recollection  after- 
wards. After  two  or  three  weeks  more  physicians  were  called  in, 
and  they  decided  that  the  only  thing  was  to  have  the  major  opera- 
tion performed.  This  did  not  sound  good  to  me,  and  I  resisted  it 
for  some  time,  but  finally  agreed  to  let  it  be  done.  The  day  be- 
fore this  operation  was  to  be  performed  I  heard  of  Dr.  Baldwin, 
and  received  such  encouragement  from  him.  over  the  telephone  that 
I  immediately  gave  up  the  idea  of  operation  and  went  to  Kala- 
mazoo. This  was  on  a  Saturday.  Dr.  Baldwin  did  nothing  for  me 
that  day  except  to  put  prism  glasses  on  me.  The  doctor  and  the 
nurses  in  his  sanitarium  claimed  that  I  repeatedly  left  my  room 
and  ran  all  over  the  sanitarium  that  night,  but  I  have  not  the 
slightest  recollection  of  it.  The  next  day  the  doctor  gave  me  aw 
intravenous  treatment,  and  that  night  I  slept  naturally,  and  I  have 
slept  well  every  night  since  that  time.  After  this  treatment  I  im- 
mediately began  to  improve,  and  inside  of  two  weeks  every  disagree- 
able sensation  had  left,  but  of  course  it  took  considerable  more  time 
to  regain  my  weight  and  strength.  I  stayed  at  the  sanitarium  alto- 
gether four  weeks,  and  took  no  treatments  of  any  kind  after  I  left 
there,  and  fully  recovered,  and  am  now  in  as  good  health  as  I  ever 
was  at  any  time  in  my  life.  At  the  time  I  went  to  the  Baldwin 
Sanitarium  my  eyes  protruded  very  much.  My  pulse  ran  from 
110  to  130,  usually  120,  and  my  weight  was  reduced  from  190-odd 
to  140  pounds.    I  was  so  weak  that  I  could  scarcely  get  up  the  four 


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NORTH  AMXBlOAXf  JOURNAL  Or  HOICCIOPATHT  631 

or  five  steps  of  the  sanitarium.  There  was  always  the  continual 
tremor,  which  I  understand  is  always  present  in  this  disease.  I 
could  not  read  a  dozen  lines,  for  the  reason  that  the  words  all  seemed 
to  mix  up  and  dance  around  in  a  circle.  The  second  Sunday  I 
was  at  the  sanitarium,  which  was  just  one  week  from  the  time  of 
the  first  treatment,  I  bought  a  voluminous  Sunday  paper  and  read 
it  from  first  to  last.  Of  course,  it  was  some  time  after  I  left  the 
sanitarium  before  the  tremor  entirely  left  me,  and  before  I  regained 
my  weight  and  strength,  and  it  probably  was  a  year  to  eighteen 
months  later  before  I  could  comfortably  try  a  contested  lawsuit, 
but  I  can  safely  say  that  after  the  expiration  of  eighteen  months 
I  was  fully  recovered  in  every  way. ' ' 

Neither  the  lawyer  nor  Dr.  Baldwin  will  know  anything  about 
this  foregoing  quotation  until  they  see  it  in  print.  I  feel  that  it 
is  only  a  matter  of  justice  to  our  subscribers  and  their  patients  that 
proper  attention  should  be  caUed  to  all  these  methods  of  treat- 
ment, which  offers  an  escape  from  unnecessary  surgical  interference. 


THE  PLACENTA  AS  A  GALACTAGOGUE 

THE  annual  convention  of  the  American  Association  of  Progres- 
sive Medicine  held  in  Chicago,  September,  1917,  had  an  offi- 
cial wag  in  the  person  of  Dr.  H.  Michener,  of  Wichita,  Kas.  No 
one  in  attendance  will  dispute  that  he  is  a  pastmaster  and  has  no 
competitor  in  the  realm  of  medical  humor. 

After  a  long  and  serious  discussion  on  the  merits  of  sero-therapy 
and  organ-therapy,  the  Wichita  doctor  begged  the  privilege  of  the 
floor  to  report  a  case  that  came  under  his  observation  during  his 
early  practice  in  the  west.  His  report  was  as  follows:  A  pros- 
perous farmer  in  my  territory  who  was  expecting  another  heir 
soon  had  a  sudden  call  to  go  East,  and  as  he  was  about  to  take  his 
departure  he  called  his  hired  man  and  said  to  him,  '*Now,  Mike, 
I  am  obliged  to  go  away  for  several  weeks  and  want  you  to  look 
after  everything  carefully,  and  especially  my  wife,  who  will  likely 
have  another  baby  before  my  return ;  I  want  you  to  treat  her  just 
as  well  as  you  treat  the  cows  when  they  have  their  calves."  Mike 
promised  to  comply  with  the  request.  When  the  farmer  returned 
home  he  found  his  wife  and  the  new-comer  in  such  a  remarkably 
fine  condition,  he  hastened  to  the  barn  to  thank  Mike  for  his  good 
stewardship;  but  Mike  replied,  **I  had  a  'ell  of  a  time  to  get  the 
'Missus'  to  eat  the  afterbirth."  It  is  needless  to  say  that  this  story 
brought  down  the  house  and  ended  the  discussion  of  organ-therapy. 


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632  NORTH  AHXRIOAN  JOUKNAL  OF  HOH<IOPATHT 

No  doubt  the  majority  of  the  physicians  present  supposed  that 
the  case  cited  was  a  fictitious  one  manufactured  extempore  as  a  take- 
off on  the  discussion,  but  we  find  that  there  are  numerous  prece- 
dents to  justify  Mike's  therapy.  Prom  page  207  of  the  September 
number  of  Progressive  Medicine,  a  quarterly  digest  of  advances, 
discoveries  and  improvements  in  the  medical  and  surgical  sciences, 
edited  by  Hobart  Amory  Hare,  M.  D.,  and  published  by  Lea  & 
Febiger,  at  $6.00  per  annum,  we  quote: 

**Bianchini  describes  five  cases  in  which  the  placenta  was  eaten. 
The  afterbirth  was  consumed  to  increase  the  secretion  of  milk, 
which,  in  all  of  the  women  who  took  it,  had  failed  without  apparent 
reason  after  previous  confinements.  The  placenta  was  cut  up  and 
washed  and  cooked  in  the  same  way  (except  that  of  one  case  in 
which  a  broth  was  used  for  the  purpose)  and  eaten  in  large  pieces. 
Except  for  the  cooking,  the  method  of  administration  was  practi- 
cally that  which  is  seen  in  animals,  as  the  bitch  .which  swallows  its 
own  placenta  immediately  after  its  expulsion.  It  is  said  that  this 
treatment  was  successful  after  other  methods  of  stimulating  the 
secretion  of  milk  had  failed.  In  antiquity  and  the  Middle  Ages, 
diflScult  labor  was  treated  by  the  administration  of  placenta,  and 
at  present  the  human  placenta  and  that  of  the  sow  have  been  used 
in  extract  administered  in  pill  form  and  in  other  vehicles  to  in- 
crease the  activity  of  the  mammary  glands.  Throughout  the  world 
there  is  the  belief  that  the  placenta  has  a  marked  influence  over  the 
function  of  reproduction.  Thus,  in  Morocco,  it  is  believed  that  the 
placenta  will  cure  sterility  and  hasten  delivery.  In  China,  prepara- 
tions of  the  placenta  are  administered  for  this  purpose,  and  also 
in  the  treatment  of  anemia  following  childbirth.  It  is  considered 
to  be  best  when  taken  fresh,  but  is  also  used  in  the  dried  form  and 
made  into  pills.  French  midwives  have  stated,  in  books  upon  par- 
turition, that  the  eating  of  the  placenta  would  produce  a  free  secre- 
tion of  milk,  and  one  of  them  writes  from  her  own  experience  that 
sheep's  placenta,  dried  and  triturated  with  powdered  sugar,  is  the 
best  preparation  for  this  purpose.  In  the  French  Congress  of  In- 
ternal Medicine,  in  1898,  a  communication  was  presented  on  the 
therapeutic  action  of  placenta  illustrated  by  more  than  100  cases. 
Sheep's  placenta  in  tablets,  which  represent  0.25  grain  of  the  fresh 
substance,  was  used,  and  the  daily  dose  exceeded  1.5  grams.  This 
had  an  excellent  effect  upon  the  secretion  of  milk.  So,  too,  in 
chronic  metritis  with  subinvolution  and  catarrh,  even  when  the  tubes 
and  ovaries  were  diseased,  and  in  cases  of  abnormal  involution  of 
the  uterus  after  delivery,  the  administration  of  the  placenta  was 
highly  beneficial." 


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NORTH  AMBRIGAN   JOURNAL  OF  HOMOEOPATHY  683 

In  his  work  on  Practical  Hormone  Therapy,  Dr.  Henry  R.  nar- 
rower devotes  several  pages  to  the  subject  of  placental  hormone. 
After  discussing  its  value  as  a  galactagogue  and  as  a  remedy  in 
eclampsia,  as  well  as  uterine  subinvolution,  he  says  under  the  head- 
ing, ** Therapeutic  Possibilities  of  Placental  Substance,''  as  follows: 

**It  is  asserted  that  in  certain  parts  of  China  the  human  pla- 
centa is  considered  to  be  a  valuable  remedy  for  the  anemias  that 
frequently  follow  the  puerperium.  Bouchacourt  recalls  the  fact 
that  many  animals  are  in  the  habit  of  eating  their  placenta  imrat*- 
diately  after  delivery,  and  mentions  that  this  instinctive  act  is  not 
confined  to  animals,  but  that  among  certain  races  in  Brazil,  the 
Sudan,  and  remote  districts  of  Asiatic  Russia,  this  rather  disgusting 
habit  has  persisted.  He  believes  that  this  may  have  a  favorable 
influence  upon,  and  brings  a  series  of  experiences  to  confirm  his 
thepry." 

On  pages  387-8,  we  also  find  the  following: 

** Alopecia  and  Placental  Medication:  A  most  unusual  experi- 
ence has  been  recorded  by  Maurice  Petit  which  is  so  extraordinary 
that  it  seems  worth  recording  as  a  thought  stimulator,  if  for  no 
oth^r  reason.  Petit  happened  at  one  time  to  have  two  cases  of  alo- 
pecia in  women  which  were  spontaneously  cured  during  pregnancy. 
Here  is  the  gist  of  his  communication :  One  case,  a  woman  of  30, 
had  had  four  children,  and  during  each  pregnancy  the  scalp  be- 
came normal  only  to  have  the  bald  areas  return  a  few  weeks  after 
each  delivery.  The  second  case  was  that  of  a  young  woman  of  24, 
with  five  areas  of  alopecia  which  would  not  respond  to  any  treat- 
ment. During  her  first  pregnancy  the  alopecia  of  years  disap- 
peared, only  to  return  two  months  after  delivery,  retit  therefore 
prescribed  a  cachet  of  placental  extract  twice  daily  for  twelve  days, 
with  a  period  of  rest  for  eight  days,  followed  by  twelve  more  days 
of  treatment  and  eight  of  rest  for  several  weeks.  After  two  months 
the  cure  was  complete.'' 

Also  on  page  388,  we  find  the  following : 

'*  Administration  and  Dosage :  Quite  often  the  therapeutic  value 
of  placental  extracts  may  be  enhanced  by  the  addition  of  mam- 
mary extract,  and  the  author  has  suggested  a  combination  in  a 
previous  chapter  which  in  many  eases  may  be  useful  as  a  galacta- 
gogue and  postpartum  uterine  tonic.  The  placental  extracts  of 
commerce  are  usually  made  from  the  fresh  placentae  of  ewes,  al- 
though occasionally  that  of  the  cow  is  used.  It  is  deprived  of  its 
blood,  washed,  chopped  and  dried  in  vacuo,  as  in  the  preparation 
of  other  animal  extracts.  The  dry  powder  is  quite  innocuous  when 
given  internally,  and  represents  approximately   15  per  cent  by 


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634  NOKTH  AMSBIOAN  JOURNAL  Or  nOUOOBATBY 

weight  of  the  fresh  substances.  The  dose  varies  from  3  to  10  grains 
(0.2  to  0.7  grammes)  two  to  four  times  a  day.  Hypodermic  injec- 
tions of  aqueous  extracts  have  been  discontinued,  owing  to  the 
excessive  local  reactiop  which  so  often  results.  Gaif ami  has  shown 
that  this  method  is  accompanied  by  fever  and  considerable  pain." 


WHAT  IS  HOMEOPATHY? 

By  G.  B.  Dienst,  M.  D.,  Aurora,  111. 
President  Chicago  Post-graduate  Homeopathic  School. 

A  very  common-place  question,  indeed.  Why  should  I  ask  it! 
Because  I  want  to  answer  it.  The  answer  may  seem  simple  enough, 
and  yet,  the  question  itself  has  engendered  more  discussion  in 
books,  journals,  colleges  and  societies,  than  many  other  questions 
of  a  medical  nature.  Truly,  there  are  almost  as  many  answers  to 
this  question  as  there  are  societies,  colleges  and  journals,  and  yet 
no  two  agree  in  detail. 

Now,  please,  let  us  lay  aside  every  prejudice,  every  fancy,  every 
long  cherished  opinion,  personal  preference,  all  likes  and  dislikes, 
every  ** false  imagination*' — everything  that  will  hinder  accurate 
judgment,  and  let  us  look  this  question  squarely  in  the  face,  and  in 
all  soberness  of  mind  answer  it  in  the  spirit  of  the  ** Pounder''  and 
the  masters  who  preserved  it,  just  as  if  we  were  standing  before 
the  Great  Judge  of  all  men  to  answer  for  the  **  deeds  done  in  the 
body." 

What  is  it?  What  does  it  mean?  Can  it  be  defined  clearly 
and  intelligently?  No  definition  will  prevent  controversy,  for  as 
long  as  men's  minds  are  warped  and  twisted  by  prejudices  and 
false  teachings,  as  twigs  in  a  hurricane,  so  long  will  there  be  con- 
troversy and  distortion  of  truth. 

In  order  to  clear  the  way  for  a  more  simple  and  less  technical 
solution,  let  us  first  take  a  negative  view  of  the  question  and  see 
what  it  is  not. 

1.  It  is  not  a  system,  neither  governed  by  a  law  of  antipathy 
for  this  is  directly  contrary  to  the  law  of  homeopathy. 

2.  It  is  not. a  system,  neither  governed  by  a  law  of  ** Contraries," 
with  all  that  this  involves,  for  this  is  in  opposition  to  the  law  of 
similars. 

3.  It  is  not  a  law  of  ** likes  cure  likes,"  for  there  is  a  world  of 
difference  between  ** likes"  and  "Similars." 

4.  It  is  not  a  system,  neither  is  it  governed  by  a  law  of  hydro- 


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NORTH   AMIBJOAN  JODBMAL  OF  BOMOBOTATHT  685 

pathics,  for  this  law  does  not  cover  the  law  of  disease  cause  nor 
disease  entity. 

5.  It  is  not  a  law,  neither  a  practice  of  ''Specifics"  for  this  is 
too  arbitrary  .and  inflexible  to  meet  the  necessary  individual  peculi- 
arities as  we  find  them  in  different  sick  people  we  are  called  upon 
to  treat. 

6.  It  is  not  a  law,  nor  can  it  be  considered  a  part  of  electro- 
therapeutics, for  there  is  no  similarity  between  the  two. 

7.  It  is  not  a  system  of  vaccines,  serums  or  bacteriological 
products,  for  this  system  or  method,  with  all  its  unsanitary  prac- 
tices, if  anything,  is  a  form  of  Isopathy. 

8.  It  is  not  a  system  of  auto-toxic  therapy,  nor  can  one  be 
justly  made  a  part  of  the  other. 

9.  It  is  not,  as  has  been  so  often  defined,  an  "addition''  to  a 
mass  of  ** useless  material,"  but  is  rather  a  ** subtraction"  of  the 
useless  to  make  room  for  the  useful. 

10.  It  does  not  consist  in  giving  a  homeopathic  remedy  simply 
because  this  remedy  is  made  and  sold  in  a  homeopathic  pharmacy. 

None  of  these  things,  sometimes  placed  in  the  guise  of  homeop- 
athy, or  made  to  appear  as  homeopathic,  can  be  said  to  form  even 
a  part  of  the  true  essence  of  homeopathy. 

This  negative  picture  is  given  in  all  sincerity  and  without 
prejudice.  Homeopathy  is  too  sacred,  too  pure  and  infinitely  valu- 
able to  be  made  a  part  of,  or  overshadowed  by  any  cult,  system 
or  practice  that  will  mar  its  usefulness  or  destroy  its  purity. 

Homeopathy  looks  upon  all  sickness,  no  matter  of  what  form 
or  nomenclature,  as  a  result  of  disturbed  or  impaired  vital  energy, 
and  that  there  is  no  sickness  where  there  is  no  disturbance  or  im- 
pairment of  this  energy.  Disturbing  causes  may  be  immediate  or 
remote. 

To  restore  these  disturbed  forces  to  harmony,  the  safest,  surest 
and  gentlest  methods  must  be  employed.  This  has  been  done,  is 
now  being  done,  and  will  forever  continue  to  be  done  by  selecting 
for  each  individual  sick  person  that  simple,  single  medicinal  sub- 
stance which,  in  its  proving  on  the  healthy  caused  a  disturbance  or 
impairment  of  vital  energy,  similar  in  its  complex  of  symptoms  to 
the  one  that  is  disturbed  by  natural  causes.  This  medicinal  sub- 
stance must  be  given  in  a  form  or  power,  and  on  a  plain  commen- 
surate with  the  sickness  it  is  intended  to  cure,  and  repeated  at 
such  interv'als  as  may  be  necessary  to  restore  harmony  in  the  dis- 
ordered realm.  This  is  simple,  safe,  rational,  sure,  permanent  and 
clearly  intelligible.  This  law  of  cure,  known  as  the  **law  of  simi- 
lars" is  as  unchangeable  as  the  law  of  gravitation,  and  as  certain 
in  its  effects  as  the  law  governing  day  and  night.    Its  practice  is 


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686  NOBTH  AMXBIGAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM<X(H>ATHT 

the  greatest  stimulus  to  health  of  soul  and  body,  and  the  greatest 
law  of  cure  in  sickness  known  among  men.  This  ''law  of  similars, ' ' 
without  prefixes  or  suflSxes  is  Homeopathy. 


KRAMERIA 


In  the  November  number  of  the  Joubnaii  Dr.  D.  V.  Ireland,  of 
Columbus,  Ohio,  reports  the  successful  treatment  of  a  case  of 
Hypertrophic  Procto-sigmoiditis,  with  blood  pressure  of  220  which 
was  brought  down  to  135  along  with  the  alleviation  of  all  other 
symptoms.  **His  treatment  consisted  of  the  application  of  fluid 
extract  of  Krameria  through  the  sigmoidoscope  three  times  weekly 
for  the  first  three  weeks ;  after  that  twice  a  week ;  massage  of  the 
prostate  both  by  finger  method  and  the  slow  sinusoidal  current; 
concussion  at  the  tenth  dorsal  spine  to  relieve  vaso-constriction 
and  lower  the  blood  pressure." 

Our  purpose  in  referring  to  the  case  is  to  call  attention  to  the 
drug  Krameria,  usually  known  to  homeopaths  as  Ratanhia. 

Regarding  this  drug  Dr.  John  H.  Clark,  of  London,  England,  in 
his  Dictionary  of  the  Materia  Medica,  says : 

Synonyms:  Rhatany  Root.  Ratanhia.  Mapato.  Pumacuchu. 
The  root  of  several  species  of  Krameria,  especially  Krameria  tri- 
andra.  N.  0.  Polygalaceae  (or  Leguminosae  according  to  some). 
Tincture  of  the  root. 

Clinical:  Anus^  fissure  of.  Breath,  offensive.  Constipation. 
Diabetes.  Dysentery.  Dyspepsia,  atonic.  Epistaxis.  Eyes,  ptery- 
gium. Fissures.  GJonorrhea.  Hemorrhages.  Hemorrhoids.  Hic- 
cough. Hydrothorax.  Inframammary  pain.  Itching.  Metror- 
rhagia. Miscarriage.  Nipples,  fissure  of.  Pimples.  Pleurisy, 
Scurvy.  Snoring.  Speech,  arrested.  Stomach,  distention  of ;  ulcer- 
ation of.    Throat,  contraction  of.    Tinnitus.    Worms. 

Characteristics:  Krameria  triandra,  remarkable  for  its  entire, 
obovate,  accuminate  leaves,  covered  on  both  sides  with  silky  hair, 
is  one  of  the  species  most  known  as  yielding  the  Rhatany  Root  of 
commerce,  but  all  the  species  (of  Krameria),  as  far  as  known, 
are  intensely  astringent.  In  Peru  an  extract  is  made  from  this 
species  which  is  a  mild,  easily  assimilated  astringent  medicine^  pos- 
sessed of  great  power  in  passive,  bloody  or  mucous  discharges.  It 
acts  as  a  tonic  in  weakness  of  digestive  organs  and  muscular  debility, 
and  is  even  useful  in  intermittent  and  putrid  fevers.  It  is  also 
styptic  and  restores  tone  to  relaxed  parts,  and  when  applied  as 
plasters  is  said  to  cure  all  kinds  of  ulcers.  An  infusion  is  used  as 
a  gargle  and  wash,  and  the  powder  forms  with  charcoal  an  excellent 


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NORTH  AMERIOAN   JOURNAL  07  HOM(E<VATHT  637 

tooth  powder.  The  color  of  the  infusion  of  the  root  of  the  Erameria 
is  blood-red,  on  which  account  advantage  is  taken  of  it  to  adulter- 
ate port  wine.  (Treas.  of  Bot.)  Teste,  who  puts  Eat.  in  the 
sulphur  group,  writing  of  its  prehomeopathic  use,  says,  ''There  is 
perhaps  no  plant  the  properties  of  which  have  been  so  well  indi- 
cated by  chance  as  this.  Used  as  an  astringent  and  tonic  this  root 
sometimes  arrests  passive  hemorrhages  (epistaxis,  hemoptysis, 
metrorrhagia,  etc.).  It  was  successfully  used  against  scurvy,  mu- 
cous discharges  such  as  chronic  catarrh  of  the  bronchia,  vagina, 
large  intestines,  etc.,  against  various  forms  of  incontinence  of  urine 
and  chronic  edema  of  the  skin.  Dr.  Tournel,  who,  no  doubt,  did 
not  suspect  that  Batan.  produced  abortion,  had  the  happy  idea  of 
prescribing  it  as  a  tonic  in  cases  of  incipient  miscarriage,  and  thus 
'preventing  that  accident  in  delicate  and  nervous  females  who  have 
never  yet  been  able  to  go  their  full  time." 

All  these  uses  are  really  homeopathic,  as  is  also  the  cure  of  a 
case  of  fissure  of  the  rectum  by  Bretonneau,  whom  Teste  quotes 
from  Trousseau  and  Pidoux :  *' A  lady  had  suffered  from  constipa- 
tion and  fissure  of  rectum,  which  caused  her  horrible  pains  and  had 
damaged  her  health.  Bretonneau  ordered  a  daily  injection  mixed 
with  one-fourth  of  Rat.,  and  in  a  short  time  constipation  and  fissure 
were  cured.  Other  like  cases  were  cured ;  and  then  the  same  treat- 
ment was  given  in  cases  of  £ssure  without  constipation,  and  again 
with  the  same  success.  The  provings  (Hartlaub  and  Trinks  chiefly) 
bring  out  the  keynotes  of  Rat.  in  rectal  cases:  "Straining,  stool  so 
hard  that  she  cried  out,  with  great  protrusion  of  hemorrhoids ;  fol- 
lowed for  a  long  time  by  burning  in  anus."  The  burning  persist- 
ing for  a  long  time  after  the  stool  is  very  characteristic  of  Rat. ;  and 
it  occurs  when  the  stool  is  diarroehic  as  well  as  hard.  Burning  also 
precedes  and  accompanies  the  stool.  Another  peculiarity  in  con- 
nection with  the  stool  is  a  bursting  headache,  which  accompanies 
and  follows  a  straining  at  stool.  Dry  heat,  with  sudden  itching 
like  knife  stabs.    Oozing  at  anus.    Dropping  of  blood  from  anus." 


Dr.  Sheldon  Leavitt,  of  Chicago,  under  date  of  December  2,  1917,  writes 
to  the  editor  as  follows: 

"It  does  me  good  to  see  you  stand  so  strongly  for  progression  in  medicine 
in  the  faee  of  the  disgusting  narrowness  of  the  medical  profession  in  general. 
You  know  very  well  where  I  stand.  For  a  long  time  I  had  to  stand  nearly  alone 
in  Chicago.  There  were  mighty  few  who  dared  to  assert  their  faith,  or  lack  of 
it,  on  any  point  not  included  in  the  school's  'Confession  of  Faith.'  But  now 
our  ranks  are  growing.  I  am  sending  you  my  check  for  your  Journal  subscrip- 
tion, and  with  it  I  send  my  best  wishes." 


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638  NORTH  AMXRICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMdOPATHT 

SOLANUM  DULCAMARA* 

By  Wallace  McGeorge,  M.  D.,  Camden,  N.  J. 

Dulcamara  is  better  known  by  pharmacists  as  bittersweet.  It 
derives  its  name  from  the  two  Latin  words,  dulcis  (sweet)  and 
amarus  (bitter) ;  but  as  the  bitter  taste  often  comes  first,  the 
German  name,  Bittersxiss,  is  correct.  It  is  also  known  as  the  woody 
nightshade. 

Dulcamara  is  a  perennial  plant  growing  in  moist  places,  in 
ditches,  along  hedges,  and  on  the  borders  of  rivets  in  this  country 
and  in  Europe.  It  is  a  climbing  shrub.  Long  after  the  leaves  have 
fallen  oflF,  berries  of  a  bright  scarlet  hue  hang  on  in  pretty  bunches. 
Children  who  pick  and  eat  these  berries  generally  have  vomiting 
spells  followed  by  diarrhoea  and  sometimes  by  a  rash  simulating 
nettle-rash. 

Dogs,  rabbits  and  pigeons  that  have  been  experimented  upon 
with  this  drug  sometimes  die  from  the  poisonous  effects,  yet  dul- 
camara is  not  a  violently  toxic  drug.  If  given  in  full  doses  of  the 
tincture  to  sensitive  patients,  many  unpleasant  symptoms  super- 
vene: diarrhoea,  vomiting  and  occasionally  syncope. 

It  is  a  remedy  not  often  used  except  in  certain  seasons  of  the 
year.  In  late  summer  or  early  fall,  when  the  days  are  hot  and  the 
evenings  and  nights  are  cool,  or  for  people  who  spend  their  vaca- 
tions in  the  mountains,  it  is  frequently  called  for  and  given  with 
excellent  results. 

In  children  who  are  kept  in  during  the  heat  of  the  day  and  given 
their  airings  in  the  evening  after  the  sun  has  gone  down  and  the 
air  has  grown  chilly,  who  take  cold  and  have  persistent  diarrhoea 
from  these  sudden  changes  in  temperature,  dulcamara  is  often 
a  good  remedy. 

For  people  who  live  in  damp  houses  or  in  houses  where  there 
is  water  in  the  cellar,  or  as  a  prophylactic  against  sickness  after 
exposure  in  a  cold,  damp  house,  dulcamara  may  be  useful. 

Guernsey,  in  his  ''key-notes,''  says:  ''The  patient's  symptoms 
are  aggravated  when  the  weather  suddenly  becomes  colder,  espe- 
cially if  the  weather  is  damp."  Hering  told  us  to  think  of  dul- 
camara in  dropsical  affections  after  suppression  of  sweat  by  damp, 
cold  air.  Nash  considers  it  a  great  remedy  for  back  troubles  from 
taking  cold. 

In  acute  ascendixig  paralysis.  Dr.  Hart  says,  dulcamara  is  good 


•  Read  before  the  Materia  Medica  Branch  of  the  Philadelphia  County 
Homoeopathic  Medical  Society,  March  27,  1917.  Reproduced  from  the  New 
England  Gazette  for  August,   1917 


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NORTH  AMXaiOAN  JOURNAL  07  HOMdOPATHT  689 

in  simple  paralysis  of  the  extremities  if  the  circulation  is  so  inter- 
fered with  as  to  produce  an  icy  coldness  of  the  surface,  and  where 
the  general  sensibility  is  unaffected. 

Dulcamara  is  useful  in  the  early  stages  of  nephritis  following 
scarlet  fever,  particularly  if  the  patient  has  been  exposed  to  cold. 
But  when,  with  the  albumin  and  the  casts,  there  is  considerable 
blood  in  the  urine,  caniharis  is  better.  Bonninghausen  says  that 
dulcamara  is  the  best  remedy  for  ''stinking"  urine,  but  I  have 
found  benzoic  acid  better  if  the  offensive  odor  is  the  result  of  renal 
cancer.  While  benzoic  acid  will  make  the  patient  more  comfortable, 
it  does  not  permanently  remove  this  disturbing  symptom. 

In  retention  of  urine,  in  inflammation  of  the  mucous  coat  of 
the  bladder,  with  ropy,  stringy,  gelatinous  masses  of  mucus  in 
the  urine,  if  a  result  of  exposure  to  cold  or  damp,  dulcamara  is 
useful.  But  chimaphila  will  relieve  the  pain  and  lessen  this  mucous 
discharge  quicker  than  does  bittersweei. 

When  you  have  a  patient  who  says:  **If  I  get  chilled,  I  must 
hurry  to  urinate ;  if  I  get  into  a  cold  place,  I  must  go  to  stool  or  to 
urinate,''  dulcamara  is  the  remedy.  For  ineffectual  urging  to  stool, 
dulcamara  is  as  useful  as  nux  vomica. 

Phillips,  in  his  useful  book  on  **  Materia  Medica,"  says  that 
psoriasis  and  pityriasis  are  amenable  to  the  influence  of  dulcam^ara ; 
and  Sir  Alexander  Crichton  stated  that  oufr  of  twenty-three  cases 
of  ** lepra"  (psoriasis)  treated  with  dulcamara,  only  two  failed 
to  be  relieved. 

In  closing,  I  give  you  Kent's  picture  of  the  dulcamara  patient: 
**The  dulcamara  patient  often  becomes  a  sickly  patient  with  threat- 
ening of  the  catarrhal  discharges  to  center  in  the  bronchial  tubes, 
1.  €.,  in  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  breathing  apparatus.  Many 
adults  die  of  acute  phthisis  that  might  have  been  cured  by  dul- 
camara, and  you  will  find  very  commonly  among  this  class  of 
patients  those  who  are  worse  from  every  cold,  damp  spell  of 
weather.  Such  enter  right  into  the  dulcamara  sphere.  They  are 
better  by  going  south,  where  there  is  a  continuously  warm  climate. 
The  dulcamara  patient  is  a  sickly  patient,  threatened  with  acute 
phthisis,  and  he  has  a  pallid  face  that  is  sickly  yellow  and  sallow." 


The  appUcation  of  the  Compound  Tincture  of  Benzoin  to  the  vaginal 
outlet  immediatelj  after  deUvery  diminished  the  chances  of  infection  and 
soreness.  Benzoin  is  an  antiseptic,  an  astringent,  and  is  practicaUy  an 
occlusive  dressing.  We  have  >  made  the  use  of  it  in  hundreds  of  cases,  and 
know  its  value. 

The  laboratory  is  the  handmaid  of  therapeutics,  but  the  crucial  test  of  the 
value  of  any  method  is  the  clinical  results. 


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640  NOBTH  AUUUCAN  JOUBNAL  OF  HOMOCOPATHT 

THE  COMING  SCARCITY  OF  PHYSICIANS* 

By  Bayard  Holmes,  M.  D^  Chica|o 

The  war  has  come  upon  us  at  a  most  critical  time  in  medical 
affairs.  As  a  result  of  the  myopic  influence  of  self-appointed 
directors  of  medical  education,  liberally  supported  in  their  perni- 
cious activities  by  limitless  endowments  of  one  sort  or  another,  the 
number  of  medical  students  in  reputable  medical  schools  has  been 
falling  off  at  the  rate  of  about  1,500  a  year.  There  has  grown  up  at 
the  same  time  an  army  of  chiropractics  and  other  cults  of  would-be 
medical  practitioners  from  ** schools''  with  hordes  of  deluded 
students. 

As  the  legitimate  increment  of  medical  men  and  curing  doetors 
has  been  cut  off  by  forces  acting  upon  medical  faculties,  by  forces 
acting  on  legal  authority,  and  by  the  discouragements  inevitable 
to  a  long,  tedious  and  uninspiring  tutelage,  the  irregular  practi- 
tioners, the  osteopaths  and  other  manipulators,  have  come  into 
their  own  because  the  sick  folks  want  attention  and  comfort  and 
are  willing  to  pay  for  it.  They  don't  know  that  they  need  science, 
and  such  dehumanized  science  as  is  offered  them  by  the  product 
of  our  pedantic  medical  schools  they  are  unable  to  stomach. 

Thus  in  the  United  States,  with  a  total  of  100,000,000  and 
130,000  practicing  physicians  and  an  annual  increment  of  less 
than  4,000  new  licentiates,  we  are  called  upon  by  the  draft  to 
give  up  all  of  our  medical  students,  to  the  number  of  15,000,  and 
at  the  same  time  to  lose  all  of  the  fit  young  men  between  twenty- 
one  and  thirty-one  from  whom  new  students  should  be  recruited. 

It  is  possible  that  some  of  the  losses  in  our  medical  students 
and  the  young  medical  men  who  are  going  across  seas  can  be  made 
up  from  those  rejected  as  lame,  halt,  or  blind,  or  as  alien  enemies, 
if  our  schools  admit  on  academic  qualifications  only.  But  we 
believe  that  it  would  be  a  serious  handicap  to  the  medical  pro- 
fession of  the  future  if  the  sources  of  its  recruits  were  limited 
to  those  unfit  for  military  service. 

There  ought  to  be  50,000  physicians  and  surgeons  for  each 
1,000,000  soldiers  sent  to  Prance.  These  men  ought  to  be  physically 
fit  and  thoroughly  equipped  by  proper  hospital  and  clinical  expe- 
rience. They  need  not  all  be  young  and  capable  of  going  into  the 
ranks ;  indeed,  a  considerable  portion  of  them  ought  to  be  men  over 
fifty,  who  have  had  experience  in  administrative  affairs  of  a  broad 
and  extensive  sort.  It  is  obviously  as  unwise  to  limit  medical  mili- 
tary service  to  a  birthday  age  below  fifty-five  as  it  is  to  require 


•  Official  Bulletin  of  the  Chicago  Medical  Society. 


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NOBTH  AMXRIOAN   JOUftMAL  07  HOMOEOPATHY  641 

every  youth  of  a  birthday  age  of  twenty-one  to  thirty-one  to  go 
into  the  trenches. 

If  the  war  lasts  six  years,  and  there  is  no  reason  to  think  that 
it  will  terminate  sooner,  the  scarcity  of  medical  attendants  in  the 
United  States,  regular  or  irregular,  will  be  very,  great.  With  less 
than  100,000  physicians  of  suitable  age  and  reasonably  fit  physical 
condition  to  draw  from,  the  first  two  drafts  of  1,000,000  men  each 
will  leave  the  medical  afi!airs  of  the  United  States  in  the  hands  of 
the  decrepit,  the  infirm,  and  the  alien  enemies.  If  we  learn  from 
the  exx>erience  of  England,  we  will  see  to  it  that  such  a  condition 
does  not  arise. 

There  seem  to  be  certain  things  which  we  as  a  profession  ought 
to  do  at  once.  First  of  all,  we  ought  to  see  to  it  that  the  draft 
does  not  disturb  any  legitimate  pursuit  of  medicine  by  any  student, 
fit  or  unfit  for  military  service,  now  matriculated  or  preparing  the 
study  of  medicine  in  college  or  scientific  school.  It  is  inevitable 
that  a  lai^e  number  of  theoretically  prospective  medical  students 
will  be  diverted  to  thp  more  inspiring  fields  of  aviation,  engineering 
and  other  activities  of  war.  The  enrollment  of  niedical  schools 
is  likely  to  fall  off,  or  be  recruited  from  the  unfit,  from  alien  ene- 
mies, and  possibly  from  ''slackers"  (if  medical  students  become 
exempt). 

We  ought  to  cut  off,  in  the  second  place,  all  the  red  tape,  all  the 
academic  f ol-de-rol  and  the  titled  and  hooded  frumpery  which  have 
fastened  themselves  on  our  medical  faculties  and  our  state  exam- 
ining bodies.  Medical  students  should  be  accepted  before  their 
intellectual  and  moral  enthusiasm  has  been  fagged  out  by  agnostic 
collegiate  disciplinarianism.  Until  the  end  of  the  war  a  high  school 
education,  with  the  urge  that  goes  with  it  to  do,  is  a  better  equip- 
ment for  a  medical  student  than  the  bachelor's  or  doctor's  degree, 
with  the  intellectual  fag  with  which  it  is  ordinarily  sealed. 

It  is  our  duty  as  a  profession  to  fill  the  medical  school  with 
young  students  and  to  there  foster  and  teach  the  methods  of  cure, 
and  not  the  tricks  of  passing  examinations.  The  school  itself 
should  be  imbued  with  the  necessity  of  curing  the  sick  and  not  of 
presenting  therapeutic  nihilism  and  scientific  pessimism,  to  the 
confusion  of  the  student  and  dwarfing  of  the  spirit  to  serve  and 
care  for  the  sick. 

It  IB  necessary  to  combine,  co-ordinate,  concentrate  afid  intensify 
the  medical  curriculum.  Make  clinical  service  by  the  student  his 
first  and  every-day  lesson  from  the  moment^  of  matriculation  to 
the  end  of  his  medical  tutelage.  Our  present  dHy  medical  gradu- 
ates are  not  conspicuous  for  professional  enthusiasm,  for  diagnostic 


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642  NOBTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMOCOPATHT 

judgment,  for  therapeutic  resourcefulness,  or  for  humanitarian 
and  social  inspiration.  Our  present  day  medical  disciplinarians 
do  not  promote  a  love  for  science  in  the  service  of  man. 

With  the  reorganization  of  the  medical  schools  should  come  a 
reorganization  of  our  medical  societies.  They  should  be  made 
democratic  and  socii^y  helpful.  Every  other  class  of  service  has 
taken  on  a  ''class  conscience"  since  the  beginning  of  this  war  and 
it  is  time  that  the  medical  societies  should  lay  aside  their  oligarchic 
form  and  become  democratic.  They  should  abolish  their  consti- 
tutions and  houses  of  delegates,  and  be  ruled  by  temporary  and 
local  conditions  and  serve  at  once  the  community,  the  patients  and 
the  families  of  those  who  are  called  to  war.  This  and  these  things 
are  patriotic  duties,  necessary,  reasonable  and  opportune. 

30  N.  Michigan  Ave. 


"CAME  TO  SCOFF— REMAINED  TO  PRAV 

The  Hahnamannian  Monthly,  of  Philadelphia,  for  August,  1917, 
devotes  pages  472-476  to  a  biographical  sketch  headed  ''Life  and 
Beminiscences  of  Dr.  Constantine  Hering,"  by  Arthur  M.  Eastman, 
M.D.y  Minneapolis.  It  is  an  interesting  account  of  the  life  and. 
labors  of  one  of  the  pillars  of  homeopathy.  Dr.  Hering  was  bom 
in  1800  and  died  in  1880.  In  the  beginning  of  his  medical  career 
he  was  employed  to  write  a  pamphlet  against  homeopathy,  and  after 
two  years  of  close  study  he  became  a  convert  to  "similia  similibus 
curantur,"  and  perhaps  wrote  more  on  homeopathy  than  any  other 
man  except  possibly  Hahnemann  himself.  We  repeat  what  we 
have  said  many  times :  No  one  can  acquire  a  thoroughly  practical 
knowledge  of  homeopathy  without  becoming  a  convert.  We  believe 
that  all  skepticism  in  this  direction  is  based  upon  practical  ignorance 
of  t^e  method.  Those  who  are  loudest  in  their  assertion  that  home- 
opathy is  not  scientific  or  practical  are  themselves  most  unscientific 
and  most  impractical — since  their  statements  are  based  upon  con- 
clusions without  investigation. 

Every  advance  in  physics  and  physiological  chemistry  reveals 
new  evidence  in  the  support  of  Hahnemann's  doctrines.  The  great- 
est stumbling  block  to  the  belief  in  homeopathy  has  been  the  infin- 
itesimal dotes  associated  with  the  system,  but  not  constituting  the 
principle.  A  few  years  ago  the  atom  was  supposed  to  be  the  small- 
est division  of  matter.  Recent  discoveries  in  physics  have  demon- 
strated that  untold  numbers  of  electrons  are  contained  within  the 
atom.    In  order  to  give  some  idea  of  the  minuteness  of  electrons 


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NORTH  AMJUtlCAN   JOURNAL  OF  HOMOEOPATHY  648 

a  noted  professor  of  phjrsies  made  the  following  statement:  ''The 
number  of  electrons  that  pass  through  an  electric  light  filament 
within  a  second  are  so  numerous  that  if  all  the  people  in  Chicago 
began  counting  them,  taking  no  time  off  to  eat  or  sleep  or  die,  it 
would  require  two  thousand  years  to  complete  the  task." 


TEACHING  HOMEOPATHY  BY  CORRESPONDENCE; 

In  the  November  issue  of  the  Journal  we  made,  without  any 
expectation  of  receiving  an  immediate  response,  a  brief  announce- 
ment of  our  intention  to  establish  a  correspondence  school  of 
Homeopathy.  To  our  surprise,  we  have  already  received  a  number 
of  inquiries,  all  from  graduates  of  schools  iu  which  we  are  morally 
certain  that  the  word  HOMEOPATHY  was  never  mentioned  except 
with  a  sneer. 

These  inquiries  confirm  the  belief  already  expressed  that  there 
is  no  inconsiderable  number  of  physicians  who  are  now  determined 
to  think  and  investigate  for  themselves,  and  no  longer  allow  a 
medical  autocracy  to  tell  them  what  they  shall  and  what  they  shall 
not  prescribe  for  their  patients. 

For  obvious  reasons  we  shall  not  make  known  the  names  of  these 
inquirers,  nor  shall  we  publish  a  list  of  those  who  take  this  corre- 
spondence course. 

Someone  has  asked — Is  Homeopathy  such  a  simple  subject  that  it 
can  be  taught  by  correspondence!  The  answer  is — In  one  respect 
Homeopathy  can  be  compared  to  the  Bible — so  simple  that  anyone 
can  understand  it,  and  yet  so  profound  that  the  wisest  men  are 
puzzled  over  it. 

Nearly  every  branch  of  knowledge  has  been  and  is  now  being 
successfully  taught  by  correspondence;  one  well-known  university 
offering  more  than  three  hundred  different  courses.  Several  of  the 
great  universities  are  said  to  have  as  many  as  5,000  students  at  one 
time  taking  various  courses  of  instruction  by  mail.  In  fact,  before 
the  war  those  of  Wisconsin  and  California  numbered  ne€trly  10,000 
each. 

The  prospective  students  for  the  Correspondence. Course  in  Ho- 
meopathy would  be  licensed  physicians,  already  possessed  of  all  the 
preliminary  requirements  besides  experience  in  general  practice, 
and  consequently  more  easily  taught  this  subject  by  mail  than  any 
other  class  of  students  could  be  taught  by  correspondence  any  other 
branch  of  knowledge. 

We  estimate  that  there  are  in  the  United  States  not  less  than 


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644  NORTH   AMERICAN   JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHT 

fifty  thousand  honest,  earnest,  conscientious,  self-sacrificing  physi- 
cians who  know  nothing  about  Homeopathy.  Their  devotion  to 
their  patients  and  to  their  profession  is  so  great  that  they  stand  ever 
ready  to  try  any  new  method  or  remedy  suggested  to  them  (espe- 
cially if  it  be  an  imported  one),  no  matter  if  its  origin  has  been 
recent  and  the  clinical  observations  regarding  it  limited.  The  preju- 
dice of  the  great  majority  of  these  against  Homeopathy,  however, 
is  so  great  that  it  would  take  several  British  war  tanks  to  batter 
it  down.  Of  course  they  do  not  realize  that  they  are  prejudiced. 
They  have  been  tau^t  from  the  beginning  of  their  medical  career 
that  there  is  nothing  in  Homeopathy. 

Throughout  their  college  course  they  heard  nothing  of  Home- 
opathy but  ridicule.  It  is  a  traditional  prejudice,  and  not  a  preju- 
dice based  on  reason  or  observation.  A  wise  Catholic  bishop  once 
said,  **6ive  me  the  first  seven  years  of  a  child's  life,  and  you  may 
have  the  rest.*'  The  same  principle  holds  good  with  reference  to 
the  early  training  for  the  practice  of  medicine.  He  who  is  born 
a  Catholic  is  likely  to  remain  one ;  he  who  is  born  a  Protestant  is 
likely  to  remain  one  also;  the  same  applies  to  many  other  beliefs. 
It  is  only  the  strong  characters  who  think  for  themselves.  A  stat- 
istician recently  read  a  paper  before  a  medical  society  in  Chicago 
in  which  he  claimed  that  only  three  persons  out  of  every  hundred 
did  their  own  thinking,  and  the  rest  were  imitators.  He  was  of  the 
opinion  that  the  percentage  among  doctors  was  even  less.  This 
certainly  applies  to  those  who  are  governed  by  their  traditional 
prejudices  against  Homeopathy.  We  are  convinced  that  there  are 
thousands  of  physicians,  who,  if,  they  could  lay  aside  their  prejudices 
and  give  Homeopathy  a  conscientious  and  thorough  investigation 
by  acquiring  a  practical  working  knowledge  of  the  system,  would 
be  grateful  as  long  as  they  practiced  medicine.  No  doubt  there 
are  many  who  possess  sufiScient  independence  of  mind  and  courage 
to  take  up  the  study  of  Ilomeopathy  if  it  were  practical  for  them 
to  do  so.  Scarcely  one  in  a  thousand  who  are  established  in  prac- 
tice can  aflPord  to  close  the  ofiSce  door  and  cut  loose  from  a  valuable 
clientele,  or  to  sever  their  college,  hospital,  and  society  associations 
to  enter  the  senior  class  of  a  Homeopathic  medical  college  for  a 
year,  and  sit  alongside  of  undergraduate  medical  students  wasting 
time  listening  to  many  subjects  outside  of  Homeopathy.  The 
seeker  aftei*  Homeopathic  knowledge  might  buy  Homeopathic  books 
and  master  the  subject  alone,  but  self -instructing  is  always  an  up- 
hill undertaking,  no  matter  what  the  branch  is.  An  instructor  or 
director  of  studies  is  necessary.  We  are  convinced  that  homeopathy 
is  a  subject,  and  the  circumstances  of  a  great  majority  of  physicians 


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NOBTH  AMERICAN  JOIZRMAL  OF  HOMOEOPATHY  645 

are  such  that  a  correspondence  school  is  the  only  thing  that  meets 
all  the  conditions  and  requirements. 

We  would  call  the  attention  of  the  prospective  student  to  the 
fact  that  homeopathy  is  the  only  system  of  medicine  that  has  not 
changed  for  a  hundred  years.  It  is  founded  upon  a  law  as  im- 
mutable as  the  law  of  gravitation.  The  application  of  the  law  may 
be  faulty  and  the  results  disappointing  at  times,  due  to  the  igno- 
rance of  the  prescriber.  The  basic  part  of  the  homeopathic  materia 
medica  that  was  built  up  by  Hahnemann  and  his  associates  is  still 
as  useful  now  as  it  was  100  years  ago,  and  will  be  100  years  hence. 
The  provings  of  Belladonna  and  scores  of  other  remedies  made  by 
Hahnemann  and  his  students  are  as  reliable  and  useful  today  as  they 
were  in  his  time.  The  greatest  inducement,  however,  that  can  be 
offered  to  the  prospective  student,  and  the  best  reason  that  the  con- 
scientious physician  should  acquire  a  practical  knowledge  of  home- 
opathy, is  the  fact  that  statistics  from  thousands  and  millions  of 
observations  extending  over  a  hundred  years  show  that  the  general 
mortality  rate  is  less  and  the  average  duration  of  sickness  is  shorter 
under  homeopathic  treatment  than  that  of  any  other  method  of 
internal  medication.  We  can  also  say  to  the  prospective'  student 
that  after  he  has  acquired  a  thorough  knowledge  of  homeopathy  and 
practiced  for  a  while  he  will  have  many  regrets  when  he  thinks  of 
the  cases  in  which  the  results  might  have  been  different  had  he  pos- 
sessed an  earlier  knowledge  of  homeopathy. 

We  are  ready  to  register  students  for  the  correspondence  course. 
We  are  also  ready  for  volunteers  as  teachers.  We  would  also  add 
that  we  would  not  refuse  contributions  from  those  who  would  like 
to  see  a  propaganda  instituted  and  carried  on  until  fifty  thousand 
of  these  worthy  physicians  are  personally  invited  and  urged  to  take 
up  the  study  of  homeopathy  through  the  correspondence  school. 


SIGNS  OF  THYROID  INSUFFICIENCY 

Physicians  are  quite  familiar  with  the  symptoms  of  hyperthy- 
roidism and  goiter  in  general,  and  less  familiar  with  those  of  hypo- 
thyroidism. Under  the  heading  above,  Ivo  Geikie  Cobb,  M.  D.,  in 
his  recent  excellent  work,  **The  Organs  of  Internal  Secretion,  Their 
Diseases  and  Therapeutic  Application,'*  says: 

**When  studying  the  main  features  of  Graves'  Disease,  we  saw 
that  the  rate  of  bodily  metabolism  was  vastly  increased,  that  the 
nutritive  exchanges  were  accelerated,  and  that  there  was  a  loss  of 
weight  in  consequence.    Again,  we  noted  that  the  vaso-motor  system 


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646  NORTH  AMKRIGAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOHdOPATHT 

was  irritable,  the  perspiration  was  easily  induced,  erythemata  were 
frequent,  and.  that  the  tendency  to  the  production  of  glycosuria 
was  increased.  The  general  picture  of  thyroid  insufficiency  is  exactly 
opposite  (I  am  speaking  of  the  main  features)  to  that  seen  in 
exophthalmic  goiter.    Let  us  take  the  salient  x>oints  one  by  one : 

^^Temperature, — In  this  condition  the  bodily  temperature  is 
usually  subnormal,  in  extreme  cases  as  low  as  96  F.,  more  gener- 
ally about  97  to  97.5  or  98  P.  In  any  case,  if  the  temperature  be 
taken  consistently,  it  will  rarely  be  found  to  be  normal.  In  this 
connection  we  must  remember  that  these  patients  feel  the  cold  in 
a  marked  manner,  and  are  in  a  more  or  less  constant  state  of  chilli- 
ness. A  patient  who  constantly  complains  of  his  'bad  circulation' 
should  be  suspected  of  thyroid  inadequacy. 

^^  Pulse. — The  pulse-rate  in  submyiedema  is  constantly  slow, 
although  I  am  aware  that  many  authorities  differ  from  this.  I 
would  therefore  modify  this  statement  by  saying  that,  where  other 
signs  of  thyroid  insufficiency  are  present  and  the  pulse-rate  is  not 
slower  than  normal,  or  even  faster,  this  is  a  sign  that  the  condition 
present  is  not  one  of  simple  thyroid  inadequacy,  but  is  a  condition 
of  complicated  endocrinous  disturbance, — a  condition  in  which  there 
may  be  more  or  less  concomitant  disturbance  of  the  thyroid  and 
some  other  internal  secretion,  or  in  which  there  may  be  a  concurrent 
hypo-  and  hyperthyroidism. 

^'General  Nutrition. — In  submyxedema,  just  as  in  the  larger 
disease,  there  is  a  storage  of  products  of  digestion,  as  is  seen  by 
the  larger  amounts  of  sugar  which  can  be  consumed  before  gly- 
cosuria is  produced.  The  bodily  weight  is  therefore  increased,  but 
the  deposit  of  fat  is  more  or  less  local,  as  in  myxedema,  and  certain 
areas  are  more  affected  than  others.  Thus,  the  neck  and  shoulders 
are  thickened,  the  clavicular  regions  contain  pads  of  fat,  while  the 
feet  and  hands,  ankles  and  thighs,  are  often  found  to  be  unaffected. 
Again,  the  hypochondrium  is  another  situation  which  increases  in 
size,  while  the  abdominal  wall  frequently  contains  masses  of  fat. 
A  sudden  increase  of  weight,  without  obvious  cause,  should  make 
us  at  once  suspect  thyroid  disturbance. 

^*8kin. — The  skin  is  dry,  rough,  patchy  in  places,  and  may  be 
in  an  eczematous  condition.  The  internal  surfaces  of  the  tibiae, 
the  sternum,  the  forearm,  and  the  back,  are  the  main  situations 
where  ichthyotic  rashes  are  seen.  There  is  usually  present  in 
thyroid  insufficiency  an  itching,  which  is  sometimes  so  intolerable 
as  to  make  the  patient  wish  to  scratch  every  part  of  his  body  at 
the  same  time.  There  may,  on  the  other  hand,  be  little  or  nothing 
to  see,  but  the  proof  that  the  skin  irritation  is  due  to  the  diminution 


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NOBTH  AMKBIOAN  JOURNAL  OV  BOMODOPATHT  647 

of  thyroid  secretion  is  that  it  gradually  yields  when  thyroid  feeding 
is  instituted,  although  not  until  some  time  after  the  beginning  of 
the  treatment.  If  the  hair  be  examined  it  will  be  found  to  be  dull 
and  without  its  usual  luster,  sparse  in  places,  .prematurely  gray  (in 
cases  where  the  condition  has  persisted  for  some  time) ,  with  patches 
of  alopecia.  Leopold-Levi  and  H.  de  Rothschild  draw  attention  to 
the  *  eyebrow  sign' — ^that  is,  the  scarcity  of  hair  in  the  eyebrows, 
with  a  marked  diminution  of  the  outer  third  of  each  eyebrow. 
This  sign  the  present  writer  believes  to  be  fairly  constant,  as  he 
has  observed  it  in  many  patients  showing  other  signs  of  thyroid 
deficiency. 

*'Consiipaiion. — The  subjects  of  this  condition  are  nearly  always 
constipated.  As  in  thyroid  excess  the  reverse  is  the  case  and  the 
motions  are  on  the  loose  side  and  frequent,  so  in  submyxedema  are 
the  bowels  costive. '* 


SMALL  PUNCTURE  WOUNDS 

By  James  West  Hingston,  M .  D.,  Chicafo 

What  shall  we  do  with  themt 

That  depends  somewhat  upon  the  tissue  invaded  and  the  instru- 
ment of  injury. 

Most  of  the  wounds  I  have  in  mind  are  punctures  of  the  feet  and 
hands,  and  the  most  frequent  instrument  of  injury  is  a  nail  of  vari- 
ous degrees  of  rustiness,  a  stiff  wire,  a  sliver  of  wood,  a  needle  of 
various  sizes,  plain  or  hooked,  a  pointed  piece  of  glass,  etc. 

Nine  of  such  punctures  may  cause  but  little  inconvenience,  min- 
imum of  soreness,  and  heal  without  event ;  the  tenth  may  tend  to- 
wards inflammation,  systemic  poisoning  and  disastrous  results. 

Owing  to  the  preponderant  location  and  the  character  of  the 
offending  instrument  the  great  dread  is  resultant  tetanus.  Yet  I  am 
constrained  to  believe  much  of  this  dread  is  really  due  to  semi-pro- 
fessional, pseudo-professional  and  ill-advised  popular  education. 
The  laity  and  the  profession  seem  to  be  so  obsessed  with  this  fear 
that  the  tendency  is  to  at  once  fly  to  anti-tetanus  serum — ^whatever 
that  is,  and  so  inflict  the  patient  with  an  intentional  x>oison  even 
before  il  is  known  whether  he  will  suffer  from  an  accidental  infec- 
tion— which,  indeed,  he  will  not  be  to  any  dangerous  extent  at  least 
nine  times  or  more  out  of  ten.  I  believe  that  all  learned  and  well- 
observing  etiologists  of  today  will  admit  that  there  are  three  main 
factors  in  the  cause  of  tetanus,  viz.:  susceptibility,  location  of 
wound,  and  specific  germ,  and  that  these  are  important  in  the  order 


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648  NORTH  ▲lOaUOAN  J^OUBNAL  OF  HOH<X(H»ATHT 

given,  A  recognition  of  these  facts  will  clarify  the  way  to  both 
prevention  and  cure.  When  we  admit-^— and  who  will  not  admit 
itt — ^that  of  ten  persons  inflicted  with  a  puncture  wound  by  an 
instrument  tetanus  germ-infected  only  one  or  less  will  suffer  inf ee- 
tion,  and  that  rarely  is  a  puncture  wound  in  any  part  of  the  body 
othw  than  hands  or  feet  complicated  with  tetanus — when  we  recogr* 
nize  and  admit  these  facts  who  will  deny  that  the  causative  factors 
are  imx>ortant  other  than  in  the  order  given. 

Nevertheless,  the  third  and  least  factor  should  not  be  forgotten 
nor  ignored. 

The  most  important  first  aid  treatment,  then,  in  these  small  and 
probably  infected  puncture  wounds  is  to  encourage  bleeding — ^if 
they  bleed  at  all — and  if  they  do  not  bleed,  then  encourage  free 
exudation  and  free  exit  of  lymph,  no  matter  how  minor  the  quantity. 

Opening  the  lips  of  the  wound  without  direct  contact  of  the  con- 
taminated fingers,  the  application  of  a  wet  antiseptic  dressing  after 
first  disinfecting  the  surface,  close  attention  to  see  that  the  dressing 
is  kept  wet  during  the  first  12  to  24  hours,  will  be  all  sufficient  local 
treatment  except  in  some  special  cases. 

While  taking  advantage  of  the  newer  antiseptics  and  methods 
being  discovered  and  used  in  the  Great  War,  we  must  not  forget 
some  of  the  old  ones,  such  as  iodine  and  bichloride,  an  application 
of  the  former  and  a  wet  dressing  of  the  latter  more  or  less  prolonged 
according  to  the  strength  of  the  solution,  but,  as  I  have  found, 
usually  commencing  with  the  strong  solution  and  following  with 
the  mild  giving  the  better  results.  The  objects  aimed  at  are  to,  as 
well  as  possible  without  producing  further  injury,  disinfect,  con- 
tinue asepsis,  and  keep  the  opening  of  the  wound  patulous  or  free 
from  plugging  so  as  to  permit  drainage,  which,  it  is  true,  may  some- 
times be  only  capillary  or  of  unobservable  quantity  from  pressure 
from  within ;  still,  sufficient  to  be  a  valuable  factor.  A  drop  or  less 
of  infected  serum  retained  within  the  calibre  of  the  puncture  by 
the.  plugging  of  a  dry  dressing  may  mean  the  difference  between 
quick  recovery  and  developing  tetanus  or  other  infection. 

But  shall  we  be  content  with  the  treatment  outlined  t  Most 
surely  not.  While  the  antiseptic  character  of  the  dressing  and  the 
perpetuation  of  drainage  will  do  much  to  prevent  all  varieties  of 
infection,  and  while  the  action  of  the  moisture  tends  to  relax  and^ 
soften  tissue  and  thus  soothe  nerve  terminals,  we  yet  have  some 
remaining  irritation  of  wounded  nerve  ends  and  the  still  more  im- 
portant factor  of  individual  susceptibility  to  infection,  in  ample 
quantity  to  bring  disastrous  conditions,  or,  to  put  it  in  other  words, 


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NQBTH  AMXUOAN  JOUBNAL  07  HOMOOPATHT  649 

the  lack  of  indiyidual  resistive  force  to  combat  threatening  or  im- 
pending, overpowering  S3rstemic  infection. 

As  arnica  is  preeminently  the  remedy  for  bruises,  rhus  tox.  for 
sprains,  calc.  carb.  for  the  effects  of  wet,  so  is  hypericum  the  first 
remedy  to  be  thought  of  for  puncture  wounds  and  their  possible 
sequence.  But  as  conium  may  be  called  for  in  bruises,  ruta  for 
sprains,  silicea  for  wet,  so  may  ledum  be  the  indicated  remedy 
for  puncture  wounds. 

If  the  case  is  seen  immediately  or  before  symptoms  appear,  I 
give  hypericum.  But  if  there  is  early  swelling,  bruised  feeling, 
ecchymosis,  ledum  must  be  thought  of.  We  must  not  rely  entirely 
upon  these.  When  there  are  symptoms,  we  must  study  them.  We 
must  not  forget  the  individual.  We  must  remember  constitution, 
dyscrasia,  special  and  individual  indications.  There  are  a  great 
many  remedies — ^bell.,  cicuta,  con.,  cupr.  gels.,  hyos.,  nux  vom.,  and 
others.  To  enumerate  the  indications  would  be  to  write  a  large  por- 
tion of  the  materia  medica.  All  in  search  of  the  prevention  and 
cure  of  tetanus  or  any  other  infection  must  search  the  repertory  and 
study  the  materia  medica  after  first  properly  taking  the  symptoms 
of  the  case.  Surgical  care  is  well  enough  and  should  not  be  neg- 
lected. But  it  is  far  from  all-sufficient.  It  has  not  in  itself  sufficed 
always  to  prevent  serious  and  fatal  systemic  infection.  But  I  can 
say  that  in  thirty-five  years  pf  practice  I  have  never  seen  the  first 
symptoms  of  tetanus  and  never  more  than  the  slightest  local  infec- 
tion in  any  puncture  wound  of  foot  or  hand  when  treated  reasonably 
carefully  surgically  and  with  the  administration  of  the  homeopathic- 
ally  indicate  remedy.  Nor  have  I  in  private  practice  seen  a  fatal 
outcome  or  a  case  of  uncontrolled  tetanus  where  the  treatment  out- 
lined has  been  carried  out  even  in  delayed  and  neglected  cases  unless 
the  case  was  moribund  when  first  seen. 

Recently  I  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  a  case  with  my  friend, 
Dr.  L.  D.  Rogers. 

A  Miss  B ,  aged  about  eleven  years,  sustained  a  puncture  of 

the  sole  of  the  foot  by  the  penetration  of  a  very  long  pin,  from 
the  stated  length  of  which  and  the  direction  of  penetration  it  must 
have  entered  well  into  a  fibro-cartilagenous  space  between  instep 
bones.  The  pin  was  withdrawn  by  the  girl  herself  and  some  compan- 
ions. A  physician  was  called,  but  no  special  care  was  given  the 
member.  Two  days  later  there  was  local  soreness  and  ominous 
twitehings  of  muscles  and  some  violent  jerking  of  the  limb.  Anti- 
tetanus serum  was  administered.  The  tetanus  symptoms  disap- 
peared, the  foot  symptoms  largely  abated.  But  this  was  only  tan- 
porary.    All  symptoms  returned:  internal  soreness  of  the  foot — 


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650  NORTH  AMBUOAN  JOURNAL  Or  HOHOBC^ATHT 

nothing  extemaliy  visable,  lameness,  sharp,  shooting  pains  extend- 
ing upward,  twitchings  of  muscles,  tetanic  jerks.  Dr.  Rogers  was 
consulted  one  evening.  Against  better  judgment  he  gave  bell, 
because  he  had  no  hyper,  on  hand.  Next  day  she  was  brought  to  his 
office  rather  worse  than  better.  Being  an  interesting  case.  Dr. 
Rogers  called  me  in  from  next  door.  While  telling  me  of  the  case 
and  while  I  was  asking  some  questions  of  the  patient  and  her  mother, 
Dr.  Rogers  continued  to  shake  a  vial  of  prepared  hypemicum  dilu- 
tion which  he  held  in  his  hand.  He  asked  me  what  I  thought  of 
its  fitness  for  the  case.  I  agreed  with  his  prescription.  Twenty- 
four  hours  later  all  symptoms  had  practically  disappeared,  and  Dr. 
Rogers  tells  me  the  cure  was  complete  within  a  few  days  without 
change  of  remedy. 

30  No.  Michigan  Boulevard, 
Dec.  8, 1917. 


THE  "A,"  «B,'*  "C*  CAMOUFLAGE 

From  the  proceedings  of  the  business  session  of  the  annual 
convention  of  the  American  Institute  of  Homeopathy  held  at  Roches- 
ter, N.  Y.,  June  18,  1917,  as  reported  in  the  September  number  of 
its  official  organ,  page  356,  we  extract  the  following : 

**Dr.  Royal:  I  would  like  to  ask  the  Chairman  one  question: 
Is  he  aware  of  the  fact  that  last  February,  in  Chicago,  the  Federa- 
tion of  Licensing  Boards  adopted  a  list  of  medical  colleges  under 
an  entirely  different  classification  than  the  *  A'  Class  of  the  A.  M.  A.  t 
Before  that  action  was  taken  in  Chicago  there  was  but  one  college 
whose  graduates  could  be  examined  before  all  the  licensing  boards 
of  the  country.  That  body,  which  has  in  its  membership  representa- 
tives of  thirty-two  states,  made  it  possible  for  all  colleges  recognized 
by  that  body  to  have  the  graduates  examined  by  the  different  boards. 
They  considered  that  colleges  should  not  be  governed  by  the  A-B-C 
classification,  but  that  a  college  was  either  worthy  or  not  worthy. 

"Dr.  Sawyer:  This  cerainly,  sir,  is  a  vastly  important  question 
for  this  American  Institute,  because  upon  this  action  hinges  much 
of  what  is  to  become  of  us  as  Homeopaths.  Just  so  sure,  fellows, 
as  we  ^low  this  matter  of  examinations  over  the  country  to  pro- 
ceed as  at  present,  just  so  sure  are  we  to  be  eliminated  as  a  homeo- 
pathic fraternity.  It  may  be  a  surprise  to  you  to  know  that  it 
is  absolutely  true,  that  in  one  state  at  least  of  this  great  United 
States  of  ours,  there  has  not  been  a  single  application  for  examina- 
tion from  the  homeopathic  fraternity  within  the  last  twelve  months. 


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NORTH  AMBRIOAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOH(BOPATHT  ^      661 

If  we  are  going  to  be  so  rigid  in  these  matters  that  it  is  not  possible 
to  get  men  to  succeed  ourselves,  you  can  readily  understand  what 
it  is  going  to  mean  to  us.  Because,  as  situated  now,  with  the  best 
advantages  we  can  offer,  and  every  encouragement  we  can  give, 
we  are  not  graduating  enough  men  from  our  schools  today  to  fill 
the  requirements  of  just  producing  men  enough  to  be  interns  in 
hospitals,  to  say  nothing  of  the  number  of  men  who  are  dying  and 
have  no  one  to  succeed  them.  There  are  some  things  that  this  organ- 
ization needs  to  consider,  and  one  is  the  matter  of  this  general 
plan  of  education.  I  am  here  to  say  to  you,  with  such  observations 
as  I  am  able  to  give,  I  am  convinced  positively  that  we  have  come 
to  a  time  when  it  is  necessary  to  do  something  to  meet  the  require-  * 
ments  of  this  hour.  When  we  stop  to  realize  that  a  man  studying 
medicine  today  must  be  28  years  old  before  he  becomes  a  graduate 
in  medicine,  there  is  something  radically  wrong  with  the  require- 
ments. Now,  listen,  gentlemen,  and  do  not  misconstrue  me.  I 
believe  in  standard,  but  I  do  not  believe  in  a  standard  that  only 
has  a  theoretical  basis  on  which  to  build.  I  believe  in  a  standard  of 
service,  and  if  you  can  produce  the  kind  of  service  this  country 
needs,  you  have  produced  a  thing  that  will  help  us  to  reach  the 
standard  we  have  been  seeking  and  believe  to  be  worth  while.  What 
should  we  dot  In  the  general  educational  system  of  the  country 
there  should  be  eliminated  at  least  three  years  of  time.  It  goes 
without  question  that  in  the  lower  grades  of  schools  we  have  one 
year  at  least  that  could  be  saved.  If  we  could  reform  our  forces 
of  education  along  more  systematic  lines  we  could  get  rid  of  an- 
other year  when  we  approach  high  school  and  a  year  in  the  college 
course  ,*  and  in  that  way  cut  the  age  down  (making  all  other  require- 
ments equal)  to  25  years.  Let  me  cite  you  an  instance:  A  doctor 
came  into  the  Chicago  office  a  few  days  ago  and  asked  what  would 
be  necessary  in  order  that  his  son  should  be  educated  to  succeed 
himself.  When  told  that  the  boy  would  be  nearly  30  years  old 
before  he  could  become  a  doctor  the  father  said, — ^'Why,  who  is 
going  to  take  care  of  this  boy  during  the  ten  years  after  he  arrives 
at  the  age  of  manhood,  from  21  to  31 1'  These  are  vital  questions. 
What  we  need  to  do  is  not  to  decry  any  opposition  placed  in  our 
way,  neither  should  we  be  disposed  in  any  way  to  throw  mud  at 
anyone  who  has  opposed  us,  but  get  together  and  work  out  a  plan, 
and  proceed  to  do  the  thing  we  want  to  do.  We  want  to  make  the 
best  doctors  that  are  made,  but  to  eliminate  in  the  making  a  lot 
of  senseless  theoretical  stuff.  We  want  to  get  a  standard  that  will 
put  us  where  we  know  we  shall  be  able  to  meet  anything  required 
of  us.    If  any  wish  to  be  bigger  than  the  common  herd  they  should 


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692  NORTH  AMSBIOAK  JOURNAL  OF  HOXCEOPATHT 

be  allowed  to  go  on  and,  perfect  themselves  as  they  may  wish,  but 
let  US  try  before  we  leave  this  Institute  meeting  to  establish  within 
ourselves  an  idea  of  what  is  required  to  make  a  good,  working 
doctor.  When  we  have  done  that,  Mr.  President,  we  shall  have 
accomplished  for  ourselves  many  things.  One  thing  more :  I  can 
not  miss  the  opportunity  of  saying  something  of  how  it  should  be 
worked  out.  There  is  no  one  in  this  country  so  capable  of  telling 
what  class  of  college  you  are  operating  as  the  Medical  Examining 
Board.  I  am  asking  you,  wherever  you  can,  under  every  circum- 
stance, to  use  your  influence  to  federate  these  boards.  Let  them 
say  who  are  qualified,  and  then  let  us  follow  the  rule  laid  down  by 
the  president  of  the  Michigan  board  to  make  every  college  the 
best  college.  We  do  not  want  any  *A,'  *B,'  *C'  in  ours.  We  want 
the  best  or  nothing,  and  we  want  somebody  to  judge  what  we  are, 
and  who  we  are,  and  what  we  are  capable  of  doing,  who  is  entirely 
without  the  realm  of  any  political  relation.  Above  all  we  want 
to  be  out  of  the  rule  and  direction  of  a  sdf-consUtuted  autocracy 
who  shall  dictate  to  us  who  we  are  and  what  we  are. 

**Dr.  Cobb:  Mr.  President,  I  am  not  at  loggerheads  with  the 
advance  in  medical  education  which  is  trying  to  make  the  best 
standard  possible.  I  am  at  loggerheads  with  the  insincerity  of  the 
Council  on  Medical  Education  of  the  American  Medical  Association. 
I  can  not  let  this  report  go  by  without  pointing  out  the  fact  that 
inferentially  it  supports  that  insincerity.  If  the  classification  were 
righly,  correctly,  and  honestly  made  we  would  not  have  so  much 
contention  with  this  undemocratic,  un-American,  unjust  A-B-C 
classification.  I  am  here,  Mr.  President,  to  say  that  this  is  not 
honestly  done.  A  good  many  of  us  have  made  our  own  inspection, 
and  know  that  there  are  colleges  classed  as  *A'  that  are  a  long  way 
behind  some  of  the  colleges  classed  as  *B.'  Some  of  us  have  made 
inspection  of  more  than  six  or  eight  medical  schools  outside  of 
our  own  towns,  and  I  know  that  some  of  the  colleges  classed  as 
*B'  are  far  in  advance  of  at  least  half  a  dozen  so-called  University 
schools  classed  as  *A.'  There  is  no  honesty  in  that  classification. 
If  it  were  honest  there  would  not  be  so  much  contention.  There  is 
another  thing — a  vicious  circle.  The  secretary  of  their  Council  is 
in  constant  communication  with  the  boards  and  an  inner  circle, 
very  frequently  the  secretary  of  the  Board  of  Health  and  Medical 
Licensure  of  the  state,  continually  driving  home  that  it  is  the  desir- 
able thing  that  the  State  Examining  Board  adopt  the  A.  M.  A.  classi- 
fication with  a  view  to  examining  only  graduates  of  certain  desig- 
nated colleges.  There  is  no  justice  in  this.  TJiere  is  no  legality. 
It  is  absolutely  unconstitutional.    It  was  decided  by  the  Supreme 


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NORTH  AMK&IOAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY  653 

Court  of  the  State  of  Illinois  three  years  ago  that  no  local  medical 
board  has  a  right  to  pass  upon  an  institution  unfavorably  or  deroga- 
tory without  first  making  its  <mn  inspection;  and  the  Boards  of 
'Bhode  Island,  Massachusetts,  or  New  Hampshire  have  no  right 
to  classify  the  Chicago  colleges.  It  would  be  unconstitutional.  It 
is  done,  however.  We  can  not  do  anything  until  our  student  goes 
back  to  such  a  state  and  is  refused.  I  have  .been  trying  for  three 
years  to  get  a  suit  in  court,  but  can  not  do  it.  But  the  boys  are 
being  frightened  away,  and  we  are  being  robbed  of  our  students 
by  this  vicious  circle.  The  Chairman  said  he  did  not  think  it  worth 
while  to  give  us  this  report.  Does  he  really  know  the  underlying 
intent  t  For  instance :  The  Eclectics  have  three  morp  colleges  than 
the  A.  M.  A.  want,  and  it  makes  no  difference  what  they  do,  they 
will  not  be  admitted  as  **A'  colleges.  So  long  as  they  can  be  kept 
in  the  'B'  class,  and  the  different  states  are  allowed  to  refuse  their 
graduates,  they  stand  a  chance  of  closing  up  these  colleges.  The 
dictum  went  out  that  their  prime  object  was  not  to  regulate  educa- 
tion, but  their  prime  object  was  to  close  half  the  colleges  in  the 
United  States,  and  that  half  would  include  every  independent 
college.  That  is  their  first  object.  I  say  that  the  action  and  intent 
of  that  body  is  not  sincere.  I  have  said  it  to  them,  I  have  said  it  in 
print,  and,  Mr.  President,  I  shall  say  it  on  every  occasion  that  1 
get  the  opportunity." 


REMEDIES  FOR  GIRLS 

When  we  first  began  the  study  of  Homeopathy  that  which  was 
most  incredible  and  absurd,  to  our  way  of  thinking,  was  the  pre- 
scribing of  drugs  selected  according  to  the  mental  symptoms  of 
the  patient.  We  had  been  in  the  homeopathic  medical  college  sev- 
eral months  before  we  were  convinced,  by  repeated  verifications 
of  the  prescribing  of  Pulsatilla  to  the  mild,  gentle  and  tearful 
woman;  those  that  would  weep  and  smile  at  the  same  time;  those 
who  could  not  discuss  their  complaints  without  tears  flowing. 
Years  of  observations  have  convinced  us  what  many  others  have 
said  to  be  true, — ^that  a  clear-cut  mental  symptom  is  a  more  reliable 
indication  upon  which  to  prescribe  than  one  that  is  purely  physical. 
The  following  quotations  from  Kent's  work  on  Materia  Medica 
may  be  of  interest,  and  may  even  amuse  those  who  are  strangers  to 
Homeopathy,  but  after  they  have  prescribed  upon  these  indica- 
tions a  few  times  and  noted  the  results  their  smiles  will  turn  into 
astonishment : 


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654  NORTH  AMERICAN   JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

Ignatia:  Ignatia  is  frequently  required  and  is  especially  suited 
to  delicate  women  and  children;  to  hysterical  women.  You  will 
not  cure  the  natural  hysterics  with  Ignatia,  but  you  will  cure  those 
gentle,  sensitive,  fine  bred,  highly  educated,  over-wrought  women 
in  their  nervous  complaints  with  Ignatia  when  they  take  on  com- 
plaints that  are  similar  to  such  symptoms  as  come  in  hysteria.  The 
hysterical  diathesis  is  one  that  is  very  singular  and  diflScult  to  com- 
prehend. But  a  woman  when  over-wrought  and  over-excited  and 
emotional,  will  do  things  that  she  cannot  herself  account  for.  She 
will  do  things  as  if  she  were  crazy  in  her  excitement.  Will  do  things 
she  regrets,  while  the  hysteric  is  always  glad  of  it.  No  matter  how 
much  foolishness  there  is  in  it  she  has  only  made  an  exhibition 
that  she  is  proud  of.  But  our  efforts  go  out  for  those  who  imitate 
them  unconsciously.    Those  who  will  to  do  well. 

A  woman  has  undergone  a  controversy  at  home.  She  has  been 
disturbed,  is  excited,  and  goes  into  cramps,  trembles  and  quivers. 
(Joes  to  bed  with  a  headache.  Is  sick.  Ignatia  will  be  her  remedy. 
When  she  has  great  distress;  unrequited  affections.  A  sensitive, 
nervous  young  girl  finds  out  that  she  has  misplaced  her  affections : 
the  young  man  has  disappointed  her ;  she  has  a  weeping  si)ell,  head- 
ache, trembles,  is  nervous,  sleepless;  Ignatia  will  make  her  phil- 
osophical and  sensible.  A  woman  loses  her  child  or  her  husband.  A 
sensitive,  delicate  woman,  and  she  suffers  from  this  grief.  She  has 
headaches,  trembles,  is  excited,  weeps,  is  sleepless;  unable  to  con- 
trol herself.  In  spite  of  her  best  endeavors  her  grief  has  simply  torn 
her  to  pieces.  She  is  unable  to  control  her  emotions  and  her  excite- 
ment. Ignatia  will  quiet  her  and  tide  her  over  the  present  moment. 
In  all  of  these  instances  where  all  of  these  conditions  brought  on 
from  such  troubles  keep  coming  back,  where  your  patient  dwells 
upon  them,  dwells  upon  the  cause,  and  the  state  keeps  recurring, 
Natrum  Mur.  will  finish  up  the  case.  It  will  nerve  her  up  and 
help  her  to  bear  her  sufferings.  Especially  useful  in  constitutions 
that  have  been  overwrought  at  school,  in  science,  music,  art.  Of 
.  course,  it  is  natural  for  very  sensitive  girls  to  go  into  the  arts, 
such  as  music,  painting,  etc.  A  daughter  comes  back  from  Paris 
after  a  number  of  years'  close  application  to  her  music.  She  is 
unable  to  do  anything.  She  flies  all  to  pieces.  Every  noise  disturbs 
her.  She  cannot  sleep  nights.  Excitable,  sleepless,  trembles,  jerks, 
cramps  in  the  muscles;  weeps  from  excitement,  and  from  every 
disturbing  word.  Ignatia  will  tone  her  up  wonderfully.  Some- 
times it  will  complete  the  whole  case.  But,  especially  in  these 
oversensitive  girls  is  Natrum  Mur.  very  commonly  the  chronic. 
It  is  the  natural  chronic  of  Ignatia.     When  the  troubles  keep 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHT  655 

coming  back,  and  Ignatia  comes  to  a  place  when  it  will  not  hold 
any  longer.  Another  place  where  Ignatia  and  Natrum  Mur.  run 
close  together :  A  sensitive,  overtired  girl,  after  she  has  been  work- 
ing in  music,  and  in  art,  and  in  school,  and  has  tired  herself  out, 
is  unable  to  control  her  affections.  Her  affections  rest  on  some  one 
whom  she  would  despise.  That  may  be  a  singular  thing,  and  one 
may  not  be  able  to  understand  it.  A  sensitive  girl,  though  she 
would  not  let  anyone  but  her  mother  know  of  it,  falls  in  love  with 
a  married  man.  She  lies  awake  nights,  sobs.  She  says,  '^  Mother, 
why  do  I  do  thatt  I  can  not  keep  that  man  out  of  my  mind."  At 
other  times  a  man  entirely  out  of  her  station,  that  she  is  too  sensi- 
ble to  have  anything  to  do  with, — she  just  thinks  about  him.  Igna- 
tia, if  it  is  very  recent,  will  balance  up  that  girl's  mind.  If  not, 
Natrum  Mur.  comes  in  as  a  follower.  We  do  not  know  half  as 
mtu)h  about  the  human  mind  as  we  think  we  do.  We  only  know 
its  manifestations.  These  little  things  belong  to  this  sphere  of  the 
action  of  this  medicine.  The  one  who  knows  the  Materia  Medica 
applies  it  in  its  breadth  and  its  length,  and  sees  in  it  that  which 
is  similar.  In  speaking  of  Natrum  Mur.  (potentized  table  salt), 
Kent  says : 

'^  It  is  a  deep-acting,  long-acting  remedy.  It  takes  a  wonderful 
hold  of  the  economy,  making  changes  that  are  lasting  when  given 
in  potentized  doses.  A  great  deal  is  presented  that  can  be  seen  by 
looking  at  the  patient,  so  that  we  say, — This  looks  like  a  Natr.  Mur. 
patient.  Experienced  physicians  learn  to  classify  patients  by 
appearance.  The  skin  is  shiny,  pale,  waxy,  looks  as  if  greased. 
There  is  a  wonderful  prostration  of  a  peculiar  kind.  Emaciation, 
weakness,  nervous  prostration,  nervous  irritability.  There  is  also 
a  long  chain  of  mental  symptoms:  Hysterical  condition  of  the 
mind  and  body;  weeping  alternating  with  laughing;  irresistible 
laughing  at  unsuitable  times;  prolonged,  spasmodic  laughter.  This 
will  be  followed  by  tearfulness,  great  sadness,  joylessness.  No  mat- 
ter how  cheering  the  circumstances  are  she  can  not  bring  herself 
into  the  state  of  being  joyful.  She  is  benumbed  to  impressions, 
easily  takes  on  grief,  grieves  over  nothing.  Unpleasant  occurrences 
are  recalled  that  she  may  grieve  over  them.  Consolation  aggra- 
vates the  state  of  the  mind, — ^the  melancholy,  the  tearfulness,  some- 
times brings  on  anger.  She  appears  to  bid  for  sympathy  and  is 
mad  when  it  is  given.  Headache  comes  on  with  this  melancholy. 
She  walks  the  floor  in  rage.  She  is  extremely  forgetful;  cannot 
cast  up  accounts ;  is  unable  to  meditate ;  forgets  what  she  was  going 
to  say ;  loses  the  thread  of  what  she  is  hearing  or  reading.  There 
is  a  great  prostration  of  the  mind.    Unrequited  affection  brings  on 


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656  nosem  amsucan  journal  or  hom<bopatht 

complaints.  She  is  unable  to  control  her  affections,  and  falls  in 
love  with  a  married  man.  She  knows  that  it  is  foolish,  bat  lies 
awake  with  love  for  him.  She  falls  in  love  with  a  coachman.  She 
knows  that  she  is  unwise,  but  cannot  help  it.  In  cases  of  this  kind 
Natrum  Mur.  will  tura  her  mind  into  order,  and  she  will  look 
back  and  wonder  why  she  was  so  silly.  This  remedy  bel(mgs  to 
hysterical  girls. 

''In  a  mental  state  where  Ignatia  temporarily  benefits  the  symp- 
toms, but  does  not  cure,  its  chronic,  Natrum  Mur.,  should  be  givai. 
It  is  as  well  to  give  Natrum  Mur.  at  once  if  there  is  an  underlying 
constitutional  state  too  deep  for  Ignatia.  Aversion  to  bread,  to 
fats,  and  rich  things.  The  Natrum  Mur.  patient  is  generally  dis- 
turbed by  excitement  if  extremely  emotional.  The  whole  nervous 
econcMny  is  in  a  state  of  fret  and  irritation;  worse  from  noise,  the 
slamming  of  a  door,  the  ringing  of  a  bell,  the  firing  of  a  pistol; 
worse  from  music.  The  pains  are  stitching,  electric-like  shocks,  con- 
vulsive jerkings  of  the  limbs  on  falling  asleep,  twitchings,  shooting 
pains.  She  is  over-sensitive  to  all  sorts  of  influences,  is  excitable, 
emotional,  intense." 


CLINICAL  VERIFICATIONS 

Chronio  Malaria 

A  youth,  twelve  years  of  age,  had  had  chills  and  fever  four  years.  Chills 
recurred  every  third  day  with  great  regularity  and  punctuality.  The  boy 
was  rather  stout,  edematous  about  eyes  and  ankles,  hydrogenoid,  albuminaria, 
copious,  painless,  early  morning  diarrhoea,  dirty  looking  skin. 

Natrum  arsenicatum   30z   was  given   in  one   dose,   and  followed  with 
placebo.     The  next  day  the  paroxysm  was  absent.     A  rapid  uneventful 
recovery  supervened;  and  that  one  dose  of  medicine  was  all  I  administered 
after  he  had  been  loaded  with  numerous  malarial  remedies. 
Intermittent  Fever 

Characteristic  fever.  Bloody,  offensive,  gelatinous,  yellow,  liquid  diar- 
rhoea; persistent  and  long  continued.  Pain  around  navel,  as  if  a  stick  were 
pushed  in  against  intestines.    Better  after  straining  at  stool. 

Rhus  tox  and  other  remedies  had  been  prescribed  with  no  benefit.  Ana- 
cardium  6x  was  then  exhibited  with  prompt  and  complete  relief. 

Typhoid  Fever 

Bering  believed  Mercurius  vivus  "contra-indicated  in  typhoid  fever, 
except  for  marked  icteroid  or  scorbutic  symptoms. ' ' 

The  pyrexia,  abdominal  tenderness,  petechia,  and  bowel  conditions 
would,  undoubtedly,  warrant  a  diagnosis  of  typhoid  fever.  The  tongue  was 
swollen,  moist,  coated  white;  the  impress  of  the  teeth  on  the'  itkargin  was 
ye¥y  conspicuous;  the  movement^f  tongue  was  impaired  and  spedj^h  difficult; 
tongue  and  mouth  trembling.  8he  was  given  Mercurius  vivus  6x  and  made 
a  beautiful  recovery. 

JAMES  W.  PABKEB,  M.  D., 

Peoria,  niinois. 


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NORTH  AMKBIOAN  JOUINAL  OF  HOHOEOFATHT  667 


What   Is   Auto-Hemic  Therapy? 


himself  hat  obUlned  have  baan  dupllcatad  and  i>arallalad  by  acoraa  of  other 
phyalciana  whom  he  haa  inatruotad  in  the  technlo.  They  report  curea  little  ahort 
of  the  miraculoua. 

During  the  medical  conventlona  held  In  Chicago  Seotember  and  October, 
1917,  aome  abcty  phyaloiana  formed  a  national  League  for  the  Study  of  Auto- 
Hemlc  Therapy,  and  agreed  to  report  their  aucoeaaee.  their  fallurea  and  their  dla- 
coverlea  In  the  North  American  Journal  of  Homeopathy.  For  thia  commendable 
reaaarch  work  a  faw  pagea  each  month  will  be  given  over  to  the  publication  of 
their  reporta  and  oommente.  .  .        .^ 

Judging  from  the  reporta  that  appear  in  the  following  pagea,  and  from  thoae 
already  publlahed,  It  would  eeem  that  there  waa  acarcely  any  limit  to  the  applica- 
bility and  practicability  of  thia  new  treatment.  Some  of  the  moot  obatinata 
caaea  of  anemia,  Inaomnia,  nervoueneea,  conatipation,  eczema,  diabetea,  goiter, 
hay  fever,  rheumatlam,  mental  and  phyalcai  debility,  ulcere,  Inaanity,  morning 
aickneee,  high  blood  preeaure,  and  other  condltiona  too  numeroua  to  mention, 
have  been  benefited  If  not  permanently  oured  by  Auto-Hemic  treatment  In  an 
incredibly  ahort  time  after  all  other  methoda  had  failed. 

DB.  T.  A.  DEAN,  health  commiBsioner,  Casper,  Wye,  under  date  of  Noyember 
16, 1917,  writes: 

''I  thongfat  I  would  just  tell  you  what  I  am  doing  with  Auto-Hemic 
Therapy.  I  have  tweWe  patients  on  tiie  treatment;  that  is,  I  UaTe  eleven  on 
treatment  and  one  cured  entirely  with  one  treatment.  That  one  was  a  pregnant 
woman,  and  vomiting  incessantly.  When  she  came  to  me  she  said  she  was  about 
two  months  along  and  that  she  had  been  sick  at  her  stomach  since  the  day  of 
conception,  and  asked  me  if  I  would  help  her  to  get  rid  of  it.  I  told  her  'NO,' 
but  that  I  would  stop  her  nausea.  She  said,  'Yes,  they  all  say  that>  but  it.caa't 
be  did.'  I  then  explained  this  treatment  to  her,  and  she  said,  'Well,  I  will  try 
it  once  and  if  one  treatment  does  not  give  me  relief  I  will  take  no  more^  and  will 
find  a  doctor  who  will  produce  an  abortion.'  I  took  her  blood  at  once,  and  gave 
her  the  product  the  next  day,  and  told  her  to  call  me  up  the  following  day  and 
tell  me  if  there  had  been  any  results.  I  did  not  hear  from  her  for  three  days, 
so  concluded  it  had  done  no  good,  but  she  called  me  up,  saying  she  had  tried  to 
get  me  on  the  phone  several  times  but  failed.  I  said,  'Well,  any  resultsf  She 
said,  'Sure;  I  haven't  been  the  least  bit  sick  since  you  shot  that  stuff  into  my 
arm.'  She  was  patient  No.  5.  She  still  remains  free  from  nausea.  The  next 
most  marked  case  was  a  woman  of  seventy-five,  who  had  had  eczema  all  over  her 
body  and  limbs  for  twenty-five  years,  and  had  suffered  all  things  at  the  hands 
of  many  doctors,  myself  among  the  balance,  to  little  or  no  avaiL  Gave'  the  first 
treatment  November  7th.  She  came  back  for  second  treatment  yesterday.  I 
asked  her  how  she  was.  She  said,  'I  am  half  well  already! '  And  indeed  her 
appearance  showed  marked  improvement. ' ' 

Dr.  C.  0.  Waltenbaugh,  Canton,  Ohio,  under  date  of  November  28,  1917, 
writes  as  follows: 

"Caae  1 :  Lady,  38  years  old,  school  teacher.  Exophthalmic  goiter  to  such 
an  extent  could  not  speak  out  loud  for  nine  months,  and  had  to  give  up  her 
school.  She  noticed  improvement  after  her  first  Auto-Hemic  treatment.  After 
the  second  treatment  her  pulse  was  lessened  about  20  beats  per  minute,  and  she 
could  go  out  on  the  farm  and  call  the  chickens.  She  has  had  eight  treatments, 
and  calls  herself  well. 

Case  $:  Another  case  that  had  been  under  the  care  of  six  different  doctors, 
a  ease  of  exophthalmic  goiter  complicated  with  pernicious  anemia.    Had  lost  80 


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668  NORTH  AMIBIOAN  JOUBMAL  OF  HOH(B0rATBT 

pounds  in  liz  weeks.  Patient  died  before  giving  third  treatment,  but  the  gdter 
had  almost  entirelj  disappeared  under  the  two  treatments.  Could  only  get  five 
drops  of  blood  for  the  second  treatment.  You  can  tell  the  members  of  tiie 
National  League  for  the  Study  of  Auto-Hemic  Therapy  that  this  new  treatmsnt 
brings  good  results  in  simple  goiter  and  exophthalmic  goiter  also.'' 

Dr.  B.  D.  Pope,  Doquoin,  HI.,  under  date  of  November  29,  1917,  reporta: 
''I  can  not  very  well  make  a  satisfactory  report  just  at  present  on  Anto- 
Hemic  Therapy  for  the  reason  that  while  I  am  using  Auto-Hemic  Therapy  evwy 
day,  and  many  days  numerous  times,  I  nearly  always  employ  other  treatment 
at  the  same  time.  I  am  getting  most  excellent  results  in  many  forms  of  chronic 
troubles,  and  I  give  much  of  the  credit  to  Auto-Hemic  Therapy,  but  not  having 
used  that  alone  I  can  not  give  it  full  credit.  One  thing  I  have  observed  very 
carefully  is  that  there  has  always  been  a  decided  and  constant  increase  in  tbe 
percentage  of  hemoglobin,  which  we  all  know  is  &u  important  condition  hi 
building  up  a  debilitated  patient.  In  one  case  of  marked  debilily  in  an  elderly 
man  from  prostatic  hypertrophy  and  urethral  hemorrhafsthe  hemogloto 
increased  from  60%  to  100%  in  three  weeks'  time  under  Autolteiic  treatment 
and  rectal  dilatations  dafly.  In  another  case  of  general  debiHIyin  »  ^^°^ 
due  to  systemic  gonorrhea  and  pus  tubes  the  hemoglobin  peroenta^  increased 
very  rapidly  after  Auto-Hemic  treatment.  I  am  using  Auto-Hemic  Therapy 
in  bronchial  asthma,  bronchitis,  vomiting  of  pregnancy,  acne,  boils,  rhei£!>^^^' 
and  many  forms  of  nervousness,  with  apparent  success." 

Dr.  A.  Beil,  Selby,  8.  D.,  under  date  of  November  26,  1917,  reports  V 
follows: 

''Mrs.  X.,  age  40,  hotel  keeper,  obliged  to  be  on  her  feet  12  to  14  hours 
a  day.     Menorrhagia,  hemorrhoids,  varicose  veins,  sallow  complexion,  under 
weight,  tired  and  despondent.    Auto-Hemic  treatment  October  6th,  26th,  and 
November  16th.    Blood  for  the  first  two  treatments  was  taken  from  the  vari- 
cose veins.     Besults:    Varicose  veins  have  disappeared;  there  are  no  hemor- 
rhoids apparent  now;  last  menses  decidedly  less;  has  gained  six  pounds;  com- 
plexion much  clearer;  the  'blues'  have  passed  away.    Though  her  work  is  the 
same,  die  finds  it  much  easier  to  perform.     She  claims  that  she  feels  ten 
years  younger — ^and  restored  to  normal  in  numerous  other  ways!  1 1     (Particu- 
lars deleted!)     These  latter  items  are  rarely  elicited,  and  stall  more  rarely 
printed,  but  the  profession  should  know  what  can  be  accomplished  by  this 
wonderful  treatment  in  the  amelioration  of  sexual  conditions  generally  so 
utterly  beyond  any  other  line  of  treatment  ever  tried." 

Dr.  P.  8.  Jensen,  Manistee,  Mich.,  under  date  of  November  26,  1917| 
reports: 

"Mr.  J.  McA.,  age  60  years.    Injured  in  right  knee  from  kick  of  a  hone 
21  years  ago,  resulting  in  ankylosis.    One  year  later  contracted  acute  artieolsr 
rheumatism  which  completely  incapacitated  him  for  any  kind  of  work.   After 
spending  much  money  with  many  physicians  without  benefit,  he  was  indneed 
to  take  a  course  of  baths  at  Mt.  Clemens,  Mich.    He  took  150  baths  th^ 
and  felt  better  while  taking  them,  but  on  returning  home  he  was  as  bad  as  0^* 
He  then  tried  150  brine  baths  at  another  sanitarium  with  similar  resulta   ^^ 
sequently  he  employed  any  patent  medicine  or  anything  that  anyone  tog- 
gested,  with  no  benefit.    He  could  not  get  out  of  a  chair  without  help;  ^^ 
when  he  was  helped  up  had  to  use  crutch  and  cane.    On  October  14th  I  P'^ 
him  one  of  Dr.  L.  D.  Bogers'  Auto-Hemic  treatments.     The  following  ^ 


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NORTH  AMSRICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOH(XOPATHT  659 

he  threw  awaj  his  cane  and  walked  to  my  office,  four  blocks,  without  asristanee. 
He  has  now  had  six  Auto-Hemie  treatments  and  he  can  split  wood  and  carry  it 
up  a  steep  flight  of  back  stairs,  which  he  has  not  been  able  to  do  in  20  years. 
His  stiifness  and  soreness  is  practically  all  gone,  and  his  ambition  is  returning. 
His  ^yes,  which  were  dull,  are  now  sparkling,  and  his  appearance  that  of  a 
man  of  energy.  His  patellar  reflexes  were  nearly  abolished,  but  are  now  nor- 
mal.   I  expect  a  perfect  cure.    He  is  now  the  happiest  man  in  Manistee." 

Dr.  Eugene  Hubbell,  138  East  6th  St.,  St.  Paul,  Minn.,  under  date  of 
November  27,  1917,  reports:  . 

"Case  1:  Captain  8.,  age  45,  weight  240.  Suffering  from  a  chancroidal 
ulcer  which  resisted  all  forms  of  treatment.  Was  called  in  consultation  four 
weeks  ago,  and  advised  Auto-Hemie  treatment  as  a  constitutional  measure. 
Specimen  of  blood  was  incubated  24  hours  to  change  its  cell  modality,  then 
potentized  to  6X  and  injected  intravenously.  A  marked  reaction  occurred 
accompanied  by  chill,  fever,  and  severe  aching  in  muscles.  Second  day  felt 
much  better.  Three  weeks  afterwards  the  ulcers  healed,  "and  patient  remarked, 
<  Though  I  had  no  faith  in  the  treatment,  I  must  say  that  I  have  not  felt  better 
in  years  than  since  I  took  the  ''shot."    I  want  another.' 

**Case  t:  Mr.  B.,  age  70.  Carpenter.  Suffering  much  from  proritis. 
Itching  is  very  severe,  especially  at  night,  preventing  sleep.  Also  suffering 
with  numbness  of  sensation  in  the  fingers — can  not  tell  whether  he  is  hold- 
ing a  nail  in  his  fingers  or  not.  Gave  one  treatment^  48-hour  incubation,  6X, 
and  the  itching  has  entirely  disappeared.  The  sensation  in  the  fingers  is  50% 
better  than  before  the  treatment  three  weeks  ago,  and  is  still  improving." 

Dr.  J.  Jay  Boyd,  Sarcoxie,  Mo.,  under  date  of  November  11, 1917,  reports: 

*'Case  1:  Wt,  N.  After  twelve  days'  treatment  with  an  eye,  ear,  nose 
and  throat  man,  this  patient  appeared  at  my  office  seeking  relief  for  a  corneal 
ulcer,  which  was  accompanied  with  severe  pain  and  night  sweats,  also  loss 
of  weight.  I  gave  him  an  Auto-Hemie  and  asked  him  to  report  in  two  or  three 
days.  He  reported  on  the  fourth  day.  I  found  that  the  ulcer  had  healed, 
and  he  said  his  night  sweats  had  disappeared  and  that  he  felt  much  better. 
His  first  treatment  was  given  on  the  11th  of  October,  and  I  have  given  him 
several  since  then,  resulting  in  a  gain  of  seven  pounds  in  weight. 

"Caae  t:  Miss  Cale,  Joplin,  Mo.  Bookkeeper.  Became  so  nervous  that 
she  could  not  care  for  her  books;  not  even  read  without  severe  nervous 
attacks.  Took  allopathic,  osteopathic,  chiropractic  and  homeopathic  treat- 
ments. Came  to  me  in  June,  and  I  advised  her  to  take  rest  in  the  mountainft— 
which  aggravated  her  case.  I  then  put  her  on  the  Auto-Hemie  treatment 
and  she  returned  to  work  at  the  end  of  tiie  fourth  week,  and  has  worked 
ever  since,  with  no  return  of  her  old  trouble. 

''Will  soon  have  some  cases  of  epilepsy  to  report,  one  of  which  I  think 
will  prove  to  be  a  'stem-winder.'  " 

Dr.  Boyd  took  the  course  of  instruction  in  Auto-Hemie  Therapy  by  maiL 

Dr.  A.  B.  Collins,  Linesville,  Pa.,  under  date  of  November  26,  1917, 
reports: 

"I  have  under  observation  at  present  a  very  interesting  ease:  Male,  age 
59.  Has  been  a  hard-working  man,  and  his  work  caused  him  to  be  on  his 
feet  nearly  all  the  time  during  the  day.  A  varicose  vein  developed  on  the 
rifi^t  leg  over  15  years  ago,  causing  a  lot  of  trouble.  He  had  it  treated  almost 
eonstantiy  for  10  to  12  years.    Before  p^resenting  himself  at  our  office  he  had 


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660  NORTH  AMERICAN   JOURNAL  OF  HOMCBOPATHT 

been  advifled  by  the  different  physiciani  to  see  a  surgeon  and  kape  tiie  weau 
removed,  as  thej^  considered  his  life  in  danger.  When  I  first  saw  the  case  laat 
August  the  vein  extended  from  the  right  ankle  on  the  inner  side  of  tiie.  log 
to  above  the  knee,  and  was  enormously  enlarged  and  knotted.  If  jeu  wffl 
take  one  of  the  round  one-ounce  bottles  that  we  use  in  making  the  Auto-Heo&e 
serum  and  place  it  lengthwise  along  the  leg,  and  try  to  imagine  a  vein  as  large 
as  that,  extending  the  idiole  length  from  the  ankle  to  above  the  knee,  it  will 
give  you  an  idea  of  the  size  of  the  vein.  Add  to  this  a  dark  discolored  area 
a  little  larger  than  the  palm  of  the  hand,  oval  shaped,  with  an  open  sore  near 
the  center  about  the  size  of  a  nickel,  discharging  a  dark,  fajoody  looking  sub- 
stance, located  at  the  outer  side  of  the  said  vein,  and  extending  well  over  Uie 
anterior  border  of  the  tibia,  the  upper  border  of  the  discoloration  a  little  below 
the  knee,  and  over  the  vein,  the  skin  being  red  and  angry  looking.  This  dessrip- 
tion  will  give  you  a  fairly  good  mental  picture  of  the  condition  we  had  to 
meet    , 

'<0n  August  25,  1917,  we  gave  him  tiie  first  treatment,  3  ec.,  6X,  3-hoiir 
incubation.  No  reaction  was  noticed.  On  September  4th  the  patient  reported 
at  the  office.  The  redness  over  the  vein  had  returned  to  almost  normal  eoloT. 
The  dark,  discolored  area,  slightly  smaller.  The  vein  was  reduced  in  size  to 
about  half.  The  knots  or  bunches  were  disappearing,  and  patient  was  suf- 
fering no  pain. 

"On  September  14th  he  again  reported  at  the  office.  No  pain  in  tbe 
leg.  Vein  getting  smaller,  also  the  bunches.  The  dark  area  decidedly  less. 
Qave  second  treatment  in  the  usual  way,  3  ee.,  6X,  4-hour  incubation. 

"October  17th  he  reported  at  the  office.  Vein  reduced  to  almost  normal 
size.  Dark  area  rapidly  growing  smaller;  not  over  three-fourths  of  an  inch 
wide,  and  one  and  one-fourth  inches  long.    Sore  is  healing  in  nicely. 

"On  October  18th  gave  him  the  third  treatment,  4  ec,  6X,  22  hours'  incu- 
bation, in  the  usual  way.  October  26th  reported  as  feeling  fine.  November 
10th,  reported  at  the  office.  The  enlarged  vein  is  a  thing  of  the  past.  The 
bunches  have  all  disappeared  except  two  at  the  flexure  of  the  knee.  The  sore 
is  healing  rapidly  and  is  crusted  over.  No  more  discharge.  The  dark  dis- 
coloration is  not  larger  than  a  nickeL 

"November  11th,  gave  fourth  treatment,  5  cc,  6X,  24-hour  incubation. 
The  patient  has  not  reported  since  the  fourth  treatment  was  given,  Init  his 
neighbors  report  that  he  is  working  every  day  and  that  he  is  praising  Auto- 
Hemic  Therapy. 

"This  patient  did  not  wear  any  support  on  the  leg  for  the  vdn  after 
taking  the  first  treatment.  He  took  no  other  treatment;  no  drugs;  just  took 
a  little  of  his  own  potentized  blood  at  the  intervals  stated  above.  In  this  con- 
nection would  say  that  this  patient  did  not  have  any  of  the  much-looked-for 
reactions. ' ' 

The  publication  of  this  case  may  induce  some  other  members  of  our 
league  to  use  Auto-Hemic  Therapy  in  varicose  conditions,  and  save  some  unfor- 
tunate man  or  woman  the  unpleasant  results  that  so  many  times  follow  the 
removal  of  varicose  veins. 

Dr.  J.  E.  Brooking,  Star,  Texas,  under  date  of  October  21,  1917,  reports: 

"I  have  used  the  Auto-Hemic  treatment  on  an  old  man  with  chronic 
diarrhea.  He  had  been  considered  beyond  help,  and  I  still  have  doubts  as  to 
his  recovery.     However,  his  bowels  are  doing  much  better.     He  is  sleeping 


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NORTH  AMBUCAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMOOPATHT  661 

welly  and  his  color  is  improved.     The  verj  offensive  odor  that  was  present 
wtmk  I  first*  saw  him  has  gone. 

"I  have  not  been  home  long  enough  since  I  took  the  course  of  Auto-Hemic 
in  Chicago  to  have  much  experience  as  yet  with  Auto-Hemic  Therapy,  jet  I 
believe  it  promises  much  good  in  cases  that  have  resisted  all  ordinary  medical 
metirods." 

Dr.  G.  8.  Pettit,  Oklahoma  dij,  Okla.,  under  date  of  November  26,  1917, 
reports: 

'*Ca$e  t:  Mr.  J.  B.  G.,  age  45.  Had  severe  pains  in  the  back  of  his 
neck  for  five  years.  Was  much  reduced  in  flesh,  weighing  only  127  pounds. 
I  gave  one  Auto-Hemic  October  4th.  He  then  went  east  on  a  business  trip 
and  was  gone  eight  days.  Gained  one  pound  per  day.  Pain  had  all  left  him 
and  he  was  feeling  fine  on  his  return. 

Case  $:  Mrs.  S.,  age  47.  Chronic  cystitis.  Was  forced  to  void  urine 
six  to  ten  times  each  night.  No  appetite.  Looked  bloodless.  Weight,  80 
pounds.  Could  not  do  any  house  work.  Very  nervous.  Four  Auto-Hermic  treat- 
ments had  put  her  on  her  feet.  She  now  takes  care  of  her  household  duties, 
hitdiae  up  her  driving  horse  and  goes  to  the  city  every  week  with  her  butter 
and  eggs  for  the  market.  Her  neighbors  were  greatly  astonished,  and  it  is 
neeciess  to  say  that  she  is  pleased. 

"Case  3:  Mr.  O.,  age  63.  Chronic  arthritis  in  left  knee.  Had  been 
diagBOsed  as  tubercular.  Five  treatments  have  given  him  fine  results.  He 
has  discarded  his  crutches.  Swelling  and  soreness  practically  all  gone.  I  antici- 
pate a  eure  soon. 

"My  practice  along  Auto-Hemic  lines  is  growing  nicely." 

Dr.  Welcome  A.  Hahor,  Coming,  N.  T.,  under  date  of  November  28,  1917, 
reports: 

''I  am  reporting  some  treacherous  cases  that  I  accepted;  therefore  the 
results  have  not  been  remarkable,  but  I  can  say  that  in  Auto-Hemic  Therapy 
we  have  a  good  weapon  with  which  to  combat  the  chronic  ailments. 

"Case  1:  Mr.  E.  B.,  age  56.  Always  enjoyed  good  health.  Periodic 
drinker.  Varicose  veins  right  leg  for  three  years;  three  ulcers  on  leg  for 
nearly  one  year;  these  would  burst  open  and  then  heal  in  a  few  days.  Leg 
BWoUen  so  badly  before  ulcers  came  that  he  could  not  bend  knee.  After  ulcers 
appeared  knee  improved.  At  present  walks  much  better;  swelling  all  gone; 
ulcers  partly  healed  and  slowly  filling  in  from  the  sides.  He  received  three 
treatments  at  one-week  intervals,  and  has  received  three  more  treatments  at 
two-  to  three-week  intervals.     Incubation  was  from  22  to  24  hours. 

"Case  S:  Mr.  H.  L.,  age  68.  Pain  over  left  eye.  Had  been  a  farmer  and 
always  active.  Eyes  grew  worse.  Mind  cloudy.  Gave  up,  and  was  confined 
to  the  house.  Family  thought  he  was  going  to  lose  all  interest  in  his  farm. 
After  second  treatment,  much  improved  mentally.  Has  received  in  all  six  Auto- 
Hemic  treatments.  Blood  pressure  was  185  and  sometimes  more.  Since  treat- 
ment it  has  been  155  to  165.  Says  he  feels  like  a  new  man,  and  has  told  all 
of  his  friends  about  the  new  treatment. 

"CaseS:  Mr.  L.,  age  69.  Always  weU.  Taken  with  rheumatism  in  right 
shoulder  about  one  year  ago.  Has  had  three  treatments.  Says  that  now  the 
pain  is  present  only  part  of  the  time ;  before  treatments  it  waa  a  constant  ache. 

"Case  4:  Mr.  T.,  middle  age.  Infected  hand  from  several  boils.  Much 
improved  after  first  treatment    Is  praising  the  new  treatment  to  all  his  friends. 


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662  NORTH  AMSRIOAN  J0T7BNAL  OF  HOHCBOPATHT 

"I  eould  report  many  more  cases." 

Dr.  Hanor  took  his  course  of  treatment  bj  mail.  In  a  former  r^>ort  he 
stated  that  he  had  no  failures  with  his  first  seven  cases. 

Dr.  W.  A.  Hulen,  815  Gloyd  Bldg.,  Kansas  City,  Mo.,  under  date  of  Novem- 
ber 26,  1917,  reports  as  follows: 

"I  have  already  started  the  Auto-Hemic  treatment  on  32  cases,  and  only 
one  of  these  has  not  made  a  satisfactory  gain.  I  shall  report  that  one  in 
detail,  as  I  wish  to  report  my  failures  as  well  as  my  sucbessee.  Now,  I  do  not 
feel  that  even  it  is  a  total  failure,  because  there  has  been  some  improvement, 
but  not  as  much  as  I  would  like  to  report. 

*'Ca$e  1:  Mrs.  8.,  Oentralia,  Mo.  Age  56.  Has  been  failing  in  general 
health  for  four  years.  Had  visited  a  firm  of  well-known  surgeons  and  was 
examined  by  twelve  of  their  staff.  Their  diagnosis  was  autointoxication  and 
arthritis  deformans.  The  patient  has  been  constipated  for  years,  with  attacks 
of  hemorrhage  from  the  bowels.  Very  anemic  Heart  weak.  Had  lost  20 
pounds  in  weight.  Her  rest  at  night  was  always  disturbed  by  being  obliged  to 
rub  and  bathe  the  limbs  to  relieve  the  numbness  and  cramping.  She  has  taken 
three  Auto-Honic  treatments  three  weeks  apart.  She  reports  that  she  has  been 
benefited  much  in  strength  and  endurance.  Her  general  condition  is  gradually 
improving,  and  she  says  she  wishes  to  take  some  more  of  the  treatments,  as 
this  is  the  only  treatment  that  has  ever  benefited  her  at  alL  Her  percentage 
of  hemoglobin  has  increased  from  65  to  80,  and  her  blood  pressure  is  now 
reduced  from  160  to  140.    She  has  gained  some  in  weight,  and  looks  better. 

"Case  t:  Mrs.  J.  B.  S.,  Nashville,  Ark.  Age  54.  C!ondition  very  sim- 
ilar to  case  No.  1.  The  results  in  her  treatment  have  been  little  short  of  the 
phenomenaL 

' '  Caae  S :  Dr.  McO.,  Kansas  Cily,'  Mo.  Lady  70  years  old.  Normal  weight 
185,  but  then  only  120.  Began  to  decline  last  January.  Has  anemia  and  a 
form  of  mania.  Complains  of  everything  the  human  is  heir  to.  All  func- 
tions perverted.  C!old  extremities  and  edema  of  the  limbs.  No  kidney  lesion 
discovered.  Has  taken  three  treatments  6X,  7X,  and  6X.  While  she  has 
gained  10  pounds  and  sleeps  good,  yet  she  is  still  nervous  and  absent-minded. 
I  have  given  her  some  orificial  surgical  treatment  with  apparent  benefit.  This 
is  the  case  I  have  called  the  failure. 

"Case  4:  Mrs.  IX,  Des  Moines,  Iowa.  Age  24.  Has  had  general  rheu- 
matism for  four  years.  Was  carried  into  my  office.  When  she  was  raised 
up  from  the  chair  they  had  to  straighten  her  limbs,  as  if  she  were  a  mechanical 
doll.  She  was  practically  helpless.  Hemoglobin  percentage  65.  Weight  85 
pounds.  She  seemed  to  be  sore  all  over,  inside  and  out.  All  secretions  insuf- 
ficient. She  has  taken  four  treatments  to  date,  and  is  gaining  in  every  way; 
has  no  soreness  anywhere  except  in  the  metatarso-phalangeal  joints.  Bbe  told 
me  today  that  she  went  to  church  yesterday  and  walked  home,  a  distance  of 
twelve  blocks.     Sleeps  all  night,  and  eats  like  a  working  man. 

''Case  6:  Baby  D.,  Des  Moines,  Iowa.  Son  of  lady  dedgnated  as  case 
No.  4.  Thirtemi  montiis  old.  Weight  15  pounds.  A  marked  case  of  back- 
ward development.  Had  less  strength  and  ability  to  move  himself  than  a 
child  two  weeks  old.  The  child  needed  circumcision  badly,  which  I  performed. 
Two  weeks  later  I  began  Auto-Hemic  treatments.  In  making  the  serum  for 
the  first  treatment  I  used  the  child 's  own  blood.  Some  improvement  was  noted. 
Later  I  used  my  own  blood.  Much  more  rapid  improvement  followed.  Today 
the  case  is  considered  the  most  remarkable  in  all  I  have  treated;  gaining  in 


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N<ttTH  AMXBIOAN  JOUBMAL  OW  BOMCMIPATBT  66S 

ireight  every  daj;  beginning  to  look  about  at  things;  can  reallj  hold  iti  head 
up,  and  use  its  hands. 

"Case  6:  Miss  B.,  Excelsior  Springs,  Mo.  Age  24.  Has  had  eosema  f or 
about  six  years.  Her  mother  had  eczema  for  a  number  of  years.  The  patient 
has  taken  three  treatments  and  reports  that  the  itching  has  ceased  and  the 
eruption  is  about  gone. 

"Case  7:  Mrs.  8.,  Kansas  City,  Mo.  Age  25  years.  Has  had  chronic 
appendidtb  and  exophthalmic  goiter.  After  the  second  treatment  she  reported 
no  tenderness  about  the  appendix.  The  choking  sensations  and  the  nervous 
sensations  about  the  heart  are  things  of  the  past.  This  case  is  particularly 
interesting  to  me  because  she  had  been  in  the  hands  of  many  doctors  before 
coming  to  me.  I  have  already  had  a  number  of  cases  of  similar  nature  and 
they  have  done  equally  well. 

"Case  8:  Mrs.  G.,  Kansas  CHfy,  Mo.  Developed  a  case  of  milkleg  when 
her  boy  was  bom  five  years  ago,  and  developed  also  varicose  veinS|  and  inuieose 
ulcer.  Dysmenorrhea.  I  took  sample  of  blood  for  serum  from  a  varicose  vein. 
I  gave  her  two  treatments  of  the  6X  one  week  apart.  The  limb  has  almost 
resumed  its  normal  aspect  in  every  way.  Dysmenorrhea  much  improved;  in 
fact,  the  last  period  was  without  suffering." 

BGZBMA 

Dr.  James  W.  Parker,  of  Peoria,  Bl.,  under  date  November  80th,  1^17, 
sends  the  following: 

"A  ease  of  eczema,  recurring  every  winter,  breaking  out  over  the  body, 
hips  and  thighs.  The  itching  was  intense,  particularly  at  ni^t  when  warm 
in  bed,  causing  scratching  and  digging  while  asleep.  The  body  and  limbs  looked 
like  she  had  been  blackberrying  in  the  nude.  Four  doses  of  Auto-Hemie 
Therapy,  given  two  weeks  apart,  relieved  the  patient  so  there  were  no  qrmptomB 
last  year  nor  so  far  this  year." 

SUPPRESSBD  ECZEMA 

J.  W.  King,  M.  D.,  of  Bradford,  Pa.,  under  date  December  2,  1917,  writes 
as  follows: 

"Several  months  ago  a  patient  called  upon  me  for  relief  from  a  non- 
descript illness.  I  could  get  nothing  definite  on  which  to  base  a  diagnosis  or  a 
medicinal  remedy.  There  was  no  'head  or  tail,'  as  we  say,  to  his  story  of 
symptoms.  He  was  neurotic  with  stomach  troubles  of  an  unintelligible  char- 
acter. The  weather  being  hot,  I  fell  asleep,  and  on  awakening,  the  thought 
came  to  mind  to  give  him  an  Auto-Hemic  treatment  on  general  principles. 
Several  days  after  this  was  done,  the  patient  called  upon  me  for  an  weplanation, 
he  said.  He  wanted  to  know  what  that  stuff  was  which  I  had  injected  into  his 
vein,  nearly  killing  him,  he  said.  I  soon  found  out  that  he  had  greatly  exag- 
gerated the  'killing'  process,  admitting  that  the  'stuff'  had  put  him  consid- 
erably out  of  the  ailing  line.  In  the  course  of  several  months  he  has  received 
several  Auto-Hemic  injections  and  felt  much  better  after  each  injection.  He 
experienced  but  one  severe  reaction. 

"About  two  months  ago  he  came  into  the  oflce  asking  me  to  give  him 
something  for  an  intense  itching  above  the' sternal  notch.  I  found  a  'weeping' 
eesema  to  account  for  the  itching.  'When  did  you  first  notice  the  itching 
and  breaking  out  on  your  neckf  'Day  before  yesterday,'  he  said.  'Did  you 
apply  an  ointmentf  'No,'  came  the  reply.  'Did  you  ever  have  a  similar 
breaking  outf    'Tes,  a  few  years  ago.'    'What  did  you  do  for  itf    'F«t 


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664  NORTH  AMBUCAN  JOUBNAL  OF  HOICOKIPATHT 

on  an  ointment  and  after  a  while  it  went  away.'  'When  did  70a  llrat  notiee 
trouble  in  the  stomach  f  was  the  next  query  t  He  could  not  i^.  es^Mj,  but 
knew  it  was  subsequent  to  the  use  of  the  ointa^ent. 

"At  his  first  visit  I  asked  him  if  he  ever  had  eesema,  and  he  replied  in 
the  negative.  Moral:  never  ask  a  patient  as  to  nature  of  previous  allmtDts  in 
Latin  or  Greek  nomenclature.  Patients  understand  much  better  sneh  tsms 
as  "skin  trouble,  eruption  or  a  breaking  out"  than  they  do  scieatiflB  classifi- 
cation of  diseased  states.  He  told  me  that  much.  ^  It  behooves  as  to  eoaduet 
our  examination  questions  in  simple  language. 

"I  informed  him  that  I  would  give  him  no  external  remedy  to  dry  i^p 
the  salutary,  benefident  'salt  rheum.'  He  imderstood  ihat  term.  I  explained 
to  him  that  the  application  of  an  ointment  or  a  liquid  would* give  him  back 
the  former  stomach  trouble  most  likely,  to  which  he  replied,  'Then  I  dont 
want  such  treatment.' 

"After  the  aforesaid  information  came  to  me,  I  really  understood  that 
the  patient  had  a  grave  affection-ousted.  Without  a  knowledge  of  the  history 
and  recrudescent  eczema,  no  one  could  have  diagnosed  that  the  patient  waa 
suffering  from  a  suppressed  eczema.  Many  clinicians  hold  to  the  view  that 
eczema  is  only  a  loccU  affection  without  a  constitutional  base  and  that  local 
treatment  was  all  sufficient.  Tet,  with  all  the  local  treatment,  the  disease 
often  remains  on  the  surface  or  disappears .  for  a  while  to  return  again  until 
constitutional  remedies  are  addressed  to  it.  We  are  not  concerned  in  this  paper 
whether  the  disease  is  originally  a  constitutional  one  or  only  a  local  one;  we 
are  considering  'suppressed  eczema.'  Someone  has  said  that  eczema  consists 
of  85%  of  syphilis.  Fifteen  per  cent  gives  us  a  good  margin  to  assign  the  affec- 
tion to  something  else,  just  as  it  is  said  there  are  10%  of  locomotor  ataxias  due 
to  other  causes  than  syphilis.  With  this  percentage  we  can  safely  crawl  out 
of  a  tight  question  often  asked. 

"Since  my  tearing  away  from  ancient  teaching  I  can  now  cure  any  case 
of  eczema  in  short  order.  It  was  taught  by  a  celebrated  writer  on  skin  dis- 
eases that  eczema  of  the  skin  could  not  be  driven  inwardly  by  local  ai^lica- 
tions.  He  ridiculed  it  in  this  way:  'It  would  be  just  as  reasonable  to  believe 
that  the  eruption  of  lava  was  the  cause  of  the  explosion  of  a  volcano.'  He 
did  not  know  that  the  eruption  of  lava  was  a  significent  sign  of  internal  mis- 
chief at  work  and  was  not  to  be  interfered  with.  The  closing  up  of  the  peak 
of  the  crater  might  stop  the  flow  of  lava,  but  that  would  not  shut  off  the  inter- 
nal 'workings,'  the  source  of  the  lava,  and  to  releato  itself  would  later  cause 
an  opening  elsewhere,  often  many  miles  away  as  is  well'  known.  There  is  no 
such  thing  as  an  extinct  volcano  or  an  eczema  cured  by  local  means  only.  Both 
are  'sleeping' — some  day  to  arouse  from  their  'slumbers'  and  m4ike  trouble. 

"The  cure  shows  the  nature  of  disease.  In  the  patient  with  the  suppressed 
eczema  Auto-Hemic  Therapy  revealed  the  nature  of  the  patient's  sickness. 
With  the  re-appearance  of  the  rash  the  stomach  trouble  ceased  and  the  patient 
gained  weight  and  put  on  a  healthy  appearance  and  later  the  rash  disappeared 
and  I  pronounced  him  cured.  The 'Doubting  Thomas' will  say, 'Wait.'  These 
fellows  want  years  /tnd  years  of  'waiting'  to  insure  that  a  cure  was  really 
effected.  It  is.  just  as  easy  to  know  when  a  patient  is  cured,  or  a  healthy  person 
is  normal  as  it  is  for  him  to  know  when  one  is  sick.  I  know  that  the  patient 
with  the  suppressed  eczema,  whether  such  a  disease  as  eczema  is  only  a  local 
one  or  is  the  expression  of  some  internal  disorder,  does  not  matter,  nor  what 
the  means  were  that  brought  about  a  <:ure,  he  remains  perfectly  free  from  sick- 


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NORTH  AHEBIOAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMOOPATHY  665 

n6M  locallj  and  oonititationally.  However,  I  will,  for  tke  saka  of  thoae  who 
might  'wink'  at  the  prognosis  made  of  the  lasting  elfeets  of  alleged  sore,  by 
oiting  a  ease  similar  to  the  one  above  as  observed  by  Dr.  Nash.  la  his  book, 
'Leaders/  page  74,  he  says:  'I  once  had  a  case  of  very  severe  gastralgia 
caused  by  snppression  of  ecsema  on  the  hands.  I  knew  nothing  of  the  sup- 
pression, but  prescribed  ArMeniemn  because  the  pains  came  on  at  midnight, 
huting  until  3  a.  m.,  during  which  time  tiie  patient  had  to  walk  the  lioor  in 
agony,  and  there  was  great  burning  in  the  stomach.  She  had  but  one  slight 
attadic  after  taking  the  Arsenicum,  but,  said  she  when  I  visited  her,  'Doctor, 
would  that  remedy  send  out  "salt  rheum"!'  Then  I  found  out  about  the 
suppression  which  had  been  caused  by  the  application  of  an  ointment,  and  told 
her  that  she  could  have  back  the  pain  in  the  stomach  any  time  she  wanted  it 
by  suppressing  the  eruption  again.    She  did  not  want  it." 

"Dr.  Nash  had  clear-cut  symptoms  on  which  to  select  the  remedy,  though 
he  did  not  know  the  cause  of  the  complaint  Nor  was  that  necessary.  Any 
homeopath  could  prescribe  the  remedy  on  the  symptoms  as  given  and  reasonably 
eipect  that  it  would  prove  to  be  the  indicated  remedy.  Dr.  Nash  had  the  patient 
under  observation  a  long  time  before  telling  us  that  the  cure  was  a  per- 
manent one. 

"Years  of  observations  of  the  results  of  Auto-Hemic  Therapy  has  taught 
us  that  certain  diseases  have  remained  permanently  cured  after  this  treatment, 
and  often  the  cure  was  made  after  other  means  had  failed.  This  serum  in  con- 
nection with  the  indicated  remedy,  if  one  can  be  found  to  fit  the  state,  and 
with  hygienic  and  dietetic  means,  all  curable  patients  can  be  made  well  and 
made  to  stay  well  by  an  occasional  injection  of  Auto-Hemic  Therapy.  I  know 
whereof  I  speak.  My  own  case  of  gouty  joint  of  seven  years'  duration  from 
which  I  had  more  or  less  pain,  seldom  missing  a  day  that  I  was  not  in  pain, 
and  more  or  less  other  ailments — a  list  of  them — all  leaving  me  after  a  single 
injection  given  me  last  Easter  by  Dr.  L.  D.,  Bogers  at  his  home,  546  Surf  St.,  Chi- 
cago, and  from  that  time  to  the  present  I  have  not  had  a  single  disturbance  any- 
where in  my  body.  I  say  the  same  thing  of  a  number  of  patients  that  were  mostly 
cured  by  Auto-Hemic  Therapy  alone.  Try  it.  Dr.  A.  B.  Collins  of  Linesville, 
Pa.,  as  well  as  Dr.  Bogers  and  myself,  can  testify  that  the  next  day  after  the 
injection  I  had  a  typical  scarlet  fever  rash  all  over  abdomen. 

"It  was  the  owative  remedy  in  the  case  of  eczema  when  it  had  brought 
back  the  eezema  to  the^  surface.  It  will  be  found  to  be  the  curative  remedy 
in  other  diseases  when  it  will  remove  all  the  symptoms  of  a  diseased-state  and 
the  patient  himself  experience  a  state  of  well-being. 

"Auto  Hemic  Therapy  is  not  homeopathy  and  is  as  unlike  to  the  Schuessler 
tissue  remedies  as  is  the  latter  to  homeopathy.  These  three,  however,  have 
a  kinship  in  their  mode  of  preparation,  viz.,  potxntuation  plus  incubation 
as  given  to  Auto  Hemic  serum.  What  it  is,  "no  fellow  has  as  yet  found 
out"    For  the  present  it  must  go  as  an  X-remedy, 

"In  my  next  paper,  I  will  present  a  veritable  "eye-opener"  anent 
Auto  Hemic  Therapy  as  a  curative  agent  in  a  certain  disease.  Many  facts 
relating  to  that  subject  have  been  discovered,  the  disease  per  se  remains  as 
great  a  mystery  as  ever — except  in  its  treatment,  mostly  with  Auto  Hemic 
Therapy." 

Dr.  Charles  £.  Mooers,  Lumber  Exchange  Bldg.,  Seattle,  Washington, 
under  date  of  November  30,  1917,  reports: 

"I  am  having  the  very  best  results  with  the  Auto-Hemic  treatment.  A 
case  of  rheumatism  since  childhood  was  completely  relieved  with  five  treat- 


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666  NORTH  AMKBIOAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCIO^ATHT 

ments,  and  patient  gained  ei^t  pounds  in  weight.  At  one  time  this  woman 
was  addicted  to  the  morphine  habit  in  order  to  relieve  her  pains.  Two  eases 
of  acne  of  the  face,  both  jotmg  men,  are  doing  nieelj.  Two  eases  of  eexema 
are  improving  right  along,  (^e  case  of  insomnia  is  improving,  but  have 
not  yet  succMded  in  wholly  removing  the  morning  pufSness  under  the  eyes. 
The  above  cases  were  all  under  medical  treatment  aJso,  but  the  Auto-Hemic 
has  done  for  them  what  medicine  failed  to  do. 

"I  have  followed  directions  closely,  and  have  had  no  accidents  or  trouble 
of  any  kind.  I  have  noted  some  very  pronounced  reactions.  I  have  six  cases 
on  huid  at  present,  and  am  constantly  advising  others  to  try  it.  I  am  con- 
vinced that  the  Auto-Hemic  treatment  is  even  more  than  Dr.  Bogers  has 
claimed  for  it^' 

Dr.  Mooers  took  the  course  of  instruction  in  Auto-Hemic  Therapy  by  mail. 

Dr.  King  also  reports,  under  date  of  November  10,  1917: 
"I  have  had  fine  results  from  a  single  Auto-Hemic  treatment  in  chronic 
basilar  headache  of  fifteen  years'  standing.     The  patient  was  free  from  the 
headache  in  two  days,  and  has  been  free  for  a  week  now.    Previously  there  was 
never  more  than  a  day  at  a  time  when  it  was  absent. ' ' 


THE  ALLIED  HOSPITAL  UNIT 

During  the  annual  conventions  of  &ve  national  medical  associations  held 
last  September  and  October,  namely: 

American  Association  of  Progressive  Medicine, 
American  Association  of  Orificial  Surgery, 
American  Association  for  the  Study  of  Spondylotherapy, 
Medical  Society  of  the  United  States,  and  American  Medical  Union, 
Dr.  W.  A.  Guild,  Des  Moines,  Iowa,  presented  a  proposition  for  the  estab- 
lishment of  a  HOSPITAL  in  an  equipped  fireproof  Duilding  in  Paris,  France, 
that  had  been  tendered  for  the  benefit  of  American  soldiers. 

The  ^ye  societies  above  referred  to  endorsed  the  movement,  which  has 
now  developed  to  the  extent  indicated  by  the  following  letter  addressed  to 
the  editor  by  the  governor  of  Iowa: 

COMMONWEALTH  OP  IOWA 
Executive  Department  ^ 

Des  Moines 
W.  L.  Harding,  Governor. 

December  8,  1917. 
Dr.  L.  D.  Rogers, 

546  Surf  Street, 

Chicago,   Illinois. 
My  dear  Doctor: — 

After  thorough  investigation  and  consideration,  I  heartily  endorsed  your 
movement  for  the  organization  of  the  Allied  Hospital  Unit.  Later  I  con- 
sented, with  certain  reservations,  to  act  as  trustee  for  this  organization. 
I  am  indeed  so  deeply  impressed  with  the  possibilities  for  usefulness  of 
this  Hospital,  and  with  its  truly  democratic  and  American  ideals,  that  I 
shall  lend  all  possible  influence  toward  its  successful  organization  and 
operation. 

I  feel  it  an  honor  to  be  associated  with  such  a  group  of  earnest,  enthu- 
siastic, patriotic  physicians,  and  take  this  opportunity  of  expressing  my 
entire  confidence  m  you  as  individuals  and  collectively,  to  see  to  it  that 
this  movement,  so  well  planned  and  begun,  shall  have  your  heartiest  sup- 
port and  that  you  will  sacrifice,  if  need  be,  your  time  and  means,  and  couple 
both  with  an  industrious  enthusiasm  for  its  ultimate  success  and  usefulness. 
Let  us  marshal  all  our  efforts  in  preparedness  for  this  worthy  and 
patriotic  campaign.  Cordially  yours, 

W.  U  5ABDING. 


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NORTH  AMKUOAN  JOURNAL  Or  BOMCROPATHT  967 


BOOK  REVIEWS 

Handbook  or  Antiseptics,  by  Dakin  and  Dunham,  has  Just  been  issued  by  Tbe 


Macmillan  Company,  66  Fifth  Avenue,  New  York,  N,  Y.  The  book  numbers  120 
pages,  and  oyer  all  measures  4x6  inches,  and  is  one-half  inch  thick.  It  is  designed 
evidently  for  a  pocket  manual.    The  cover  is  waterproof  linen.    Price,  $1.25. 

We  copy  the  following  from  the  preface: 

"The  main  object  of  this  handbook  is  to  give  a  concise  account  of  the 
chief  chemical  antiseptics  which  have  been  found  useful  for  surgical  pur- 
poses during  the  present  war.  Some  of  the  publications  on  this  subject  are 
not  readily  accessible  to  many  who  wish  to  inform  themselves  as  to  correct 
European  practice,  and  the  requisite  information  has  not  yet,  so  far  as  we 
Imow,  been  collected  into  a  form  handy  for  reference.  It  appeared,  there- 
fore, that  the  present  work  might  prove  of  use  to  surgeons  and  others  in  this 
country  who  are  now  taking  up  military  duties  connected  with  the  care  of 
the  wounded. 

"The  unparalleled  severity  and  frequency  of  wound  infections  in  the 
present  war  has  led  to  considerable  advances  in  our  knowledge  of  anti- 
septics and  of  methods  for  their  successful  employment.  These  advances 
have  already  proved  to  be  of  great  value  in  the  treatment  of  septic  conditions 
in  civil  and  industrial  practice. 

"No  endeavor  has  been  made  to  make  a  complete  compendium  of  the 
innumerable  antiseptics  and  disinfectants  that  have  been  proposed  from  time 
to  time,  fbr  text-books  already  exist  in  which  most  of  these  substances  are 
adequately  described,  and  no  good  purpose  would  be  served  by  duplication. 
Our  principal  lum  has  been  to  coUect  in  convenient  form  the  methods  of  prepa- 
ration and  use  of  various  new  antiseptics  and  modifications  of  old  ones  which 
have  received  some  measure  of  endorsement  by  military  surgeons  during  the 
past  three  years. 

"The  utility  of  antiseptics,  properly  used  as  adjuncts  to  efficient  surgery, 
is  becoming  more  firmly  established  as  the  war  proceeds.  Surgeon  General 
Sir  George  Makins,  in  the  Hunterian  Oration  for  1917,  says:  'The  most 
useful  practical  test  of  the  efficiency  of  any  metiiod  of  wound  treatment  is 
furnished  by  the  observation  of  the  dates  at  which  microorganisms  disappear 
from  the  surface  of  the  exposed  tissues,  and  at  which  t^  wound  may  be 
safely  and  permanently  closed  by  suture  or  other  means.  When  subjected 
to  this  test  the  antiseptic  method  has  proved  itself  more  rapid  and  more 
trustworthy  than  the  phylacagogic  or  saline  method  of  treatment.'  " 


The  annual  report  for  the  City  of  Chicago  Municipal  Tuberculosis  Sani- 
tarium is  before  us.  This  institution  is  considered  a  model  of  its  kind.  It  is 
located  in  the  northwestern  part  of  the  city  in  a  sparsely  populated  district. 
The  grounds  number  160  acres.  It  has  a  capacity  of  748  patients.  Farm 
products  that  were  used  for  the  patients  amounted  to  $3,000.00.  During  the 
year  912,320  meals  were  served,  the  average  cost  being  a  little  less  than  14 
cents.  Twelve  thousand  new  cases  of  tuberculosis  have  recently  been  discov- 
ered in  Chicago. 

THE  SECRET  OF  TYPEWRITING  SPEED 

To  the  physiologist,  the  psychologist,  the  physician  and  the  business  man 
it  is  always  fascinating  and  instructdve  to  read  how  the  champion,  in  any 
line  of  endeavor,  reached  the  top,  and  when  the  leader  has  the  gift  of  actually 
showing  others  how  to  get  there  it  is  doubly  interesting.  MiM  Margaret  B. 
Owen  has  done  this  in  her  remarkable  book  entitled  "The  Secret  of  Type- 
writing Speed,*'  published  by  Forbes  St  Company,  Chicago,  price  $1.00.  This 
gifted  woman  attracted  the  world's  attention  by  setting  a  new  standard  for 
typewriting  speed.  Four  times  she  has  won  the  world's  typewriting  speed 
championshipj — ^the  last  time  by  writing  143  words  per  minute  for  an  m>ur, 
which  means  striking  the  keys  twelve  times  per  second  and  means  writing 


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666  NORTH  AMBRICAN   JOUBNAL  OF  BOMCEOPATHT 

faster  than  the  ordinary  person  can  dictate.  Uqselfishlj  she  has  given  in 
this  book  the  original  methods  which  she  followed  to  derdop  this  wonderful 
speed.  Even  the  business  or  professional  man  who  operates  the  typewriter  only 
occasionally  for  personal  use  will  find  this  book  exceedingly  helpful. 

A  Manual  ow  Anatomy.  By  Henry  E.  Radascb.  M.Sc,  M.D..  AasUUnt  Pro- 
fessor of  Histology  and  Bmbryology  in  the  Jefferson  Medical  Collesre,  Philadelphia. 
Octavo  of  489  pages  with  329  Illustrations.  Philadelphia  aud  Lionden :  W.  B. 
Saunders  Company.    1917.    Cloth.  $3.50  net. 

This  is  the  most  attractive  work  on  anatomy  we  have  ever  seen.  The  surgeon 
and  the  j^ysician  will  find  it  a  handy  volume  to  have  on  his  desk. 

Ths  Suboical  Clinics  of  Chicago,  Volume  I,  Number  V  (October,  1917). 
Octavo,  214  pages,  84  illustrations.  Philadelphia  and  London :  W.  B.  Saunders 
ComjMny.     1917.     Published   bi-montbly.     Price  per  year:    Paper.  $10.00.     Cloth, 

The  up  to  date  surgeon  needs  this  periodical.    Bee  quotations  elsewhere. 

HlSTORT  or  McDiciNC.  Suggestions  for  study  and  Bibliographic  Data.  By 
Fielding  H.  Garrison,  A.B^  M.D.,  Principal  Assistant  Librarian,  Surgeon  OenorarH 
Office,  Washington,  D.  C.  Second  edition  revised  and  enlarged.  Octavo  of  905  pag(*K- 
wlth  many  portraits.  W.  B.  Saunders  Company,  Philadelphia  and  London,  1017. 
Cloth.  $6.50  net.    Half  Morocco,  $8.00  net. 

•  No  doubt  the  best  history  of  medicine  ever  published. 

The  Homeopathic  physician  naturally  will  be  interested  in  what  this  work 
has  to  say  regarding  Homeopathy.     We  quote  from  pages  448-9  as  follows: 

One  other  prominent  feature  of  German  medicine  in  the  early  part  of 
the  19th  century  has  yet  to  be  mentioned,  namely,  the  rise  of  Homeopatliy, 
which,  in  point  of  time,  is  really  one  of  the  many  isolated  theoretic  systems 
of  the  preceding  century.  Its  founder,  Samuel  Christian  Prederich  Hahnamann 
(1755-1843),  of  Meissen,  took  his  degree  at  Erlangen  in  1779,  and  toward 
tiie  end  of  the  century,  as  the  result  of  certain  experiments,  some  of  them  made 
upon  his  own  person,  began  to  formulate  those  theories  which  characterize 
his  system.  These  are,  first,  a  revival  of  the  old  Paracelsian  doctrine  of 
signatures,  namely,  that  diseases  or  symptoms  of  diseases  are  curable  by  those 
particular  drugs  which  produce  similar  pathologic  effects  upon  the  body 
(similia  similibus  curantur) ;  second,  that  the  dynamic  effect  of  drugs  is 
heightened  by  giving  them  in  infinitesimally  small  doses,  which  are  to  be 
obtained  by  carrying  dilution  or  trituration  to  an  extreme  limit  J*  third,  the 
notion  that  most  chronic  diseases  are  only  a  manifestation  of  suppressed  itch 
or  * 'Psora.''  These  doctrines  were  embodied  in  his  **Organon  der  ration - 
ellen  Heilkunde"  (1810),  and  found  wide  acceptance,  especially  in  the  New 
World. 

The  difference  between  Hahnemann  and  Paracelsus  was,  as  Neuberger 
says,  that  Hahnemann  directed  his  arcana,  not  against  the  causes  of  disease, 
but  against  symptoms  or  groups  of  symptoms.  Hence  his  therapeutic  method 
is  not  a  true  isotherapy,  nor  were  the  isopathic  systems  whicn  followed  it 
quite  the  same  thing  as  treatment  by  sera,  vaccines,  bacterins,  hormones  and 
animal  extracts.  Among  the  latter  offshoots  of  homeopathy  was  the  system 
of  Johann  Gottfried  Rademacher  (1772-1850),  in  which  pathologic  processes 
and  findings  were  ignored,  diseases  being  diagnosed  and  classified  as  "uni- 
versal'' or  "organic''  from  the  effect  of  remedies  upon  them.  The  natural 
child  of  this  system  was  the  school  of  "specifists"  which  rejected  the  fan- 
tastic "universal  remedies"  of  Rademacher  for  -the  doctrine  of  the  specific 
relation  of  certain  remedies  to  definite  parts  of  the  body.  This  system,  which 
is  strongly  suggestive  of  Ehrlich,  was  favorably  regarded  by  Virchow.  It  was 
but  natural  that  this  aimless  theorizing  should  fiiuilly  dwindle  and  fade  into 
a  colorless,  footless  "eclecticism."  The  impotence  of  Eclecticism  was  suffi- 
ciently manifested  in  the  floods  of  turgid  verbosity  and  fustian,  inspired  by 
the  cholera  epidemic  of  1831-1837.  Neuberger  says  that  the  masterpiece's 
of  Skoda  and  Bokitansky  were  greeted  with  frigid  silence,  "a  silence  that 
speaks  volumes.'/  The  extreme  popularity  of  Hahnemann's  doctrines  is  prob- 
ably due  to  the  'fact  that  they  lessened  the  scale  of  dosage  of  drugs  in  prac- 
tice. He  was,  in  fact,  the  introducer  of  the  small  dose.  Otherwise  his  system 
is  but  an  offshoot  of  18th  century  theorizing.  He  died  a  millionaire  in  Paris 
in  1843. 


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We  also  (}iu)te  from  page  778  as  follows: 

Sectarianism  and  quacke^  flourish  apace  in  modern  life,  often  under 
strange  guises.  According  to  Flexner,  ''the  homeopath  is  the  only  sectarian 
found  at  all  in  Great  Britain  or  on  the  Continent, ' '  because  a  qualifled  phjsi- 
cian,  no  matter  what  he  may  call  himself,  must  pass  the  necessary  examinations 
in  order  to  practice.  The  proportion  of  homeopaths  was  211:31,558  in  Ger* 
many  in  1909,  and  193:31,154  in  Great  Britain,  1907.  In  America,  undef 
existing  legislation,  every  species  of  medical  sect,— osteopathy,  chiropraxis, 
Christian  Ssience,  eclecticism,  botanic  medicine,  etc., — ^has  been  permitted  to 
flourish.  In  1909  there  were  15  homeopathic,  8  eclectic,  1  physiomedical,  and  8 
osteopathic  schools  in  the  United  States.  There  are  no  sectarian  institutions 
in  Cuiada.  In  respect  of  fiduciary  allegiance  to  Hahnemann's  original  doc- 
trines, the  modem  homeopath  is  often  lUce  a  skeptical  or  backsliding  clergy- 
man. Scientific  medicine  is  neither  homeopathic  nor  allopathic.  Upon  the 
subject  of  treatment,  which  is  often  very  much  in  the  air,  hinges  the  whole 
matter  of  tolerance  of  sectarianism  and  quackery.  In  the  past,  as  we  have 
seen,  many  important  features  of  medical  treatment  were  actually  introduced 
by  laymen.  Therapeutics,  in  fact,  began  with  herb-doctoring.  It  is  the 
purely  experimental  status  of  actual  therapeutics  which  opens  a  loophole  for 
the  modem  quack.  "The  very  candor  of  scientific  medicine  gives  him  his 
chance,  for,  just  where  the  scientific  physician  admits  his  inadequacy,  the 
charlatan  b  most  positive" — (Flexner).  The  tendency  to  consult  qua^  is 
analog6us  to  the  pnysician's  liability  to  be  deluded  by  wild-cat  investments. 
"Some  of  the  most!  responsible  doctors,''  says  Bobert  Morris,  "will  always 
be  in  the  hands  of  financial  fakers,  and  some  of  the  most  responsible  business 
men  will  always  be  in  the  hands  of  medical  fakers." 

The  foregoing  quotations  make  it  quite  evident  that  the  author  of  this 
history  of  medicine  has  no  practical  knowledge  of  homeopathy  or  he  would 
not  have  quoted  the  wild  prejudiced  vaporings  of  a  layman  like  Flexner. 

In  the  "Surgical  Clinics  of  Chicago"  for  October,  1917,  page  889^  Dr. 
Bevan  says: 

"First  of  all,  I  should  like  to  say  that  contrary  to  the  older  teaching  that 
benign  tumors  were  comparatively  rare  in  the  breast  and  that  nine^tenths  of 
breast  tumors  were  malignant,  we  have  found  at  least  as  many  benign  tumors 
as  malignant.  During  the  last  few  years  there  has  been  an  increasing  proportion 
until  today  I  believe  that  we  are  seeing  more  benign  tumors  of  the  breast  than 
malignant  ones. ' ' 


CURRENT  MEDICAL  LITERATURE 

The  National  Eclectic  Medical  Association  Quarterly,  Cincinnati,  O.,  for 
December,  1917,  William  Nelson  Mundy,  M.  D.,  editor,  Dr.  Benj.  £.  Dawson, 
on  page  119  says: 

"Changes  are  coming  and  going.  Like  the  pendulum,  we  usually  swing 
from  one  extreme  to  the  oSer.  The  dominant  school  has  left  the  large  doses  and 
gone  to  the  other  extreme  of  medical  nihilism.  From  the  old  settled  regime  l^y 
have  swung  to  uncertain  fads,  which  exist  today  and  tomorrow  they  are  gone. 
From  the  individual  thinking  and  independent  action  they  have  drifted  to  iStra- 
organization,  where  kaiserism  issues  its  ipse  dixit  from  Chicago.  From  the 
sick  room  they  have  rushed  to  the  laboratory.  From  the  alimentary  canal  and 
the  tubes  of  tLe  body  they  are  peeking  into  the  test  tube,  and  from  the  invalid 
to  the  incubator.  Outside  of  surgery,  serum  therapy  is  about  the  only  thera- 
peutic measure  they  have  left.  In  this  they  out-homeo  the  Homeopaths  in  attenr 
nation  and  similia  similibus  curantur.  What  the  next  fad  will  be  deponent 
sayeth  not.  Let  us  not  deceive  ourselves  with  the  belief  that  the  so-called 
sectarian  schools  are  the  object  of  all  the  jealousy  and  malice  of  the  dominant 
school.  The  would-be  leaders  have  ever  been  jealous  of  any  progress  made 
by  others.  Harvey,  Jenner,  Hahnemann,  and  many  others  felt  the  storm 
of  their  wrathful  vituperation.  Anyone  who  reads  the  autobiography  of 
J.  Marion  Sims  will  have  his  eyes  filled  with  tears  of  sympathy  and  fired  with 
indignation  at  the  injustice,  persecution,  and  calumny  heaped  upon  this  good 
man  by  the  members  of  his  profession." 


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670  NORTB  AMKBIO^K  JOtTENAL  OF  HOMCXOPATHT 

Progressive  Medicine,  Quarterly,  Philadelphia,  for  September,  1917,«page 
67,  we  find  the  following: 

''Flavine  and  Brilliant  Green  as  Antiseptics:  These  two  substances  stand 
out,  in  the  set  of  best  approved  antiseptics  recently  tested  and  reported  upon 
by  Browning,  Oulbransen,  Kenway,  and  Thornton,  as  the  only  ones  of  which 
the  effectiveness  is  not  impaired  by  the  presence  of  proteins.  Indeed,  that 
of  Flavine  is  thereby  increased  far  above  that  of  mercuric  chloride.  Flavine 
possesses  a  superiority  over  brilliant  green  in  its  unrestricted  destructiveness 
for  the  various  bacilli,  as  well  as  for  aO  cocci.  Both  of  them,  however,  acceler- 
ate the  growth  of  epithelium  and  of  connective  tissue.  Wounds  treated  locally 
with  the  usual  1  to  1000  solution  healed  in  half  the  time  otherwise  required. 
Moreover,  flavine  can  be  used  with  a  hypertonic  solution,  as  it  is  soluble  in 
saline  injections  containing  up  to  5%  of  sodium  chloride." 

In  the  Surgical  Clinics  of  Chicago,  for  October,  1917,  page  908,  Bevan 
says: 

''My  experience  with  carcinoma  of  the  mammary  gland  has  taught  me  that 
the  favorable  cases  are  the  ones  in  which  there  is  not  as  yet  lymphatic  gland 
involvement  even  in  the  axilla,  and  that  whenever  there  is  distinct  lymphatic 
gland  involvement  in  the  axilla  there  is  also  probably  lymphatic  gland  involve- 
ment in  the  anterior  mediastinum,  making  the  case  where  this  involvement 
exists  almost  hopeless  from  the  standpoint  of  radical  cure.  Now  let  us  ask 
ourselves  in  regard  to  the  prognosis  from  the  standpoint  of  permanent  cure. 
On  this  point  there  has  been  great  diversity  of  opinion.  For  a  time  there 
was  a  great  effort  made,  shorBy  after  the  introduction  of  the  very  exten- 
sive operation  for  the  radical  cure  of  breast  cancer,  to  make  it  appear  that 
these  extensive  operations  had  entirdy  revolutionized  this  work  and  that 
these  operations  were  capable  of  giving  a  very  high  rate  of  permanent  cures, 
some  clinics  reporting  even  as  high  as  40%  to  50%.  A  careful  analysis  of 
these  statistics  shows  that  they  do  not  represent  the  real  facts.  The  statistics 
reported  from  one  of  our  best  surgical  clinics  were  based  on  a  proposition 
which  for  a  long  time  was  not  understood,  although  it  was  clear  enough,  and 
which,  not  being  clearly  understood,  led  to  a  general  misconception  of  the 
findings.  The  plan  in  this  clinic  was  to  divide  the  cases  into  two  groups. 
Group  one  indiuded  the  cases  which,  after  the  operation  was  completed,  gave, 
in  the  opinion  of  the  surgeon  a  prospect  of  permanent  cure.  The  second 
group  included  tiiose  cases  which,  after  the  operation  was  completed,  did  not, 
in  the  opinion  of  the  surgeon,  give  a  prospect  of  complete  cure,  and  this 
second  group  was  not  included  in  Qie  final  statistics.  The  handling  of  the  cases 
naturally  gave  a  very  high  percentage  of  cures  after  three  yeiirs,  much  higher 
than  the  percentage  obtained  in  the  clinics  where  all  the  cases  operated  on 
were  included  in  making  up  the  final  result.  Then  again,  in  some  of  the 
earlier  work  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  a  good  many  cases  of  benign  tumor 
were  treated  by  the  radical  operation  and  reported,  mistakenly,  of  course^ 
as  cancer  cures.  Considering  all  the  evidence  at  hand,  I  think  one  may  say 
tha;t  probably  abouf  20%  of  the  carcinoma  cases  that  come  to  our  active 
service  show  at  the  end  of  three  or  even  five  ^ears  no  recurrence,  and  that  this 
fairly  represents  the  results  that  can  be  obtamed  by  means  of  efficient  modem 
surgery  as  applied  to  all  cases  that  present  themselves." 

In  American  Journal  of  Clinical  Medicine,  Chicago,  November,  1917,  page 
831,  Dr.  T.  H.  Standlee,  Forth  Worth,  Texas,  writes: 

"Chlorazene  Intravenously:  Chlorazene  is  the  pus-killer  without  peer, 
and  it  occurred  to  me  to  try  it  intravenously,  so  that  it  would  go  direct  to  the 
lung  tissue  from  the  heart,  absolutely  unchanged,  and  there  expend  its  force. 
And  it  did.  I  knew  my  patient  had  only  a  few  days  to  live,  and  I  was  only 
experimenting.  She  died  in  about  six  weeks  after  I  used  this  treatment.  I 
gave  her  two  injections  in  the  vein,  making  my  solution  by  guess  from  the 
powder.  I  injected  about  ten  grains  to  90  minims  of  water,  with  an  all-glass 
Luer  syringe.  There  was  one  week's  intermission  between  the  two  injections. 
The  woman  complained  about  local  pain  all  over  the  arm.  Two  doses  was  all 
she  would  stand  for.  The  first  dose  almost  stopped  the  expectoration  for  four 
days.  Then  it  graduallv  started  again.  The  second  dose  acted  the  same,  and 
I  felt  much  chagrined  that  my  experimenting  was  cut  off  short. '^     . 


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NOBTH  AMBUOAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHT  671 

In  the  Journal  of  the  American  Institute  of  Homeopathy,  for  October, 
1917,  page  434,  Dr.  R.  F.  Rabe,  New  York,  N.  Y.,  writes: 

"PvlsaiiUd,  Badiwn  and  Bhiu  Tox,:  A  Ck>mparison  of  Modalities. — Two 
of  these  remedies,  Pulsatilla  and  Bhus  Tox.  are  polychrests  very  familiar  to 
us  all.  The  third,  Radium,  or  radium  bromide  rather,  has  been  made  so  by 
the  most  excellent  proving  of  Dr.  William  H.  Dieifenbach.  As  with  all  new 
remedies,  radium  has  been  lauded  to  the  skies  and  for  a  time  was  regarded 
as  an  lUmost  certain  specific,  especially  for  cancerous  diseases.  By  some  of 
our  enterprising  pharmacists  it  has  been  advertised  as  a  remedy  for  arterio- 
sclerosis, rheumatism,  gout,  etc.,  but  it  is  gradually  sinking  to  its  proper  level, 
and,  as  might  have  been  expected,  its  truly  curative  results  are  obtained  when 
it  is  homeopathically  indicated  only.  Thus  the  law  of  similars  is  vindicated 
and  proves  itself  to  be  at  the  foundation  of  all  curative  work.  Palliation  with 
radium,  as  employed  by  those  expert  in  its  use,  is  another  matter  entirely, 
often  successful,  no  doubt  alwa^  justifiable  and  legitimate,  but  from  the  stand- 
point of  homeopathic  prescribmg  is  of  no  importonce  in  the  presentation  of 
this  dissertation.  No  disparagement  of  the  work  of  those  physicians  and 
surgeons  who  resort  to  tangible  amounts  of  radium  in  their  work  is  of  course 
intended,  but  suffice  it  to  say  that  such  therapy  lies  without  the  domain  of 
pure  homeopathy. 

Radium  resembles  in  many  respects  Pulsatilla,  Rhus  Tox.,  and  we  might  add, 
Sulphur.    The  grand  characteristic  of  Pulsatilla  is  its  general  amelioration  in 
the  open  air.     This  modaUty  is  found  in  radium,  and  although  present  to 
some  extent  in  Rhus  Tox.,  we  find  that  the  latter  is  worse  from  cold  air,  becom 
ing  cold  and  particularly  from  wet  cold  air.    Pulsatilla  has  a  general  ameliora 
tion  from  continued  motion,  as  in  walking.    Rhus  Tox.  has  this  symptom  also^ 
though  in  less  degree,  soon  tiring,  however,  from  the  exertion.     Radium  has 
this  same  modali^,  viz.,  general  amelioration  from  continued  motion,  espe- 
cially walking.     Both  pulsatilla  and  rhus  tox.  have  an  aggravation  on  com 
meneine  motion,  but  improve  as  motion  is  continued  in.    Stiffness  and  lame 
ness  of  joints  more  particularlv  is  spoken  of,  and  in  radium  we  find  the 
same  condition  expressed.     Pulsatilla  has  amelioration   from   cold  applica- 
tions to  suffering  or  affected  parts;  this  is  not  so  in  rhus  tox.,  which  prefera 
heat  to  be  appli^.    Radium  agrees  in  this  symptom  with  rhus  tox.  and  we  find 
that  a  warm  bath  is  agreeable  to  the  radium  patient,  although  the  proving 
of  radium  brought  out  this  contrary  symptom, — 'very  severe  pains  in  knee 
joints,  very  deep  as  if  in  the  joints  and  muscles,  better  from  cold,  better  from 
exercise.'     This  symptom  was  produced  by  the  12x  potency.     In  the  experi- 
ence of  the  essayist,  however,  relief  from  local  heat  is  more  characteristic  of 
radium. 

"Tiredness,  fatigue,  lassitude,  we  find  in  all  three  of  these  remedies. 
Rhus  tox.  is  worse  before  a  storm,  or  in  wet  weather  in  general.  This  is  only 
slightly  so  in  pulsatilla  and  has  not  been  noted  in  the  proving  at  least,  of 
radium.  All  three  remedies  produce  burning  of  the  skin,  pulsatilla  somewhat 
so,  rhus  tox.  more  so,  and  radium  markedly  so,  having  Uie  symptom, — 'burn- 
ing sensation  and  itching  all  over  the  body'  produced  by  the  12x  potency;  also 
the  symptom — ^'entire  body  feels  as  if  afire.'  Sulphur  here  is  suggested,  also 
arsenieum  album.  Metallic  taste  in  the  mouth  is  strongly  marked  in  rhus  tox., 
also  found  in  radium  and  but  slightly  in  pulsatilla." 

The  Edeetio  Medical  Journal,  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  October,  1917,  page  529: 
"Slaw  hut  sure  justification.  Were  the  early  Eclectics  justified  in  their 
opposition  to  certain  medicinal  and  vinous  preparations  f  After  many  years 
the  verdict  seems  to  be  in  their  favor.  It  will  be  recalled  how  they  waged 
a  righteous  warfare  against  harmful  drugs,  and  how  they  brought  upon  them- 
selves the  maledictions  of  the  dominant  medical  party.  They  fought  the 
wholesale  extravagances  in  and  abuse  of  the  use  of  calomel,  croton  oil,  cantha- 
ridal  plaster,  bleeding,  tartar  emetic,  and  wine  of  antimony.  Slowly  the  tables 
are  being  turned  upon  many  of  these  and  similar  preparations,  the  official 
ban  of  the  pharmacopeia  already  having  fallen  upon  some  of  them.  Notable 
in  this  connection  is  the  once  famed  'wine  of  antimony'  deemed  one  of  the 
essentials  of  old  school  practice,  and  held  as  an  abomination  by  the  Eclectic 
fathers.  Now,  it  is  no  longer  official.  The  pharmacopeia,  in  truth,  barely 
mentions  it,  and  then, only  in  the  introduction,  that  authority  merely  calling 


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672  NORTH  AMXRICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCBOPATHT 

attentum  to  the  fact  that  it  is  no  longer  offidaL  Wines  and  alcohi^ic  Itquon 
have  also  come  xmdfyT  the  same  mling.  Now  no  wines,  either  red  or  white,  bo 
whiskej^,  no  gin,  or  other  distilled  liquor  is  permitted  official  recognition  bj  that 
authontatiye  work.  Alcohol  only  remains,  as  being  of  course  necessary  for  the 
preparation  and  preservation  of  medicines.  As  stimulation,  once  the  shib- 
boleth of  old  school  practice,  has  passed  into  the  distant  past,  so  now  follow 
tiie  brain-befogging  stimulants.  Wines,  which  pleased  the  'tipplers'  in 
medicine,  have  ffone  along  with  them.  Surely  it  looks  as  if  the  medical  and 
pharmacal  world  of  today  were  resurrecting  the  old  fight  of  the  Eclectics,  and 
that  the  claims  of  the  latter,  so  vigorously  and  consistently  battied  for,  were 
finding  a  just  but  sure  and  slow  justification  in  this  action  of  the  framers  of 
the  Pharmacopeia  of  the  United  States. 

PHYTOLACCA 

Eclectic  Medical  Journal,  Cincinnati,  O.,  page  530: 

Phytolacca:  Medicines  that  act  directiy  upon  the  glandular  syston  are 
not  numerous.  Among  thcoe  that  have  such  an  action  none  is  more  im- 
portant than  Phytolacca.  That  it  powerfully  impresses  the  glands  of 
the  skin,  lymphatic  system,  buccal,  faucial,  lacteal,  nasal  and  sexual 
systems,  and  particularly  the  tonsils,  ovaries,  testicles  and  mammary  glands,  we 
are  well  satisfied.  The  periosteal  and  other  fibrous  tissues  are  also  acted  upon 
by  it,  and  there  is  no  doubt  but  that  it  has  more  or  less  influence  over  the 
deposition  of  fats,  its  action  in  obesity  and  in  fatty  degeneration  of  the  heart 
entitling  it  to  consideration.  It  is  one  of  the  few  internal  agents  that  are 
usually  overlooked  in  the  treatment  of  skin  affections,  both  of  the  external 
cutaneous  integuments  and  the  internal  skin  or  mucous  tissues.  Without 
Phytolacca  we  should  be  at  a  loss  to  know  how  to  treat  glandular  affections 
undergoing  swelling,  induration  and  inflammation.  Its  m(Mt  direct  indication 
is  hard,  painful  enhurgements  of  glands  associated  with  pallid  mucous  mem- 
branes. It  is  of  special  importance  in  the  treatment  of  mumps,  mastitis,  and 
induration  and  inflammation  of  the  cervical,  axillary,  and  inguinal  j^uids, 
when  not  due  to  tuberculosis.  Even  then  its  power  for  general  good  is  shown 
in  its  effect  in  reducing  the  size  of  the  swollen  glan&  more  or  less.  Ex- 
cept for  its  general  alternative  action,  we  would  caution  against  too  much 
hope  in  its  control  over  such  constitutional  diseases  as  tuberctdosis  and  syphilis. 

The  specific  indications  for  specific  medicine  Phytolacca — ^the  preparation 
with  which  these  have  been  determined,  are  among  the  most  direct  and  decided 
in  specific  medication.  They  are:  Pallid  mucous  membranes  with  ulceration; 
sore  mouth  with  blisters  upon  tongue  and  buccal  mucous  stirfaces;  pallid  sore 
lips,  with  exfoliation  of  the  epidermis;  fauces  full  and  mucous  surfaces  pallid, 
sometimes  livid,  with  swollen  tonsils,  and  whitish  pultaeeous  exudate;  i^hthae; 
imperfect  glandular  secretion;  ulceration  of  phai^nx,  tonsils  or  fauces;  secre- 
tions of  the  mouth  imparting  a  whitish  glaze  over  mucous  membranes  and 
tongue;  white  pultaeeous  sloughs  at  the  angles  of  the  mouth  or  lining  the 
cheeks;  the  parts  seemingly  melting  away;  hard,  painful,  glandular  enfiirge- 
ments;  mastitis;  orchitis;  parotitis;  soreness  and  swelling  of  the  mammary 
glands,  especially  in  young  girls;  pseudo-diphtheritic  sore  &roat;  fatty  degen- 
eration. " 

In  The  American  Progressive  Physician,  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  for  November,  1917, 
Dr.  D.  E.  Caldwell,  Durham,  N.  C,  writes: 

*  *  To  secure  the  best  results  in  the  treatment  of  Pellagra,  the  first  step  would 
be  to  withdraw  all  water  containing  Silica  and  let  a  strong  limestone  water  take 
its  place  as  a  beverage.  If  the  limestone  water  can  not  be  secured  or  taken  by 
the  patient,  use  officinal  of  U.  S.  P.  You  then  have  a  good  basis  upon  fdiieh 
to  begin  your  treatment.  The  strongest  evidence  we  have  that  Pdlagra  is  caused 
by  the  Silica  in  the  drinking  water  is  the  fact  that  the  disease  is  almost  unknown 
in  limestone  countries. ' ' 


CAMOUFLAGED  QUACKERY 

Medical  Council,  Philadelphia,  December,  1917,  says:  "Camoufleurs  are 
found  in  every  business  and  profession.  The  soldiers  at  the  front  practice  two 
kinds  of  camouflage,  one  aiming  to  conceal  real  guns  and  real  troops,  and  ^ 
other  to  fool  the  enemy  into  l^lieving  that  fake  guns  and  fake  trenches  are 
genuine.    Medical  camouflage  operates  in  a  similar  manner." 


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That  You  Are  Supplied  With 

Dr.  Finley  Ellingwood's  Publications 


ELLINGWOOD'S  THERAPEUTIST 

Is  a  monthly  medical  journal  which  is  acknowledged  as  containing  the  "Meat 
of  the  Nut"  in  practical  therapeutics.  It  is  highly  educationaf  It  omits 
medical  news  in  general,  society  reports  largely,  and,  in  fact,  almost  every- 
thing except  exact  dis^nosis  and  the  specific,  clear,  exact  action  of  individual 
<lruffs.  It  is  strictly  Eclectic  in  all  its  teachings.  The  price  is  advanced  to 
$1.50,  by  compulsion,  not  from  choice  certainly. 

This  journal  has  been  exceedingly  popular  from  the  first  day  of  its  publica- 
tion through  the  entire  eleven  years  of  its  existence. 

ELLINGWOOD'S   NEW  MATEIUA  MEDICA,   THERAPEUTICS 
AND  PHARMACOGNOSY. 

This  ver^  complete  work  on  Materia  Medica  and  Therapeutics  is  the  very 
latest  thin^  m  medical  literature  of  the  world,  on  the  full  specific,  definite  and 
exact  medicinal  action  of  the  plant  drugs.  It  is  counted  everywhere  as  the 
very  highest  authority.  It  contains  565  royal  octavo  pa^es,  is  double  indexed, 
is  very  definite  in  the  application  of  single  drugs  in  their  specific  influence  to 
exact  conditions  of  disease.    Cloth,  price,  $5.00. 

ELLINGWOOD*S  UNCOMPUCATED  PREGNANCY  AND 

LABOR. 

Devoted  to  the  treatment  of  the  complications  of  pregnancy  to  preserve 
a  normal  condition  of  the  patient,  both  during  the  term  and  at  the  time  of 
labor,  securing  a  short  labor  almost  devoid  of  paia    Cloth,  price,  $1.50. 

BosKowrrz  lecture  notes. 

A  Compend  of  Disease  Indications  and  Direct  Drug  Application.  A  most 
practical  little  work  for  both  the  doctor  and  student    rrice,  $1.25,  net. 

Lydstons — Impotence  and  Sterility  and  Sex  Gland  Implantation.  A  great 
book.    Price,  $4.00,  net 


Address 


HNLEY  ELLINGWOOD,  M.b. 

ErmMMtmf  IDiiiois 


WHY? 


a«C  tht  rMioD  Id  oar  L. 
teoklM  of  oUnloal  <UU 

«91NUSOIDAIJ0Cnr 

Toot  oopy  li  tmdf  now. 
lUU  Uut  poMal  today  to 
UMmA  P&tleal  AppU- 
•iMt  Co..  IM  W.  Lako 
■L.  ChliMi^.  n.  (Vw 
ipt  aiMivor  I 
ir.A.JJL) 


PlMM  mm^am  THE  NORTH  AMBKICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMEOPATHY. 


118S 


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1184  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OP  BOMEOPATHT 

1917  INDEX 

JAOTABT 

EDITORIAI^—  Page 

Homeopathy,  Qualified  and  Unqualified 1 

The  Passine  Show — Spencer  Carleton 2 

A  Clinical  Type  of  Tuberculosis 4 

Calendula  Discovered 7 

Cardiac  Dilation  Lastingly  Benefited  by  High  Frequency  Current 7 

Neither  Esthetic  Nor   Healthy 8 

First  Examination  National  Board  Medical  Examiners 8 

CONTRIBUTED— 

Diagnosis  of  Biliary  Disease,  by  George  R.  Crltchlow.  M.  D 9 

Treatment  of  Anterior  Poliomyelitis,  by  A.  L.  Cardozo,  M.  D 14 

An   Epitome   of   Comparisons   In    Homeopathic   Materia   Medlca   and 

Therapeutics,  by  A.  R.  McMlchael,  M.  D 19 

Appendicitis,  by  Spencer  Carleton,  M.  D 22 

Clinical  Experiences — Eczema.  Neurasthenia. — by  Erastus  E.  Case. . .  25 

The  Power  of  the  Slmlllmum,  by  C.  M.  Bogar,  M.  D 29 

The  Cure  of  Diseases  with  Material  Doses  of  the  Homeopathic  Remedy, 

by  A.  R.  McMlcheal,  M.  D 82 

When  the  Doctor  Was  Surprised,  by  S.  L.  Gulld-Leggett,  M.  D 45 

BOOK  REVIEWS— 

Homeopathic  Therapeutics  In  Ophthalmology 47 

Diseases  of  the  Nervous  System 48 

Progressive  Medicine— Fourth  Quarterly  Digest,   1916 48 

INTBRNATIONAI^- 

Modern  Homeopathy,  by  W.  C.  R.  Volght 49 

Mercurlus  (>anatus,  by  J.  F.  Bllnn,  M.  D 55 

Tonsilitis— Therapeutics  Hints  «1 

Experimental  Study  of  Lachesls 62 

Action  of  the  Salts  of  Barium  on  Arteriosclerosis 62 

Magnesia  Phosphorlca    ^ 63 

Some  of  the  Uses  and  Abuses  of  Massage ix 

United  States  Public  Health   Service xl 

Nuts  and  Fruits,  by  George  Dow  Scott,  M.  D xlii 

rSBBUABT 

EDITORIAL— 

Proposed  Amendment  to  New  York  Public  Health  Law.  in  Relation 

to  the  Practice  of   Medicine 65 

The  Medical  Profession  and  Public  Health  Departments 67 

Hereditary  Syphilis   68 

Geriatrics    71 

Notification  of  Pregnancy  to  Health  Authorities,  Etc 72 

CONTRIBUTED— 

The  Pathogenic  Effects  of  Foods,  by  Benjamin  C.  Woodbury 84 

Recollections  of  Dr.  Herlng  and  His  Teachings,  by  B.  C.  Woodbury,  Sr., 

M.  D 84 

An  Epitome  of  Comparisons  In  Homeopathic  Materia  Medlca — Tjrphold 

Fever,  Otitis  Media.  Acute  Inflammatory  Rheumatism,  by  A.  R. 

McMlchael,    M.   D 87 

Pathological  Conditions  Produced  by  Homeopathic  Remedies,  by  A. 

E.   Hinsdale,   M.  D 91 

Clinical  Observations  and  Verifications  of  the  Effects  of  Some  of  the 

Metals,  by  E.  A.  Taylor,  M.  D 94 

Clinical  Cases,  by  Margaret  Burgess  Webster,  M.  D 97 

Surgical  Shock,  by  Henry  L.  Houghton,  M.  D 100 

Prompt  Action  of  the  Remedy,  by  Herbert  Beals,  M.  D 101 

A  Sarsaparllla  Case,  by  E.  w.  Berrldge,  M.  D.,  London 102 

An  International  Hahnemannlan  Association,  by  Henry  Becker,  M.  D.  103 

Poliomyelitis,  by  Daniel  Elliott.  M.  D 106 

Phenol  In  Acute  Poliomyelitis,  by  Wm.  F.  Baker,  M.  D 110 

INTERNATIONAL— 

The  Repertory,  by  Dr.  McDonough 113 

Our  Victories,  by  N.  Bergman,  M.  D 116 

Retrospect — Aconite     121 

Gettysburg  Water    125 

Myosotls  Palustrls — Gentlana  Cruciata 126 

Trillium — Gentlana    Lutea — Sablna    127 

Chronic  Headache — Caulophyllum  128 

BOOK  REVIEWS— 

Infantile  Liver,  by  D.  N.  Ray,  M.  D x 

The   Mulford   Digest — Personal xi 

Finance  and  the  Medical  Profession xlv 

Concussion  of  the  Brain  and  Some  of  Its  Consequences xv 

Concerning  the  Care  of  the  Pregnant  Woman xvlll 

Indications  to  Emphasize  the  Value  of  a  Few  Homeopathic  Remedies 

In  Three  Periods  of  a  Woman's  Life,  by  L.  B.  Hurd,  M.  D xx 

EDITORIAL—  KAmCK 

The  Prophylactic  Value  of  Vacclnlnum 129 

Progressive  Medicine    • 131 


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NOBTH  AMSEIOAN   JOTHINAL  OF  HOMEOPATHY  1185 

PaKO 

The  Expectancy  of  Life  Among  Prostitutes 136 

Government  Tested  Grape  Fruit 186 

CONTRIBUTED— 

The  General  Practitioner  and  Obstetrics,  by  E.  A.  P.  Hardy.  M.  D....  187 
An  Epitome  of  Comparisons  in  Homeopathic  Materia  Medica  and  Thera- 

£eutiC8 — Croupous   Pneumonia,   Pleurisy,   Appendicitis,   by  A.   E. 
[oMichael,   M.   D 142 

Verifications  and  Cured  Symptoms,  by  Royal  B.  S.  Hayes,  M.  D 146 

A  Plea  for  More  Scientific  Presentation  of  Case  Reports  as  an  Aid  in 

Interests  of  Homeopathy,  by  R.  F.  Rabe.  M.  D 162 

Improperly  Treated  Measles,  Followed  by  Blindness,  by  F.  H.  Lutse.  166 

Radium  and  Its  Rays,  by  Charles  E.  Alliaume,  M.  D 161 

The  Hahnemannian  Physician's  Equipment,  by  Richard  S.  True,  M.  D.  167 
BOOK  REVIEWS— 

A  Manual  of  Therapeutic  Exercise  and  Massage,  Buoholz 169 

Clinical  Gynecology,  by  James  C.  Wood,  M.  D 161 

Manual  of  Nervous  Diseases,  by  Irving  J.  Spear,  M.  D 170 

Care  of  Patients,  by  E.  E.  Montgomery,  M.  £> 171 

Adventures  of  a  Frontier  Doctor,  by  Charles  Stuart  Moody,  M.  D....   171 
Cottage   Schools    176 

international- 
How  I  Became  a  Homeopath — From  Homeopathic  World 177 

Reliable  Indications  and  Therapeutic  Uses  tor  Some  of  the  Lesser 

Known  Remedies    184 

Strength  Versus  Quality,  by  John  Url  Lloyd,  Phar.  M 186 

Homeopathic  Eye  and  Ear  Notes 190 

Better  Work  Needed  for  Rheumatism 192 

Opportunity  for  Young  Medical  Men  Public  Health  Service ix 

Statistical  Evidence  as  to  Whether  Cancer  Is  Hereditary  or  Conta- 
gious, by  Arthur  Hunter,  Act  N.  Y.  Life  Ins.  Co x 

Comparison  Bacteria  Raw  and  Pasteurised  Milk xxli 

▲PBSb 
EDITORIAL— 

The  Presidency  of  the  A.  I.  H 193 

Federations  of  State  Societies  With  A.  I.  H 194 

Why  Not  a  Homeopathic  Red  Cross  Hospital  Unit? 196 

The  Duty  of  the  Well-Equipped  Physician 196 

Health  Department  Drug  Therapy 198 

Cough  of  Sudden  Onset  in  Children 199 

Poliomyelitis    200 

A  National  Leprosarium 200 

CONTRIBUTED— 

An  Epitome  of  Comparisons  In  Homeopathic  Materia  Medica  and 
Therapeutics — Brlght's  Disease,  Heart,  Apoplexy,  by  A.  R.   Mc- 

•  Michael,  M.  D 201 

Action  of  the  Homeopathic  Force,  by  B.  L.  B.  Baylies,  M.  D 208 

The  Sphere  of  the  Remedy  in  Obstetrics 210 

A  Symposium  of  the  Metals— Foreword  by  G.  E.  Dienst,  M.  D 212 

Mental  Symptoms  of  the  Metals,  by  Guy  Beckley  Stearns,  M.  D 216 

Gall  Stones  Considered  from  the  Standpoint  of  the  Homeopathic 
Physician,  Together  With  the  Indications  for  Surgical  inter- 
ference, by  R.  F.  Rabe,  M.  D 219 

What  Shall  we  Do  With  the  Formation  of  Pus?  by  John  Hutchinson, 

M.   D 222 

Infected  Wounds,  by  Erastus  E.  Case,  M.  D 224 

The  Resurrection  of  a  Child — An  Incident  of  Hahnemann's  Practice, 

by   Ernest   Louve 226 

A  Case  for  Consultation,  by  Grainor's  Conferences 231 

CORRESPONDENCE— 

The  Medical  Brotherhood,  S.  J.  Meltzer,  M.  D 284 

Fnmctional  Kidney  Tests 236 

Tonics  Preferable  to   Stimulants. 240 

INTERNATIONAL— 

Gelsemium    241 

Platanus  Occldentalis,  by  W.  H.  Williams,  M.  D 248 

Critical  Analysis  In  Materia  Medica — Finding  the  Curative   Remedy, 

Etc.,  by  Giiy  Beckley  Stearns,  M.   D 244 

Characteristic    Symptoms   In   Prescribing 24*8 

Clinical  Case,  by  Dr.  Samuel  Hahnemann 261 

Diagnosis  of  the  Homeopathic  Prescription,  by  H.  A.  Roberts,  M.  D. 
Statistical   Evidence  as   to   Whether   Cancer  Is   Hereditary   or   Con- 
tagious        ix 

Differential  Diagnosis  of  Bullous  and  Vesicular  /Eruptions  in  Chil- 
dren, by  Moses  Scholts,  M.  D xii 

Curbing  the  Appetite xxli 

EDITORIAL—  MAT 

The  War  and  the  Doctor 267 

Painless  Childbirth    259 

Etiology  of  Influenza 268 

A  Retrodisplacement  of  the  Atlas 264 

CONTRIBUTBaS— 

Rectal  Disease  as  a  Cause  of  Inefficiency  and  111  Health,  by  Orlando 

R.  Von  Bonnewlts,  M.  D 266 

Prostatic  Cancer,  by  Maurice  Worcester  Turner.  M.  D 272 


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1186  NOSTH  AMDtlOAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMIOPATHT 

Pablldty  for  the  Purpose  of  Educating  the  Intelligent  Public.  In-r 

eluding  Homeopathic  Profession.  byHoyal  S.  Copeland.  M.  D 27  S 

An  Epitome  of  Comparisons  in  Homeopathic  Materia  Medlca  and 
Theri4>eutics— Chronic  Articular  Rheumatism,  Muscular  Rheu- 
matism. Gallstone  Colic,  by  A.  R.  McMichael.  M.  D 282 

The  Metals  in  Relation  to  Vascular  and  Tissue  Changes,  by  E.  Wal- 
lace MacAdam.   M.   D 284 

The  Metals  in  Their  Relation  to  Diseases  of  the  Skin,  by  Grace  Stev- 
ens. M.   D 287 

Potencies  in  Obstetrics,  by  Dr.  Thomas  G.  Sloan 291 

The  Prospective  Mother,  by  George  E.  Dionst,  M.  D 292 

Cure   of   Phagadenic   Ulceration   Over   Enormous.   Complete   Ventral 

Hernia,  by  Wm.  Jefferson  Guernsey.  M.  D 294 

A  Case  of  CholeoysUs.  by  Harry  B.  Baker.  M.  D 297 

Foreword,  by  H.  A.  Roberts.  M.  D 298 

BOOK  REVIEWS— 

The  Growth  of  Medicine,  by  Albert  H.  Buck.  M.  D 290 

American  Public  Health  Protection.  H.  B.  Hemenway.  M.  D 290 

The  Surgical  Clinics  of  Chicago 201 

Progressive  Medicine.  Quarterly  Digest,  by  Hare 201 

Blindness  in  the  United  States 201 

Medical  Intolerance — ^Editorial  Ekslectlc  Medical  Joumsil 292 

Preparedness.   Eugene  E.   Fisk 204 

INTERNATIONAL— 

Th^  Principles  of  Homeopathy,  by  A.  C.  Cowperthwaite 206 

Principles  of  Eclecticism,  by  A.  P.  Baird.  M.  D 809 

Homeopathic  Treatment  of  Pneumonia,  by  Dr.  H.  L.  Shepherd 212 

The   Medical   Treatment  of  Croupous   Pneumonia  from   an   Eclectic 

Standpoint,  by  H.  C.  Smith.  M.  D 818 

Preparation  for  Repertory  Study,  by  V.  T.  Carr.  M.  D 816 

A  Comparison  of  Rhus.  Toz..  Bryonia  and  Ruta  Grav.  in  Acute  Rheu- 
matism       819 

Can  Women  Escape  Pain  In  Parturition,  by  M.  O.  Terry.  M.  D 820 

Current   Events   and   Announcements Ix 

Climate:   Its  Use  and  Abuse  in  the  Treatment  of  Tuberculosis zi 

The  Fate  of  the  General  Practitioner. xli 

The  Treatment  of  the  Morphine  Habit,  by  W.  B.  Reed xiii 

Mastiche  (Mastic)  and  Its  Oriental  Uses zvi 


EDITORIALr— 

A  Scientific  Corroboration,  by  A.  Abrams,  of  Homeopathy 821 

Some  Applications  for  the  Direct  Methods  of  Treatment  of  Modem 

Medicine    822 

The  Fly  and  the  Color  Blue 326 

A  Pair  of  Lungs  on  a  Pair  of  Legs 827 

Tonsillectomy    327 

What  Laymen  Think  of  Doctors 228 

CONTRIBUTED— 

Dyspituitarism,  by  John  E.  Wilson,  M.  D 829 

A  Few  Thoughts  on  Medical  Education — From  an  Analysis  Made  of 
Students  in  Three  Medical  Colleges  of  A+  Rating,  by  Wm.  F. 

Baker.    M.    D 242 

An   Epitome   of   Comparisons   in    Homeopathic   Materia   Medica   and 

Therapeutics — ^Diseases  of  the  Liver,  by  A.  R.  McMichael.  M.  D..  246 

Dropsy — ^Red  Nose,  by  A.  R.  McMichael,  M.  D 246 

Mental  Symptoms  of  Digitalis,  by  Henry  Brewster  Minton,  M.  D....  860 

Clinical  Cases,  by  Dr.  Thomas  G.  Sloan 354 

Remarks  About  Infection,  by  Royal  E.  S.  Hayes,  M.  D , 866 

Heritage  vs.  Homeopathy,  by  S.  L.  Guild-Leggett,  M.  D 868 

The  Hahnemannian  Doctrine  of  Attenuation,  oy  Albert  Abrams.  M.  D.  869 

BOOK  REVIEWS— 

Surgical  Clinics  of  Chicago 866 

Mortality  From  Cancer— »u.  S.  Dept  of  Commerce 866 

Zone  Therapy,  by  Wm.  H.  Fitzgerald.  M.  D , 365 

A  CUnic  Striking  Out  for  Direct  Methods,   by  William  J.   Fairfield 

in    "Medical    Times'* 867 

INTERNATIONAL— 

Baptisia  Tinctoria,  by  William  Boericke,  M.  D 869 

The  Repertory,  by  Rudolph  F.  Rabe.  in  "The  Chlronian" 871 

Every  Day  Use  of  the  Repertory,  by  Margaret  C.  Lewis.  M.  D 874 

Studies  in  Drug  Pathology.  Albert  E.  Hinsdale.  M.  D 876 

Arnica,  by  R,  C.  Wolcott,  Joum.  A,  I.  H 877 

Local  Symptoms — Proceedings  Int  Hahnemann  Assn.,  '14 880 

Observations   on  Medicago   Sativa 888 

Radium,  by  W.  A.  Yingling.  M.  D 888 

Current   Events  and   Announcements ix 

The  Presidency  of  the  A.  I.  H ix 

A  Suggestion  for  Giving  Castor  Oil.  Epsom  Salts x 

Bums,  by  H.  F.  Bigger,  Ohio  State  Medical  Journal xl 

Liquid    Soaps    xl 

Vaccination  Against  Anthrax,  U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture xli 

Campaign  Against  Unclean  Dairy  Utensils xiv 

The  Activity  of  Wild  American  Digitalis,  by  George  B.  Roth xvll 


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NOBTB  AHBUOAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMEOPATHY  1187 

Pag« 

EDITORIALS— 

Hay  Fever    S85 

Compulsory  Health  Insurance 387 

Malaria    390 

The   FoUow-Up   System 392 

CONTRIBUTED— 

Cardiac  Impairments,  by  L.  D.  Broughton,  M.  D 393 

The  Folly  of  the  "First  Bom"  Theory,  by  Casper  L.  Redfleld 403 

Compulsory  Health  Insurance — Some  Conclusions  and  Practical  Sug- 
gestions, by  Frederlclc  L.  Hoffman,  LL.D i 407 

Autopsy  on  the  Body  of  Napoleon  at  Longwood,  St.  Helena,  May  8, 

1821 — Report  of  Dr.  Francois  Antommarchl , 421 

The    Rainy    Day 

An  Epitome  of  Comparisons   in   Homeopathic   Materia   Medica   and 
Therapeutics — ^Intermittent    Fever,    Alcoholism,    Early    Morning 

Diarrhea,  by  A.  R.  McMlchael.  M.  D 423 

Infinitesimals,  by  S.  U  Ouild-Leggett,  M.  D 430 

Ionization    of    Cicatrices 432 

INTERNATIONAL— 

Contributions  to  Treatment  of  Asthma 433 

The  Place  of  Teaching  in  Homeopathy,  by  John  MoLaohlan,  M.  D....  443 

BOOK  REVIEWS— 

Homeopathic  Materia  Medica  for  Nurses.  Woodbury Ix 

Eve,  Ear,  Nose  and  Throat.  Howard  Charles  Ballen^er,  M.  D z 

Diseases  of  the  Geni to-Urinary  Organs,  by  Robt  R.  Oreen,  M.  D . . . .  z 

Diseases  of  the  Stomach,  Intestines  and  Pancreas,  Kemp z 

Cataract.  Senile  Traumatic  and  Congenital,  Fisher xi 

Practical  Treatment,  Volume  IV.  edited  by  Musser xi 

The  Roentgen  Diagnosis  Diseases  Alimentary  Canal zli 

Progressive  Medicine,  Quarterly  Digest,  Hare xii 

A  National  Food  Commission xiii 

Purification  of  Water  by  Bleaching  Powder xiii 

Accurate  Concepts  in  Electronic  Diagnosis xvl 

Two  Good  Laws  Relating  to  Venereal  Disease xviii 

Treatment  of  Ivy  Poisoning,  by  W.  H.  Dieffenbach,  M.  D xix 

AUGUST 

EDITORIAL— 

Announcements    449 

Meetings  You  Must  Attend 461 

No   More  Drugs 463 

CONTRIBUTED— 

Auto-Hemic  Therapy 464 

Hay  Fever  and  Auto-Hemic  Therapy 460 

a  O.  S..  by  J.  W.  King,  M.  D 461 

More    Day    Light 461 

Orlficial  Surgery,  by  W.  A.  Guild.  M.  D 462 

Pro  Rata  Assessment  for  Society  Support 464 

Diseases  of  the  Colbn  and  Their  Etiological  Relation  to  Other  Diseases 

of  the  Body,  by  D.  V.  Ireland,  M.  D 466 

The  Pathology  of  Pneumonia,  by  J.  Liebauz,  M.  D 470 

Bio-Dynamo-Chromatic    Diagnosis-Discovery    and    Development,     by 

George  Starr,  White,  M.  D 471 

Food,  Its  use  and  Abuse  In  the  Human  Body,  by  Irving  J.  Eales,  M.  D.  474 

Non-Toxic  Vaccines,  by  Frank  M.  Wood,  M.  D 488 

How  Much  Can  We  Depend  Upon  Orlficial  Surgery  in  the  Treatment 

of  Criminals  and  Insane,  by  P.  S.  Replogle,  M.  D 490 

Hahnemann's  Birthday  

Insanity,  Functional  Heart  Trouble,  by  J.  D.  George,  M.  D 496 

The  Use  of  High  Frequency  for  the  Relief  of  Nasal  Turgescence  and 

Cauliflower  Growths  Upon  the  Inferior  Turbinate,  by  Margaret 

M.  Jones.  M.  D 496 


EDITORIAL—    ■ 

Our  Edltortal  Policy 498 

Meetings  You  Must  Attend 600 

CONTRIBUTED— 

Auto-Hemic  Therapy,  Dr.  W.  A.  Klopfenstein 602 

A  Real  Ekslectio  Meeting,  Dr.  A.  B.  Collins 606 

The  Discovery  of  Auto-Hemic  Therapy,  Bennett  Chappie 607. 

Concussion,  by  S.  Edgar  Bond,  M.  D 609 

Physical  Methods  in  the  Treatment  of  Stomach  Disorders,  by  Henry 

Oliver  Wells,  M.  D 616 

Indications  for  Reshaping  Coecum  and  Colon,  by  W.  A.  Guild,  M.  D.  618 

The  Prevention  of  Cancer,  by  E.  M.  Perdue,  M.  D 619 

Sympathetic  Nerve  Waste,  Dr,  Eugene  Hubbell 622 

Results  Following  Homeopathic   Prescribing,   by  Virginia  M.   John- 
son,  M.   D 623 

Let  Surgery  Remarry  Its  Divorcee — Medicine,  by  James  West  Hings- 

ton.   M.  D 626 

Reasons  Why  More  of  the  Sick  Are  Not  Healed,  by  E.  S.  Antisdale. 

M.   D 629 


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1188  NOHTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMEOPATHT 

Paffe 

Clinical  Obstetrics,  by  George  W.  Rogers,  M.  D 636 

Some  Remarkable  ResulU  With  Ultra  Violet  Rays,  by  T.   Howard 

Plank-  M.  D , 637 

What  I  Did  and  What  She  Did,  by  J.  F.  Roemer,  M.  D 640 

Homeopathic  Indications  in  Pneumonia,  by  A.  H.  Grimmer,  M.  D....  642 

OCTOBBB 

EDITORIAL— 

Cracklns  Some  Medical  Nuts — B • 645 

Hospital   Unit   foP  Paris 649 

Dr.  Rogers'  New  Book  on  Auto- Hemic  Therapy 660 

CONTRIBUTED— 

Auto>Hemic   Therapy — Reports    661 

Convention  Southern  Homeopathic  Medical  Association 66S 

School  of  Oriflcial  Surgery 663 

Echoes  From   Conventions 554 

Extracts  From  "A  Growing  Dearth  of  Doctors,"  by  H.  M.  Stevenson, 

M.   D 668 

The  Electronic,  or  the  New  Force  in  Medicine,  by  S.  Edgar  Bond,  M.  D.  661 

Fads— "The  Call  for  Fathers" 566 

The  Value  of  Glandular  Extracts,  by  Margaret  M.  Jones,  M.  D 56 

Conservation  of  Food,  by  E.  S.  Antisdale,  M.  D 574 


vol 

EDITORIAI^- 

Correspondence  School  of  Homeopathy 677 

our  Pan-Pathic  Policy 677 

Narrow,  Illiberal  and  Non-Progressive 679 

Nature  Cure  in  Hip  Joint  Disease,  by  L.  D.  Rogers,  M.  D 680 

CONTRIBUTED— 

Auto-Hemic  Therapy  681 

Extract  From  "A  Growing  Dearth  of  Doctors,"  by  H.  M.  Steven- 
son,  M.   D 582 

Letter,   Dr.   Benoni  A.   Bullock 692 

A  Report  of  Cases  Diagnosed  by  the  Bio-Dynamo-Chromatic  Method 

of  Dr.  George  Starr  White,  by  T.  Howard  Plank 693 

Bloodless  Surgery  in  Chronic  Diseases,  by  J.  F.  Roemer,  M.  D 696 

Physician,  Heal  Thyself,  by  Dr.  J.  W.  Bush 698 

The  Catheter    601 

The  Treatment  of  External  Cancer,  by  Robert  A.  Patterson,  M.  D....  602 
Bio-Dynamo-Chromatic  Diagnosis  and  Therapy  (in  Hospital  Practice). 

by  Orin  W.  Joslin,  M.  D 605 

Diagnosing  and  Prescribing  by  a  New  Method,  by  J.  W.  Enos 608 

High  Blood  Pressure  (Case  Report),  by  Dr.  D.  V.  Ireland 613 

Surgical  Treatment  of  the  Insane,  by  James  W.  Parker,  M.  D 618 

Letters — Reports  Auto-Hemic  Therapy,  Dr.  T.  A.  Dean 614 

Dr.  C.  A.  Hulen,  Dr.  A.  B.  Collins bl5 

Little  Pure  Zinc  Oxide  on  the  Market 617 

Clinical  Thermometry  in  Drug  Pathogenesy,  by  Giles  F.  Goldsborough, 

M.  D.,   London  Homeopathic  Hospital 618 

DBCBMBBB 

EDITORIAL— 

A   Word    to   Old   Subscribers 625 

Should  We  Operate  for  Goitre? 628 

The  Placenta  as  a  Galagtagogue 631 

What  Is  Homeopathy?  by  G.  E.  DIenst,  M.  D 634 

Krameria    636 

Solanum  Dulcamara,  by  Wallace  McGeorge,  M.  D 638 

The  Comlnja:  Scarcity  of  Physicians,  by  Bayard  Holmes,  M.  D 640 

"Came  to  Scoff,  Remained  to  Pray" 642 

Teaching  Homeopathy  by   Correspondence 643 

Signs  of  Thyroid  Insufficiency 646 

Small  Puncture  Wounds,  by  James  West  Hlngston,  M.  D 647 

The  "A,"  "B,"  "C"  Camouflage — B 660 

Remedies    for    Girls 653 

Clinical  Verlflcatlons,  by  James  W.  Parker,  M.  D 656 

What  Is  Auto-Hemic  Therapy? — Reports,  Drs.  T.  A.  Dean,  C.  C.  Wal- 
tenbaugh,  R.  D.  Pope,  A.  Bell,  Dr.  P.  S.  Jensen,  Eugene  Hub- 
bell,  J.  Jay  Boyd,  A.  B.  Collins,  J.  E.  Brooking,  G.  S.  Pettit.  Wel- 
come A.    Hanor,   W.   A.   Hulen,    James   W.    Parker,   J.   W.   King, 

Charles    E.    Mooers 657-666 

Allied    HosplUl    Unit 666 

BOOK  REVIEWS— 

Handbook  of  Antiseptics — Secret,  T.  W.  Speed 667 

Manual  of  Anatomy — Surgical  Clinics  of  Chicago 668 

Current   Medical   Literature 669 

Flavlne  and  Brilliant  Green  as  Antiseptic 670 

Carcinoma  of  Mammary  Gland-Surg.  Clinics  of  Chicago 670 

Chlorazene  Used  Intravenously — American  Journal  Clin.  Med 670 

Pulsatilla,  Radium  and  Rhus.  Tox — Journal  A.  I.  Hom , 671 

Phytolacca — Eclectic   Medical   Journal 672 

Pellagra    673 

Camouflaged   Quackery — Medical   Counsel 673 


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NORTH  AMBRIOAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMiBOPATHT  IX 

SOME  OF  THE  USES  AND  ABUSES  OF  MASSAGE 

Writing  in  the  Lancet  of  July  8,  1916,  Clayton  says  now  that  mass- 
age is  used  to  such  a  large  extent  in  the  military  hospitals  it  seems 
necessary  to  point  out  some  of  the  dangers  of  using  it  indiscriminately 
in  all  cases.  Thus  to  give  massage  continuously  for  m<mths  to  a  pa- 
tient with  a  functional  paralysis  would  tend  to  keep  up  the  disability 
rather  than  cure  it,  because  the  massage  continually  reminds  the  pa- 
tient of  his  condition.  On  Uie  other  hand,  where  a  nerve  is  injured  and 
the  muscles  it  supplies  are  paralyzed  massage  is  strongly  indicated  to 
prevent  atrophy  and  contractures.  The  following  are  the  treatments 
which  Clayton  has  found  most  succussful  for  some  of  the  commoner 
disabilities  that  are  treated  in  military  hospitals'* 

1.  Functional  paralysis.  In  many  cases  these  patients  have  a  con- 
siderable amount  of  rigidity  of  the  back  and  legs,  and  this  prevents  them 
from  sitting  up.  It  is  perfectly  hopeless  to  try  to  cure  them  with  mas- 
sage. From  the  start-off  efforts  should  be  made  to  teadi  the  patient  to 
stand  and  walk.  At  first  two  strong  assistants  are  required  to  hold  him 
up,  and  usually  he  cannot  move  one  leg  in  front  of  the  other.  Massage 
and  faradism  should  be  given  for  the  first  week  or  two  in  addition  to 
the  walking  exercises,  in  order  to  stimulate  his  muscles  and  persuade 
him  that  he  is  being  helped  with  treatment  But  these  must  be  given 
up  at  an  early  date  whether  they  succeed  or  not,  as  they  tend  after  a 
time  to  hinder  progress.  Frequently  the  patient  learns  to  stand  and 
walk  with  assistance  before  the  rigidity  in  his  back  has  passed  off  suffic- 
iently to  allow  him  to  sit  up.  As  soon  as  possible  he  should  practice 
walking  by  himself  in  some  walking  machine.  Here  we  have  two  long 
parallel  bars  at  such  a  height  and  such  a  width  apart  that  the  patient 
can  rest  his  arms  on  them  comfortably  while  trying  to  get  his  balance. 
The  next  stage  is  to  learn  to  walk  in  this  apparatus  without  using  his 
arms  for  support.  Finally,  when  made  to  walk  in  the  open  in  all  prob- 
ability he  will  tend  to  Walk  in  a  cirde,  but  with  further  training  he 
should  learn  to  walk  properly.  During  eJl  this  time  he  is  given  exercise 
on  his  bed  or  in  a  chair  for  his  limbs  and  trunk,  and  it  is  very  essential 
for  the  masseur  to  be  always  very  optimistic  and  suggest  to  him  in  var- 
ious ways  that  he  is  improving  daily.  It  is  a  great  mistake  to  try  to 
get  rid  of  the  rigidity  and  restore  muscular  power  before  getting  him 
on  his  feet  Massage  may  be  continued  for  months  with  this  object 
in  view  without  getting  any  result 

2.  Paralyzed  muscles,  (a)  Due  to  nerve  injuries.  The  paralyz- 
ed muscles  should  be  treated  with  stimulating  massage  and  galvanism. 
Passive  movements  must  be  given  daily  to  the  joints  to  prevent  stiffness, 
especially  if  splints  are  being  worn  to  relax  the  paralyzed  muscles. 
In  addition  to  this  the  slightest  sign  of  return  of  power  must  be  encour- 
aged by  giving  assisted  and  active  movements  to  these  muscles  until 
they  are  sufficiently  strong  for  the  patient  to  do  exercises  by  himself. 
He  should  then  continue  with  regular  exercises  until  the  normal  power 
has  returned. 

(b)  FunctionaL  These  cases  must  be  treated  on  the  same  lines 
as  functional  paraplegia.  A  little  massage  and  faradism  at  first  to 
stimulate  the  muscles  and  suggest  to  the  patient  that  he  is  being  treat- 
ed. If  this  fails  to  produce  any  active  movement  after  a  short  time  the 
treatment  must  be  discontinued  and  something  else  tried.  Frequently 
after  faradism  the  patient  finds  he  can  do  a  little  active  movement 
This  can  be  gradually  increased  and  developed  by  making  him  practice 
movements  until  the  full  power  returns.  The  success  or  failure  of  these 
cases  dq;>ends  to  a  large  extent  on  the  masseur.    He  or  she  must  im- 


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a  KOBTH  AHKBIOAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHT 

press  on  the  patient  that  the  treatment  is  really  effecting  a  cure.  Other 
functional  conditions  should  be  treated  on  tJie  same  lines.  Massage, 
if  used,  is  merely  to  act  by  suggesting  to  the  patient  that  he  is  bein^ 
treated  and   recovering. 

8.  Flabby  heart.  This  may  either  occur  after  a  long  illness,  such 
as  typhoid  fever,  or  may  be  the  "soldier's  heart"  due  to  overstrain. 
These  cases  respond  well  to  graduated  exercises.  In  the  early  stage 
when  the  patient  is  still  in  bed,  massage,  in  the  form  of  kneading,  to 
the  limbs  should  be  also  given.  Breathing  exercises  form  an  important 
part  of  the  treatment,  and  the  patient  should  be  taught  to  breathe  slow- 
ly and  evenly  while  performing  the  other  movements.  In  almost  every 
case  the  pulse-rate,  if  rapid  at  first,  falls  during  and  after  the  exercises, 
and  it  also  becomes  stronger. 

The  followinjg  is  an  example  of  a  scheme  of  treatment  ordered  for  a 
patient  who  is  still  confined  in  bed:  (1)  Six  deep  breaths;  (2)  arm 
kneading  followed  by  active  elbow  flexion  and  extension  (six  times); 
(3)  six  deep  breaths ;  (4)  leg  kneading  followed  by  active  ankle  fl^- 
ion  and  extension  (six  times) ;  (5)  six  deep  breaths.  This  treatment 
is  gradually  increased  as  the  patient  becomes  stronger,  body  exercises 
are  added,  and  the  massage  is  discontinued.  Finally,  the  patients  walks 
up  a  certain  number  of  stairs  daily  under  the  supervision  of  the 
masseur,  in  addition  to  the  other  exercises. 

4.  Joint  injuries,  (a)  After  adhesions  have  been  broken  down. 
The  joint  is  usually  swollen,  stiff,  and  painful  for  the  first  few  days. 
Passive  movements  should  be  commenced  the  following  day  to  prevent 
adhesions  reforming.  Gentle  soothing  stroking  down  the  limb,  perform- 
ed for  ^Ye  minutes  before  and  while  the  joint  is  being  moved,  will 
often  prevent  painful  contractions  of  the  muscles  and  so  allow  of  a  freer 
range  of  movement.  No  forcing  must  be  allowed.  The  movements 
should  be  very  slow  and  gentle,  and  the  limb  well  supported  so  that  the 
muscles  can  relax. 

(b)  Chronic  traumatic  synovitis.  For  this  condition  exercises  are 
strongly  indicated.  Even  if  fluid  reaccumulates  they  should  be  contin- 
ued. In  addition  massage  can  be  given  to  the  joint  and  the  muscles 
which  pass  over  it,  and  passive  movements  until  the  full  range  of 
movement  of  the  joint  is  established.  The  exercises  should  be  perform- 
ed twice  a  day.  Thus  for  a  knee-joint  one  would  give  knee  flexion  and  ex- 
tension (1)  sitting  and  (2)  standing.  The  former  exercise  will 
be  chiefly  for  the  anterior  thigh  muscles,  and  the  latter  for  the  posterior. 
These  exercises  can  be  increased  by  fixing  a  weight  on  the  jMitient's 
foot.  Finally,  he  should  do  exercises  with  his  weight  on  the  disabled 
limb.  These  exercises  should  be  continued  until  the  patient  can  hop 
round  the  room  on  his  injured  leg.  These  same  exercises  should  be  giv- 
en to  all  cases  in  which  a  cartilage  has  been  removed  from  the  knee 
before  the  patient  returns  to  duty.  To  try  to  redevelop  the  thigh 
muscles  with  massage  only  is  perfectly  hopeless,  but  massage  may  be 
helpful  in  the  earlier  stages  when  the  limb  aches  after  very  little  exercise. 

It  will  be  noticed  that  almost  all  these  treatments  end  in  exercises. 
Clayton  considers  this  to  be  very  important  because  muscles  always 
atrophy  after  an  injury  in  their  neighborhood.  But  there  is  another 
very  important  reason.  If  a  patient  is  given  massage  for  a  long  period 
and  is  not  made  to  make  an  effort  himself  he  is  very  liable  to  develop 
some  functional  disability.  To  take  a  case,  a  patient  who  suffered  from 
bad  trench  feet,  and  had  been  treated  for  about  six  months  without  be- 
ing allowed  to  walk,  began  to  develop  a  talipes  varus  and  a  tremor  in 
his  legs  on  active  movement.  He  was  made  to  walk  at  once  and  do  ex- 
ercises on  his  feet  to  stop  this  functional  disability.    Finally,  there  are 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY  XI 

the  casee  which  require  no  massage,  but  simply  careful  examination  to 
find  the  cause  for  the  continuation  of  the  disability,  and  then  some  simple 
treatment  for  it. 


UNITED  STATES  PUBLIC  HEALTH  SERVICE 

liefutation  of  the  claim  that  the  government  does  not  concern  itself 
with  the  loss  from  preventable  disease  is  contained  in  the  annual  report 
of  the  Surgeon  General  of  the  Public  Health  Service  recently  submitted 
to  Congress.  Activities  ranging  from  the  prevention  and  cure  of  blind- 
ness, scientific  studies  of  pellagra,  the  protection  of  the  health  of  indus- 
trial workers,  the  prevention  of  the  introduction  of  typhus  fever,  investi- 
gations of  child  labor  and  health  insurance,  the  eradication  of  com- 
municable diseases  and  the  control  of  the  pollution  of  navigable  streams, 
are  recorded  and  demonstrate  conclusively  that  the  national  government 
is  vitally  concerned  in  the  health  of  its  citizens. 

The  most  striking  achievement  of  the  year  relates  to  pellagra,  an 
affliction  which  in  certain  states  destroys  more  lives  than  tuberculosis. 
Pellagra  is  no  longer  a  disease  of  mystery  as  the  Public  Health  Service 
has  clearly  shown  that  it  is  caused  by  a  restricted  diet  and  that  it  may 
be  prevented  and  cured  by  means  of  a  properly  balanced  ration.  The 
practical  application  of  this  knowledge  has  already  resulted  in  a  mater- 
ial reduction  in  the  prevalence  of  this  affliction  in  all  parts  of  the  coun- 
try and  it  is  confidently  believed  that  in  another  year  even  more  marked 
improvement  will  be  observed. 

In  the  eradication  of  trachoma,  a  contagious  disease  of  the  eyes 
frequently  terminating  in  blindness,  such  marked  success  has  been  ob- 
tained that  the  methods  followed,  the  converting  of  private  residencea 
into  small  hospitals  and  the  holding  of  free  open  air  clinics,  have  been 
adopted  by  the  Egyptian  government.  During  the  year  1,700  persons  were 
operated  upon  for  the  relief  of  partial  or  complete  blindness,  nearly  2,000 
received  hospital  treatment,  while  more  than  19,000  were  treated  at 
hospital  dispensaries  and  clinics.  When  it  is  realized  that  large  pro- 
portion of  these  people  were  doomed  to  years  of  suffering  terminating 
in  at  least  partial  blindness  and  that  they  have  been  restored  to  lives 
of  usefulness,  in  some  instances  even  being  taken  from  county  poor- 
houses  where  they  had  been  public  charges  for  the  greater  portion  of 
their  days,  the  importance  of  this  most  beneficient  work  can  be  imagined. 
The  total  cost  of  this  undertaking,  including  the  remodeling  of  build- 
ings and  every  expense  in  connection  with  the  feeding  and  care  of  pa- 
tients, was  less  than  $39,000  for  the  year. 

Increased  interest  was  shown  by  the  government  in  the  health  of 
rural  dwellers  and  Congress  has  recognized,  by  making  an  appropriation 
for  studies  in  rural  sanitation,  that  the  welfare  of  the  country  resident 
is  not  to  be  neglected.  During  the  past  three  years  80,270  homes  in  15 
different  counties  of  13  states  were  visited  and  complete  sanitary  sur- 
veys made  of  the  premises.  In  every  instance  definite  recommendations 
were  given  to  remedy  such  evils  as  existed,  as  for  example  the  pollu- 
tion of  wells,  the  presence  of  disease  bearing  insects  and  the  improper 
disposal  of  excreta.  In  addition,  22,234  homes  were  revisited,  mostly 
at  the  request  of  the  owners,  in  order  that  the  government  agents  could 
inspect  the  improvements  instituted.  Wherever  this  method  of  bring- 
ing the  lessons  of  sanitation  directly  to  the  rural  dweller  has  been  fol- 


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Xll  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMOEOPATHY 

lowed  a  marked  reduction  has  been  observed  in  the  prevalence  of  lyphoid 
fever,  hookworm,  malaria  and  other  preventable  diseases. 

Attention  has  also  been  given  to  the  health  of  the  children  of  the 
nation,  more  especially  to  rural  school  children.  Over  32,000  children 
attending  the  public  schools  were  examined  during  the  year  in  order 
to  determine  their  mental  status  and  the  causes  and  percentage  of  men- 
tal retardation  and  deficiency.  In  addition  7,000  physical  examinations 
were  completed  for  the  determination  of  physical  defects. 

The  health  of  industrial  workers  has  been  safeguarded  to  a  greater 
extent  than  at  any  time  in  the  past.  Studies  have  been  made  of  the  oc- 
cupational hazards  of  steel  workers  in  many  of  the  leading  industrial  es- 
tablishments of  the  country  and  insanitary  and  harmful  conditions  cor- 
rected. In  the  zinc  mines  of  Missouri  methods  have  been  adopted  which 
should  go  far  toward  eradicating  tuberculosis  from  that  district.  Inves- 
tigations of  child  labor  and  of  health  insurance  have  also  been  made. 

What  is  regarded  as  the  largest  and  most  single  important  under- 
taking of  this  nature  yet  inaugurated,  the  investigation  of  the  pollution 
of  the  Ohio  river,  is  still  in  progrress.  Surveys  of  the  Atlantic  Coast 
and  New  England  watersheds  have,  however,  been  completed  and  the 
extent  and  effects  of  their  pollution  is  now  known; this  knowledge  demon- 
strates that  Federal  legiaLettion  to  prevent  the  contamination  ot  water 
sources  is  a  necessity. 

Better  provision  for  the  health  of  travelers  has  been  obtained  by 
safeguarding  the  water  supplies  of  common  carriers  and  through  the 
promulgation  of  regulations  governing  the  transportation  of  persons 
suffering  from  communicable  diseases. 

Energetic  efforts  have  been  made  to  prevent  the  introduction  of  all 
communicable  diseases  and  to  control  those  already  with  us.  Typhus 
fever  has  been  combated  at  all  points  on  the  Mexican  border  and  dis- 
infection plants  established  where  the  clothing  and  persons  of  all  in- 
coming aliens  have  been  disinfected.  At  one  station  alone.  El  Paso, 
Texas,  26,000  persons  were  inspected  and  treated  in  such  a  manner  as  to 
insure  their  freedom  from  this  highly  fatal  infection. 

Plague  eradicative  measures  at  New  Orleans  have  been  continued. 
Over  371,000  rodents,  the  carriers  of  plague  infection,  were  either  trap- 
ped or  killed  and  more  than  100,000  were  carefully  examined.  No 
human  case  of  the  disease  has  occurred  during  the  year.  Measures  for 
the  control  of  typhoid  fever,  Ro<^  Mountain  spotted  fever,  malaria  and 
other  infections  have  been  continued  as  heretofore  and  the  results  of- 
tained  have  bi-en  most  gratifying. 

In  onlr  a  single  field,  the  medical  inspection  of  immigrants,  has 
the  work  of  the  Public  Health  Service  shown  any  diminution  during  the 
year  but  this  has  been  compensated  for  by  the  more  thorough  examina- 
tion accorded.  481,270  aliens  were  examined  for  the  purpose  of  deter- 
mining physical  and  mental  defects.  Of  these,  16327  were  certified  for 
deportation,  proportionately  a  greater  number  than  has  even  been  re- 
corded. The  percentage  of  mental  defectives  certified  is  also  steadily 
increasing. 

At  the  Marine  hospitals  and  relief  stations  of  the  service  approxi- 
mately 69,000  beneficiaries  received  medical  or  surgical  treatment,  a 
number  greater  by  10,000  than  for  any  previous  year. 


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Xlll 


More  dependable 

than  filtered 

water. 

More  natural 

than  distilled 

water. 

Filtered      water 

gtvts     a    False 

sense  of  security. 

Par  Divideadu  la  Health 
DRINK 

Berkshire  Sprii  ;  Water 

517  E.  132d.  h  'reet 
NEW  YORK 


NUTS  AND  FRUITS— THEIE  VA. 
CHILDREN 


N  THE  DIET  OF 


BY  GEORGE  DOW  SCOTT,  A.B.,  B.S.,  M.D. 

New  York  City.— N.  Y.  State  Jour,  of  Med. 
Nuts  and  fruits  form  together  what  is  known  as  a  fn 
To  within  a  short  time  nuts  and  fruits  were  given  empir 
rather  indefinite  idea  that  fruits  were  laxative  and  nuts  wt 
ing.     Among  the  laity  it  is  also  firmly  establish 
indigestion  and  that  fruits  cause  hyi>eracidity 
knowlei  ge  that  nuts  are  highly  nutritious  is  ne 
tain  water,  protein,  fat,  sugar,  starch,  crude  fibre 
portions.     Each  kind  of  nut  also  has  its  peculiar 
value.     Dry  nuts  are  very  high  in  nutritive  value,  a 
contain  more  fat  than  any  vegctabl    subsl  T 

taken  of  this  fact  to  make  nut  but.  ^rs  (  ^ 
These  nut  butters  are  decidedly  moi-*  f  .  ,  •• 
butter  and  are  equal  in  value  to  th  i*  as  ..h* 
carbohydrates,  mineral  matter  and  food  s^i  u^*, 
•ompared  with  cream  and  top  mi'k.     Robert 

are  not  so  easily  digested  in  the  stjr  ich  because  of  their  excessive  fat, 
and  on  account  of  a  high  proportion  of  cellulose,  which  latlii  -forms  a 
dense  and  compact  framework  throughout  the  structure  of  the  i^ut.  By 
good  mastication,  however,  and  better  through  grinding  and  cooking,  the 
digest*'*  ility  is  greatly  increased. 


arian  diet, 
ly  with  a 
constipat- 
^  that  nuts  give  rise  to 
To  some  of  us  the 
They,  however,  oon- 
nd  ash  in  large  pro- 
id  particular  caloric 
'\  bulk  foi  Vvlk  they 
w.     Ac'       ^  ige  is 
-es  aki  ^hem. 

*h  m  ordi  a*^     ream 
'»Uin  pro  eids,  fats, 
are  therefore  to  be 
hinson  believes  nuts 


'I  at 
I 


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NORTH   AMERICAN'   JOIRNAI.  OF   HOMCEOPATHY 

HOMCEOPATHY 

The  Boericke  and  Tafel 

Homoeopathic  Pharmacies 

were  established  in  the  year  1835.  Their  medicines  have  always  been  the 
standard  in  Homoeopathic  drugs,  the  drugs  the  provers  use,  the  drugs  of 
the  careful  prescriber  who  believes  in  medicine.  Through  this  house,  B. 
&  T.,  Dr.  CouBtantine  Hering  brought  out  the  biochemic  remedies  of 
Schuessler;  the  pioneer  house.  Through  this  house,  also.  Dr.  Fuller  in* 
troduced  the  tablet  triturate  because  of  the  great  superiority  of  its  trit- 
urations. Each  of  the  ten  pharmacies  carries  a  complete  line  of  the  finest 
medicine  cases  and  eyerything  needed  by  the  physicians.  Oall  or  write 
to  the  nearest  address  as  follows : 

Philadelphia :  1011  Arch  St ;  125  S.  Eleventh  St ;  15  N.  Sixth  St 

New  York :  145  Grand  St ;  145  W.  43rd  St ;  634  Columbus  Ave. 

Cincinnati :  213  W.  Fourth  St  Pittsburgh :  702  Penn  Ave. 

Chicago :  156  N.  Wabash  Ave.  Baltimore :  326  N.  Howard  St 


■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■MM Pl 

The  absorbability  of  nuts  is  marked.  Many  fructarians  have  lived 
on  a  diet  of  nuts  and  fruits  and  have  done  well.  In  experiments  in  Cali- 
fornia it  was  found  that  82.5  per  cent  proteid,  86.9  per  cent  fat  and  96 
per  cent  of  non-nitrogenous  matter  was  absorbed.  The  nutritious  value 
of  nuts  being  so  high  I  have  given  them  to  children  as  a  substitute  for 
meat  in  intestinal  fermentation,  for  they  are  a  more  concentrated  food 
than  even  cheese.  For  instance,  thirty  large  walnuts  weighing  without 
shells  100  grammes  contain  as  much  fat  as  2%  lbs.  of  moderately  lean 
beef,  but  on  the  other  hand  2  3-5  oz.  of  the  beef  would  be  equal  to  them 
in  proteid. 

The  commercial  demand  for  nuts  is  changing  with  the  years,  through 
wider  knowledge  of  their  nutritive  qualities  and  through  a  wider  under- 
standing of  selection  and  breeding.  We,  therefore,  nowadays  enjoy  nuts 
of  larger  size,  better  flavor  and  thiner  shells.  The  flavor  of  nuts  is  de- 
I)endent  upon  certain  oils,  although  in  some  varieties  we  have  also  specific 
flavoring  bodies.  The  nut  oils  readily  become  rancid,  which  must  be 
remembered  in  making  nut  butters  for  children.  Certain  nuts  have  cer- 
tain flavors  and  children  have  their  preference  as  to  these  in  the  same 
manner  as  they  enjoy  the  flavor  of  certain  fruits.  For  instance  the 
chestnut  has  a  starchy  as  well  as  a  nutty  flavor;  the  almond,  peach  and 
plum  pits  possess  a  cynanid  acid  flavor.  Roasted  peanuts,  which  our 
youngsters  so  much  like,  depend  for  their  flavor  upon  the  browned  oils, 
starches,  and  other  carbohydrates. 

Some  nuts  are  high  in  protein,  the  peanut,  for  instance,  29.8  per 
cent,  and  the  butternut  27.9  per  cent,  surpassing  in  this  regard  many 
ordinary  vegetables  and  animal  foods.     The  peacan  on  the  other  hand  is 


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FRfcf  KE^ittlHldM  pltNdiL 


PrMcription  pencil,  mnplet.  Mialvsit  ft  literature  free  to  phyiiciam  on  request. 


M®  P" 


Dennos  tucceeds  because  of  its 

balanced  excellence  in  the  three 

supremely  important  points   of 

infant  feeding: 

Composition :       The  Dennos 

modification  is  correct  in  every 

essential  point,  and  is  therefore     _„_  ^-.-^-«  .....-«-  ..••••  ..ai^bm^m 

7^^'  '^.^^S-.S-trArt'?  TM  WHOLE  WHEAT  MILK  MOOinEI 

ment  used — partially  dextrinized 
whole  wheat — is  rich  in  hone-building  salts,  and  is 
specially    useful    in    overcoming    rickets    and    the 
stunting  eflFect  of  prolonged  malnutrition. 

Specify  DENNY'S  MILK  OP  MAGNESIA: 
DENNOS  POOD  SALES  CO.,  218 


Purity:      The    Dennos   pro 

makes  the  milk  practically  safe 
from     dangerous     germs     and 
spore  development. 
Digestibility:  The  Dennos  mod- 
ification   is    soothing    to    weak 
stomachs,  and  so  easily  digest- 
ed as  to  be  invaluable  in  ex- 
treme   cases    requiring   immed- 
iate nourishment. 
Dennos    is   good    for   sick    and    well   babies,    for 
invalids,    the    aged,   nursing   mothers    and    under- 
nourished children.  •       .       ^ 
Guaranteed  pharmaceuticallv. perfect  by  the 
W.  Ontario  St.,  Chicago,  IlL 


WHY? 


I 


Get  the  reason  in  our 
free  booklet  of  clinical 
data 

^SINUSOIDALOGY  * 


Your  copy  is  ready  bo«r.     Mail  that  postal 
to-day    to     ultima    Physical    Appliance    Ca, 
186  W.  Lake  St,  Chicago,  111. 
(For  prompt  answer  mark  envelope  N.A.J.H.) 


8AL  HEPATICA 

M  EFFERVESCING 

SALINE  COMBINATION 

LAXATIVE  AND 
ELIMINANT 


BRISTOL-MYERS  CO. 

NEW  YORK 


richest  in  fat  70.7  per  cent.,  while  the  Brazil  nut,  the  butternut,  the 
filbert,  hickory  nut,  walnut,  and  pine  nut  contain  60  per  cent.  The 
beechnut  and  peanut  contain  of  fat  between  50  and  60  per  cent. 

The  dried  chestnut  has  the  highest  carbohydrate  content  or  73  per 
cent.    The  mineral  matter  ranges  in  excess  of  2  per  cent  in  most  nuts. 

The  discomfort  of  eating  nuts  is  due  partly,  as  I  have  said  before, 
to  their  faulty  mastication,  as  well  as  to  an  erroneous  custom  of  giving 
children  nuts  after  a  hearty  meal  or  between  meals  or  given  late  at  night. 
They  should  form  an  integral  part  of  a  meal.  Probably  nut  protein  is  not 
so  easily  digested  as  meat  protein  due,  no  doubt,  to  water  content  of  3 
to  5  per  cent  in  nuts  as  against  50  to  70  per  cent  in  meat  It  is,  there-  / 
fore,  fair  to  assume  that  the  finer  nuts  are  divided,  chopped  and  mashed, 
the  more  rapid  will  be  their  digestibility,  presupposing  they  are  not 
eaten  after  a  hearty  ineal. 

Professor  M.  E.  JafPe  speaking  enthusiastically,  believes  that  after 
thorough  mastication  the  nut  protein  is  as  easily,  if  not  more  so  com- 
pletely digested  than  the  protein  of  bread  and  milk. 

Oarrington  says'-  ''Nuts  are  less  liable  to  cause  indigestion  when 
they  form  the  sole  element  or  the  great  part  of  a  meal  or  when  mixed 
with  fruit  than  when  eaten  in  combination  with  any  other  food.''  I 
cannot  fully  agree  with  him.  Sometimes  discomfort  comes  from  over- 
stocking the  digestive  tract  with  nut  protein.  Experiments  made  at 
the  Oalifornia  station  showed  that  considerable  quantities  of  nuts  could 
be  taken  without  distress.     Carrington  furthermore  believes  that  a  diet 


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NORTH  AilERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHY 


IR.    BARNES    SANITARIUM 

STAMFORD.   CONNECTICUT 

A  Private  Sanitarium  for  Mental  and  Nervous 
Diseases.        Also     Cases    of     GeneriJ 
Invalidism.       Separate       Depart- 
ment for   Cases  of  Inebriety. 
The  buildings  are  modem,  situated  in  spac- 
ious    and     attractive     ^rounds,     commanaing 
superb  views  of  Long  Island  Sound  and  sur- 
rounding hill   country.     The   accommodations, 
table,    attendance,    nursing    and    all    appoint- 
ments  are  first-class   in   every   respect       The 
purpose   of   the    Institution   is   to    give   proper 
medical  care  and  the  special  attention  needed 
in    each    individual    case.     50     minutes    from 
Grand  Central   Station.     For  terms   and   illut- 
tntod  booklet,  addrett 

F.  H.  BARNES,  Med.  Supt 

Telephone  1867. 


Easton  Sanitaiiiim 

DR.  C.  SPENCER  KINNEY,  Prop. 
Pormerij  First  Asflstent,  MIddletowB 
N.  Y.  State  HomoMpatlilc  Hospital. 

Mental  and  Nervons  Diseases 
a  Specialty 

Elderly  invalids  Qlven  special  care 

SELECT  CLASS  ONLY  RECEIVED 

EASTON.  PA. 


I^ong  Distance 
Telephone  xo6. 


ft 


'aNTERPINES 


Beautiful,  quiet.  RESTFUL,  HOME- 
LIKE. Twenty-six  years  of  suc- 
cessful work,  thoroughly  reliable,  de- 
pendable and  ethical.  Every  com- 
fort and  convenience;  accommoda- 
tions of  a  superior  quality.  Disorders 
of  the  nervous  system  a  specialty. 
FREDERICK  W.  SEWARD,  Sr.,  M.D. 
FREDERICK  W.  SEWARD,  Jr.,  M.D. 
Goshen,  New  York. 
'Phone,  117  Goshen. 


of  nuts  and  fruits  contain  a  higher  percentage  of  nutriment  than  or- 
dinary foods,  besides  being  very  cheap.  As  to  the  advisability  of  cook- 
ing nuts  or  of  eating  them  in  a  raw  state,  Gibbons  believes  that  unfired 
nuts  and  vegetables  (unfired  proteids)  neutralize  and  absorb  the  acids  of 
the  stomach  and  prevent  stomach  fermentation.  Drew  says,  speaking  of 
nuts  and  vegetables:  '^They  do  not  endanger  the  system  with  proteid 
poisoning  since  the  gastric  juices  determine  the  quantity  of  their  pro- 
tein required  and  to  be  absorbed."  Unfired  protein  has  a  wholesome 
chemical  constitution  after  it  is  digested  and  absorbed.  Cooked  and 
baked  legumes  and  nuts  (cooked  proteids)  have  lost  their  alkaline  activ- 
ity and  tend  to  putrid  fermentation  in  the  stomach  and  are  sure  to  decay 
in  the  intestines,  the  absorption  of  this  decomposition  causing  auto- 
intoxication and  constipation. 

The  more  vigorous  the  child  the  more  easily  does  it  digest  nuts 
and  their  butters.  A  word  as  to  the  preparation  of  nut  foods.  Salt,  by 
the  way,  does  not  make  nut  food  more  digestibla  Nut  butters  and  nut 
milk  should  be  prepared  from  freshly  ground  or  chopped  nuts,  freed  from 
chaff,  and  reduced  to  a  paste.  They  should  be  sealed  in  glass  or  earth- 
enware jars.  Nuts  are  commercial  in  many  forms,  in  syrup,  with  powd- 
ered sugar,  with  malt,  almond  paste,  the  famous  German  marzipan  and 
in  many  other  forms.  In  Stuttgart,  Germany,  when  a  lad  I  remember  the 
delight  of  the  chestnut  dressing  for  turkey  and  of  boiled  strained  Italian 
chestnut  for  birthday  cake  filling.  Medicinally  we  give  diabetics  flour 
and  meals  made  from  nuts  except  of  the  chestnut.  It  is  to  be  remem- 
bered also  that  many  peoples  depend  to  a  great  extent  upon  nuts  as  food. 
Chestnut  flour  forms  a  large  part  of  the  food  of  the  Italian  peasant    Im 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHV  XVll 


Crest  View  Sanatorium  ^^^^TonneotSiJ? 

Meal  Home  Amidst  Beautiful  Surroundings. 

Nervous  Diseases,  also  all  forms  of  Gastritis, 

38  Miles  Prom  New  York  City.  Neuritis  and  Rheumatism. 

Blectrotherapy.  F.  St.  Clair  Hitchcock,  Phynician,        N.  Y.  Tel.  1470  Plaza. 


SANME  I    I  O  OENITOHJRINARY  DISEASES. 

A  SootMng  Healer  to  inflaned  Cemfitions. 
A  ToMC-Stmalant  to  the  Repradoctive  Systen. 

Spedaly  VahnUein  Pnstotic  Troubles  of  Old  Men— hftable  Bladder— 

EniNmis-^;ystiti$-4lretliritis— Pre-SenHi. 

SOOTHING-RELIEVINC— RESTORING. 

I  hm  Vmm  a  Ow.  OD  CHEM.  CO.,  NEW  YORK. 


Mg||RlCLirroRNOWtoisoRocR5  NEURILLA 

ir  Parient  suffers  fromTHE  BLUES  (tierve  Exhaustion), 
Nervous  Insomnia.NervousHeadache.lrrirabitih/  or 
General  Nervousness, ^ve  four  Hmes  a  day  one 
teaspoonfuIW  E  O  R I LLA  __  .-^  ' 

P^aalflora  Inornaf  and  ArowMitioee 

DAD  CHEMICAL  C0MeA(£6  NEW  YORK  aiM>  PARIS. 

children  I  find  that  the  addition  of  nuts  to  the  meal  prerents  overeating 
and  the  bolting  of  great  masses  of  food. 

Mothers  should  understand  the  food  value  of  nuts  better,  giving  a 
variety  of  nuts  to  suit  the  individual  child.  Vegetables,  nuts  and  fruits 
contain  sufficient  nourishment  for  the  body,  but  physiologists  generally 
agree  that  a  mixed  diet  containing  meats,  eggs,  milk,  fruits,  cheese, 
eta,  is  generally  to  be  advised  as  the  protein  from  such  a  diet  has  a  high- 
er co-efficiency  of  digestibility  than  nut  protein.  I  want  it  thoroughly 
understood  that  I  give  nuts  and  their  butters  not  as  a  food  alone  in  it- 
self, but  as  an  addition  to  the  diet  Oautiously,  after  weaning,  the  child 
should  be  given  nut  butter.  Such  butters  must  be  more  carefully  pre- 
pared than  those  for  older  children.  The  nut  kernels  are  pounded  in  a 
nut  mill  or  mortar  until  of  thick  creamy  consistency,  strained  through  two 
layers  of  clean,  boiled  muslin  cloth  or  a  fine  wire  sieve  to  remove  any 
lumps.  Add  fruit  juice  or  finely  cut  fresh  fruit  to  it,  or  better  mashed 
fruit  Watch  the  stools  carefully  for  undigested  particles  or  any  chem- 
ical disarrangement  as  diarrhoea,  duodenitis  or  acute  entero-colitis.  If 
the  butter  agrees,  increase  the  quantity  gradually  not  overstocking  the 
child's  stomach  or  digestive  system.  If  disarrangement  should  appear, 
stop  the  nut  food  for  a  while  and  begin  again  later.  As  the  child  grows 
and  the  teeth  appear  the  nuts  are  then  ground  and  pounded  but  not 
strained;  they  should  be  chewed  welL  The  third  stage  is  to  remove  the 
kemds  from  the  shells — ^not  grind  them  but  let  the  child  chew  them  well. 
The  last  stage  is  to  have  the  child  crack  the  shells  with  the  teeth,  the 


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PHYSICLAJ4S'  DIRECTORY 

Explanation  of  Signs: 
t       Member  of  the  A.  I.  of  H.  *       Member  of  State  Society. 

A.      Albany  Med.  Coll.  Mo.    Missouri  Horn.  Med.  ColL 

Bo.    Boston  Univ.  Med.  Coll.  N.       New  York  Horn.  Coll. 

Ch.    B.  Bennett  Med.  Coll.,  Chicago.  N.  Y.  New  York  Med.  Coll.  for  WomeiL 

Ca.     Ha.  Hann.  Med.  Coll.,  Chicago.  P.  C.  Pulte  Med.  Coll.,  Cincinnati 

Ca.     Ho.  Chicago  Hom.  Med.  Coll.  P.  H.  Hahn.  Med.  Coll.,  Philadelphia. 

Gl.      H.  Cleveland  Hom.  Med.  Coll.  U.  G.  Univ.  of  Georget'n,  Washington,  D.  C 

H.      Harvard  Univ.  Med.  Coll.  U.  M.  Un.  of  Mich.  Hom.  ColU  Ann  Arbor. 

M.      Hom.  Med.  Coll.  of  Missouri.  U.  V.  Univ.  of  Vermont. 

CALIFORNIA 

Los  Angeles,  Hawkes,  W.  J.,  t  *    Black  Bldg.,  4th  &  Hill  Streets. 

San  Francisco,  Ward,  Florence  N.,  t  *    Gynecology,  860  Hyde  St. 

Santa  Anna,  Waffle,  Willella  H.,  t*    Ch.  Ha.,  '86,  Obstetrics,  702  Bush  St- 
COLORADO 

Denver,  Beeler.  Margaret  H.,  t  *  D.  H.,  '99,  Obstet,  Gynecol.,  Commonweal^  BUf 

Evans,  Horton,  Daniel  J.,  t  *  D.,  General  Practice. 
CONNECTICUT 

Stamford,  Shirk.  S.  M..  t  ♦  Ph.,  '91,  Private  Patients,  233  Summer  St 
DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA 

Washington,  Swormstedt,  L.  B.,  t  *  P.  H.,  '77,  Heart,  Lungs  and  Gen'l.,  14SS  14*. 
FLORIDA 

Jacksonville,  Johnson,  C.  W..  t  *  CI.,  '81,  General. 
ILLINOIS 

Chicago,  Cobb,  J.  P..  t  *  Ch.  Ha.,  '83.  General.  Heyworth  Bldg.  and  254  E.  47tli  St 
Hobson,   Sarah   M.,   Bo.   '90,   700   Marshall   Field   Bldg.;  residence  54« 
Blackstone  Avenue. 
MARYLAND 

Frederick,  Goodell,  Chas.  F.,  t  *  Ph.,  '83,  General,  19  East  Patrick  St. 
MASSACHUSETTS 

Boston.  Kice.  Geo.  B..  t*  Bo..  '86.  Nose  and  Throat.  220  Clarendon  St 

Another  8et  of  cases  was  taken  in  which  the  conditions  were  the 
same  as  the  foregoing  in  that  both  parents  had  died  of  cancer,  but  tlie 
records  of  the  family  history  were  not  readily  obtainable  at  the  present 
date  and  therefore  such  history  was  taken  at  the  date  of  application  for 
insurance.  Failure  to  obtain  the  family  record  as  of  the  date  of  this 
investigation  was  due  either  to  the  former  policyholder's  address  being 
unknown,  or  his  present  residence  being  so  remote  that  an  interview  was 
impracticabla 

Of  139  sons  and  daughters  (both  of  whose  parents  had  died  of 
cancer),  who  lived  beyond  the  age  of  40,  8  died  at  an  average  aare  of 
61,  but  none  of  these  died  from  cancer;  the  average  age  of  the  living 
was  49.  Of  47  who  lived  beyond  the  age  of  50,  3  died  at  an  average 
age  of  56,  none  of  the  deaths,  of  course,  being  due  to  cancer. 

Through  interviews  or  correspondence,  the  record  of  the  uncles 
and  aunts  of  a  number  of  the  insured,  both  of  whose  parents  had  died 
of  cancer,  was  obtained,  traced  to  the  present  time.  Of  these  brothers 
and  sisters  of  persons  who  had  died  from  cancer,  200  deaths  were  from 
known  causes  at  an  average  age  of  61,  and  of  these,  9  died  from  cancer, 
74  were  living  at  an  average  age  of  72  and  27  died  from  unknown 
causes.  The  deaths  from  cancer  were  lower  than  the  normal. 
A  snyopsis  is  now  given: 

472  Grandparents 
Deaths  from: 

Known  causes   (including  old  age) 234 

Cancer  t 2 

Unknown  causes 227 

Living   11 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY  XIX 

PHYSICIANS'  DIRECTORY  -  Continued 

MINNESOTA 

Minneapolis^  Aldrich,  Henry  C,  t  *  P*  H^  401  Donaldson  Building. 
NEW  JERSEY 

Aabury  Park,  Bryan,  J.  H.,  t*  N.  '90,  Phys.  Then  &  General,  221  Asbury  Ave. 
Hackensack,  Adams,  C.  F.,  t  *  N.,  '84.  General,  229  Union  Street. 
Princeton,  Drury,  Alfred,  t  *  N.,  '00,  General,  1st  Nat'l  Bank  Bldg. 
Paterson,  Kinne,  P.  S.,  t  *  N.,  '72,  General,  575-E.  28th  St. 
NEW  YORK 

Albany,  Dowling,  J.  I.,  t  *  N.,  '95,  Eye,  Ear,  Nose  and  Throat,  116  Washington  Atc. 
Brooklyn,  Baylies,  B.  LeB.,  t  *  P.  &  S.,  G.  P.  and  Chron.  Dis..  418  Putnam  Ave. 

Butler,  Wm.  M.,  f*  P.  &  S.,  '73.  Ment.  and  Nerv.  Dis.,  607  Clinton  Ave. 
Close,  Stuart,  *  N.,  '85  Prescribing  and  Chron.  Dis.,  248  Hancock  St. 
New  York,  Chase,  J.  Oscoe.  t  *  N.,  '87,  Gyn'y.  and  Orificial  Surgery,  214  E.  S3rd  St. 
DieflFenbach,  W.  H.,  t  *  N.,  *00.  Electro-Ther.,  256  W.  67th  St. 
Garrison,  J.  B.,  t  *  N.,  '82,  Ear,  Nose  and  Throat,  616  Mad.  Ave. 
Laidlaw,  Geo.  F.,  f  ♦  '90,  Med.  Diag.  and  Treatment,  58  W.  53rd  St 
McDowell,  Geo.  W.,  t  *  N.,  '86,  Eye,  Ear  and  Throat,  40  E.  41st  St. 
Mills,  Walter  Sands,  f  ♦  N.,  '89,  Physical  Diagnosis,  324  W.  89th  St. 
Palmer,  A.  Worrall,  t  *  N.,  '83.  Ear.  Nose  and  Throat,  210  W.  57th  St. 
Russell,  H.  Everett,  f  *  Dis.  of  Children,  Exclusively,  323  W.  80th  St 
Storer,  J.  H.,  t  *  N.,  '91,  General,  30  Edgecombe  Ave.,  near  136th  St 
PENNSYLVANIA 

Philadelphia,  Gramm,  Ed.  M.,  t  *  P.  H.,  '80,  Dermatological  and  Physico-Therapy. 
518  Perry  Building,  16th  and  Chestnut  Streets. 
RHODE  ISLAND 

Providence,  Whitmarsh,  H.  A.,  t  *  N.,  Surgery  and  Gyn'y.,  78  Jackson  St. 
ENGLAND 

London,  Searson,  James,  35a  Welback  St.,  Cavendish  Sq.,  W. 
ITALY 

Florence,  Mattoli,  D.,  M.  D.,  General  Practice  and  Surgery,  17  Via  Montebello. 
Member  of  the  American  I.  of  H..  Member  of  the  International  H.  Atf., 
Member   of   the    Hom<ieop.   Medical    Society   of   the    County   of   N.   Y. 

the  tannin  and  vegetable  acids  which  it  originally  contained  are  altered 
80  that  it  becomes  less  astringent  and  acid,  the  starch  is  more  or  less 
turned  into  levnlose  or  glucose  and  soluble  pectin  is  formed.  The  aroma 
and  taste  depend  upon  the  relative  quantity  of  these  different  substances 
together  with  certain  volatile  ethers  and  oils  in  the  skins."  It  is  well 
for  the  mother  to  remember  that  the  more  luscious  the  fruit  the  more 
soluble  are  the  sugars  and  the  special  flavoring  substances  it  contains. 

Fruits  are  refreshing,  for  I  believe  that  the  water  contained  in  the 
raw  fruit  juices  of  certain  or  of  all  fruits  enjoys  a  certain  vitality  or 
tang,  electrical  reaction  or  whatever  it  may  be  called.  As  Parcault  so 
strongly  points  out,  this  peculiar  vitality  simulates  that  of  a  mineral 
water. 

Fruits  are  nutritious.  Many  savage  tribes  exist  on  nuts  and  fruits 
almost  wholly.  Carrington  believes  that  a  fructarian  diet  is  more  nutri- 
tious than  is  meat  JafPe  mentions  three  children  living  upon  such  a 
diet,  and  though  undersized  they  were  healthy  and  not  suffering  from 
colds  or  the  average  childhood  maladies.  Personally  I  believe  in  a  gen- 
eral diet  Major  McCay,  mentioning  the  hill  tribes  of  lower  Bengal  says 
of  them,  ''that  through  an  excess  of  vegetables  and  fruits,  they  are  de- 
graded, ladcing  ambition  and  suffering  from  an  increased  peristalsis 
thereby  throwing  out  the  food  before  it  is  sufioiently  assimilated  and 
digested.  Only  65  per  cent  of  the  protein  was  absorbed.''  Meat  in  the 
amount  given  to  our  young  is  a  crime.  Intestinal  intoxications  with  all 
its  attendant  evils  are  seen  daily.  Meat,  however,  in  small  quantities 
is,  I  believe,  absolutely  essential  to  the  child's  growth  because  many 
meats  contain  a  large  percentage  of  albumin  and  the  nuclein  of  meat  is 


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Physicians^  Supply 
&  Exchange 


Everything  for  the  Physician 

Bought,  Sold,  Rented  and  Exchanged 


Electro-Surgical  and  Medical  Apparatus 


::    47  West\\42nd  Street  New  York 

(Bryant  Park  Buildfog)  (Phone,  Bryant  3560) 


:«.:^4^3^*c)$HlSA:^«.d^A«fV:2i:«.^/^.:>^*:Mr.^  : 


A  PARENT  AND  A  BROTHER  OR  SISTER   HAVING  DIED  FROM    CANCER 

My  next  study  was  of  family  records  of  cases  where  one  paroit 
and  one  son  or  daughter  had  died  of  cancer.    This  covered  four  types : 

(1)  A  mother  and  daughter, 

(2)  A  mother  and  son, 
(8)    A  father  and  daughter, 
(4)     A  father  and  son. 

The  entire  statistics  were  comhined,  with  the  result  that  of  368 
grandparents,  the  causes  of  death  of  147  were  stated,  and  of  these,  only 
one  died  from  cancer;  many  of  the  deaths  were  ascribed  to  old  age. 
The  intention  was  to  sub-divide  the  foregoing  data  but  the  fact  that 
there  was  only  one  death  from  cancer  made  this  unnecessary.  On  ac- 
count of  the  labor  involved  it  was  not  thought  worth  while  to  attempt 
to  trace  the  history  of  the  sons  and  daughters  after  the  date  of  appU* 
cation  for  insurance,  especially  as  out  of  the  hundreds  of  thousan<£3  of 
policies  issued  by  four  large  insurance  companies  during  a  period  of 
25  years,  there  were  found  to  be  only  five  cases  in  which  the  parent  and 
two  or  more  sons  and  daughters  had  died  from  cancer.  This  fact  is 
not  very  significant  because  the  death  rate  from  cancer  is  light  among 
the  brothers  and  sisters  on  account  of  the  average  age  being  under  40. 

ONE  PARENT  HAVING  DIED  OF  CANCER 

The  reader  will  recall,  in  dealing  with  contagion,  my  reference  to 
an  examination  of  the  family  history  of  20,000  applicants  for  insurance^ 
it  having  been  found  that  among  these  cases  there  were  488  in  which 
one  parent  of  the  applicant  had  died  of  cancer  and  4  in  which  both 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OP  HOMOSOPATHT 


The    Journal    of   the    American 
Institute    of   HomoBopathy 

The  publicity  organ  of  the  Institute,  published  by  die 
Board  of  Trustees  in  behalf  of  good-fellowship  and  medical 
progress.  A  monthly  magazine  of  value  to  all  students  of 
internal  and  general  medicine. 

Journal  subscription,  $2.00  a  year.  Institute  member* 
ship,  $3.00  a  year.  Send  your  subscription  and  your  applica* 
tion  for  membership  to  die 

AMERICAN  INSTITUTE  OF  HOMCEOPATHY, 
917  ManhaU  Field  Bldg.,  Chicago. 


had  died.  In  examining  these  same  4S8  cases  with  reference  to  heredity, 
the  brotiiers  and  sisters  of  the  applicant  were  excluded  from  consider- 
ation if  they  were  living  or  had  died  below  the  age  of  40,  because  cancer 
causes  a  small  percentage  of  deaths  below  that  age.  Of  the  remaining 
sons  and  daughters  of  488  parents  who  had  died  of  cancer,  there  were  45 
who  had  died  aboTO  age  40  at  an  ayerage  age  of  51,  and  21  who  had  died 
aboTe  the  age  of  50,  l£e  average  age  of  these  at  death  being  60.  Among 
these  45,  there  were  only  two  who  died  of  cancer.  It  is  true  that  Uiere 
may  yet  be  deaths  from  cancer  among  the  persons  under  investigation 
who  are  still  living,  but  nevertheless,  the  fact  is  insignificant  in  relation 
to  the  inheritability  of  cancer  that  there  were  on^  two  deaths  from 
cancer  among  810  persons,  one  of  whose  parents  died  of  that  diesase, 
all  of  these  810  persons  having  lived  beyond  age  40;  and  that  tiiere  were 
288  of  these  who  had  lived  beyond  age  50,  the  average  age  being  59. 

A  synopsis  follows : 

810  Sons  and  Daughters 
Above  age  40 

Living   765 

Deaths  from : 

Known  causes 45 

Cancer 2 

Above  age  50 

Living  267 


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rii  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMOEOPATHY 

GALEN  HALL 

Gxinecticut  and  Pacific  Avenues 

Atlantic  Qty,  N.  J. 

Sanatorium  and  Hotel 

A  new  brick  Building  with  every  convenience,  elegantly  furn- 
ished, with  rooms  en  suite  and  private  baths,  with  hot  and 
cold  sea  water. 

Roof  Solarium  and  Three  Sun  Parlors 
For  convalescents  no  more  complete  or  restful  place  can  be 
found — ^with  excellent  table  and  diet  kitchen  for  invalids*  dainties. 
The  Treatment  Rooms  are  luxurious  and  fully  equipped  with  the 
latest  apparatus,  bodi  Electrical  and  Mydriatic.  Sea  water  used. 
A  full  Staff  of  physicians  and  nurses.  The  wishes  and  in- 
structions of  patient's  home  physician  always  respected. 

Booklet  on  Application  F#  Lr«    x  OUng^  General  Manager 


Deaths  from : 

Known  causes 21 

Cancer 1 

According  to  the  Mortality  Statistics  of  the  Census  Bureau,  based 
on  the  population  of  the  United  States,  the  number  of  deaths  to  be 
expected  above  the  age  of  40  from  cancer  would  be  about  three. 
(Continued  next  month) 


Comparison  of  the  Rate  op  Multiplication  of  Bacteria  in  Raw 
Milk  With  the  Rate  in  Pasteurized  Milk. — ^AUen  in  the  Journal  of 
Infectious  Diseases  for  November,  1916,  reports  on  a  study  of  this  sub- 
ject and  concludes  that  raw  milk  as  compared  with  pasteurized  miU^ 
exerts  a  powerful  suppressing  influence  on  the  multiplication  of  certain 
bacteria. 

When  bacillus  laetici-acidi  is  accustomed  to  the  milk  of  a  certain 
cow,  apparently  no  killing  ofP  of  this  organism  takes  place  in  freshly 
drawn  milk. 

When  a  single  cell  of  certain  pronouncedly  chromogenic  kinds  of 
bacteria  is  added  to  fresh  milk,  the  organism  is  found  plentifully  in 
the  milk  after  sixteen  hours  at  20©  C,  the  injurious  action  of  freshly 
drawn  milk  not  being  sufficiently  intense  to  kill  the  one  bacterial  cell. 

After  pasteurization  the  organisms  which  remain  in  the  milk  and 
those  which  are  able  to  get  into  the  milk  find  conditions  more  favorable 
for  their  rapid  multiplication  than  before  pasteurization. 


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KORTH  AMBSIOAM  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(EOPATHT  IZ 

CURRENT  EVENTS  AND  ANNOUNCEMENTS 


Conn.  Hom<eo.  Med.  Soo. — The  annual  meeting  of  the  Oonnecticut 
Homoeopathic  Medical  Society  at  which  an  attractive  program  was  fur- 
nished hy  the  American  Institute  of  Homoeopathy  was  held  at  10:30  a. 
m.,  Tuesday,  May  fifteenth,  at  Hotel  Taft,  New  Haven. 

Ohio  State  Society. — The  fifty-third  annual  session  of  the 
Homoeopathic  Medical  Society  of  the  State  of  Ohio  was  held  at  Horti- 
culture Hall,  Ohio  State  University^  Oolumhus,  Ohio,  on  Thursday, 
Friday,  and  Saturday,  May  3,  4,  and  5,  1917. 

One  of  the  features  of  the  afternoon  session  of  May  3,  was  a  paper 

.  on  the  "Acute  Abdomen"  by  C.  E.  Kahlke,  M.D.,  of  Chicago,  HI.    The 

evening  session  of  May  3  was  given  over  to  a  banquet  at  the  Elks'  Club. 

At  the  8 :30  a.m.  session  of  May  4,  R.  F.  Babe,  of  New  York  City, 
gave  a  very  valuable  paper  on  "The  Use  of  the  Repertory."  At  1:30 
p.m.  a  program  under  the  auspices  of  the  American  Institute  of  Homoeo- 
pathy included  W.  B.  Hinsdale,  M.D.,  Dean  of  the  University  of  Mich- 
igan Homoeopathic  Medical  College,  and  W.  A.  Dewey>  M.D.,  Secre- 
tary Council  on  Medical  Education,  American  Institute  of  Homoeopathy. 

Dean  Hinsdale^  of  the  U.  of  M.  Homoeopathic  Medical  College,  upon 
invitation,  has  been  elected  member  of  the  Association  of  University 
Professors.  Dr.  Hinsdale  is  the  first  member  of  the  homoeopathic  school 
to  receive  this  honor. 


THE  PRESIDENCY  OF  THE  A.I.H. 

A  history  of  the  presidential  elections  in  the  American  Institute 
of  Homoeopathy  reveals  the  fact  that  the  successful  incumbents  of  this 
I>ost  of  honor  have  rarely  been  elected  the  first  time  their  name  was 
proposed.  The  fact  that  Dr.  John  M.  Lee  of  Rochester  was  thus  formally 
introduced  to  the  profession  last  year  in  Baltimore  is  the  slightest  of 
many  things  that  presage  for  him  a  successful  campaign  this  June  when 
the  Institute  meets  in  his  home  city. 

There  are  many  reasons  why  his  candidacy  should*  have  the  whole- 
hearted support  of  the  members  of  this  august  body.  It  is  well  to  re- 
member the  staunch  and  loyal  support  whidi  Dr.  Lee  has  always  given 
to  homoeopathic  institutions.  He  has  been  the  ''oak  tree"  not  only  of 
his  immediate  community  but  of  the  State  of  New  York  as  well.  His 
skill  and  well  deserved  renown  in  his  special  field  of  work  are  but  the 
outgrowth  of  his  high  ideals  and  of  the  tenacity  he  has  shown  in  adher- 
ence to  them.  His  generosity  and  attitude  of  mental  tolerance,  his  nat- 
ural endowments  and  experience  qualify  him  as  the  man  who  will  solve 
many  of  the  questions  which  has  perplexed  the  Institute  for  yeats.  The 
Gazette  tidces  pleasure  in  endorsing  Dr.  Lee's  name  for  the  coming  elec- 
tion, and  hopes  that  its  readers  will  think  twice  before  casting  a  vote 
for  any  other  man. — ^The  New  England  Medical  Gazette. 

Lee  foe  PREsroENT. — ^Dr.  John  M.  Lee,  of  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  has  been 
mention^  for  President  of  the  American  Institute  of  Homoeopathy  for 
the  coming  year.  Those  interested  in  homoeopathy  in  general  and  in 
Michigan  in  particular  must  feel  that  his  election  would  be  a  decided 
step  forward.  Dr.  Lee  is  a  man  of  professional  ability  and  has  demon- 
strated many  times  his  efficiency  as  an  executive.  In  a  recent  con- 
versation relative  to  the  interests  of  homoeopathy  he  has  outlined  i>olicies 
which  from  their  inception  would  mean 'great  good  to  our  school  as  a 
whole.    He  is  an  indomitable  worker  and  this  trait  alone  would  prove 


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bim  an  invaluable  officer;  if  in  addition  be  puts  into  work  the  zeal  and 
spirit  for  wbicb  be  is  known,  tbe  Institute  would  pass  tbrougb  a  year 
unparalleled  in  its  history  from  the  standpoint  of  progressive  develop- 
ment. Dr.  Lee  has  been  a  staunch  supi>orter  of  bis  Alma  Mater  in  Mich- 
igan and  must  be  mentioned  as  one  of  her  most  successful  and  loyal 
sons.    The  University  Homoeopathic  Observer. 


A  SUGGESTION  FOR  GIVING  CASTOR  OIL 

Tbe  disagreeable  taste  of  castor  oil,  says  Tbe  Nurse^  may  be  con- 
cealed by  giving  tbe  dose  in  hot  milk  flavored  with  salt  and  a  sprinkle 
of  black  pepper.  It  is  necessary  to  have  tbe  milk  warm  enough  to  mix 
with  tbe  oil  or  some  of  it  will  float  on  tbe  surface.  A  patient  who  ob- 
jects to  castor  oil  may  take  it  this  way  and  not  realize  what  be  is  drink- 
ing. Castor  oil  can  also  be  made  more  palatable  by  adding  lemon  juice. 
Tbe  former  method  is  probably  more  palatable  for  a  patient  who  can 
t£^e  milk.  Tbe  taste  of  Epsom  salt,  wbicb  is  also  nauseous  to  many, 
can  be  disguised  by  tbe  use  of  lemon  juice. 


BURNS 


Meribab  Farmer  on  bums,  though  not  so  classic  in  erudition  and 
style  as  "Carlyle  on  Bums,"  has  proved  of  greater  value  to  suffering 
humanity  in  the  method  of  treating  bums,  than  have  the  classical  writ- 
ings of  ihe  Sage  of  Ecclefecban. 

While  dressing  a  patient's  wounds  from  bums,  some  years  ago  at 
the  Huron  Road  Hospital,  Meribab  Farmer,  Mrs.  James  Farmer, 
a  dear  old  Quakeress,  then  president  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the 
hospital,  while  inspecting  the  ward  and  noticing  tbe  discomfort  of  the 
patient,  said,  "Friend  Biggar,  what  is  tbe  matter  with  thy  patient,  he 
seems  to  be  suffering  much  pain  I"  I  replied  that  he  was  severely  burn- 
ed. She  then  asked^  '*Wbat  are  thee  using?"  I  replied  the  usual  ap- 
plication of  carron  oil,  i.e.,  linseed  oil  and  limewater.  "Then  I  have 
something  better  than  that,"  said  Meribab  Farmer.  "Wben  my  daugh- 
ter bad  a  severe  bum  on  tbe  neck  just  under  the  chin  I  painted  it  with 
Venice  Turpentine  and  it  healed  without  a  scar  or  any  unpleasant 
odor."  At  her  suggestion  I  changed  tbe  treatment  using  her  method 
and  the  healing  of  the  bum  was  surprising.  Since  then  I  have  used 
the  same  treatment  many  times  and  have  not  as  yet  found  anything  to 
equal  it.  Turner's  ointment  now  called  Calamina  Cerate  is  composed 
of  Ung.  Zinci  Carbonatis  (Impuri)  and  Ung.  Calaminare. 

A  report  of  one  of  a  few  cases:  A  banker  in  a  neighboring  town 
while  giving  his  invalid  wife  an  alcohol  bath  spilled  some  of  the  alcohol 
upon  his  nightgown,  which  ignited  from  the  lamp,  and  burned  bis 
h&ck  and  abdomen.  The  family  physician  was  called  and  for  three  days, 
though  opiates  in  different  forms  were  used,  they  did  not  allay  the  pain. 
Intestinal  hemorrhages  indicated  the  extent  and  severity  of  the  bums. 
I  was  called  and  with  the  approval  of  the  family  physician  Venice  Tur- 
pentine was  applied  and  *in  an  hour's  time  the  patient  was  free  from 
pain,  after  which  the  Calamina  Cerate  was  daily  applied  until  recovery. 
The  method  of  applying  is  to  paint  tbe  bum  until  the  pain  is  allayed 
which  takes  usually  an  hour,  then  apply  the  Calamina  Cerate. 


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I  have  found  some  of  the  remedies  suggested  by  the  old  mothers 
and  nurses  of  more  value  in  certain  lines  of  disease  than  some  of  the 
newer  remedies  now  in  vogue.  I  asked  an  eminent  lawyer  to  what  he  at- 
tributed his  gretatest  success — his  reply  was:  "I  not  only  study  the 
new  laws  but  I  study  the  old  laws  which  are  the  foundation  upon  which 
the  new  laws  are  created."  Let  us  keep  in  mind  the  reliable  remedies 
which  have  proved  efficacious — ^keep  them  in  remembrance  **lest  we  for- 
get."—H.  F.  Biggar,  Ohio  State  Med.  Jour. 


A  PRELIMINADY  CONTRIBUTION  ON  ^T.  U.  O." 

(Trench  Fever) 

F.  C.  Davies  and  R.  P.  Weldon,  (Lancet)  in  order  to  correctly  as- 
certain whether  the  louse  transmitted  trench  fever,  used  the  following 
procedure:  They  collected  some  score  of  lice  and  starved  them  in 
captivity  for  three  days;  some  of  them  died.  Two  pairs  of  the  survivors 
were  placed  on  two  patients  suffering  from  trench  fever  in  the  acute 
stage.  They  were  watched  under  a  watch  glass  and  allowed  to  remain 
fifteen  minutes,  then  each  one  of  the  writers  allowed  a  pair  to  feed  upon 
himself  under  a  watch  glass — one  pair  was  given  a  further  meal.  Twelve 
days  later  the  characteristic  symptoms  developed  and  the  last-mention- 
ed voluntary  patient  passed  through  a  most  typical  attack  of  trench 
fever.  This  victim  had  never  been  nearer  the  front  than  the  base,  nor 
had  any  previous  similar  condition.  They  consider  this  a  fair  contri- 
bution to  the  etiology  of  trench  fever.  In  discussing  the  symptomatol- 
ogy they  also  state  that  the  pains  are  not  necessarily  confined  to  the 
shins,  but  may  extend  above  the  knees  as  far  as  the  thighs,  missing  the 
joints.  Also  that  three  exacerbations  of  fever  may  take  place  over  an 
interval  of  not  less  than  two  weeks. — Med.  Record. 


LIQUID  SOAP 

The  late  Martin  I.  Wilbert,  whose  recent  death  was  a  loss  to  pharm- 
acy and  medicine  in  general,  some  time  ago  gave  the  following  formula 
for  a  good  surgical  liquid  soap.  Realizing  that  all  such  products  as 
surgical  soaps  have  participated  in  the  increased  cost  of  war  times,  we 
reproduce  this  formula  for  the  benefit  of  those  who  may  care  to  prepare 
this  soap  and  thereby  retrench  expenses. 

Mr.  Wilbert  took  advantage  of  the  fact  that  an  alloy  or  a  mixture 
frequently  has  a  lower  melting  point  than  either  of  the  individual  in- 
gredients in  the  mixture  or  aUoy.  .  He  applied  this  principle  by  making 
a  liquid  soap  of  a  mixture  of  a  sodium  and  a  potassium  soap. 

Elaborating  on  this  he  devised  a  formula  that  produces  a  uniform- 
ly satisfactory  product,  and  one  that  made  from  purified  cottonseed  oil 
will  not  cost  more  than  60  cents  (now  somewhat  higher,  of  course)  a 
gallon,  buymg  in  quantities  such  as  an  ordinary  retail  druggist  would 
be  likely  to  use. 

The  formula  now  in  use  is  as  follows:  Sodium  hydrate,  40  gm.; 
potassium  hydrate,  40  gm.;  cottonseed  oil,  500  cc.;  alcohol,  250  cc.;  dis- 
tilled water,  a  sufficient  quantity  to  make  2,500  cc. 

In  a  suitable  container,  preferably  a  glass  stoppered  bottle,  dissolve 
the  potassium  hydrate  and  the  sodium  hydrate  in  250  cc.  of  distilled 


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water,  add  the  alcohol^  and  then  add  the  cottonseed  oil  in  three  or  four 
portions,  shaking  vigorously  after  each  addition.  Continue  to  agitate 
the  mixture  occasionally,  until  saponification  has  been  completed.  Then 
add  the  remaining  portion  of  distilled  water  and  mix. 

The  only  precautions  that  are  at  all  necessary  is  to  use  U.  S.  P. 
grade  of  ingredients,  and  to  be  sure  that  saponification  is  complete  be- 
fore adding  the  remaining  portions  of  the  distilled  water.  The  water 
used  must  be  absolutely  free  from  soluble  salts  of  the  alkaline  earths 
or  the  heavy  metals,  and  for  this  reason  should  be,  preferably,  freshly 
distilled  (Western  Druggist). 

This  soap  could  be  perfumed  if  desired.  Oil  of  rosemary  is  partic- 
ularly popular  as  a  perfume  for  such  preparations. 

Mr.  Wilbert  was  one  of  the  men  in  American  science  who  gave 
credit  wherever  due.  In  a  publication  of  Comments  on  the  Pharma- 
copeia he  abstracted  largely  from  eclectic  journals,  with  credit,  thus  put- 
ting our  literature  on  a  par  with  that  of  other  schools. — ^Eclectic  Medi- 
<;al  Journal 


VACCINATION  AGAINST  ANTHKAX 

Improvements  in  the  Preparation  of  Preventative  Vaccine  and  Serum 

Assist  in  Minimizing  Loss  From  This  Disease. 

Losses  from  anthrax,  or  charbon,  which  at  the  present  time  is  re- 
sponsible for  the  death  of  a  large  number  of  live  stock  in  low,  moist 
lands  of  a  more  or  less  mucky  character,  may  be  minimized,  according 
to  specialits  of  the  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture,  by  the 
proper  use  of  protective  vaccine  and  the  proper  disposal  of  the  carcasses 
of  infected  animals.  This  disease  affects  chiefly  cattle  and  sheep,  but 
none  of  the  domestic  animals  is  exempt,  and  even  man  is  sometimes  a 
victim.  Some  centuries  ago  it  is  known  to  have  caused  the  death  of 
more  than  60,000  persons  in  southern  Europe.  Since  that  time  the 
disease  has  apparently  become  less  virulent,  but  it  is  still  the  cause 
of  considerable  loss  to  stock  owners. 

The  preventive  vaccine  recommended  by  the  Department  of 
Agriculture  is  a  development  of  the  method  devised  about  twenty-five 
years  ago  by  Pasteur,  the  famous  French  savant.  Since  that  time,  how- 
ever, scientists  have  succeeded  in  removing  many  of  the  objections  to 
Pasteur's  vaccine,  and  the  new  method  is  less  dangerous  to  the  animal 
treated  and  surer  in  its  operation. 

In  a  new  publication  of  the  U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture, 
Farmers'  Bulletin  784,  detailed  directions  for  the  administration  of 
this  treatment  are  given.  The  treatment  consists,  in  ordinary  cases, 
of  an  injection  under  the  skin  on  one  side  of  the  animal,  of  10  cubic 
centimeters  of  anti-anthrax  serum,  followed  immediately  by  a  similar 
injection,  on  the  other  side  of  the  body,  of  1  cubic  centimeter  of  spore 
vaccine.  In  the  case  of  sheep,  which  are  peculiarly  susceptible  to  the 
disease,  the  quantity  of  vaccine  is  reduced  to  one-fourth  of  a  cubic 
<}entimeter. 

In  the  bulletin  mentioned,  stock  owners  are  warned  to  obtain  the 
serum  and  vaccine  from  reliable  manufacturers  only,  and  not  to  ad- 
minister the  treatment  unless  the  disease  has  already  appeared  in  the 
vicinity,  or  the  pastures  on  which  the  animals  are  to  be  turned  out  are 
known  to  be  infected.  Careless  handling  of  the  vaccine  may  result  in 
spreading  instead  of  controlling  the  disease. 


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Xlll 


More  Glq>endable 

than  filtered 

waten 

More  natural 

than   distilled 

water* 

Filtered      water 

gives     a    False 

sense  of  security* 

For  DivideadB  in  Hemltb 
DRINK 

Berkshire  Spring  Water 

517  B.  132d.  Street 
NEW  YORK 


The  principle  underlying  this  treatment  is  the  same  as  that  which 
in  man  has  resulted  in  the  minimizing  of  death  from  small-pox,  typhoid, 
and  other  diseases.  It  consists  in  conferring  upon  men  or  animals  an 
artificial  immunity  to  the  infection  to  which  they  are  susceptible.  Just 
how  this  immunity  is  conferred  is  a  complicated  scientific  problem,  but 
it  is  known  that  under  certain  conditions  the  introduction  into  the 
body  of  a  very  much  weakened  form  of  the  germ  that  causes  the  disease 
will  build  up  in  the  body  a  resistance  that  will  protect  it  from  subse- 
quent attacks  of  the  same  disease  in  its  normal  and  more  virulent  form. 
Anthrax  affords  an  interesting  example  of  the  practical  working  out  of 
this  fact.  A  fly  can  easily  carry  a  suflScient  quantity  of  blood  from  an  an- 
imal infected  with  this  disease  to  kill  a  horse. 

Nevertheless,  by  repeated  inoculations,  scientists  have  succeeded 
in  developing  such  a  high  degree  of  immunity  in  a  horse  that  the 
animal  has  been  able  to  withstand  the  injection  of  more  than  a  pint 
of  the  most  virulent  anthrax  culture  obtainable.  This,  of  course,  is 
a  much  higher  degree  of  immunity  than  is  required  to  insure  an  animal 
against  ordinary  infection. 

The  cause  of  anthrax  is  a  minute  germ  which  multiplies  rapidly 
in  the  body,  especially  in  the  blood,  and  produces  poisonous  sub- 
stances which  ordinarily  cause  death.  The  symptoms  of  the  disease 
resemble,  in  certain  respects,  those  of  tick  fever  and  blackleg.  The 
differences  which  will  enable  stock  owners  to  distinguish  it  from  them 
are  described  in  detail  in  the  bulletin  already  mentioned.  In  acute 
cases,  however,  medicinal  treatment  is  seldom  effective.    For  this  rea- 


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HOMCEOPATHY 

The  Boericke  and  Tafel 

Homoeopathic  Pharmacies 

were  established  in  the  year  1835.  Their  medicines  have  always  been  the 
standard  in  Homoeopathic  drugs,  the  drugs  the  provers  use,  the  drugs  of 
the  careful  prescriber  who  believes  in  medicine.  Through  this  house,  B. 
ft  T.,  Dr.  Constantino  Hering  brought  out  the  biochemic  remedies  of 
Schuessler;  the  pioneer  house.  Through  this  house,  also.  Dr.  Fuller  in- 
troduced the  tablet  triturate  because  of  the  great  superiority  of  its  trit- 
urations. Each  of  the  ten  pharmacies  carries  a  complete  line  of  the  finest 
medicine  cases  and  ever3rthing  needed  by  the  physicians.  Call  or  write 
to  the  nearest  address  as  follows : 

Philadelphia :  1011  Arch  St. ;  126  S.  Eleventh  St ;  16  N.  Sixth  St 

New  York :  146  Grand  St ;  145  W.  43rd  St ;  634  Columbus  Ave. 

Cincinnati :  213  W.  Fourth  St  Pittsburgh :  702  Penn  Ave. 

Chicago :  166  N.  Wabash  Ave.  Baltimore :  326  N.  Howard  St. 


!^ 


son  the  best  methods  of  combating  the  disease  are  to  vaccinate  all 
animals  likely  to  be  exposed  to  the  infection  and  by  deep  burying  or 
cremating  of  infected  carcasses,  to  make  certain  that  the  infection  is 
not  allowed  to  establish  itseK  in  pastures. 

It  is  a  well-known  fact  that  under  certain  conditions  and  in  certain 
forms  the  germs  of  the  disease  are  remarkably  resistant  to  heat,  cold, 
and  drought  They  will  remain  for  a  long  time  in  a  pasture  and  be 
capable  of  infecting  any  animals  turned  out  on  it.  Ordinarily  the  dis- 
ease is  taken  into  the  body  through  the  mouth  with  food.  It  may,  how- 
ever, be  absorbed  through  a  wound  or  even  an  insignificant  scratch.  It 
is  in  this  way  that  human  beings  usually  become  infected,  and  the  name 
"woolsorter's  disease"  is  derived  from  the  fact  that  men  engaged  in  sort- 
ing wool  are  particularly  liable  to  contract  the  disease  through  infec- 
tion of  scratches  or  other  small  wounds  or  abrasions  on  their  hands. 

Experiments  have  shown  that  if  the  carcass  of  an  infected  animal 
is  buried  promptly  without  having  been  opened  to  permit  the  entrance 
of  air,  the  anthrax  germs  die  within  a  short  time.  If,  on  the  other 
hand,  the  carcass  is  allowed  to  remain  in  the  field  or  is  thrown  into  a 
near-by  stream,  the  gradual  decomposition  favors  the  transformation  of 
the  germs  into  minute  bodies  known  as  spores.  It  is  in  the  form  of 
these  spores  that  the  disease  persists  so  long  in  infected  pastures  and 
elsewhere.  For  this  reason  great  care  should  be  taken  never  to  skin  or 
to  cut  open  the  body  of  animal  killed  by  anthrax.  The  blood  that  flows 
out  when  this  is  done  is  one  of  the  most  dangerous  means  of  spreading 
the  infection,  if  it  is  taken  into  the  soil  where  the  conditions  favor  the 


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development  of  the  spores.    In  burying  carcasses  a  useful  precaution  is 
to  cover  them  with  quicklime. 

Where  the  bodies  are  burned  instead  of  buried,  great  care  should 
be  taken  to  see  that  the  operation  is  thoroughly  done.  Even  the  earth 
upon  which  the  carcass  has  lain  should  be  thoroughly  and  deeply  burn- 
ed over  so  that  the  heat  will  penetrate  to  a  depth  sufficient  to  kill  the 
germs  that  may  have  passed  into  the  soil  with  the  fluids  from  the  body. 


CAMPAIGN  AGAINST  UNCLEAN  DAIRY  UTENSILS 
An  active  campaign  against  the  unsterilized  milk  can,  pail,  strainer 
cloth,  and  separator,  as  contributing  causes  to  hi^  bacterial  count  in 
city  milk,  is  to  be  carried  on  this  season  by  the  U.  S.  Department  of 
Agriculture  in  cooperation  with  the  health  and  milk  officials  of  a  num- 
ber of  cities.  Already  health  officers  in  150  localities  have  accepted  the 
department's  offer  to  demonstrate  to  their  local  milk  producers  a  simple 
homemade  sterilizer,  costing  not  more  than  $15,  which  if  used  on  the 
farm  will  help  guard  the  milk  against  this  initial  and  serious  contamina- 
tion. How  great  a  bearing  sterilization  of  milk  utensils  on  the  farm  has 
on  the  bacterial  content  of  milk  is  shown  by  experiments  which  have 
proved  that  the  average  milk  can,  when  washed  in  the  ordinary  way, 
may  contain  over  eight  billion  bacteria,  and  that  almost  every  milk  can 
so  treated  harbors  millions  of  bacteria  which  give  a  high  bacterial  count 
and  hastens  the  souring  of  milk. 


B^OK    TO   FIRST    PKlN  OIPLE8 

For  more  than  a  generation  now  we  have  been  throwing  away  our  children's  strength 
with  the  bran,  for  the  whiter  the  bread,  the  poorer  it  is  in  bone  material,  and  the  all- 
important  'Sritamines."  Pigeons  deprived  entirely  of  bran  soon  die,  and  so  do  Oriental 
people  who  try  to  live  exclusively  on  polished  rice.  Give  your  children  a  nourishing, 
varied  diet,  rich  in  the  vitamines — oranges,  baked  potatoes,  and  especially  whole  whaat 
bread  and  fresh  milk,  and  you  will  he  helping  restore  old-time  vigor  to  our  race. 

But  what  about  the  unweaned  babies,  who  have  to  depend  entirely  on  the  bottle?  Pre- 
served milk  starves  the  bones.  Fresh  milk  nourishes  them  better,  but  not  so  well  as 
good  breast  milk.  The  best  nourishment  for  bottle-fed  babies  is  fresh  cow's  milk  pre- 
pared with  DENNOS  FOOD,  the  Whole  Wheat  milk  modifier.  For  dennos  contains  the  natural 
bran  of  the  wheat,  finely  pulverized  and  scientifically  prepared  so  that  even  tiie  new- 
bom  infants  digest  it  perfectly. 

Write  today  for  samples  and  formula  book  showing  caloric  value,  analysis,  etc,  of 

DENNOS  FOOD. 

-  DENNOS  FOOD  SALES  CO.,  857  E.  Ohio  St 


i 


Get  the  reason  in  our 
free  booklet  of  clinical 
data 

"SINUSOID  ALOGY" 


Your  copy  it  ready  no«r.     Mail  that  postal 
*       Ultima     Physics*     '      *'  " 

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(For  prompt  answer  mark  enrelope  N.A.J.H.) 


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ysical    Appliance    Co., 


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IR.    BARNES    SANITARIIM 

'  STAMFORD,   CONNECTICUT 

A  PriTAto  SaniUrinm  for  Mental  and  Nenrona 
Diacaacs.       Alao    Caaca    of    General 
Inralidiam.       Separate       Depart- 
ment for   Caaea  of  Inebriety. 

The  buildings  are  modem,  situated  in  spac* 
ioos  and  attractive  ^rounds,  commanainc 
superb  riews  of  Long  Island  Sound  and  sur- 
rounding hill  country.  The  accommodations, 
table,  attendance,  nursing  and  all  appoint- 
menta  are  first-claas  in  every  respect.  The 
purpose  of  the  Institution  is  to  give  proper 
medical  care  and  the  special  attention  needed 
in  each  individual  case.  50  minutes  from 
Grand  Central  Station.  For  terms  and  Illus- 
trated booklet,  addrott 

F.  H.  BARNES,  Med.  Supt 

Telephone  1867. 


Easton  Samtarium 

DR.  C.  SPENCER  KINNEY,  Prop. 

PoriMriy  First  Aaatetuit,  Middtetowii 

N.  Y.  SUto  HMMBopftttalc  Hospital. 

Mental  and  Nenrons  Diseases 
a  Specialty 

Elderly  Invalids  Qlvcn  special  care 

SBLBCTCLA5S  ONLY  RECEIVED 

EASTON,  PA. 


Long  DiaUnce 
Telephone  io6. 


ft 


'^INTERPINES 


Beautiful,  quiet.  RESTFUL,  HOME- 
LIKE. Twenty-six  years  of  suc- 
cessful work,  thoroughly  reliable,  de- 
pendable and  ethical.  Every  com- 
fort and  convenience:  accommoda- 
tions of  a  superior  quality.  Disorders 
of  the  nervous  system  a  specialty. 
FREDERICK  W.  SEWARD,  Sr.,  M.D. 
FREDERICK  W.  SEWARD,  Jr.,  M.D. 
Goshen,  New  York. 
'Phone,  117  Goshen. 


The  homemade  sterilizer  for  dairy  utensils  which  is  to  be  demon- 
strated uses  steam  as  a  sterilizing  agent.  All  that  is  required  to  develop 
steam  enough  to  sterilize  the  ordinary  dairy  utensils  is  a  two-burner 
kerosene  stove,  and  there  is  nothing  about  the  device  which  calls  for 
special  skill  in  its  effective  use.  The  department  has  twenty  of  these 
sterilizers,  described  in  Farmers'  Bulletin  748,  and  has  offered  to  supply 
an  outfit  for  a  two-weeks'  demonstration  to  any  local  health  or  dairy 
official  who  will  agree  to  show  it  in  operation  to  the  milk  producers  in 
his  section. 

The  effectiveness  of  this  strilizer  has  been  fully  proved  both  in  the 
laboratoiy  and  on  the  farm.  In  one  experiment  10  gallons  of  fresh  milk 
were  divided  into  two  parts.  Five  gallons,  passed  through  a  separator 
into  a  5-gallon  can,  both  utensils  washed  in  the  ordinary  way,  showed  at 
the  end  of  an  hour  1,880,000  bacteria  per  cubic  centimeter.  The  other  5 
gallons,  passed  through  a  separator  into  a  can,  after  both  utensils  had 
been  washed  and  sterilized  by  means  of  the  homemade  sterilizer,  showed 
only  24,000  bacteria  per  cubic  centimeter. 

The  device,  moreover,  removes  foul  odors  and  leaves  the  utensils 
dry  as  well  as  sterilized.  Experience  shows  that  the  bacterial  count  is 
thus  materially  reduced,  while  the  producer  finds  that  his  milk  does  not 
sour  so  quickly  and  has  an  improved  fiavor. 

The  specialists  of  the  Dairy  Division  are  hopeful  that  the  device, 
wherever  it  is  demonstrated,  will  come  into  common  use.  It  is  be- 
lieved that  this  sterilizer  will  find  ready  adoption  among  small  dairy- 
men because  of  its  low  cost  of  construction  and  operation,  and  because 


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XTll 


Crest  View  Sanatorium  ^^^^^wich 


Tel.  105 

CONNECTICUT 
Ideal  Home  Amidst  Beautiful  Surrouodlogs. 

Nervous  Diseases,  also  all  forms  of  Gastritis, 

28  Miles  Prom  New  York  City.  NeuHtis  and  Rheiimatism. 

Electrotherapy.  P.  St.  Clair  Hitchcock,  Physician,        N.  Y.  Tel.  1470  Plaza. 


SANMETTO 


F-OR 

GENITOHJRINARY  DISEASES. 


A  SootMng  Healer  to  hffaNMd  CoMitioM. 
A  Towc-StHwhiiit  to  tlie  Repredudhe  Systen. 

Spedaly  VahaUein  Prostotk  TrooUes  of  OM  Men— Initable 
Eanesls-Cystitis— Ihethritis— Pre-Senity. 
SOOTHINC— RELIEVING— RESTORING. 

•  •Itav.  OD  CHEM.  CO..  NEW  YORK. 


WEURIIT  B-f on  wewE  wsoRDERs  NEURIkLA 

ir  PaKenr  suffers  fromTHE  BLUES  (Nerve  Cxhauslion), 
Nervous  Insomnia.NervousHeedache.lrritability  or 
General  Nervousnee^^ve  four  Nmea  a  day  one 

teaspoonfuINEymLLA  _~# 

OAD.CHCMICAL  COMeMiY*  (iCWYORKANoPARIS 


its  use  will  tend  to  improve  the  quality  and  increase  the  keeping  char- 
acter of  the  milk. 


THE  ACTIVITY  OF  WILD  AMERICAN  DIGITALIS 

BT  QEOROE  B.  ROTH^ 

Technical  Assistant,  Division  of  Pharmacology,  Hygienic  Laboratory, 
United  States  Public  Health  Service 
The  necessity  for  the  utilization  of  every  available  source  in  the  col- 
lection of  crude  material  for  the  preparation  of  botanic  drugs  has  per- 
haps never  been  so  urgent  as  at  the  present  time.  For  obvious  reasons 
the  price  of  crude  drugs  has  advanced  greatly  within  the  past  few  years, 
among  these  drugs  being  digitalis.  Under  normal  conditions  the  greater 
part  of  the  supply  of  digitalis  came  from  Germany  and  Austria,  and 
since  the  sources  of  supply  have  been  removed  the  available  stodc  has 
been  greatly  diminished.  At  the  outbreak  of  the  European  war,  when 
a  shortage  in  the  supply  of  crude  botanic  drugs  was  first  felt,  many  orig- 
inal articles  and  editorials  appeared  in  the  various  drug  and  pharmaceu- 
tical journals  for  the  purpose  of  awakening  an  interest  in  drug-plant 
culture,  suggesting  this  means  as  a  remedy  for  the  shortage.  Although 
interesting  in  the  growing  of  drug  plants  is  increasing  constantly,  there 
are  so  many  difficulties  in  the  way  of  their  successful  production  on  a 
oommercial  scale  that  the  cultivation  of  digitalis  for  example  has  not 


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mnil  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMEOPATHY 

PHYSICIANS'  DIRECTORY 

Explanation  of  Signs: 
t       Member  of  the  A.  I.  of  H.  ♦       Member  of  Stote  Society. 

A.      Albany  Med.  Coll.  Mo.    Missouri  Horn.  Med.  ColL 

Bo.    Boston  Univ.  Med.  Coll  N.       New  York  Hom.  ColL 

Ch.    B.  Bennett  Med.  Coll.,  Chicago.  N.  Y.  New  York  Med.  ColL  for  Women. 

Cm.     Ha.  Hann.  Med.  ColL,  Chicago.  P.  C.  Pulte  Med.  Coll.,  Cincinnati 

Ca.     Ho.  Chicago  Hom.  Med.  Coll.  P.  H.  Hahn.  Med.  ColL,  Philadelphim. 

CL      H.  Clereland  Hom.  Med.  ColL  U.  G.  Univ.  of  Gcorget'n,  Washington,  D.  C 

H.      Harvard  Univ.  Med.  ColL  U.  M.  Un.  of  Mich.  Horn.  ColL,  Ann  Arbor. 

M.      Hom.  Med.  ColL  of  Missouri.  U.  V.  Univ.  of  Vermont 

CALIFORNIA 

Los  Angeles,  Hawkes,  W.  J.,  t*    Black  Bldg.,  4th  &  Hill  Streets. 

San  Francisco,  Ward,  Florence  N.,  t  *    Gynecology,  860  Hyde  St 

Santa  Anna,  Waffle,  Willella  H.,  t  *    Ch.  Ha.,  '86,  Obstetrics,  702  Bush  St. 
COLORADO  ^^ 

Denver,  Beeler.  Margaret  H.,  t  *  D.  H.,  '99,  Obstet,  Gynecol.,  Commonwealth.  BMf 

Evans,  Horton,  Daniel  J.,  t  *  D.,  General  Practice. 
CONNECTICUT 

Stamford,  Shirk,  S.  M..  t  *  Ph.,  '91.  Private  Patients,  233  Summer  St 
DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA 

Washington,  Swormstedt  L.  B.,  t  *  P.  H.,  '77.  Heart,  Lungs  and  Genl.,  1455  14aL 
FLORIDA 

{acksonville,  Johnson,  C  W.,  t*  CL,  '81,  GeneraL 
NOIS 
Chicago,  Cobb.  J.  P..  f  *  Ch.  Ha.,  '83,  General,  Heyworth  Bldg.  and  254  E.  47tli  St 
Hobson.   Sarah   M.,   Bo.   '90,   700   Marshall   Field   Bldg.;   residence   5461 
Blackstone  Avenue. 
MARYLAND 

Frederick,  Goodell,  Chas.  F.,  t  *  Ph.,  '83,  General,  19  East  Patrick  St 
MASSACHUSETTS 

Boston,  Rice.  Geo.  B.,  t  *  Bo.,  '86,  Nose  and  Throat  t«0  Clarendon  St 

been  extensive  enough  to  fill  the  present  need.  The  maximum  quota- 
tion on  ordinary  digitalis  leaves,  as  given  in  the  Druggists  Circular  for 
November,  1913,  was  30  cents  per  pound,  while  for  Allen's  powdered 
leaves  the  maximum  quotation  was  $1  per  pound.  The  same  drug  jour- 
nal for  November,  1916,  gave  maximum  quotations  of  80  cents  for  the 
former  and  $2  for  the  latter,  although  drug  cultivation  was  encouraged 
during  these  years. 

Recently  Wilbert*  called  attention  to  a  hitherto  neglected  source  for 
obtaining  digitalis,  namely,  in  the  collection  of  the  wild-growing  plant 
•which  has  escaped  from  cultivation  and  has  now  become  a  "weed"  in 
various  sections  of  the  United  States.  Fortunately  the  digitalis  which 
is  now  found  growing  wild  in  great  abundance  in  Calif omia,  Oregon, 
Washington,  and  to  some  extent  in  West  Virginia  is  the  PharmacopoBial 
variety,  digitalis  purpurea.  However,  if  the  wild-growing  American 
digitalis  is  to  be  of  commercial  importance  for  the  manufacture  of  the 
official  preparations  of  digitalis,  its  activity  must  be  at  least  as  great 
as  that  required  by  the  Pharmacopoeia.  This  question,  therefore,  was 
investigated  by  examining  the  activity  of  four  samples  of  wild-growing 
leaves  which  were  collected  in  the  State  of  Oregon  during  the  season  of 
1916  and  one  sample  of  wild-growing  leaves  obtained  from  the  State  of 
Washington  during  the  same  season.  For  the  purpose  of  comparison  ex- 
nmination  was  also  made  of  cultivated  digitalis  leaves  (digitalis  pur- 
purea) which  were  grown  in  the  State  of  Washington  duting  the  season 

*"The  Source  and  Supply  of  Medicines  with  Special  Eeference  to  the 
Interference  Caused  by  the  European  War,"  Martin  I.  Wilbert, 
United  States  Public  Health  Reports,  Oct.  9,  1914,  pp.  2715-2718. 


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PHYSICIANS'  DERBCTORY  -  ContiDued 

MINNSSOTA 

Minneapolis,  Aldrich,  Henry  C,  f*  P.  H^  401  Donaldson  Building. 
NSW  JERSEY 

Asbury  Park,  Bryan,  J.  H.,  t  *  N.  '90.  Phys.  Thcr.  &  General.  221  Asbury  Art. 
Hackensacl^  Adams.  C.  F.,  t  *  N.,  '84.  General,  229  Union  Street. 
Princeton,  Drury,  Alfred,  t  *  N.,  '00,  General,  1st  Nat'l  Bank  Bldg. 
Paterson,  Kinne,  P.  S..  t  *  N-.  '73.  General,  576-E.  28th  St. 
NEW  YORK 

Albany,  Dowling,  J.  I.,  t  *  N.,  '96,  Eye,  Ear,  Nose  and  Throat,  116  Washington  Are. 
Brooklyn,  Baylies,  B.  LeB.,  t  *  P.  &  S..  G.  P.  and  Chron.  Dis..  418  Putnam  Are. 

Butler,  Wm.  M.,  f  *  P.  &  S.,  '73.  Ment.  and  Nerv.  Dis.,  607  Clinton  Are. 
Close,  Stuart,  *  N.,  '85  Prescribing  and  Chron.  Dis.,  248  Hancock  St 
New  York,  Chase,  J.  Oscoe,  f  *  N..  '87,  Gyn'y.  and  Orificial  Surgery,  214  E.  28rd  St 
Dieffenbach,  W.  H.,  t*  N.,  '00.  Electro-Ther.,  266  W.  67th  St 
Garrison,  J.  B.,  t  *  N.,  '82,  Ear,  Nose  and  Throat,  616  Mad.  Ave, 
Laidlaw,  Geo.  F.,  t*  '«0,  Med.  Diag.  and  Treatment,  58  W.  63rd  St 
McDowell,  Geo.  W.,  t*  N.,  '86,  Eye,  Ear  and  Throat,  40  E.  41st  St 
Mills.  Walter  Sands,  f*  N.,  '89,  Physical  Diagnosis,  324  W.  89th  St 
Palmer,  A.  Worrall,  t  *  N.,  '83,  Ear,  Nose  and  Throat,  210  W.  67th  St 
Russell,  H.  Everett,  t  *  Dis.  of  Children,  Exclusively,  323  W.  80th  St 
Storer,  J.  H.,  t  *  N.,  '91,  General,  30  Edgecombe  Ave.,  near  136th  St 
PENNSYLVANIA 

Philadelphia,  Gramm,  Ed.  M.,  t  *  P.  H.,  '80,  Dermatological  and  Physico-Therapy. 
518  Perry  Building,  16th  and  Chestnut  Streets. 
RHODE  ISLAND 

Providence,  Whitmarsh,  H.  A.,  t  *  N.,  Surgery  and  Gyn'y.,  78  Jackson  St 
ENGLAND 

London,  Searson,  James,  36a  Welback  St.,  Cavendish  Sq..  W. 
ITALY 

Florence,  MattoH,  D.,  M.  D.,  General  Practice  and  Surgery,  17  Via  Montebell*. 
Member  of  the  American  I.  of  H.,  Member  of  the  International  H.  Ass^ 
Member  of  the   Homoeop.   Medical    Society  of  the   County  of  N.  Y. 


of  1916.  Inclusion  was  also  made  of  two  samples  of  cultivated  digitalis 
leaves  of  the  season  of  1914  which  were  examined  shortly  after  their 
harvest,  one  sample  being  grown  in  Wisconsin,  the  other  in  Ohio.  Tinc- 
tures were  made  according  to  the  United  States  Pharmacopoeia  method 
from  idl  the  samples  and  their  activity  was  determined  pl^siologically 
by  tiie  method  originally  adopted  by  the  Hygienic  Laboratory,  which 
is  now  the  method  recommended  by  tiie  Pharmacopoeia,  namely,  the  one- 
hour  frog  method.  The  Oregon  digitalis  was  obtained  through  the  kind- 
ness of  Mr.  I.  E.  Qaston,  a  student  in  the  medical  department  of  the 
University  of  Oregon. 

A  sample  of  the  undried  Oregon  leaves  was  submitted  for  identifica- 
tion to  the  writer,  who  submitted  them  to  Dr.  W.  W.  Stockberger,  of 
the  United  States  D^artment  of  Agriculture,  and  by  whom  they  were 
identified  as  digitalis  purpurea.  All  of  the  Oregon  digitalis  was  col- 
lected near  Astoria,  Oreg.  Sample  1  consisted  of  leaves  gathered  from 
first-year  plants  about  six  weeks  after  the  flowering  time  for  digitalis. 
They  were  rather  dark  green  in  color,  the  hairs  being  practically  free 
from  soil.  They  were  well  dried,  crushing  easily  when  rolled  between 
the  fingers.  Sample  2  consisted  of  leaves  gathered  from  second-year  or 
older  plants,  about  six  weeks  after  flowering  time.  They  were  ligbt 
green  in  color,  well  dried  and  free  from  soil.  Sample  3  consisted  of 
leaves  collected  from  flowering  plants  (second-year  or  older  plants); 
while  sample  4  consisted  of  leaves  from  plants  which  had  partially  dried 
on  the  stalk  and  were  yellowish-green  in  color. 

According  to  Mr.  Oaston  all  the  samples  which  he  coUected  were 
found  growing  upon  soil  containing  considerable  day.    He  states  that 


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Physicians  Supply 
&  Exchange 


Everything  for  the  Physician 

Bought^  Soldt  Rented  and  Exchanged 


Electro-Surgical  and  Medical  Apparatus 


;    47  West  42nd  Street  New  York 

(Bryant  Park  Buflding)  (Phonct  Bryant  3560) 


they  will  thrive  on  practically  any  soil  that  will  ahsorh  moisture  readily. 
The  largest  and  best  leaves  were  from  plants  which  grew  on  moist  ground 
where  the  plants  were  shaded  about  half  the  day.  Too  much  shade 
seemed  to  prevent  their  proper  development,  while  long  exposure  to  the 
sun  caused  the  leaves  to  turn  yellowish.  All  of  the  samples  were  air- 
dried  immediately  after  the  leaves  were  collected,  except  sample  4,  which 
was  dried  on  the  stalk  for  the  most  part.  The  procedure  used  for  sam- 
ples 1,  2,  and  3  was  as  follows :  The  freshly  gathered  leaves  were  spread 
out  in  thin  layers  on  floors  over  which  the  air  could  circulate  freely,  and 
stirred  frequently,  at  least  every  other  day.  They  will  retain  their  green 
color  if  dried  in  this  way  and  if  stirred  frequently  do  not  mold.  About 
three  weeks  were  required  to  dry  them  thoroughly,  inasmuch  as  rainy 
weather  was  present  during  about  haK  of  the  time. 

Samples  of  5  and  6  were  collected  and  dried  by  Prof.  A.  W.  Linton, 
of  the  University  of  Washington  College  of  Pharmacy.  Sample  6  con- 
sisted of  leaves  from  plants  growing  wild  near  Seattle,  Wash.,  being  col- 
lected in  August  while  the  plants  were  in  blossom.  They  were  air- 
dried,  being  very  dry  and  brittle,  and  were  tinged  with  yellow.  Sample 
6  consisted  of  leaves  from  cultivated  plants  of  second-year  growth,  which 
were  obtained  from  the  drug  garden  of  the  College  of  Pharmacy,  Uni- 
versity of  Washington.  They  were  collected  in  November,  1916,  and 
are  the  second  growth  of  leaves  for  the  season.  The  air-dried  leaves  were 
green  and,  like  sample  6,  were  very  brittle.  Sample  7  consisted  of  leaves 
from  first-year  cultivated  Wisconsin  digitalis  collected  in  1914,  before 
flowering  had  occurred.    The  dried  leaves  were  green  and  were  free  from 


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NORTH  AMIHIOAN  JOUBNAL  OP  HOM<EOPATHT 


Journal    of   the    American 
Institute    of   HomoBopathy 

The  official  publication  of  the  American  Institute  of  HomoeopaUiy. 
Devoted  to  Uie  publicity  of  homoeopathic  therapeutics  and  to  general 
medical  progress. 

A  Journal  for  the  General  Practitioner. 

A  magasine  with  big  possibilities  in  Internal  Medicine. 

A  publication  with  Substantial  Backing  in  tlu4  country  and  also  in 
England,  France,  Russia,  India,  China  and  BrasiL 

Journal  of  the 
AMERICAN  INSTITUTE  OF  HOMCEOPATHY, 

829  llarsball  Field  BuUdlngr,  Cblcago 


soil.  They  were  supplied  by  Prof.  Edward  Kremers,  of  the  University 
of  Wisconsin,  being  raised  on  the  university  drug  farm.  Sample  8  con- 
sisted of  leaves  from  first-year  cultivated  digitalis  which  was  grown  in 
Cincinnati,  Ohio.  It  was  collected  in  November  and  was  supplied  by 
Prof.  John  Uri  Lloyd.  It  was  yellowish  green  when  dried.  The  method 
in  which  the  last  two  samples  were  dried  is  unknown.  As  previously 
stated,  these  samples  were  all  examined  by  the  one-hour  frog  method. 
Their  value  by  uiis  method  together  with  a  short  description  of  the 
sample  will  be  given  in  the  table  below.  The  doses  of  uie  tinctures 
given  in  the  table  represent  mils  per  gram  of  body  weight 

aS  ^         -S 

No.        Description  of  Sample.  8.9  o  W^      o©      tJq 

1  Oregon,   wild,   1916 0.00000065  0.0066  0.004  0.0086 

2  —do   — - 00000066  .0066  .005  .0046 

3  —do .00000045  .0054  .004  .0044 

4  —do   .00000045  .0064  .003  .0088 

5  Washington,  wild,   1916 .00000046  .0054  .011  .0121 


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XXli  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM<EOPATHY 

GALEN  HALL 

Gmnecticut  and  Pacific  Avenues 

Atlantic  City,  N.  J. 

Sanatorium  and  Hotel 

A  new  brick  Building  with  every  convenience,  elegantly  furn- 
ished, with  rooms  en  suite  and  private  baths,  with  hot  and 
cold  sea  water. 

Roof  Solarium  and  Three  Sun  Parlors 
For  convalescents  no  more  complete  or  restful  place  can  be 
found — ^with  excellent  table  and  diet  kitchen  for  invalids*  dainties. 
The  Treatment  Rooms  are  luxurious  and  fully  equipped  with  die 
latest  apparatus,  both  Electrical  and  Mydriatic.  Sea  water  used. 
A  full  Statf  of  physicians  and  nurses.  The  wishes  and  in- 
structions of  patient's  home  physician  always  respected. 

Booklet  on  Application  F«  L«  Young^  General  Manager 


6  Washington,  cultivated,  1916      .00000045      .0054      .007      .0077 

7  Wisconsin,  cultivated,  1914 .003 

8  Ohio,    cultivated,    1914 .006 

Samples  1  and  2  were  assayed  on  a  lot  of  frogs  received  in  October ; 

samples  3  to  6,  inclusive,  were  assayed  on  a  lot  of  frogs  received  one 
month  later.  AH  of  the  samples  were  assayed  on  Rana  pigeons,  which 
were  all  obtained  from  the  same  dealer.  Since  the  frogs  used  in  the 
standardization  of  samples  7  and  8  were  not  standardized  against  ouab- 
ain, no  comparative  figures  can  be  computed  for  these  samples.  It  may 
be  stated,  however,  that  the  resistance  of  the  frogs  usually  lies  within  a 
range  of  10  per  cent. 

The  United  States  Pharmacopoeia  IX  requires  that  by  the  above 
method  0.006  mil  of  the  tincture  of  digitalis  per  gram  of  frog  weight 
shall  be  necessary  to  stop  the  heart  of  the  frog  in  one  hour.  From  the 
above  table  it  is  seen  that  all  of  the  samples  of  wild  Oregon  digitalis 
were  stronger  than  the  pharmacopoeial  standard. 

While  this  investigbation  has  shown  that  of  the  tinctures  made  from 
wild-growing  digitalis,  the  Oregon  samples  were  several  times  stronger 
than  that  grown  in  Washington,  we  should  not  conclude  that  wild  Oregon 
digitalis  is  generally  more  active  than  wild  Washington  digitalis.  Furtii- 
er  examination  of  the  latter  would  be  necessary  to  determine  this  i>oint 
definitely.  Inasmuch  as  the  tincture  made  from  cultivated  Washington 
digitalis  is  weaker  than  the  tinctures  made  from  any  of  the  Oregon 
samples,  it  is  likely  that  the  correct  explanation  of  the  decreased  activ- 
ity of  Washington  digitalis  is  to  be  sought  in  sources  other  than  in  the 
manner  of  growing. 


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NOBTH  AMXRIOAN  JODRXAL  OP  HOMOEOPATHY  IZ 

STATISTICAL  EVIDENCE  AS  TO  WHETHER  CANCER  IS 
HEREDITARY  OR  CONTAGIOUS 

(Continued  from  last  month.) 

FAMILY  HISTORY  OF  POLICYHOLDERS  WHO  DIED  FROM  CANCER 

One  hundred  and  twenty-five  cases  of  deaths  in  1916  from  oancer 
among  policyholders  in  a  large  insurance  company  were  taken  at 
random,  and  the  history  of  the  parents  and  grandparents  was  obtained 
from  the  records  of  the  company.  Where  the  parents  had  been  alive 
at  the  time  the  policy  was  taken  out,  some  relative  of  the  deceased  was 
asked  to  obtain  the  necessary  information,  to  bring  up  to  date  the  records 
regarding  the  parents. 

Of  the  600  grandparents,  47  per  cent.,  were  stated  to  have  died  of 
old  age  at  an  average  age  of  81 ;  a  few  were  living  at  the  same  average 
age.  In  43  per  cent  of  the  grandparents,  the  cause  of  death  was  not 
known,  the  average  age  at  death  being  61.  There  was  recorded  only 
one  death  from  cancer  among  37  grandparents  whose  cause  of  death  was 
given  and  was  not  stated  to  be  "old  age."  Of  the  260  parents  of  the 
insured  who  had  died  from  cancer,  the  causes  of  death  of  203  were  given 
and  of  these,  six  died  from  cancer  and  two  from  tumors,  the  diaracter 
of  which  was  not  stated.  This  may  be  seen  more  clearly  in  tabular 
form: 

600  Ghrandparents 

Deaths  from : 

Known  causes  (of  which  234  were  "old  age") 271 

Cancer 1 

Unknown   causes   215 

Living 14 

250  Parents 
Deaths  from : 

Known    causes    ^ 202 

Cancers  and  Tumors 8 

Unknown  causes 16 

Living   82 

To  compare  with  the  foregoing,  another  group  of  126  persons  was 
taken  at  random,  in  which  the  causes  of  death  were  other  than  cancer 
or  violence.  A  complete  comparison  with  the  preceding  group  cannot 
be  instituted  because  the  history  of  the  parents  was  not  traced  from 
tho  date  of  application  to  the  present  time,  but  this  did  not  seem  neces- 
sary  as  the  following  will  show:  Tht  cause  of  death  was  given  as  old 
age  or  was  unknown  in  89  per  cent  of  the  gri'andparents.  Among  the 
other  37  grandparents  whose  causes  of  death  were  known,  only  one  died 
from  cancer,  the  same  result,  curiously,  as  was  found  in  the  case  of  the 
grandparents  of  the  policyholders  who  had  died  from  cancer.  Of  the 
250  parents,  the  causes  of  death  of  126  were  known  and  of  these,  7  died 
of  cancer  and  none  from  tumors,  against  6  from  cancer  and  2  from  tum- 
ors among  202  parents  of  policyholders  who  died  from  cancer.  (In 
only  5  cases  was  the  specific  form  of  cancer  recorded  where  both  a  par- 
ent and  a  son  or  daughter  had  died  from  that  disease  and  in  no  case  was 
the  form  the  same  in  parent  and  child.)  There  is  no  indication  in  these 
statistics  that  the  parents  and  grandparents  of  those  who  died 
from  cancer  had  any  higher  death  rate  from  that  disease 
than  the  corresponding  blood  relatives  of  policyholders  who  did 
not  die  from  cancer.  If  the  data  were  larger  and  if  the  causes  of  d^th 
of  all  of  the  parents  and  grandparents  were  known  more  positive  deduc- 


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tions  could  be  drawn.  So  far  as  the  latter  is  concerned,  there  id  no 
reason  to  assume  that  a  larger  x>ercentage  of  deaths  from  cancer  occur-' 
red  in  the  groups  with  cause  of  death  ' 'unknown"  or  ^old  age"  among 
those  with  cancerous  progenitors  than  among  those  without  such  a  fam- 
ily history. 

Information  regarding  the  parents  of  those  who  died  from  cancer 
was  obtained  by  corresponding  with  a  wife,  husband,  son  or  other 
relative.  Although  detailed  information  was  not  requested,  very  com- 
plete information  was  given  in  a  number  of  cases  showing  that  in  these 
families  a  study  of  the  cause  of  cancer  of  the  deceased  had  been  made. 
Jn  four  cases  cancer  was  stated  to  have  been  caused  by  an  injury  to  the 
part  of  the  body  where  the  cancer  was  located  while  chronic  irritation 
from  gall  stones  was  said  to  be  responsible  for  two  deaths.  There  were 
two  other  cases  where  infection  was  believed  to  have  caused  the  cancer, 
in  one  case  a  sister  having  supposedly  contracted  it  from  another  sister 
who  died  four  years  previously,  and  in  another,  a  husband  from  a  wife, 
the  husband  having  died  from  cancer  a  short  time  after  his  wife.  In 
twelve  instances,  the  relatives  had  endeavored  to  obtain  complete  infor- 
mation regarding  the  family  history,  in  some  cases  for  generations  back, 
and  in  none  of  these  cases  was  there  found  to  be  any  forbear  of  the  de- 
ceased who  had  died  of  cancer.  The  family  in  these  twelve  cases, 
judging  from  their  statements,  did  not  believe  that  cancer  was  heredi- 
tary. 

The  low  death  rate  from  cancer  in  the  various  groups  naturally 
raises  a  question  regarding  the  accurapy  of  the  statements  obtained  by 
me.  There  is  no  reason  to  suppose  that  deaths  from  cancer  were  con- 
cealed by  applicants  for  insurance,  or  that  their  families  misstated  the 
causes  of  death;  in  fact  in  a  great  many  cases  the  relatives  gave  the 
information  in  a  much  greater  detailed  form  than  was  requested,  showing 
that  they  sincerely  desired  to  co-operate  in  the  investigation  by  giving 
accurate  information.  It  was  not  the  practice  of  the  insurance  com- 
panies to  discriminate  against  applicants  with  a  family  history  of  can- 
cer, hence  there  was  no  motive  for  concealment  of  the  facts.  Of  course, 
allowance  should  be  made  for  the  fact  that  a  few  persons  may  have  wil- 
fully misstated  the  cause  of  death  and  that  the  statements  in  the  appli- 
cations for  insurance  on  which  the  statistics  were  based  were  not  made 
by  physicians  but  by  laymen  who  certified  to  the  truth  to  the  best  of 
their  knowledge  and  belief. 

HOSPITAL    RECORDS   OP   OPERATIONS    FOR   CANCER 

The  foregoing  statistics  do  not  indicate  that  <;ancer  is  hereditaiy, 
but  in  order  to  obtain  additional  statistics  from  an  entirely  different 
source,  the  records  of  one  of  the  largest  and  best  hospitals  in  New  York 
City  were  consulted.  Unfortunately  the  material  was  not  nearly  as 
definite  as  the  data  from  the  life  insurance  companies.  In  this  hospital, 
when  a  patient  with  a  cancer  is  admitted,  questions  are  asked  to  deter- 
mine whether  there  has  been  cancer  in  the  family.  In  most  cases,  the 
number  and  ages  of  the  other  members  of  the  family  are  not  requested 
except  in  the  case  of  the  members  who  had  had  cancer;  therefore, 
through  lack  of  detailed  information,  a  complete  analysis  of  the  data 
could  not  be  made.  The  family  history  of  100  patients  admitted  for 
cancer  was  tabulated  and  it  was  found  that  the  number  of  deaths  from 
cancer  recorded  among  the  200  parents  of  the  patients  was  five  and 
among  the  400  grandparents,  only  one.  This  would  represent  a  low 
death  rate  from  cancer.  The  study  of  these  100  cases,  therefore,  gives 
no  indication  that  cancer  was  transmitted  from  the  parents  to  the 
patients  who  had  undergone  an  operation  for  cancer. 


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RESULTS  or  OTHER  INVESTIGATIONS 

Karl  Pearson  examined  the  family  histories  of  an  equal  number 
of  cancerous  patients  and  of  non-cancerous  persons.  He  came  to  the 
conclusion  that  there  was  practically  no  difference  between  them  in 
respect  to  the  preyalence  of  the  disease  among  their  relatives. 

W.  Harrison  Cripps,  in  an  article  entitled  "The  relative  frequenpy 
with  which  cancer  is  found  in  the  direct  offspring  of  a  cancerous  or 
non-cancerous  parent,"  does  not  present  evidence  of  an  hereditary  in- 
fluence. 

The  possibility  of  heredity  in  cancer  has  generally  been  studied  by 
experiments  on  animals.  In  the  case  of  human  beings  there  has  been  no 
previous  attempt,  so  far  as  I  am  aware,  to  investigate  the  problem  in 
families  where  there  has  evidently  been  a  cancer  strain,  if  such  a  thing 
exists.  In  the  present  investigation,  one  of  the  groups  consisted  of 
cases  in  which  both  of  the  parents  had  died  from  cancer;  and  in  an- 
other of  the  gn*oups,  a  parent  and  a  brother  or  a  sister  of  the  policyhold- 
er had  died  from  that  disease.  It  might  be  expected,  therefore,  ^at  if 
cancer  was  hereditary,  it  would  be  shown  very  clearly  in  the  family  rec- 
ords of  these  persons  but  this  has  not  appeared.  Approaching  the  prob- 
\em  from  other  aspects,  several  investigators,  notably  Dr.  F.  L.  Hofeian, 
have  come  to  the  conclusion  that  the  factor  of  human  heredity  is  of  lit- 
tle, if  any,  importance.  The  fact  that  some  strains  of  mice  can  be  in- 
oculated with  cancer  while  others  appear  to  be  uninoculable  suggests, 
however,  that  there  may  be  similar  differences  in  mankind,  and  that  in 
one  race,  cancer  is  more  or  less  inheritable  and  not  at  all  so  transm  it- 
table  in  other  races. 

CONCLUSION 

Among  numerous  persons  who  have  assisted  in  this  investigation 
and  among  many  of  my  friends  I  find  a  haunting  dread  of  cancer  where 
one  of  the  immediate  family  has  died  from  that  disease.  In  many  in- 
stances they  express  the  fear  thlit  there  may  be  direct  hereditary  trans- 
mission of  the  disease,  or  that  a  predisposition  to  the  disease  may  be 
inherited.  Such  a  frame  of  mind  probably  weakens  the  ability  to  re- 
sist disease,  and  accordingly  it  would  not  have  been  absolute  evidence 
of  inheritability  if  there  had  been  a  slightly  larger  percentage  of  deaths 
from  cancer  than  the  normal  in  the  groui)s  investigated.  It  would  be 
rash  to  state  that  the  low  percentage  of  deaths  from  cancer  among  the 
groups  of  those  with  a  family  history  of  that  disease  was  an  indication 
of  resulting  immunity.  On  the  other  hand,  the  material  which  has  been 
presented  justifies  the  belief  that  cancer  is  not  hereditary,  and  that  there 
is  no  hereditary  predisposition  to  that  disease.  Certainly  the  statistics 
show  that  a  man  or  a  woman,  one  or  both  of  whose  parents  died  from 
cancer,  is  no  more  likely  to  die  from  that  disease  than  those  whose  family 
history  was  free  from  that  blemish;  strong  proof  should  be  presented 
in  the  future  to  justify  asking  the  public  to  take  any  other  point  of  view. 
Men  and  women  who  are  in  anxiety  of  mind  on  account  of  the  appear- 
ance of  cancer  in  their  ancestry  or  immediate  family  may  dismiss  such 
anxieties  as  there  is  no  statistical  evidence  at  the  present  time  that  the 
disease  of  cancer  is  transmitted  by  inheritance  in  mankind.     (Applause.) 

The  Chairman:  Mr.  Hunter's  papers  are  always  on  subjects  of 
considerable  practical  interest,  and  this  paper,  in  my  oponion,  is  no 
exception.  We  are  all  under  obligations  to  Mr.  Hunter  for  this  labor, 
I  think  I  may  say,  of  love  with  him. 


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ZU  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHT 

DIFFERENTIAL  DIAGNOSIS  OF  BULLOUS  AND  VESICULAR 
ERUPTIONS  IN  CHILDREN 

Bullous  eruptions  constitute  an  important  type  of  ^in  keion.  Thia 
importance  is  enhanced  by  the  fact  that  different  dinioal  forms  preeent 
quite  similar  general  appearances.  Differentiation  and  identificatkui 
are  probably  less  familiar  to  the  general  practitioner  in  these  cases  than 
in  any  other  type  of  skin  lesion. 

Bullffi  or  vesicles  are  essentially  the  same,  differing  only  in  size. 
They  represent  an  advanced  stage  in  the  evolution  of  a  primary  skin 
lesion  and  usually  point  either  to  the  grave  nature  of  the  local  or  ccmsti- 
tutional  irritant,  or  to  a  low  resistance  of  the  soil.  This  readily  ac- 
counts for  the  fact  that  skin  lesions  in  children  and  in  debilitated  adults 
assume  so  easily  a  vesicular  or  bnllous  character,  and  also  why  they  are 
so  common  in  grave  constitutional  affections.  Occasionally  this  type 
develops  into  the  pustular,  when  the  serous  content  turns  turbid  fmm 
admixture  with  pus;  or  the  vesicles  or  bullse  may  rupture  and  become 
crusted  over. 

Yet  the  general  clinical  type  of  these  forms,  in  spite  of  such  modi- 
fications, remains  well  defined  and  easily  singled  out  from  the  general 
bulk  of  skin  diseases. 

L      ECZEMA 

The  first  in  frequency  of  occurrence  is  vesicular  eczema,  one  of  the 
most  intractable  and  stubborn  of  forms.  Its  diagnosis  is  based  on  gen- 
eral clinical  characteristics  which  are  always  to  be  found.  Eczema  may 
occur  upon  any  portion  of  the  body,  yet  in  children  it  is  most  likely  to 
be  on  the  face,  while  in  adults  it  most  frequently  affects  the  hands.  The 
vesicles  are  pinpoint  in  size,  closely  crowded,  and  present  no  regularity 
in  grouping.  An  important  differential  point  to  remember  is  that 
eczematous  lesions  of  any  type,  be  they  vesicles  or  papules,  have  always 
a  marked  tendency  to  run  tor'ether  and  to  form  irregular,  ill-defined 
patches  spreading  by  continuity.  Itching  or  burning,  while  constant,  is 
not  by  any  means  pathognomonic  and  establishes  a  diagnosis  only  in 
conjunction  with  other  symptoms.  A  diffuse  and  irregular  inflammatory 
base  occupying  the  whole  area  of  individual  vesicles  is  also  an  important 
point  differentiating  eszema  from  many  non-inflammatory  vesicular 
forms.  Eczematous  vesicles  are  easily  ruptured,  either  spontaneously  or 
by  scratching,  and  leave  an  oozing  surface  or  a  light  irregular  crusting 
of  honeycomb  character. 

This  symptom  complex  covers  the  essentials  for  the  clinical  differ- 
entiation of  eczema  from  other  types  of  vesicular  or  bullous  skin  disease. 
The  diagnosis  of  eczema  is  notoriously  more  popular  than  it  should  be, 
and  many  dermatoses  are  masquerading  under  this  name  which  on  closer 
analysis  have  not  the  slightest  claims  to  it. 

n.      IMPETIGO   CONTAGIOSA 

The  next  in  frequency  of  occurrence  in  children  is  impetigo  con- 
tagiosa. It  is  a  mild  skin  affection,  yet  it  remains  unrecognized  and  is 
treated  for  an  eczema  in  a  surprisingly  large  number  of  cases.  The  writer 
has  seen  several  cases  of  impetigo  which,  under  treatment  by  various 
indifferent  salves,  like  zinc  ointment  or  boric,  have  persisted  for  weeks 
and  gradually  involved  deeper  layers  of  the  skin  and  subcutaneous  tis- 
sues,, producing  a  deep  diffuse  cellulitis  of  the  neck  and  scalp,  neces- 
sitating serious  surgical  procedures.  Impetigo  breaks  out  usually  in  the 
form  of  multiple,  vesicular  lesions  on  the  face  or  hands,  and  is  easily 
transferred  by  self-inoculation  through  scratching.  It  may  occur  as 
an  epidemic  in  schools  or  institutions.     The  lesions  start  as  vesicles  or 


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Zlll 


More  dependable 

than  filtered 

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More  natural 

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Filtered      water 

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DRINK 

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buUaB,  which  are  much  larger  in  size  than  eczematous  vesicles;  they  are 
flat,  or  even  distinctly  umbilicatod,  and  may  be  surrounded  by  a  very 
faint  and  narrow  zone  of  hyperemia.  Their  content,  at  first  clear  and 
serous,  rapidly  becomes  turbid  and  purulent.  The  vesicles  are  never 
tensely  filled,  but  are  rather  flabby.  They  are  easily  ruptured  and  then 
there  form  over  them  soft,  bulky  crusts  which  often  appear  as  if  stuck 
or  pasted  on.  These  crusts  are  typical  for  inii>etigo  contaj^iosa  and  often 
are  alone  sufficient  to  clinch  the  diagnosis.  Impetigo  lesions  may  be 
few  or  numerous;  they  are  mostly  discrete  and  remain  so;  thoy  are  sharp- 
ly defined,  always  very  superficial,  stand  out  above  the  level  of  the  skin 
and  hardly  ever  itch. 

There  is  a  type  of  impetigo  circinata,  which  assumes  circinate  or 
serpiginous  outlines:  therefore,  it  may  be  mistaken  for  ringworm,  but 
the  presence  of  the  differential  features  described  should  clear  the 
diagnosis. 

Bacteriologically,  impetigo  is  divided  into  two  types,  one  produced 
by  staphylococci,  another  by  streptococci.  The  latter  type  occurs  mostly 
in  the  bullous  form  and  is  of  more  serious  import.  Occasionally  it  very 
closely  simulates  pemphigus  and  differentiation  is  then  very  difficult. 
Many  observers  believe  that  these  borderline  forms  merge  one  into  an- 
other and  should  be  grouped  together. 

m.      SCABIES 

Common  as  it  is,  scabies  is  not  always  recognized  in  small  children. 
This  is  particularly  true  in  cases  where,  due  to  the  great  tenderness  and 
irritability  of  the  skin,  or  due  to  scratching  and  secondary  infection,  it 


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HOM(EOPATHY 

The   Boericke  and  Tafel 

Homoeopathic  Pharmacies 

were  established  in  the  year  1835.  Their  medicines  have  always  been  the 
standard  in  Homoeopathic  drugs,  the  drugs  the  provers  use,  the  drugs  of 
the  careful  prescriber  who  believes  in  medicine.  Through  this  house,  B. 
k  T.,  Dr.  Constantine  Bering  brought  out  the  biochemic  remedies  of 
Schuessler;  the  pioneer  house.  Through  this  house,  also.  Dr.  Fuller  in- 
troduced the  tablet  triturate  because  of  the  great  superiority  of  its  trit- 
urations. Each  of  the  ten  pharmacies  carries  a  complete  line  of  the  finest 
medicine  cases  and  everything  needed  by  the  physicians.  Call  or  write 
to  the  nearest  address  as  follows : 

Philadelphia :  1011  Arch  St. ;  125  S.  Eleventh  St ;  15  N.  Sixth  St 
New  York :  145  Grand  St. ;  145  W.  43rd  St. ;  634  Columbus  Ave, 
Cincinnati :  213  W.  Fourth  St.  Pittsburgh :  702  Penn  Ave. 
Chicago :  156  N.  Wabash  Ave.  Baltimore :  326  N.  Howard  St. 


is  completely  disguised  by  the  secondary  vesicular  and  pustular  eczema. 
Only  a  closer  study  of  the  lesions  can  reveal  the  true  nature  of  the  pri- 
mary skin  affection.  It  is  well  to  remember  that  the  diagnosis  of 
scabies  is  made  not  so  much  on  any  characteristic  features  of  the  local 
lesions  as  on  the  characteristic  distribution  of  these  lesions.  The  path- 
ognomonic lesion — a  burrow  which  usually  presents  itself  as  a  blackish 
or  dark  gray  thread-like,  or  zig-zag  formation — is  not  always  to  be  found 
in  the  average  case  of  scabies,  and  may  be  particularly  difBcult  to 
discover  in  these  irritable  cases. 

The  site  of  predilection  in  scabies  is  over  all  parts  where  the  skin  is 
tender  and  affords  a  better  opportunity  for  the  parasite  to  dig  in.  Such 
are  the  web  of  the  fingers,  the  reflexor  surfaces  of  the  wrists  and  arms, 
the  mammae  in  the  female  and  the  penis  in  the  male,  the  anterior  surface 
of  the  chest,  the  abdomen  and  inside  of  the  thighs.  The  face,  palms  and 
soles  are  usually  spared.  It  is  well  to  remember  that  scabies  is  occas- 
ionally carried  in  the  best  society. 

IV.      MILIARU 

Another  frequent  skin  lesion  in  children  that  occasionally  gives 
rise  to  confusion  is  miliaria,  commonly  known  as  prickly  heat  Miliaria 
in  mild  and  typical  cases  is  easily  recognized  by  many  mothers,  but 
atypical  and  strongly  developed  cases  may  lead  even  physicians  astray. 
Clinically,  miliaria  presents  either  vesicular  or  papular  lesions,  which 
are  very  minute,  from  pin-point  to  pin-head  size;  they  are  so  closely 
crowded  that  they  produce  an  impression  of  large  infiammatory  patches 
and  areas,  but  they  are  always  discrete  and  have  no  tendency  to  run  to- 


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BA.CK    TO   FIRST    PRINCIPLES 

For  more  than  a  generation  now  we  have  been  throwing  away  our  children's  strength 
with  the  bran,  for  the  whiter  the  bread,  the  poorer  it  is  in  bone  material,  and  the  all- 
important  **vitamine8."  Pigeons  deprived  entirely  of  bran  soon  die,  and  so  do  Oriental 
people  who  try  to  live  exclusively  on  polished  rice.  Give  your  children  a  nourishing, 
varied  diet,  rich  in  the  vitamines — oranges,  baked  potatoes,  and  especially  whole  wheat 
bread  and  fresh  milk,  and  you  will  he  helping  restore  old-time  vigor  to  our  race. 

But  what  about  the  un weaned  babies,  who  have  to  depend  entirely  on  the  bottle?  Pre- 
served milk  starves  the  bones.  Fresh  milk  nourishes  them  better,  but  not  so  well  as 
good  breast  milk.  The  best  nourishment  for  bottle-fed  babies  is  fresh  cow's  milk  pre- 
pared with  DENNOS  FOOD^  the  Whole  Wheat  milk  mddifier.  For  dbnnos  contains  the  natural 
bran  of  the  wheat,  finely  pulverized  and  scientifically  prepared  so  that  even  the  new- 
born infants  digests  it  perfectly. 

Write  today  for  samples  and  formula  book  showing  caloric  value,  analysis,  etc,  of 

DBNNOS  FOOD. 

DENNOS  FOOD  SALES  CO.,  357  E.  Ohio  St 


WHY? 


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gether  as  in  eczema.  The  vesicles  are  tensely  filled,  but  they  seldom 
rupture  spontaneously,  and  usually  disappear  by  absorption  and  desic- 
cation. Miliaria  may  often  be  mistaken  for  eczema,  but  occasionally  it 
grives  rise  to  more  serious  errors.  The  diagnosis  of  measles  has  been 
made,  the  child  being  kept  in  bed  hot  July  weather,  which  natuarlly 
only  aggravated  the  condition.  Another  case  was  diagnosed  as  scarlet 
fever,  and  reported  as  such  to  the  board  of  health.  Errors  of  this  kind 
can  be  easily  avoided  by  making  diagnosis  not  on  the  general  appear- 
ance of  the  skin  rash,  but  through  the  study  of  the  type  of  individual 
lesion  and  systematic  differential  analysis  of  the  clinical  features  of 
the  eruption. 

The  herpetic  forms  of  various  dermatoses  look  much  alike,  and 
should  be  considered  together.  There  are  three  in  this  group;  heri>e6 
simplex,  herpes  zoster  and  dermatitis  herpetiformis. 

Herpes  simplex  is  sufficiently  familiar  and  is  as  a  rule  recognized 
by  its  sudden  development,  location  and  muco-cutaneous  junctures, 
grouping  of  the  lesions  in  clusters,  superficial  character,  rapid  involution, 
association  with  fever,  or  dyspeptic  symptoms  and  absence  of  itching. 

V.      HERPES  ZOSTER 

Herpes  zoster  is  an  acute  vesicular  dermatis  developing  under  toxic 
or  irritative  influences  associated  with  an  underlying  neuritis.  For 
this  reason  it  is  expected  to  follow  the  course  of  one  of  the  cutaneous 
nerves.  As  a  matter  of  fact  it  seldom  follows  such  a  strict  recrional  dis- 
tribution of  the  nerves,  but  often  overlaps  neighboring  branches;  Uiere- 


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IR.    lARNES    SANITARIUM 

STAMFORD.    CONNECTICUT 

A  PriTst*  SaBitarium  for  Mental  and  Nervous 

Diseases.        Also     Cases    of     General 

Invalidism.       Separate       Depart- 

ment  for   Cases  of  Inebriety. 

The  buildings  are  modem,  situated  in  spac- 
ions  and  attractive  Krounds.  commanaing 
snperb  views  of  Long  Island  Sound  and  sur- 
rounding  hill  country.  The  accommodations, 
table,  attendance,  nursing  and  all  appoint- 
ments are  first-class  in  every  respect.  The 
purpose  of  the  Institution  is  to  give  proner< 
medical  care  and  the  special  attention  neeaed 
in  each  individual  case.  50  minutes  from 
Grand  Central  Station.  For  terms  and  illus- 
trtte4  b««klet,  address 

F.  H.  BARNES,  Med.  Supt. 

Telephone  1867. 


Easton  Sanitarium 

DR.  C.  SPENCER  KINNEY,  Prop. 

Formerly  First  Assistant,  IMiddietowfli 
N.  Y.  State  HomceoiMitliic  Hospital. 

Mental  and  Nervous  Diseases 
a  Specialty 

Elderly  Invalids  Given  special  care 

SELECT  CLASS  ONLY  RECEIVED 

EASTON.  PA. 


Long  Distance 
Telephone  r^. 


ft 


'aNTERPINES 


Beautiful,  quiet,  RESTFUL.  HOME- 
LIKE. Twenty-six  years  of  suc- 
cessful work,  thoroughly  reliable,  de- 
pendable and  ethical.  Every  com- 
fort and  convenience:  accommoda- 
tions of  a  superior  quality.  Disorders 
of  the  nervous  system  a  specialty. 
FREDRRICK  W.  SRVVARD.  St.,  M.D. 
FREDERICK  W.  SEWARD,  Jr.,  M.D. 
Goshen,  New  York. 
Thone,  117  Goshen. 


fore,  distribution  of  the  lesions  alone  is  not  sufficient  for  its  dia^osis. 
The  following  symptom  complex  of  subjective  and  objective  charac- 
ter usually  presents  sufficient  data  for  a  positive  diagnosis.  Prodromal 
neuralgic  pains,  a  sudden  eruption,  often  in  crops,  usually  one  side, 
most  coHMnonly  in  the  supra-orbital,  cervical,  pectoral  regions,  more  or 
less  following  a  distribution  of  the  cutttneous  nerves.  The  lesions  pre- 
sent patches  of  small,  tense  vesicles  closely  set  in  clusters  on  acutely  in- 
flamed and  sharply  defined  bases.  The  vesicles  do  not  rupture  spon- 
taneously ;  they  disappear  by  absorption  and  desiccation.  The  subjective 
feeling  is  one  more  of  burning  than  of  itching.  DiflFerentiation  needs  to 
be  made  mainly  from  vesicular  eczema.  Usually  this  can  be  made 
readily  through  the  characteristic  acute  development,  sharply  defined 
borders,  lack  of  tendency  toward  exudation  and  absence  of  itching. 

VI.      DERMATITIS    HERPETIFORMIS 

Dermatitis  herpetiformis,  the  third  member  of  the  herpetic  grpnp, 
is  far  less  common  than  the  other  two,  yet  clinically  it  is  so  important 
as  to  merit  recognition  by  every  practitioner.  It  can  be  safely  stated 
that  no  skin  disease  is  as  rare  as  the  text-books  claim  it  to  be.  The 
reason  for  this  is  that  a  large  number  of  these  allegedly  rare  cases  es- 
cape recognition  and  are  long  treated  under  a  wrong  diagnosis.  Der- 
matitis herpetiformis  is  of  such  a  type.  It  is  characterized  by  a  chronic, 
intermittent,  crop-like  breaking  out  of  patches  of  vesicles  or  bulls, 
grouped  in  herpetic  fashion  in  clusters.  Th«  eruption  itches  and  bums 
intensely,  and  in  two  or  three  weeks  subsides  spontaneously  and  dries 
up  with'  suscquent  pigmentation.    The  vesicles  or  bullsB  have  no  tend- 


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Crest  View  Sanatorium  ^^^^^Jf^NEcrf^ 

Ideal  Home  Amidst  Beautiful  Surrouadlngs. 

Nervous  Diseases,  also  all  forms  of  Gastritis,  * 

38  Miles  Prom  New  York  City.  Neuritis  aod  Rheumatism. 

Blectrotherapy.  F.  St.  Clair  Hitchcock,  Physician,        N.  Y.  Tel.  1470  Plaza. 


SANMETl  O  QENITO-URINARY  DISEASES. 

A  Soothing  Healer  to  Inflamed  Conditions. 
A  Tonic-Stimnlant  to  the  Reproductive  System. 

SpedaHyVahiable  in  Prostatic  Troubles  of  Old  Men— Irritable  Madder— 

Enuresis— (^rstitis— Urethritis— Pre-Seniiity. 

SOOTHING— RELItVING— RESTORING. 

nose— OMTMS|MMiafiilFoMrri«waD)i)r.  OD  CHEM.  CO.,  NEW  YORK. 


NEURILLA  r<«!!^Ew§22LERs  NEURILLA 

irPaHenr  suffers  rromTHC  BLUES  (Nerve  Exhaustion), 
Nervous  Insomnia, Nervous  Headache. Irritabili^  or 
General  Nervousness, ^ve  four  hmes  a  day  one 

tesspoonrufNeilRILLA   ^»— # 

P>— iflor^  Inoim^f  •iid  Aronftloa» 

DAD  CHEMICAL  COMPANY,  NEW  YORK  and  PARIS. 


ency  to  rupture  spontaneously.  They  are  characterized  by  irre^lar 
or  polyangular  shape  and  are  often  covered  with  hemorrhagic  crusts. 
ThiB  lesions  show  no  site-predilection;  the  whole  surface  of  the  body 
may  gnradually  be  inrolved  by  subsequent  outbreak. 

Dermatitis  herpetiformis  is  most  commonly  mistaken  for  eczema  or 
soabies.  From  eczema  it  is  easily  difiFerentiated  by  the  herpetic  group- 
ings-of  the  vesicles,  the  discrete  character  of  the  lesions  and  the  lade 
of  any  tendency  to  run  together  into  patches,  by  breaking  out  intermit- 
tently on  widely  scattered  parts  of  the  body,  by  absence  of  any  inflam- 
matory reaction,  by  absence  of  spontaneous  rupturing  of  the  vesicles  and 
b^  absence  of  weeping.  From  scabies  it  is  differentiated  by  the  char- 
acter of  the  lesions  and  their  distribution.  Sites  of  preference  in  scab- 
ieSy  as  mentioned  above,  are  mainly  flexor  surfaces  and  all  parts  with 
tAnder  skin. 

Vn.      BULLOUS   SYPHILIDE 

One  of  the  gravest  bullous  dermatoses  in  children  is  bullous  syphil- 
ids It  is  well  to  remember  that  while  bullous  or  vesicular  syphilide  in 
wkkii/b  adults  is  so  rare  that  its  existence  is  even  denied  by  many  com- 
petent observers,  it  is  quite  common  in  hereditary  syphilis.  Therefore, 
tfaiffiorm  of  syphilis  is  prevalent  in  infants  and  young  children. 

Bullous  syphiloderm  is  always  an  indication  of  malijrnant  syphilis; 
h^nee,  the  great  importance  of  it«  early  recognition  i.s  self-evident. 
FArttmat^ly  in  the  great  majority  of  cases  these  forms  can  be  reooff- 


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XVIU  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM(£OPATHY 

PHYSICIANS'  DIRECTORY 

Explanation  of  Signs: 
t       Member  of  the  A.  I.  of  H.  *       Member  of  State  Society. 

A.      Albany  Med.  Coll.  Mo.    Missouri  Horn.  Med.  ColL 

Bo.    Boston  Univ.  Med.  Coll.  N.       New  York  Horn.  Coll. 

Ch.    B.  Bennett  Med.  Coll..  Chicago.  N.  Y.  New  York  Med.  Coll.  for  Won 

Ca.     Ha.  Hann.  Med.  Coll.,  Chicago.  P.  C.  Pulte  Med.  Coll..  CincinnatL 

Ca.     Ho.  Chicago  Hom.  Med.  Coll.  P.  H.  Hahn.  Med.  Coll.,  Philadelphia. 

Gl.      H.  Cleveland  Hom.  Med.  Coll.  U.  G.  Univ.  of  Georget*n,  Washington.  D.  C 

H.      Harvard  Univ.  Med.  Coll.  U.  M.  Un.  of  Mich.  Hom.  Coll.,  Ann  Arbor. 

M.      Hom.  Med.  Coll.  of  Missouri.  U.  V.  Univ.  of  Vermont. 

CALIFORNIA 

Los  Angeles.  Hawkes,  W.  J.,  t  *    Black  Bldg..  4th  &  Hill  Streets. 

San  Francisco,  Ward,  Florence  N.,  t  *    Gynecology,  860  Hyde  St. 

Santa  Anna.  Waffle,  Willella  H.,  t*    Ch.  Ha.,  '86.  Obstetrics,  702  Bush  Si. 
COLORADO 

Denver,  Beeler.  Margaret  H.,  t  *  D.  H„  *99,  Obstet,  Gynecol.,  CommonwemHI'  BHf 

Evans,  Horton,  Daniel  J.,  t  *  D.,  General  Practice. 
CONNECTICUT 

Stamford,  Shirk,  S.  M.,  t  *  Ph.,  '91.  Private  Patients.  233  Summer  St. 
DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA 

W^chington.  Swormstedt.  L.  B..  t*  P.  H..  '77.  Heart,  Lungs  and  Gcn*l.,  14S5  144. 
FLORIDA 

Jacksonville,  Johnson.  C.  W..  t  *  CI..  '81.  General. 
ILLINOIS 

Chicago,  Cobb.  J.  P..  t  *  Ch.  Ha..  '83,  General.  Heyworth  Bldg.  and  254  E.  4Tth  St 
Hobson,   Sarah   M..   Bo.   '90,   700  Marshall   Field   Bldg.;   residence   5401 
Blackstone  Avenue. 
MARYLAND 

Frederick.  Goodell.  Chas.  F..  t  *  Ph.,  '83.  General.  19  East  Patrick  St 
MASSACHUSETTS 

Boston,  Rice.  Geo.  B..  t*  Bo..  '88.  Nose  and  Throat  220  Clarendon  St 

nizcd  clinically  with  flrreat  accuracy  and  certainty  even  without  lauorsi- 
tory  aid,  if  general  specific  stigmata  are  sought  for.  The  characteristic 
raw  ham,  dusky  red  colored  infiltrated  base  will  be  found  around  flaccid 
bulla;.  The  usual  location  is  in  the  palms,  soles,  buttocks  and  genital 
regions.  On  careful  search  one  may  always  find  variously  sized,  dusky 
red  papules  or  erythematous  patches,  mucous  patches,  snuffles,  etc  It  ia 
time  to  discard  the  time-honored  idea  still  emphasized  in  text-books,  that 
syphilitic  children  are  always  puny,  shriveled  and  senile  looking.  Many 
striking  exceptions  are  met  with  in  actual  practice  and  most  flourish- 
ing and  robust  looking  babies  are  found  with  unmistakable  specific 
lesions. 

vm.      PEMPHIGUS 

Another  equally  grave  bullous  dermatosis  in  children  is  phemphi^us. 
It  has  to  be  admitted  that  the  classification  of  pemphigus  is  not  definite 
in  dermatology,  and  so  it  would  be  rather  unfair  to  expect  its  proper 
recognition  at  the  hands  of  general  practitioners.  A  number  of  border- 
line forms  of  wide  range  in  intensity  and  severity  of  local  and  constitu- 
tional symptoms,  ipay  be  designated  as,  and  clinically  simulate,  bullous 
forms  of  impetigo  or  erythema  multiforme.  In  these  cnses  an  exact 
diagnosis  can  be  made  only  after  proloncred  observation.  The  character- 
istic clinical  features  of  the  true  pemphisrus  are :  an  incessant  but  in- 
termittent crop-like  outbreak  of  the  bullaB  or  blebs,  from  pea  to  egg 
size,  well  distended  in  the  beginning,  later  flaccid,  arising  from  sound 
unaltered  skin  without  any  particular  type  of  grouping.  The  buThs 
may  be  closelv  set  and  coalesce,  or  may  be  widely  scattered;  they  do 
not  rupture,  but  heal  by  absorption  and  desiccation  with  subsequent 


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PHYSICIANS'  DIRECTORY  -  Continued 

MINNESOTA 

Minneapolis,  Aldrich,  Henry  C.»  f  *  P-  H^  401  Donaldson  Building. 
NEW  JERSEY 

Asbury  Park,  Bryan,  J.  H.,  t*  N.  '90,  Phys.  Thcr.  &  General,  221  Asbury  Ave. 
Hackensack.  Adams,  C.  F.,  t  *  N.,  '84,  General,  '229  Union  Street. 
Princeton,  Drury,  Alfred,  t  *  N.,  '00,  General,  1st  Nat'l  Bank  Bldg. 
Paterson,  Kinne,  P.  S..  t  *  N..  '72,  General.  575-E.  28th  St. 
NEW  YORK 

Albany,  Dowling,  J.  I.,  f  *  N.,  '95,  Eye,  Ear,  Nose  and  Throat,  116  Washington  Ave. 
Brooklyn,  Baylies,  B.  LeB.,  f  *  P.  &  S.,  G.  P.  and  Chron.  Dis.,  418  Putnam  Ayc. 

Butler,  Wm.  M.,  f*  P.  &  S.,  '73.  Ment.  and  Nerv.  Dis.,  507  Clinton  Ayc. 
Close,  Stuart,  ♦  K.,  '85  Prescribing  and  Chron.  Dis.,  248  Hancock  St 
New  York,  Chase,  J.  Oscoe,  f*  N.,  '87.  Gyn'y.  and  Orificial  Surgery,  214  E.  tSrd  St. 
DteflFenbach,  W.  H.,  t  *  N.,  '00,  Electro-Ther.,  256  W.  57th  St 
Garrison,  T.  B.,  f*  N.f  '82,  Ear,  Nose  and  Throat  616  Mad.  Ave. 
Laidlaw,  Geo.  P.,  f  *  '90,  Med.  Diag.  and  Treatment  58  W.  53rd  St 
McDowell,  Geo.  W.,  f  *  N.,  '86,  Eye,  Ear  and  Throat,  40  E.  41tt  St 
Mills,  Walter  Sands,  f  *  N.,  '89,  Physical  Diagnosis,  324  W.  89th  St 
Palmer,  A.  Worrall,  t  •  N.,  '83,  Ear,  Nose  and  Throat  210  W.  5Tth  St 
Russell.  H.  Everett  t  •  Dis.  of  Children,  Exclusively,  323  W.  80th  St 
Storer,  J.  H.,  t  •  K.,  '91,  General,  30  Edgecombe  Ave.,  near  13«th  St 
PENNSYLVANIA 

Philadelphia,  Gramm,  Ed.  M.,  t  *  P.  H.,  '80,  Dermatological  and  Physico-Tberanr. 
518  Perry  Building,  16th  and  Chestnut  Streets. 
RHODE  ISLAND 

Providence,  Whitmarsh,  H.  A.,  t  *  N.,  Surgery  and  Gyn'y.,  78  Jackson  St 
ENGLAND 

London,  Searson,  James,  35a  Welback  St,  Cavendish  Sq.,  W. 
ITALY 

Florence,  Mattoli,  D..  M.  D.,  General  Practice  and  Surgery,  17  Via  Montebello. 
Member  of  the  American  I.  of  H.,  Member  of  the  International  H.  Aff., 
Member   of   the    Hom«eop.    Medical    Society   of   the    County   of   N.   Y. 

pigmentation.    Constitutional  symptoms  vary  in  intensity. 

As  mentioned,  diffprentiation  must  be  made  from  bullous  impetigo 
and  bullous  erythema  multiforme.  A  most  important  differential  fea- 
tare  for  both  of  these  conditions  is  that,  besides  bullous  lesions,  there  al- 
so can  be  found  lesions  of  the  ordinary  tyi)e  of  impetigo  or  erythema 
multiforme.  Again,  pemphigoid  impetigo  is  likely  to  favor  common 
impetigo  locations — the  face  and  hands — and  not  to  be  scattered  all  over 
the  bocbr.  Impetigo  bulUe  tend  to  rupture  spontaneously  and  crust  over, 
which  true  pemphigus  lesions  do  not 

IX.      ERYTHEMA    MULTIFORME 

The  association  of  erjrthema  multiforme  with  the  rheumatic  dia- 
thesis is  well  established  and  its  proper  and  early  recognition  may  go 
far  towards  the  prevention  of  dangerous  cardiac  complications.  The 
most  common  form  of  erythema  multiforme  is  papular.  It  breaks  out 
suddenly,  often  in  crops,  with  more  or  less  marked  constitutional  symp- 
toms, such  as  fever,  pain  and  swelling  about  the  joints.  The  number 
of  papules  is  usually  smalL  They  are  large  in  size,  elevated  as  a  plateau, 
and  umbilicated  or  depressed  in  the  center.  The  sites  of  preference  are 
the  ba<^  of  the  hands  and  forarms,  the  face,  neck  and  tibial  surface  of 
the  legs.  Their  color  is  at  first  pink,  timing  gradually  to  dark  pur- 
plish red.  They  never  suppurate  nor  ulcerate;  they  disappear  by  ab- 
aorptiou  without  scarring.  Most  cases  of  erythema  multiforme  arc 
typical  and  can  be  readily  recognized.  The  bnlhoiis  fonn  simulating 
pemphigus  is  less  common  and  may  be  identified  by  the  presence  of 
tjpical  papular  or  transitional  papulo-vesicular  forms. 


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Physicians^  Supply  f 


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I 

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Everything  for  the  Physician  | 

Bought,  Sold,  Rented  and  Exchanged  | 


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Electro-Surgical  and  Medical  Apparatus  | 


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47  West  42nd  Street  New  York 

(BryMt  Park  Building)  (Phone,  Bryant  3560) 


X.      DRUG    ERUPTIONS 

Very  puzzling  buUouB  and  vesicular  rashes  in  children  may  be  pro- 
duced by  various  drugs.  Most  frequently  they  follow  the  ingestion  of 
quinine,  iodides,  bromides,  chloral,  saliqylates  and  sodium  santonate. 
Drug  rashes  have  nothing  characteristic  in  distribution,  size  or  char* 
acter  of  individual  lesions,  and  their  diagnosis  is  made  mainly  by  the 
exclusion  of  any  other  form  and  by  sudden  development  after  ingestion 
of  certain  drug. 

XL      VARICELLA,    VARIOLA    AND    VAOCINU 

Varicella,  variola  and  vaccinia  are  closely  allied  in  their  clinical 
manifestations  and  may  be  considered  together. 

Varicella,  when  fully  developed  in  its  typical  vesicular  fonn«  pre- 
sttits  tio  difficulty  in  diagnosis;  but  if  the  eruption  is  seen  in  a  paimlar 
stage,  diagnosis  may  not  be  clear  until  a  transition  of  some  individual 
papules  into  vesicles  can  be  detected.  On  the  other  hand,  an  esctremely 
severe  and  profuse  varicella  eruption  may  simulate  closely  a  true  variola. 
DiflFerentiation  is  based  on  the  absence  or  presence  of  a  vaccination 
maii:  and  severe  constitutional  symptoms;  also  crop-like  outbreaks,  be- 
cause of  which  there  may  be  lesions  present  in  various  stages  of  efvolu- 
tion.  The  predominance  of  lesions  on  the  trunk  points  to  varioi^li,F 
while  predominance  on  the  face  and  extremities  witii  marked  Undeauif 
towards  umbilication  of  the  vesicles  suggests  true  variola. 

Vaccinia  is  only  one  of  the  numerous  types  of  post-vaccinaitio* 
eruptions.    Post-vaccinal  eruptions  in  general  present  clinicaUy 


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Journal    of   the    American 
Institute    of    HomoBopathy 

The  official  publication  of  the  American  Institute  of  Homoeopathy. 
Devoted  to  the  publicity  of  homoeopathic  therapeutics  and  to  general 
medical  progress. 

A  Journal  for  the  General  Practitioner. 

A  magazine  with  big  possibilities  in  Internal  Medicine. 

A  publication  with  Substantial  Backing  in  thii  country  and  also  in 
England,  France,  Russia,  India,  China  and  BraaiL 

Journal  of  ihe 
AMERICAN  INSTITUTE  OF  HOMCEOPATHY, 

829  Marshall  Field  Buildin?,  Chicago 


variable  types,  and,  according  to  the  mode  of  production,  may  be  class- 
ified in  three  groups.  The  first  group,  due  to  anaphylactic  reaction  of 
vaccine  virus,  presents  local,  or  generalized  erythematous,  urticarial, 
purpuric  or  vesicular  lesions.  This  is  true  vaccinia  and  is  always  due  to 
an  anaphylactic  reaction.  In  appearance  it  closely  simulates  variola. 
The  differentiation  is  made  on  the  history  of  development,  absence  of 
constitutional  symptoms  and  rapid  involution  of  the  lesions. 

The  second  group  is  due  to  mixed  inoculation  at  the  time  6f 
vaccination  or  subsequently.  Among  these  eruptions  belong  impetigr^ 
contagiosa,  furunculosis,  erysipelas,  tuberculosis,  etc.  Rashes  of  the 
third  group  are  only  indirectly  due  to  vaccination,  which  acts  only  as  a 
local  irritant  or  a  factor  disturbing  trophoneurotic  balance.  In  this 
way  may  be  produced  eczema,  urticaria,  pemphigus,  psoriasis,  etc. 

This  concludes  the  list  of  commonly  occurring  dermatoses,  essen- 
tially of  bullous  and  vesicular  type.  For  the  sake  of  completeness  it 
may  be  mentioned  that  bullffi  and  vesicles  may  occur  also  as  incidental 
and  secondary  lesions  in  other  dermatoses,  such  as  dermatitis  venenata, 
urticaria,  erysipelas,  etc.  Diagnosis  is  readily  established  from  the 
presence  of  the  typical  lesions  of  the  primary  eruption. 

Moses  Schlotz,  M.D.,  in  The  Lancet  Clinic. 


CURBING  THE  APPETITE 
The  aim  of  civilization  is  to  create  inhibition,  the  quality  which 


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XXii  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OP  HOMCEOPATHY 


GALEN  HALL 

G>nnecticut  and  Pacific  Avenues 

Atlantic  Qty,  N.  J. 

Sanatorium  and  Hotel 

A  new  brick  Building  with  every  convenience,  elegantly  furn- 
ished, with  rooms  en  suite  and  private  baths,  with  hot  and 
cold  sea  water. 

Roof  Solarium  and  Three  Sun  Parlors 

For  convalescents  no  more  complete  or  restful  place  can  be 
found — ^with  excellent  table  and  diet  kitchen  for  invalids*  dainties. 
The  Treatment  Rooms  are  luxurious  and  fully  equipped  with  the 
latest  apparatus,  both  Electrical  and  Mydriatic.    Sea  water' used. 

A  full  Staff  of  physicians  and  nurses.  The  wishes  and  in- 
structions of  patient's  home  physician  always  respected. 

Booklet  on  Application  F«  Lr«    Votings  General  Manager 


holds  back  and  directs  to  useful  purposes,  the  natural  appetites,  pre- 
venting them  from  leading  man  into  the  pitfalls  which  beset  over-indulg- 
ence. Hunger  is  the  great  stimulus  of  action  but  when  it  is  satisfied 
to  satiety,  sodden  inactivity  follows.  If  the  natural  appetite  is  allowed 
to  dominate,  it  leads  to  over-indulgence  and  the  unwary  victim  suddenly 
finds  himself  in  a  trap  from  which  he  cannot  escape. 

One  of  the  great  elements  in  maintaining  health  is  the  regulation 
of  the  bodily  intake  to  meet  the  appetite.  The  man  who  works  witb  his 
hands  requires  more  food  than  the  brain  worker.  The  man  who  labors 
in  the  open  air  needs  more  nourishment  than  he  who  sits  cooped  in  an 
oflSce  all  day  long.  Give  the  sedentary  worker  the  appetite  of  the  day 
laborer  and  if  that  appetite  be  uncontrolled  the  body  will  become  clog- 
ged with  the  poisonous  products  of  its  own  manufacture  and  physical 
deterioration  will  surely  follow.  It  is  just  as  bad  to  eat  too  much  as  it 
is  too  little.  To  indulge  the  appetite  to  too  great  an  extent  is  equally 
as  pernicious  as  its  constant  repression.  The  best  is  to  be  found  in  an 
average  course,  neither  over  nor  under-indulgence,  neither  the  following 
of  the  inelastic  dietary  nor  the  promiscuous  and  ill-considered  use  of 
foods.  Many  a  so-called  case  of  dyspepsia  is  nothing  in  the  world  but 
the  rebellion  of  an  over-worked  stomach,  the  remonstrance  of  a  body 
which  has  been  stuffed  to  repletion.  A  great  deal  has  been  accomplished 
in  the  reduction  of  infant  mortality  because  we  are  able  to  control  what 
infants  may  eat.  Adults  must  for  themselves  exercise  this  as  self  con- 
trol. If  this  is  done  there  will  be  a  decline  in  our  adult  mortality  rates 
and  an  increase  in  health  and  efficiency. 


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MOBTH  AMBRKUN  JOUBHAL  OF  HOHOOPATHT  IX 

CURRENT  EVENTS  AND  ANNOUNCEMENTS 


Dr.  Rot  Uphaii  announoee  that  after  March  1,  1917,  his  practice 
will  be  limited  to  the  diagnosis  and  treatment  of  surgical  conditions  of 
the  digestive  system.    800  McDonough  Street,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  City. 

The  Chicago  Post  Oraduate  School  of  Homceopathy,  recently  found- 
ed, announces  a  comprehensive  couse  in  homoeopatliy.  In  homcDopathic 
materia  medica,  special  attention  is  given  to  the  use  of  the  repertory, 
the  taking  of  the  case  and  to  the  finding  of  the  indicated  remedy. 
It  is  the  purpose  of  this  institution  to  confer  the  degree  of  Master 
of  Homoeopathy  upon  all  physicians  who  satisfactorily  complete  the  woik 
of  four  hours  daily,  six  days  each  week,  for  one  year. 

A  series  of  weekly  lectures  on  Military  Surgery  and  Sanitation  is 
being  given  each  Thursday  at  8  p.m.  by  Lieutenant  Colonel  Hartsodc  at 
the  New  York  Homoeopathic  Medicid  College  and  Flower  Hospital 
The  first  lecture  was  given  March  22.  To  those  who  wish  facts  concern- 
ing the  practice  of  medicine  and  surgery  in  the  field  and  army  hospitals 
these  interesting  lectures  are  valuable. 

The  Monroe  County  Homeoeopathic  Medical  Society,  at  a  recent 
meeting,  unanimooriy  endorsed  Dr.  John  Mallory  Lee  as  a  candidate 
for  the  Presidency  of  the  American  Institute  of  Homoeopathy  which 
holds  its  meeting  at  Rochester,  June  1917. 

The  Annual  Meetino  of  Alienists  and  Neurologists  will  be  held 
Monday,  July  9th,  to  Thursday,  July  12th,  1917,  in  the  Red  Room,  La 
Salle  Hotel,  Chicago,  under  the  auspices  of  the  Chicago  Medical  Society. 
Dr.  George  A.  Zelfer  will  act  as  Chairman.  The  program  will  be  mail- 
ed June  28th,  with  abstract  of  each  paper.  Contributions  to  the  program 
are  solicited.    This  is  a  society  without  a  membership  fee. 

The  preliminary  program  is  as  follows:  Tuesday,  July  10th — 
Morning:  State  Hospital  Architecture.  Exhibition  of  plans  and 
photographs;  State  Hospital  Custody.  Administrative  Problems  of 
State  Hospitals;  Hospitals  for  Cure,  Research,  and  Prevention;  Colonies 
for  the  Productive  Insane;  Therapeutic  Employment  and  Re-education. 
Afternoon:    General  Paralysis  of  the  Insane. 

Wednesday,  July  11th — ^Morning:  Manic  Depressive  Insanity,  and 
the  Minor  Psychoses;  Delirium  Tremens,  Traumatic  Moital  Disturb- 
ances. Afternoon :  Legal  Aspects  of  Insanity ;  The  Evolution  of  Legal 
Practice  Involving  the  Question  of  Mental  Integrity.  Relations  of  In- 
sanity to  Criminal  Practice. 

Thursday,  July  12th — ^Morning*.  Dementia  Precox.  Afternoon: 
Epilepsy.    The  Feebleminded. 

Address,  Secretary  A.  &  N.,  Room  1218-80  No.  Michigan  Ave., 
Chicago. 

Chioago  Medical  Conventions.  Three  national  medical  societies 
will  hold  their  annual  conventions  at  the  Auditorium  Hotel,  Chicago, 
in  immediate  succession.  September  24th,  25th  and  26th  the  American 
Association  of  Progressive  Medicine;  September  27th,  28th  and  29th, 
the  American  Association  of  Orificial  Surgeons  and  their  surgical  clin- 
ics; October  1st,  2nd  and  8rd,  the  American  Association  for  the  Study 
of  Spondylotherapy. 

A  joint  banquet  will  be  held  Saturday  evening,  September  29th, 
under  the  auspices  of  the  Chicago  Physicians  Gk>od  Fellowship  Club. 


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X  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOM<EOPATHY 

Sunday  will  be  spent  by  some  of  the  visiting  physicians  in  recreation 
and  seeing  the  city;  others  will  occupy  the  pulpits  of  some  of  the 
various  churches  preaching  the  gospel  of  health. 

A  number  of  the  newest  ideas  in  diagnosis  and  therapeutics  will 
be  demonstrated  and  men  with  new  ideas  are  urged  to  attend  and  read 
papers  or  take  part  in  the  discussions.  . 

HahnemanVs  Birthday,  April  10th,  did  not  pass  unnoticed  by  the 
Chicago  Society  of  Medical  Research,  an  independent  medical  organ- 
ization. Its  monthly  meeting  was  held  on  that  day,  and  it3  program 
included  an  address  on  "The  Influence  of  Hahnemann  on  the  Medical 
World,"  by  Dr.  Edwin  A.  Taylor,  and  a  paper  on  ^^Homoeopathic  Indi- 
cations for  Remedies  in  Pneumonia."  The  Chicago  Society  of  Medical 
Research  has  been  described  as  "an  open  forum  representing  every  shade 
of  therapeutic  belief  from  the  crudest  drug  therapeutist  to  the  psycho- 
pa  thist.  It  is  a  gathering  where  you  can  speak  your  belief  freely  and 
no  matter  how  absurd  it  may  seem  to  the  other  fellow,  he  will  give  you 
a  most  respectful  hearing.'* 

American  Medical  Editors'  Assocution,  The  annual  meeting 
of  the  American  Medical  Editors'  Association  will  be  held  at  the  Mc- 
Alpin  Hotel,  New  York  City,  on  June  4th  and  5th,  under  the  Presidency 
of  Dr.  G.  M.  Piersol,  Editor  of  the  American  Journal  of  Medical 
Sciences. 

A  most  interesting  and  instructive  program  is  now  being  pre- 
pared and  it  is  contemplated  that  the  forth  coming  session  will  be  ,the 
largest  ever  held  in  the  history  of  the  Association. 

The  48th  annivesary  of  this  Society  will  be  celebrated  by  a  banquet 
on  the  evening  of  June  5th,  at  the  McAlpin  Hotel. 

Free  Service  Rendered  by  Physicuns.  The  Bulletin  of  the  N.  Y. 
City  Department  of  Health  calls  attention  to  the  fact  that  out  of  135,000 
patients  treated  in  local  hospitals,  more  than  three-quarters  received 
free  medical  attention,  and  pertinently  asks:  "How  much  longer  can 
the  medical  profession  afford  to  make  so  large  a  contribution  from  its 
slender  and  constantly  diminishing  resources?  How  much  longer  can 
the  community  continue  to  accept  such  a  donation  without  losing  its 
self-respect"  ? 

Post-Graduate  Courses^  Boston  University.  The  B.  U.  School  of 
Medicine  announces  post-graduate  courses  from  April  30th  to  June  9 
in  dermatology,  diseases  of  the  digestive  tract,  genitourinary  diseases, 
gynecology,  homoeopathy,  neurology,  nose  and  throat,  obstetrics,  ophthal- 
mology, orthopedics,  otology,  clinical  pathology,  experimental  physiol- 
ogy and  surgery. 

Biometry.  The  biometer  is  an  instrument  devised  for  determining 
0.000,000,1-gram  of  carbon  dioxide.  Professor  Tashiro  gives  a  descrip- 
tion of  it  and  explains  how  it  is  used  in  his  new  book — **A  Chemical 
Sign  of  Life,"  published  by  the  Chicago  University  Press. 

# 

Children  in  War  Time.  Thousands  of  children  besides  war  or- 
phans and  refugees  have  been  directly  affected  by  the  war,  according  to 
reports  from  belligerent  countries  which  have  come  to  the  Children's 
Bureau  of  the  U.  S.  Department  of  Labor.  Juvenile  delinquency  has 
increased,  more  children  have  been  employed  under  adverse  conditions, 
special  measures  have  been  necessary  to  protect  the  health  of  mothers 
and  babies,  and  home  life  has  been  broken  up  by  the  increased  employ- 
ment of  mothers. 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY  xl 

The  Bureau  believes  that  the  exi>erienee  of  other  countries  should 
be  carefully  considered  in  order  that  all  possible  provision  may  be  made 
to  prevent  similar  harm  to  children  in  the  United  States,  it  has  there- 
fore begun  a  brief  review  of  foreign  experience,  in  so  far  as  it  can  be 
understood  from  available  reports,  and  will  shortly  publish  a  series  of 
special  articles  about  children  in  war  time. 

A  preliminary  su,rvey  of  the  foreign  material  emphasizes  the  im- 
portance of  a  strict  enforcement  of  all  child-labor  and  school-attendance 
laws  and  a  generous  development  of  infant-welfare  work  by  public  and 
private  agencies. 

Annals  of  Medical  History  :  Announcement  is  made  of  the  forth- 
coming quarterly  to  bear  this  title,  to  be  edited  by  Frances  K.  Packard, 
M.D.,  and  published  by  Paul  B.  Hoeber,  C7  East  r)9th  Street,  New  York. 
Except  for  the  special  publications  of  historical  societies,  it  is  the  only 
periodical  in  English  devoted  exclusively  to  the  study  of  medical  his- 
tory, a  subject  in  which  physicians  are  becoming  constantly  more  and 
more  interested.  It  will  be  of  the  highest  literary  and  artistic  merit 
and  will  carry  no  advertisements. 

The  publisher  has  issued  a  very  elaborate  announcement  which 
augurs  well  for  the  character  of  the  publication.  It  is  worth  while  to 
send  for  a  copy.  There  certainly  is  a  place  for  this  publication  in 
American  medical  periodical  literature  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  it  will 
receive  the  support  it  deserves. 


CLIMATE:    ITS  USE  AND  ABUSE  IN  THE  TREATMENT 
OF  TUBERCULOSIS 

Writing  in  the  Medical  Record  of  September  30,  1916,  Fish  points 
out  that  in  the  very  nature  of  things  the  first  question  confronting  the 
medical  adviser  will  be,  Is  the  change  of  climate  absolutely  essential? 
In  considering  this  phase  of  the  matter,  the  physician  will  do  well  to 
remember  that  countless  cases  of  tuberculosis  have  been  * 'arrested"  with- 
out any  change  of  climate. 

Having  satisfied  himself  on  this  score,  the  medical  adviser  may 
Hhen  proceed  with  the  following  practical  catechism  based  on  extended 
clinical  experience  ^ 

Assuming  that  the  change  is  essential,  will  the  probable  results  out- 
weigh the  sacrifices  involved — the  breaking  of  home  ties,  the  loss  of 
business,  the  countless  inconvenieces,  and  the  not  inconsiderable  ex- 
penditure? Again,  what  vital  resources  does  the  patient  harbor  in  him- 
self? Is  he  fitted  for  travel?  Will  competent  medical  guidance  be 
available?  Will  the  food  and  sanitary  arrangements  be  thoroughly  sat- 
isfactory? Will  the  proposed  environment  harmonize  with  his  mental 
make-up?  Some  like  a  quiet  place,  others  prefer  an  animated  place. 
Some  are  irritated  by  necessary  association  with  strangers,  others  pre- 
fer company.  One  may  not  be  happy  unless  his  wife  is-  at  his  side,  an- 
other may  not  know  what  peace  of  mind  is  unless  she  is  away. 

Often  a  case  will  present  itself  where  it  seems  advisable  for  a  patient 
to  locate  permanently  in  a  difiFerent  climate.  Here  we  are  confronted 
with  the  additional  question.  Will  he  be  able  to  earn  his  livelihood  there? 

In  short,  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  patient's  habits  and  character- 
istics, together  with  an  intimate  insight  into  his  peculiarities,  is  essen- 
tial ;  for,  in  the  final  analysis,  we  are  treating  not  consumption  but  the 
consumptive. 


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ZU  NORTH  AMEHIOAK  JOURNAL  OF  HOMilOPATHT 

But»  perhaps,  the  meet  dominant  point  to  remember  in  connection 
with  prescribing  a  climate  for  a  consumptive  is  that  tibere  is  no  one  best 
climate  for  all  cases,  and  that  some  patients  will  fare  wdl  in  any  fairly 
good  climate  providing  they  adhere  to  a  suitable  mode  of  life. 

With  these  salient  thoughts  in  mind,  little  difficulty  indeed  will  be 
experienced  in  determining  upon  the  proper  climatic  selection. — ^Th^ 
apeutic  (Gazette. 


THE  FATE  OF  THE  GENERAL  PRACTITIONER 

Dr.  Marvel's  suggestion  of  the  establishment  of  maternity  hospi- 
tals in  every  county  causes  one  to  wonder  what  is  to  become  of  the  gen- 
eral practitioner  if  he  ceases  to  be  the  *^01d  Family  Physician,^  and  no 
longer  is  regarded  with  the  love  and  veneration  generally  accorded  to 
the  doctor  who  has  been  present  at  the  birth  of  all  the  children,  and  may- 
hap was  at  hand  when  the  mother  herself  was  bom. 

Thirty  years  ago  every  one  was  agreed  that  the  general  practitioner 
was  fated  to  disappear,  driven  out  by  the  flood  of  specialists  and  it  was 
predicted  that  soon,  as  in  Egyptian  Medicine,  every  organ  would  have 
its  special  physician.     The  general  practitioner  still  lingers  and  more 
things  have  happened  to  the  specialists  than  to  him.    For  instance,  sorg- 
«ry  is  becoming  more  and  more  developed  and  more  men  are  doing  noth- 
ing but  surgery,  and  as  a  result  there  is  a  tendency  for  the  genertd  surg- 
eon to  cover  the  whole  field  and  many  of  the  specialties  are  disappearing. 
The  proctologist  and  the  gynecologist  began  to  claim  that  they  could 
not  do  full  justice  to  their  cases,  without  taking  into  consideration  all 
of  the  surgical  conditions  below  the  diaphragm.    They  have  become  gen- 
-eral  surgeons. 

The  opthalmologist  and  the  aurist  after  annexing  the  throat  now 
claim  the  surgery  of  the  brain  and  are  doing  the  work  of  the  general 
surgeon.  The  dentist,  carrying  his  work  far  beyond  the  alveolar  pro- 
<!es8,  is  now  doing  bone  surgery  all  over  the  face. 

So  in  medicine  we  find  that  the  ''intemisf  and  the  diagnostician 
are  covering  the  entire  body  and  no  longer  confining  their  woric  to  one 
system.  From  the  nature  of  things  it  must  come  about  that  the  practi- 
tioner of  curative  medicine  will  be  divided  into  two  g^reat  divisions  as 
•of  old,  the  internists  and  the  surgeons,  and  the  most  minor  sub-divisions 
will  disappear.  The  general  practitioner  would  not  be  particularly  af- 
fected except  that  he  would  lose  his  major  surgery. 

There  is,  however,  a  danger  imminently  threatening  the  general 
practitioner's  existence,  and  that  is  the  '^ay  dinic,''  whidi  is  proposed  . 
to  supply  the  people  of  moderate  means  with  the  costly  diagnostic  meth- 
ods which  now  they  must  go  without,  the  poor  getting  them  for  nothing 
and  the  rich  being  able  to  pay  for  them. 

The  people  of  moderate  incomes  are  the  source  of  the  general  prac- 
titioner's living.  How  is  he  to  meet  this  next  menace?  By  combina- 
tion. He  should  associate  with  himself  three  or  four  assistants  capable, 
not  of  duplicating  his  work,  but  of  supplementing  it.  Three  medical 
men  or  women  and  an  office  nurse  would  be  an  ideal  combination  for 
work  in  communities  such  as  are  common  to  our  State.  The  work 
would  be  divided  differently  with  different  combinations  but  one  person 
should  be  familiar  with  clinical  methods  of  diagnosis ;  there  should  be  a 
laboratory  supplied  with  the  necessary  paraphernalia,  and  it  should  be 
X>ossible  to  make  a  complete  diagnosis  in  most  cases.    There  will  always 


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KORTU  AHBRICAN  JOURNAL  OP  HOMCEOPATHY 


Xlll 


More  dq)endable 

than  filtered 

water. 

More  natural 

than  distilled 

water* 

Filtered      water 

gives     a    False 

sense  of  security. 

P&r  Dividend*  In  Hemltb 
DRINK 

Berkshire  Spring  Water 

517  E.  132d.  Street 
NEW  YORK 


be  some  cases  requiring  confirmation  or  more  extensive  examination, 
possible  only  in  a  hospital  laboratory. 

Such  a  combination  might  be  as  follows:  A  general  surpeon  avail- 
able for  counsel  in  all  kinds  of  work,  and  caring  for  a  moderate  amount 
of  general  practice,  particularly  in  the  office.  An  assistant  capable  of 
taking  the  senior's  place,  doing  most  of  the  general  and  obstetrical  prac- 
tice. A  clinical  assistant,  preferably  a  woman,  to  attend  to  the  labora- 
tory, give  anesthetics,  and  do  much  of  the  technical  office  work;  elec- 
trical, local  treatments,  etc.,  available  also  for  emergent  obstetric  cases. 
The  office  nurse,  who  in  addition  to  the  usual  office  work  should  act  as 
secretary  and  bookkeeper.  In  such  an  office  a  complete  diagnosis  would 
be  just  as  possible  as  in  a  ''pay  clinic"  and  it  could  be  done  for  as  low  a 
price  as  any  ''pay  clinic"  ought  to  charge,  for  the  "pay  clinic"  is  not  a 
charity. 

Such  combinations  will  not  be  particularly  useful  in  the  great  med- 
ical centres,  but  in  a  State  like  New  Jersey*  where  most  of  the  practition- 
ers possess  about  the  same  medical  skill,  it  will  be  much  better  for  the 
general  practitioner  than  to  have  a  lot  of  "pay  clinics"  to  do  his  work 
for  him. — Thos.  W.  Harvet. — Journal  of  the  Med.  Soc.  of  N.  J. 


THE  TREATMENT  OF  THE  MORPHINE  HABIT 

W.  B.  REED,  THERAPEUTIC  GAZETTE 

The  pathology  of  this  disease  is  not  well  understood,  in  fact  many 
physicians  refer  to  the  disease  as  the  "dope"  habit.    There  is  no  use  try- 


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XIV  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OP  HOHCEOPATHY 


r 


HOMCEOPATHY 

The   Boericke  and  Tafel 

Homoeopathic  Pharmacies 

were  established  in  the  year  1835.  Their  medicines  have  always  been  the 
standard  in  Homceopathic  drugs,  the  drugs  the  provers  use,  the  drugs  of 
the  careful  prescriber  who  believes  in  medicine.  Through  this  house,  B. 
t  T.,  Dr.  Constantine  Hering  brought  out  the  biochemic  remedies  of 
Schuessler;  the  pioneer  house.  Through  this  house,  also.  Dr.  Fuller  in- 
troduced the  tablet  triturate  because  of  the  great  superiority  of  its  trit- 
urations. Each  of  the  ten  pharmacies  carries  a  complete  line  of  the  finest 
medicine'  cases  and  everything  needed  by  the  physicians.  Call  or  write 
to  the  nearest  address  as  follows : 

Philadelphia :  1011  Arch  St. ;  125  S.  Eleventh  St ;  15  N.  Sixth  St 

New  York :  145  Grand  St. ;  145  W.  43rd  St ;  634  Columbus  Ave. 

Cincinnati :  213  W.  Fourth  St  Pittsburgh :  702  Penn  Ave. 

Chicago :  156  N.  Wabash  Ave.  Baltimore :  326  N.  Howard  St 


ing  to  get  results  in  five  days,  or  five  weeks.  Every  one  of  these  people 
is  a  neurotic,  neurasthenic,  moral  degenerate,  or  something  of  that  class. 
Can  a  neurasthenic  be  cured  of  his  neurasthenia  or  a  moral  degenerate 
be  brought  to  the  surface  in  five  days  or  five  wedcs? 

The  indications  in  these  cases  are  clear  enough  to  any  one  who 
takes  the  trouble  to  study  them  prox>erly.  It  is  part  habit  and  part 
disease,  and  one  should  b^in  treating  the  disease  at  the  same  time  one 
does  the  habit  In  other  words,  until  one  gets  the  disease  under  control 
the  habit  tends  to  recur.  In  handling  these  cases  the  physician  must 
be  a  humanitarian  and  therapeutist  at  the  same  time.  The  object  of 
the  preliminary  period  of  gradual  reduction  is  twofold:  First,  to  im- 
prove the  patient's  physical  condition  before  complete  withdrawal ;  sec- 
ondly, to  improve  the  patient's  mental  poise  before  complete  with- 
drawal. In  the  old  days  these  people  used  from  90  to  250  grains  of  mor- 
phine a  week.  In  nearly  every  case  my  method  has  been  to  cut  down 
to  a  certain  amount,  say  a  <tachm  of  morphine  the  first  week.  My 
only  medication  at  first  one  or  two  aloes  and  myrrh  tablets  before 
meals,  and  5  minims  of  tincture  of  digitalis  and  10  grains  of  sodium 
bromide  taken  in  water  after  meals.  I  never  use  cathartics — i.e.,  com- 
pound cathartic  pills — as  I  believe  the  slow  hammering  method  the 
better;  hence  the  aloes  and  myrrh  tablet.  The  digitalis  and  bromide 
combination  is  an  excellent  one  in  all  cases.  Morphine  is  a  heart  stim- 
ulant, cerebral  sedative,  and  spinal  excitant  The  digitalis  takes  the 
plaec  of  the  morphine  as  a  heart  stimulant,  and  the  bromide  quiets  the 
spinal  excitation — a  very  important  point— and  thus  aids  in  relieving  the 
neurasthenia.     Strychnine  should  never  be  used  at  any  stage  in  the 


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treatment  of  chronic  morphinism. 

During  the  preliminary  gradual  reduction  period  I  see  the  patient 
once  &  week  on  a  certain  day,  not  any  sooner.  The  medicines  I  provide 
myself  and  the  morphine  I  write  a  prescription  for,  plainly  stating  to 
be  used  for  disease.  The  final  reduction  being  so  large  I  sometimes  wait- 
two  weeks  before  reducing  any  more,  as  I  find  it  takes  two  or  three 
weeks  for  the  patient  to  steady  himself  after  the  initial  reduction. 

I  then  reduce  about  2  or  3  grains  a  week  till  I  reach  anywhere 
from  12  to  18  grains  a  week  (all  during  this  period  the  patient  is  working 
as  usual).  I  then  keep  the  patient  at  home  for  about  four  weeks,  during 
which  time  the  morphine  is  completely  withdrawn  at  the  rate  of  one- 
fourth  grain  a  day,  taking  from  eight  to  ten  days. 

The  rest  of  the  time  is  used  to  recuperate  and  begins  the  stage  of 
convalescence.  During  the  last  stage  the  patient  should  be  seen  regu- 
larly for  a  year  or  more. 

Morphine  causes  inactivity  of  the  liver,  and  of  the  peptic  glands  of 
the  stomach.  As  the  morphine  is  gradually  withdrawn,  the  functional 
activity  of  the  liver  and  stomach  gradually  improves.  The  diet  should 
be  largely  of  milk  and  cereals  with  a  minimum  of  salt.  As  the  morphine 
is  reduced  the  need  of  laxatives  is  lessened.  After  complete  withdrawal, 
small  doses  of  Epsom  salt  act  the  best  on  account  of  the  excessive 
amount  if  hydrochloric  acid  then  present. 

Under  this  sensible  therapeutic  treatment  practically  every  cas<» 
of  morphinism  can  be  cured,  and  that  I  believe  is  saying  a  good  deal. 

H^CUL    TO    FIRST    PKINOIPI.8E 

For  more  t^an  a  generation  now  we  have  been  throwing  away  our  children's  strength 
with  the  bran,  for  Uie  whiter  the  bread,  the  poorer  it  is  in  bone  material,  and  the  all- 
important  'Vitamines."  Pigeons  deprived  entirely  of  bran  soon  di^  and  so  do  Oriental 
people  who  tiy  to  live  exclusively  on  polished  rice.  Give  your  children  a  nourishing, 
varied  diet,  rich  in  the  vitamines — oranges,  baked  potatoes,  and  especially  whole  wheat 
bread  and  fresh  milk,  and  you  will  he  helping  restore  old-time  vigor  to  our  race. 

But  what  about  the  unweaned  babies,  who  have  to  depend  entirely  on  the  bottle?  ?re- 
served  milk  starves  the  bones.  Fresh  milk  nourishes  them  better,  but  not  so  well  as 
good  breast  milk.  The  best  nourishment  for  bottle-fed  babies  is  fresh  cow's  milk  pre- 
pared with  DENNOS  FOOD^  the  Whole  Wheat  milk  modifier.  For  dennos  contains  the  natural 
bran  of  the  wheat,  finely  pulverized  and  scientifically  prepared  so  that  even  the  new- 
bom  infants  digests  it  perfectly. 

Write  today  for  samples  and  formula  bools  showing  caloric  value,  analysis,  etc.,  of 

DENNOS  FOOD. 


DENNOS  FOOD  SALES  CO.,  857  E.  Ohio  St. 


WHY 


Your  copy  ii  ready  tio«r.     Mail  that  postal 
co-day    to    Ultima    Phyiical     Appliance    Co., 
1S6  W.  Uke  St.  Chicaffo.  111. 
(For  prompt  answer  mark  envelope  N.A.J.H.) 


SAL  HEPATICA 

AN  EFFERVESCING 

SALINE  COMBINATION 

LAXATIVE  AND 
ELIMINANT 

BRBTOL-MYERS  CO. 

NEW  YORK 


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II.    lAINES    SANITAIIIM 

STAMFORD.   CONNECTICUT 

A  Privat*  Sanitariam  for  Mcnul  and  Nanroiis 

Diaaaica.       Alao    Caaaa    of    Ganeral 

Invalidiam.       Saparata       Dapart- 

mant  for  Caaat  of  Inabriaty. 

The  buildingt  are  modem,  situated  in  spac- 
iooB  and  attractive  arounds.  commanding 
superb  views  of  Long  Island  Sound  and  sur* 
nnading  hill  country.  The  accommodations, 
table,  attendance,  nursing  and  all  appoint- 
menta  are  first-class  in  every  respect.  The 
pttrpoae  of  the  Institution  is  to  give  proper 
medical  care  and  the  special  attention  needed 
ia  each  individual  case.  50  minutes  from 
Grand  Central  Station.  For  ter«t  and  lllut- 
tratfd  b—kk/k,  Addrttt 

F.  H.  BARNES,  Med.  Supt 

Telephone  1867. 


Easton  Samtarium 

DR.  C.  SPENCER  KINNEY,  Prop. 

PwiMriy  First  AMlstMt,  illddtotvwa 

N.  Y.  State  NMMBapatiiic  Hospital. 

Mental  and  Nenrons  Diseases 
a  Speciahy 

Elderly  lavallds  Qlvea  speciel  ceie 

SBLBCT  CLASS  ONLY  RBCBIVED 

BASTON.  PA. 


Long  Distance 
Telephone  106. 


i 


u 


ft 


INTERPINES 


Beautiful,  quiet,  RESTFUL,  HOME- 
LIKE. Twenty-six  years  of  suc- 
cessful work,  thoroughly  reliable,  de- 
pendable and  ethical.  Every  com- 
fort and  convenience;  accommodm- 
tions  of  a  superior  quality.  Disorders 
of  the  nervous  system  a  specialty. 
FREDERICK  W.  SEWARD,  Sr.,  M.D. 
FREDERICK  W.  SEWARD,  Jr.,  M.D. 
Goshen,  New  York. 
'Phone,  117  Goshen. 


What  wo  are  looking  for  in  these  cases  is  rehabilitation  physically,  men- 
tally, and  morally.  I  have  written  at  length  to  you  because  I  have  stud- 
ied your  therapeutics  for  over  twenty  years,  and  because  I  believe  you  are 
in  a  position  to  disseminate  this  knowledge  far  better  than  myself. 


MASTICHE  (MASTIC)  AND  ITS  ORIENTAL  USES 

History. — The  island  of  Scio,  or  Chio,  lies  in  the  Mediterranean  Sea 
about  six  hours  by  steamer  from  Smyrna.  It  has  long  been  odebrated 
in  that  a  pocket  of  the  northern  part  furnishes  the  world's  supply  of 
mastic.  This,  too,  notwithstanding  the  fertility  of  adjacent  islandis,  and 
their  situations  as  concerns  exposure  and  climate.*  That  the  tree  will 
thrive  elsewhere  is  exemplified  by  the  fact  that  a  photograph  taken  by 
me  of  a  mastic  tree  in  the  garden  of  Mr.  Alfred  A.  Keun,  near  Sm3rma» 
is  dripping  (May  6th)  with  the  transparent,  brilliant  tears.  In  the  is- 
land of  Ohio,  one  district  is  called  Mastikohoria,  which  means  ''Village 
producing  gum  mastic,"  and  this  district  supplies  the  world  with  its 
mastic. 

Mastic,  like  other  Oriental  gums,  resins  and  balsams,  has  been 
known  from  antiquity,  Theophrastus  (4th  century  before  Christ),  Dios- 
corides  and  Pliny  recording  it  as  a  product  of  Ohio.  It  was  formerly  of 
great  importance,  as  is  indicated  by  the  following  record.t 

*The  circumscribed  area  of  sections  producing  certain  drugs,  fruits  and 
natural  products,  is  noticeable  enough  to  warrant  a  special  paper 
on  the  subject  of  such  limitations  in  the  Orient. 


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Crest  View  Sanatorium  ^^^^^(^NEcrf^? 

Ideal  Home  Amidst  Beeutlfal  Sorroaadlags. 

Nervous  Diseases,  also  all  forms  of  Gastritis, 
a8  MUes  Prom  New  York  City.  Neurftis  and  Rheumatism. 

Hlcctrotherapy. F.  St  aair  Hitchcock,  Phyiician,        N.  Y.  Tel.  1470  Plaza. 

SANME  I    I  O  OENITO-URINARY  DISEASES. 

A  SovtiMig  HMkr  to  hffaMMd  CoMitioM. 
A  Twfe-SttMlart  to  tlw  BeproJiietiw  S|sto«. 

Spedaly  VahdUeh  IV«statfeTnNMe$off  OM  MMH-hMIe  N 
Enrais— Cystitis-^lrethritifr-PK-SMtfty. 
SOOTWINfr-REUEVillfr-RESTORiNC. 

•Mb- «MT«i*MriMFMrTlMMaB«.  OD  CHEM.  CO.,  NEW  YORK. 

¥fti^iiiiiilii^ilii>iilfciltilii1iilitlii^iliili 


NCURIIXA^l!!«!L5!§25!^  NEURILLA 

ir  PaHenr  suffers  fromTHC  BLUES  (Nerve  Exhaustion). 
Nervous  Insomnia,  Nervous  Headache. Irri^abitily  or 
General  Nervousnees^^ve  four  Hmea  a  day  one 
teup<K,nru(N£UR  1 1  LA  J~e 

DAD  CHEMICAL  COMPWiY,  NEW  YORK  and  PARIS 


In  the  Middle  A^res  the  mastic  of  Scios  was  a  monopoly  of  the 
Oreek  Emperors.  The  successor  of  Andronicus  II  (1304)  gave  the  mas- 
tic concession  to  a  rich  (Genoese  named  Benedetto  Zaccarias,  whose  fam- 
ily proceeded  to  rebel  against  the  Emperor,  becoming  sovereigns  of  Scio. 
SuMued  by  Andronicus  HI,  the  island  was  retaken  (1346)  by  the 
Genoese,  a  company  called  the  Oiustianiani  being  formed  to  do  '^mastic" 
and  other  business.  It  was  very  rich,  and  compared  with  the  famous 
East  India  Company,  having  its  own  mint,  constitution  and  government, 
even  engaging  in  wars  with  the  Turks.  Severe  was  their  law  concerning 
mastic,  cruel  their  punishment  of  intruders  or  offenders.  In  1566  the 
Turks  captured  the  island,  which  since  that  date  has  been  under  Moslem 
rule.  The  tribute  they  levied  on  the  inhabitants  was  that  the  ladies  of 
the  Sultan's  harem  ^ould  be  supplied,  free  of  all  expense,  with  all 
needed  supplies  of  the  choicest  of  mastic.  This  little  island  of  Chios, 
on  account  of  its  mastic,  has  been  a  center  of  Oriental  interest  from 
the  earliest  days.  It  is  still  famed  for  its  resin,  but  has  lost  its  former 
prestige,  owing  to  the  waning;  importance  of  mastic. 

Description. — The  mastic  tree  or  shrub  grows  to  the  size  of  a  small, 
scraggly  crab  tree,  being  more  bush-like.  Much  does  it  resemble  the 
Crataegus  tree  of  America.  Its  bark  and  small  limbs  carry  numerous 
ducts  that  are  prone  to  part  with  their  resinous  secretion.  This,  as  it 
exudes,  is  brilliant,  colorless,  water-white,  about  the  consistence  of  glyc- 


fSee  Pharmacographia  by  Fluckiger  and  Hanbury. 


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XVI 11  NOUTH   AMERICAN   JOURNAL  OP  HOMCEOPATHY 

PHVSICIANS'  DIRECTORY 

Explanation  of  Signs: 
t       Member  of  the  A.  I.  of  H.  ♦       Member  of  Sutc  Society. 

A.      Albany  Med.  Coll.  Mo.    Missouri  Horn.  Med.  ColL 

Bo.     Boston  Univ.  Med.  Coll.  N.       New  York  Horn.  Coll. 

Ch.    B.  Bennett  Med.  Coll.,  Chicago.  N.  Y.  New  York  Med.  Coll.  for  Women. 

Ca.     Ha.  Hann.  Med.  Coll.,  Chicago.  P.  C.  Pulte  Med.  Coll.,  Cincinnati 

Ca.     Ho.  Chicago  Horn.  Med.  Coll.  P.  H.  Hahn.  Med.  Coll..  Philadelphia. 

Gl.      H.  Cleveland  Horn.  Med.  Coll.  U.  G.  Univ.  of  Gcorget'n,  Washington,  D.  C 

H.      Harvard  Univ.  Med.  Coll.  U.  M.  Un.  of  Mich.  Horn.  Coll.,  Ann  Arbor. 

M.      Horn.  Med.  Coll.  of  Missouri.  U.  V.  Univ.  of  Vermont. 

CALIFORNIA 

Los  Angeles,  Hawkes.  W.  J.,  t  *    Black  Bldg.,  4th  &  Hill  Streets. 

San  Francisco,  Ward.  Florence  N.,  t  *    Gynecology,  860  Hyde  St. 

Santa  Anna,  Waffle,  Willclla  H.,  t*    Ch.  Ha.,  '86.  Obstetrics,  702  Bush  St. 
COLORADO 

Denver,  Bceler.  Margfaret  H..  t  *  D.  H..  '99,  Obstet,  Gynecol.,  Commonwealth  BMc 

Evans,  Horton,  Daniel  J.,  t  *  D.,  General  Practice. 
CONNECTICUT 

Stamford,  Shirk,  S.  M.,  t  *  Ph.,  '91,  Private  Patients,  233  Summer  St. 
DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA 

Wa-hington.  Swormstedt.  L.  B.,  t*  P.  H..  '77.  Heart,  Lungs  and  Gcn'l..  1455  U:K 
FLORIDA 

Jacksonville.  Johnson,  C.  W..  t  *  CI..  '81,  General. 
ILLINOIS 

Chicago.  Cobb.  J.  P.,  f  *  Ch.  Ha..  '83.  General,  Heyworth  Bldg.  and  254  E.  47th  St 
Hobson,   Sarah   M.,    Bo.    '90.   700   Marshall    Field    Bldg.;   residence   540» 
Blackstone  Avenue. 
MARYLAND 

Frederick.  Ooodell,  Chas.  F..  t  *  Ph.,  '83,  General.  19  East  Patrick  St. 
MASSACHUSETTS 

Boston,  Rice.  Geo.  B..  f*  Bo..  '86,  Nose  and  Throat,  220  Clarendon  St. 


(»rin(*  or  honoy,  and  exudes  from  abrasions,  or  even  forces  itself  through 
the  natural  bark,  dripping  therefrom  in  tears.  I  observed  limbs  without 
any  visible  abrasions  and  yet  glistening  with  tears.  The  slightest 
abrasion  is  followed  by  an  abundant  flow  of  gum,  and  this  fact  leads  to 
the  method  of  collection. 

About  June  the  ground  below  the  trees  is  cleansed  of  trash,  and 
roughly  prepared  to  catch  the  drip.  Then  the  branches  are  lavishly 
scarified  with  superficial  incisions.  The  resinous  juice  immediately  be- 
gins to  exude  and  drip  to  the  earth,  where,  of  different  qualities  as  con- 
cerns cleanliness,  it  gradually  hardens.  It  is  thus  a  conglomerate  of 
isolated  tears,  agglutinated  fragments,  and  masses  of  uneven  consist- 
ence, the  quality  being  in  accordance  with  the  foreign  matter  present. 
such  as  fragments  of  bark,  leaves,  sand  and  dirt.  Since  a  single  large 
slirub  is  capable  of  producing  ten  to  twelve  pounds,  and  the  resinous 
tears  drop  in  profusion  beneath  the  shrubs,  the  glitter  of  the  crystal 
ninssos  on  the  limbs,  in  the  sunshine,  is  very  pleasing. 

When  the  fallen  tears  are  dry,  or  hard  enough  to  be  handled,  the 
mastic  is  picked  up  by  means  of  tongs  or  pinchers,  put  into  baskets,  and 
sold  to  local  dealers.  It  is  then  called  kilista.*  The  merchant  employs 
girls  and  women  to  separate  the  grades,  in  which  the  large  single,  trans- 
parent tears  are  "first."  This  quality  is  largely  used  by  the  rich  Turk- 
ish ladies,  who  chew  it  as  a  breath  perfume.  The  irregular,  semi-opaque 
masses  constitute  the  second  quality,  whilst  the  mixture  of  small  frag- 
ments of  all  consistencies  makes  a  third,  very  low  grade. 

*This  word  is  spelled  for  me  by  Mr.  Alpair  of  Smyrna. 


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VORTH    AMFRir.AN   .TOITRNAI,  OP   HOMCEOPATHV  XIX 

PHYSICIANS'  DIRECTORY  -  Continued 

MINNESOTA 

Minneapolis,  Aldrich,  Henry  C,  t  *  P-  H.,  401  Donaldson  Building. 
NEW  JERoEY 

Asbury  Park,  Bryan,  J.  H.,  t*  N.  *90,  Phys.  Thcr.  &  General,  221  Asbury  Ave. 
Hackenaack,  Adams.  C.  F.,  t  ♦  N.,  '84.  General,  229  Union  Street. 
Princeton,  Drury,  Alfred,  t  *  N.,  '00,  General,  1st  Nat'l  Bank  Bldg. 
Paterson,  Kinne,  P.  S..  t  *  N.,  '72,  General.  675-E.  28th  St. 
NEW  YORK 

Albany,  Dowling,  J.  I.,  t  *  N.,  '95,  Eye,  Ear,  Nose  and  Throat,  lie  Washington  Ave. 
Brooklyn,  Baylies.  B.  LeB.,  t*  P.  &  S.,  G*  P.  and  Chron.  Dis.,  418  Putnam  Ave. 

Butler.  Wm.  M.,  t  *  P.  &  S.,  '73,  Ment.  and  Nerv.  Dis.,  507  Clinton  Ave. 
Close,  Stuart,  *  N.,  '85  Prescribing  and  Chron.  Dis..  248  Hancock  St. 
New  York,  Chase,  J.  Oscoc.  f  *  N.,  '87,  Gyn'y.  and  Orificial  Surgery,  214  E.  23rd  St 
DiefFenbach,  W.  H.,  t  *  N.,  '00,  Electro-Ther.,  256  W.  67th  St. 


t,  ♦  N.,  '85  Prescribing  and  Chron.  Dis..  248  H 
)scoe,  t  *  N.,  '87,  Gyn'y.  and  Orificial  Surgery, ! 
h,  W.  H.,  t*  N.,  '00,  Electro-Ther.,  256  W.  67i 
■  ^  N., '82,  Ear,  T"  ~"  

\  ♦  '90.  Med.  E 

r.,+*N.,'86, 

s.t*  N.,'89, 

1,  t*  N.,  '83, 


Garrison,  T.  B.,_t*  N.,  '82,  Ear,_Nose  andJThroat,  616  Mad.  Ave. 
"       *    V,  Ge 


Laidlaw,  Geo.  P.,  t  *  '»0.  Med.  Diag.  and  Treatment,  68  W.  63rd  St 
McDowell,  Geo.  W.,.**  N.,  '86,  Eye,  Ear  and  Throat.  40  E.  41st  St 
Mills,  Walter  Sands,  f  *  N.,  '89,  Physical  Diagnosis,  324  W.  89th  St 
Palmer,  A.  Worrall,  t  *  N.,  '83,  Ear,  Nose  and  Throat,  210  W.  67th  St 
Russell.  H.  Everett,  f  *  Dis.  of  Children,  Exclusively,  323  W.  80th  St 
Storer,  J.  H..  t  *  K.,  '91.  General,  30  Edgecombe  Ave.,  near  136th  St 
PENNSYLVANIA 

Philadelphia,  Gramm,  Ed.  M.,  t  *  P-  H..  '80,  Dermatological  and  Physico-Therapy. 
518  Perry  building,  16th  and  Chestnut  Streets. 
RHODE  ISLAND 

Providence,  Whitmarsh,  H.  A.,  t  *  N..  Surgery  and  Gyn'y.,  78  Jackson  St. 
ENGLAND 

London,  Scarson,  James,  35a  Wclback  St,  Cavendish  Sq.,  W. 
ITALY 

Florence,  Mattoli,  D.,  M.  D.,  General  Practice  and  Surgery,  17  Via  Montebello. 
Member  of  the  American  I.  of  H.,  Member  of  the  International  H.  Ass,/ 
Member   of   the    Homcrop.    Medical    Society  of   the   Coiintv   of   N    V. 

Opalescence  or  dullness  of  mastic  globules  or  tears  may  be  due  to 
dust  on  the  surface,  adhering  impurities,  scratched  or  abraded  surface. 
In  order  to  brighten  it,  the  hard,  dry  fragments  are  placed  in  tanks  of 
cold  water  and  hand  washed,  sometimes  with  a  preliminary  scrubbing 
with  soap-suds.  The  friction  between  the  fragments  removes  the  diist 
and  brightens  the  surface  to  a  glass-like  transparency.  This  manipula- 
tion is  most  successful  in  cool,  dry  weather,October  and  throughout 
the  winter  being  the  season  selected. 

Steamers  touching  at  Chios  are  boarded  by  men  with  baskets  of 
peculiarly  shaped  little  ear^en  vases  filled  with  fine  chewing  mastic, 
which  they  sell  for  2^^  piastres  each.  These  have  been  celebrated  from 
"time  immemorial,"  and  are  today  in  form  and  size  as  they  were  in 
times  gone  by. 

Mastic  is  gathered  from  June  to  September,  the  process  being  dis- 
turbed if  there  be  excessive  rains.  No  adulterations  of  mastic  are  con- 
summated in  Turkey,  but  since  the  drug  is  offered  elsewhere  cheaper 
than  it  is  supplied  in  Smyrna,  where  the  product  of  Chios  naturally 
gravitates,  it  may  be  inferred  that  manipulative  processes  are  elsewhere 
possible. 

Commercial  Features. — As  is  shown  in  our  hiftorical  introduction, 
mastic  was  once  one  of'  the  important  Oriental  products.  As  already 
stated,  it  has  from  times  gone  by  been  prized  by  the  ladies  in  the  rich 
Turkish  harems  as  a  breath  perfumer,  and  is  yet  so  employed  by  the 
Turkish  people.  That  this  use  is  not  illogical  from  a  sanitary  stand  is 
shown  by  the  fact  that  mastic  carries  a  decided  volatile  aromatic  that  is 
powerfully  antiseptic,  which  can  be  said  of  all  "chewing  gums."    Possi- 


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KORTH  AMIRynAlf  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHT 


I 

* 

I 

* 


PHYSICIANS'  Supply 
&  Exchange 

Everything  for  the  Physician 

Bought,  Sold,  Rented  and  Exchanged 


Electro-Stsrgical  and  Medical  Apparatus 


;    47  West  42nd  Street  New  York 

(Bryant  Park  Btsilding)  (Phonct  Bryant  3560) 

bly  the  nearest  American  chewing  gum  approach  to  mastic  in  this  sense 
is  the  natural  spruce  gum  of  the  north,  or  die  'Weef '  gum  of  the  middle 
west  and  the  south,  both  of  which  carry  breath-sweetening,  antis^tic 
aromatics.  Mastic  is  to  be  found  in  the  Turkish  bazaars  generally,  be- 
ing displayed  in  the  shop  in  separate  piles  of  different  qualities.  Choice 
tears  are  often  sold  in  boxes  holding  about  an  ounce,  labeled  properly. 
The  price  was  formerly  as  high  as  forty-five  dollars  per  kilogram,  but 
is  now  about  two  dollars,  the  second  and  third  qualities  ranging  from 
one  dollar  to  a  dollar  and  twenty  cents  per  kilogram.  About  200,000 
kilograms  are  produced  each  year,  of  whidi  170,000  kilograms  are  ex- 
ported. Its  field  as  a  varnish-maker  is  much  restricted,  owing  to  the 
abundance  of  less  costly  resins,  whilst  as  a  constituent  of  pharmaceutical 
preparations,  such  as  ointments,  in  which,  during  m^iaeval  times, 
mastic  was  important,  is  now  practically  obsolete. 

Raki,  or  Rakee  or  ''Mastic.''  This  is  a  popular,  mastic-flavored,  al- 
coholic cordial  liquor,  much  drunk  by  the  non-Moslem  populations  of 
some  parts  of  Turkey,  but  not  by  Mohammedan  people,  who,  so  far  as  I 
could  determine,  use  no  alcoholics.  This  drink  is  made  by  distilling  a 
mixture  of  mastic  and  anise  with  strong  wine  or  alcohol,  the  following 
being  the  formula  of  Mr.  Agop  Alpair:    Take  of 

Alcohol  86  per  cent 1,000  cc 

Aniseed  oil   2.5  gm. 

Mastic  16  gm. 

Potassium  carbonate  8  gm. 


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VOKTH  AMBUOAll  JOOBHAL  OF  HOMOOPATBT 


Journal   of  the    American 
Institute    of  Homoeopathy 

The  official  publicatioii  of  the  Americcn  Institiite  of  Homoeopathy. 
Dovoted  to  the  publicity  of  homoeopathic  therapeatict  and  to  general 
medical  progreta. 

A  Jonmal  for  the  General  Practitioner. 

A  magatine  with  hig  poaaibilitiea  in  Internal  Medicine. 

A  publication  with  Substantial  Backing  in  thit  country  and  also  in 
England,  France,  Russia,  India,  China  and  BrasiL 

Journal  of  the 
AMERICAN  INSTITUTE  OF  HOMCEOPATHY, 

829  ManhaU  Field  BoUdlng,  Chleago 


Mix  together  and  distill,  slowly  reserving  the  fractions  as  follows: 

No.  1 - 250cc 

No.  2 ^ 350cc 

No.  8 160  aa 

To  No.  2  (350  C.C.)  add  10  grams  powdered  sugar.  This  is  Raki  or 
Bakee,  the  drink  known  also  as  Mastic 

After  this  process,  the  drink  subsequently  is  continuously  made  as 
follows : 

Mix  No.  1  (250  C.C.)  with  Na  8  (160  ca)  and  add  water,  90  cc; 
alcohol  (35  per  cent)  500  cc.;  aniseed  oil  1.25  gm.;  gum  mastic  7.5  gm., 
and  potassium  carbonate  8  gm. 

Distill  as  before,  the  second  portion  (850  cc)  constituting  Baki. 
thus  the  process  may  be  continued  indefinitely,  ^e  second  fraction  of 
distillate  being  reserred  for  use. 

The  inferior  grades  of  mastic  are  utilixed  in  making  this  drink,  of 
which  800,000  litres  are  estimated  as  the  yearly  ou^ut 

Raki  or  Mastic  is  a  colorless,  transparent  liquid,  of  a  pleasant,  aro- 
matic, anise-mastic  flavor.  The  drinker  does  not  take  it  dear,  but  adds 
to  it  about  one-third  its  bulk  of  water,  which  by  precipitation  of  the 
volatile  oils  turns  ^e  mixture  milky.  Owing  to  its  strong  alcoholic 
composition,  this  drink  is  used  in  moderation,  but  to  Americans  it  does 


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XXU  -  .  NORTH  AMKRJOAN. JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY 

GALEN  HALL 

G>nnecticut  and  Pacific  Avenues 

Atlantic  Cityt  N.  J. 

Sanatorium  and  Hotel 

A  new  brick  Building  with  every  convenience,  elegantly  furn- 
ished, with  rooms  en  suite  and  private  baths,  with  hot  and 
cold  sea  water. 

Roof  Solarium  and  Three  Sun  Parlors 
For  convalescents  no  more  complete  or  restful  place  can  be 
found — with  excellent  table  and  diet  kitchen  for  invalids'  dainties. 
The  Treatment  Rooms  are  luxurious  and  fully  equipped  with  the 
latest  apparatus,  both  Electrical  and  Mydriatic.  Sea  water  used. 
A  full  Staff  of  physicians  and  nurses.  The  wishes  and  in- 
structions of  patient's  home  physician  always  respected. 

Booklet  on  Application  F*  L*   Y OUng^  General  Manager 


I 


not  appeaL     It  reminded  me  of  paregoric  rather  than  of  a  grateful 
cotdial. 

Confection  of  Mastic. — A  much-prized  confection  of  mastic  is  pre- 
pared by  making  a  syrup  of  sugar,  and  when  it  is  reduced  by  boiling  to 
a  very  thick  consiETtence,  stirring  into  it  a  sufficient  amount  of  powder- 
ed mastic  to  flavor  it.  This  produces  a  stiff  confection  of  a  pearly 
white  color,  that  I  was  informed  is  especially  a  favorite  with  the  Greeks, 
It  is  served  as  a  cdurse  by  itself,  with  a  cool  drink,  or  as  a  separate  course 
of  sweet  after  a  meal.  The  following  formula  was  given  me  by  Mr. 
Lymberis  of  Smyrna: 

Confection  of  Mastic 

Sugar    3  lbs. 

Water  2  pts. 

Citric' acid   1  dram 

White  of  one  egg. 

Mastic,  powdered %  oz. 

Dissolve  the  sugar  and  acid  in  the  water,  and  stir  in  the  white  of 
egg.  Boil,  skimming  occasionally,  until  the  thick  syrup  will  retain  its 
form  when  dropped  on  a  piece  of  cold  marble,  or  when  a  small  amount 
is  poured  into  cold  water.  Remove  from  the  fire,  cool  in  a  capacious 
vessel,  and  then  stir  in  the  powdered  mastic.  In  this  connection  it 
may  be  stated  that  an  item  of  great  interest  to  me  was  the  numberless 
forms  of  sweets  and  cakes  the  Oriental  x>eople  consume.— John  Uri 
Lloyd,  in  Eclectic  Medical  Journal. 


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NOBTH  AHBRIOAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOHCEOPATHY  iz 


BOOK  REVIEWS 


Homoeopathic  Materia  Madica  for  Nurses 

With  Introductory  Chapters  on  The  Theory  and  Practice  of  HomcBopathy. 
With  Therapeutic  Index.  By  Benjamin  C.  Woodbury,  M.D.  Cloth, 
200  pp.,  12mo.    Woodside  Publishing  Co.,  1917. 

The  author  of  this  book  has  endeavored  to  present  a  manual  for 
nurses  that  will  supplement  the  instruction  in  materia  medica  obtained 
in  nurses*  training  schools.  The  purpose  is  laadable  but  we  regret  to 
have  to  say  frankly  that  we  cannot  commend  this  book.  In  the  first 
place  there  is  hardly  a  page  that  does  not  give  evidence  of  wretched 
proof-reading.  There  are  numerous  inaccuracies  in  statement;  e.g., 
it  is  said  on  page  16  that  the  word  ^'homceopathy*'  is  of  Greek  derivation, 
and  the  two  root  words  from  which  it  is  derived  are  given  in  Greek  char- 
acters, those  of  the  first  word  when  put  into  corresponding  English  let- 
ters, giving  the  nonsensical  combination  "opsogos";  again  on  page  28, 
the  author  makes  the  attribute  ^living*'  synonymous  with  "autogen- 
ous" when  applied  to  bacteria.  The  author  says  (p.  37)  "the  dispensing 
of  remedies  has  always  been  done  by  the  physician  himself,  instead  of 
by  the  pharmacist.  Hence  this  has  always  been  one  of  the  distinguish- 
ing features  of  homoeopathic  prescribing;  in  fact  it  has  always  been 
one  of  the  most  obvious  differences  between  the  homoeopathist  and  the 
regular."  No  reference  is  made  to  the  fact  that  the  habit  of  dispensing 
originated  at  a  time  when  it  was  impossible  to  obtain  in  drug  stores 
remedies  prepared  in  accordance  with  homceopathic  pharmacopeias,  and 
that  even  at  the  present  day,  outside  of  a  dozen  or  so  pharmacies  in 
this  country,  a  wide  range  of  varying  strengths  of  homoeopathic  reme- 
dies is  not  to  be  found.  Nor  does  the  author  seem  to  be  aware  that  in 
Europe  in  centers  where  there  are  homoeopathic  pharmacies,  it  is  not 
an  uncommon  practice  to  write  prescriptions  instead  of  dispensing. 
Again,  the  author  here  ignores  the  fact  that  in  rural  districts  it  is  very 
common  practice  for  physicians  of  all  schools  of  drug  therapeutics  to 
do  their  own  dispensing. 

In  the  portion  of  the  book  devoted  to  symptomatology,  lists  of  other 
drugs  are  given  for  reference  in  connection  with  the  remedy  under  dis- 
cussion. For  instance,  on  pp.  102,  103,  Graphites,  we  have  "relations. 
Compare:  Puis.  Cal.  c,  Hepar,  Sepia.  Rhus.  tox.  Complimentary: 
Caust.,  Hep.,  Lye.  Follows:  Cal.,  Lye,  Sep.,  Sulphur.  ♦  ♦  ♦  Antidotes. 
Nux.,  Aeon.,  Arson."  The  spelling  and  punctuation  are  here  repro- 
duced exactly  to  bear  out  the  criticism  already  given.  Now,  why  does 
the  author  exx)ect  his  reader  to  guess  what  these  abbreviations  mean, 
for  there  is  no  list  of  abbreviations?  What  is  the  average  nurse  to 
understand  by  a  "complimentary''  (sie)  remedy,  or  by  "antidotes"  as 
used  by  the  author,  there  being  no  reference  that  we  have  seen  in  the 
text  to  these  terms?  Would  not  the  nurse  be  justified  in  concluding 
that  Dr.  Woodbury  recommended  graphite  as  an  antidote  for  a  lethal 
dose  of  aconite  or  arsenic?  In  the  "Therapeutic  Index,"  we  see  "Cal. 
c,  Cal.  ph.,  Hepar,  Sil."  under  the  heading  "Club  Foot!"  Can  any- 
one fail  to  see  why  the  receiver  cannot  commend  this  book  to  anyone 
seeking  to  know  something  about  homoeopathy? 


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Z  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOHCEOPATHT 

Eye,  Ear,  Note  and  Throat 

By  Howard  Charles  Ballenger,  M.D.,  Professor  of  Oto-Laryngology  in 
the  Chicago  Eye,  Ear,  Nose  and  Throat  Collie  and  A.  G.  Wip- 
pem,  M.D.,  Attending  Oculist  and  Aurist  to  St.  Elizabeth's  Hos- 
pital, Chicago.     New  Second  Edition  Thoroughly  Revised  of  524 
pages,   180  engravings   and  8  colored      plates.    Philadelphia   and 
New  York.    Lea  and  Febiger,  1917.     Cloth,  $3.50  net. 
The  authors  tell  us  that  almost  every  chapter  of  the  first  edition 
has  been  rewritten  in  the  attempt  to  meet  the  present  day  "demand  for 
a  work  that  presents  briefly,  clearly,  and  reliably  affections  of  the  eye, 
ear,  nose,  and  throat." 

The  special  features  of  this  second  editions  are, — The  anatomy  of 
parts;  methods  of  ear  examination  including  functional  tests;  diseases 
of  the  middle  ear  presented  in  the  order  of  their  occurrence;  malforma- 
tion of  the  external  nose;  tonsillectomy  fully  illustrated  and  treated 
from  the  point  of  view  of  the  modern  methods  including  the  authors' 
method  of  utilizing  the  Sluder  technic.  The  prescriptions  have  been 
carefully  revised  and  brought  thoroughly  up  to  date. 

Diseases  of  the  Genito-Urinary  Organs  and  the  Kidneys 

By  Robert  H.  Green,  M.D.,  Professor  of  Genito-Urinary  Surgery  at 
the  Fordham  University,  New  York;  and  Harlow  Brooks,  M.D., 
Professor  of  Clinical  Medicine,  University  and  Bellevue  Hospital 
Medical  College.  Fourth  Edition  Thoroughly  Revised.  Octavo 
of  666  pages,  301  illustrations.  Philadelphia  and  London.  W.  B. 
Saunders  Company,  1917.  Cloth.  $5.50  net;  Half  Morocco,  $7.00 
net. 

Drs.  Green  and  Brooks  originally  wrote  to  the  "well  equipped 
practitioner  familiar  with  modern  medical  and  surgical  technique"  upon 
important  and  up-to-date  conditions  of  and  methods  applicable  to  the 
urinary  organs  from  the  surgeon's  point  of  view  and  from  the  physic- 
ian's point  of  view. 

In  this  fourth  edition,  the  authors  tell  us  their  aim  has  been  to 
avoid  the  speculative  aiid  to  adopt  from  the  mass  of  accumulated  ma- 
terial of  recent  origin,  on  the  treatment  of  malignant  growths  in  the 
urinary  tract  and  diseased  conditions  of  the  kidney,  only  that  which 
is  of  practical  utility  and  which  rests  on  "a  sound  pathologic  and  phys- 
iologic basis."  The  book  is  fully  illustrated  and  the  illustrations  are 
excellent. 

Diseases  of  the  Stomach,  Intestines  and  Pancreas 

By  Robert  Coleman  Kemp,  M.D.,  Professor  of  Gastro-intestinal  Dis- 
eases at  the  Fordham  University  Medical  School.  Third  edition, 
revised  and  enlarged.  Octavo  of  1096  pages,  with  438  illustrations. 
Philadelphia  and  London:  W.  B.  Saunders  Company,  1917.  Cloth, 
$7.00  net;  Half  Morocco,  $8.50  net. 

Simple  and  practical  methods  of  diagnosis  and  treatment,  applic- 
able to  diseases  of  the  stomach  and  intestines,  are  the  key  notes  to  the 
interpretation  of  the  work  which  Dr.  Kemp  has  done  for  the  busy  pro- 
gressive general  practitioner  along  the  following  lines, — 

Indications  for  surgical  procedure;  a  description  of  the  symptoms, 
the  diagnosis  and  the  treatment,  by  mechanical  methods  especially,  of 
visceral  displacements;  radiography  of  gastric  ulcer,  gastric  cancer, 
duodenal  ulcer,  gall  bladder  disease  and  other  conditions;  Lane's  kink; 
Jackson's  membrane;  duodenal  dilatation;  description  of  tests  of  the 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOHOCOPATHT  zi 

intestinal  functions;  ileo-cecal  valve  incompetency;  sub-infection;' pro- 
tein absorption;  chronic  intestinal  putrefaction  in  the  light  of  today. 
Typhoid  fever, — its  intestinal  complications,  its  differential  diagnosis, 
and  its  diet  of  excessively  high  caloric  values;  gastro-intestinal  neuroses. 
The  illustrations  which  are  a  delightful  feature  of  this  third  edition 
include  radiographs,  chemical  reactions,  sketches  made  from  models 
and  photographs  of  patients  at  the  Manhattan  State  Hospital. 

Cataract  Senile  Traumatic  and  Congenital 

By  W.  A.  Fisher,  M.D.,  Prof  of  Ophthalomology,  Chicago  Eye,  Ear  and 

Throat  College. 

One's'  estimate  of  the  value  of  a  book  depends  on  the  respect  in 
which  the  author  is  held  by  the  reader.  The  writer  of  this  review  ap- 
proaches the  study  of  Fisher's  book  with  a  marked  predisposition  in  the 
author's  favor.  It  is  at  least  twenty  years  since  he  visited  the  Chicago 
Clinic,  presided  over  by  this  genius,  but  he  has  not  forgotten  the  clev- 
erness of  the  operator,  nor  the  splendid  clinical  lectures  of  that  remote 
day.  It  is  with  a  great  deal  of  pleasure,  therefore,  that  the  reviewer 
picks  up  this  book  on  "Cataract"  and  studies  its  hundred  and  twenty 
pages.. 

For  half  a  century  oculists  have  been  seeking  a  safe  method  of  re- 
moving the  crystalline  lens  in  its  capsule.  When  successfully  removed 
in  this  way  there  is  an  immediate  restitution  of  remarkably  acute  vision 
and  an  absence  of  all  iritic  inflammation.  Furthermore,  as  was  pointed 
out  by  the  reviewer  ten  years  ago,  such  a  method  makes  it  possible  and 
proper  to  operate  on  an  immature  cataract  and  to  restore  good  vision 
without  the  long  delay  waiting  for  the  cataract  to  ripen.  The  econumic 
importance  of  the  early  operation  is  perfectly  obvious. 

Fisher's  great  ambition,  apparently,  is  to  develop  a  technique  that 
will  hurry  the  young  operator  to  a  degree  of  proficiency  that  will  make 
it  possible  for  him,  as  well  as  for  the  experienced  operator,  to  remove  the 
cataract  in  its  capsule.  He  describes  a  method,  modified  from  the 
South-Indian  operation  which,  in  his  opinion,  makes  such  removal  of 
the  lens  safe  and,  necessarily,  the  operation  of  choice. 

This  little  book  should  be  read  by  every  oculist;  the  most  exper- 
ienced will  be  benefited  by  it.  To  the  beginner  in  the  specialty  the  work 
should  be  an  inspiration.  The  author's  suggestion  about  the  use  of  kit- 
ten's eyes  and  what  may  be  accomplished  by  the  use  of  two  bunded 
animals  usually  consigned  to  the  water  pail  is  worthy  the  attention  of 
every  medical  student. 

We  congratulate  Dr.  Fisher  on  the  production  of  one  of  the  best 
books  of  the  year.  R.S.C. 

Practical  Treatment,  Volume  IV 

By   76   eminent  specialists.    Edited  by   John   H.   Musser,   Jr.,   M.D., 

Associate  in  Medicine,  University  of  Pennsylvania;  and  Thomas  C. 

Kelly,  M.D.,  Instructor  in  the  University  of  Pennsylvania.  Desk  Index 

to  the  complete  set  of  four  volumes  sent  with  this  volume.    Octavo 

1000  pages,  illustrated.     Philadelphia  and  London :  W.  B.  Saunders 

Company,  1917.    Cloth,  $7.00  net;  Half  Morocco,  $8.50  net. 

.    Those  who  possess  the  three  previous  volumes  of  this  excellent  series 

will  be  glad  the  editors  and  publishers  decided  to  issue  this  supplement 

on  "The  Newest  Treatment."    Its  purpose  was  to  give  the  contributors 

to  the  series  the  opportunity  of  presenting  developments  in  therapeutics 

that  had  occurred  since  the  original  articles  were  written.    As  a  matter 


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Xn  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOHCEOPATHT 

of  fact,  a  number  of  the  authors  have  died  since  the  publication  of  their 
contributions,  and  in  such  cases,  the  whole  article  has  been  rewritten 
by  another  authority.  Some  aspects  of  treatment  not  included  in  the 
original  volumes  have  been  added  in  articles  on  The  Treatment  of  Cere- 
bro-Spinal  Syphilis,  Hay  Fever  and  Hay  Asthma,  Acidosis  in  Children, 
Occupational  Diseases,  Governmental  Prophylaxis  of  Disease,  Specific 
Therapy,  Peridental  Suppuration,  Splenectomy  as  a  Therapeutic  Pro- 
cedure in  the  Anemias,  Specific  Therapy  of  Pneumococcic  Infections, 
Postural  Treatment  of  Abdominal  and  Thoracic  Visceral  Disturbances, 
Surgical  Diseases  of  the  Spinal  Cord,  and  Erysipelas  (omitted  from 
previous  volumes). 

The  chapter  on  The  Governmental  Prophylaxis  of  Disease  is  mis- 
named and  disappointing.  Dr.  Samuel  G.  Dixon  seems  to  have  seized 
the  opportunity  to  glorify  his  work  as  Commissioner  of  Health  of  the 
Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania,  for  instead  of  reviewing  the  subject  in- 
dicated by  the  title,  he  gives  a  resume  of  the  work  of  his  Department. 
In  view  of  the  increased  attention  being  paid  to  f ooal  infections,  the  chap- 
ter on  Chronic  Peridental  Suppurations  is  of  special  interest  and  impor- 
tance. 

This  volume  has  its  own  index,  and  in  addition  to  this  the  editors 
have  provided  in  a  separate  volume  of  218  pages,  a  desk  index  for  easy 
reference  to  any  subject  discussed  in  any  of  the  four  volumes.    As  sug- 
gested, Volume  IV  just  issued  will  be  wanted  by  all  who  have  purchased 
the  preceding  volumes,  but  it  is  so  complete  and  up-to-date  a  presenta- 
tion of  Newest  Treatment  that  it  can  be  recommended  to  all  irrespective 
of  their  ownership  of  the  other  volumes. 

The  Roentgen  Diagnosis  of  Diseases  of  die  Alimentary  Canal 

By  Russell  D.  Carman,  M.D.,  Head  of  Section  on  Roentgenology,  Di- 
vision of  Medicine,  Mayo  Clinic  and  Albert  Miller,  M.D.,  First  As- 
sistant in  Roentgenology  at  the  Mayo  Clinic.    Octavo  of  558  pages 
with  504  original  illustrations.    Philadelphia  and  London:  W.  B. 
Saunders  Company,  1917.    Cloth  $6.00  net;  Half  Morocco  $7.50  net. 
The  facilities  of  the  Mayo  Clinic  are  so  exceptional  that  the  auth- 
ors of  this  book  are  particularly  qualified  to  present  in  volume  form  to 
the  profession  the  established  facts  relating  to  the  application  of  roent- 
genology to  gastro-intestinal  diagnosis.     The  authors  have  not  hesitated 
to  differ  where  necessary  from  the  opinions  expressed  by  others,  nor  to 
allow  others  to  profit  from  their  own  mistakes.    For  a  good  understand- 
ing of  such  a  subject  abundant  recourse  must  be  had  to  illustrations,  and ' 
there  is  a  wealth  of  them,  admirably  executed,  in  this  volume. 

Progressive  Medicine 

A  Quarterly  Digest  Edited  by  Hobart  Amory  Hare,  M.D.,  June  1,  1917. 
$6.00  per  annum.    Published  by  Lea  &  Febiger,  Philadelphia  and  New 

York. 

No.  2  of  the  current  year's  issue  contains  reviews  of  the  literature 
on  hernia  gynecology,  surgery  of  the  abdomen,  diseases  of  the  blood 
and  ophthalmology. 


SouTHERRN  HoMCEOPATHic  ASSOCIATION.  The  next  annual  meeting 
of  the  Southern  Homoeopathic  Medical  Association  will  be  held  in  Wash- 
ington, D.  C,  on  October  24th,  25th,  26th. 


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Zlll 


More  dependable 

than  filtered 

water. 

More  natural 

than   distilled 

water. 

Filtered      water 

gives     a    False 

sense  of  security* 

For  Dividend*  In  Health 
DRINK 

Berkshire  Spring  Water 

517  E.  132d.  Street 
NEW  YORK 


A  National  Food  Commission.  One  of  the  most  comprehensive  and 
sound  articles  on  the  question  of  the  food  supplies  to  be  provided  by  this 
country  for  its  allies  and  itself  comes  from  the  pen  of  a  medical  man, 
Dr.  H.  Edwin  Lewis,  and  appeared  in  the  May  issue  of  American  Medi- 
cine, of  which  Dr.  Lewis  is  editor.  Dr.  Lewis  points  out  the  necessity 
for  putting  all  the  food  of  this  country  under  the  control  of  a  commis- 
sion, and  suggests  an  appropriate  organization  of  such  a  commission. 
The  article  shows  that  the  author  has  thought  more  deeply  on  this  sub- 
ject than  most  of  us. 


PURIFICATION  OF  WATER  BY  BLEACHING  POWDER 

Mr.  Cree  Brown,  Professor  of  Engineering  in  the  College  of  Science, 
Poona,  has  described  in  the  Indian  Journal  of  Medical  Research  an  ap- 
paratus for  the  purification  of  water  for  troops  by  hypochlorite  of  lime. 
Such  an  apparatus,  he  points  out,  must  be  suflSciently  simple  for  use  by 
unskilled  men,  and  the  result  must  be  thoroughly  reliable.  His  appar- 
atus consists  of  two  tanks,  one  above  the  other.  Into  the  upper  and 
smaller  tank  water  is  pumped  from  the  source  of  supply.  The  hypo- 
chlorite solution  is  mixed  with  it  as  it  leaves  this  tank  to  run  into  the 
larger  tank,  in  which  the  process  is  completed  in  the  course  of  a  few 
minutes.  The  water  entering  the  lower  tank  smells  strongly  of  chlor- 
ine, but  that  drawn  off  from  the  bottom  of  it  is  tasteless,  odorless,  and 


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■»» 


HOMCEOPATHY 

The   Boericke  and  Tafel 

Homoeopathic  Pharmacies 

were  established  in  the  year  1835.  Their  medicines  have  always  been  the 
standard  in  Homoeopathic  drugs,  the  drugs  the  provers  use,  the  drugs  of 
the  careful  prescriber  who  believes  in  medicine.  Through  this  house,  B. 
k  T.,  Dr.  Constantino  Hering  brought  out  the  biochemic  remedies  of 
Schuessler;  the  pioneer  house.  Through  this  house,  also.  Dr.  Fuller  in- 
troduced the  tablet  triturate  because  of  the  great  superiority  of  its  trit- 
urations. Each  of  the  ten  pharmacies  carries  a  complete  line  of  the  finest 
medicine  cases  and  everything  needed  by  the  physicians.  Call  or  write 
to  the  nearest  address  as  follows : 

Philadelphia :  1011  Arch  St. ;  126  S.  Eleventh  St ;  15  N.  Sixth  St 

New  York :  145  Grand  St ;  145  W.  43rd  St. ;  634  Columbus  Ave. 

Cincinnati :  213  W.  Fourth  St  Pittsburgh :  702  Penn  Ave. 

Chicago :  166  N.  Wabash  Ave.  Baltimore :  326  N.  Howard  St. 


Tiiimif 


moM 


*^"^^^^PBw^^^BBiB»MMMnPMBO»^PPB|BiPaB»nmiBWi 


free  from  dangerous  bacteria.  The  apparatus  by  which  the  mixing  is 
carried  out  consists  of  a  glass  gauge,  protected  by  a  brass  tube  and  con- 
nected with  both  the  upper  tank  and  the  gauge  by  a  three  way  cock, 
which  is  an  essential  part  of  the  design.  The  hypochlorite  is  admitted 
through  the  glass  gauge.  The  hypochlorite  solution  is  mixed  in  a  bot- 
tle by  agitating  bleaching  powder  and  water  in  the  correct  proportions. 
Free  lime  is  allowed  to  settle;  the  upper  receiving  tank  is  then  filled 
with  untreated  water  and  the  hypochlorite  solution  poured  into  the 
gauge  to  the  same  level  as  that  of  the  water  in  the  tank.  The  three-way 
cock  is  then  opened  so  that  the  untreated  water  and  hypochlorite  solu- 
tion flow  through  it  into  the  tank  below,  mixing  en  route.  As  the  wa- 
ter-levels in  the  tank  and  in  the  glass  gauge  fall  at  the  same  rate,  the 
resulting  mixture  is  in  the  correct  proportions  throughout  In  a  note 
appended  to  the  paper  Captain  J.  Morison,  I.M.S.,  describes  a  modifica- 
tion of  Professor  Sims  Woodhead's  method  of  dosing  the  bleaching 
powder  which  he  has  had  in  use  since  July,  1915,  as  a  daily  routine 
at  Poona.  Into  each  of  seven  flasks  500  c.cm.  of  the  water  to  be  treated 
is  introduced.  To  each  is  added  a  measured  quantity  of  a  freshly  pre- 
pared 1  in  1,000  solution  of  hypochlorite  of  lime,  and  the  samples  are 
stirred  with  a  glass  rod,  or  rotated  to  ensure  mixture.  The  convenient 
quantities  are:  0.5  c.cm.,  0.6  c.cm.,  0.7  c.cm.,  0.8  c.cm.,  0.9  c.cm.,  1  c.cm., 
and  1.1  c.cm.  After  a  quarter  of  an  hour  each  sample  is  tested  with  a  crys- 
tal or  a  few  drops  of  a  solution  of  potassium  iodide  and  a  few  drops  of 
fresh  starch  solution.  The  sample  with  the  smallest  quantity  of  hypo- 
chlorite solution,  which  shows  a  distinct  blue  color,  has  received  suf- 
ficient bleaching  powder  solution  to  make  it  bacteriologically  safe.     As 


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these  samples  were  each  of  500  com.,  and  the  strength  of  the  solution 
of  bleaching  powder  1  in  1,000  the  weight  of  bleaching  powder  in  pounds 
required  to  treat  1,000,000  gallons  of  water  is  obtained  by  multiplying 
the  number  of  cubic  centimetres  of  the  test  solution  used  by  20.  As 
samples  of  bleaching  powder,  especially  in  the  tropics,  vary  in  the  per- 
centage of  available  chlorine  they  contain,  it  is  necessary  to  repeat  the 
estimation  of  the  dose  from  time  to  time.  Where  the  water  is  derived 
from  a  river,  the  estimation  should  be  made  daily.  The  apparatus  was 
tried  at  the  camp  of  the  Poona  Volunteers  at  Chinchwad  with  satis- 
factory results.  The  water  was  from  a  surface  well  in  the  midst  of 
agricultural  land.  After  treatment  with  15  lb.  per  1,000,000  gallons  in 
the  way  described,  the  water  used  from  the  second  tank  contained  no 
lactose  fermenters  in  100  c.cm.,  and  was  absolutely  free  from  smell  or 
taste.  The  daily  average  number  in  camp  during  the  week  of  trial  was 
200,  and  there  was  no  case  of  diarrhea  or  dysentery.  In  another  paper 
in  the  same  issue  Captain  Morison  gives  directions  as  to  the  dose  of 
alum  for  the  clarification  of  water  by  precipitation.  For  soft  water  the 
best  dose  is  half  the  equivalent  weight  of  alum  necessary  to  react  com- 
pletely with  the  alkalinity  calculated  as  calcium  carbonate.  For  a  hard 
water  the  same  rule  holds  good;  but  an  equally  good  clarification  can  be 
obtained  by  the  use  of  a  smaller  dose  and  a  mechanical  filter.  A  watery 
solution  of  hematoxylin  (logwood)  gives  a  reddish  color  when  the  correct 
dose  has  been  used.  With  doses  in  excess  or  in  defect  of  this  a  de- 
coloration or  a  gradation  of  shades  of  purple  or  lavender  is  obtained; 


BACK    TO    FIRST   PRINCIPLES 

For  more  than  a  generation  now  we  have  been  throwing  away  our  children's  strength 
with  the  bran,  for  the  whiter  the  bread,  the  poorer  it  is  in  bone  material,  and  the  all- 
important  'Vitamines."  Pigeons  deprived  entirely  of  bran  soon  die,  and  so  do  Oriental 
people  who  tiy  to  live  exclusively  on  polished  rice.  Give  your  children  a  nourishing, 
varied  diet,  rich  in  the  vitamines — oranges,  baked  potatoes,  and  especially  whole  wheat 
bread  and  fresh  milk,  and  you  wiU  he  helping  restore  old-time  vigor  to  our  race. 

But  what  about  the  unweaned  babies,  who  have  to  depend  entirely  on  the  bottle  t  Pre- 
served milk  starves  the  bones.  Fresh  milk  nourishes  them  better,  but  not  so  well  as 
good  "breast  milk.  The  best  nourishment  for  bottle-fed  babies  is  fresh  cow's  milk  pre- 
pared with  DENNOS  FOOD,  the  Whole  Wheat  milk  modifier.  For  dennos  contains  the  natural 
bran  of  the  wheat,  finely  pulverized  and  scientifically  prepared  so  that  even  the  new- 
bom  infants  digest  it  perfectly. 

Write  today  for  samples  and  formula  book  showing  caloric  value,  analysis,  eta,  of 

DENNOS  FOOD. 

DENNOS  FOOD  SALES  CO.,  357  E.  Ohio  St. 


W    H 


•p^'yBwigf 


Get  the  reasen  in  our 
free  booklet  of  clinical 
'lata 

"SINUSOID  ALOGY" 


Y«ur  copy  is  ready  rio«tr.     Mail  that  postal 
to^ar    to     Ultima     Physical     Appliance     Co.. 
18«  W.   Lake  St..  Chicago.  111. 
(For  prompt  answer  mark  envelope  N.A.J.H.) 


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XVI 


NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHT 


DR.    BARNES    SANITARIUM 

STAMFORD,    CONNECTICUT 

A  Private  SaniUrium  for  Mental  and  Nenroua 
Discaiea.        Also     Cases    of     General 
Invalidism.        Separate       Depart- 
ment for   Cases  of  Inebriety. 

The  buildings  are  modern,  situated  in  spac- 
ious  and  attractive  grounds,  commanaing 
superb  views  of  Long  Island  Sound  and  sur- 
rounding hill  country.  The  accommodations, 
table,  attendance,  nursing  and  all  appoint- 
ments are  first-class  in  every  respect.  The 
purpose  of  the  Institution  is  to  give  proper 
medical  care  and  the  special  attention  needed 
in  each  individual  case.  50  minutes  from 
Grand  Central  Station.  For  terms  and  Illus- 
trated booklet,  address 

F.  H.  BARNES.  Med.  Supt 

Telephone  1867. 


Easton  Sanitarium 

DR.  C.  SPENCER  KINNEY*  Prop. 

P*ra*rly  First  AsslsUnt,  Mlddletown 
N.  Y.  SUte  HoiiKBopattak  HosplUI. 

Mental  and  Nervous  Diseases 
a  Specialty 

Elderly  iovallds  Qiveo  special  care 

SBLBCT  CLA5S  ONLY  RBCBIVBD 


I/>ng  Distance 
Telephone  ie6. 


EASTON.  PA- 


"INTERPINES" 

Beautiful,  quiet,  RESTFUL.  HOME- 
LIKE. Twenty-six  years  of  suc- 
cessful work,  thoroughly  reliable,  de- 
pendable and  ethical.  Every  com- 
fort and  convenience;  accommoda- 
tions of  a  superior  quality.  Disorders 
of  the  nervous  system  a  specialty. 
FREDERICK  W.  SEWARD.  Sr.,  M.D. 
FREDERICK  W.  SEWARD,  Jr.,  M.D. 
Goshen.  New  York. 
'Phone,  117  Goshen. 


this  reaction  can  be  used  for  a  colorimetric  estimation  of,  and  hence  a 
check  on,  the  dose  of  alum  actually  used.  The  clarification  obtained 
by  adding  the  optimum  dose  of  alum  was  not  affected  by  the  turbidity  of 
the  water  within  the  wide  limits  of  turbidity  found  in  the  Poona  water. 
— The  British  Medical  Journal. 


ACCURATE   CONCEPTS  IN  ELECTRONIC  DIAGNOSIS 

In  the  last  issue  of  the  classical  quarterly,  "The  International  Clin- 
ics," there  appeared  a  contribution  by  Dr.  Albert  Abrams  (A.M.,  L.L.D., 
M.D.  (Heidelberg)  F.R.M.S.,)  of  San  Francisco  bearing  on  the  sub- 
ject, "The  Electronic  Reactions  of  Abrams."  This  is  perhaps  one  of  the 
most  radical  attempts  ever  made  in  medicine  and  in  diagnosis.  It  is 
based  on  the  fact  recognized  by  physicists  that,  the  ultimate  constituent 
of  the  body  is  the  electron  and  not  the  cell.  These  electrons  in  their 
incessant  activity  create  a  field  of  radio-activity  which  always  has  a 
definite  rate  of  vibration.  Unfortunately  there  are  no  instruments  of 
sufficient  sensitivity  to  enable  one  to  detect  these  radiations. 

The  discoverer  of  radium  demolished  precipitously  the  established 
theories  of  matter  and  force  so  that  chemistry  was  forced  to  be  rewrit- 
ten and  our  conception  of  this  constituent  of  matter  completely  changed. 

Abrams  has  found  that  the  reflexes  bearing  his  name  and  which 
have  been  fully  exploited  in  the  last  volume  of  "The  Reference  Hand 
Book  of  the  Medical  Sciences"  are  so  sensitive  that  they  can  be  utilized 
in  the  diagnosis  of  disease.    Not  only  is  it  possible  to  diagnose  disease 


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Crest  View  Sanatorium  ^^^^^%^^nectIcu? 

ideal  Home  Amidst  Beautiful  SurrouDdlngs. 

Nervous  Diseases,  also  all  forms  of  Gastritis, 

28  Miles  Prom  New  York  City.  NeuHtis  and  Rheumatism. 

Blectrotherapy.  F.  St.  Clair  Hitchcock,  Physician,        N.  Y.  Tel.  1470  Plaza. 


SAN  ME  I    I  O  GENITO-URINARY  DISEASES. 

A  SootUag  Heater  to  taflamed  GondHnas. 
A  Tonc-StiMlaHt  to  the  Reprodnctne  ^em. 

Spedaly  Vaia^Ueiii  Plvstatic Troubles  of  OU  Men— hritaUe  Bladder— 

Emresis— CystHis-llretliritis— Pre-Senity. 

SOOTHINfr-RELIEVINCh-RESTORING. 

MSL— Om TuinwM  Few T!aM a  INr.  OD  CHEM.  CO.,  NEW  YORK. 

WgiiRiULB-roft  Na»t-oisoRDERs  NEURILLA 

If  PaNenr  surfers  FrotnTHE  BLUES  (Nerve  Exhaustion). 
Nervous  Insomnia.Nervous  Headache.lrritability  or 
General  Nervousness,  ^ve  four  Hmee  a  day  oife 
(esspoonful  N  £  U  R I LLA      -^  ' 

Prepared  from  S^out^lUrlnTl^At^rlflorib 
Pas«lflor«  Inoam«t«  And  Ajromatloe* 

DAD  CHEMICAL  COMPAIIY^  t^EW  YORK  and  PARIS. 

with  mathematical  accuracy  but  one  can  measure  with  the  j^aiiic  precision 
the  virulency  of  affection.  These  methods  have  revolutionized  the  early 
diagnosis  of  cancer,  tuberciilosis,  syphilis  and  other  diseases.  Thus  we 
are  able  to  say  how  efficient  antisyphilitic  treatment  is  when  it  is  neces- 
sary and  how  long  to  continue  it. 

In  a  recent  communication  by  Geo.  O.  Jarvis,  A.B.,  M.D.,  formerly 
of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  he  found,  that  the  electronic  test 
of  Abrams  was  positive  in  nearly  100  per  cent,  of  syphilitic  infection 
whether  they  were  hereditary  or  acquired.  Another  important  feature 
of  Abrams'  test  is  the  ability  to  recognize  congenital  from  acquired 
syphilis.  The  reaction  in  syphilis  like  in  other  diseases,  is  always  pres- 
ent. 

Another  feature  of  these  reactions  is  the  fact  that  a  diagnosis  may 
be  accurately  made  from  the  blood.  The  discoverer  of  these  methods 
is  most  anxious  to  introduce  them  to  the  medical  profession  and  he  in- 
vites correspondence  with  relation  to  the  same.  Specimens  of  blood 
sent  to  him  and  placed  on  a  slide  or  paper  will  be  gratuitously  examined 
and  reported  on  by  him. 

Any  physician  of  sufficient  intelligence  may  learn  these  methods 
provided  he  is  capable  of  recognizing  by  percussion,  an  area  of  dullness 
and  Dr.  Abrams  is  most  anxious  to  aid  the  profession  in  the  interpreta- 
tion of  his  methods.  Physicians  are  accordingly  invited  to  write  Dr. 
Albert  Abrams,  2135  Sacramento  St.,  San  Francisco,  Cal.,  for  both  a 
blood  test  and  further  information  concerning  his  diagnostic  method' 


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Xnil  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OP  HOMCEOPATHY 

PHYSICIANS'  DIRECTORY 

Explanation  of  Signs: 
t       Member  of  the  A.  1.  of  H.  *       Member  of  State  Society. 

A.      Albany  Med.  Coll.  Mo.    Missouri  Hom.  Med.  ColL 

Bo.    Boston  Univ.  Med.  Coll.  N.       New  York  Hom.  Coll. 

Ch.     B.  Bennett  Med.  Coll.,  Chicago.  N.  Y.  New  York  Med.  Coll.  for  Women. 

Ca.     Ha.  Hann.  Med.  Coll.,  Chicago.  P.  C.  Pultc  Med.  Coll.,  Cincinnati 

Ca.     Ho.  Chicago  Hom.  Med.  Coll.  P.  H.  Hahn.  Med.  Coll..  Philadelphia. 

CI.      H.  Cleveland  Hom.  Med.  Coll.  U.  G.  Univ.  of  Gcorget'n,  Washington.  D.  C 

H.      Harvard  Univ.  Med.  Coll.  U.  M.  Un.  of  Mich.  Hom.  Coll.,  Ann  Arbor. 

M.      Hom.  Med.  Coll.  of  Missouri.  U.  V.  Univ.  of  Vermont. 

CALIFORNIA 

Los  Angeles,  Hawkes,  W.  J.,  t  *    Black  Bldg.,  4th  &  Hill  Streets. 

San  Francisco,  Ward,  Florence  N.,  t  *    Gynecology,  860  Hyde  St. 

Santa  Anna,  Waffle,  Willella  H.,  t  *    Ch.  Ha..  '86.  Obstetrics,  702  Bush  St. 
COLORADO 

Denver,  Beeler,  Margaret  H.,  t  *  D.  H.,  '99,  Obstet,  Gynecol.,  Commonwealth  Bldf 

Evans.  Horton,  Daniel  J.,  t  *  D.,  General  Practice. 
CONNECTICUT 

Stamford,  Shirk.  S.  M..  t  *  Ph.,  '91,  Private  Patients,  233  Summer  St. 
DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA 

Washington.  Swormstedt,  L.  B.,  t  *  P.  H.,  '77.  Heart,  Lungs  and  Gcn'l.,  1455  irft 
FLORIDA 

Jacksonville,  Johnson,  C.  W.,  t*  CI.,  '81,  General. 
ILLINOIS 

Chicago,  Cobb.  J.  P..  t  *  Ch.  Ha.,  '83,  General.  Heyworth  Bldg.  and  254  E.  47th  St 
Hobson,   Sarah   M..   Bo.    '90,   700   Marshall    Field   Bldg.;   residence   5401 
Blackstone  Avenue. 
MARYLAND 

Frederick.  Goodell.  Chas.  F.,  t  *  Ph.,  '83,  General.  19  East  Patrick  St. 
MASSACHUSETTS 

Boston,  Rice.  Geo.  B..  t  *  Bo.,  '86,  Nose  and  Throat.  220  Clarendon  St 

TWO  GOOD  LAWS  RELATING  TO  VENEREAL  DISEASE 

At  the  recent  session  of  the  State  Legislature,  two  excellent  laws 
were  placed  on  the  statute  books,  laws  which  should  prove  of  immense 
influence  in  bringing  about  a  more  effective  administrative  control  of 
venereal  diseases. 

One  of  these  constitutes  an  amendment  to  the  Domestic  Relations 
Law,  and  requires  all  persons  applying  for  a  marriage  license  to  take 
the  following  oath: 

"I  have  not  to  my  knowledge  been  infected  with  any  venereal 
disease,  or  if  I  have  been  so  infected  within  five  years  I  have  had  a 
laboratory  test  within  that  period  which  shows  that  I  am  now  free 
from  infection  from  any  such  disease." 

It  is  true  that  conjugal  venereal  infection  is  often  due  to  disease 
contracted  by  one  of  the  parties  subsequent  to  marriage,  and  that  the 
provision  quoted  above  will  therefore  be  without  influence  on  all  such 
cases.  ^Moreover  the  mere  taking  of  the  oath  will  not  make  absolutely 
certain  that  both  parties  are  free  from  infection  at  the  time  of  marriage. 
Nevertheless  the  new  law  should  exert  an  important  educational  in- 
fluence on  a  hitherto  much  tabooed  subject. 

The  other  law  relates  to  advertising,  and  adds  the  following  section 
to  the  Penal  Law: 

"Section  1142-a.  Advertisements  relating  to  certain  diseases 
prohibited.  Whoever  publishes,  delivers  or  distributes  or  causes  to 
be  published,  delivered  or  distributed  in  any  manner  whatsoever  an 
advertisement   concerning  a   venereal  disease,  lost  manhood,  lost 


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NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHY  XIX 

PHYSICIANS'  DIRECTORY  -  Continued 

MINNESOTA 

Minneapolis,  Aldrich,  Henry  C.,  t  *  P.  H^  401  Donaldson  Building. 
NEW  JERSEY 

Aibury  Park,  Bryan,  J.  H.,  t*  N.  '90.  Phys.  Ther.  &  General.  221  Asbury  Ave. 
Hackcnsack,  Adams,  C.  F.,  t  *  N.,  '84.  General,  229  Union  Street. 
Princeton,  Drury,  Alfred,  t  *  N.,  'GO,  General,  1st  Nat'l  Bank  Bldg. 
Paterson,  Kinne,  P.  S.,  t  *  N..  '72,  General,  675-E.  28th  St. 
NEW  YORK 

Albany,  Dowling,  J.  I.,  f  *  N.,  '95,  Eye,  Ear,  Nose  and  Throat,  116  Washington  Ave 
Brooklyn,  Baylies,  B.  LcB.,  t  *  P.  &  S.,  G.  P.  and  Chron.  Dis.,  418  Putnam  Ave. 

Butler,  Wm.  M.,  f  *  P.  &  S.,  '73.  Ment.  and  Nerv.  Dis.,  607  Clinton  Ave 
Close,  Stuart,  *  N.,  '85  Prescribing  and  Chron.  Dis.,  248  Hancock  St 
New  York,  Chase,  J.  Oscoe,  t  *  N.,  '87,  Gyn'y.  and  Orificial  Surgery,  214  E.  23rd  St 
DieflFenbach,  W.  H.,  t  *  N..  '00,  Electro-Ther.,  256  W.  67th  St 
Garrison,  T.  B.,  t*  N.,  '82,  Ear,  Nose  and  Throat,  616  Mad.  Ave, 
Laidlaw,  Geo.  F.,  t  *  '90,  Med.  Diag.  and  Treatment,  68  W.  63rd  St 
McDowell,  Geo.  W.,  t  *  N.,  '86,  Eve.  Ear  and  Throat,  40  E.  4l8t  St 
Mills,  Walter  Sands,  f  *  N.,  '89,  Physical  Diagnosis,  324  W.  89th  St 
Palmer,  A.  Worrall,  f  *  N.,  '83.  Ear,  Nose  and  Throat,  210  W.  67th  St 
Russell,  H.  Everett,  f  *  Dis.  of  Children,  Exclusively.  323  W.  80th  St 
Storer,  J.  H..  t  *  N.,  '91,  General,  30  Edgecombe  Ave.,  near  136th  St 
PENNSYLVANIA 

Philadelphia,  Gramm,  Ed.  M.,  t  *  P.  H.,  '80,  Dermatological  and  Physico-Therapy 
618  Perry  Building,  16th  and  Chestnut  Streets. 
RHODE  ISLAND 

Providence,  Whitmarsh,  H.  A.,  t  *  N.,  Surgery  and  Gyn'y.,  78  Jackson  St 
ENGLAND 

London,  Searson,  James,  35a  Welback  St,  Cavendish  Sq.,  W. 
ITALY 

Florence,  Mattoli.  D..  M.  D.,  General  Practice  and  Surgery.  17  Via  Montebello 
Member  of  the  American  1.  of  H.,  Member  of  the  International  H.  Ass., 
Member  of   the    Homoeop.    Medical    Society   of   the    County   of   N.   Y 

vitality,  impotency,  sexual  weakness,  seminal  emissions,  varicocele, 
self-abuse  or  excessive  sexual  indulgence  and  calling  attention  to 
a  medicine,  article  or  preparation  that  may  be  used  therefor  or  to  a 
person  or  persons  from  whom  or  an  office  or  place  at  which  informa- 
matidi,  treatment  or  advice  relating  to  such  disease,  infirmity,  habit 
or  condition  may  be  obtained,  is  guilty  of  a  misdemeanor  and  upon 
conviction  thereof  shall  be  punished  by  imprisonment  for  not  more 
than  six  months,  or  by  a  fine  of  not  less  than  fifty  dollars  nor  more 
than  five  hundred  dollars,  or  by  both  such  fine  and  imprisonment 
This  section,  however,  shall  not  apply  to  didactic  or  scientific  treat- 
ises which  do  not  advertise  or  call  attention  to  any  person  or  persons 
from  whom  or  any  office  or  place  at  which  information,  treatment 
or  advice  may  be  obtained,  nor  shall  it  apply  to  advertisements  or 
notices  issued  by  an  incorporated  hospital  or  a  licensed  dispensary 
or  by  a  municipal  board  or  department  of  health  or  by  the  depart- 
ment of  health  of  the  State  of  New  York."— Weekly  Bulletin  N.  Y. 
City  Dep't.  of  Health. 


TREATMENT  OF  IVY  POISONING 

BY   W.    H.    DIEFFENBACH,    MJ). 

New  York 
Of  the  various  dermatitis  venenata,  the  most  common,  the  rhus 
toxicodendron,  or  ivy,  poisoning,  proves  an  annual  source  of  annoyance 


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Electro-Surgical  and  Medical  Apparatus 


47  West  42nd  Street  New  York 

(Bryant  Park  Btiildmg)  (Phone.  Bryant  3560) 


#<H>#*:}J:^>:iJ:--^:^<H^:»ic--^^^M>:»<:-»^<i4,:»j:*4^^ 


to  many  who  spend  their  vacations  in  the  country  and  also  to  the  coun- 
try-folk themselves.  A  common  affection  such  as  this  has,  in  different 
hands,  been  treated  successfully  in  many  ways  and  it  is  surprising  to 
note  the  many  recommendations  for  its  amelioration  or  cure. 

Almost  every  physician  has  some  pet  application  which  he  thinks 
influences  the  dermatitis  favorably. 

Thus  the  old-fashioned  lead  wash,  or  lead  and  opium  wash,  grindclia 
robusta  solution,  sanguinaria  solution,  the  tincture  of  jewel-weed, 
quinin  solutions,  permanganate  solutions,  hyposulphite  of  soda,  boric 
acid,  antiphlogistine,  zinc  oxid,  calamin,  carbolic  solutions,  zinc  sulphate 
solution,  petrolatum,  butter-milk,  lime  water,  and  lastly  the  frequently 
recommended  sal-ammoniac  solution. 

There  are,  no  doubt,  many  preparations  omitted  from  this  list, 
but  this  compilation  will  convice  you  of  the  fact  that  no  specific,  per  se, 
has  been  universally  accepted  for  the  treatment  of  this  annoying  af- 
fection. 

Accepting  the  statement  that  a  somewhat  volatile  substance,  "toxi- 
codendric  acid,"  is  the  cause  of  the  irritation  and  through  penetration 
of  the  skin  causes  the  severe  dermatitis  ascribed  to  it,  it  appeals  to  me 
strongly  that  any  substance  which  will  neutralize  this  acid  ought  to  be 
considered  as  a  palliative  measure.  This  suggests  the  use  of  almost  any 
alkalin  solution,  and  the  recommendation  of  Dr.  Geo.  Leitner,  of  Pier- 
mont,  N.  Y.,  to  use  a  strong  solution  of  sal-ammoniac  has  in  my  hands 
proven  palliative  in  a  more  efficient  manner  than  other  preparations 
used  previous  to  this  recommendation.    However,  this  local  application 


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Journal    of   the    American 
Institute    of   Homoeopathy 

The  official  publication  of  the  American  Institute  of  Homoeopathy. 
Devoted  to  the  publicity  of  homoeopathic  therapeutics  and  to  general 
medical  progress. 

A  Journal  for  the  General  Practitioner. 

A  magazine  with  big  possibilities  in  Internal  Medicine. 

A  publication  with  Substantial  Backing  in  tht«  country  and  also  in 
England,  Prance,  Russia,  India,  China  and  BraziL 

Journal  of  the 
AMERICAN  INSTITUTE  OF  HOMCEOPATHY, 

829  Marshall  Field  Bolldlnsr,  Chleago 


does  not  immunize  from  srubsequent  attacks,  and  the  suggestion  of  many 
to  chew  some  of  the  leaves  of  this  ivy  or  take  rhus  toxicodendron  in  dilu- 
tion internally  does  not  meet  the  condition  in  every  case  and  is  at  best 
empirical. 

My  own  experience  with  rhus  poisoning  is  herewith  briefly  recited. 
Until  a  few  years  ago,  although  visiting  a  country  every  summer  where 
sumach  and  ivy-rhus  abounds,  no  special  skin  irritation  was  ever  noted 
until  a  few  years  ago,  when  several  minor  attacks  of  the  fingers  were 
quickly  palliated  with  soda  solutions.  In  the  early  sunmier  of  1914,  a 
primary  attack  was  aborted  with  local  soda  applications,  to  be  followed 
in  quick  succession  by  almost  weekly  recurrences.  The  attacks  would 
subside  but  would  recur  with  violence  whenever  the  country  was  re- 
visited. A  very  severe  attack  involving  the  face  and  neck,  tiie  fourth 
during  the  month,  was  treated  by  a  colleague.  Dr.  L.  B.  Couch  of  Nyack, 
N.  Y.,  with  carbolic  acid  and  alcohol,  as  the  attack  simulated  erysii>elas. 
This  heroic  treatment  caused  exfoliation  of  all  the  skin  treated  but  pro- 
duced, like  aU  other  methods,  only  temporary  relief. 

Seeking  some  method  to  immunize  myself  from  these  recurrences, 
Dr.  Guy  B.  Steams  of  New  York  City,  was  consulted  and  he  devoted 
much  time  to  the  selection  of  a  remedy  fitting  my  symptoms.  This  ef- 
fort was  followed  by  two  subsequent  attacks,  and  while  reading  one  of 
Dr.  Charles  H.  Duncan's  articles  on  "Autotherapy*'  and  "auto-lacto  ther- 
apy*'  the  thought  occurred  to  me  to  apply  this  method  in  my  case.  Ac- 
cordingly one  of  the  cows  of  the  farm  was  fed  on  a  mixture  of  grass  and 


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ZXll  NORTH  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHT 

GALEN  HALL 

Gmnecticut  and  Pacific  Avenues 

Atlantic  City,  N.  J. 

Sanatorium  and  Hotel 

A  new  brick  Building  with  every  convcnicnae,  tlegantly  furn- 
ished, with  rooms  en  suite  and  private  baths,  with  hot  and 
cold  sea  water. 

Roof  Solarium  and  Three  Sun  Parlors 

For  convalescents  no  more  complete  or  restful  place  can  be 
found — with  excellent  table  and  diet  kitchen  for  invalids*  dainties. 
The  Treatment  Rooms  are  luxurious  and  fully  equipped  with  the 
latest  apparatus,  both  Electrical  and  Hydriatic.    Sea  water  used. 

A  full  Staff  of  physicians  and  nurses.  The  wishes  and  in- 
structions of  patient's  home  physician  always  respected. 

Booklet  on  Application  F«  L«   Votings  General  Manager 


poison-ivy  plant  and  the  milk  of  this  cow  was  imbibed  the  next  day. 
This  test  occurred  in  August  and  was  followed  by  apparent  immunity  for 
the  rest  of  the  summer  and  fall.  About  one  pint  of  milk  was  taken  for 
two  days  and  no  other  treatment  instituted.  This  immunizing  milk 
treatment  was  also  tried  in  the  case  of  a  girl  of  twelve  years  of  age  who 
had  had  a  number  of  ivy  attacks,  and  immunity  was  established  in  this 
instance  also,  so  that  it  appears  as  if  Dr.  Duncan's  theory  might  find 
successful  application. 

During  the  present  summer,  I  have  had  three  slight  attacks  in- 
volving the  fingers  only,  so  that  immunity  as  indicated  above  is  not 
permanent.  In  these  attacks  sal-ammoniac  solution  (one  tablespoonful 
to  the  pint  of  water)  was  applied  by  means  of  compresses  for  a  number 
of  hours  or  over  night  and  this  was  followed  by  the  application  of  hot 
antiphlogistine  poultices  to  restore  the  integrity  of  the  skin.  In  my 
judgment,  the  use  of  antiphlogistine  in  these  cases  is  of  much  benefit  in 
improving  the  local  circulation  after  the  rhus  poison  has  been  neutral- 
ized by  the  sal-ammoniac  and  its  use  will  tend  to  prevent  recurrences  to 
a  great  extent.  Another  point  to  consider  in  order  to  avoid  recurrences 
is  thoroughly  to  steam,  sterilize  or  rub  with  some  strong  alkalin  solu- 
tion all  particles  of  clothing,  especially  the  shoes  worn  during  the  at- 
tacks, as  contact  with  these  articles  may  be  the  means  of  again  setting 
up  the  dermatitis. — New  England  Medical  Gazette. 


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